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Should Baptists use Confessions and Creeds?

Marooncat79

Well-Known Member
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The drafters of the 2000 BFM assured us that it was NOT "a creed", and NOT "a binding or governing document on Southern Baptist churches and their members"!

Baptist Press June 14, 2000
Baptist Press June 14, 2000

"In answer to debate coming from the floor, members of the study committee repeatedly defended the preamble, as well as the entire document, as a statement of belief and not as a binding or governing document on Southern Baptist churches and their members."

"Committee members cautioned the press against misunderstanding...noting that the convention's vote is not binding on local churches. 'We don't have the right, the authority or the power'...[Adrian] Rogers noted....'It is not a creed. It is a statement of what most of us believe'."


Sounds great but its not true

They kicked out a Church in Mphs in 1989? For having Nancy Sehested as pastor. Deny the Trinity or penal substitution and see what happens
 

canadyjd

Well-Known Member
Throughout history, godly men and women, of superior intellect and insight than I possess, have spent countless hours/days/years, meditating on the meaning of scripture.

I agree we must use scripture as the standard of truth, but I like seeing what prior saints have written about it. Sometimes I read something I had never considered and other times I find that what I believed was an original insight or thought had been expressed hundreds of years ago.

peace to you
 
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canadyjd

Well-Known Member
Sounds great but its not true

They kicked out a Church in Mphs in 1989? For having Nancy Sehested as pastor. Deny the Trinity or penal substitution and see what happens
The SBC is a voluntary association of like minded Christians. When a church expresses beliefs contrary to what other churches are comfortable with, they voluntarily withdraw fellowship at local, state, and/or national level.

Unlike denominations with a central authority, the limit of any consequences is disfellowship.

peace to you
 

Jerome

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
The drafters of the 2000 BFM assured us that it was NOT "a creed", and NOT "a binding or governing document on Southern Baptist churches and their members"!
not true

They kicked out a Church in Mphs in 1989? For having Nancy Sehested as pastor.
No church has ever been disfellowshipped by the SBC for calling a woman to pastor. Several benighted local associations and state conventions have acted against such churches, excluding them only from the local or state group.

Baptist Press • Oct 20, 2015 • "the SBC has never withdrawn fellowship from a church because it had a female pastor"
 

canadyjd

Well-Known Member
Correct. But it IS Mandatory in some aspects
What “aspect” do you believe the national organization makes mandatory to state or local association?

It is not “mandatory” that any local church accept BFM as its statement of faith.

peace to you
 

Ziggy

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
At the SBC seminaries, professors must teach in strict accord with and not contrary to the BFM, or they will be dismissed. At least that's what the claim is.
 

37818

Well-Known Member
Two things. First, no creed or confession should be placed above the written word of God. Second, it is not a bad idea for each local church to have a statment of faith and practice so believers who have moved can find a local church which agrees with their understanding of faith and practice to join.
 

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Two things. First, no creed or confession should be placed above the written word of God. Second, it is not a bad idea for each local church to have a statment of faith and practice so believers who have moved can find a local church which agrees with their understanding of faith and practice to join.
Those 2 points would be hearty Amen!
 

Yeshua1

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At the SBC seminaries, professors must teach in strict accord with and not contrary to the BFM, or they will be dismissed. At least that's what the claim is.
Statement of beliefs by very definition means this is what is believed Bible teaches!
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
The problem with creeds, confessions or other summaries of biblical doctrine, is they contain questionable assertions. The body of Christ does not agree on exactly what the bible teaches. How many "statements of faith" have we read where the "hot button" issues are addressed with ambiguity or not at all. I think every local baptist assembly should publicly display their "what we believe" statement, to allow for unity as believers choose to join the fellowship.
 

asterisktom

Well-Known Member
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or dies that violate scriptures only?

Yes, it violates Scripture. If violates is too strong it at least crowds it out.

It is ironic that many Reformed who profess so strongly Sola Scriptura also insist on creeds. They actually believe Scriptura cum Commento
 

Marooncat79

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Yes, it violates Scripture. If violates is too strong it at least crowds it out.

It is ironic that many Reformed who profess so strongly Sola Scriptura also insist on creeds. They actually believe Scriptura cum Commento


Then why preach a sermon? Again, a confession is nothing more than a concise way of organizing a theological concept into a simpler understanding.

Scripture is used to form a confession. It is the very backbone. A good confession uses nothing but scripture. Thats why there are Bible references at the end of them
 
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