Report of Committee on Baptist Faith and Message
The 1962 session of the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in San Francisco,
California, adopted the following motion.
"Since the report of the Committee on Statement of Baptist Faith and Message
was adopted in 1925, there have been various statements from time to time which
have been made, but no overall statement which might be helpful at this time as
suggested in Section 2 of that report, or introductory statement which might be
used as an interpretation of the 1925 Statement.
"We recommend, therefore, that the president of this Convention be requested
to call a meeting of the men now serving as presidents of the various state Conventions
that would qualify as a member of the Southern Baptist Convention committee under
Bylaw 18 to present to the Convention in Kansas City some similar statement which
shall serve as information to the churches, and which may serve as guidelines
to the various agencies of the Southern Baptist Convention. It is understood that
any group or individuals may approach this committee to be of service. The expenses
of this committee shall be borne by the Convention Operating Budget."
Your committee thus constituted begs leave to present its report as follows:
Throughout its work your committee has been conscious of the contribution made
by the statement of "The Baptist Faith and Message" adopted by the Southern
Baptist Convention in 1925. It quotes with approval its affirmation that "Christianity
is supernatural in its origin and history. We repudiate every theory of religion
which denies the supernatural elements in our faith."
Furthermore, it concurs in the introductory "statement of the historic
Baptist conception of the nature and function of confessions of faith in our religious
and denominational life." It is, therefore, quoted in full as part of this
report to the Convention.
"(1) That they constitute a consensus of opinion of some Baptist body,
large or small, for the general instruction and guidance of our own people and
others concerning those articles of the Christian faith which are most surely
held among us. They are not intended to add anything to the simple conditions
of salvation revealed in the New Testament, viz., repentance towards God and faith
in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
"(2) That we do not regard them as complete statements of our faith, having
any quality of finality or infallibility. As in the past so in the future Baptists
should hold themselves free to revise their statements of faith as may seem to
them wise and expedient at any time.
"(3) That any group of Baptists, large or small have the inherent right
to draw up for themselves and publish to the world a confession of their faith
whenever they may think it advisable to do so.
"(4) That the sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is
the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Confessions are only guides in interpretation,
having no authority over the conscience.
"(5) That they are statements of religious convictions, drawn from the
Scriptures, and are not to be used to hamper freedom of thought or investigation
in other realms of life."
The 1925 Statement recommended "the New Hampshire Confession of Faith,
revised at certain points, and with some additional articles growing out of certain
needs . . . ." Your present committee has adopted the same pattern. It has
sought to build upon the structure of the 1925 Statement, keeping in mind the
"certain needs" of our generation. At times it has reproduced sections
of the Statement without change. In other instances it has substituted words for
clarity or added sentences for emphasis. At certain points it has combined articles,
with minor changes in wording, to endeavor to relate certain doctrines to each
other. In still others-e.g., "God" and "Salvation"-it has
sought to bring together certain truths contained throughout the 1925 Statement
in order to relate them more clearly and concisely. In no case has it sought to
delete from or to add to the basic contents of the 1925 Statement.
Baptists are a people who profess a living faith. This faith is rooted and
grounded in Jesus Christ who is "the same yesterday, and today, and for ever."
Therefore, the sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is Jesus Christ
whose will is revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
A living faith must experience a growing understanding of truth and must be
continually interpreted and related to the needs of each new generation. Throughout
their history Baptist bodies, both large and small, have issued statements of
faith which comprise a consensus of their beliefs. Such statements have never
been regarded as complete, infallible statements of faith, nor as official creeds
carrying mandatory authority. Thus this generation of Southern Baptists is in
historic succession of intent and purpose as it endeavors to state for its time
and theological climate those articles of the Christian faith which are most surely
held among us.
Baptists emphasize the soul's competency before God, freedom in religion, and
the priesthood of the believer. However, this emphasis should not be interpreted
to mean that there is an absence of certain definite doctrines that Baptists believe,
cherish, and with which they have been and are now closely identified.
It is the purpose of this statement of faith and message to set forth certain
teachings which we believe.
[Adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention May 9, 1963]
Herschel H. Hobbs Chairman Luther B. Hall
Howard M. Reaves Robert Woodward
Ed. J. Packwood Douglas Hudgins
C. Z. Holland Paul Weber, Jr.
W. B. Timberlake R. A. Long
C. V. Koons Nane Starnes
Malcolm B. Knight C. Hoge Hockensmith
Dick H Hall, Jr. Hugh R. Bumpas
Charles R. Walker David G. Anderson
Walter R. Davis E. Warren Rust
Garth Pybas James H. Landes
V. C. Kruschwitz R. P. Downey
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