MBC

Baptisms Are Down???

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

The following article was written by Ben Straten, and it seems at a time when many “Baptists” are more concerned with numbers than they are souls salvations this article is quite meaningful.  When “Baptists” seem more concerned with going along to get along, receiving alien emersions, and doing what comes natural to the world in the drinking of the liquor, and supporting the industry of drunkenness; we need to stop and pay attention.

Why the Decline in Southern Baptist Baptisms?

 

Recently it was reported in the news that the number of Southern Baptist baptisms had declined for the third straight year. In 2007 Southern Baptist churches baptized 345,941 people. This is considerably lower then 1972 when Southern Baptist churches baptized 445,725 people, the most in their history. So the question is why the great change in the number of Southern Baptist baptisms since 1972. Some are saying that we are not as evangelistic or as committed as we were back in 1972.

While there is some truth to this answer, there is another reason that is totally ignored in the blogs and denominational papers. Back in 1972 the vast majority of Southern Baptist churches rejected alien immersions. (that is non-Baptist baptisms) Thirty-five years ago when someone wanted to join a typical Southern Baptist church from a Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Disciples of Christ, etc. church they had to be “rebaptized” in order to join the church. Yet since 1972 hundreds of Southern Baptist churches have given up this practice. Today many Southern Baptist churches that thirty-five years ago would have rebaptized these non-Baptists who wanted to join their church, will now receive them by “statement”. That is one of the biggest reasons why the number of Southern Baptist baptisms is so much lower in 2007 than it was in 1972

Let’s continue being the Southern Baptists which we should be.  Be saved and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

-T.A.

Baptists and Beverage Alcohol

/ Tim A. / 47 Comments

There is an age old controversy in Christianity waging over the issue of beverage alcohol.  Is it proper or allowable for Christians to drink socially, as long as they do not get drunk?  Does Scripture say anything against the drinking of beverage alcohol?  These are questions that are being asked by many Christians, and even Baptists Christians.

For many years Baptists have been known to be “Tea-totalers”.  Personally, I do not think that to be a bad thing.  In recent months and years the idea of Baptists being temperant concerning beverage alcohol has come into question.  It has been a source of controversy at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting and recently at the Missouri Baptist Convention’s annual meeting.

To my point of view it has become a question due to the fact that many younger pastors are saying that the Bible says nothing against a social drink of beverage alcohol.  There are several of us, young and old, who disagree with that assessment.  There is example after example in Scripture of the danger or the drink.  In articles I have written at Fire and Hammer I have written of two examples.  The first is of Noah who having come off the ark, grows a vineyard, drinks too heavily of its fruit, and becomes drunkened by it, and brings a curse on a member of the family.  The second is of Lot, after being delivered with his two daughters from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, is given wine to make him drunk, by his daughers for the purpose of incestual impregnation; another evidence of moral decay, and Lot goes along by allowing himself to become drunk.

There are also verses which argue against the drink of beverage alcohol.  For example Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; and 31:1-6.  Every time these verses are presented the one’s who are in favor of “License” or “Freedom in Christ” as they want to call it, will run circles around these and do everything they can to explain them away.  There are also some New Testament Scriptures concerning a “sound mind” which needs to be taken into consideration concerning beverage alcohol (Ephesians 5:18; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 1:13).  At what point does one become drunk?  At what point does the alcohol begin to take your mind?  Does anyone know the answer to these questions?  If the answer to these questions cannot be known, then, in my thinking that is another reason to remain abstinent from beverage alcohol.

I will agree with my brother in Christ David Tolliver who is the Interim Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention; that there is no place in the Bible that says, “Thou shalt not drink beverage alcohol”, however, there are many which speak of its dangers.  It is my conviction when the Bible doesn’t say “Thou shalt not…”, but our tradition says “Let’s not…”, then, I will stand with the tradition rather than try to allow loose living and morality.  That is where this debate over the alcohol issue will lead us if we lower our standards.

Do we want to lower our standards to allow a few to come in?  I choose to remain faithful to the Bible and the tradition which does not allow loose living.  This is not a matter of salvation, but of sanctification and holiness.

edited the links given above on Noah and Lot because of the deletion of THE WATCHMAN’S TRUMPET. 01/09/10

T.A.

The Missouri Baptist Convention

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Baptist people love getting together for worship, fellowship, and Baptists meetings.  We are blessed by great singing and good preaching.  I don’t say great preaching because that is a matter of opinion.  Any preaching that faithfully expounds the Word of God is great preaching.  It is the Word of God which is central, not the style, or whether the preacher is loud, or soft.

The MBC was a good meeting this year, but to me it was disappointing.  With some controversy going on in the  MBC over alcohol, the variance of opinion of what Christian freedom and legalism is is responsible for the diversity in the meetings.  The meetings were all done with Christian accord to one another.  There was no fighting, no shouting in disagreement with one another, and I can whole-heartedly say that I believe the Lord was glorified in the demeanor of the people at the meetings.

Now what went on behind the scenes may be a different story.  I heard none of it, nor did I care to hear any of it.  Others, however, evidently did.  I know this only by the comments on “caution we should take while speaking in the hallways”.

I do want to add to this that the people for which I voted for the officers of the Convention were not elected.  None of them.  According to Baptists polity the majority rules, and the majority of the messengers present and voting had their way.  I accept the four men who were elected, and they have my prayers and support for the will of the Lord to be done.

There was a resolution against the sale, and use of, etc. of alcohol as a beverage.  I am thrilled to say that this resolution passed, though there was discussion, and though the president ruled it passed after a show of ballots, there was a call for a vote by ballot, and it still passed.  We Baptists have stood opposed to alcohol for years, and in my opinion it is even more important that we do so today.  Rather then giving in to our society and the world in which we live, we must stand on the principles of Scripture and never approve of anything which destroys homes, children and peoples lives.  Not only does beverage alcohol do that; it also destroys the mind of clear and able thought.

The alcohol resolution which passed was word for word the same which passed at this past June’s Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio, Texas; with exceptions being the State Convention [MBC], and the time and place. With the passing of this resolution I could leave the annual meeting rejoicing in this at least: that the majority of Baptists that were present at this meeting were still opposed to beverage alcohol, and its detriment to people, their marriages, children, homes and communities.  Let’s pray that God will truly be glorified in the people who call themselves Baptists.