The aim of confessions are twofold: to
those outside, they explain, defend, and clarify the Baptist Faith. To
those within the Baptist fold, the confessions educate, unify, and
confirm the faithful.
Most of the confessions are timely, in the sense that they addressed issues of intense concern at that time, but which may be of less interest today (e.g hymn singing, laying of hands on new converts). By the same token, many issues of urgent concern to Baptists today were not included in the early confessions, probably not even thought of by early Baptists. (Ref. Leon McBeth, The Baptist Heritage pp 68-69)
Most of the confessions are timely, in the sense that they addressed issues of intense concern at that time, but which may be of less interest today (e.g hymn singing, laying of hands on new converts). By the same token, many issues of urgent concern to Baptists today were not included in the early confessions, probably not even thought of by early Baptists. (Ref. Leon McBeth, The Baptist Heritage pp 68-69)
At all levels of ministry: local church, associations, national, and international organizations, we must always uphold the Holy Scriptures! It must be absolutely clear to everyone that Confessions are man-made in contrast to the Holy Bible which is God's Divine Word (II Timothy 3:16). It is inerrant and infallible from Genesis to Revelation.
We do value Doctrinal Confessions as long as they do not contradict God's Word. They must always be tested with the Holy Bible as the Absolute Reference and Standard. Confessions should always be subjected to change if proven unbiblical, but not the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19). The Bible is divinely inspired through the Holy Spirit and is complete! Amen.
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