Biblical Authority and Freedom of Conscience

Sunday Evening Sermons

What Am I Doing In Church?

 

January 18, 2009

 

Baptist Distinctives

 

Biblical Authority and Freedom of Conscience

 

 

Introduction

 

  • The distinctives of Baptists spring from a foundational belief in the final authority of the Bible in all matters of faith and practice.
  • Although it is understood that other Christians may agree with one or more of the distinctives we hold, Baptists believe all of them.
  • A distinctive is a trait or a characteristic that distinguishes one thing from another.
  • Baptist distinctives are those doctrines or practices that distinguish Baptists from other Christian groups or denominations. 

Biblical Authority

2 Timothy 3:16

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

I.                   The Baptist Declaration of Biblical Authority

 

A.     The matter of authority determines whose idea, will or way will decide or prevail.

B.      The final authority for faith and practice is the Bible.

C.     This truth is found in Baptist articles of faith through out the centuries.

 

II.                The Baptist Delineation of Biblical Authority

 

A.     This statement has similarities to the Protestant statements made at the time of reformation.

B.      The Baptist position is different than the Protestants.

C.     The Bible is supernaturally inspired.

D.     The Bible is totally true – it does not merely contain the truth.

E.      The Bible is God’s complete revelation

F.      The Bible is the final authority.

G.     This is distinct from the Roman Catholic view.

 

1.     The Catholics make edicts of councils, statements of popes and traditions of the church equal with the authority of the Bible.

2.     They believe that their church produced the Bible, so it has authority over the Bible.

3.     God tells us not to add anything or take away anything from His word.  Revelation 22:18-19

 

H.     Distinct in comparison to the view of many Protestants.

 

1.     Many main line Protestant denominations have forsaken the position of Biblical Authority.

2.     Baptists hold that the New Testament is the full and complete authority for the church.

3.     The New Testament church is not a modified synagogue of the inter biblical period.

 

I.       Distinct in comparison to the view of Pentecostals or Charismatics.

 

1.     Pentecostals and Charismatics believe that God still gives special revelation.

2.     Baptists challenge this position with the following scripture:

 

1 Corinthians 13:8-10

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

 

Freedom of Conscience

 

I.   Foundational Distinctive

 

A.     Baptists have declared personal and individual responsibility and accountability of each person before God.

B.      Worship must be voluntary.

 

II.   A Biblical Imperative

 

A.     Each soul will be called into accountability.

 

Romans 14:12

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

Revelation 20:12

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

Matthew 12:36

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

 

Romans 2:16

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

 

B.      Christ emphasized individual decisions to obey God.

 

Matthew 7:24-27

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

 

Matthew 12:46-50

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

III.             An Ecclesiastical Distinctive

 

A.     Baptist denial of infant baptism is based in part upon the principle of individual freedom of conscience.

B.      Each believer is a priest with access directly to God through the Lord Jesus.

 

1 Timothy 2:5

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

 

IV.              A Historical Distinctive

 

A.     Early declarations of freedom of conscience – the Donatists

B.      English Baptists were persecuted for this principle

C.     American Baptists suffered for this principle.