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The Abstract Of Principles
When the original charter of the Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary was adopted in 1858 it contained the following statement which
continues as a part of the "fundamental laws." "Every professor of the
institution shall be a member of a regular Baptist Church; and all
persons accepting
professorships in this Seminary shall be considered, by such
acceptance,
as engaging to teach in accordance with, and not contrary to, the
Abstract
of Principles hereinafter laid down, a departure from which principles
on
his part shall be grounds for his resignation or removal by the
Trustees."
I. The Scriptures.
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration
of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of
all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.
II. God.
There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things,
having in and of himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them
all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and
obedience.
III. The Trinity.
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with distinct
personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
IV. Providence.
God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and
perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events;
yet so as not to destroy the free will and responsibility of
intelligent creatures.
V. Election.
Election is God's eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life
-- not because of foreseen merit in them, but of his mere mercy in
Christ -- in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and
glorified.
VI. The Fall of Man.
God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but,
through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God,
and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his
posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His
law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral
action, become actual transgressors.
VII. The Mediator.
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed
mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature,
yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the Law, suffered and died upon
the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again
the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose hand He ever liveth
to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the
Prophet, Priest and King
of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.
VIII. Regeneration.
Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who
quickeneth the dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds
spiritually
and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole
nature,
so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and
special grace alone.
IX. Repentance.
Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the
Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbleth
himself
for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with
a purpose and endeavor to walk before God so as to please Him in all
things.
X. Faith.
Saving faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is
revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him
alone for
justification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy
Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a
life
of holiness.
XI. Justification.
Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who
believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ
has
made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account
of
the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on
Him and His righteousness by faith.
XII. Sanctification.
Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God's word
and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through
the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain,
pressing
after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.
XIII. Perseverance of the Saints.
Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His
Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of
grace,
but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall,
through
neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit,
impair
their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal
judgments
on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be
kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
XIV. The Church.
The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all
his true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its
government. According to his commandment, Christians are to associate
themselves into particular societies or churches; and to each of these
churches he hath given needful authority for administering that order,
discipline
and worship which he hath appointed. The regular officers of a Church
are
Bishops, or Elders, and Deacons.
XV. Baptism.
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every
believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship
with the death and
resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself
up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. It is prerequisite to
church
fellowship, and to participation in the Lord's Supper.
XVI. The Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered
with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by his churches
till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is
designed to
commemorate his death, to confirm the faith and other graces of
Christians, and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion
with him, and of their
church fellowship.
XVII. The Lord's Day.
The Lord's Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and
should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both
public and private, resting from worldly employments and amusements,
works of necessity and mercy only excepted.
XVIII. Liberty of Conscience.
God alone is Lord of the conscience; and He hath left it free from
the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary
to
His word, or not contained in it. Civil magistrates being ordained of
God,
subjection in all lawful thing commanded by them ought to be yielded by
us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
XIX. The Resurrection.
The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return
immediately to God -- the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be
reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of
all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised.
XX. The Judgment.
God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world by Jesus
Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked
shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting
life.
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