INTRODUCTION

In every generation the faithful Church has been and must be Militant: contending for the faith and the purity of the doctrines of God's Word, exposing Error, and denouncing Heresy. The errors do not wear the same masks from generation to generation. The heresies take on different forms and the war is not always fought on the same battlefield and under the same conditions; but the battle is always one of Truth against Error. The true Fundamentalist must, therefore, contend for the Faith against its enemies as they manifest themselves in each generation; and he must press the battle with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The battle is always against Satan and his hosts. No man can rightly call himself a Fundamentalist, therefore, if he is not Militant and a Contender; and our generation should beware lest we fall from our own steadfastness (II Peter 3:17).

REGARDING EVANGELICALS AND CATHOLICS TOGETHER

The FBF considers as treason to the cause of Biblical Christianity the document known as "Evangelicals and Catholics Together: Mission In the Third Millennium," which calls for cooperation between the two groups in order to withstand the tides of secularism and a rising Islamic influence. While recognizing the dangers of these two movements, the FBF believes that men who signed the document, such as Charles Colson, Bill Bright, J. I. Packer, and Pat Robertson betray the cause of Christ by minimizing the chasm between the orthodox Christian faith and Roman Catholicism.

REGARDING POPE JOHN PAUL II

The FBF recognizes the stand taken by Pope John Paul II against homosexuality, lesbianism, and abortion, but deplores those who exalt him as a great spiritual leader who is in agreement with the five fundamentals of the faith. The claim of John Paul to be the vicar of Christ on earth who has full and supreme power of jurisdiction, not only in matters of faith and morals, but also in those which concern the discipline and governance of the Church dispersed through the world, is blasphemy. This Pope continues to encourage devotion to and the veneration of Mary. He increasingly builds bridges with non-Christian religions. We disagree with Billy Graham that the Pope is one of the world's great evangelists, but rather look upon him as a deceiver and antichrist.

REGARDING MARKETING THE CHURCH

The FBF recognizes the need for planting and building strong churches, but sees great danger in the concept of a market-driven, user-friendly church that minimizes a strong Gospel message in favor of messages that cater to people's felt needs. We believe that the real problem behind poor self-images, fear, loneliness, and co-dependency is man's human depravity which can only be solved by an acceptance of the finished work of Christ on Calvary and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This market-driven church growth emphasis has resulted in men-pleasers in the pulpit who cater to felt needs rather than men who faithfully call upon people to repent and turn to Christ. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is not a product to be hawked, but the sovereign King of the universe, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, before whom every knee must bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

REGARDING EVANGELISM

The FBF affirms the necessity of evangelism, but deplores the cheap emphasis in much modern evangelism that pictures God simply as a cosmic psychiatrist, that offers a plan of salvation without a strong commitment to the claims of Christ on a life, and that gives an easy assurance of salvation when there is little or no evidence in the life of the working of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

REGARDING INTEGRITY

The FBF calls upon all those who minister the Word of God to exemplify in their daily lives and dealings the truth of the truths that they proclaim. This would include purity in moral matters and honesty in financial dealings.

REGARDING SUCCESS

The FBF believes that success is in the fulfillment of God's will for your life. To that end, we believe that we should declare a moratorium on Christian competition. We believe that the emphasis on who has the largest church, the biggest budget, and who baptizes the most converts has contributed to the fall of many servants of God.

REGARDING THE "LAUGHING REVIVAL"

The FBF considers the so-called laughing revival that is the rage in charismatic circles as a Satanic deception and a substitute for true revival in which there is conviction, repentance, and confession of sin and a renewed emphasis on the might and majesty of Almighty God. We believe it to be further evidence of the subjectivity and mysticism which permeates the charismatic movement and makes it a catalytic agent for the one-world church of the antichrist.

REGARDING PASTORAL AUTHORITY

The FBF believes that God calls men to the Gospel ministry and puts them in the position of local church pastors and that, therefore, they should be shown proper respect, but utterly repudiates the prostituting of this position which would make the pastor a virtual dictator over his congregation with accountability to no individuals. The Bible condemns those who would be "lords over God's heritage," and urges leadership to lead by being ''examples to the flock" (I Peter 5:3).

REGARDING CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

The FBF continues to emphasize the importance of Christian education in our church schools and calls upon all Christian educators to emphasize the product of a spiritually minded young person who is committed to doing God's will. We continue to caution against Christian schools overshadowing the local church of which they are a part and an extreme emphasis on a sports program which many times has the same philosophy as that of the world.

REGARDING THE JERRY FALWELL MINISTRIES

The FBF some years ago defined Jerry Falwell and his ministries as being pseudo-fundamental, which was said to be New Evangelicalism in embryonic form. It was our contention then that when the baby was finally delivered it would be New Evangelical. With some sadness, we have seen the prophecy come true. Falwell's recent invitation to host a Promise Keepers rally at Liberty University's Vine Center at which 10,000 men are expected is but another step away from the Fundamentalism which he once professed to believe and practice. In this connection, we are concerned that leaders in the BBF such as John Rawlings and Jim Combs, for some years editors of the Baptist Bible Tribune, have joined forces with Falwell. Further drift of these ministries is reflected in a recent article in Falwell's National Liberty Journal which promoted Billy Graham's "Global Mission" crusade and praised his "remarkable career."

REGARDING THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION

The FBF applauds those in the Southern Baptist Convention who fought a battle for the inerrancy of Scripture, but disagree with Jerry Falwell and Tim Lee who attempt to convince followers that the SBC conservatives are Fundamentalists. At best, conservative Southern Baptists are New Evangelicals who cooperate with and promote the ecumenical evangelism ministry of Billy Graham. The Southern Baptist Convention dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, the two Southern Baptist leaders who signed the 1994 ecumenical Evangelicals and Catholics Together agreement (the furor created caused them later to ask to have their names removed), and statements made by Convention leaders embracing charismatics indicate dangerous drifts in the SBC.

We believe that statements made by Charles Stanley, twice elected president of the SBC, such as, "If it's a Southern Baptist seminary, it should be balanced in its approach. If you're going to have liberals, you need strong conservatives . . . if you've got people who don't believe in the virgin birth, you need people who do," lead to unscriptural confusion. Adrian Rogers, elected to two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has said, "I don't want any witch hunt to purge the seminaries." Statements such as these reveal that even conservative leadership in the SBC will not take the strong stands necessary to rid the Convention of its liberal and neo-orthodox factions. Until this happens, we do not see how independent fundamental Baptists can make common cause with Southern Baptists.

REGARDING LUIS PALAU

The FBF condemns the ecumenical evangelism of Luis Palau as it did that of Billy Graham. With age and health problems curtailing his ministry, Graham's position now seems to be taken by Palau, who practices the same type of compromises as did Graham. It is sad, therefore, to see that when Palau comes to Chicago in 1996 for a crusade that Moody Bible Institute President Joseph Stowell will serve in a "Leadership Chair" and says, "Since the time of D. L. Moody, God has raised up godly and effective evangelists who without compromise share the commitment to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Our friend, Luis Palau, is among them." The meeting also has the commendation of megachurch pastor Bill Hybels.

REGARDING MILITANCY

The FBF believes that across America we are witnessing a tremendous growth in many churches, but at the same time an erosion and compromise of truth. We call on the preachers of our nation to boldly contend for the faith, and not compromise our militancy because some have displayed a wrong disposition in practicing it. We understand that we shall never be called loving for doing so, but it is a necessary part of our preaching and ministry. Our love must include a love for the truth. It is imperative that we contend for that which we love.

REGARDING PROMISE KEEPERS

While acknowledging that God's will is for Christlike men to provide Biblical leadership in the home and church, the FBF stands opposed to the ecumenical men's movement associated with the Promise Keepers ministry. Promise Keepers has unfortunately mixed noble goals with the dangerous theology of the signs and wonders movement through the writing and participation of men such as Jack Hayford, James Ryle, and the leadership of Randy Phillips and Bill McCartney. Promise Keepers also endangers the doctrines of justification by faith alone and the sufficiency of Christ's atonement by its official recognition of Catholic beliefs and sacraments. Promise Keepers undermines the sufficiency of Scripture through the acknowledgement of those who advocate new revelation from God (e.g. Hayford and Ryle) and those who are replacing Biblical truth about man with secular psychological theories (e.g. Larry Crabb, Gary Smalley, Robert Hicks). Promise Keepers poses a threat to the health of local churches by building a network of men whose express purpose is to minimize the doctrinal distinctiveness of the churches and whose intense loyalty is won primarily through the experience of the Promise Keepers' rally, not its doctrinal beliefs. Promise Keepers radically advocates the spirit and practice of an ecumenism which clearly contradicts God's Word (Galatians 1:7-9; II John 9-11; Romans 16:17-18).

REGARDING EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING

Because the highest calling of the local church pastor is the prayerful ministry of God's Word (Acts 6:4: I Timothy 3:2, 4:6, 5:17; II Timothy 4:2), and the FBF believes that the inspired Word of God is fully sufficient to meet all of man's spiritual needs, we call on fundamental pastors to renew their commitment to feed the flock which God has entrusted to their oversight (I Peter 5:2). The doctrine of verbal plenary inspiration demands that the preacher base his messages on the Biblical text, proclaiming and applying to God's people only what God has already said (II Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17). Preaching which ignores the original meaning of Scripture or replaces God's truth with man's thoughts is not worthy of a Fundamentalist pulpit. The key to genuine awakening in our churches and communities has always been, and remains, the grace of God poured out upon the forceful and careful exposition of Scripture (cf. Nehemiah 8) as it is proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 2:1-5). This is the great need of our day, and we should earnestly pray that the Word of the Lord would spread rapidly and be glorified as it did in the first century and whenever God's men took seriously the task of Spirit-empowered preaching (II Thessalonians 3:1).

REGARDING TRANSLATIONS

The FBF, while recognizing that God has used the King James version of the Bible in a special way in the English speaking world, reaffirms its belief that the original manuscripts of Scripture are the documents which are inspired by God and that Bible translations may be considered trustworthy only if they accurately reflect the original manuscripts (II Timothy 3:16). In light of the considerable discussion among Fundamentalists about the issue of manuscripts and textual theories, no particular belief about the best textual theory should be elevated to the place of becoming a core Fundamentalist belief. Fundamentalists may hold the doctrine of inspiration with equal strength without embracing the same belief about textual criticism. Additionally, proper evaluation of the doctrinal integrity of any particular English translation can only be done by examining its faithfulness to the original languages, not by comparing it to another English translation. While the process of comparing it with other translations may be profitable for matters of clarity and readability, this process cannot pass as the test of doctrinal accuracy since it is illegitimate to check one copy by another, one must compare the copy to the original. In a day when translations abound, Fundamentalists must exercise careful discernment in both the selection and rejection of translations. Some professing Fundamentalists have wrongfully declared one translation to be the only inspired copy of God's Word in the English language and have sought to make this a test of Fundamentalism. Since no translation can genuinely claim what only may be said of the original, inspired writings, any attempt to make a particular English translation the only acceptable translation of Fundamentalism must be rejected.

REGARDING THE DIVISIVE TEACHING OF JACK HYLES ON THE "INCORRUPTIBLE SEED" AS THE KING JAMES VERSION OF THE BIBLE

The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship exposes and rebukes the heretical teaching of Jack Hyles associated with his peculiar interpretation of I Peter 1:23 in which he asserts that "incorruptible seed" means an "uncorruptible translation" and insists that the only "incorruptible seed is the King James Version of the Bible. Hyles has publicly taught that: (1) no one is saved apart from the King James Version of the Bible; (2) if a soulwinner uses any other version of the Bible he is using corruptible [sic] seed; and (3) if a person, in fact, is born again through this other version he is "born again as a child of the devil." These assertions are absurd and unbiblical. Whereas this peculiar teaching is causing division by the promotion of it through his followers in other fundamental Baptist churches, the FBF takes note that Jack Hyles is causing division by an unscriptural and self-serving false interpretation of Scripture. This divisiveness is not only causing faithful pastors to spend valuable time counteracting this teaching, but it stands clearly opposed to the biblical view of inspiration held by Fundamentalists. The FBF further encourages true Fundamentalists to have no company with Jack Hyles due to these divisive tactics and teachings. We further acknowledge that this unfortunate and disgraceful use of God's Word is the expected and logical consequence of a long-standing pattern of arrogant and dictatorial demands for unquestioning loyalty to himself and his teachings, rather than to the Word of God. The FBF holds such teaching as evidence of a cultic mentality that claims the name of Fundamentalism while actually being a mere caricature of true Biblical Fundamentalism.

REARDING ECCLESIASTICAL SEPARATION AND PRAGMATISM

On this historic 75th anniversary of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship, we affirm the Biblical doctrine of ecclesiastical separation and commit ourselves anew to its practice and proclamation. We must stand determined to be a voice for God in a day of apostasy regardless of the response from unbelievers and fearful brethren. We appeal to those among us who are still learning the practical applications of ecclesiastical separation to give sufficient attention to this issue and avoid the tendency toward conciliation and "kindness" toward those who either do not believe in ecclesiastical separation or who refuse to practice it. The FBF affirms a recent statement on this issue, "If we repudiate the pragmatism of New Evangelicalism only to embrace a pragmatism which we choose to call Fundamentalism, we are becoming New Evangelicals ourselves."

REGARDING THE PREPARATION OF A WRITTEN HISTORY OF THE FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP

The FBF, recognizing the immense value of carefully studying the history of Fundamentalism and the importance of perpetuating the godly heritage of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship, wholeheartedly endorses the on-going project of collecting and recording the history of the FBF on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. We believe that it is essential for the present and future generations to build upon the obedience of the past and to solidify the vision for the future on the hard-won victories of previous generations of separatists. To this end we exhort those who share our commitment to separatist Fundamentalism to lend energetic support of this project through earnest prayer, financial assistance, and factual contributions. Every knowledgeable separatist is concerned that we do not drift from our moorings and that we correct our tendencies to drift through ignorance or immaturity. Unless we understand why our forebears began the FBF, we are in danger of losing the resolve to keep it strong.

REGARDING ''ORLANDO 95"

The FBF condemns the type of ecumenicity portrayed by Orlando '95 in July 1995 in which thousands of charismatics representing both Catholic and Protestant groups will gather in this Florida city for a celebration of unity. Sponsored by the North American Renewal Service Committee and organized by Vinson Synan, the meeting features scheduled speakers such as Catholic bishop Sam Jacobs; Foursquare pastor Jack Hayford; healing evangelist Benny Hinn; Pope John Paul II's personal preacher, Raneiro Cantalamessa; and broadcaster Pat Robertson. We believe meetings of this type are not of the Holy Spirit and foster the development of a one-world church of the antichrist.

REGARDING HOMOSEXUALITY

The FBF disagrees with the position being advocated by elements of our society, and sadly gaining acceptance among many New Evangelicals, that homosexuals are born homosexuals since it is in their genes. We believe that homosexuality is a perversion of the God-given sexual drive in individuals and falls under the curse and condemnation of Almighty God (Romans 1:24-27). At the same time, we believe that the grace of God is sufficient to regenerate and deliver homosexuals from their evil ways (I Corinthians 6:9-11).

REGARDING JOHN MACARTHUR

The FBF appreciates John MacArthur's expositional ministry of the Bible, but believes that his trumpet would give a more certain sound if he separated himself from speaking in places such as Moody Bible Institute, which has given support to past Billy Graham crusades and puts its stamp of approval on an upcoming Luis Palau crusade, and at Southern Baptist meetings in which he is on the same platform as Charles Colson, whose leadership in the movement known as Evangelicals and Catholics Together represents a betrayal of the doctrine of justification by grace through faith alone. We differ with the evaluation made by James Stitzinger, faculty member at Master's Seminary, in a recent book Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry, in which he portrays MacArthur as being in the tradition of a Charles Spurgeon in the Downgrade Controversy since in all article written in 1888 as to why he separated from the compromising London Baptist Association the "prince of preachers" contended that the only complete protest was separation. While contending for the truth MacArthur continues to associate with those who by their actions and associations aid those who dilute and destroy the truth. We believe that those who follow the MacArthur line of reasoning and practice will produce a second generation of New Evangelicals.

REGARDlNG SCRIPTURAL UNITY

The FBF endeavors to practice Biblical separation, but at the same time recognizes that Scripture equally emphasizes the need for true unity among believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Created by God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, it is the responsibility of each believer to healously guard and maintain this unity (Ephesians 4:3). We believe that visible unity should not be disturbed by personal ambition (I Corinthians 12:18), personalities (I Corinthians 1-4, or disputes over doubtful things (Romans 14:1-13). As our Lord prayed for unity (John 17) among His followers, so should we pray for a true Biblical unity. We believe that the Scriptural teaching concerning the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ should be the center of our unity.

REGARDING WORLD EVANGELIZATION

The FBF emphasized the need for world evangelization and urges a renewal of our Divine mandate to reach every person in the world with the Gospel of Christ.

REGARDING OUR HOSTS

The FBF expresses thanks to Pastor John Vaughn, his fine staff, and the Faith Baptist Church for hosting this 75th meeting of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship. We appreciate their fine spirit and the usage of their facilities, and pray for God's abundant blessings upon them as they go forward in their service for Christ.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rod Bell
Dave Doran
Tim Jordan
Matt Olson
John Vaughn
James Singleton, Chairman

WHEREAS, the Asahi Shimbun, a respected Japanese newspaper of large circulation, in a recent article about a Japanese cult charged with terrorism, violence, and multiple murders, sought to make it appear that Christian Fundamentalists constituted a similar cult.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship at its annual meeting on June 13-15, 1995, unanimously goes on record as protesting and rejecting these misrepresentations in the Asahi Shimbun article. Christian Fundamentalism is the simplest and purest form of Biblical Christianity&emdash;strongly opposed to terrorism of any sort, believing in and seeking to practice the teachings of Jesus Christ, Who commanded His followers to love their enemies and do good unto all men.

The hearts of fundamental Christians go out to those anywhere in the world who suffer from acts of violence and terrorism, and we sympathize with them in the loss of their loved ones who are the victims of terrorism. We request that the Asahi Shimbun repudiate the unwarranted charges against Biblical Fundamentalists as recorded in that article.