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FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL 2004 PROPOSED STANDING RESOLUTIONS
The following standing resolutions were presented at the 84rd Annual National Meeting of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International on June 15 – 17, 2004, at the Bethel Baptist Church of Schaumburg, Illinois.
04-01 Concerning Dr. Rod Bell
(approved at Winter Board Meeting; hand delivered to Dr. Bell on March 1 2004) Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on February 9-10, 2004, the Executive Board of the FBFI received a letter from Dr. Rod Bell, dated January 26, 2004. This tender expression of full responsibility for the actions and events that led to Dr. Bell’s resignation from the Presidency of the FBFI on November 22, 2003, was a sincere request for forgiveness. Everyone in attendance was touched by the spirit and outstanding example of the letter. There were many supportive comments offered to verify Dr. Bell’s consistent, biblical response. This response, especially as expressed in his letter, and his accountability to his local church, is an exemplary demonstration of the great ministry he has had to us. After a season of prayer for the Bell family, the Board of the FBFI unanimously and humbly expresses forgiveness and continued love to our dear friend, Dr. Rod Bell, and resolves to build faithfully on the foundation he was used of God to provide during his near thirty years of leadership.
04-02 Concerning Dr. J.B. Williams
In recognition of the Christ-honoring ministry of Dr. J. B. Williams, a faithful servant of God, an expositor, a careful translator of the Word of God, and missionary statesman in the Great Commission whose leadership has influenced a generation of men to follow the Lord, we, the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International, express our love, condolences and prayers for his family in this time of grief at his passing. We further resolve to thank the Lord for Dr. Williams and his family and to emulate the example of this wonderful man of God.
04-03 Concerning the inter-faith movement and our insistence for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Encroaching liberalism in the early 20th Century gave rise to the initial protests of Christian Fundamentalism. At that time, Baptist Fundamentalists were particularly concerned about the Ecumenical Movement that followed the liberal infection of the Protestant denominations. Later, New Evangelicalism weakened even the Baptists, making clear the need for a strong, separatist Baptist Fundamentalism. In the early 21st Century, a new danger lurks in the so-called “Interfaith Movement.” Assemblies of professing Christians (including Roman Catholics), Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and other false religions meet in defiance of Christ’s clear statement in John 14:6 that He is the only way of salvation. The FBFI stands firmly against this disobedience and the cultural calls for “tolerance” of false religions when they deny the right of Christian evangelism. The claim that evangelism is a precursor to “terrorism” is absurd. This new movement is not the way to peace, but to the One-world Church of Antichrist. Peace is only in Jesus Christ, whom we must preach regardless of “political correctness.”
04-04 Concerning the sanctity of marriage and judicial activism for the homosexual agenda
The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International decries the unlawful use of the bench to destroy the benchmark of the Bible in regards to marriage. Marriage is not a secular institution, but rather one that is ordained and created sacred by God. Though God has granted government the authority to put some limitations upon marriage, eternal truths and principles are not subject to either change or the rulings of human courts. Given and defined by God from the very beginning, marriage is a holy and honorable union between one man and one woman for life. The specific language of Scripture allows for nothing other than for a man to leave his father and his mother, and to cleave unto his wife, and for the two of them to become "one flesh." This human relationship is basic to the common good of a governed society, the church, and the home. Therefore, the FBFI supports the national and state efforts to amend their constitutions in order to reflect and protect the perfect design and will of God.
04-05 Concerning our identification as “fundamentalists’’ in light of media abuse of the term
The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International recognizes that the media has, at times, abused the term “fundamentalist”. In the minds of some, the term has been equated with “terrorist.” In recent usage, however, the term has returned to its historic meaning of “one who adheres to the basics or core values” by appealing to the original source. This usage recognizes that the “tolerance ethic” is incorrect because the clash in values goes to the very root of those values. Thus the media has begun to use terms such as “investing fundamentalist”, “secular fundamentalists”, and “religious fundamentalists” to show that fundamentalists act upon their core values. With this in mind, the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International continues to identify ourselves as “Biblical fundamentalists” to demonstrate that we are appealing to the Bible as the basis for our values and core beliefs.
04-06 Concerning an appeal for young leaders to be strong
The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International calls upon younger preachers to embrace and advance our Fundamental Baptist Heritage. While it readily recognizes that issues and trends change from generation to generation, it also acknowledges the need for doctrinal teaching that clearly enunciates the Biblical principles of ecclesiastical and personal separation existing in this day. Therefore, it urges young men to reject any temptation to lower biblical standards in order to gain acceptance of those in the world or among theologically accommodating Christian movements. It encourages younger fundamentalists to reject the tangential issues that unnecessarily divide fundamentalism and to base their faith and practice upon the perfectly balanced Word of God. The FBFI also appeals to younger preachers to maintain a two-pronged ministry emphasis of aggressive evangelism and solid biblical discipleship. It further urges younger and older preachers alike to provide biblically-based preaching with warm-hearted passion.
04-07 Concerning unity in the essentials
Historic fundamentalism exercised great latitude among the brethren regarding convictions over which good men disagree. Therefore, we must not so restrict this latitude in our day by narrowing our fellowship exclusively to those brethren with whom we agree on all points and thereby hinder the greater cause of Christ. We must continue to study, know, and defend the essentials and to agree to disagree, if necessary, on those which are not (such as philosophy of youth work, pastoral authority, political involvement, versions, certain aspects of Calvinism, dating, divorce, evangelism/discipleship methodology, etc.). As Baptists we certainly wish to practice the doctrine of individual soul liberty and allow others to do so, but we need to pursue unity in every biblical way that we can, especially in a day when there is much division over things not essential. Within the fundamental Baptist movement we must prioritize an active love for our brethren, so that we demonstrate a biblically-based tolerance towards those with whom we disagree.
04-08 Concerning our chaplains and troops
The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International commends FBFI chaplains for being faithful to the fundamentals of the faith, for being in the world, but not of the world, and for boldly proclaiming the true Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Their steadfastness to the task during the Iraq War has been exemplary. They have touched the lives of American troops who are in constant danger because of terrorists and thugs. Further, the FBFI commends the United States military for their tireless effort in Iraq. The troops have demonstrated true American courage and compassion while making the greatest sacrifice. The FBFI extends its condolences to the families who have lost relatives in this conflict. We pledge ourselves to pray for the FBFI chaplains and US military who continue to put their lives on the line in an effort to protect our country and free another strategic country so that its people can live in peace and enjoy the inalienable right of true religious freedom.
04-09 Concerning our host
The FBFI expresses sincere appreciation to Rev. Bradley Smith and the people of Bethel Baptist Church of Schaumburg, Illinois, for hosting the National Meeting of the Fellowship, June 15-17, 2004. We are well aware that Bethel Baptist has taken on this responsibility many times and continues to demonstrate an exemplary spirit of servant-leadership and sacrifice. We are deeply indebted to Bethel and its leadership for their consistent and regular blessings to the FBFI.
04-10 Concerning Recent Loss of Life at Christian Colleges
During the recent academic year, two tragedies at Christian colleges led to multiple deaths. The untimely loss of any potential Christian leader is painful and grievous, but these two accidents which caused the deaths of five students from Crown College and two students from Northland Baptist Bible College, brought unusual sorrow and loss. The FBFI wishes to express its deepest sympathies and Christian love to the students' families, friends, and teachers as they face this time of loss. We regret this loss of life, and the great loss of potential future leaders and servants among Biblical fundamentalists, but we trust the Providential God of heaven even in this difficulty. May the God of all comfort be your sure foundation in this time.
2004 Resolutions Committee
Dr. John C. Mincy, Acting Chairman Dr. Gordon Dickson Dr. Mike Harding Dr. David Pennington Dr. Kevin Schaal, Chairman Rev. Bradley M. Smith Dr. John C. Vaughn |
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