The Gospel and Our Responsibility sbc
Info contained here is still valid
This post was made when i was in the SBC. I have since moved to a non denominational church that is leans Reformed Baptist; I recently learned that church also had come out of the SBC (between 1969 and '90). SBC was the largest Christian denomination in the world until recent years due to a split. There were over 43,000 churches associated with the SBC. It was a light to the nation and world, and one of the better denominations, until Rick Warren wrecked it, churches started bringing the unsaved and the culture in vs keeping the church purely of believers & standing firm on what Scripture teaches; and because these cooperative churches veered off away from truth that allowed heretical progressivism to start sneaking in, both in teachings, congregants beliefs, those "serving" and in leadership positions, and from the pulpit.
There are solid churches still holding to the F&M 2000, but some claim it but teach otherwise and many others have catered to the world (for money and status), and allowed doctrines of demons into their churches. The SBC org started pushing a false agenda and teaching materials into the 43,000 churches since "Healthy Church" nonsense was pushed onto them all in early 2000's, (and if i recall rightly, churches were told they wouldnt get SBC funding dollars if they refused to have the chyrch go thru the course). And because of all these things, SBC is not really a recognizably biblical denomination since roughly 2015. If SBC cleans house of false churches and teachings the denomination can be salvaged. Those churches who split from SBC and are holding firm to Scripture and biblical teaching are known now as Conservative Baptist Network. There could still be a few SBC churches who didnt move to CBN and remained in SBC for SBC benefits, but they are on shaky ground for not making a clean break and standing with Scripture. Just keep that in mind of you are looking for a Christian church. Theyre still better theologically than most other churches in Christianity, and today you can supplement your studulies in Scripture with the teachings at gty.org (regardless of what church you end up in).
Published June 17, 2010
Are You in the SBC denomination?
I agree that we need to reach those in other countries, but there's still a lot that needs to be dealt with not just in our own denomination, but among other Christian churches in the USA also. General comments to all Christians in the SBC, because it's on my heart to share this with you, and the twitter characters limit what can be said, therefore I've added this to my blog "Beyond 140 Characters"...
1. We need to realize that local congregations should not be segregated by race, and the denomination should not be encouraging church planting in that way, nor specifically targeting to fund those that do. I believe we should help the spanish speaking, chinese speaking, armenian speaking (etc) people when they come to Christ. I struggle with the denomination setting up a place they each can worship in their language, because it leads to segregation and they never assimilate into Engish speaking churches. They remain segregated and set up seperate churches even, and tend to not interact with English speaking churches or other language congregations. They remain only in their language bubble, and this is not good. Jesus showed us in Scripture a sea of faces from all nations. America is a land full of many many ethnicities, as is my city of Los Angeles. When we segregate we cant work together for the cause of the gospel, and their former (old self) keeps them stuck in cultural bondage, when in Christ we are one and have only Christ as our heritage.
2. God has told us that we are first to reach those in our own cities, states, and nation first. Has every person in your city heard the gospel and clearly understood it? No, neither has everyone in mine. How many in each local congregation purposely goes out to share the gospel with the lost in the city (on the streets or door to door)? Do you? You may ask "Do you purposely go share the gospel with the lost in your city?" Yes. I regularly talk to strangers and hand out tracts. I have yet to find any other SBC Christian in my city who goes out to purposely witness to those in my city on a regular basis. In fact just recently it was noted 14,000 SBC churches did not report a single baptism for the year (*baptisms indicate publicly the people who have came to Christ). While I have spoken to several hundred, and even open air preached, tracted thousands and thousands in the last 10 years since I completed my service in the Military...I also have witness online in chatrooms regularly, and last year responded to over 1,000 emails alone (from people on the internet). I witness on Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and other social network sites when I have time. Additionally, I run tons of evangelism and gospel websites. I witness to atheists, agnostics, former church-goers, mormons, Jw's, 7day adventists, Buhdists, catholics and many more. I witness at any and every job I have in a loving and caring way. And whether there are haters or hecklers, they all come to see that it's my love for them and concern for their welfare eternally that drives me, plus my gratitude and love towards Christ for saving me from my sins. Now, do I do any of this for any human recognition? No. Do I share this with you for any recongition? Not at all. I want the Lord to reward me, not men.
My concern is simply that there are not enough Christians in the SBC who appear mature knowing Scripture, and purposely learn how to share the gospel biblically, and actually going out and sharing during the week, every week, at ever opportunity. Going out on Sunday's, (the Lord's day - the whole day is the Lord's, not just 2 hours at Church!), and witnessing to the lost as a congregation. It seems more and more these days there are fewer and fewer who love the Lord enough to do sacrifice their leisure time and/or their kids sports time to go on the streets for Christ (focusing on temporary useless things of this world than the work they were commisdioned to do at salvation). And those not married or without children, have less of an excuse. Many in the church today do not regularly read the Bible so they do not really know what God says...otherwise they would not be following after "every wave and wind of doctrine" that false teachers give preaching a false gospel (through books or television programs, sermons or radio). They gladly embrace the unbiblical teachings of people like Rick Warren, and constantly seek out the next man made methods or presentations thinking they will help them get decisions for Christ (and more people in pews for the money plate), instead of following Scripture. Oh that they would see that the power of the gospel is in the gospel itself, and therein is the only means by which one can be saved. False gospels only give false converts. The church, as individuals, are guilty of not doing their job which is to "go and preach the gospel" they would rather sit in a pew and let the pastor try and reach their family, friends or coworkers. What then if the church's pastor doesnt preach the biblical gospel, but a modern watered down false gospel? Also, its not the pastors job, and its not the NAMB missionaries job. It's your job and my job as Christians. We are called to serve Christ, as fully surrendered servants. Was not our salvation valuable and wonderful enough for each Christian to (out of gratitude and love) be compelled to share the gospel with those they know who are not saved? If one doesnt think so, i'd question their salvation, for all who come to Christ are converted into a new creature, with new desires that are God ward and leap with joy and radiate thanksgiving, daily enjoying the "new song" he put in our hearts. Look at the leper who couldnt but speak and tell everyone, look at such examples in the NT. How can we not share this message that saves? We are overflowing with all these things and is it not what radiates out of our entire being, and to do so naturally by the new nature, from our hearts, mind, desires and mouth?
If Scripture or the Gospel is watered down by a pastor in the pulpit, teachers in the classrooms, deacons after invitation time, or Christians at work and at home, then we are failing to share the biblical gospel, and that is to me very horrible. 160,000 people a day die, I dont know the real totals as only God does, but I would not be so far off to believe that over 90% of them are going to Hell. Even ones in the church who believe they are saved, but are in truth false converts. They came through a false gospel and few stayed, the rest left the church bitter towards God because the promises of the false gospel (by derelict preachers) never gave them what they are looking for and told they would get [selfish seeking, not righteousness seeking]. Jesus didnt die for us to have a better life, or fill a hole in our heart. He came to save us from God's wrath because we are by nature sinners; wretched criminals who deserve only Hell, and have been graciously been offered Heaven. The gospel is about salvation and eternity, not about a wonderful life on earth. While our life in Christ can be wonderful, it is a life that follows after the example of Christ, the Apostles, and the martyrs of history (and today). It is a hard life that is plagued with an abundance of hateful attitudes and behaviors towards us by those who want nothing to do with God. But we counted that cost and saw anything else as useless trash, to embrace the riches found in Christ. Some like Saul "see the light" when confronted by Christ and praise the Lord that they do.
We need to be that light, and it needs to be shining the truth. There is no room for false gospels (the cults and world religions preach that) No, we are to preach the truth, and when it comes to sharing the message of Christ, the fear of man has no part in it. We are to be bold and loving and share the truth. Remembering wha the Apostle said: "For what can man do to us? We are to fear God." Men cannot harm our soul, only our body.
The day is almost over, have you shared the gospel with someone today? It could be their last day or hour on this earth. I pray that you have, and that you surrender yourself to the Lord to purposely share the gospel with the lost day after day until the Lord returns.
Just to make sure I don't leave this out of the topic....In regards to other countries: I do believe that if Christians visit other countries and lead souls to Christ in their travels, or missionaries are sent overseas and end up SBC planting churches, thes converts need to reach those in their own language. However, if there are several groups in an area that communicate together in one main language (ie, Hebrew, Greek, Arabic like in the NT times in the Roman Empire) then the church should be formed under that main language. This is also what I mean for churches in America. If it's the language of the land, then it should be where they are worshipping. If there are three languages in the surrounding tribal area or in the one main town and none speak the same language, then there should be seperate churches, or if there is only one language in each tribe, they should have churches planted in each tribe, by language. (I think you see what I am saying here). However, I do not believe there should be any cultural sensitivity or customs that we should be honoring at all. Paul said he wanted to know nothing among the people but Christ. When he went places to preach, he went in and declared Christ. When missionaries go in to unreached areas and one family member is killed, the rest of the Christians dont focus on culture, they go back in and show the love of God, and preach Christ. We are united in Christ and there is no need for segregation.
False gospels that abound today are no worse that the false gospel of the catholic church, for which the reformation was fought, blood shed, and liberation through Christ was made. As Christians we all bleed the blood of Christ, for by it and through it are we unified.
Make sure you are actually saved, and not a false convert yourself.
Cultural Cop Out views are just as bad as Christians Caving to Politically Correct junk in the USA. God is on our side, we need to be bold for Christ. Christian, are you going to serve Christ or yourself? Are we not called to give our lives for the gospel? If we die sharing the gospel, we will be instantly in the presence of Christ Jesus our Lord. Do you love it here in this world so much that you'd rather turn to a pillar of salt like Lot's wife, because your heart is not with the Lord but the temporary things of this life? I'd rather like Stephen, see Christ in the Clouds on His Throne, and instantly stand before Him to hear "Enter into the Joy of your Lord, you faithful and good servant." And I'd rather stand near the gates of Hell and preach every day, pleading with them, proclaiming the glorious gospel, that message of Christ that can instantly snatch men from the flames and saves their souls. And I'd rather stand with the mayrters, and die for the true gospel, than give a damning message that lures men from within the gates of Hell to join darkness with light [ to call them as they are to sit and serve and be in the church alingside the Bride, and mislead them to think they are right with God or allow their subtle doctrines of demons to permiate in the church]. How about you?
I know that life does not end when I shed this mortal robe, for from it springs forth an eternal body thanks to Christ alone. So I will not fear the scorn or abuse of men, for I am in Christ's hand. And non can take me from Him. Until that day comes, I will steadfast be a Soldier of the Lord, preaching peace with God through Salvation in Christ. And until my last breath, I shall like Christ, proclaim "Repent and Believe"
God be with you, as you decide today whom you will serve. Yourself or The Lord.
Cultural Cop Out views are just as bad as Christians Caving to Politically Correct junk in the USA. God is on our side, we need to be bold for Christ. Christian, are you going to serve Christ or yourself? Are we not called to give our lives for the gospel? If we die sharing the gospel, we will be instantly in the presence of Christ Jesus our Lord. Do you love it here in this world so much that you'd rather turn to a pillar of salt like Lot's wife, because your heart is not with the Lord but the temporary things of this life? I'd rather like Stephen, see Christ in the Clouds on His Throne, and instantly stand before Him to hear "Enter into the Joy of your Lord, you faithful and good servant." And I'd rather stand near the gates of Hell and preach every day, pleading with them, proclaiming the glorious gospel, that message of Christ that can instantly snatch men from the flames and saves their souls. And I'd rather stand with the mayrters, and die for the true gospel, than give a damning message that lures men from within the gates of Hell to join darkness with light [ to call them as they are to sit and serve and be in the church alingside the Bride, and mislead them to think they are right with God or allow their subtle doctrines of demons to permiate in the church]. How about you?
I know that life does not end when I shed this mortal robe, for from it springs forth an eternal body thanks to Christ alone. So I will not fear the scorn or abuse of men, for I am in Christ's hand. And non can take me from Him. Until that day comes, I will steadfast be a Soldier of the Lord, preaching peace with God through Salvation in Christ. And until my last breath, I shall like Christ, proclaim "Repent and Believe"
God be with you, as you decide today whom you will serve. Yourself or The Lord.
For Believers
Examine yourself to see if you are saved
How to share the Gospel
Related topics
Belief Statement of CBN & SBC
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