JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention has just released a new resource for personal or group study titled What Every Christian Should Know About the Trinity. Written by the MBC’s Rob Phillips, the 250-page book explores the biblical foundation of belief in one true and living God, who exists as three distinct, but inseparable, co-equal, co-eternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Written for pastors and laypersons alike, the book features 12 lessons that conclude with … [Read more...]
FOURTH OF JULY: Let us pray
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a first-person article by Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee and author of "How to Pray: Developing an Intimate Relationship with God." NASHVILLE (BP) – July 4, as the day we set aside to celebrate America's independence, is but one of 365 days that are crucial for our country's future. Each day, we must join in prayer for America. Our nation is in dire need of a new, fresh touch of God. Sin is abounding in a … [Read more...]
FOURTH OF JULY: Chaplains, fog of war, flow of life
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a first-person article by Chaplain (MG) Doug Carver, USA-Retired, executive director of chaplaincy for the North American Mission Board. The article is adapted from his address honoring veterans on the opening day of the June 11-12 Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, Ala. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – Seventy-five years ago, in June 1944, after the largest amphibious landing in history, U.S. and Allied forces began their offensive push from the blood-soaked … [Read more...]
Missouri churches invested in new missionaries
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two men baptized in Missouri churches were among 26 new missionaries appointed by the International Mission Board during a sending celebration at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, June 12. Lev Fields*, along with his wife Elsie* and their daughter, will be serving in Northern Africa and the Middle East with the IMB. Although they were sent by a church in North Carolina, Lev was baptized in Missouri. He and Elsie shared with Southern Baptist messengers … [Read more...]
Justification: Linchpin of salvation
In justification, God declares us righteous. In sanctification and glorification, which we explore in future columns, He makes us so. These interlocking works of God ensure that followers of Jesus are fully conformed to the image of Christ. The Greek noun dikaiosis, or justification, describes the act of God declaring sinners righteous on the basis of the finished work of Christ. Believing sinners are acquitted – freed of all guilt – as their sins are transferred to the account of Christ … [Read more...]
The gift of regeneration
This is the sixth in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Salvation,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings a sinner from spiritual death into spiritual life. While Christians may disagree about such issues as the relationship between regeneration and baptism, or whether regeneration precedes faith, it is biblically faithful for a follower of Jesus to say, “I am regenerated.” While … [Read more...]
‘We must take action!’ – Missouri DOM: the late Bill Powell ‘most influential’ leader in Conservative Resurgence of SBC
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the ninth article in a year-long series, commemorating the history of the Conservative Resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in honor of its 40th anniversary. To read previous articles, visit www.mbcpathway.com/ConservativeResurgence. COLUMBIA – In 1973, Larry Lewis – then serving with the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania – bussed college students from around the state to a Bible conference, where they heard from Morris Ashcraft, then a professor at … [Read more...]
God’s call to salvation
This is the fifth in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Salvation,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. While there is a general call to everyone to trust in Christ through the proclamation of the gospel, God also extends an effectual call to those He foreknew, elected, and predestined. For every child of God, there is a time when the Holy Spirit draws him or her personally to faith in Christ, resulting in belief and repentance that … [Read more...]
You are predestined
This is the fourth in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Salvation,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. The Bible refers to some people as “predestined.” What does that mean? How does predestination fit into God’s work of redemption? And if the Bible presents a fatalistic view of predestination, is there any room for human freedom? As we search the Scriptures for answers, it’s good to remember that, for followers of Jesus, it is … [Read more...]
What is the doctrine of election?
This is the third in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resources, available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. Every Christian should readily acknowledge that the Bible teaches divine election. Disagreements arise with respect to how this doctrine is biblically defined, and how it’s applied. In any case, if you are a follower of Jesus, it is biblically faithful to say, “I am elected.” The word “election” in Scripture is derived from the Greek eklegomai, which means “to choose something for … [Read more...]
Collision course in soul-winning: MBTS’s Johnston hopes to ‘mobilize an army of evangelists’
KANSAS CITY – “Let’s beat the train.” On July 2, 1980, 19-year-old Wheaton College student Tom Johnston worked as a garbageman with BFI waste management in Des Plaines, Ill. Along their route, Johnston and his colleagues serviced three houses that shared a driveway running across the railroad tracks. As they came up to these houses that day, their driver saw the freight train barreling down the tracks and felt confident they could beat it. Johnston, who now serves as an evangelism … [Read more...]
You are foreknown
This is the second in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Salvation,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. God knows everything, which means nothing surprises Him. Satan’s brash rebellion didn’t catch the Creator off guard. Neither did Adam’s fall send the Lord into divine panic, forcing Him to sacrifice His Son in a desperate “Plan B.” Every event in time and eternity plays out exactly as God knows it will. His foreknowledge is more … [Read more...]