Avoid Alcohol and Drug AbuseProverbs 20 & 31

APRIL 27, 2014FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHJACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

USA

FBCJ MEMORY VERSE

Galatians 2:2020 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

CLASS MEMORY VERSE

1 Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

What’s the number one thing?

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608004121792417659&pid=1.7

Why is alcohol use debated among Baptists?

Let’s look at the bigger picture!

What do Southern Baptists believe and why?

REFERENCES/HANDOUTS

• The Baptist Faith & Message, A Statement Adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention, June 14, 2000

• Dr. Charles Carter, November 24, 2002, A Sermon Preached at First Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi

Dr. Charles Carter’s Challenge to Us

1 Peter 3:1515 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Evaluating a religion or denomination

1) What do they believe about the Bible?

2) What do they believe about Jesus?

3) What do they believe about how you get to heaven?

Brief History of Baptists

• Protestant Reformation 16th Century

– What must I do to be saved?

– Where can I find the true church?

• Many opinions about baptism

• Felix Manz in Zurich rejected the state church and insisted on baptism for believers only

– Limmat River on January 5, 1527 – 1st Martyr

John Smyth – Baptist Founder1570-1612

• Broke from Church of England and moved to Amsterdam, Holland

• In 1609, formed a new believers’ group

1. Rejected liturgy in worship service

2. Twofold leadership – Pastor & Deacon

3. Believer’s baptism

- Anabaptists – “baptize again”

1st Church Named “Baptist”

• Founded in 1611 in Spitafields, England (London) by Thomas Helwys (1575-1616)

• Founded 1st Baptist congregation on British soil

• Died in prison for public advocacy for religious liberty for all people regardless of creed (Jews, Muslims and atheists)

1st Baptist Church in America

• 1639 in Providence, Rhode Island founded by Roger Williams

– John Clarke in Newport, Rhode Island same year Who was 1st?

• Believed in separation of church and state

– Interpretation of modern day courts different

• Defended the rights of the Indians against the English settlers

Roger Williams in America

1st Baptist Church, Providence, RI

1st Baptist Church in South

• 1682 in Charleston, SC (Group from Maine)

• Southern Baptist Convention

– Formed on May 10, 1845 in Augusta, GA

– Issue of slavery and appointment of missionaries who were slave owners

Mississippi Baptists

• 1st recorded Baptist church was Coles Creek Baptist Church in 1791

– Now called Salem Baptist Church (Jefferson County)

• Mississippi became a state in 1817

• Mississippi Baptist Convention founded 1836

• First Baptist Jackson founded 1838

What Do Baptists Believe?

• No single belief that is unique to Baptists

• Nothing we believe that no one else believes

• Uniqueness is our collection of beliefs

• Not all Baptists agree- (agree to disagree)

• No Creeds – Baptist Faith & Message

• Do not sign a statement of beliefs when join

• Bible is our sole rule of faith and practice

STATEMENT OF FAITH & MESSAGE

• SBC – “The Baptist Faith & Message”, Adopted June 14, 2000

• FBCJ – “What We Believe/Mission Statement/ Core Values”, Adopted May 12, 2012

• Valuable in defending family values

B A P T I S T

B - Baptism by immersion for believers

A - Autonomy of the local church

P - Priesthood of believers and Perseverance

T - Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation

I - Inspiration and authority of scripture

S - Separation of church and state

T - Testimony to the whole world

BAPTISM

1. By Immersion Only

2. For Believers Only - After a profession of faith in Jesus- No infant baptisms

- Not ‘regeneration’ baptism – conversion at baptism

Matthew 28:1919 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

BAPTISM – Immersion Only

• Greek word “baptidzo” means ‘to dip’ or ‘to immerse’

• Does not translate into sprinkling

• Sprinkling evolved because of issues with water availability – weather, convenience, etc.

• Adapted as a substitute

BAPTISM – By Immersion Only

• Only person who has accepted Christ is a ‘candidate’

• Candidate means – one clothed in white

• Wearing robe for baptism

• Must come to stage of responsibility (accountability) & make commitment to Christ

– Baptists do not baptize infants

– Salvation first, then baptism

Infant Baptism?

• Children of believers are to be incorporated into full membership in the church

• Viewed as a sign of God’s promise to bring the full measure of redemption to those who put their trust in Christ

• New covenant equivalent of circumcision based on Paul’s comments in Colossians 2:11-12

Colossians 2:11-1211 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men, but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

B A P T I S T

B – Baptism

A - Autonomy

AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

• Self-rule and self-government under the Lordship of Jesus Christ– Misunderstood by most outside of denomination

1 Timothy 2:5-65 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

AUTONOMY: ExamplesTrue or False?

• First Baptist Jackson is largely independent of other churches.

– True or False?

AUTONOMY: ExamplesTrue or False?

• “First Baptist Church Jackson (FBCJ) is largely independent of other churches.”

• FALSE

• First Baptist Church Jackson (FBCJ) is TOTALLY independent of other churches.

• No other local church can dictate to FBCJ

• FBCJ cannot dictate to any other church

AUTONOMY: ExamplesTrue or False?

• “The Southern Baptist Convention has little control over First Baptist Church Jackson.”

True or False?

AUTONOMY: ExamplesTrue or False?

• “The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)has little control over First Baptist Church Jackson(FBCJ).”

• FALSE

• The SBC has NO control over FBCJ.

• FBCJ can decide name, styles of worship, music, contributions to SBC, governance, selection of Pastor, role of women

B A P T I S T

B – Baptism

A – Autonomy

P – Priesthood of Believers and

Perseverance of the Saints

PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS

1 Tim 2:5-65 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

• Every Christian has direct access to God through Jesus Christ

• You do not have to go through a priest or other person to have access

• Both a privilege and a responsibility

PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS

• Every Christian has the right to read and interpret scripture for himself/herself.

• Concept of “individual responsibility”

• George Truett (1867-1944) quote, “Individual interpretation is the cardinal, bedrock principle from which all our Baptists principles emerge.”

PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS

• Eternal Security of Believers

• “Once saved, always saved.”

• If truly saved, you cannot lose your salvation.

John 10:27-2827 My sheep hear my voice; … 28 neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.

B A P T I S T

B – Baptism

A – Autonomy

P – Priesthood of Believers

T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation

TRUST IN JESUS FOR SALVATION

John 14:66 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

- Regenerate Church Membership

- Must accept Christ to become church member

- Salvation is through Christ alone

- Common denominator for Christianity

B A P T I S T

B – Baptism

A – Autonomy

P – Priesthood of Believers

T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation

I – Inspiration and Authority of Scripture

INSPIRATION & AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

2 Timothy 3:1515 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, - Division among Southern Baptists over the

discussion of ‘Nature of Inspiration and Interpretation of Scripture’

- Let’s look at these separately- 1. Inspiration- 2. Interpretation

INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE

• We believe in the ‘divine inspiration’ of scripture

• God chose to convey His Word through humans as instruments.

• Arguments begin when we begin using the words “infallible” and “inerrancy”

INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE

• Infallible vs. Inerrant?

• Infallible = Without error– Original manuscripts in original language were perfect

or infallible as God directed the writers

– We don’t have these for comparison

– Translation differences do exist

• Inerrant = All that the Bible affirms is true.– Bible is fully truthful, trustworthy and reliable

– Without any mixture of error

INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTUREvs. INSPIRATION

• It is wrong to say, “My interpretation of the Bible is infallible.”

• We don’t have to be identical twins to be brothers/sisters in Christ.

• We can disagree with each other over interpretation and still believe in the inspiration and authority of scripture.

INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE

• The Holy Spirit guides each believer in personal interpretation of scripture.

• Priesthood of Believers and personal accountability to God

• With freedom comes responsibility

• Catholic Church

– Pope has final authority to interpret scripture

– His view considered infallible & final authority

INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE

• What does the scripture say about use of alcohol?

– The Bible does not call for total abstinence from the use of alcohol.

– The Bible does give us numerous warnings about how the use of alcohol may affect our lives, the people we love, and our witness for Christ.

INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 20:1 1 Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

Psalms 104:14-1514 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: 15 wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.

PAUL ADDRESSES OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST

1 Corinthians 10:23-2423 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

PAUL ADDRESSES OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST

1 Corinthians 10:31-3331 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

PAUL ADDRESSES OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST

Galatians 5:13-1413 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.

PAUL ADDRESSES OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST

1 Corinthians 10:31-3331 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

BOTTOM LINE

• Protestant reformers of 16th Century

– We are to live “Coram Deo”

– Being a Christian means living our entire lives in the presence of God

– We gratefully live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

B A P T I S T

B – Baptism

A – Autonomy

P – Priesthood of Believers

T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation

I – Inspiration and Authority of Scripture

S – Separation of Church and State

SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE

Matthew 22:17-2217 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

• A free church in a free state

• State should allow freedom in church and vice versa

• State cannot declare one church as the “State Church or Religion”

• America was founded by people fleeing from State Church – Freedom of Worship

• Problem when Church and State same - Islam

B A P T I S T

B – Baptism

A – Autonomy

P – Priesthood of Believers

T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation

I – Inspiration and Authority of Scripture

S – Separation of Church and State

T – Testimony to the whole world

TESTIMONY TO THE WHOLE WORLD

Matthew 28:19-2019 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

- It is the duty of every Christian to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ

- You are my witnesses

- Baptists believe in missions!

B A P T I S T

B – Baptism

A – Autonomy

P – Priesthood of Believers

T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation

I – Inspiration and Authority of Scripture

S – Separation of Church and State

T – Testimony to the Whole World