Baptists/Baptist Church Covenant

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Expert: - 11/8/2007


Question
Who wrote the baptist church covenant found in the front of the National Baptist Hymnal?

Answer
Hi Fred,
  As far as I can discern no one person wrote this covenant.  It was developed in the late 1800's by the Baptists and was finalized in the early 20th Century.   The Southern Baptists made it popular and it was posted and used as an addition to their regular church covenants.  Today is not popular and few churches emphasize it.   Basically it states that a Baptists will be loyal to Christ serving and being faithful to Him in the local church.   Further Baptists should remain faithful to their church and found one it they are in an area where there is no Baptist Church.
    It is a good document and simply states what the New Testament teaches Christians should do normally.
    In is interesting that there is a movement this year to form a new church covenant that encompasses all "Baptists" regardless of their beliefs or practices. It will be presented in Atlanta, GA and believe it or not...Ex President Jimmy Carter will be the key speaker?!?!
     It is an ecumenical document and shows how far many Baptists, including the Southern Baptists,  have gone in leaving God's truth.
     True New Testament churches have no creed by God's word.   The traditional church covenant is a sound document and declaration of biblical truth.
Hope this helps.   
Cooper Abrams

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Cooper P. Abrams III

Expertise

Independent Fundamental Baptist missionary and pastor, ThB, MBS. I began pastoring in 1981, and have taught in churches, a Bible college, and a Bible Institute. I have written numerous articles on various subjects from a biblical perspective and many are posted on my web site Bible Truth ( http://www.bible-truth.org ). Bible Truth receives over sixty thousand visits per month. Since 1998 I have answered Bible related questions via e-mail. My answers are straight forward and biblical. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE -----DO NOT ASK A QUESTION AND THEN NOT READ THE ANSWER! ABOUT FOUR IN TEN QUESTIONS ASKED ARE NEVER READ. I FREELY GIVE MY TIME TO GIVE HELPFUL ANSWERS. OFTEN THE ANSWER WILL REQUIRE AS MUCH AS A HOUR OR MORE TO RESEARCH AND THEN TO FORMULATE THE REPLY. IF YOU SEND A QUESTION PLEASE BE THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. MOST PEOPLE DO...BUT ALL SHOULD. THANKS

Experience

I have been a pastor since 1981 and a Independent Baptist missionary church planter since 1986. I have seen the Lord establish four Bible believing churches in Utah. My web site Bible Truth ( http:\\bible-truth.org ) continues to grow presently over 60,000 visits per month. The materials on the web site are mostly written by myself and contain sermons, Bible commentaries, articles on various biblical subjects.

Publications
- Appeared on Grizzly Adams DVD documentary "End Times: How Close Are We?" (http://www.grizzlyadams.com/Public/ChristianDVDs/index.cfm?productID=49). - Article "Are Mormons Christians" "O Timothy Magazine" Way of Life Literature (http://www.wayoflife.org/files/9959c77e05b303248173195e72476459-60.html)

Education/Credentials
ThB and MBS from Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC

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