Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 10/13/2007

Question
QUESTION: Do Associational Baptists believe in pre-trib rapture.

ANSWER: Hi Rod,
  Do you mention Southern Baptist?   Most Southern Baptist do believe in a Pre-Tribulational rapture.  However, there is some that are being deceived by the cunning and false claims of the Pre-Wrath rapture idea and are changing.  But as far as I know...most Southern Baptists are Pre-Trib.
  If you are interested I have an article at that addresses the error of the Pre-Wrath position.
  Thanks for writing if you have further questions or comments please write.
Cooper Abrams
Romans 12:1-2

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Mr. Abrams, but actually I was speaking of the American Baptist Association. It seems to me that #13 in their doctrinal statement teaches that they believe that the rapture will not occur until after the tribulation. Please correct me if I am reading it wrong.

Answer
Hi Rod,
  Sorry.  I did not understand.  The ABA creed #13 says:

    "We believe in the premillennial, personal, bodily return of Christ as the crowning event of the Gentile age. This event will include the resurrection of the righteous to eternal heaven, and the Millennium will be followed by the resurrection of the unrighteous unto eternal punishment in the lake of fire and that the righteous shall enter into the heaven age (John 14:1-6; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 19; Rev. 20:4-6; Rev. 20:11-15; Rev. 21:8)."

    The statement does not say when the rapture will occur. It simply says they believe in Premillennial return of Christ.  Logically, the rapture would have to occur before the Second Coming, but this statement does not say when.  Item #12 says they believe in a bodily resurrection, but no mention of when.
         I cannot be positive, but based on what I have read most ABA churches are Pre-Trib,   I read a commentary written by one of their pastors and he mentions the rapture several times and never says when it will occur.
    Yours is a good question and I am going to have to do some more research on the matter.     They are noted as being "Baptist Briders" meaning that only they are the Bride of Christ and everyone else is outside.  It is also called Landmarkism.
    Wish I could be of more help.  But if I find out more I will do a follow up.
Take care,
Cooper Abrams