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The
purpose of this book is to promote that which will tend to "keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3). In a realization
that there can be no true spiritual unity apart from "faith" (v. 5),
this book seeks to arrive at the understanding of crucial doctrine
which has been the basis of fellowship and cooperation among orthodox
Baptists in history.
If upon first examination, the book appears to be somewhat divisive,
the reader should bear in mind that there can be no genuine unity
without an agreed doctrinal foundation and that all attempts to circumvent
theological controversy in the interest of "peace at any price" have
led the church into a labyrinth of perplexities and calamities in
days gone by. The ultimate criterion of judgement or action for a
Christian must be truth, not merely peace, however altruistic and
sincere the motives of the "doves" may be. There simply cannot be
any lasting theological or ecclesiastical peace among those who radically
disagree in crucial area of doctrines.
The establishment of a Regular Baptist Statement of Faith without
ambiguity or possibility of double interpretation, which adheres to
the language and intent of our predecessors, must provide many benefits.
In addition to formalizing an exact statement and definition of the
articles of doctrine in contemporary language, it will hopefully be
conducive to a deeper spirituality, a greater understanding of God's
grace in the gospel, a genuine revival, and an enlarged outreach in
Biblical evangelism to the uttermost part of the earth. |