Becker Bible Studies Library

North American Baptist Covenant

Denomination History, Practices and Beliefs

Introduction

January 9, 2007, an announcement was made about a New Baptist Covenant by Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, two former U.S. Presidents, who lead the effort to establish black and white Baptist organizations into one all inclusive Baptist coalition. They brought together forty Baptist denominations at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia to launch a celebration of a New Baptist Covenant which will be implemented on January 31 or February 1, 2008 at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

The North American Baptist Covenant purposed a core of traditional beliefs when they first met on April 10, 2006, at the Carter Center meeting at the with about twenty Baptist leaders in attendance. They have had two meetings since the April meeting, which has led to the acknowledgement of the historical division between the North and South, the existing racial tension, and a dissension of theological issues that had to be addressed with a platform for unity that the North American Baptist Covenant purposed.

The focus theme of the New Baptist Covenant, which will be held in January/February 2008 convocation in Atlanta, will be to produce the covenant document. The topics for this New Baptist Covenant will cover prophetic preaching, religious diversity, evangelism, spiritual discipline, religious liberty, as well as social issues such as ecology, racism, sexual trafficking, Aids, public policy, youth issues and poverty.

The conservative Southern Baptist Convention, also known as the SBC, is not included in this effort. It seems obvious that since the Southern Baptist Convention is mainly aligned with the Republican Party, that this newly organized Baptist coalition would be for the Democratic Party with hopes of squelching the Southern Baptist Convention.

This new coalition has the hopes of having a stronger voice that would allow Democrats a greater reception into the Baptist population. The organizers are confident that many of the established Southern Baptist will join the new Covenant once it is adopted. They insist this is not a political move, but rather for the purpose of bringing the role of religion into the public arena.

Their motive of this convention for the New Baptist Covenant implementation has been questioned by Baptist pundits. It appears noteworthy that this political event with two former Democratic Presidents as hosts to the convention in 2008, could favorably affect the chances of Host Bill Clinton's wife, Hillary, receiving the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

The Democrats have made one of their major goal strategies of to win over the “faith voters” for the 2008 election year and this effort is realized this liberal coalition. There are some conservative Baptist denominations who believe having anything to do with the proposal would be an abomination. There are others who believe this would lead to a one world church and be taken over by the “antichrist”.

Both Carter and Clinton were raised Southern Baptist. Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn have been longtime members, Deacons and Sunday school teachers at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, even though Jimmy Carter stopped calling himself a Southern Baptist long ago. Bill Clinton is a longtime member of the Immanuel Baptist church in Little Rock, Arkansas, even though he attended the Washington’s foundry United Methodist Church with his Methodist wife, Hillary while he was President. Both Carter and Clinton have conveyed disagreement over the Southern Baptist's conservative traditionalism that battled over issues such as the inerrancy of the Bible, homosexuality, abortion, the role of women in the church and the call for wives to submit to their husbands. Carter and Clinton prefer the modernism rather than the conservative approach to belief.

The Washington Post Sunday January 21, 2007; page A03 quoted Jimmy Carter as saying "We hope... to emphasize the common commitments that bind us together rather than to concentrate on the divisive issues that separate us," Carter said. "There's too much of an image in the Baptist world, and among non-Christians, that the main, permeating characteristic of Christian groups is animosity toward one another and an absence of ability to cooperate in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood."

There is a claim that the New Baptist Covenant would not be a new denomination but it would be a coalition for the historically Black Baptist Churches, the National Baptist Convention USA, the North American Baptist Fellowship, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the American Baptist Churches USA, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Baptist World Alliance, the North American Baptist Conference (NABC), the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the Mercer University. Among some of the current participants are representivies from the African-American National Baptist conventions, leaders of the United States based Japanese, Russian Ukrainian, Hispanic, and Laotian Baptist groups as well as the Canadian Baptists. It does appear the total number of these combined churches are all important in order to outnumber the Southern Baptist Convention.

This attempt to unite the new coalition of the Baptists in North America has been cited because of the differences in their understanding of their faith. They claim the voice of the Southern Baptist Convention has dominated the limelight and has lost what is really important to the other Baptists. They believe the Southern Baptist Convention have become focused on sexual morality rather than on social justice, environment issues, and the morality of foreign policy. The new coalition intends to affirm and accept all sexual orientations. There is a disagreement, however, on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Carter has distanced himself from the support of Israel in favor of supporting the Palestinian peace.

This uniting of a New Baptist Covenant coalition have affirmed their desire to work together to create an authentic prophetic Baptist voice and demonstrate a united Baptist harmony. They have reaffirmed their commitment for traditional Baptist values, which would include sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They share the hope to implement a private and public morality, and are committed to the promoting of peace with justice, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, promote religious liberty and welcome any stranger in their mist. They will affirm to respect any religious diversity. They welcome the opportunity of working together as equal Christian partners. The hope of the New Baptist Covenant is to sit down together in 2008 focus on compassion instead of conflicts in theology, social issues or racial issues that have divided the Baptist denomination for generations.

The Associated Baptist Press quoted Jimmy Carter predicting the 2008 convocation will be “one of the most historic events - at least in history of Baptists in this county, maybe Christianity.” Clinton has expressed hope for a movement among Baptists and has offered the resources of his foundation to help participants make specific commitments to become actively involved in these issues.

History

American Baptist Churches USA

The American Baptists Church in the USA is centered in Jesus Christ and His Word, striving for an uncompromising personal discipleship to Christ Jesus and a firm commitment to the community of faith. They are proud of their accomplishments regarding the social issues over the centuries. They have been involved in encouraging changes within society by being a good witness in the promotion of freeing the slaves during the Civil War, their contribution with the Civil Rights Movement, their sponsorship in the issue of women in the church, and their important focus on responsible stewardship of the Creations of the LORD GOD.

The American Baptists Church in the USA shares a common tradition that goes back as far as the 17th century. The earliest Baptist church implemented their religious freedom of choosing to embrace either the strict predestination belief of Calvinism or Arminiaism.

The National Baptist Convention USA

The National Baptist Convention of the USA is theologically conservative. The National Baptist convention is one of the largest groupings of black churches in the United States.

Baptist Churches spread across the colonies converting slaves as well as free blacks in the 18th century. Boston was the where the north free black Baptist Church was established in 1804. The black Baptist churches established the Providence Baptist Association in Ohio in 1836.

The South slave owners usually did not allow their slaves to form separate churches until the late 1770’s. A plantation owner allowed the first established Baptist church in silver Balm, Georgia. Blacks worshipped in their plantation owners Baptist churches. Following the Civil Was there were many independent congregations formed by free black.

A national organization was formed in the late 1880’s of the Foreign Mission Baptist Convention of the USA. Then in 1889 there was a merging of all bodies of the foreign Mission Baptist Convention into one National Baptist Convention who met in Atlanta, Georgia.

The North American Baptist Fellowship

The North American Baptist Fellowship belongs to the Baptist World Alliance. The North American Baptist Fellowship is the center of the Baptist World and considered to be the largest Protestant body of Baptists. The purpose of the North American Baptist Conference is to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ both in the United States and internationally by encouraging churches to make disciples, motivate people to fulfill the Great Commission and cultivate their sense of unity and establish an outreach around the world.

The North American Baptist Fellowship believes the church membership is only for those who have personally experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ. They believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the only infallible authority for Christian. They believe in the right of every person to approach God directly without another person as a mediator. They believe in being led by the Holy Spirit. They believe in defending religious freedom for all and in the separation of church and state.

The Progressive National Baptist Convention

The National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA, is a group of black Primitive Baptists which organized in 1907. Their congregation is also known as the NPBC.

The Progressive National Baptist Convention have implemented progressive methods and policies which are different from their historical and theological background. They no longer hold to the strict Calvinistic teachings on Predestination which was always held by other old school black Primitive Baptists.

The Progressive National Baptist Convention were also known as the Colored Primitive Baptists. The slave population of the south, throughout the Civil War, worshiped with the white population in their different churches. The Colored Primitive Baptists attended white Primitive Baptist churches until their emancipation. The white Primitive Baptist churches helped them to establish their own church by ordaining their deacons and their ministers.

The National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA, is opposed to all forms of church organization. Each of their churches is independent and controls their own membership. They believe in the separation of church and state. They have a congregational policy that all members are equal and are called by Jesus Christ unto Him. Worshippers must be saved before they can hold membership in their Convention. They consider the pastor and deacons as their scriptural officers. Holders of these positions of authority must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, and apt to teach.

The National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA believes its mission is getting people saved, getting them baptized, and teaching them the principles of Christ. They are taught to observe all things whatsoever they have been commanded by Christ.

The basic difference between the National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA and other religious societies is that they believe in salvation by grace. They practice salvation by grace, and believe that salvation can not be obtained by any other way. They teach there are two schools of thought concerning the idea of salvation. The first principle is that salvation is by grace and the second principle is that salvation is by works. They teach you can not combine the two principles. If a man performs any action of the will of man like repentance, baptism, faith, or hearing the gospel and these are set as a condition for obtaining salvation, then they are practicing salvation by works.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches. They share the passion for the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. They believe they should be the presence of Christ in the world. They serve Christians and churches to provide resources for churches around the global mission of the world. They focus on Global missions and work for a partnership with local congregation and other mission groups. They give the gospel among the un-evangelized people around the world attempting to reach those poor people in the inner cities, urban areas in the United States.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship was organized in May 1991 with their primary offices located in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Baptist World Alliance

The Baptist World alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches that were organized in July 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress. There was a committee formed that proposed a Constitution for a World alliance.

The Baptist World Alliance believes in One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism. They participate in the Baptist World Alliance Day that is celebrated on the first Sunday of February every year and pray as a unit around the world. They pray for those who are denied religious freedom and suffer for their faith. They also pray for the Gospel to reach the ends of the earth. There is a Baptist World Congress that is held every five years to celebrate God for bringing together Baptist around the world.

The Baptist World Alliance believes they lead in evangelism is the vocal point of Baptist life. Defending human rights is their cause and responding to people in need around the world is mart of their ministry. A national leadership is possibly the most important ministry of the Baptist World Alliance.

The Baptist World Alliance reaches over the whole world and demonstrates the need for oneness of Baptist people in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. They believe they are guided by the Holy Spirit to promote Christian fellowship and the cooperation among all Baptist around the world.

North American Baptist Conference (NABC)

The North American Baptist Conference or NABC is an association of Baptists in the United States and Canada all of German ethnic heritage. The North American Baptist Conference is a family of churches. They are a diverse group of believers and they represent countless languages and different cultures. The local churches chose to be a part of the North American Baptist Conference and they then became a member of a larger congregation that focus on making disciples and a witness to the unity in Christ.

The North American Baptist Conference believes the Bible is the Word of God and it is given by divine inspiration and the record of the revelation from God of Himself to humanity. The North American Baptist Conference believes religious liberty is rooted in Scripture. They believe Scripture is the inalienable right of all individuals to freedom of conscience with ultimate accountability to God.

The North American Baptist Conference believes in the one living and true God, who is perfect in wisdom, sovereignty, holiness, justice mercy and live. They believe God created man in His won image to have fellowship with Himself and to steward over His creation.

Lott Carey Foreign Baptist Mission Convention

The Lott Carey Foreign Baptist Mission Convention split from the National Baptist Convention because of a controversy over foreign missions. Lott Carey was formed in 1897 by followers who wanted to keep ties with the white Baptists and did not want their headquarters moved from Richmond to Louisville. The name was chosen for the new convention to honor the Reverend Lott Carey who was one of the first American Baptist missionaries who served in West Africa. Carey was born a slave in 1780 and purchased his freedom in 1813. He was involved in a missionary team in Liberia in 1821 and evangelized, educated and gave health care to the people of Liberia.

The Southern Baptist Convention

The Southern Baptist Convention or (SBC) is the largest body of Protestant Baptist denomination in the United States. They serve missionary Baptist churches around the world. The Southern Baptist Convention also is the most influential group in America controlling legalized gambling, state lotteries and the prohibiting the sale of alcohol especially on Sundays.

The foundation for the Southern Baptist Convention belief is Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and then rose from the grave. They believe He lives today and stands ready to give eternal life to those who repent of their sin and give their faith to Jesus. They believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is infallible. They believe there is one living and true God who is eternal and reveals Himself to man in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They believe every Christian is under obligation to see to make the will of Christ supreme in their own life and in human society. They believe in the separation of Church and state. They believe marriage is the unity of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.

They were not invited to the implementation of the North American Baptist Covenant.

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