A BAPTIST
STATEMENT OF WHERE IS THE CHURCH OF GOD ON EARTH.
Compiled,by G.W.S.Ware.
May,1,1938.
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"We hold the immemorial position of Baptist that all true believers in Christ are
saved, having been born again; and this without the intervention of preacher, priest,
ordinance, sacrament, or church. Therefore, we profoundly rejoice in our spiritual union
with all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth. We hold them as brothers in the
saving grace of Christ and heirs with us of life and immortality. We love their fellowship
and maintain that the spiritual union of all believers is now and ever will be a blessed
reality. This spiritual union does not depend on organization or forms or rituals. It is
deeper, higher, broader and more stable than any or all organizations. We hold that all
people who (truly) believe in Christ as their personal Saviour are our brothers in the
common salvation, whether they be in the Catholic communion, or in a Protestant communion,
or in any other communion, or in no communion."
IF SOME SHOULD ASK, WHY BE A BAPTIST? SAY WITH AN OTHER.
"I love the beautiful symbolism of the Baptist churches. I love a baptism that
does not have to be argued, defended, or explained, but is in itself such a living picture
of burial and resurrection that even the blind eye must close itself if it would not see.
And I love the creed that is written nowhere but in the New Testament, which allows
growth, and the changes which must come with increase of light and stature without
periodical revision. Then I love the simplicity of the Baptist organization. If there
wasn’t a Baptist church in the world there would, nevertheless be millions of Baptist
in every generation. I even resent the innovation of advisory boards in Baptist churches.
And I love the Baptist recognition of the right of private judgment, the liberty of
personal opinion. I love the free responsibility of the human soul, standing on a level
platform face to face with God, with no shadow of pope, or bishop, or priest, or man-made
creed falling between himself and his Master."
