Southern Baptist Convention Resolutions and Statements Regarding Priesthood of the Believer
15 June 1988, Resolution V, On the Priesthood of the Believer:
Whereas, None of the five major writing
systematic theologians in Southern Baptist history have given more than
a passing reference to the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer in
their systematic theologies; and
Whereas, The Baptist Faith and Message
preamble refers to the priesthood of the believer, but provides no definition
or content to the term; and
Whereas, The high profile emphasis on the
doctrine of the priesthood of the believer in Southern Baptist life is
a recent historical development; and
Whereas, the doctrine of the priesthood
of the believer has been used to justify wrongly the attitude that a Christian
may believe whatever he so chooses and still be considered a loyal Southern
Baptist; and
Whereas, the doctrine of the priesthood
of the believer can been used to justify the undermining of pastoral authority
in the local church.
Be it therefore resolved, That the Southern
Baptist Convention, meeting in San Antonio, Texas, June 14-16, 1988, affirm
its belief in the biblical doctrine of the priesthood of the believer (1
Peter 2:9 and Revelation 1:6); and
Be it further resolved, That we affirm
that this doctrine in no way gives license to misinterpret, explain away,
demythologize, or extrapolate out elements of the supernatural from the
Bible; and
Be it further resolved, That the doctrine
of the priesthood of the believer in no way contradicts the biblical understanding
of the role, responsibility, and authority of the pastor which is seen
in the command of the local church in Hebrews 13:17, "Obey your leaders,
and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will
give an account;" and
Be finally resolved, That we affirm the
truth that elders, or pastors, are called of God to lead the local church
(Acts 20:28).
From the 1994 Report of the Presidential Theological Study Committee:
Every Christian has direct access to God through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, the sole mediator between God and human beings. However, the priesthood of all believers is exercised within a committed community of fellow believers - priests who share a like precious faith. The priesthood of all believers should not be reduced to modern individualism, not used as a cover for theological relativism. It is a spiritual standing which leads to ministry, service, and a coherent witness in the world for which Christ died.
Posted 24 June 2001.
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