BAPTISTS AND THE BIBLE

Recent, pitiful attempts to justify the ordination of women and even of homosexuals under the guise of charity and in the name of the historically Baptist doctrine of soul liberty demand some response from someone more concerned for the glory and truth of God than the opinions of men. I make no apology for tenaciously adhering to historic Baptist principles, not because they are Baptist principles, but because they are Bible principles. Historically, the two have been synonymous. But Baptists are no more exempt from heresy and apostasy than any other religious group. Certainly, the much publicized ordinations of women and homosexuals by Baptist churches demonstrates that fact. But everyone needs to understand two facts:

1. The historic Baptist doctrine of soul liberty does not defend the right of men to violate the Word of God. Soul liberty and the priesthood of the believer go hand in hand. The one insists upon religious freedom, the liberty of every man to worship God according to his own understanding of the Word of God. The other insists upon every believer's immediate access to and acceptance with God through Christ our only Mediator.

2. Whenever any religious organization, local church or national denomination, disregards God's Word every believer is obliged, for the honor of God and for the sake of the gospel, to disassociate himself with it (Read Rev. 18:4). Truth is more important than unity. The glory of God is more important than any church or denomination. Unless a church adheres to God's truth it cannot serve the souls of men (II Cor. 6:14 - 7:1).

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor

GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH OF DANVILLE

2734 Old Stanford Road

Danville, Kentucky

236-8235