Thousands of Baptists – black, white, theologically conservative, moderate, Republican and Democrat – opened on Wednesday a historic meeting that former president Jimmy Carter called "the most momentous event" of his religious life.
The gathering is billed as the broadest of its kind among Baptists across North America since they split over slavery in 1845. The cause is unity across racial, theological and political lines and an end to their internal divisions.
"For the first time in more than 160 years, we are convening a major gathering of Baptists throughout an entire continent, without any threat to our unity caused by differences of our race or politics or geography or the legalistic interpretation of Scripture," said Carter, 84, who spearheaded the new movement.
Up to 20,000 Baptists are expected to attend the three-day gathering, called the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant, in Atlanta. Over 30 organizations representing 20 million Baptists are making the unity effort on the common platform of the gospel – salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ – and biblical mandates such as helping the poor.
It's an assembly that has never happened before, the Baptists emphasize.
"This night and these days, we do a bold and glorious thing: We attempt to express the oneness which was our Lord's desire for his people," declared William Shaw, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, one of the four prominent African-American Baptists conventions participating in the meeting.
What will mark this convocation as a success is the attendance number as well as "the fact that we want to avoid anything other than harmony, cooperation [and] a positive attitude as a group of Christians," Carter said at a press conference Wednesday just before the meeting began.
Carter, a longtime Bible teacher and a Baptist since he was a child, described animosity among Christians as "a cancer metastasizing in the body of Christ" and it's that divisive image of Christians that is prevailing today, he said.
Issues that have divided Baptists include the role of women in ministry and marriage, legalized abortion, civil rights for gays, and the separation of church and state, among many others, Carter listed during the opening of the meeting.
He's hoping an image of unity will emerge over the three days in Atlanta.
Dispelling early rumors that the convocation may be a Democratic rally considering it takes place just ahead of primaries on Super Tuesday and involves former president Bill Clinton and former vice president Al Gore, Carter stressed to the media, "We are doing everything we can and have for the last two years to avoid any sort of racial division, philosophical division, theological division, geographical division or political division here at this assembly."
Also clarifying that they are not trying to exclude anyone, including the conservative Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Carter said he and SBC President Frank Page exchanged positive letters recently and hopes they can work together.
Carter and many other Baptists had severed ties with the SBC after the conservative resurgence when conservatives took control of the denomination in the 1970s and 1980s. SBC remains the largest U.S. Baptist and largest Protestant denomination in the country.
While SBC head Page and other top leaders from the conservative group are not participating in the Atlanta meeting this week over concerns of a possible political slant, pastors and lay members from Southern Baptist churches are attending, Carter affirmed.
And after the assembly, Carter said he will be reaching out personally to Page with a report.
"It would be my hope and prayer that we can cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention," Carter said.
During the Jan. 30-Feb. 1 convocation, Baptists will explore ways they can work together long-term. Carter stressed this is not just a meeting, but an initiative to form "permanent commitments" with one another.
Comments
Rick Warren, The Emergent Church, pretty much the whole democratic party including, but not limited to Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, Hillary, Barbara Boxer, and Bill Clinton, as well as those in the Republican Party with a liberal New-Age Agenda along with the Theosophical Society and the UN all need to be deported to the South Sandwich Islands or France.
1 Timothy 4:1
[ The Great Apostasy ] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:1-3 (in Context) 1 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
2 Timothy 4:2-4 (in Context) 2 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
2 Peter 2:1
[ Destructive Doctrines ] But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:1-3 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter
Will the real Christian please stand up!
Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Al Gore might be sincere but they are not Christians.
Christians know that GOD condemns homosexuality (Sodom & Gommorrah) and that the scripture teaches in 8 (eight) different places against homosexuality.
Come on my American brothers & sisters your history as a Christian nation is a proud one, with some mistakes yes, but you have been a light shining on a hill, Salt among the nations, please take right ground, we are praying for you.
100% South African
God will not forget and will demand justice for 40million abortions!
Now who do you hold responsible, the woman, the man, or the doctor?
God says thou shall not fornicate. If you can't afford to take care of a child, you should not be having one. Taking care is more than financial.
jesus4me, who is the best candidate and why?
Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, Hillary, Barbara Boxer, and Bill Clinton all need to be deported to the South Sandwich Islands.
1 Timothy 4:1
[ The Great Apostasy ] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:1-3 (in Context) 1 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
2 Timothy 4:2-4 (in Context) 2 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
2 Peter 2:1
[ Destructive Doctrines ] But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:1-3 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter
During the past 31 years Former President Jimmy Carter has, in my opinion, done his best to subvert the messages of the Scripture, Religion, and American politics.
Scripture states clearly in actual words that homosexuality is an abomination! Then scripture tells the story of a rescue of a family surrounded by a deviant sexually perverse society. Once rescued, the only just people, are removed and the area, citizens, homes, possessions, are completely destroyed! Almighty God still does this to every society,country, political movement that embraces this deviant life-style. President Carter, Pope John Paul II, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Barbara Boxer, Sen Feinstein, most of congress are in agreement with the embracing of the homo-sexual deviant life style. Therefore, as leaders of these movements,religions, mantras, they and all that follow will come to destruction at Almighty God's Hand. It is completely logical to understand that God will use militant Islam to punish his chosen people.
Do not follow these movements, embrace this corrupt conference, support these demonically supported individuals. They preach a satanic message. God will not forget and will demand justice for 40million abortions! Count on it!! Just as you count on the sun rising everyday!
Thanks for your time.
I think the SBC is just jealous. This New Baptist Covenant has two former Presidents (Carter and Clinton) aid its getting together, has had two Nobel Peace Prize winners working with it and speak (Carter and Gore), and its sporting a range of diversity across the political spectrum, and those are just the “political” aspects. Ecclesially, it’s bridging denominational divisions and working hard for a long-term unity, with working together on practical issues a priority
God is not a respector of persons.
Romans 1:16-32 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
The Just Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,[a] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”[b]
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[c] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[d] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Footnotes:
Romans 1:16 NU-Text omits of Christ.
Romans 1:17 Habakkuk 2:4
Romans 1:29 NU-Text omits sexual immorality.
Romans 1:31 NU-Text omits unforgiving.
1 Timothy 4:1
[ The Great Apostasy ] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:1-3 (in Context) 1 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
2 Timothy 4:2-4 (in Context) 2 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
2 Peter 2:1
[ Destructive Doctrines ] But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:1-3 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
2 Peter 2:4
[ Doom of False Teachers ] For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;
2 Peter 2:3-5 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
2 Peter 2:12
[ Depravity of False Teachers ] But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,
2 Peter 2:11-13 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
2 Peter 2:18
[ Deceptions of False Teachers ] For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.
2 Peter 2:17-19 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
1 Corinthians 1:18
[ Christ the Power and Wisdom of God ] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:17-19 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 1:21
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:20-22 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 1:25
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:24-26 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 2 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 3 (Whole Chapter)
Result pages:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Acts 3:19 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: - Luke 12:51
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape - 1Thessalonians 5:1-3.
Carter is an ecumenicalist; not an evangelical. He's also rather on the anti-semitic side. I have no idea what business he or Al Gore have with the SBC, or any other evangelical organization.
I also have to add that when someone who professes to be reaching people for Christ, is trying to teach motivational speaking, a better your life here on earth, etc, it goes contrary to the whole of the Bible. We are not to have our eyes fixed only on this life, and while yes, we will have moments of happiness in this life, we will experience persecution, trouble, and anguish. We live in a fallen world, and it is Christ Jesus we should be living for. Our treasure is in Heaven, not on earth where moth and dust corrupts, and were tieves break in and steal. If more of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached in today's churches, maybe, just maybe, we would see true revival in this country and around the world. Be not deceived, the Bereans studied the Word diligently to see if Paul the Apostle was telling them the truth. We shoud be like the Bereans that diligently search out the Scriptures daily, and not try to make up a whole doctrine on one verse without taking into contrext the whole of the Bible. People need to know the Christ of the Bible, the Son of the Living God. If they choose to deny this, and they are looking for a self-help social gospel, with a toucy feely sese to it, or a name it and claim it, blab it and grab it mentality, it will only lead to more confusion; these are not the true Gospel at all. Pray that we would be used by the Living God as examples for Him, and that the Holy Spirit would use us not only in lifestyle evangelism, but also in Speaking the truth in Love (this will sometimes require us with discernment to tell people in love something which they may or may not find offensive.). We ahve not been called to be ear ticklers, but ambassadors of God on this earth. We are called to let other's know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man can come unto the Father (God) except thru Him! John 14:6. There will come a time when people will not accept this as an absolute truth. I have a hunch that we are liveing in such a time as this, and if not, we are rapidly approaching it.
For those who think Rick Warren is right on, do a little research on the "emergent church" of deceit with promoters like Brian Mclaren, Doug Pagitt, and Rob Bell; Rick Warren is not too far behind with his seeker-sensitive gospel. Be warned, the Gospel of Christ will not tickle our ears and tell us what we want to hear. The Post modern Emergent/Seeker Friendly/COEXIST movement as well as well know Rick Warren, and his Global P.E.A.C.E Plan are behind the scenes with apostate Rome trying to provide people with a touchy-feely psychobable. They deny the Lordship of Christ, while pretending to bring peace on earth. Apart from the Jesus Christ of the Bible, you cannot have true, lasting peace. Humanism, along with the other New Age ism's will never coexist with Biblical Christianity. They compromise the faith by creating the impression that "all roads lead to God". This is a false doctrine, and Christ, as well as the apostles warned us this would come. What the world needs is to repent, turn to God, ask Christ to be their Lord and Savior, and then deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow Him. If the Roman Catholic Church was not a compromising church, then why do they allow such heresy as Marianity (the worship and deification of Mary as co-redemptrix with Christ)? Why is their focus on the mystic feeling and the experiential, without solid Biblical Truth to back it up? One should study Roman Catholic Church History and see that most monks were mystics. Why do they forbid their priests to marry? Why don't they teach the Word of God Line by Line Precept upon Precept as the Book of the Prophet Isaiah teaches in the Old Testament (Old Covenant)? Why is the Vatican trying to create a bridge to "mother Rome" to "unite" their lost Protestant brethren, and while their at it promoting Eucharistic christ which is not the Christ of the Bible, but a false christ. They are trying to unite all the world's religeions (Islam in this instance) as if all have common ground with the true God of the Bible?? Do not be deceived. Read the Holy Scriptures - God's infallible Truth, and discover these apostacies for yourselves. I am not saying there are no born again catholics, but they are few and far between the ones that are being taught these false doctrines, and taught to follow after man's traditions rather than the Truth of the Word of God. They are folowing this lie of the Devil hook line and sinker this ecumenical movement is trying to unite us all, even those who don't share Christ as the Only Way to the Father God. People, do not be deceived. Open your eyes, and your ears. the time is short, and Christ will rapture His church prior to God's wrath being poured out on the enemy's of the cross. Repent, and turn from your sins, give your Life to the Christ of the Bible, and then you will find true peace, true freedom, and true change.