At the last board meeting of the Baptist Union it was pointed out that the Carey Hall statement of faith (the history of which is in Don Anderson’s Carey Hall story, which will be forwarded to you later) was approved by the Baptist Union Assembly in the 1980’s. Therefore, it’s presentation at Assembly in Banff next week is simply a reminder of something that has already been done but there is a need to draw people’s attention to it.
We suggest the use of the Carey Statement for use as a church resource and denominational reference and we will use the Apostle’s Creed (or many of us will) as part of worship.
Several people from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds suggested changes or made comments on this initiative. I am planning, along with some members of the board and Executive Staff, Carey hall and the general constituency to create a meaningful and ongoing dialogue about this topic so that we might provide individuals, churches, the denomination and the community we seek to reach and serve with purposeful, biblical and clear affirmations of faith which glorify God and lead us into stronger worship and life together.
Warmly,
Yours in Christ,
Jeremy
Carey Statement of Theological Position
We accept wholeheartedly the revelation of God given in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and confess the faith therein set forth. We here explicitly assert the doctrines which we regard as crucial to the understanding and proclamation of the Gospel and to practical Christian living:
- The sovereignty, love, and grace of God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit in creation, providence, revelation, redemption and final judgment.
- The divine inspiration of Holy Scripture and its entire trustworthiness and supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
- The value of each human being as created by God. The universal sinfulness of humankind since the fall, which alienates all from God and subjects all to condemnation.
- The full deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, whose substitutionary sacrifice is the sole ground of redemption from the guilt, penalty and power of sin.
- The justification of the sinner by the grace of God through faith alone in Christ crucified and risen from the dead.
- The illuminating, regenerating, indwelling and sanctifying work of God, the Holy Spirit, in the believer.
- The church as set forth in the New Testament and understood historically by the Baptist community.
- The expectation of the personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ, our participation in the resurrection, and the hope of eternal life.
The Apostles’ Creed
The basic creed of Reformed churches, as most familiarly known, is called the Apostles’ Creed. It has received this title because of its great antiquity; it dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
*The word “catholic” refers not to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ.