In a world of shifting opinions and constantly changing headlines, we need anchors. We need truth that doesn’t bend to the whims of culture or buckle under the pressure of public opinion. For Southern Baptists, that anchor has always been the Word of God—and flowing from it, a historic commitment to sound doctrine. That commitment has been expressed, defended, and passed down through our confessions of faith.
The New Hampshire Confession: Clarity and Charity
One of the most influential Baptist confessions in American history is the New Hampshire Confession of Faith, written in 1833. It emerged at a time when Baptists were growing rapidly across the United States and needed a clear, concise, and accessible summary of core Baptist beliefs. While earlier confessions like the Second London Baptist Confession (1689) were more comprehensive and theologically rich, the New Hampshire Confession was crafted with clarity and unity in mind—especially for churches across the growing American frontier.
It was doctrinally sound, biblically rooted, and pastorally sensitive. It affirmed the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith, believer’s baptism, and the autonomy of the local church. While it wasn’t exhaustive, it served as a unifying document among Baptists, particularly in the North and later in the South.
The Baptist Faith and Message: A Confession for Cooperation
When the Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1845, it did not initially adopt a confessional statement. But as the Convention grew and formal institutions developed, leaders recognized the need for a clear doctrinal foundation. In 1925, under the leadership of E.Y. Mullins, the SBC adopted its first official confession: the Baptist Faith and Message—a modern adaptation of the New Hampshire Confession.
This confession was not meant to replace the Bible, but to summarize what Southern Baptists believe the Bible teaches. It served as a confessional guardrail—a doctrinal standard to protect the integrity of our seminaries, our churches, and our mission.
Revisions for the Right Reasons
The Baptist Faith and Message has been revised three times—in 1963, 1998, and 2000—but not to chase cultural trends. On the contrary, these revisions came in response to cultural and theological drift.
- In 1963, under the leadership of Herschel Hobbs, the BFM was revised to address theological liberalism and reaffirm the authority of Scripture.
- In 1998, a statement on the family was added, affirming biblical roles for men and women in the home and church as culture increasingly redefined gender and marriage.
- In 2000, under the leadership of Adrian Rogers, the BFM was revised again to clarify core doctrines, reinforce complementarianism, and underscore the exclusivity of Christ.
Each revision was a response to error, not an accommodation of it. Southern Baptists have never been perfect, but we have long recognized that faithfulness requires clarity, especially when the truths of Scripture are under attack.
Our Future in a World of Noise
We now live in an age where truth is treated as personal, feelings are elevated over facts, and cultural winds shift by the day. Social media reshapes public opinion in hours. Newsfeeds flood us with competing narratives. Even among churches, doctrinal conviction is often traded for cultural acceptance or organizational pragmatism.
But if we lose our doctrinal foundations, we lose everything.
The Southern Baptist commitment to sound doctrine is not just a nod to the past—it is a necessity for the future. We cannot fulfill the Great Commission without the true gospel. We cannot build healthy churches without a right understanding of Scripture. We cannot pass the faith to the next generation if we don’t clearly articulate what we believe and why.
Our confessions are not relics of a bygone era. They are roadmaps—guiding us back to the truth in every generation. And in a day of chaos, they call us to stand firm.
A Call to Hold Fast
As Southern Baptists, we must hold fast to our confessional heritage—not out of nostalgia, but out of conviction. The winds of culture will continue to shift. Pressures will mount to soften our doctrine, redefine our beliefs, or remain silent for the sake of acceptance. But we must be people who, like Paul, say: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16).
We have a gospel to proclaim, a truth to defend, and a foundation that cannot be moved.
Let us be the kind of people who know what we believe, hold it with courage, and teach it with clarity. Let our churches be marked by doctrinal soundness, gospel conviction, and missional urgency—not because the culture demands it, but because Christ is worthy.
The world will keep changing. But God’s Word will not.
And neither must we.
Let us remain steadfast—rooted in Scripture, faithful to our confession, and unwavering in our mission to make Christ known among the nations.
Doctrine and Mission 
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