2017 State Convention – New Resolutions
At this years State Convention, two resolutions were adopted. You can read them below.
Resolution Denouncing Racism
WHEREAS, The Bible clearly teaches that God has created all men and women in His image, from all tribes and nations of the world (Genesis 1:27; Acts 17:26); and
WHEREAS, Christ died for the sins of people from every nation, tongue, and tribe (Revelation 5:9); and
WHEREAS, Christians are commanded to make disciples from every nation (Matthew 28:19); and
WHEREAS, The Bible declares, “God does not show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him” (Acts 10:34-35); and
WHEREAS, Significant racism still exists in our communities, as evidenced by recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia, Durham, North Carolina, and other cities across our nation, and the devil uses these opportunities to perpetuate division and strife in our society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Annual Meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, November 6-7, 2017, denounce racism in all its expressions as sin against a holy and just God, because it disregards the image of God in all people and denies the truth of the Gospel that Christ died for the sins of all mankind; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we affirm the sentiments of the resolution adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, June 13-14, 2017 titled “On the Anti-Gospel of Alt- Right White Supremacy”; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call on North Carolina Baptists to humble themselves before God, acknowledging that while the preservation of history is critically important for a nation, the demonstration of Christ’s love and the proclamation of the Gospel to all peoples must take precedence over the important personal preferences of individual Christians, including the preservation of history. Therefore, we call on North Carolina Baptists to joyfully set aside anything that might create a barrier for the sharing and hearing of the full truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That North Carolina Baptists commit to pray fervently for those who advocate racism, so that they may become aware of their sin through the light of the Gospel, repent of the sin of racism, and recognize that the love of Jesus Christ has been extended to all men and women of every race and nation.
Resolution On a Biblical Stance on Human Sexuality and Marriage
WHEREAS, God created two complementary and distinct sexes, male and female, and embedded their differences in the very biology of the human race (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:6); and
WHEREAS, The separation of one’s gender identity from the physical reality of biological birth sex rejects God’s perfect intent in creation, and undermines the ultimate purpose of humanity, which is to bring honor and glory to God (Isaiah 43:7); and
WHEREAS, God in His divine wisdom established marriage as the union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Hebrews 13:4); and
WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message (2000) recognizes the biblical definition of marriage as “the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime,” stating further, “It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race”; and
WHEREAS, The cultural pressures of modern society have begun to sway persons even within the Body of Christ from holding fast to these biblical teachings regarding human sexuality and marriage; and
WHEREAS, The church is called to proclaim with conviction the biblical truths regarding human sexuality and marriage; and
WHEREAS, The Bible commands Christians to love all of their neighbors, which includes those with whom we may disagree; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina meeting in in Greensboro, North Carolina, November 6-7, 2017, affirm God’s good design that gender identity is determined by biological sex and not by one’s self-perception; and be it further
RESOLVED, That North Carolina Baptists affirm the biblical definition of marriage as being exclusively between one man and one woman, and the biblical truths regarding God’s purpose for marriage, being ultimately for benefit of mankind, especially as it relates to procreation and the establishment of strong families under the Lordship of Christ; and finally be it
RESOLVED, That North Carolina Baptists commit to pray for our neighbors who identify themselves as homosexual and transgender, to minister to them with Christ’s love, and, as they repent, to help them grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
