By Joe B. Nesom, Pastor First Baptist Jackson
TO THE EDITOR:
It seems that a group of brothers are asking us to affirm a theological position which would cause some of us to deny our historic local church confessions of faith, and would involve all of us in a denial of part of the doctrine of salvation in the Baptist Faith and Message.
I serve a church which was organized in 1835, ten years prior to the establishment of the SBC. Our church was founded on the doctrines of grace in a statement which is the theology of the Charleston Manual in small space.
That manual contained the Baptist Confession of 1689, and was the matrix of our denominational doctrinal commitment.
Our church has supported the missionary enterprise of the SBC with thousands of dollars, and more importantly with much prayer, for 167 years this month. If anybody has the right to use the term ”traditional” Southern Baptist, surely we do.
Brothers, who is working against the peace of Jerusalem here? Do we not agree that Christ Jesus is the only hope of sinners?
Do we not agree that justification is by faith alone, in Christ alone? Do we not agree that the atoning death of Christ is sufficient to save all who come to him by faith?
Why fight?
I am sick to my stomach over this, and so disappointed in men for whom I have personally been an advocate in the past.
It is good for brothers to dwell in unity. Let’s forget all this sort of thing, and work together for the cause of winning the nations to Christ.
In the hope that Christian love will prevail,
Joe B. Nesom,
Pastor
First Baptist, Jackson LA