International Baptist Convention

Working Group on

A Statement of Basic Beliefs

   BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL

International Baptist Convention

 SUMMARY OF BASIC BELIEFS

Introduction:

The Annual Convention Meetings of 2005 decided to update the Convention’s Statement of Faith (The Baptist Faith and Message 1963) to better reflect our international character.

It was agreed that we needed a statement of faith or a summary of basic beliefs which is understandable for non-believers who ask what we believe, in a language that is simple enough to be understood by the internationals in our congregations for whom English is not their first language. The intention is not to destroy or cause disunity, but to build up the faith.

The IBC needs its own identity, which includes its own statement of faith which unifies the essentials of our beliefs. This decision is not as a reaction, nor for the sake of change, but because it is perceived as needed.

Churches wishing to affiliate with us should do so because they consider themselves to be in harmony with our Mission and beliefs as an “International” Baptist Convention. This statement is a summary of these essential beliefs which we share as a Convention.

The Working Group:

Those invited to participate in the Working Group were:

·       Clint Ashley (formerly of Wiesbaden , Germany )

·       George Ofari ( Hamburg , Germany )

·       Richmond Ofori-Tawiah ( Rotterdam , The Netherlands )

·       Kevin Opett ( Stuttgart , Germany )

·       Roger Roberts ( Brussels , Belgium )

·       Peter Idris Taylor ( Brackley , United Kingdom )

Others consulted regularly were members of the Sub-Executive Council, including the General Secretary and President. There was also an “open session” on an earlier draft at the Spring Ministry Conference in 2007. We are grateful to all those who participated in this process.

The coordinator was Peter Idris Taylor.

The Brief:  

To develop a statement that reflects our unique position as the International Baptist Convention. Such a statement should be:

• Simple and concise enough to be understood as a general overview.

• A basis on which further teaching programs can be developed.

• Inclusive of our diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

• Mission-minded and co-operative in character rather than exclusive and divisive.

• Faithful to foundational and essential Christian beliefs.

The Proposal:

The above link is to the proposed text of the IBC’s new “Summary of Basic Beliefs” which needs to be considered by the Annual Convention Meeting.

There is also a link to a brief commentary on the bullet points which does not form part of the proposal but are offered for a better understanding of each point.