What is the Southern Baptist Convention?

Historical Background

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) originated in 1845, when representatives from Baptist churches and associations in the American South convened in Augusta, Georgia. This organization formed in part due to differences over mission board appointments, some of which involved debates about slavery at the time. In the years since, the SBC has issued statements repudiating past racial injustices. From its inception, the SBC focused on reaching people with the gospel message of salvation, establishing new churches, and sending out missionaries at home and overseas.

Over the decades, the SBC has grown into one of the largest Protestant denominations worldwide. Its network of churches maintains cooperative ties, yet each congregation remains autonomous, self-governing, and responsible for its distinctive local ministry. Throughout its existence, the Convention has consistently emphasized Scripture as the guiding authority in matters of faith and practice, basing this conviction on texts such as 2 Timothy 3:16, which partly reads, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for instruction….”

Core Beliefs and Doctrinal Foundations

Central to SBC churches is the belief in the authority and inerrancy of the Bible. They affirm that God is the Creator of all things, that Jesus Christ is eternally divine, and that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ. While there is broad agreement on key theological convictions, the SBC’s structure allows individual churches a measure of flexibility in how they articulate non-essential doctrines, so long as they remain consistent with Scripture.

A defining doctrine for Southern Baptists is believer’s baptism by immersion, reflecting a commitment to following the pattern of the New Testament church (cf. Acts 2:41–42). The SBC also stresses the priesthood of all believers—the concept that every Christian has direct access to God through Christ and shares responsibility in the church’s mission of evangelism, discipleship, and service.

Organization and Structure

The SBC is not a top-down hierarchy. Instead, churches voluntarily cooperate, contributing funds and jointly supporting various ministry and mission efforts. This cooperative framework includes the International Mission Board (IMB), the North American Mission Board (NAMB), and other entities that oversee church planting, evangelism, and relief work.

Messengers from local churches assemble at the SBC’s Annual Meeting each year to discuss denominational issues, elect officers, and coordinate collective ministry strategies.

Missions and Evangelism

From its earliest days, missions have been integral to the SBC’s identity. Through the Cooperative Program—established in 1925—member churches pool resources to send missionaries worldwide and support mission projects in underserved communities in North America.

These missionaries engage in evangelism, church establishment, and humanitarian efforts, affirming the call of Matthew 28:19–20 to “go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you,” thereby demonstrating continuity with the biblical mandate for global mission.

The Baptist Faith & Message

The SBC summarizes its core doctrinal commitments in a statement known as the Baptist Faith & Message (adopted first in 1925, revised in 1963, and updated most recently in 2000). While it is not an exhaustive creed, it addresses key biblical doctrines:

• The nature of God as triune: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

• The inspiration and trustworthiness of Scripture

• The identity and mission of the church

• The ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper

• The responsibility to share the gospel with all people

This statement underscores how Scripture stands as the final authority in moral and theological matters (cf. John 17:17: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”).

Educational Institutions and Collaboration

To train pastors, missionaries, and church leaders, the SBC supports colleges and seminaries, such as The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and several others spread across the United States. These seminaries uphold a strong emphasis on Scripture’s inspiration, the historicity of Christ’s resurrection, and the necessity of personal conversion.

Additionally, various SBC-affiliated organizations encourage ongoing education for lay leaders and pastors. These resources address topics like apologetics, church administration, counseling, and evangelism, reflecting the denomination’s commitment to grounded, biblically focused learning.

Role of Scripture

Southern Baptists uphold that the Bible, including both Old and New Testaments, is completely reliable and cohesive. Citing archaeological findings—such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which align remarkably with later Hebrew manuscripts—and the thousands of Greek New Testament manuscripts that corroborate the biblical text, many within the SBC argue there is substantial evidence for the historical trustworthiness of Scripture. As 2 Timothy 3:16 states in part, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for instruction…”; SBC Christians view the Bible not merely as a revered document, but as God’s revealed Word.

Critical Debates and the Conservative Resurgence

In the late 20th century, the SBC underwent a period often referred to as the Conservative Resurgence. During this time, many SBC leaders renewed emphasis on the Bible’s inerrancy and upheld doctrinal conservatism, particularly concerning biblical authority and moral teachings. Though controversial at points, this movement reshaped seminary faculties, mission agencies, and denominational leadership to reinforce commitment to a high view of Scripture across SBC institutions.

Scriptural Mandate for Fellowship

Fellowship among believers is a vital aspect of Southern Baptist life, seen in cooperative missions, local church partnerships, and national gatherings. They often reference passages like Acts 2:44–47 in describing the early church’s unity and devotion, seeking to mirror that model in modern-day cooperation and evangelistic outreach.

Relation to Other Baptist and Evangelical Bodies

While distinct in administration, many SBC churches relate and cooperate with other Baptists and evangelical organizations for evangelism, relief efforts, and social causes. These alliances often include joint support for biblical morality, religious liberty, and open dialogue on ethical challenges in society. Although the SBC maintains its own governance, it generally regards other Bible-believing churches as partners in proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and saving grace.

Notable Contributions and Figures

• Lottie Moon (1840–1912) was a dedicated missionary whose commitment to reaching people in East Asia became a hallmark for the SBC’s global mission efforts. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering remains a prominent fundraiser supporting international missions.

• Annie Armstrong (1850–1938) likewise fueled the SBC’s North American mission endeavors, inspiring the annual Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.

• SBC pastors and leaders, such as Adrian Rogers and Charles Stanley, popularized expository preaching in the 20th century, emphasizing Scripture’s reliability and practical application.

Conclusion

The Southern Baptist Convention is a coalition of autonomous churches united by a deep conviction in the truth of Scripture, the exclusivity of salvation through Christ, and the imperative of sharing the gospel worldwide. Its history, organizational structure, and doctrinal statements reflect a consistent reaffirmation of biblical authority, believer’s baptism, and active missionary work.

Central to the SBC is the call to make disciples, grounded in Matthew 28:19–20. This focus on evangelism and the local church’s role in God’s unfolding plan continues to shape its identity. Through fellowship, missionary collaboration, and educational ventures, the SBC strives to uphold the mission “to preach good news to the poor…to proclaim freedom for the captives” (Luke 4:18, partial) and to glorify God in all aspects of ministry.