"In The Originals"
In most "Articles of Faith" concerning the Word of
God, they say, "We believe that the Word of God is perfect,
without error, inspired, in the originals." Are they really
saying anything at all? Who wouldn't believe the originals were
perfect, without error, and inspired. But the problem is, we
don't have the originals and if they were the only ones perfect
and inspired then we don't have a perfect or inspired Word of God
for today.
Only in the last 100 years or so, have we had the problem of
"in the originals" appearing in Baptist
Articles of Faith, of which during this time almost all of the
modern versions have come on the scene, and that has caused
confusion concerning inspiration and preservation. It is nothing
to say, "I believe the Word of God is inspired, perfect, and
without error 'in the originals.'" But it is something to
say, "I believe the Word of God is perfect, without error,
and inspired of which we have preserved for us, the English
speaking population, in the K.J.V. of which is perfect and
inspired. What did the Baptists believe concerning the Bible
before the new versions came on the scene? Out of the book
entitled "Church Manual"
published by the American Baptist Pub. Sec., first published in
1867, we read in chapter III: DOCTRINES OF A CHURCH.
All who believe the Scriptures to be divinely inspired consider
then the fountain of religious truth.
The Bible contains the revelation of God to man. It is the
supreme standard of faith and practice.
Whatever conforms to this standard is right — whatever
deviates from it is wrong. It is a duty
incumbent upon all to "search the Scriptures" and learn
what they teach. This duty can not be
faithfully performed unless prejudices and preconceived opinions
are laid aside. Alas, how few study the Bible in this way. But
for human imperfection there would doubtless, be uniformity of
belief as to what the Scriptures teach. There is not uni-formly,
but a deplorable variety of religious opin-ion throughout
Christendom. Different sects, professing to take the Word of God
as their guide, contend as earnestly for their distinctive views
as if they had different Bibles. Various constructions are placed
on the teachings of the Sacred volume, and multitudes of passages
are diversely interpreted. Owing to this significant as between
the religionist and the infidel, it signifies nothing as between
those who receive the Scriptures as the word of God. For they
differ as to the import of the inspired Oracles; and the meaning
of the Bible is the Bible. As there is such a diversity of
opinion in the religious world, it is eminently proper for those
who appeal to the Scriptures as the fountain of truth to declare
what they believe the Scriptures to teach. To say that they
believe the Scriptures is to say nothing to the purpose. All will
say this, and yet differ as to the teachings of the Bible. There
must be some distinctive declaration. What a man believes the
Bible to teach is his Creed, either written or unwritten. And
though it has sometimes been said that creeds have produced
differences of religious opinion, it would be nearer to the
truth, logically and historically, to say that differences of
religious opinion have produced creeds.
As to the declarations of faith, it must ever be understood that
they are not substitutes for the
Scriptures. They are only exponents of what are conceived to be
the fundamen-tal doctrines of the
word of God. Among Baptists, as their churches are independent,
it is optional with each church to
have a declaration or not, as it may think best. Each church too
may adopt a declaration of its own.
Its independence gives it this right, nor can it be alienated.
While Baptists glory in their form of
church government — which recognizes every church as a
little republic in itself — they are perhaps as nearly
united in their views of the truths of the Bible as most other
denominations. The following Declaration of Faith expresses,
substantially, what Baptists believe concerning the topics
mentioned.
DECLARATION OF FAITH
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely
inspired, and is perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that
it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth
without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the
principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and
shall remain to the end of the world, the true centre of
Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human
conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
Not only does the article state "Among Baptist, as their
churches are independent," a statement which can no longer
be made. But there is also something missing pertaining to the
Declaration of Faith concerning, "of the the
Scrip-tures." You will not find any mention of "the
originals." Why? Because they
believed as any true Independent Baptist believes, that the
K.J.V. is perfect, without error, and yes,
inspired.
Pastor John Reaves