1. Avoid Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Proverbs 20 & 31
APRIL 27, 2014
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
USA
FBCJ APRIL MEMORY VERSE:
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in
me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave Himself for me.
CLASS 2014 MEMORY VERSE:
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
What’s the number one thing?
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608004121792417659&pid=1.7
Why is alcohol use debated among Baptists?
Let’s look at the bigger picture!
 What do Southern Baptists believe and why?
REFERENCES/HANDOUTS
• The Baptist Faith & Message, A Statement Adopted by the Southern Baptist
Convention, June 14, 2000
• Dr. Charles Carter, November 24, 2002, A Sermon Preached at First Baptist
Church, Jackson, Mississippi

2. Dr. Charles Carter’s Challenge to Us
1 Peter 3:15
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect,
Evaluating a religion or denomination
1) What do they believe about the Bible?
2) What do they believe about Jesus?
3) What do they believe about how you get to heaven?
Brief History of Baptists
• Protestant Reformation 16th Century
– What must I do to be saved?
– Where can I find the true church?
• Many opinions about baptism
• Felix Manz in Zurich rejected the state church and insisted on baptism for
believers only
– Limmat River on January 5, 1527 – 1st Martyr
John Smyth – Baptist Founder
1570-1612
• Broke from Church of England and moved to Amsterdam, Holland
• In 1609, formed a new believers’ group
1. Rejected liturgy in worship service
2. Twofold leadership – Pastor & Deacon
3. Believer’s baptism
- Anabaptists – “baptize again”
1st Church Named “Baptist”
• Founded in 1611 in Spitafields, England (London) by Thomas Helwys (1575-
1616)
• Founded 1st Baptist congregation on British soil
• Died in prison for public advocacy for religious liberty for all people
regardless of creed (Jews, Muslims and atheists)
1st Baptist Church in America
• 1639 in Providence, Rhode Island founded by Roger Williams
– John Clarke in Newport, Rhode Island same year Who was 1st?
• Believed in separation of church and state
– Interpretation of modern day courts different
• Defended the rights of the Indians against the English settlers

3. Roger Williams in America
1st Baptist Church, Providence, RI
1st Baptist Church in South
• 1682 in Charleston, SC (Group from Maine)
• Southern Baptist Convention
– Formed on May 10, 1845 in Augusta, GA
– Issue of slavery and appointment of missionaries who were slave
owners
Mississippi Baptists
• 1st recorded Baptist church was Coles Creek Baptist Church in 1791
– Now called Salem Baptist Church (Jefferson County)
• Mississippi became a state in 1817
• Mississippi Baptist Convention founded 1836
• First Baptist Jackson founded 1838

4. What Do Baptists Believe?
• No single belief that is unique to Baptists
• Nothing we believe that no one else believes
• Uniqueness is our collection of beliefs
• Not all Baptists agree- (agree to disagree)
• No Creeds – Baptist Faith & Message
• Do not sign a statement of beliefs when join
• Bible is our sole rule of faith and practice
STATEMENT OF FAITH & MESSAGE
• SBC – “The Baptist Faith & Message”, Adopted June 14, 2000
• FBCJ – “What We Believe/Mission Statement/ Core Values”, Adopted May
12, 2012
• Valuable in defending family values
B A P T I S T
B - Baptism by immersion for believers
A - Autonomy of the local church
P - Priesthood of believers and Perseverance
T - Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation
I - Inspiration and authority of scripture
S - Separation of church and state
T - Testimony to the whole world
BAPTISM
1. By Immersion Only
1. For Believers Only - After a profession of faith in Jesus
- No infant baptisms
- Not ‘regeneration’ baptism – conversion at baptism
Matthew 28:19
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
BAPTISM – Immersion Only
• Greek word “baptidzo” means ‘to dip’ or ‘to immerse’
• Does not translate into sprinkling
• Sprinkling evolved because of issues with water availability – weather,
convenience, etc.
• Adapted as a substitute

5. BAPTISM – By Immersion Only
• Only person who has accepted Christ is a ‘candidate’
• Candidate means – one clothed in white
• Wearing robe for baptism
• Must come to stage of responsibility (accountability) & make commitment
to Christ
– Baptists do not baptize infants
– Salvation first, then baptism
Infant Baptism?
• Children of believers are to be incorporated into full membership in the
church
• Viewed as a sign of God’s promise to bring the full measure of redemption
to those who put their trust in Christ
• New covenant equivalent of circumcision based on Paul’s comments in
Colossians 2:11-12
Colossians 2:11-12
11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with
a circumcision done by the hands of men, but with the circumcision done by
Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through
your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
B A P T I S T
B – Baptism
A - Autonomy
AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
• Self-rule and self-government under the Lordship of Jesus Christ
– Misunderstood by most outside of denomination
1 Timothy 2:5-6
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man
Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
AUTONOMY: Examples
True or False?
• First Baptist Jackson is largely independent of other churches.
– True or False?
• “First Baptist Church Jackson (FBCJ) is largely independent of other
churches.”
• FALSE

6. • First Baptist Church Jackson (FBCJ) is TOTALLY independent of other
churches.
• No other local church can dictate to FBCJ
• FBCJ cannot dictate to any other church
AUTONOMY: Examples
True or False?
• “The Southern Baptist Convention has little control over First Baptist Church
Jackson.”
True or False?
• “The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has little control over First Baptist
Church Jackson (FBCJ).”
• FALSE
• The SBC has NO control over FBCJ.
• FBCJ can decide name, styles of worship, music, contributions to SBC,
governance, selection of Pastor, role of women
B A P T I S T
B – Baptism
A – Autonomy
P – Priesthood of Believers and Perseverance of the Saints
PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS
1 Tim 2:5-6
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man
Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
• Every Christian has direct access to God through Jesus Christ
• You do not have to go through a priest or other person to have access
• Both a privilege and a responsibility
• Every Christian has the right to read and interpret scripture for
himself/herself.
• Concept of “individual responsibility”
• George Truett (1867-1944) quote, “Individual interpretation is the cardinal,
bedrock principle from which all our Baptists principles emerge.”
PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
• Eternal Security of Believers
• “Once saved, always saved.”
• If truly saved, you cannot lose your salvation.
John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear my voice; … 28 neither shall anyone snatch them out of my
hand.

7. B A P T I S T
B – Baptism
A – Autonomy
P – Priesthood of Believers
T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation
TRUST IN JESUS FOR SALVATION
John 14:6
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.
- Regenerate Church Membership
- Must accept Christ to become church member
- Salvation is through Christ alone
- Common denominator for Christianity
B A P T I S T
B – Baptism
A – Autonomy
P – Priesthood of Believers
T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation
I – Inspiration and Authority of Scripture
INSPIRATION & AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE
2 Timothy 3:15
15 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting
and training in righteousness,
- Division among Southern Baptists over the discussion of ‘Nature of
Inspiration and Interpretation of Scripture’
- Let’s look at these separately
- 1. Inspiration
- 2. Interpretation
INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE
• We believe in the ‘divine inspiration’ of scripture
• God chose to convey His Word through humans as instruments.
• Arguments begin when we begin using the words “infallible” and
“inerrancy”
• Infallible vs. Inerrant?
• Infallible = Without error
• Original manuscripts in original language were perfect or infallible
as God directed the writers
• We don’t have these for comparison
• Translation differences do exist
• Inerrant = All that the Bible affirms is true.

8. • Bible is fully truthful, trustworthy and reliable
• Without any mixture of error
INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE vs. INSPIRATION
• It is wrong to say, “My interpretation of the Bible is infallible.”
• We don’t have to be identical twins to be brothers/sisters in Christ.
• We can disagree with each other over interpretation and still believe in
the inspiration and authority of scripture.
INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE
• The Holy Spirit guides each believer in personal interpretation of scripture.
• Priesthood of Believers and personal accountability to God
• With freedom comes responsibility
• Catholic Church
– Pope has final authority to interpret scripture
– His view considered infallible & final authority
• What does the scripture say about use of alcohol?
– The Bible does not call for total abstinence from the use of alcohol.
– The Bible does give us numerous warnings about how the use of
alcohol may affect our lives, the people we love, and our witness for
Christ.
Proverbs 20:1
1 Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is
not wise.
Psalms 104:14-15
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth: 15 wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to
make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.
PAUL ADDRESSES OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST
1 Corinthians 10:23-24
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I
have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one
should seek their own good, but the good of others.
PAUL ADDRESSES OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God
— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own
good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

9. Galatians 5:13-14
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your
freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the
entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as
yourself
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God
— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own
good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
BOTTOM LINE
• Protestant reformers of 16th Century
– We are to live “Coram Deo”
– Being a Christian means living our entire lives in the presence of
God
– We gratefully live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.
B A P T I S T
B – Baptism
A – Autonomy
P – Priesthood of Believers
T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation
I – Inspiration and Authority of Scripture
S – Separation of Church and State
SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE
Matthew 22:17-22
17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or
not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you
trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought
him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose
inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to
Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 22 When they heard this,
they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
• A free church in a free state
• State should allow freedom in church and vice versa
• State cannot declare one church as the “State Church or Religion”
• America was founded by people fleeing from State Church – Freedom of
Worship
• Problem when Church and State same - Islam

10. B A P T I S T
B – Baptism
A – Autonomy
P – Priesthood of Believers
T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation
I – Inspiration and Authority of Scripture
S – Separation of Church and State
T – Testimony to the whole world
TESTIMONY TO THE WHOLE WORLD
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you.
- It is the duty of every Christian to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ
- You are my witnesses
- Baptists believe in missions!
B A P T I S T
B – Baptism
A – Autonomy
P – Priesthood of Believers
T – Trust in Jesus Christ only for Salvation
I – Inspiration and Authority of Scripture
S – Separation of Church and State
T – Testimony to the Whole World