We are pleased to share with you the entire set of Resolutions, Manifestos, Messages and Proclamations approved by delegates attending the Baptist World Alliance World Congresses from 1905 through 2015 (the 2020 Congress was postponed to 2021 due to the global pandemic).
Additionally, we are offering the Resolutions and Manifestos approved by the BWA General Council, which meets yearly. The online collection includes the years 1976-2019. The BWA Executive Committee Resolutions are currently being compiled, and a limited number are already accessible. The collection will be expanded over time.
Each Resolution document is in PDF format and seeks to reproduce the original text as closely as possible. This means that language and punctuation may be archaic and not in accordance with contemporary standards of discourse. Spellings of words sometimes are in British English and have been preserved as they were originally published. I am solely responsible for any typographical errors in reproduction, and I would deeply appreciate it if you would share with me any that you may discover.
It is the BWA’s hope that this collection will be useful to scholars, historians, denominational leaders, and clergy. Each document now contains a unique identification number, topical keywords, and four types of citations for academic purposes.
The range of issues covered by the collection is comprehensive, and many of the Resolutions speak to contemporary concerns (such as racism, antisemitism, poverty and war) with multi-cultural wisdom, spiritual integrity, and intellectual depth. Readers seeking to learn how Baptists on a global scale and across time have addressed the human condition in all of its variations (moral, social, economic, political, etc.) will be rewarded as well as challenged.
In Baptist polity, Resolutions and other collective statements are not binding on Baptist individuals or churches. They intend to share wisdom and raise consciousness rather than to demand or coerce conformity or hinder the soul freedom and responsibility of people to follow God according to the dictates of their own Christ-led conscience. In the foreword to the 1955 Golden Jubilee World Congress Official Report (p. 6), BWA General Secretary Arnold T. Ohrn stated this principle well:
If you should need any further assistance in utilizing this online historical archive, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer,
BWA Historian (Click here to contact)
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Persecution of Baptists in Rumania
The Conference Places on record its profound concern at the grave reports of persecution from which our Baptist brethren in Rumania have suffered during the past eighteen months and even within recent weeks; and calls upon the Rumanian Government to undertake a thorough investigation into the facts, and to take decisive action to bring to an end all religious persecution within its territories
Religious Education of Children in the U.S.S.R.
56. Statements having been made by Drs. Franklin and Rushbrooke as to the position in Russia; agreed that Dr. Rushbrooke be instructed to prepare a resolution expressing support of his protest on the subject of the Russian Government’s attitude on the question of religious teaching of children. This resolution was formulated as follows:—
Religious Liberty and Soul Freedom
A resolution on Religious Liberty, drawn up by Dr. Clifford, President Mullins and Dr. Truett, was passed in the following form:—
“It is the sense of this body that in this period of reconstruction and readjustment in the civil and religious life of the nations of the world, following the world-war, it is of the highest importance that full religious liberty should be granted to all peoples who do not now enjoy it.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance takes note with deep sorrow of the violent death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. They recall with thanksgiving his strong compassion for the underprivileged and oppressed, his unshakable courage in the pursuit of what he believed to be right, and his advocacy of a non-violent solution to evils and injustices in society.
Message to Baptist Churches Throughout the World
The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of twenty-six million Baptists of many nations and widely differing cultures and ways of life and thought. It is neither within its power nor its function to direct, admonish, or rule on the internal affairs or the political or economic procedures of its constituent bodies or of their countries
Gratitude
Mrs. Helen Fling, Chairman of the Resolutions Committee appointed on Thursday night, presented the following:
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the members of the BWA Executive Committee, publicly express gratitude:
The Absence of Our Cuban Brothers
Whereas die Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance is composed of members from Conventions and Unions of 68 countries in which a variety of opinions and policies are currently held, we thank God for the universal fellowship and brotherhood evident in the associations of the Baptist World Alli- ance, and
Rumania
The General Secretary reported at length on the situation in Rumania, and the possibilities of action by this Executive. Dr. Gill added a few words of confirmation und supplement. The Committee appreciated the gravity of the issue, and (having referred the precise terms for scrutiny by a Sub-Committee which
reported after the lunch interval) unanimously adopted the following three resolutions: —
The Situation of the Baptist Union in Spain
The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Hamburg, Germany, August 17-21, 1964, has received with rejoicing and thanksgiving to God the report that our Baptist brethren in Spain now enjoy a greater degree of freedom than heretofore. The reopening of Evangelical churches, and other evidences, indicate considerable improvement in the situation in that nation. The authorities there are due our commendation for these progressive steps.
Communication with Eastern European Countries
1. We the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Baden near Vienna, Austria, August 2-6, 1969 recognize with gratitude to God the presence of delegations from the following Eastern European countries: Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, U.S.S.R., Yugoslavia.
Appreciation
The Relief Committee of the Baptist World Alliance records its sincere appreciation of the signal service rendered by Dr. R. Dean Goodwin during the years of his chairmanship of the Committee. His guidance of the Com-mittee’s effort was marked by the spirit of Christian compassion for human suffering, tragedy and need; by a thorough knowledge of our Baptist World agencies and of the resources of Christian aid available through these.
Berlin Congress — Thanks to Dr. Rushbrooke
(a) Official Report. The General Secretary reported on the preparation and issue of the Official Report. On the motion of Ex-President John MacNeill, the Committee resolved:—
Baptist Seminaries for Europe
We regard an educational policy as of primary importance for the extension of the Baptist denomination in Europe, and we consider that the establishment or strengthening of Baptist seminaries for the training of pastors and evangelists should be undertaken without delay.
Appreciation
We the members of the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Baden, 2-6 August 1969, resolve:
That we declare our sincere appreciation to the civic authorities of Baden for their ready co-operation and to Reisebüro Mondial, particularly to the director Mr. R. Kadanka, for their courtesy and service,
Turkish Residence Permit for James Leeper
Whereas, The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Monrovia, Liberia, July 30 to August 1, 1968, has learned that the Rever-end James Leeper, pastor of an English-speaking Baptist church in Ankara, Turkey, has been denied an extension of his residence permit,
Bibles and Baptist Literature
The following resolutions were passed on the recommendation of the Literature Committee:—
“That we realise the great need of Bibles and hymn-books, and that steps be taken to supply them.”
“That an attempt be made to produce simple literature for the children, including simple exposition and pictures.”
Establishing a League of Nations
The representatives of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in London, July 19th to 23rd, 1920, which Alliance has a constituency of eight million Church members, with an additional constituency of adherents several times that number, would submit this message to all the Peoples and Governments of the World.
Cooperation with Mission Boards
The following resolutions were adopted on the recommendation of the Committee on Co-operation:—
We fully recognise that all the recommendations of the Conference are subject to the cardinal Baptist principle of the rights of the individual Church and of the consent of the various Baptist Unions and Conventions concerned.
Peace with Justice
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as we thank God for His peace that passes all understanding being unfolded by His grace in our personal lives, we pledge ourselves to work faithfully as instruments of His peace for the things that make for peace—justice, truth, and righteousness—to the furtherance of the great goal of peace on earth and good will among men.
Resolution Opposing Violence and Abuse of Women and Girls
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, July 2-6:
AFFIRMS that women and girls are created in the image of God and invested with inestimable worth and dignity as gifts from God, and are essential to the health and vitality of families, churches, communities, and national life;
Resignation of the United States President
BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1974-08.3 The Executive meeting was interrupted Thursday evening (August 8) to watch a television broadcast of Richard M. Nixon’s resignation as president of the United States. Following the broadcast, M. L. Wilson led in prayer for...
Nuclear Test Ban
RESOLUTION ON NUCLEAR TEST BAN. Mimeographed copies of a proposed resolution on Nuclear Tests were passed out. Tulles reported that a committee appointed by the Administrative Committee had drafted this statement for the approval of the Executive Committee. Te committee had consisted of Binns, Ivanov, Stassen, Payne, Tolbert, Tulles, Y. Zhidkov, and Nordenhaug.
Peace
Whereas, Peace is a Christlike characteristic and should be the personal goal of every Christian, expressing itself in one’s peace with God and with his fellowmen, and
Resolution on Religious Liberty in the USA
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-7, 2017:
AFFIRMS freedom of religion and belief as a core value borne out in Baptist history and opposes all forms of discrimination based on faith or religion;
Resolution on the Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-7, 2017:
STATES its concerns at the climate of political and social instability and violence in Venezuela, which has led to deteriorating socio-economic conditions, including a shortage of food and medicines;
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