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Understanding Baptist Distinctives
Part Five:
Individual Soul Liberty and Responsibility
As we come to the fifth stop along the road in our study of Baptist distinctives, we come to one of the ones that is perhaps least understood. That is the distinctive of Individual Soul Liberty and Responsibility. In the day and age where some folks expect every church member (and preacher for that matter) to be like cookie cutter or mirror images of each other, perhaps a look at what the Bible says about this subject would be profitable. I have always thought that one of the joys of being an Independent Baptist is that we are all different. I can honestly say that in the hundreds of churches we have been in, never have I been in two that are the same. Of all the preachers that I know, again I can honestly say that I don’t know any that I am in 100% agreement on everything with, and several of those are close friends of mine. How can this be true? An understanding of Individual Soul Liberty allows these things to be so.
One thing I should clear up before we jump into this. We are not talking about Liberty to sin. The Bible does not ever give us this liberty. A good study of Romans 6 will clear some of that up.
On the subject at hand Edward T. Hiscox wrote the following:
Every man by nature possesses the right of private
judgment in the interpretation of the Scriptures, and in all religious concerns;
it is his privilege to read and explain the Bible for himself, without dictation
from, or dependence on, any one, being responsible to God alone for his use of
the sacred truth.
Every man has the right to hold such religious opinions as he believes the Bible
teaches, without harm or hindrance from any one on that account, so long as he
does not intrude upon, or interfere with, the rights of others by doing so.
All men have the right, not only to believe, but also to profess and openly
declare, whatever religious opinions they may entertain, providing they be not
contrary to common morality, and do no injustice to others.
All men possess the common right to worship God according to the teachings of
the Scriptures, as they understand them, without hindrance or molestation, so
long as they do not injure or interfere with the rights of others by so doing.
Quoted from The New Directory for Baptist Churches Written by: Edward T. Hiscox
(1894)
The individual, born again believer, has within himself the Holy Spirit, (John
14:17, Romans 8:9) which is fully capable to teach the truth of the Word of God
to that individual (John 14:26). It is not that there is no need for teachers in
the church, for God has certainly placed these in the body of Christ for that
purpose (Ephesians 4:11-12); however, God ultimately imparts truth to the heart
of the individual and that person is responsible as well as accountable for that
truth.
Passages to consider:
Individual
Responsibility:
I Thessalonians 5:21-22 (proven to self)
II Peter 3:18 (individual growth)
Acts 17:11 (searching for truth)
II Timothy 1:12 (personal assurance)
II PETER 1:20...(a contradictory verse or not?) This verse must be understood in
light of proper context.
Verse 21 refers to the Holy Spirit revealing the Word; therefore it must be
through the Spirit that it is understood.
Private interpretation means self-explanation apart from God, which will lead
to the wrong conclusions. (John 15:5) God said what He meant to say, meant what
He said, and knows what it means. I Corinthians 2:14 declares that Biblical
Truth is understood by spiritual means.
No individual believer has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit over another. In other
words, If you are saved, you can learn the Word of God because the Teacher lives
within you. You do not need a pope, (or like figure who claims to have spiritual
infallibility or superiority), to be the only source of proper interpretation of
Scripture. This is cult-like in nature and is the common practice of such as the
Roman Catholic Church and Jehovah's Witnesses. It is very similar to the social
caste system practiced in Hinduism (a division of society based on differences
of wealth, inherited rank or privilege, profession, or occupation). THE HAVES
AND THE HAVE-NOTS
Individual
Accountability:
I Corinthians 3:11-15
II Corinthians 5:9,10
KEY VERSES: Romans 14:1-23
v.1... doubtful disputations...judicial debate concerning the weak area
v.3... We do not sit in judgment over these matters; each has the right of
personal decision.
v.5... fully persuaded in his own mind...Our convictions must be our own based
on our understanding of Scripture.
What You Truly Believe You Will Practice; Everything Else Is Just Religious
Rhetoric.
v.10... for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ...Each
individual believer will stand before God alone to give a personal account of
his life.
v.12... Personal Accountability
v.13... Instead of being critical and judgmental, let us be an encouragement and
one that edifies. Don't be a hindrance, but a help!
v.14... I know, and am persuaded... Paul had already settled some things in his
own mind and therefore had personal convictions on these matters.
v.15... Walking charitably should be the principle by which we live our daily
lives and how we deal with those around us.
v.17... There are matters far more important than trivial debates over meat and
drink.
v.22,23... Walking by faith before God is the way to go.