The Baptist Faith and Message
XIV. Cooperation
Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize
such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great
objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another
or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit,
combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members
of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward
the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's
Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary
cooperation for common ends by various group of Christ's people. Cooperation is
desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained
is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience
or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
Ex. 17:12;
18:17 ff.; Judg.
7:21; Ezra 1:3-4;
2:68-69; 5:14-15;
Neh. 4; 8:1-5;
Matt. 10:5-15; 20:1-16;
22:1-10; 28:19-20;
Mark 2:3; Luke
10:1 ff.; Acts 1:13-14;
2:1 ff.; 4:31-37;
13:2-3; 15:1-35;
1 Cor. 1:10-17; 3:5-15;
12; 2
Cor. 8-9; Gal. 1:6-10;
Eph. 4:1-16; Phil.
1:15-18.
Reprinted from the Baptist Faith and Message Tract (Stock
Number 11-051). Published by the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention, Nashville, Tennessee:
Tract Editor
Baptist Sunday School Board
127 Ninth Avenue, North
Nashville, Tennessee 37203