Baptist Articles of Faith 7 and 8

We continue to cover the Articles of Faith in our Sunday School class. 

VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or  born again; (John 3:3; John 3:6-7; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Revelation 14:3; Revelation 21:27)

that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind;  (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26; (Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:28-29; Romans 5:5; 1 John 4:7)

that it is effected, in a manner above our comprehension, by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth; (John 3:8; John 1:13; James 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 2:13)

so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel;  (1 Peter 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Ephesians 4:20-23; Colossians 3:9-11)

and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.  (Ephesians 5:9; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 2:14-21; Matthew 3:8-10; Matthew 7:20; 1 John 5:4; 1 John 5:18) 
 

VIII.  OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; (Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8;1 John 5:1)

whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ; (John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:30-31)

we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; (Luke 18:13; Luke 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Romans 10:12-13; Psalms 51)

at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. (Romans 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Hebrews 4:14; Psalms 2:6; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 7:25; 2 Timothy 1:12) 

Baptist Articles of Faith - V - VI

V. Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ; (John 1:16; Ephesians 3:8)
secures to such as believe in him is Justification;  (Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11-12; Romans 8:1)
that Justification includes the pardon of sin; (Romans 5:9; Zechariah 13:1; Matthew 9:6; Acts 10:43)
and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness;  (Romans 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Romans 5:21)
that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; (Romans 4:4-5; Romans 5:21; Romans 6:23; Philippians 3:7-9)
by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; (Romans 5:19; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12)
that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. (Romans 5:1-3; Romans 5:11; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8) 

  

VI. The Freeness of Salvation

  

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the  gospel;  (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Luke 14:17)
that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; (Romans 16:25-26; Mark 1:15; Romans 1:15-17)
and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; (John 5:40; Matthew 23:37; Romans 9:32; Proverbs 1:24Acts 13:46)
which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation; (John 3:19; Matthew 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:8)

Spotlight on Eric Liddell

Eric Liddell

Eric Liddell was born in 1902 in Tianjin (pronounced Chen-gen) China to Mr and Mrs Liddell who were Scottish missionaries to China. Eric spent the first years of his life in China until him and his brother were enrolled in a school for children of missionaries in London England. While attending school in London, Eric did well in academics, but excelled at sports. He played rugby, but it appears right away that he could run almost like no one else.

He was recruited to speak for the Glasgow Students’ Evangelical Union because of his strong Christian faith and what was believed to be his ability to draw large crowds because of his new feats in running.

Mr Liddell went on to school at Edinburgh and excelled at running setting the 100 meter record at 9.7 seconds. He would hold this record for twenty three years before it was finally broken. In the 1924 Olympiad he won a bronze in the 200 meter race and a gold in the 400 meter race. He did not run his favored race which was the 100 meter race because it was on Sunday and Liddell wouldn’t run on the Sabbath because of his convictions.

Eric would later go back to China in 1925 as a missionary in Tianjin as well as Xiaozhang. (pronounce shoa ghong). He taught and evangelized in this poverty stricken part of China for years. He would compete against other runners from time to time, and eventually married another missionary and had three girls; the last of which he would not meet.

When the Japanese invaded China during World War II, they eventually made it to Tianjin and Liddell and other missionaries were imprisoned. He would eventually become a leader to the prisoners and help out the best he could even though supplies were scarce at best.

The last letter he wrote to his wife he describes a ‘nervous breakdown’ he had because of the pressure and work in the prison camp. He actually had an inoperable brain tumor to go along with his malnourishment and mistreatment. When he died it was said to have a great impact on the whole camp, especially the young prisoners. His last words are said to be ‘It’s complete surrender’ talking about his life for Christ.

The 1981 movie Chariots of Fire is based on Eric and Harold Abrahams life and the Olympics. This is also a memorial dedicated to his honor in the former Weihsien Internment Camp.