Authority in the Church in Relation to Baptist Polity

Abstract

"THIS article arises out of the work of a Commission on Baptist Polity appointed by the Northern Baptist Association, which has been meeting regularly since Easter 1959. The Commission was set up at the suggestion of the Moderator, the Rev. A. R. Liston, " to investigate the Biblical and historical principles on which our Baptist polity is founded, and to consider how our polity may be adapted to meet the needs of the twentieth century ". The need for such investigation was itself suggested by considering the failure of all the evangelical effort that has been made in Baptist churches since the war. With few exceptions they have not gained numerous converts to the Kingdom. Much of the reason for this lies in their unreadiness to receive new members and to absorb them into the fellowship. Our churches have not been sufficiently strong in fellowship or in Christian understanding. This arises largely from exaggerated ideas about independence, especially in regard to polity which shapes the fellowship"