Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – D.B. Ray – Equality in the Kingdom Part One – Section I. — Baptist peculiarity fifth tested by THE bible.

Thomas E Kresal December 30, 2019

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – D.B. Ray – Equality in the Kingdom Part One – Section I. — Baptist peculiarity fifth tested by THE bible.

Baptists recognize equal rights or privileges in the execution of the laws of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Perfect religious liberty has been one of the landmarks of the Baptist denomination in every period of its history. We have been regarded with jealousy and suspicion by all the despotic rulers of earth, because our principles tend to the overthrow of all despotism. This perfect religious liberty advocated by Baptists, does not in the least interfere with any political or social relations which are ordained of God. Is the Baptist doctrine of “ soul liberty ” and religious equality in the churches of Christ, sustained by the Bible? The prophecy concerning the mission of John, who introduced the Gospel dispensation, indicates the equality advocated by Baptists. Of Johns mission, the Lord said:

Isaiah 40:3-4“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:”

This prediction indicates the grand mission of the kingdom of heaven, in leveling, in a religious point of view, the human family. The kings and nobles of earth are to be brought down, and the poor, lame, halt, and blind, are to be raised to the dignity of fellow-citizens with the saints in the kingdom of God.

Since the fall of man, there has ever rankled in his bo- som the spirit of pride, which prompts him to seek the opportunity to usurp authority over his fellow men. And even Christians are not entirely free from this spirit of Antichrist. The apostles themselves had strife among them as to which should be accounted the greatest. But Jesus firmly rebuked the very first buddings of this spirit of error, as follows:

Mark 10:42-44 “But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.”

How daring must be that pride that, in the face of these instructions, would prompt any one to claim the pre-eminence, or usurp authority over his brethren!

Thomas E. Kresal from: Baptist Succession by D.B. Ray, (1871 edition) Chapter XII, page 209-210