What are Baptist General Conventions?

Answer

A general convention is a group of like-minded churches within a state or region that collaborate to achieve a common goal. In the case of Baptist General Conventions, the objective is to spread the gospel to a larger audience than an individual church could reach independently. Some Baptist General Conventions, such as those in Oklahoma and Texas, are affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. In states where Baptist General Conventions are prominent, they often oversee orphanages, hospitals, low-income housing projects, and retirement villages for former pastors and Baptist leaders.

Each church affiliated with a Baptist General Convention (BGC) has opted to join that organization, primarily to contribute to global missions through its cooperative program. Mission funds are pooled and directed through the International Mission Board (IMB) to support Baptist missionaries and initiatives, both locally and internationally. Through this collaboration, the Baptist General Convention has established and managed children’s homes, retirement villages, universities, and campground/convention sites that welcome thousands of visitors annually.

The doctrinal beliefs of churches associated with a Baptist General Convention align with mainstream orthodox Christianity:

1. The nature of God is triune, comprising the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”, (Matthew 28:19).

2. Jesus Christ is fully God who also became fully man through the virgin birth (Matthew 1:18;Philippians 2:6-11).

3. The sinless Son of God offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.Of the world “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”, (2 Corinthians 5:21).

4. Eternal life and forgiveness of sin are possible only through the process of being born again “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”, (John 3:3).

5. At salvation, the Holy Spirit is given to every believer to indwell and empower him to live a godly life “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”, (1 Corinthians 6:19).

6. Every human being will stand before God “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”, (Romans 14:1).

7. Those without Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be consigned to a place of eternal condemnation called hell “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”, (Matthew 25:46).

8. Those who have been born again through faith in Jesus will live forever with Him in eternal glory “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”, (Revelation 3:21).

9. Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned, and we obtain this gift through faith in His Son (Ephesians 2:8-9).

10. Jesus will return one day to establish His kingdom on a new and restored earth “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”, (Revelation 22:12).

While Baptist General Conventions exist in most states, they are primarily located in the South and West, such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. As each local church within a Baptist General Convention operates independently, some adhere more strictly to biblical standards than others. Certain churches have faced excommunication from a Baptist General Convention due to doctrinal deviations. Others have retained the Baptist name while incorporating unscriptural practices and beliefs. Therefore, when seeking a church, it is crucial to examine the lives and teachings of its leaders rather than solely endorsing its statement of faith.