We are pleased to share with you the entire set of Resolutions, Manifestos, Messages and Proclamations approved by delegates attending the Baptist World Alliance World Congresses from 1905 through 2015 (the 2020 Congress was postponed to 2021 due to the global pandemic).
Additionally, we are offering the Resolutions and Manifestos approved by the BWA General Council, which meets yearly. The online collection includes the years 1976-2019. The BWA Executive Committee Resolutions are currently being compiled, and a limited number are already accessible. The collection will be expanded over time.
Each Resolution document is in PDF format and seeks to reproduce the original text as closely as possible. This means that language and punctuation may be archaic and not in accordance with contemporary standards of discourse. Spellings of words sometimes are in British English and have been preserved as they were originally published. I am solely responsible for any typographical errors in reproduction, and I would deeply appreciate it if you would share with me any that you may discover.
It is the BWA’s hope that this collection will be useful to scholars, historians, denominational leaders, and clergy. Each document now contains a unique identification number, topical keywords, and four types of citations for academic purposes.
The range of issues covered by the collection is comprehensive, and many of the Resolutions speak to contemporary concerns (such as racism, antisemitism, poverty and war) with multi-cultural wisdom, spiritual integrity, and intellectual depth. Readers seeking to learn how Baptists on a global scale and across time have addressed the human condition in all of its variations (moral, social, economic, political, etc.) will be rewarded as well as challenged.
In Baptist polity, Resolutions and other collective statements are not binding on Baptist individuals or churches. They intend to share wisdom and raise consciousness rather than to demand or coerce conformity or hinder the soul freedom and responsibility of people to follow God according to the dictates of their own Christ-led conscience. In the foreword to the 1955 Golden Jubilee World Congress Official Report (p. 6), BWA General Secretary Arnold T. Ohrn stated this principle well:
If you should need any further assistance in utilizing this online historical archive, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer,
BWA Historian (Click here to contact)
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Resolution of Appreciation to hosts and planners of the Baptist World Congress, August 1990
The Baptist World Alliance, holding its sixteenth quinquennial Baptist World Congress in Seoul, Korea, during August 1990 has through this occasion brought together Baptists from around the world for worship, inspiration and fellowship, as well as discussion of evangelism and Baptist witness.
Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation
BWA World Congress Resolution 1990.4 The Baptist World Congress recognizes and rejoices in the steps towards world peace which have occurred around the world in recent political discussions and national commitments. The Baptist World Alliance is committed to the...
Religious Persecution
The world has recently experienced the blessing of the destruction of walls and divisive restrictions which have separated nations and families.
The blessing of freedom and the opportunity of achieving potentials of both individuals and groups has been experienced by a large numbers of persons and nations.
Affirmation of Resolutions Adopted by the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance
During the past quinquennium, the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance has at each of its annual meetings adopted a series of resolutions dealing with the circumstances which seemed to be more important that year, and
Evangelism
Evangelization of this world has been a major concern of the Baptist World Alliance from its inception; and
The structure and program of the Baptist World Alliance has fostered world evangelism and this emphasis continues in the program of the BWA in the quinquennium, 1990-95,
Baptist World Aid and the Christian Lifestyle
With praise to God who provides “every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17), we express deep appreciation for the generous response to the Africa Hunger Response Fund Appeal and for gifts is support of other Baptist World Aid projects,
Terrorism
WHEREAS terrorism as a technique of dealing with political or ideological conflict has dramatically increased during recent years, and
WHEREAS indiscriminate attacks against civilians through bombing of airplanes, highjacking, kidnapping, harassment and murder are direct attacks against the sanctity of human life and contrary to the will of God, and
Religious Liberty
Gathered in Los Angeles for the 15th Baptist World Congress in July 1985, we who represent Baptists from about 100 countries, wish to reaffirm our adherence to the cherished principle of religious liberty.
We see it being threatened today by religious persecution in many parts of the world.
Nicaragua
This Congress receives with sadness the news of the appeal from the Board of Directors of the Baptist Convention of Nicaragua in a pastoral letter dated May 10, 1985 (and addressed to the American Baptist Churches of the USA, the Southern Baptist Convention of the USA, the World Council of Churches, the Latin American Council of Churches and Christian brothers and sisters of Nicaragua and the rest of the world).
The Congress Theme
We who have come together for many countries for this 15th Baptist World Congress 1985 praise God together for the good news of the Congress theme, “Out of Darkness into the Light of Christ.”
We believe this to be an essential message for this world stricken as it is with the darkness of death and disease, war and want, ignorance and unbelief, sin and disobedience.
Racism in General and Apartheid in Particular
The Baptist World Congress, meeting in Los Angeles, CA, July 2-7, 1985, declares its belief that racism and the Christian Gospel are incompatible. We ground this conviction biblically in the doctrine of creation whereby every human person is given dignity as made in the image of God (Genesis 1 :27) and in the doctrine of redemption whereby we proclaim salvation in Christ, crucified and risen, for people of all races and colors (Colossians 3:11), and the external purpose of God to unite all creation in him (Ephesians 1 and 2).
The Fortieth Anniversary of the United Nations
This 15th Baptist World Congress 1985 takes note of the 40th anniversary of the United Nations this year and records with gratitude the many UN activities in addition to seeking peace which are directed to improving the quality of life among the nations of the world.
Appreciation
BWA World Congress Resolution 1980.8 Appreciation Realizing that the 75th Anniversary is a peak experience for our growing and dynamic Baptist World Alliance, we offer our sincere appreciation To the Baptist Federation of Canada and its leaders for their outstanding...
Ecology
Recognizing the grave world shortages of oil and many other sources of energy,
We urge on all governments and all members of our churches the need for careful and responsible husbanding of such resources, having in mind the effects of these shortages on the economies, especially of developing countries, and the requirements of succeeding generations.
Refugees
Feeling the deepest disquiet over the plight of the homeless peoples of the world,
We plead with all governments to give care and human rights to the dispossessed peoples within their jurisdiction so they may live with hope and security within their own country.
World Hunger (1980)
Realizing that many of the world’s peoples are threatened by starvation caused by famine, war, and natural disaster, we recognize the gospel mandate for Christian people to be involved in meeting this urgent human need, and, therefore,
We encourage mission agencies and related church bodies to assist peoples to increase food production and to engage in teaching good nutrition, particularly where people are undernourished.
World Peace and Disarmament
Recognizing that the world is far from achieving peace and justice and that vast sums are spent on armaments while much of the world goes hungry or suffers from lack of education and medical care,
We affirm that we stand for peace and reconciliation among all nations.
Religious Freedom and Human Rights
We understand the family to be an institution ordained of God and therefore of very special importance to the people of God. We reaffirm our conviction that:
Every child is a unique creation of God and deserves to be treated with appropriate dignity.
Every child should be enabled, without hindrance, to receive moral and religious training in his or her home and through the church.
Resolution on Baptist Witness and Evangelism
That the members of the Congress accept the challenge presented in his Presidential Address by Dr. Joao Soren to a new thrust of Christian witness, evangelism, and service throughout the world. Believing this to be one of the greatest needs of our time in every continent they call upon their fellow Baptists to join them in united sacrificial endeavor in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Evangelism
We believe that the declaration and application of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the nurturing of those who accept him as Lord and Savior are fundamental to our existence. We recognize that major responsibility rests with the local church, and we are dedicated to strengthening the church and our people in this task. Within our local, national, and world communities, our fellowship carries a responsibility to extend the kingdom of God on earth.
Appreciation for Committees and Program Personnel
The Twelfth Baptist World Congress of 1970, held in Tokyo, Japan, resolves to offer its great appreciation to the Program Committee of the BWA, the Local Arrangements Committee of Japan Baptist Domai (Union), the Japan Baptist Renmai (Convention) and the Japan Baptist Church Association for the labor of love, in bringing this significant Baptist Congress, held on Asian soil for the first time, into great success.
Resolution on Religious Liberty, Human Rights, World Peace and Public Morality
BWA World Congress Resolution 1975.1 Whereas, in the providence of God, religion and life are joined together, andWhereas, the Bible teaches that God is concerned and leads his people to be concerned about both individuals and society, and Whereas, during the past...
Resolution of Appreciation for Committee and Program Personnel
The Thirteenth Baptist World Congress of 1975, held in Stockholm, Sweden, resolves to offer its great appreciation to the Program Committee of the BWA and to the Local Arrangements Committee of the Baptist Union of Sweden for the labor of love in bringing this Baptist Congress into great success.
Working with Other Religions and Organizations for World Peace
The Baptist World Alliance, in its continued and determined efforts for world peace with justice, and in its further endeavors to overcome the poverty and suffering of peoples of every nation, is willing to work with other religious groups and organizations toward these ends, doing so in a manner consistent with our Baptist principles and Baptist beliefs.
Sponsoring of Youth Work (1970.6)
Because the Baptist World Alliance has shown concern for Baptist young people throughout the world as evidenced by its sponsorship of Baptist Youth World Conferences, and because young people in this age have developed a keen sense of awareness to the need of applying Christian teachings in practical ministries in efforts to heed the call and commands of Christ,
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