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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Baptists and Political Action
That in the matter of the Cameroons this Executive Committee thoroughly approve the procedure of its General Secretary in the efforts to procure permission for German Baptists to return to their mission fields, and that we instruct him to proceed, with careful and considerate methods, and taking account of all interests involved, to use every effort to bring about the consent of the French Government for the resumption of German Baptist missionary work in that mandated territory.
German Baptist Mission in the Cameroons
BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1931-05.1 11. Cameroons.:—The General Secretary explained in detail the position which had arisen, and on the motion of Dr. W. O. Carver the following resolution was adopted unanimously:— That in the matter of the Cameroons this...
World Congress, Berlin
Representations regarding the advisability of a change of date for the next World Congress were considered. Extensive correspondence from the United States, South America, Germany and other countries in Europe, was submitted by the Secretaries. The President added a brief report respecting representations that had reached himself.
Needs of Baptists in Russia
Representations regarding the advisability of a change of date for the next World Congress were considered. Extensive correspondence from the United States, South America, Germany and other countries in Europe, was submitted by the Secretaries. The President added a brief report respecting representations that had reached himself.
Memorial Resolutions — Alderman Herbert Marnham
(a) Alderman Herbert Marnham. The death of Mr. Herbert Marnham, a member of this Executive
Committee from the founding of the Alliance and for many years its Eastern Treasurer, was referred to in
feeling terms, and the ex-President, at the request of the members, drew up a resolution which was
adopted in the following terms:—
Memorial Resolution — Dr. Aristarco Fasulo
(b) Dr. Aristarco Fasulo. The memorial resolution of the Administrative Sub-Committee was
unanimously endorsed.
Memorial Resolution — Dr. A. L. McCrimmon
(c) Dr. A. L. McCrimmon. The following resolution was adopted unanimously: —
Memorial Resolution — Professor A. T. Robertson
(d) Professor A. T. Robertson. Reference was made to the decease of this eminent scholar, formerly a member of the Executive, and the following resolution, drafted by W. O. Carver, was adopted: —
Berlin Congress — Thanks to Dr. Rushbrooke
(a) Official Report. The General Secretary reported on the preparation and issue of the Official Report. On the motion of Ex-President John MacNeill, the Committee resolved:—
Rumania
The General Secretary reported at length on the situation in Rumania, and the possibilities of action by this Executive. Dr. Gill added a few words of confirmation und supplement. The Committee appreciated the gravity of the issue, and (having referred the precise terms for scrutiny by a Sub-Committee which
reported after the lunch interval) unanimously adopted the following three resolutions: —
Letter to the Government of Rumania
To give effect to the foregoing resolution (I), the Committee unanimously approved (after similar scrutiny
by the Sub-Committee) the following letter to the Minister-President of the Government of Rumania: —
Church and State and Religious Freedom
Statements were made as to the position of Baptists in Germany, whose world (it was reported) had not been seriously disturbed; and discussion took place as to whether it was desirable to take action on the subject of repressive action towards other Christian bodies.
Restrictions on Immigration
WHEREAS, there are in camps in Germany, Italy, and Austria, nearly a million displaced persons of various denominations, composed of men, women, and children, 80% of whom are Christians, and 20% Jews, including 150,000 children below the age of 17, and;
Incorporation of the Baptist World Alliance
A resolution was introduced approving a decision made by the Administrative Committee re the incorporation of the Baptist World Alliance. Dr. Adams moved the adoption of the resolution. The motion was unanimously carried.
Statement on Angola
The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Wake Forest, North Carolina, U. S.
A., June 27-29, is shocked and grieved at the reliable and continuing reports of offenses against basic
rights, dignity, property and life itself occurring in Angola.
Manifesto
CALLS on Baptists to a more dedicated obedience to Christ’s Great Commission in view of the rapidly increasing world population, the technological challenges in many lands in the nuclear age, the revival of non-Christian religions, and the challenge of modern ideologies.
Appreciation
BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1963-08.1 We, who have been visiting Baylor University in connection with the 1963 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance, desire to express our sincere appreciation to all who have made our visit so...
Nuclear Test Ban
RESOLUTION ON NUCLEAR TEST BAN. Mimeographed copies of a proposed resolution on Nuclear Tests were passed out. Tulles reported that a committee appointed by the Administrative Committee had drafted this statement for the approval of the Executive Committee. Te committee had consisted of Binns, Ivanov, Stassen, Payne, Tolbert, Tulles, Y. Zhidkov, and Nordenhaug.
The Situation of the Baptist Union in Spain
The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Hamburg, Germany, August 17-21, 1964, has received with rejoicing and thanksgiving to God the report that our Baptist brethren in Spain now enjoy a greater degree of freedom than heretofore. The reopening of Evangelical churches, and other evidences, indicate considerable improvement in the situation in that nation. The authorities there are due our commendation for these progressive steps.
Appreciation
The second resolution expressed appreciation for the hospitality enjoyed by the Executive Committee in Hamburg and for those who prepared and led the meeting:
Thanks
Hospitality may be described as the gracious art of anticipating certain human needs and meeting them with cordiality. Hospitality is a virtue to which the Bible gives high commendation. When we see it demonstrated by those of our own day and generation we likewise commend it. When it is extended to us personally we are especially grateful.
Statement to the World Council of Churches
This statement was not in the form of a resolution. Copies of a suggested communication to the World Council of Churches were distributed. The Resolutions Committee suggested that a similar statement go also to the European Council of Churches, to be presented by Goulding, and that Tuller and Payne present the one to the World Council of Churches at the forthcoming meeting of its Central Committee in Crete.
Bible Presented to Russian Baptists
The remaining resolutions were passed out. Hobbs stated that the Resolutions Committee wished to take note of the Centenary celebration of the beginning of Baptist work in the U.S.S.R. to be observed later in the month. In order to give tangible expression of the love and appreciation of Executive Committee members, a Russian Bible was presented to Sergei Timchenko. It was inscribed:
Religious Liberty in Spain
Gerhard Claas presented this resolution. Considerable discussing arose regarding the use of various words and phrases. However, MOTION was made, seconded, and carried, that the resolution on religious liberty in Spain be approved as presented by the Resolutions Committee:
Message to Baptist Churches Throughout the World
The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of twenty-six million Baptists of many nations and widely differing cultures and ways of life and thought. It is neither within its power nor its function to direct, admonish, or rule on the internal affairs or the political or economic procedures of its constituent bodies or of their countries
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