ANTICIPATES with joy the forthcoming Centenary Congress of the Baptist World Alliance in Birmingham, England, July 2005;
THANKS God for the many blessings experienced by the world Baptist family over the l00 years of the life and mission of the Baptist World Alliance;
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Seoul, South Korea, July 28-31, 2004:
REAFFIRMS its strong conviction that salvation is offered to the world through Jesus Christ alone by means of his life, death and resurrection and continuing mission;
EMPHASISES the crucial importance of personal conversion through the work of the Holy Spirit issuing in repentance, faith in Christ as saviour, baptism, incorporation into the church and the life of discipleship;
We, the members of the Golden Jubilee Congress of the Baptist World Alliance held in London, England, July 16th to 22nd, 1955, warmly recognize, and express our heartfelt gratitude for, the careful and arduous preparations made by British Baptists, and especially by the Committees set up in London, for the hospitality shown us and for the arrangements made for our convenience and comfort.
“That this Baptist World Alliance, representing eight millions (8,000,000) and more of Baptists all over the earth, expresses its thankfulness to God for the brightening prospects of the extinction of war and the arrival of universal peace and good will.
That this Baptist World Alliance, representing eight millions (8,000,000) of members, and now meeting in the City of Philadelphia, hereby expresses its joy in the accession of King George V. and Queen Mary to the throne of the British Empire, and begs most respectfully to offer its sincere and hearty congratulations on their coronation in Westminster Abbey, and prays that God will abundantly bless their reign, making it to issue in the increasing happiness and well-being of the people, in the widest sway of justice and purity, in the maintenance and extension of peace, and the promotion of brotherhood and good-will amongst all men.
It was moved from the Chair, seconded by Rev. J. N. Prestridge, D.D., of Kentucky, and unanimously resolved to send the following message to His Majesty King Edward VII:
May it please your Majesty—
We, ministers and delegates of Baptist Churches in the United Kingdom, the British Colonies, America, and various other lands, representing over 7 millions of communicants, assembled in the Baptist world Congress, desire to express our joy at meeting in this land so dear to all lovers of religion and freedom.