1997 – Resolution on Lawlessness

WHEREAS the relativistic and subjectivistic philosophy of our culture today has promoted a rebelliousness and an ungodly personal autonomy wherein each person views his life as governable only by his own personal choice. The culture of today thereby grows increasingly lawless and rebellious against all forms of authority with everyone turning to his own way (Isaiah 53:6) and doing that which is right in his own eyes (Judges 21 :25), and

WHEREAS this refusal to submit to the God-ordained authorities in society is manifested in various and destructive ways resulting in an increasing moral anarchy within the society and its institutions. We see more and more alarming examples of laws made, philosophical arguments advanced, and justification for sins committed or desired that are based upon this radical personal autonomy with its “pro-choice” philosophy in all areas of life, and

WHEREAS this rebellious spirit is likewise becoming more and more prominent within the attitudes, actions, and decisions of God’s people resulting in churches refusing to obey God’s Word in both doctrine and practice; in church upheavals and fractures; in God’s people refusing to submit to those in God-appointed positions of authority over them not only in society but also within the local church; in much strife and confusion with every evil work (James 3:16), and

WHEREAS this lawlessness is the result of an unchecked and uncontrolled sin nature each man, women, and child possesses which makes submission to all authority unnatural and rebellion against God and His righteousness natural, correctable only by the grace of God, and

WHEREAS those in authority, within society or within the local church, who permit the rebel to go unpunished add rebellion to rebellion by being disobedient and unfaithful to God’s trust (Romans 13:1-4; Hebrews 13:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-5). The way of the transgressor is supposed to be hard in punishment because that is the way God intended it to be (Proverbs 13:13-15, 20-21; Ecclesiastes 8:11).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the members of the Independent Baptist Fellowship of North America, meeting in Detroit, Michigan, on June 17-19, 1997, do hereby urge all who name the name of Christ to acknowledge the supreme authority of the Word of God in all affairs of life (John 10:35). That all submit to God-ordained authority in society, in the home, in the local church, and in their own personal attitudes and actions to the glory of God (Matthew 5: 16).

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on all men everywhere to repent of their lawlessness and their desire for an ungodly personal autonomy and turn in faith and loving obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Savior and Sovereign of life (Acts 4:12); and that they bring every thought, attitude, and action into submission to Christ and His Word (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) with every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus is Lord to the glory of the Father (Philippians 2:10-11) acknowledging that He alone, through His indwelling Holy Spirit, can ,enable us to live in peace and harmony with one another, with ourselves and most importantly, with God, in submission to His authority in all things (Galatians 5:16; Romans 15:5, 6).