2001 – Resolution on Defining True Liberty

Whereas the United States of America is known as “…The land of the free…” and

Whereas since the founding of this nation, our people have experienced the greatest measure of personal freedom ever known around the world, and

Whereas the people of the nation have, nevertheless, enslaved themselves to sin and the many evils that mark a corrupt, self-centered society which has led to the degradation of its citizens through alcohol and drug abuse, rampant crime, the disintegration of home and family, and other evils associated with Sodom and Gomorrah,

Be it therefore resolved that we, the members attending the annual conference of the Independent Baptist Fellowship of North America, June 19-21, 2001, in Williamsburg; VA, do hereby resolve to proclaim true “…liberty throughout all the land unto the inhabitants thereof…” (Leviticus 25:10) by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ—whose truth alone can truly make men “free indeed” (John 8:32,36) from sin’s dominion; and

Be it further resolved that we seek to preach no other gospel, especially a social gospel which would seek our comfort in this present world which is not our home and fail to prepare our souls for eternity; and

Be it further resolved that we warn and encourage believers in Christ not to be entangled “…with the affairs of this life…” (II Timothy 2:4) so that our faithful service to Christ Is impeded and the ministries of local churches suffer the absence of “…good soldiers of Jesus Christ…” (II Timothy 2:3) nor squander the liberty that remains to tell others of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ; and

Be it finally resolved that we preach and teach our families and congregations that true liberty comes at a great price, as demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that God’s people must follow His Example if others here and around the world would have opportunity to know true liberty in Jesus Christ by knowing Him as their personal Savior.