Sola Scriptura

Now that I've established the fact that Baptists historically are Calvinists as it pertains to the worship of God, the next argument I want to forward is this: the scriptural law of worship is merely the application of the doctrine of Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) in the area of Christian worship.

I believe this strengthens the previous argument. Confessional Baptists (and even non-creedal Baptists) hold to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Chapter 1 of the London Baptist Confession makes it clear that 17th century Baptists held to this doctrine. Our English Baptist forebears wrote: "The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience..." This is an all-encompassing statement on the Scripture's scope of authority. In short, the Scriptures regulate everything pertaining to Christian life, especially worship.

I've already drawn from this confession regarding the scriptural law of worship; however, I want to quote one more passage that relates to worship; and it's found here in Chapter 1: "The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men." This is a very important component of the confession's statement on the Holy Scriptures. Let me make two points in analysis of this statement. First, Baptists confess that there is no other source of revelation by which Christians are to look regarding everything that pertains to the doctrines and practices of the faith; second, the confession repudiates those who claim "new revelations" and those who claim that tradition has equal authority with the Scriptures. This statement attacked the Quakers, who claimed special, inward revelation, and Roman Catholics who taught that tradition was equal with Holy Scripture. Nowadays, this statement also attacks Pentecostals and Charismatics who claim direct revelation from the Spirit. In short, Baptists have confessed that everything needed for the faithful adherence to the faith is found only in the Scriptures.

For those of you who know of the 1834 New Hampshire Declaration of Faith (also known as the "Articles of Faith"), there is a strong statement of Sola Scriptura in the first article. It refers to the Scriptures as "the supreme standard" by which creeds, conduct, and other opinions will be judged. By implication, this article is enough to teach and uphold the scriptural law of worship. There is another article in this confession that clearly points to this doctrine. In Article 13, "A Gospel Church," the writers state that a gospel church is "governed by" the laws of Christ. The laws of Christ are none other but the Scriptures; and worship must be under the governance of Christ, the Head of the Church.

With this stated, all African American Baptists should give careful consideration to these arguments and study these confessions and the scriptural support. African American Baptist churches are in dire need of reformation as it pertains to worship. I pray that God will help us.