What is missing in this pre 1963 list of stewardship texts?
Luke 12:42; 16:1-8; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Cor. 8:1-7; 2 Cor. 8:11-19; 2 Cor. 12:1-15; Matt. 25:14-30; Rom. 1:8-15; 1 Cor. 6:20; Acts 2:44-47. THERE ARE NO TITHING TEXTS UNTIL 1963!!!! THE DOCTRINE HAS BEEN CHANGED!!!
Southern Baptists everywhere — reject this false doctrine of tithing! Our leadership has changed historical Baptist doctrine and will not defend it because it cannot be defended honestly in context from God’s Word!
Speak up in your churches and conferences. The denomination is slowly trying to make this a mandatory doctrine for membership. It is pure legalism. They will not allow discussion. Help me change this with God’s blessings.
UNTIL 1963 BAPTIST CONFESSIONS HAVE NOT TAUGHT TITHING!
THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL USES BAPTIST STATEMENTS OF FAITH FROM BAPTIST WEB SITES TO DEMONSTRATE THAT TITHING IS A NEW DOCTRINE. THE WORD ITSELF STILL DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST STATEMENT. TITHING TEXTS DO NOT APPEAR IN THEIR STATEMENTS UNTIL 1963.
NONE of the following historical Baptist statements contain the words, “tithing, tithes, tithe,” which is strange since it is promoted as such an important doctrine.
1120 Waldenses Confession
1544 Waldenses Confession
1644 London Baptist Confession
XXXVII. That the Ministers aforesaid, lawfully called by the Church, where they are to administer, OUGHT TO CONTINUE IN THEIR CALLING, according to God’s ordinance, and carefully to feed the flock of Christ committed to them, nor for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Heb. 5:4; Acts 4:23; 1 Tim. 4:14; John 10:3, 4; Acts 20:28; Rom. 12:7, 8; Heb. 13:7, 17
XXXVIII. That the DUE MAINTENANCE of the officers aforesaid, SHOULD BE THE FREE AND VOLUNTARY COMMUNICATION of the Church, that according to Christ’s ordinance, they that preach the Gospel, should live on the Gospel and NOT by constraint to be COMPELLED FROM THE PEOPLE BY A FORCED LAW. 1Cor. 9:7,14; Gal. 6:6; 1 Thes. 5:13; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; Phil. 4:15-16
[NOTE: NO TITHING TEXTS ARE LISTED!]
1689 London Confession
Chapter 19: Of the Law of God
3._____ Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel CEREMONIAL LAWS, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties, all which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated and TAKEN AWAY.
Chapter 26: Of the Church
10.____ The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him; it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY, so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular affairs; and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others; and this is REQUIRED BY THE LAW OF NATURE, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.
Acts 6:4; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17, 18; Galatians 6:6, 7; 2 Timothy 2:4; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Corinthians 9:6-14
[NOTE: NO TITHING TEXTS ARE LISTED]
1742 The PHILADELPHIA Confession
The 1689 Second London Confession of Faith was published was copied by the Philadelphia Association. Again, no tithing texts are quoted or listed in this document.
1768 SANDY CREEK 10 short articles; NONE ON TITHING
1813 CHARLESTON 114 questions; catechism; NOTHING ON TITHING
1833 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Again, “tithing,” “tithes,” and “tithe” are not found in this document.
1. Scriptures; 2. God; 3. Fall of Man; 4. Salvation; 5. Justification; 6. Freeness of Salvation; 7. Grace in Regeneration; 8. Repentance and Faith; 9. God’s Purpose of Grace; 10. Sanctification; 11.. Perseverance; 12. Harmony of the Law and the Gospel; 13, The Gospel Church; 14. Baptism and Lord’s Supper; 15. Christian Sabbath; 16. Civil Government; 17. Righteous and Wicked; 18. World to Come
13. Of a Gospel Church
We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. [Note: the “claims” found in Timothy and Titus do not include claims to tithes.]
1858 SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ABSTRACT
“Tithing,” “tithes,” or “tithe” remain absent in this document.
1. Scriptures; 2. God; 3. Trinity; 4. Providence; 5. Election; 6. Fall of Man; 7. Mediator; 8. Regeneration; 9. Repentance; 10. Faith; 11. Justification; 12. Sanctification; 13. Perseverance; 14. Church; 15. Baptism; 16. Lord’s Supper; 17. Lord’s Day; 18. Liberty of Conscience [subjection in all lawful things commanded by them]; 19. Resurrection; 20. Judgment
XIV. The Church.
The Lord Jesus is the head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its government. According to His commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into particular societies or churches; and to each of these churches He hath given needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which He hath appointed. The regular officers of a Church are Bishops or Elders, and Deacons.
1925 Baptist Faith and Message Statement
of the Southern Baptist Convention
(2) That we do not regard them as complete statements of our faith, having any quality of finality or infallibility. As in the past so in the future, Baptists should hold themselves free to revise their statements of faith as may seem to them wise and expedient at any time.
1925 The Baptist Faith and Message, #24 Stewardship:
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have s spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardsship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of teh Redeemer’s cause on earth.
1925 Texts Under #24, Stewardship
Luke 12:42; 16:1-8; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Cor. 8:1-7; 2 Cor. 8:11-19; 2 Cor. 12:1-15; Matt. 25:14-30; Rom. 1:8-15; 1 Cor. 6:20; Acts 2:44-47.
[Note: As late at 1925, “tithing,” “tithes,” and “tithe” do NOT occur either in the quotations or texts listed in these very important REVISED documents. Evidently the committee under the leadership of E. Y. Mullins did not agree that tithing was an historical Baptist doctrine in 1925.]
1963 and 2000 The Baptist Faith and Message, XIII , Stewardship:
“God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.
1963 and 2000: KEPT THE SAME STATEMENT AS 1925 BUT ADDED TITHING TEXTS.Gen. 14:20; Lev. 27:30-32; Mal. 3:8-12; Mt 23:23. THIS WAS A CHANGE IN HISTORIC BAPTIST DOCTRINE!!!
[NOTE: THE WORDS, “TITHING, TITHE, TITHES” STILL DO NOT APPEAR IN THE CURRENT SBC STATEMENT OF FAITH. HOWEVER, THE FOUR TEXTS ABOVE WERE ADDED IN 1963 AND KEPT IN 2000. THUS IT TOOK FROM 1644 UNTIL 1963 (319 YEARS) FOR TITHING TEXTS TO ENTER A SBC STATEMENT OF FAITH.]
CONCLUSION: It took the SBC over 300 years to merely add the texts for tithes into their statement of faith. The Message and Faith STILL does not contain the words “tithe” or”tithing.”Yet they have thus far not allowed any contrary discussion of tithing inside their denomination councils. This is sinful!
