The Baptist Faith and Message
Adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention May 9, 1963
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XIV. Cooperation
Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize
such associations and conventions as may best secure
cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God.
Such organizations have no authority over one another or
over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies
designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our
people in the most effective manner. Members of New
Testament churches should cooperate with one another in
carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent
ministries for the extension of Christ’s Kingdom. Christian
unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and
voluntary cooperation for common ends by various group of
Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the
various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained
is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no
violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ
and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
Ex. 17:12; 18:17
ff.; Judg. 7:21;
Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69;
5:14-15; Neh.
4; 8:1-5; Matt.
10:5-15; 20:1-16;
22:1-10; 28:19-20;
Mark 2:3; Luke
10:1 ff.; Acts 1:13-14;
2:1 ff.; 4:31-37;
13:2-3; 15:1-35;
1 Cor. 1:10-17; 3:5-15;
12; 2
Cor. 8-9; Gal. 1:6-10;
Eph. 4:1-16; Phil.
1:15-18.
