Survey Results

Are Most SBC Churches Faithful to Their Heritage?

Survey Results

When the original charter of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was adopted in 1858, every professor at the institution was required to teach according to the Abstract of Principles below. This requirement remains today.

We believe the Abstract represents the doctrinal consensus in the SBC for the first 50 years or more of her existence. Our survey is intended to reveal whether people are still being taught these doctrines in Southern Baptist churches today.

Key The responses are answers to the following question for each item:
Do you believe this doctrine is being taught today in most Southern Baptist Churches?

Taught

Not Taught

Taught Against

Unsure

Key		The responses are answers to the following question for each item: Do you believe this doctrine is being taught today in most Southern Baptist Churches?
Taught
Not Taught
Taught Against
Unsure

Response
The Abstract of Principles

95% 9399     I. The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.

4% 389

1% 65

1% 88

Total   9941





97% 9613     II. God
There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.

2% 227

0% 40

1% 57

Total   9937





96% 9553     III. The Trinity
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.

3% 301

0% 30

1% 77

Total   9961





79% 7880     IV. Providence
God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.

13% 1311

5% 482

3% 254

Total   9927





38% 3755     V. Election
Election is God's eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life -- not because of foreseen merit in them, but of his mere mercy in Christ -- in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and glorified.

17% 1641

22% 2181

24% 2357

Total   9934





88% 8701     VI. The Fall of Man
God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.

8% 812

2% 219

2% 151

Total   9883





96% 9563     VII. The Mediator
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the Law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose hand He ever liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.

2% 243

1% 50

1% 62

Total   9918





81% 8001     VIII. Regeneration
Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickeneth [makes alive] the dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and special grace alone.

12% 1227

5% 463

2% 222

Total   9913





85% 8410     IX. Repentance
Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbleth himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk before God so as to please Him in all things.

11% 1092

2% 201

2% 195

Total   9898





90% 8857     X. Faith
Saving faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness.

7% 660

2% 204

2% 151

Total   9872





89% 8823     XI. Justification
Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith.

8% 770

1% 133

2% 151

Total   9877





86% 8483     XII. Sanctification
Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God's word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.

10% 987

2% 151

2% 231

Total   9852





89% 8815     XIII. Perseverance of the Saints
Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

7% 712

2% 194

2% 156

Total   9877





86% 8501     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.

9% 931

2% 232

2% 192

Total   9856





95% 9364     XV. Baptism
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. It is prerequisite to church fellowship, and to participation in the Lord's Supper.

4% 355

1% 87

1% 83

Total   9889





94% 9243     XVI. The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by his churches till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate his death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion with him, and of their church fellowship.

4% 373

1% 93

2% 168

Total   9877





79% 7820     XVII. The Lord's Day
The Lord's Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, resting from worldly employments and amusements, works of necessity and mercy only excepted.

15% 1518

3% 313

2% 228

Total   9879





79% 7841     XVIII. Liberty of Conscience
God alone is Lord of the conscience; and He hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word, or not contained in it. Civil magistrates being ordained of God, subjection in all lawful thing commanded by them ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

13% 1273

2% 245

5% 509

Total   9868





94% 9327     XIX. The Resurrection
The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God -- the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised.

4% 380

1% 69

1% 98

Total   9874





94% 9278     XX. The Judgment
God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life.

4% 430

1% 77

1% 85

Total   9870

Response		The Abstract of Principles
95%	9399	I. The Scriptures The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.
4%	389
1%	65
1%	88
Total	9941


97%	9613	II. God There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
2%	227
0%	40
1%	57
Total	9937


96%	9553	III. The Trinity God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
3%	301
0%	30
1%	77
Total	9961


79%	7880	IV. Providence God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.
13%	1311
5%	482
3%	254
Total	9927


38%	3755	V. Election Election is God's eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life -- not because of foreseen merit in them, but of his mere mercy in Christ -- in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and glorified.
17%	1641
22%	2181
24%	2357
Total	9934


88%	8701	VI. The Fall of Man God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
8%	812
2%	219
2%	151
Total	9883


96%	9563	VII. The Mediator Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the Law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose hand He ever liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.
2%	243
1%	50
1%	62
Total	9918


81%	8001	VIII. Regeneration Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickeneth [makes alive] the dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and special grace alone.
12%	1227
5%	463
2%	222
Total	9913


85%	8410	IX. Repentance Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbleth himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk before God so as to please Him in all things.
11%	1092
2%	201
2%	195
Total	9898


90%	8857	X. Faith Saving faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness.
7%	660
2%	204
2%	151
Total	9872


89%	8823	XI. Justification Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith.
8%	770
1%	133
2%	151
Total	9877


86%	8483	XII. Sanctification Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God's word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.
10%	987
2%	151
2%	231
Total	9852


89%	8815	XIII. Perseverance of the Saints Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
7%	712
2%	194
2%	156
Total	9877


86%	8501	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.
9%	931
2%	232
2%	192
Total	9856


95%	9364	XV. Baptism Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. It is prerequisite to church fellowship, and to participation in the Lord's Supper.
4%	355
1%	87
1%	83
Total	9889


94%	9243	XVI. The Lord's Supper The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by his churches till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate his death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion with him, and of their church fellowship.
4%	373
1%	93
2%	168
Total	9877


79%	7820	XVII. The Lord's Day The Lord's Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, resting from worldly employments and amusements, works of necessity and mercy only excepted.
15%	1518
3%	313
2%	228
Total	9879


79%	7841	XVIII. Liberty of Conscience God alone is Lord of the conscience; and He hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word, or not contained in it. Civil magistrates being ordained of God, subjection in all lawful thing commanded by them ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
13%	1273
2%	245
5%	509
Total	9868


94%	9327	XIX. The Resurrection The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God -- the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised.
4%	380
1%	69
1%	98
Total	9874


94%	9278	XX. The Judgment God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life.
4%	430
1%	77
1%	85
Total	9870

Are Most SBC Churches Faithful to Their Heritage?

Survey Results

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