SBC History

“The notion of a Christian commonwealth, should be exploded forever." // OTD in 1754 John Leland was born in MA. The early Baptist leader was an outspoken abolitionist and early advocate for religious liberty. read more @ bit.ly/2JlScHT

OTD in 1925 EY Mullins and committee presented to the SBC the Baptist Faith and Message. It was approved a by a vote of 2,259-218. nobts.edu/baptist-center… Last year was the 100th Anniversary of first SBC statement of faith.

Today (May 13th) in 1925, messengers @SBCMeeting approved the formation of the Cooperative Program. @SBCCP Learn more by reading the Committee report from the SBC Annual, starting on page 25 bit.ly/2pq0oO1

OTD in 1943 the Home Mission Board @NAMB_SBC celebrated being debt free for the first time in over 25 years. This was in part thanks to the @SBCCP and leadership of Dr JB Lawrence, shown below with Courts Redford his successor. Photo SBHLA

On May 12, 1792, William Carey published "An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians, to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens." Carey, urged by his friends to publish his pamphlet, set forth the evangelical Calvinism and missional hope of the Particular Baptists.

On May 10 1845, at the first @SBCMeeting, the convention adopted their new constitution unanimously, for the purpose of "organizing a plan for eliciting, combining, and directing the energies of the whole denomination in one sacred effort, for the propagation of the Gospel."

Happy Birthday to the Southern Baptist Convention! Born on May 8 in 1845, it was organized in Augusta, Georgia. 4,126 churches had a reported membership of 351,391.

This week in 1879 Crawford Howell Toy was forced to resign from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Read here about the rise of him as a star pupil of John Broadus, his proposal to Lottie Moon, and fall to false teacher. equip.sbts.edu/publications/t…

Lots of questions for Al Mohler at the 1995 Annual Meeting.

How long would the SBC Book of Reports be if they had to list "any and all significant problems" they encounter?

OTD in 1867 legendary SBC pastor GW Truett was born. He was pastor of FBC Dallas 1897-1944, President of the SBC 1927-1929 and the Baptist World Alliance 1934-1939, & appointed by President Wilson to preach to the Allied forces in WW 1. Hear him preach @ bit.ly/2r9zcj

OTD in 1675: Massachusetts passed a law requiring church doors to be locked during services. Why? Because too many people were slipping out before the sermon was over.

In 1990 the SBC Executive Committee reported the results of a survey about when the Annual Meeting should be held, and if there was money for scholarships. See this report from the Annual.

Here is some data about the location frequency of the SBC Meetings and the % of churches represented. I’m missing some data I can’t find, but it gives an interesting perspective over all. From 49-53 the it was held in OKC, Chicago, SF, Miami, Houston, STL, and then Miami again.

OTD, April 13, 1914 Missionary Eunice Glass passed away in China. She was buried by the graves of her two infant children. She left her husband, Wiley, and three other children. WB Glass continued to teach at the China Seminary for 20 more years.

On this day in 1850, Adoniram Judson, one of the first Baptist missionaries to India and Burma, died at sea. He and his wife, Ann Judson, were among the greatest missionary heroes of their generation, giving their lives to take the gospel where it had never been heard.

In the 1930's JM Carroll published "Trail of Blood", named after a phrase first used by JR Graves in his book "Trilema." Graves, born in 1820 on this day, has an influence that can still be in conversations and conflicts across Southern Baptist life today.

Graves was a prolific writer and publisher and involved in missions across the SBC. He held numerous denominational offices, organized 3 tract societies & the Nashville Indian and Missionary Assoc in 1846, & raised the money to endow the chair of theology of Union University.

OTD in 1820 JR Graves was born. The noted Landmarkist is thought by some to have a greater impact on SBC life in the 19th cent. than any other person. His influence stemmed in part from his newspaper in TN bit.ly/2uB8k0N