World Upside Down | The Benefits of Cooperation (Acts 15:22-16:5)
Acts 15:22-16:5
“There are times when the SBC simply has to stand up and say, this is what we believe. This defines the boundaries of our cooperation. This is central and very important to our identity… And I think we all know that in an increasingly secular society, all kinds of pressures are going to continue to come up against us, which means that [we] are going to have to be more clear about doctrine and about what we believe the Bible clearly teaches… That’s why I believe that it’s very important that we recognize, that our confession of faith, the Baptist Faith and Message comes with very clear assertions and it comes with consequences… The ultimate purpose of [our confession of faith] is to make certain that we rightly worship and love God. The confession guards the sound words of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and is thus essential to missions and evangelism.” — Al Mohler
Proverbs 11:14 // 1 Corinthians 7:17 // 2 Corinthians 8:16-19
It is a good and biblical thing for like-minded churches and leaders to come together under the banner of the gospel in order to:
- Affirm and Clarify Sound Doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3-4 // Titus 2:1 // Proverbs 4:13)
- Strengthen and Encourage One Another (Romans 1:9-12)
- Partner Together for the Mission (1 Corinthians 16:1-4 // Philippians 1:3-4)
God advances His kingdom through Spirit-led collaboration—even when it involves unexpected transitions.