Changes

The BF&M originated in 1925 out of the much older New Hampshire Confession of Faith.  It has been amended three times: in 1963, 1998, and 2000.<ref>However, the SBC website shows only the 1925, 1963, and 2000 versions.</ref>

The BF&M originated in 1925 out of the much older New Hampshire Confession of Faith.  It has been amended three times: in 1963, 1998, and 2000.<ref>However, the SBC website shows only the 1925, 1963, and 2000 versions.</ref>

The 2000 revision was comprehensive, adding an entire new section (Section XVIII) on The Family.  It also added, among other notable changes, a sentence in Section XV (The Christian and the Social Order) supporting the sanctity of life.

The 2000 revision was comprehensive, adding an entire new section (Section XVIII) on The Family.  It also added, among other notable changes, a sentence in Section XV (The Christian and the Social Order) supporting the [[sanctity of life]].

The revision was controversial among the liberal elements of the SBC (and among supporters of the liberal splinter group Cooperative Baptist Fellowship) for the following changes:

The revision was controversial among the liberal elements of the SBC (and among supporters of the liberal splinter group Cooperative Baptist Fellowship) for the following changes:

*The new section on The Family specifically held to the traditional view of marriage, and furthermore the BF&M added a sentence denouncing all forms of sexual immorality which specifically referenced homosexuality.

*The new section on The Family specifically held to the view of [[traditional marriage]], and furthermore the BF&M added a sentence denouncing all forms of sexual immorality which specifically referenced [[homosexuality]].

*A sentence in Section VI (The Church) specifically limited the role of pastor to men only.  (It did not limit the role of deacon to only men, however.)

*A sentence in Section VI (The Church) specifically limited the role of pastor to men only.  (It did not limit the role of deacon to only men, however.)

*Finally, it removed the statement from Section I (The Scriptures) that Jesus Christ was the standard by which the Bible was to be interpreted, in response to liberal groups which were elevating the "red letter" words of Jesus over the remainder of Scripture (the traditional view of the SBC has been, and is, that ''all'' Scripture is ''equally'' inspired by God).

*Finally, it removed the statement from Section I (The Scriptures) that Jesus Christ was the standard by which the Bible was to be interpreted, in response to liberal groups which were elevating the "red letter" words of Jesus over the remainder of Scripture (the traditional view of the SBC has been, and is, that ''all'' Scripture is ''equally'' inspired by God).