Changes

In nearly all other areas, the SBC is quite diverse.  For example, there are fairly equal numbers of individuals holding to [[Calvinism]] as to [[Arminianism]], and although the SBC believes in Jesus' ultimate return, there is no majority viewpoint on [[eschatology]].  This is due in great part to the Baptist views of [[priesthood of all believers]] and [[autonomy]] of the local church.  Although Southern Baptists in general do not hold to Pentecostal or Charismatic practices such as [[glossolalia]] ("speaking in tongues"), Independent Baptist author [[David Cloud]] believes the practice within the SBC to be far greater than officially discussed.<ref>https://www.wayoflife.org/database/charismatic_southern_baptists.html</ref><ref>It should be noted that two persons mentioned in Cloud's report &ndash; noted charismatic televangelists [[James Robison]] and [[Pat Robertson]] &ndash; though at one time were Southern Baptist, have since left the denomination.</ref>

In nearly all other areas, the SBC is quite diverse.  For example, there are fairly equal numbers of individuals holding to [[Calvinism]] as to [[Arminianism]], and although the SBC believes in Jesus' ultimate return, there is no majority viewpoint on [[eschatology]].  This is due in great part to the Baptist views of [[priesthood of all believers]] and [[autonomy]] of the local church.  Although Southern Baptists in general do not hold to Pentecostal or Charismatic practices such as [[glossolalia]] ("speaking in tongues"), Independent Baptist author [[David Cloud]] believes the practice within the SBC to be far greater than officially discussed.<ref>https://www.wayoflife.org/database/charismatic_southern_baptists.html</ref><ref>It should be noted that two persons mentioned in Cloud's report &ndash; noted charismatic televangelists [[James Robison]] and [[Pat Robertson]] &ndash; though at one time were Southern Baptist, have since left the denomination.</ref>

Like other Baptist bodies the SBC does not have a formal confession of faith or creed.  It publishes a doctrinal statement, the [[Baptist Faith and Message]] (BF&M), which summarizes its key beliefs.  The SBC, nor any state convention or local association, cannot bind the BF&M on any supporting church; however, adherence to the BF&M is required for missionaries, key leadership, and faculty at SBC-supported universities.  Most congregations, however, generally adopt the BF&M (in whole or in part) as their doctrinal statement.

Like other Baptist bodies the SBC does not have a formal confession of faith or creed.  It publishes a doctrinal statement, the [[Baptist Faith and Message]] (BF&M), which summarizes its key beliefs.  The SBC, nor any state convention or local association, cannot bind the BF&M on any supporting church; however, adherence to the BF&M is required for missionaries, key leadership, and faculty at SBC-supported universities.  Most congregations, however, generally adopt the BF&M (in whole or in part) as their doctrinal statement.