cumenism, one-world religion, religious unity—these are words and phrases which rightly concern and alarm biblically based Christians, including Southern Baptists.

This concern is acute, because the modern ecumenical movement, as expressed through the World Council of Churches and its national affiliate, the National Council of Churches (NCC), attempts to unite all denominations around the lowest common doctrinal denominator, devaluing and jeopardizing once and for all the faith delivered to the saints. Liberal political positions held by the NCC also leave Christians cold who are guided by biblical convictions. As a result, Southern Baptists who strongly affirm scripture-based beliefs and the autonomy of the local church have not participated in ecumenical organizations.

Cooperation with other Christians around commonly held convictions, however, is another story. Baptists from their very roots have been willing to join hands with believers of like faith.

For example, in 1689 London Baptists issued what was to become perhaps the most used and quoted Baptist confession in history. It is interesting that it was based principally on the Westminster Confession produced earlier in the 17th century by Presbyterians and Congregationalists. Baptists issued their statement at least partly to establish doctrinal solidarity with other Christians. They wrote that their hope was that this declaration of faith might "the more abundantly … manifest our consent … in all the fundamental articles of the Christian religion."

As time passed, the 18th century unfolded as a period of revival, spiritual vitality and unprecedented missionary activity. The evangelism of Anglicans—George Whitefield and John Wesley—led the way in encouraging Baptists to take the gospel to the streets, the fields and the commons of Great Britain and America.

A new generation of Baptist pastors emerged. They held strongly to biblical and Baptist convictions while expressing willingness to work for the cause of the gospel with others. In 1769 John MacGowan, a London Baptist pastor, said: "I acknowledge it as my indispensable duty to cultivate a brotherly affection with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity…of whatever denomination they be."

This spirit of biblical love and partnership helped create a number of interdenominational mission agencies, including societies for the promotion of Sunday school work, Bible distribution, evangelistic preaching and international missions.

William Fox, deacon at the Baptist church on London’s Prescott Street, summed up in 1785 the spirit of most Baptists: "I shall not be contented, Sir, until every person in the world is able to read the Bible, and therefore we must call upon all the world to help us."

The lessons for contemporary Christians should be clear. At no time is the compromise of biblical conviction justified. While many would call for unity at all costs, the denial of core beliefs is always too high a price to pay. It results in the abolition of Christianity.

However, biblical cooperation with other followers of Christ may be of great value, particularly when the goal is to share the undiluted gospel: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God—and that Jesus alone is the Savior (Romans 3:23 and John 14:6).

While we may not always agree with other Christians on church government or other issues, when we are agreed on the gospel, we can cooperate from time to time with these results: First, more people will hear the gospel. Second, the world will realize that God’s eternal gospel is not the property of any one group or denomination and that it really is the cross of Christ which saves, not church membership.

Although artificial and imposed organizational unity must be shunned at all costs, biblical cooperation in evangelism and prayer with others of similar conviction may be used by God to help realize the fulfillment of the Great Commission in our generation.

Phil Roberts provides insights into theology and spirituality in today’s culture.