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On the 250th Anniversary of the United States and the Baptist Contribution to Religious Liberty

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  • On the 250th Anniversary of the United States and the Baptist Contribution to Religious Liberty
Date: June 13, 2026
Event(s): 2026 Annual Meeting
Topic(s): appreciation, religious freedom, religious liberty
Format(s): Text

WHEREAS, The United States of America was founded on July 4, 1776, with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which recognized the fundamental truth that all people are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, thus establishing a new nation committed to ordered liberty and the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, The American founders understood these rights are given by God and secured by government and further comprehended the importance of Christianity to the framing and flourishing of the new republic (Romans 13:1-7); and

WHEREAS, The freedoms enshrined in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights—particularly the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech—have enabled the free and open proclamation of the gospel at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, Baptist leaders such as Isaac Backus, John Leland, and others played a vital role in advocating for religious liberty, contributing to the development and eventual adoption of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees the free exercise of religion and prohibits the establishment of a state church; and

WHEREAS, Baptists have historically affirmed that religious liberty is not merely a political principle (such as a “wall of separation”) but a biblical conviction rooted in the teaching that every individual is accountable to God and must be free to respond to Him without coercion from the state (Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:19-20, 17:26-27; Romans 14:12); and

WHEREAS, 2026 will mark the semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of the founding of the United States, a historic milestone to remember and reflect upon God’s providential blessings and sovereign hand throughout the nation’s history; and

WHEREAS, We recognize the many challenges and shortcomings in our national history, including sins such as slavery, racism, abortion, injustice, and sexual immorality, and affirm the continuing need for national repentance, reconciliation, and revival through the transforming power of the gospel; and

WHEREAS, Despite its failures the United States increasingly realized the promise of its founding by ending slavery and segregation at home and defending freedom from the 20th century totalitarian threats of fascism and communism abroad; and

WHEREAS, Scripture exhorts believers to honor governing authorities, to seek the welfare of the cities and nations in which they dwell, and to pray for kings and all who are in authority (Jeremiah 29:7; Romans 13:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-2); and

WHEREAS, The semiquincentennial provides an opportunity for Southern Baptists to express gratitude to God for His blessings, to renew our commitment to faithfully proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to stand for truth, righteousness, and justice in the public square; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, June 9-10, 2026, give thanks to Almighty God for his providential hand in the founding and sustaining of the United States of America over the past 250 years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptists and all faithful Christians to pray for spiritual revival across the nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the legacy of Baptist forebears who courageously contended for religious liberty and helped secure the freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our historic Baptist commitment to religious liberty for all people, recognizing it as a God-given right grounded in the dignity of every human being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27-28); and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call upon Southern Baptists to steward these freedoms by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, living as faithful citizens of both the kingdom of God and the United States, and engaging the public square with both courage and civility; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call upon Southern Baptists to pursue national renewal through biblically informed civic engagement, including advocating for just laws that are rooted in God’s natural law and consistent with the witness of holy Scripture, and electing public officials who will do the same; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge our churches to pray for national, state, and local leaders, that we may live peaceful and godly lives (1 Timothy 2:2); and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we commit ourselves anew to the Great Commission, recognizing that the ultimate hope for America and all nations is in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, whose kingdom will never end.