WHEREAS, God has ordained government to reward good and to punish evil (Romans 13:1–5, 1 Peter 2:13–14); and
WHEREAS, Jesus described His followers as “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–16), indicating the Lord’s desire for believers to exercise a beneficent influence on their surrounding society; and
WHEREAS, Believers in the United States enjoy a constitutionally granted opportunity to influence not only the nation, but also states, regions, and communities by voting for those seeking the country’s highest office and for other elected officials; and
WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message affirms that “all Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society” and that “every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love”; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, June 14–15, 2016, give thanks to God that He has placed us in a nation with freedom of expression and opportunity to influence government, a freedom secured at a high price, even with shed blood on the battlefield; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptists and all followers of Jesus Christ in the United States to participate in the democratic process by voting; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we remind Southern Baptists and all followers of Jesus Christ in the United States that the nation’s hope ultimately is not in political processes or governmental power, but in God alone; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we prayerfully urge all candidates for political office to endorse the biblical values upon which society should rest; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we commit ourselves to pray earnestly for God to bring spiritual, moral, ethical, and cultural renewal to our nation.