Uganda Trip July 2012 Report

GateWay East Africa

Uganda Trip July 2012 Report

The long flight never gets easier although I am thankful that we were kept safely in the kind hands of our God.  We arrived late Saturday night at Entebbe and then traveled to Mpigi Sunday morning in time to gather with our brothers and sisters for worship at Mmembe Baptist Church in the Mpigi district.  My first ever 9 hour worship service was followed by Ugandan potluck.  Yum.  I was so encouraged by their love for God and His word as evidenced by their desire to worship corporately all day.  

Monday morning we traveled by van to the village of Busombo to help Pastor Wasswa and the church in their efforts to reach their village.  Busombo is an area filled with witchcraft and drunkenness which has greatly contributed to their spiritual darkness and financial desperation.  We appreciated a lunch prepared by the church members and spent a few hours providing Bible teaching to the core group of the church.  We also provided money for a wheelchair for a 3 year old boy inflicted by an unknown malady which is causing abnormally large swelling to his head.  We shared the gospel with some of the people in the village and showed the “Passion of the Christ” movie that night in the Lugandan language.  Pastor Wasswa is faithful in a very difficult context for ministry.  Response to the gospel is low and the church is few in number but they are shining the light in a dark place.  

Tuesday we traveled to Bukasa where Pastor Frank serves a small congregation.  Frank is very evangelistic and appears to have good relationships in the small community.  While sharing the gospel in the village I was able to share with a man named Simon who grills meat for sale.  I shared the gospel with him and a few others gathered together.  One man said he was a follower of Christ but Simon and Matthias both made professions of faith.  Simon then went next door and brought his friend, Herman, over to hear the message I was sharing.  He also professed faith in Christ.  This village was also filled with drunkenness and spiritual darkness but about 300 gathered for the showing of the “Passion” film.  We arrived back at the motel at midnight.

Wednesday we spent the day witnessing around Mmembe Baptist Church.  We had some great visits and some professions of faith but overall the level of response was less than what I have experienced in other parts of east Africa.  I was especially impressed with Pastor Gingo’s work ethic, faithfulness, and doctrinal integrity.  He is truly a man of God who is loving people and teaching the Bible in a context that would discourage lesser men.  Two special highlights of the day were watching Nathan Bural preach at the school in Kalagala and Landon Northcutt preaching on the street near Mmembe BC.  Nathan boldly declared the word of God with precision and power and many students received Christ as Lord.  Landon started slow from Isaiah 53 and rose high as he called the people to trust Christ and avoid eternity in Hell.  We had dinner at a restaurant and discovered they could fry fish and chicken.  Although it was different than our customary fare, it was appreciated after a few steady doses of matoke.

Thursday began our two day Pastor’s Conference.  In attendance were 17 pastors from the Lake Wamala Baptist Association which began in 2000, representing 9 churches and other mission efforts.  Jacob Rowe did a great job teaching the pastors and church leaders.  The need for pastor training is great and Gingo is putting forth great effort as their Director of Missions, but he needs more help.  We shared the Scriptures with the students at the Green Valley School and about 20 made professions of faith, notably a few of the students were coming from Muslim families.  That evening we had an evangelistic meeting in which Harold “Smitty” Smith shared his testimony and Robert Whitefield delivered a great sermon.  We found our way back to the fried chicken and fish that night and back at motel at 9pm.

Friday we continued the Pastor’s Conference with Robert sharing from John 15 and I shared from Psalm 51 and Romans 6.  The afternoon was spent witnessing on the streets of Mpigi and we had an evangelistic meeting on an empty lot in the town.  The “praise team” of Mmembe BC led in music which joyfully continued for 45 minutes.  I preached from Mark 13 on the subject, “What You Can Expect When Christ Returns.”  Although the crowd was much smaller than we expected each night in Mpigi, there were many passersby and a couple of hundred gathered for the showings of the “Passion” movie.

Saturday was a productive day of witnessing on the streets of Mpigi.  Landon and I shared the gospel with one lady named Teresa who was so thankful to hear God’s Word.  She received the gospel of Christ with joy unspeakable and rejoiced unlike few I have ever seen.  Her response strengthened my soul.  A young man named Absalom said he recently had been experiencing many “disturbances” and had been asking God to show him the truth.  When we shared the good news of Jesus with him, he said that he had been “longing for the message” and gladly received Christ as Lord.  We held another meeting that night and Jacob Rowe delivered the sermon with earnestness.  After the meeting we found our way back to the fried chicken.

Sunday was a great day of worship with our Ugandan brethren.  Jacob preached at Gateway BC, which is a plant of Mmembe BC.  Gingo preaches at Gateway at 9am and then returns to Mmembe BC every Sunday to preach afterward.  Robert preached at Bukasa and I preached at Mmembe.  God blessed the service in so many ways.  Of those responding, one young man is of particular note.  He had been at one of the schools where we had shared earlier in the week.  He came from a Muslim family and his father had told him not to listen to the “born-agains” for they spoke silliness.  The young man said, “I want silly things, I want to follow Jesus!”  We all rejoiced in the faithfulness and benevolence of our God.  We enjoyed a going away dinner hosted by the dear ladies of Mmembe BC and then departed for Kampala.

Sunday evening in Kampala brought us closer to some of our cultural comforts as we had pizza at Nando’s.  It is very sad to see all of the street-children and beggars in the streets.  Every time I go to Africa I want to bring a plane load of children back with me.  Although I don’t have the resources to give them many things, I take comfort in knowing that what we offer in the gospel of Jesus Christ affords immeasurable riches.

We arrived at Entebbe Airport at 6:30pm and departed on our long flight home at 11:30pm.

I thank God for the work he is doing among the people of east Africa and the work he does in our hearts each time we go.  I pray that He will continue to provide the resources we need for GateWay East Africa to grow and help in the areas of church planting and pastoral training.

What About Those Who Have Not Heard of Jesus?

What About Those Who Have Not Heard of Jesus?

by Pastor Richmond Goolsby

This question comes in many forms, but it always comes.  How can God hold people responsible for their sins if they have not heard of the saving grace that comes through Jesus?  Would God actually allow people who have not heard the gospel to spend eternity in hell?  What about the person living in the deepest, darkest jungle who does not have exposure to the Christian message?  Will God condemn the one who sins and has not heard of Jesus?  In order to properly respond to these questions we must  consider what the Bible says about the modes through which God makes Himself known.

The Scripture states that God reveals Himself generally.  Psalm 19:1 says, “the heavens declare the glory of God.”  As a person looks into the heavens and sees the sun, moon and stars, the handiwork of God is revealed.  The creation of God’s hands manifests the reality of God.  Romans 1:20 says, “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.”  The majestic characteristics of the created order reveal to humanity the majestic character of God.  His “invisible attributes” are seen by the magnificence of His creation.  We can see that God is powerful, for by the power of His word He spoke the universe into existence and sustains it day by day.  God tells the sun when to rise and set.  He has told the oceans how far they may extend and commands the mountains to stand.  We can see that God is benevolent, for by His mercy He provides breath to every living being.  He fills His created beings with provision for existence each day.  We can see that God is orderly in His providence, for He has established laws in the universe which maintain its order.  The awesomeness of the universe reveals the eternal power of God.  Acts 14:17 reminds us that, “God did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”  God sends the rain from heaven as a testimony that He is real and active.  He provides fruitful seasons to testify that He oversees the universe and mercifully provides for His creation.  God is the primary witness of the reality of His existence.  The heavens declare His glory, His attributes are clearly seen, and He has provided an eyewitness account of His being through general revelation.  This form of revelation is enough for man to know that God is, but it is not enough to know who God is.

The Bible says that the general form of divine revelation given to men is not enough to save man from his sin.  2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded.”  The god of this age, the devil, is using his deceptive tactics to blindfold the minds of the human population through sin.  People are living in the midst of general revelation which is declaring daily the glory of God but they will not see Him unless, “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them.”  Although everyone is surrounded by the glory of God, His attributes will remain invisible to those without the light of the gospel of Christ shining upon their hearts.  The Apostle Paul declared to the Areopagus at Athens, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30)  God has mercifully allowed the continuation of life without pouring out His divine judgment upon sin, but now is commanding those who have heard the truth of sin and salvation to turn away from their personal rebellion and trust Christ.  In verse 31 he provides the reason for the urgency of immediate response, “because God has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man (Jesus) whom He has ordained.”  The message is clearly presented, God has been merciful but you must repent and trust Christ or receive divine judgment.  Romans 10:14 removes any uncertainty with these words, “And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?”  Although God has revealed His divine existence through His creation, no person can be saved without believing in Christ.  No one will hear the truth of Christ unless the gospel is preached (declared) to them.  While God has extended great kindness by the manifestation of His existence through general revelation, only the gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient to save man from sin.

Salvation only comes through the particular revelation of Christ.  The created universe declares to us that God is real, but only the gospel tells us how God saves man from sin through Christ.  The heavens declare the glory of God but only Jesus can reconcile us to the glory of God.  Acts 4:12 provides eternal truth for all, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Although the stars of the sky point to the splendorous Creator, the heavenly luminaries did not die to receive the penalty of sin.  Majestic mountains refer us to the beauty of our God, but they cannot provide righteousness on behalf of the sinful soul.  Only Jesus has accomplished the necessary work for man to be at peace with God.  In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Me.”  He is the only way to God.  He is the only way to know the truth of God.  He is the only way to gain the true life of God.  No person can receive these gifts apart from Jesus Christ.  The Philippian jailer realized the condemning presence of his sin and cried out, “what must I do to be saved?”  Paul and Silas responded with liberating truth, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:30-31)  They did not call him to believe that God created the sun.  There was not a commendation for believing merely in the existence of God, but the command, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Salvation comes only through faith in what Christ has done through His substitutionary death and victorious resurrection.  Sincerity in the pursuit of worshipping one’s idea of God is insufficient to save.  One must receive the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice as the appeasement of God’s wrath upon their own sin to be saved.  God has revealed this glorious truth specifically in the good news of His Son, and it is this particular revelation that must be cherished for the reception of salvation.

A most logical question is in order at this point in the discussion.  What happens to the person that recognizes the existence of God but has not heard of Jesus?  Can someone who sincerely responds to the general revelation of creation alone be saved?  Will God condemn someone who has not heard the gospel of Christ before they die?  Remember this, God grants further revelation to those who respond to the revelation they have been given.  The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 was earnestly reading Isaiah 53 while sitting in his chariot.  He was sincerely responding to the revelation God had given him but he did not understand all that he was reading.  God sent to him Philip, who preached Jesus to him, beginning at the Scripture in Isaiah 53.  The eunuch responded by believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was baptized as a follower of Christ.  The man from Ethiopia responded to the revelation God provided and God delivered to him the further revelation necessary for salvation.  Recently, while in a small village in Uganda, I met a young man working on the side of the road.  I shared with him the message of Jesus and asked him if we would like to receive Christ and follow Him.  The young man said that he knew that God was real and that he had been longing for this message of good news.  He told me that he had been asking God to show him more of the truth and so God sent me there to that tiny village with an open Bible in my hand, declaring the way to reconciliation with God through Christ.  That young Ugandan man now has eternal life because he responded to the revelation God had given him and God sent to him the gospel.  

In the immutable faithfulness of God, He will not neglect one precious soul who desires to be saved.  We can trust in the infinite justice and mercy of God as He requires perfect righteousness for salvation and provides the righteousness of Christ for all who believe.  God reveals Himself to all, and to all who respond in repentance and faith in Christ, God saves.

Unashamedly Christian

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”  Romans 1:16

Our church is working throughout the community this week in an effort we call Victory in the ‘Ville.  We are seeking to be ambassadors for Christ as we help others through service projects, visiting nursing homes, praying with people door to door, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have been met with overall appreciation and kindness as we seek to serve our community with the love of Christ.  Although it would be easier to sit in our holy huddles, we cannot hold back the truth that has set us free.  We are unashamedly Christian for these reasons:

The gospel of Christ is good news.  The bad news is that everyone has sinned against God and deserves divine judgment.  The good news is that Christ died in our place to receive the judgment we deserved.  Through turning away from sin and trusting in Christ, people receive reconciliation with God and eternal life.  In the midst of a lost and hurting world, Jesus has come to set the captives free.  This is what the Bible calls the gospel, and it is unashamedly great news.  

The gospel is the power of God.  God has benevolently chosen to act on our behalf by sending His Son to rescue us from ourselves.  This message of grace and mercy has been the divine power which has saved us from our own personal rebellion and its subsequent pain.  Christians now know joy unspeakable and hope immeasurable by the power of God through Christ crucified and risen from the dead.

The gospel saves everyone who believes.  To believe is not mere intellectual agreement with these statements.  To believe is to fully depend upon and completely trust in the saving grace of Christ.  It is this saving faith in Jesus that had the power to change my life and has the power to change yours.  

This gospel of Christ is worthy of faithfulness until our last breath expires, and it is worthy of unashamedly living for the glory of God.

Report to Harvey Baptist Church on Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting 2012 Convened at New Orleans, LA by Messenger Richmond Goolsby

Upon arrival late Monday evening we heard a challenging message from James McDonald, Pastor of Harvest Bible Fellowship in suburban Chicago, during the closing session of the Pastor’s Conference.  The final sermon of the evening was delivered by Fred Luter, Pastor of Franklin Ave. BC in New Orleans.  He preached a passionate and stirring message declaring the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are not ashamed because it is the power of God!  Luter proclaimed, “If the Word of God has changed you, it can change them!”  Frank Page, President of SBC Executive Committee, declared a wonderful message in which he stated that the headquarters of Southern Baptist life is the local church, not the Convention or its entities.  He made an earnest plea for unity regarding the discussions concerning the doctrine of salvation.  

Many motions were made about practices of the SBC and its entities with approximately 7,500 messengers registered.  I will only highlight the few I thought were most significant.  

1. A motion was made by Richard Tribble, Pastor of Emmanuel Southern BC Decatur, Illinois, that the convention “establish a policy and procedures manual for convention officers, including procedures to investigate allegations of misconduct by officers.”  Under current practice any research regarding practices of officers would not occur until the end of their term rather than before.  If I remember correctly, the motion was forwarded to the Executive Committee for further action.
2. A motion was made by Tim Overton, Halteman Village BC Muncie, Indiana, that LifeWay reconsider its decision to sell the 2011 NIV.  The motion asked trustees to allow Paige Patterson and Louis Markos to address trustees on the matter, they agreed to do so.
3. A motion by Channing Kilgore of South Whitwell BC Whitwell, Tennessee, that the convention establish a “historical research committee” to study the views of SBC founders “regarding predestination and election and how they understood these terms”.  The motion was referred to the six SBC seminaries.
4. A motion by Todd Littleton of Snow Hill BC Tuttle, OK, that the Convention agree with Richard Land, president of ERLC, that statements he made regarding the Trayvon Martin killing were harmful and that the SBC “publicly affirm the reprimands” of Land by ERLC trustees.  The purpose stated for the motion was that this would authoritatively speak to our desire for racial reconciliation and prevent newly elected president of SBC Fred Luter from being required to redundantly respond to the SBC’s position concerning the issue.  After much discussion, the motion was ruled out of order.
5. A motion by Luke Johnson of Highland BC Laurel, Mississippi, that salary packages of all SBC entity and state convention employees be disclosed to Southern Baptist messengers and churches.  After much debate, the motion was ruled out of order with the reason stated as the SBC has no authority over the state conventions.
6. A motion by Ron Wilson of Wynnbrook BC Columbus, Georgia, that the SBC president appoint a committee to audit NAMB’s “Mega-Focus Cities: San Diego” program due to a concern of approximately 1 million dollars.  The motion was ruled out of order.
7. A motion by Steve Bailey of Earle BC Arkansas, that “no entity of the SBC be allowed to use the name Great Commission”.  The motion was ruled out of order.

Many resolutions were offered but only some were accepted.  I shall mention 4 that I thought were most significant.

1. On Cooperation and the Doctrine of Salvation.  While Southern Baptists have always represented a variety of views regarding the exact process of salvation we resolved to “celebrate our history of cooperation for world evangelism and missions” and “affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message as a sufficient statement of the doctrine of salvation” and “encourage all SBC churches to continue in faithful cooperation to equip the saints and reach the lost with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
2. On Biblical Scholarship and the Doctrine of Inerrancy.  Since there are some scholars that consider themselves evangelicals and yet deny the doctrine of Inerrancy as well as deny the historicity of Adam and Eve and the fall of mankind into sin, we affirm what the Bible asserts for itself.  It is “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16), the authors were “moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God” (2 Pt. 1:21), and as such it is entirely “truth, without any mixture of error” and “totally true and trustworthy” (as previously stated in the Baptist Faith and Message).  Therefore, we reaffirm our belief in and adherence to the doctrine of the Inerrancy of Scripture and call all biblical scholars in Southern Baptist institutions to carry out their work in submission to Jesus Christ and in the service of the inerrant Word of God.
3. On “Same-sex Marriage” and Civil Rights Rhetoric.  Marriage is a covenant relationship and an institution established by God rather than a social construct and we affirm the biblical definition of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman.  We deny that the effort to legalize “same-sex marriage” qualifies as a civil rights issue.  We express our love to those who struggle with same-sex attraction and stand against any disrespectful attitudes as we affirm that we must preach the truth of God’s Word on human sexuality, marriage, and purity.  We proclaim that Christ offers forgiveness of sin to those who turn from their sins and believe on Christ for the forgiveness of sin.
4. An Affirmation of a “Sinner’s Prayer” As a Biblical Expression of Repentance and Faith.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers full forgiveness of sins to anyone who repents of sin and trusts in Christ.  The “sinner’s prayer” is not an incantation that results in salvation merely by its recitation and should never be manipulatively employed or utilized apart from a clear articulation of the Gospel but it is biblical for a sinner to cry out for the mercy of God.  We promote any and all biblical means of urging sinners to call on the name of the Lord in a prayer of repentance and faith.

Other significant actions occurring during the SBC Annual Meeting were as follows.

1. Jimmy Draper presented a motion as Chairman of a Committee appointed by SBC President Bryant Wright to add the name “Great Commission Baptists” as a descriptor to be optionally used with the name Southern Baptist Convention.  Messengers were reminded that no SBC entity can legally change its name without approval from the messengers of the Convention and that churches already have the option of calling themselves whatever they desire as each church is autonomous.  The reasoning of adding such a descriptor was stated that it would be helpful for churches located in parts of the nation other than the south and for churches of various ethnicities.  After much debate the motion passed on ballot by 2546 (52.78%) affirmative and 2232 (46.27%) negative.
2. Fred Luter, Pastor of Franklin Avenue BC New Orleans LA, was elected President of the SBC.  He is the first African-American President of the Convention and ran unopposed.  He has been a faithful pastor and preacher of the gospel.  The Convention Center was filled with emotion when he was elected.  Although a vote was unnecessary, we were allowed to cast our ballots with a repeated standing ovation granted by a standing-room only crowd.

I greatly enjoyed our participation in the SBC Annual Meeting.  I was challenged and strengthened by some great biblical sermons and discussions with some wonderful brothers in the Lord.  There were a few disappointments but overall I am glad to be a part of a group of churches that are seeking to stand for God’s truth in the midst of a sinful world.  God is blessing our cooperative work in so many ways.  We now have over 16,000 students preparing for gospel ministry in our 6 SBC seminaries and the 2011 Lottie Moon Missions offering was the 4th largest offering ever, totaling $146.8 million.  We are supporting missionaries all over the world who are committed to the inerrant Word of God and the saving grace of the Lord Jesus.  May God continue to be praised and may His work continue through the churches that cooperate through the Southern Baptist Convention!

Respectfully Submitted, 

Pastor Richmond Goolsby

June 24, 2012

A Few Thoughts On Preaching Prophetically

To preach prophetically is to declare the truth of God with clarity and compassion.  One must speak forthrightly and make the truth plain while also extending the love of God to all.  Prophetic preaching is many times predictive in the same way that the prophets of old spoke with divine foresight.  I do not mean that we are to predict stock market crashes, earthquakes, or specific disasters of any kind.  We are to speak predictively the principles of reaping and sowing.  The Old Testament prophets did speak in ways of national and natural disaster, but under a divine inspiration that we do not today experience.  They were writing Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit.  We are to proclaim what has been written with careful attention not to add to nor take away from God's Word by the illumination of the Holy Spirit.  God says, "do this and you will blessed; don't do this or you will be cursed."  The predictive portion of our preaching should be in accord with these principles.
Beyond the definition of prophetic preaching it is also important to notice the compassion with which God's message should be delivered.  Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" and Jesus "wept" over rebellious Jerusalem.  Divine warnings are intended to protect people from the destruction of sin and drive us to the grace of Christ.  We are to avoid preaching in unrighteous anger or even a righteous anger delivered in a hateful manner.  Our flesh sometimes camouflages the anger issue.  As one wise preacher once said to me, "You will never help people walk in the Spirit if you are in the flesh!"  God will bless the man who is faithful to expose the truths of Scripture with a passionate, "Thus saith the Lord."  But we also must remember the patience God extends to us every moment of every day.
I offer three precepts that have guided me well:
1.  Let the people plainly know God's truth.
2.  Let the people know you care.
3.  Let the people know challenges are real but God is faithful.
While I studied at Southwestern Seminary I sat under the teaching of Dr. Raymond Spencer.  He is now at home with the Lord but his words echo in my mind weekly.  He once said to me, "The people need to know the heart of a pastor so they may hear the thunder of a prophet."  May we do this to glory of God and the edification of the saints.

My Response to Exclusionary Tactics by Calvinists and Arminians in the SBC

I have watched and listened to many people on both sides of the soteriological debate.  I have been misrepresented and caricatured for my honest efforts to exegete the Scripture by those on both sides of the issue.  I believe the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 provides a sufficient statement of doctrinal understanding as to salvation.  Articles IV and V deal responsibly with the biblical text and graciously to those understanding certain details diversely.  The BFM can be accessed here:  http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp.
While people are debating how Jesus saves a person, I am resolved more than ever to expend my energies telling everyone possible that Jesus Saves!  He has saved me, He can save you, and He will save all who repent and believe.
I know we need effective and lucid doctrinal confessions and some of these discussions are iron sharpening iron.  But our swords should be sharp by now, let's use them to remove sin instead of each other.
I am reminded of a story once told of A.W. Tozer.  A young man was coming out of his church in Chicago and headed to Bible College.  The young ministerial student was concerned that maybe he was not well-versed in the Calvinism/Arminianism debate so he sought the advice of Tozer.  He asked the wise pastor what he should do to be better equipped for the conflicts that were sure to encounter him in the academic world.  Tozer wisely responded by telling the young man that he would surely encounter such debates.  The pastor told him that there would be groups studying certain doctrines and emphasizing certain aspects of God's sovereignty and that many would attempt to engage him with a debate.  Tozer told the young man that every time someone sought to enter into these discussions with him he should depart and pray.  At the end of your years they will still be debating, but you will be closer to God and know much more about His sovereignty.

May we do the same.

The Plan for SBC Seminaries

I recently brushed the dust off of an old Training Union book entitled, "Our Baptist Story" by Pope Duncan.  A great little book filled with historical accounts of the Baptist witness in the United States, especially the South.  While Boyce, Manly, and Broadus were drawing up the original plan of instruction for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary they offered these three fundamental points.  (1)  that the seminary should admit men not only of college education, but those who had been kept from obtaining more than "a common English education"; (2)  that the seminary should offer such courses as would enable the best students to receive an education equivalent to that anywhere obtainable; (3)  that each professor should be required upon inauguration to sign an abstract of principles.

It is obvious from these three points that at the least these concerns were prominent for our forefathers:   (1)  that the seminary should be a theological training ground for church leaders with sole priority given to serving the churches; not to be an institution for the academically elite; (2)  that the theological training provided should be academically challenging; not lacking in quality; (3)  that those providing the education must be committed to the full integrity of the Scriptures and the biblical heritage set forth in the Abstract of Principles (written 1859); not dissuaded from sound doctrine.

Duncan mentions that these three principles were the guiding fundamental principles in the founding of each of our SBC seminaries.  I offer them again as a reminder, lest we forget.