the  Atlanta Covenant  as  a call to Baptist Churches to

from God and from one another. The form of this

oppose racism and ethnic conflict and to actively work to

alienation is common to all nations and

establish a united witness for Christ and His Kingdom. 

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races...Ethnocentrism and racism are a sign of this

There, BWA affirmed the provisions of its Harare

sin and alienation. The power of sin expresses itself

Declaration that states, in part: 

in many ways. When one nation or race thinks it is

better than the other, it is living in sin. Indeed

We acknowledge that:

racism is sin.

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5.1 Racism is rooted in the sinfulness of

humankind and is evident where a group or

3. Racism and ethnic conflict are contrary to God's

groups of people:

word: Jesus Christ is the Power of God that enables

Racial and Ethnic Peace!  Do not mistreat foreigners

a) Assert(s) that by heredity and by nature they

who are living in your land. Treat them as you would

are superior to the rest of humanity.

an Israelite, and love them as you love yourselves.

Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of

b) Oppress(es) others through economic and

Egypt. I am the Lord your God  (Leviticus 19:33, 34).

political means to find security and self 

 I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone

acceptance, privilege and power.

on the same basis. Those who fear him and do what is

right are acceptable to him, no matter what race they

c) Project(s) into another group or groups their

belong to. You know the message he sent to the people

own anger, hostility, hatred and failures in

of Israel, proclaiming the Good News of peace through

order to rationalize feelings of superiority.

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Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all  (Acts 10:34 36).  So

there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles,

BWA covenanted  with God's help, through a ministry of

between slaves and free people, between men and

reconciliation to promote social justice through efforts to

women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. If

eradicate racism and confront ethnic conflict. 

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Part of

you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of

the international summit, according to BWA, was  to

Abraham and will receive what God has promised 

make a positive statement to the Baptist world, the wider

(Gal. 3:26 29).

Christian community and the secular world that Baptists

are totally committed to oppose racism and ethnic conflict in

The call of Christ is a call to all humanity. It is a call

the name of Christ. 

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to all nations and races, to all peoples and tribes.

BWA asserts that there is a Biblical basis for

Racism and ethnic conflict are a denial of the

reconciliation between nations and races:

Gospel and a hindrance to mission and evangelism.

It denigrates the individual created in the image of

1. The God we worship is a God of liberation and

God (Gen. 1:27) and denies the universality of the

freedom:  To proclaim liberty to the captives, and the

Gospel. Those men and women who practice

opening of prison to those who are bound...  (Isaiah

racism or harbor racist thoughts not only deny the

61:2, Luke 4:18).  For Freedom Christ has set us free... 

Gospel of Christ, but put their own fellowships in

(Galatians 5:1).  Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is

danger for they neglect the Christ of the gospels and

freedom  (II Cor. 3:17). 

deny the unity for which Christ died.

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Therefore, as Baptist followers of Jesus Christ, who

BWA calls Baptists to act against racism and

has come to liberate all humanity, it is incumbent

ethnocentrism.

upon us to proclaim this freedom to all people. The

Gospel call to freedom is above nation and race and

1. The call of the gospel requires Christ's followers to be

gender...

agents of reconciliation.  God was in Christ

reconciling the world to himself...and entrusting to us

2. Humanity is in the bondage of sin and alienation:

the message of reconciliation  (II Cor. 5:19). 

 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of

God  (Romans 3:23).

2. A call for a renewal of worship and cleansing.   `Wash

yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of

Because of humanity's sin, humankind is alienated

your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn

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DENOUNCING RACISM