Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention leaders Randy C. Davis and Bruce Chesser have followed up on a resolution passed by Tennessee Baptists at their annual meeting in November at First Baptist Concord in Knoxville with a letter to Tennessee’s state senators.
Tennessee Baptists approved without opposition a resolution in support of life and Tennessee Senate Bill 1236.
The resolution affirmed that God’s Word “teaches us that each human life — from the moment of conception to its last breath — is created in the image of God and declared very good” and that Tennessee Baptists “have historically affirmed biblical teaching on the sanctity of human life by adopting numerous pro-life resolutions at the national, state, and local levels.”
Messengers resolved “support legislation that protects life” and to specifically support Tennessee Senate Bill 1236, which prohibits abortion upon the detection of the fetal heartbeat except in certain medical emergencies, by calling and e-mailing their state senators.”
Messengers also were encouraged to pray for “our leaders and all who are in authority,” as they make policy decisions related to this legislation and issues of life.”
The letter to the state senators was co-signed by Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, and Chesser, pastor of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, and newly-elected president of the TBC.
They pointed out that Senate Bill 1236 “is not only historic, but it is possibly the most important piece of legislation on which you will vote during the course of your tenure as a public servant. Literally, lives are at stake.
“On behalf of more than 3,200 Tennessee Baptist Churches and nearly a million Tennessee Baptists, we want to strongly encourage you to vote in favor of SB 1236, moving it forward to become law in the great state of Tennessee.”
They included a copy of the resolution passed by Tennessee Baptist messengers in November with the letter. “The resolution was enthusiastically and unanimously passed. It is obvious that a large number of the constituents in your districts stand for life, and desire to see the lives of unborn Tennesseans protected from the point of conception,” the two men wrote.
“We know there is a tremendous burden on your shoulders and a significant amount of responsibility that comes with governing the diverse group of people who comprise Tennessee. That is why we are praying for you — that God will grant you great wisdom and courage as you consider the future for thousands of unborn children,” Davis and Chesser concluded.
