by W. E. Dowell
There was the Baptist Bible Union long before there was a Baptist Bible Fellowship. That Bible Union failed. Now, after all these years, why has the BBFI succeeded, when the old Bible Union failed?
First, the men in the Bible Union were not wholly in agreement on the method and thrust of the movement. They could not agree, and the structure of their movement was weakened.
Second, these men represented several Baptist groups, and there was a certain amount of loyalty to the group they represented. They never could reach full agreement, and it was inevitable that the movement would ultimately fall apart.
The Baptist Bible Fellowship was different. It was formed with a group of independent, Bible-believing Baptists with convictions as deep as the soul. These men had one purpose, one motive, and one goal. They believed in the absolute sovereignty of the local church. They were against any form of ecclesiasticism. Fred Donnelson’s statement was, “Every church the headquarters for missions.” Yet, they believed they could work together on a voluntary basis and build a school, establish churches, and fulfill Christ’s commission in building a program of world missions. This they have done, and are doing. This, God has been pleased to honor and bless. To Him be the Glory!
Excerpt from: The Birth Pangs of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International, W.E. Dowell, Sr. (Springfield, MO: Temple Press, 1977), pp. 56-57.