Campbell says the key question is whether consistency means acting “conformably to our own professed sentiments” or to “the professed sentiments and principles of others”; where do you see yourself most tempted to define faithfulness as conformity to *your* circle’s expectations rather than loyalty to Christ?
Another way to ask: When do you most tend to measure “faithfulness” by what your own group expects instead of by loyalty to Christ?
Direct Answer
Based on Campbell’s point, the temptation is to treat your group’s standards as the definition of faithfulness, instead of measuring faithfulness by allegiance to Christ and the “one foundation” confession.
Support from Transcript:
Campbell asks what constitutes consistency: “In acting conformably to our own professed sentiments…or…to the professed sentiments and principles of others?”
He calls “independent Baptist” a “proud and imposing name,” suggesting even anti-sectarian labels can become a sectarian identity.
He argues the “only bond of union” is confessing “Jesus is the Christ,” not adopting every opinion in a party.
He insists “unity of opinion is not essential to Christian union,” warning against requiring uniformity beyond what Christ requires.
Bercot critiques the mindset: “we in our little group…alone [are] the one true church,” which is defining loyalty as conformity to a circle.
Discussion Follow-ups
Where do you feel pressure to prove you belong—by using certain labels, rejecting certain Christians, or copying a certain “party line”? What would change if Christ’s commands and fruit mattered more?
