SBC Annual , pp. To his own Master every Christian stands or falls.
All Christian relationships are free and voluntary.
To become a Christian is not to be coerced into obedience to Christ, but to choose him voluntarily and freely. Christ's authority is accepted as final for the believer in all things when he is thus chosen freely as Lord and Savior. The relations of the believer with other Christians are also free and voluntary and subject only to the authority of Jesus Christ. A church of Christ is a free and voluntary association of believers, in his name, in obedience to his command, and for the carrying out of his purpose. It follows that each church is autonomous or self-determining in all matters pertaining to its own life and activities.