Soul Competency
Soul competency — sometimes called "the competency of the soul in religion" — is the Baptist conviction that every individual stands directly before God. No priest, no church hierarchy, no government can stand between a person and their Creator. Every soul is competent (and accountable) to receive Christ, read Scripture, and respond in faith. These ten passages establish the doctrine.
What Scripture says
All quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).
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Romans 14:12
So then each one of us will give account of himself to God.
Each one. Individually. To God. Not via a representative.
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Romans 14:5
One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.
Conscience-bound conviction is Paul's standard. Each must be persuaded personally.
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John 6:45
It is written in the prophets, They will all be taught by God. Therefore everyone who hears from the Father and has learned, comes to me.
Taught by God Himself. Direct instruction is not mediated through clergy.
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1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
One mediator. The doorway to God is Jesus, and Jesus alone.
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Acts 17:11
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
The Bereans tested Paul's preaching by reading Scripture themselves. Every Christian is called to that competency.
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Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The invitation is direct. Each individual to Jesus, no intermediary.
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John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."
Through Him. Not through a system. Not through a sacrament. Through Him.
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1 John 2:27
As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don't need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.
The believer has the indwelling Spirit as Teacher. Human teachers are helpful — but the Spirit is essential.
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Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;
Direct testimony. The Spirit speaks to the believer's spirit. No interpreter required.
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Ezekiel 18:20
The soul who sins, he shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.
Each soul. Individual accountability is the foundation of individual competency.
A prayer
Father, thank You that You did not give Yourself only to priests and pastors. You give Yourself to every soul that comes. Help me to stand before You with confidence and to take responsibility for what I believe and how I live. Amen.