I have the distinct privilege of teaching an undergraduate class this semester. The class is geared for individuals who are either in ministry in the local church or considering the path of ministry. We have spent the semester discussing calling and discerning God’s leading or “messing” with our lives. We have also talked about very practical, hands on nuts and bolts of the daily life of a minister. It has been a great experience for me and I hope the students have gleaned something from our time together as well.
The last third of the semester will deal with Baptist life – polity and doctrines. Today, we will be discussing several important concepts inherent to Baptists but I am particularly excited to cover one topic in particular – the belief in soul competency. 
Baptists have been accused of being too individualistic. I would be naive to ignore the point to be revered in this accusation. The world does not revolve around me – nor does it turn on its axis for you. But before we dismiss the idea of individual faith we need to understand one of the most critical and foundational elements of the gospel message – choice.
In Matthew 16 verses 15 and 16, Jesus asked a crucial, turning-point question of the disciples. He had asked about the chatter. “Who do people say that I am?” But then he turned to heart of the matter and asked the only question that matters – for them and for us. “Who do you say I am?” Peter voluntarily, without coaching from his pastor or his parent or from the testimony of the church answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
That turning-point question is still the question today. When it comes to faith – to the entrusting of our eternal soul – we have to answer that question for ourselves. Attending a particular community of faith regularly or even joining that body does not answer the question. Living by an honorable moral code does not face the question. Each of us has to reach a point in our walk that we come face to face with Jesus and answer that question for ourselves.
Who do you say Jesus is?
Clay in the Hands 
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