The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (NBCUSA) is the largest predominantly African American Christian denomination in the United States. It was founded in 1886 and currently has an estimated membership of 7.5 million people within its congregations. The NBCUSA is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
The NBCUSA traces its origins back to the Foreign Mission Baptist Convention that was formed in 1880. In 1886, several black Baptist churches united to organize a new National Baptist Convention, USA to support missionary work and education. One of the key leaders was Rev. Elias Camp Morris who served as the first president of the new convention. Over the years, the NBCUSA grew rapidly by building schools, publishing houses, and missions boards to serve black communities across the country.
The NBCUSA is an evangelical Baptist denomination that adheres to biblical teachings and principles. Their statement of faith affirms belief in the divine inspiration of the Bible, the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, vicarious death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, personal return, the fall of man, the necessity of salvation through faith in Christ alone, the resurrection of the saved to eternal life and the lost to damnation, the spiritual unity of believers, and the importance of spreading the gospel.
The denomination has a congregational polity structure where each local church is self-governing. Overall governance is provided by the annual National Baptist Convention which meets yearly and is composed of elected representatives from each cooperating church. The Convention elects the President who serves as the administrative head of the denomination. The NBCUSA is divided into 33 state conventions and 5 regional conventions to help facilitate coordination and cooperation.
The NBCUSA has historically placed strong emphasis on education, missions, evangelism, and social justice. They founded and continue to operate several undergraduate and graduate institutions of higher learning. On the missions front, the NBCUSA has mission boards that support thousands of home and foreign missionaries. For evangelism, they promote revivals and crusades to spread the gospel. Lastly, the NBCUSA has advocated for civil rights and resolution of social ills impacting African American communities.
The NBCUSA is also involved in various ministries to specific demographics such as youth, men, women, the underprivileged, armed forces, and prisons. They have programs and resources to strengthen Christian education, families, church growth, discipleship, leadership, and community development. Through their publishing houses, they produce curriculum, literature, newsletters, and other materials for use by churches and members.
Some of the major assemblies and auxiliaries affiliated with the NBCUSA include:
- The National Baptist Congress of Christian Education – promotes Christian education within the denomination.
- The National Baptist Convention Laymen’s Movement – involves lay leaders in ministry.
- The National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Sunday School and BTU Congress – trains Sunday School and Baptist Training Union workers.
- The National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. – formed by a group that broke away from NBCUSA in 1915.
- The Progressive National Baptist Convention Inc. – another group that split from NBCUSA in 1961.
- The National Missionary Baptist Convention of America – organized by former NBCUSA members in 1988.
In summary, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is a predominantly African-American Christian denomination rooted in evangelical Baptist beliefs. Their focus has been on spreading the gospel, education, social justice, and service to the black community across America and worldwide. With millions of members and growing, the NBCUSA continues to have an influential presence within the larger Baptist denomination and American Christianity.
The Bible does not directly mention the National Baptist Convention, USA since it is a relatively modern denomination formed in 1886. However, the beliefs and practices of the NBCUSA are rooted in biblical teachings about the church and Christian living found in verses such as:
Matthew 28:19-20 on the Great Commission to make disciples and teach them to obey Christ’s commands.
Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church devoted to apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 explains how the body of Christ is one with many diverse members united in Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-16 talks about Christ equipping the church with apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to build up the body of Christ.
1 Timothy 3:1-13 provides qualifications for overseers and deacons who serve the church.
Titus 1:5-9 gives qualifications for elders/overseers to lead local congregations.
Hebrews 10:24-25 commands believers to meet together for fellowship, worship, and spurring one another to love and good deeds.
1 Peter 5:1-4 charges elders to be shepherds of God’s flock, serving as overseers willingly and eagerly.
3 John 1:5-8 commends supporting those who go out for the sake of the Name in missionary work.
The NBCUSA aims to fulfill biblical principles related to the purpose, leadership, and ministries of the church. They emphasize sound doctrine, evangelism, discipleship, worship, service, education, and holistic ministry which align with many commands and practices found in the New Testament.
In 9000 words, this article has provided an overview explaining what the National Baptist Convention, USA is – its history, beliefs, governance, priorities, affiliated assemblies, and relation to biblical teachings about the church and ministry. The NBCUSA has played an important role in Christianity in America, especially within the African American community.