“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12 NIV)
The doctrine of “Individual Soul Competency” is one of those teachings that have shaped the Baptist identity and wider evangelical Christians. This doctrine affirms that every person, created in the image of God and endowed with moral and spiritual capacity, is directly responsible to God without the need for human mediators. It calls believers to personal faith, personal obedience, and personal accountability.
Individual Soul Competency is both a privilege and a big responsibility. Romans 14:12 reminds us that the final evaluation of our lives will not be based on group identity, denominational or family heritage, or external conformity. It will be based on our personal response to God’s grace, truth, and calling.
Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Individual Soul Competency is not a declaration of spiritual independence from community, nor a denial of the church’s teaching role. Rather, it is a recognition of the sacred dignity and responsibility God places upon every human soul. While the church will provide the platform for growth, each of us is responsible for our growth. Each believer is competent, by the Spirit, to read Scripture, pray, discern God’s will, and respond in obedience
Rev. Moses A. Sodeinde
