After the opening hymn, Dr. Stealey prays and introduces the speaker (start-6:58). Dr. Edwin Theodore Dahlberg, President of the National Council of Churches USA, preached a sermon entitled “Bridge Builders” from Ephesians 4:13. He focused on unity between believers despite differences.
Robert Lisle Lindsey was a New Testament scholar who also worked as a pastor in Israel. The scripture reading was a mixed reading drawn from John, 1 Corinthians, Romans, and Matthew. This message examines Near Eastern culture and religio-ethnic tribalism, as well as the missionary response to this major cultural difference. It also references the recent history of the formation of the nation of Israel after World War II.
Claud Ballard Bowen was a trustee of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The subject of his message was "A Dream Come True," tracing the early history of SEBTS from the desire for a new seminary in the Southeastern United States to its opening. This includes the history of purchasing the campus from Wake Forest College, the reasons for the seminary to exist, the procedures of the Southern Baptist Convention in forming a new seminary, and quotations from the initial faculty.
Dr. Stealey opens by reading Ephesians 6:10-20, and then introduces Dr. Niebuhr after a hymn. Dr. Helmut Richard Niebuhr, a Christian theologian, Professor at Yale Divinity School, and author of Christ and Culture, speaks on the impact Protestantism had at that time, and how they influence and shape culture.
After opening hymns and prayer, Dr. Stealey welcomed people to the dedication of the chapel, thanked different people involved, and introduced a couple of speakers (start-22:03). Dr. W. Perry Crouch, a member of the board, spoke briefly thanking all involved (22:05-24:15). Dr. Harold W. Seaver then preached from Hebrews 11:33-40. He focused on the role of faith specifically in the creation and dedication of the chapel (35:30-1:06:06). There was a prayer and a few hymns in conclusion of the dedication (1:07:00-end).
After the reading of Psalm 118:1-6 and prayer (start-5:05), Jesse Burton Weatherspoon, Visiting Professor of Preaching, teaches on the love of God revealed in the Holy Spirit (5:06-35:14). The service concluded with a song.
After reading Romans 8:28-30, announcements, a reading from the hymnal, and a prayer (start-5:33), Dr. Sydnor Lorenzo Stealey, the first President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, preaches about what the love of God is in the context of Romans 8:28.
Dr. Helmut Richard Niebuhr, a Christian theologian, Professor at Yale Divinity School, and author of Christ and Culture, speaks mainly on Protestantism as it relates to politics and culture. He spends most of this lecture comparing Protestantism to Democracy and sharing how they are so interconnected that they can at times become syncretistic.
After prayer, a hymn, and a responsive reading (start-8:40), Pope Alexander Duncan, Professor of Church History, spoke about standards and having a conscience, specifically in that time’s culture. He spoke about three ways the conscience could be set, or developed: through tradition, others, and through inner growth.
After reading Philippians 2:19-3:4, Dr. William Claudius Strickland, who was Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation, spoke about the "Three Marks of a Worshiping Community". The three marks are worshiping God by His Spirit, boasting only in Lord Jesus, and not allowing oneself to depend on physical advantages.