What We Believe

THE BIBLE

We believe that the entire Bible (all 66 books of the combined Old and New Testaments) is divinely inspired by God and is inerrant in the original writings. Through the providence of God, the Bible has been protected and preserved and is the only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

THE GODHEAD

We believe that there is only one true, living, sovereign, holy, and eternally existent God. He exists in three co-equal persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 23:19; John 14:26)
He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

“The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters…then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness: and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” Genesis 1:2, 26

A. God the Father. God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purpose of His grace. He is all present, all powerful, and all knowing.

“One God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:6

B. God the Son. We believe that Jesus Christ is God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many miracles, and shed His blood on the cross as a substitute for us. After He was buried, He was bodily resurrected. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will return literally, visibly, and personally in glory and power. (John 1:1-14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Acts 1:11)

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

C. God the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, co-equal and co-existent with the Father and the Son. He is the chief convictor of sin and the chief agent of regeneration and sanctification. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and enables every believer to live a godly life. (John 14:16-19; John 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 12:11,13; Romans 8:9,11; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:13-14, 5:18)

“And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8

MaN

Man is not in any sense the product of evolution. Man was originally created with the ability to live perfectly for God’s glory. God created man to know Him, to have fellowship with Him, for Him to be glorified in man, and for man to glorify Him. In Genesis chapter 3, when man was tempted by Satan in the Garden of Eden, he disobeyed God and fell into sin. When sin entered man’s life, his relationship with God was destroyed. The sinless, perfect nature that man had in the very beginning in the Garden of Eden was lost. (Genesis 1:26,3; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9)

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” Genesis 1:26

The CHURCH

The church is the body of Christ and the family of God who regularly join together on the Lord’s Day (the first day of the week commemorating Christ’s resurrection) for worship, fellowship, and ministry. It has nothing to do with being a Baptist, a Methodist, a Presbyterian, a Catholic, etc. The body of Christ (the Church) is that group of people who have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and now have become a part of the body of Christ. The church does, however, meet in local groups and local bodies. The bodies of believers are to express themselves by loving one another, encouraging each other, uplifting each other, praying for each other, and helping each other in times of need. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Hebrews 10:25)

“I also say to you that you are Peter; and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18


THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Christ expresses His life through us—His character, His conduct, and His conversation. Christians are those people who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior. The Holy Spirit is indwelling every believer; He is the one who is bearing the fruit of good conduct, good character, and good conversation. Because the Christian life is a relationship with Jesus Christ, we are to grow progressively and mature in the relationship. We need to grow in our intimacy with Him, grow in our understanding of Him, grow in our commitment to Him, and grow in our surrender to Him. As we grow in our Christian life, we are not getting “better,” but rather we are allowing Christ who is within us to have more and more control of our lives. In order for us to grow in our Christian lives, it is essential that we commit ourselves to studying the Word of God, to prayer, and to sharing our faith with others. (2 Peter 3:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 2:2, 4-10; Acts 1:8; John 15:8)

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20

SIN

We believe Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience. This act resulted in the fall of all mankind; therefore, all people have sinned. When sin entered man’s life, his whole nature became corrupt; this affected his relationship with God. Sin results in both physical and spiritual death until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God. (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-23, 5:12-21, 6:23)

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

SALVATION

It is a product of God’s grace apart from human works, based solely upon Christ’s vicarious and atoning death, effected by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and received only through faith in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:9; John 3:3; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 10:27-28)

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

MORE

Our beliefs can be found in the Baptist Faith and Message. Click HERE to read more.

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