Doctrinal Statement
What we believe and why
Below is a quick overview of our beliefs. Download our complete “Articles of Faith” here.
Inspiration of the Bible
We believe that the Bible in the original writings, consisting of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, was given by divine inspiration and is the Word of God; that it reveals man’s state by nature and presents the only means of his salvation; that it constitutes the only perfect rule and final authority in all matters pertaining to Christian faith and practice; and that it sets forth the principles by which man will be judged.
Belief in God
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in Three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Blood Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace, that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, shedding His blood on the cross as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who repent and believe in Him, receiving Him by faith as personal Savior, are thereby justified on the ground of His shed blood.
The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His bodily ascension into heaven where He now is at the right hand of God as our High Priest, Mediator, Intercessor and Advocate.
Personal New Birth
We believe that in order to be saved from hell, all men being sinners, must be born again. We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again by the Holy Spirit. We believe that in the new birth, God justifies the believer and writes his name in the Lamb’s Book of Life and that the Holy Spirit indwells the believer with power for holy living and service.
The Security of the Believer
We believe that all who are truly born again are eternally secure since they have been saved by believing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, and are kept by the power of God unto salvation.
What is a Baptist
Baptist churches have no central denominational authority or governing body. So “Baptist” is not so much a denomination as it is a description of what a church believes. In short, Baptists simply believe and preach the Bible above all human and church traditions. Although the name does not find its origin in the acrostic B-A-P-T-I-S-T, this acrostic has become a common way to communicate the biblical teachings that have historically set Baptist churches apart from other churches.
Biblical Authority
We believe that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament form the complete Bible. They are a final and complete revelation and are the ultimate authority for all matters of church doctrine, personal conduct, church polity, and worship. (I Tim 3:15; 1 Tim 2:13)
Autonomy of the Local Church
The local church should be self-governing (Acts 13:1-4, Matt 18:15-17; Acts 15), self-supporting (Mal 3:10), and self-propagating (Acts 13:1-3). The church should not be ruled by any government (John 18:36; Matt 22:21; Acts 5:29) or hierarchical structure (Acts 14:23).
Local churches should remain ecclesiastically separate from other churches, denominations, and associations that do not accept the gospel and the fundamentals of the faith (Gal 1:9). Local churches should withhold their fellowship from other Gospel preaching churches that do not live in obedience to the Bible (2 Thes 3:14-15).
Priesthood of the Believer
Every born-again believer has direct access to the throne of God (Heb 4:16, 1 Tim 2:5). Therefore, since every child of God shares in the priesthood of the believers, they all have the ability to communicate with God, interpret Scripture, and minister in Christ’s name (1 Cor 2:10, 1 Peter 2:9, Heb 10:19). This makes places a great responsibility and call to service upon each believer.
Two Ordinances
The Church has been given two ordinances by Christ to perform in this age, baptism and communion. These ordinances do not save or wash away sin, but they are acts of obedience and remembrance (Acts 2:38; I Cor 11:25). Baptism should be performed by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit (Matt 28:19).
Individual Soul Liberty
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself. In accordance with this freedom, each person will be judged individually by God for his works on this earth.
(Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9; Ezekiel 18)
Saved, Baptized Church Membership
Local church membership is for individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Christ in believer’s baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3)
Two Offices
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church–pastor and deacon. The three terms–”pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop” all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church.
(1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:1-2)