Statement of Faith:
The
entire Bible is the verbally inspired, inerrant Word of
God; the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
(2Timothy
3:16-17)
One God, eternally existent in three
persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Matthew
28:19)
Jesus Christ, His Deity, virgin birth,
sinless life, substitutionary death, burial, and bodily
resurrection, ascension to the right hand of the Father,
and future, personal return in power and glory.
(Colossians
2:9; Isaiah
7:14; Hebrews
4:15; 1
Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews
1:3; Matthew
24:44; Revelation
19)
The Holy Spirit of God comes to live
inside every believer at the moment of salvation. He empowers
us to live in obedience to Christ. He enables us to share
the message of God boldly. He seals us, gifts us, assures
us and empowers us to witness.
(Acts
1:8; Romans
8:15-16; 1
Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians
1:13-14)
All mankind is created in the image
of God, has great value and is the object of God’s
love. However, all have sinned and, therefore, need to
be saved. (Romans
3:10-11, 23) The only way of salvation is by grace
through faith in Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians
2:8,9; Romans
6:23; 10:9,
13;
John
14:6)
The Church is both universal and local.
The Universal Church means all born again believers of
all denominations. (Matthew
16:18; Ephesians
5:25; Philippians
3:6; Colossians
1:18) The Local Church means a local congregation
of believers united together for worship and ministry.
(Matthew
18:17; Acts
14:23; 1
Corinthians 1:1-2)
The two offices of the local church
are Pastors (also called Elders, Overseers) and Deacons.
(1
Timothy 3:1-13; Philippians
1:1)
The two ordinances of the local church
are Believer’s Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s
Supper. (Matthew
28:19; Acts
8:36-38; Romans
6:4; 1
Corinthians 11:23-26)
The local church is to be financially supported by the
free will offerings of its membership.
(1
Corinthians 16:1-2; 2
Corinthians 9:6-7)
(See the Baptist Faith and Message [2001 Revision] for
a fuller discussion.)