A Bible Baptist is one who believes in a supernatural Bible, which tells of a supernatural Christ, Who had a supernatural birth, Who spoke supernatural words, Who performed supernatural miracles, Who lived a supernatural life, Who died a supernatural death, Who rose in supernatural power, Who ascended in supernatural splendor, Who intercedes as a supernatural priest and Who will one day return in supernatural glory to establish a supernatural kingdom on the earth.
I. Of The Scriptures
We
believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired;
that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and
therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete
and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of
Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct,
creeds, and opinions should be tried.
By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
By “inspiration” we
mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as
they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their
writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error,
as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psa. 119:105, 130, 160; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45; Psa. 119:89; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; I Peter 1:23; Rev. 22:19; John 12:48; Isa. 8:20; Eph. 6:17; Rom. 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psa. 19:7-11; John 5:45-47; John 5:39
II. Of The True God
We
believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an
infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and
earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible
honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are
three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every
divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the
great work of redemption.
Ex. 20:2-3; Gen 17:1; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; Psa. 83:18; Psa. 90:2; Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11; I Tim 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5; I Cor. 2:10-11; Phil 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14
III. Of The Holy Spirit
We
believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the
Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the
creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains
the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin,
of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of
the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New
Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and
helps the believer.
John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1;1-3; II Thess. 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John16:13; Rom. 8:14; Rom. 8:16; II Thess. 2:13; I Peter 1:2; Rom. 8:26-27
IV. Of The Devil, Or Satan
We
believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but
through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after
him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power
of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's
great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the
saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the
present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the
powers of darkness – destined however to final defeat at the hands of
God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a
place prepared for him and his angels.
Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; II Peter2:4; Eph. 2:2; John 14:30; I Thess. 3:5; Matt. 4:1-3; I Peter.5:8; I John 3:8; Matt. 13:39; Luke 22:3-4; Rev. 12:10; II Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4:3; II John7; I John 2:22; Rev. 13:13-14; II Thess. 2:8-11; Rev. 19:11,16, 20; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev. 20:1-3, 10; Matt. 25:41.
V. Of The Creation
We
believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be
accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was
created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that
man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of
species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower
to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly
and God’s established law was that they should bring for only “after
their kind.” Since God created mankind into genders distinctly male and
female, we believe that the only legitimate marriage is that between a
man and a woman. He has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be
engaged in outside of marriage. We believe that any form of
homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication,
adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.
We believe that God rejects any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery
or appearance.
Gen. 1.1; Ex 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; John 1:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6; Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:21-23; Gen. 1:11; Gen. 1:24.
VI. Of The Fall Of Man
We
believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker,
but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in
consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint,
but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or
excuse.
Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:12, 19; Rom. 3:10-19; Eph. 2:1, 3; Rom. 1:18; Ezek.18:19-20; Rom. 1:20, 28, 32; Gal. 3:22
VII. Of The Virgin Birth
We
believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a
miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born
or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and
God, the Son.
Gen 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psa. 2:7; Gal. 4:4; I John 5:20; I Cor. 15:47
VIII. Of The Atonement For Sin
We
believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the
mediatorial offices of the Son of God, Who by appointment of the Father,
freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine
law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and
vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in
setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary
substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the
unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree;
that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and
uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine
perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a
compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.
Eph. 2:8; Acts
15:11; Rom. 3:24; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa.
53:4-7; Rom. 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21; John 10:18;
Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 2:24; I Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53:11; Heb. 12:2; I
Cor. 15:20;
Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:2
IX. Of Grace In The New Creation
We
believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the
new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous
and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and
in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal
life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a
manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by
the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit
in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience
to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of
repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3; II Cor. 5:17; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 1:12-13; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:9.
X. Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We
believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are
made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to
accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and nothing
prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own
inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which
rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
I Thess. 1:4; Col. 3:12; I Pet. 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom. 8:29-30; Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6:37; Isa. 55:6; Acts 2:38; Isa. 55:7; John 3:15-16; I Tim. 1:15; I Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5; John 5:40; John 3:18; John 3:36
XI. Of Justification
We
believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as
believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon
of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness;
that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness
which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood,
His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11, Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:1, 9; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 1:17; Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:1-8; Heb. 10:38.
XII. Of Repentance And Faith
We
believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also
inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of
God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and
helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with
unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the
same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing
Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Psa. 51:7; Isa. 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Rom. 10:9-11 157
XIII. Of The Church
We
believe that a Baptist church is a congregation of baptized believers
associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel, said
church being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the divine
and eternal grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His
laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by
His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders whose
qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the
scriptures.
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions of men and women in the home and in the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are to hold the leadership positions (pastors and deacons) in the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible of licensure and ordination for pastor by the church.
We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:4, 8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim. 3:1-13; Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; I Peter 1-4; Acts 15:22, Jude 3, 4; II Cor. 8:23-24, I Cor. 16:1; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32; I Cor. 16:2; I Cor. 6:1-3, I Cor. 5:11-13
XIV. Of Baptism And The Lord's Supper
We
believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer,
in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the
authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful
emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its
effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is
prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's
supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread
and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of
Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6; John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5; Matt. 3:16; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-28
XV. Of The Perseverance Of The Saints
We
believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that
their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which
distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special
Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the
power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
John 8:31-32; Col. 1:21-23; I John 2:19; Matt. 13:19-21; Rom. 8:28; Psa. 121:3; Heb. 1:14; I Peter. 1:5; Phil. 1:6; John 10:28-29; Rom. 8:35-39
XVI. Of The Righteous And The Wicked
We
believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the
righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God,
are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in
impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse,
and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the
everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious
suffering of the lost.
Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18;23; Rom. 6:17-18; Prov. 11:31; I Peter 1:18; Rom.1:17; I Cor. 15:22; Acts 10:34-25; I John 2:29; Rom. 6:16; I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; Rom.7:6; Rom. 6:23; Prov.14:32; Luke 16:25; Matt.25:34,41; John 8:21, Luke 9:26; John 12:25, Matt.7:13-14
XVII. Of Civil Government
We
believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the
interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be
prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things
opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of
the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Rom. 13:7; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21 -22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:1-14; Acts 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17-18; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:10; Phil. 2:10-11; Psa.72:11, I Peter 2:17
XVIII. Of The Resurrection And Return Of Christ And Related Events
We
believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at
their face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ
rose bodily “The third day according to the Scriptures”; that He
ascended “to the right hand of the throne of God”; that He alone is our
“merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God”; “that
this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in
like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven,” bodily, personally, and
visibly; that the “dead in Christ shall rise first”; that the living
saints “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at
the last trump”; “that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of
His father David”; and that “Christ shall reign a thousand years in
righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet.”
Matt. 28:6-7; Acts 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-7; Acts 1:9, 11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1; Heb. 12:2; Heb. 8:6; I Tim. 2:5; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5:9-10; John 14:3; I Thess. 4:16; Matt.24:27, 42; Heb. 9:28; I Cor. 15:42-44, 51-53; I Thess. 4:17; Phil. 3:20-21; Luke 1:32; I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 11:4-5; Psa. 72:8, Rev. 20:1-4; Rev. 20:6
XIX. Of Missions
The command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches.
Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
John 20:21, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Romans 10:13-15, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
XX. Of The Grace Of Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith.
2 Corinthians 8:7, “Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”
We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week.
1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
Under Grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe – “Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils,” - Hebrews 7:2,4 – and this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the new Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, “these ought ye to have done”, Matthew 23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church.
Leviticus 27:30, “The tithe ... is the Lord's.”
Malachi 3:10, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the church.
Acts 4:34,35,37, “And brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles' feet ... Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it AT THE APOSTLES' FEET.”