STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Holy Scriptures
We believe the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbal, plenary, inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and practice, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16–17;
2 Peter 1:20–21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12–13).
The Godhead
We believe in one triune God eternally existing; manifested in three personal distinctions known respectively as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Luke 1:31–32; 1 Peter 1:2–3; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
The Person and Work of Christ
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
The Total Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, and by the direct act of God; but that in Adam’s sin the entire human race fell, inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God, and that man is totally depraved and of himself utterly unable to remedy this lost condition (Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:22–23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3, 12).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8–10; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19; John 1:12).
The Eternal Security and Assurance of the Believer
The Believer
The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
The Church
The Ordinances
We believe that the ordinances which are committed to the visible church are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion, in water, of a believer in Christ, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and symbolizes his spiritual resurrection to newness of life, and identification with Christ. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of His sacrificial death, and symbolizes the fact that the believer is continuously fed and nourished by Christ (Matthew 3:6, 13–17, 28:19–20; Mark 1:9–11; Acts 8:36–38; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 26:26–30; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:19–20; Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29).
The Personality of Satan
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6–7; Isaiah 14:12–17; Matthew 4:2–11, 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
The Eternal State
Creation
We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin (Genesis 1–2; Exodus 20:11).
Human Sexuality and Marriage
Sanctity of Life
Life is a gift of God and must be respected and defended from conception until natural death (Exodus 20:13, 23:7; Psalm 51:5; 139:14–16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15–18; Luke 1:44).
The Lord’s Day
We believe that the first day of the week is to be observed as the Lord’s day, and is a day of rest for Christian fellowship, worship and communion with God (John 20:10, 26; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2).
Civil Government
We believe that the civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society, and 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 Prince of the kings of the earth (2 Samuel 23:3; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:1–8; Romans 13:1–7; Acts 4:18–20; Revelation 19:16).
The Second Advent of Christ
We believe in that “blessed hope,” the personal, imminent, pre-tribulational and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones, and in His subsequent return to earth, with His saints, to establish His Millennial Kingdom
(1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Zechariah 14:4–11; Revelation 19:11–16, 20:1–6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
We believe the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbal, plenary, inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and practice, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16–17;
2 Peter 1:20–21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12–13).
The Godhead
We believe in one triune God eternally existing; manifested in three personal distinctions known respectively as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Luke 1:31–32; 1 Peter 1:2–3; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
The Person and Work of Christ
- We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man
(John 1:1–3; Luke 1:35). - We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24–4:25; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3–5).
- We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where as our high priest, He fulfills the ministry of representative, intercessor, and advocate (Acts 1:9–10; Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2).
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
- We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all born-again believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8–11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13–14).
- We believe that He is the divine teacher who guides believers into all truth, and that it is the privilege and responsibility of all born-again believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; 1 John 2:27; Ephesians 5:18).
The Total Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, and by the direct act of God; but that in Adam’s sin the entire human race fell, inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God, and that man is totally depraved and of himself utterly unable to remedy this lost condition (Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 3:22–23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3, 12).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:8–10; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19; John 1:12).
The Eternal Security and Assurance of the Believer
- We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37–40; John 10:27–30; Romans 8:1, Romans 8:38–39; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8; 1 Peter 1:5).
- We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word; which, however, clearly forbids use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh (Romans 13:13–14; Galatians 5:16; Titus 2:11–15).
The Believer
- The Believer’s Two Natures—We believe that every saved person possesses two natures, with provisions made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; and that all claims to the eradication of the old nature, in this life, are unscriptural (Romans 6:13, 8:12–13; Galatians 5:16–25; Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:14–16; 1 John 3:5–9).
- The Believer and Separation—We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord: that separation from worldly pleasures and practices should be practiced, that everything we do should be to the honor and glory of the Lord (2 Timothy 3:1–5; Romans 12:1–2; 14:13; 1 John 2:15–17; 2 John 9:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; Colossians 3:17).
- The Believer and Missions—We believe that it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and by word to the truths of Holy Scriptures, and to seek to proclaim the gospel to all mankind (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19–20).
The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
- We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; and that the gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers are sufficient for the perfecting of the saints today; and that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accord with His own will for the sick, needy, and afflicted (1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:7–12; John 15:7;
1 John 5:14–15. - We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing (1 Corinthians 13:8; 14:21–22).
The Church
- We believe that the Church is the body and bride of Christ who is the bridegroom and is made up of all born-again persons of this present church age (Ephesians 1:22–23, 5:25–27; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; 2 Corinthians 11:2).
- We believe that this church is manifested through the local church which is a congregation of true believers who have been immersed upon their confession of faith in Christ and associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word; and that its officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scripture. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations—ecclesiastical or political, that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit.
- We believe the church and state must forever be separate entities, as each having different functions, and each with responsible duties, free from dictation or the patronage of the other. We believe 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 each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and that on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
The Ordinances
We believe that the ordinances which are committed to the visible church are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion, in water, of a believer in Christ, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and symbolizes his spiritual resurrection to newness of life, and identification with Christ. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of His sacrificial death, and symbolizes the fact that the believer is continuously fed and nourished by Christ (Matthew 3:6, 13–17, 28:19–20; Mark 1:9–11; Acts 8:36–38; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 26:26–30; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:19–20; Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29).
The Personality of Satan
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6–7; Isaiah 14:12–17; Matthew 4:2–11, 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
The Eternal State
- We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28–29, 11:25–26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12–15).
- We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and immediately present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; Revelation 20:4–6; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; I Thessalonians 4:16–17).
- We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until the second resurrection and judgment of the great white throne at the close of the millennium, when, with the soul and body reunited, they shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment (Luke 16:19–26; Matthew 25:41–46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Mark 9:43–48; Revelation 20:11–15).
Creation
We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin (Genesis 1–2; Exodus 20:11).
Human Sexuality and Marriage
- We believe that the only scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. We believe that God intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Although divorced-and-remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon (Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14–17; Matthew 19:3–12; Romans 7:1–3; 1 Corinthians 7:10–11; Ephesians 5:22–23; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6).
- We believe that God has commanded that no sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of fornication, including but not limited to homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, adultery, and pornography, are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex (Genesis 2:24; 19:5, 13; 26:8–9; Leviticus 18:1–30; Romans 1:26–29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8; Hebrews 13:4).
Sanctity of Life
Life is a gift of God and must be respected and defended from conception until natural death (Exodus 20:13, 23:7; Psalm 51:5; 139:14–16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15–18; Luke 1:44).
The Lord’s Day
We believe that the first day of the week is to be observed as the Lord’s day, and is a day of rest for Christian fellowship, worship and communion with God (John 20:10, 26; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2).
Civil Government
We believe that the civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society, and 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 Prince of the kings of the earth (2 Samuel 23:3; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:1–8; Romans 13:1–7; Acts 4:18–20; Revelation 19:16).
The Second Advent of Christ
We believe in that “blessed hope,” the personal, imminent, pre-tribulational and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones, and in His subsequent return to earth, with His saints, to establish His Millennial Kingdom
(1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Zechariah 14:4–11; Revelation 19:11–16, 20:1–6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
THE BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES
The teachings below emerged as Baptist distinctives because individual Baptist churches have consistently and independently held to them, not because some group of Baptist leaders composed the list and then imposed the distinctives on local churches.
Church groups other than Baptists have held some of the Baptist distinctives, and one may even find churches that hold all of the distinctives but do not call themselves Baptist. Such groups are “baptistic,” but for some reason they choose not to be identified as Baptists. On the other hand, some churches naming themselves “Baptist” are not truly Baptist because they no longer hold the historic Baptist beliefs or even the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
Baptists are people of the Book above all else, and Baptists enjoy a priceless heritage of generations who have exalted God’s Son our Savior and have proclaimed God’s inspired Word.
These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word “BAPTISTS.”
B — Biblical Authority
The Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute truth and authority of God Himself, therefore it is the final and sole authority in every aspect of faith and practice. No denomination, fellowship, creed, church covenant or constitution, pastoral opinion, or any other human prescription may override the Bible (2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Acts 5:29; Mark 7:7–9).
A — Autonomy of the Local Church
The local assembly answers to no authority other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Head of the church, therefore, it is independent and self-governing. No denominational hierarchy of any kind may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Any tie with a like-minded fellowship or association can never involve capitulation to that group as an authority (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:21–22; 5:23–24; Revelation 2:1; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, 19, 23).
P — Priesthood of the Believer
Every believer is a “priest” of God, having equal access to God’s presence in prayer through our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator—whether titled pastor, minister, priest, bishop, or pope—is qualified or necessary. As a priest, the believer can personally study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; 5:9, 10; Hebrews 4:14–16).
T — Two Ordinances
The Lord Jesus Christ has instituted two ordinances and no others: 1) the baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; 8:12; Romans 6:4); and 2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, the memorial of His death (broken body and shed blood) for our sins (Matthew 28:19–20;
1 Corinthians 11:23–32).
I — Individual Soul Liberty
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the freedom to choose what he believes is right regarding spiritual things. No one can or should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have historically opposed religious persecution. This liberty does not exempt any man from his responsibility to the Word of God or from his accountability to God Himself (Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9).
S — Saved, Baptized Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who profess personal faith in Christ, have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism, and whose manner of life is consistent with the Word of God. Only in this way can a oneness in Christ exist, and members strive 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; 1 Corinthians 5:1–11; Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14).
T — Two Offices
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church—pastor and deacons. These exist within the local assembly, not outside or over it. The three terms—“pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop” or “overseer”—all refer to various aspects of the same office
(1 Timothy 3:1–13; 4:14; Acts 6:1–6; 20:17–38; Titus 1:5).
S — Separation: Personal and Ecclesiastical
God desires the church—each believer personally and the assembly as a whole—to maintain a standard of purity in conduct, doctrine, and purpose. This necessitates a separation both to God and from the world. The believer is to abstain from all that pertains to the works of the flesh, and the church is to be separate from all false doctrine and ungodliness, and from any alliance with civil government (Romans 12:1–2; Galatians 5:16–21; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; James 4:4; 2 Corinthians 10:3–4a; Ephesians 5:7–11; 1 John 4:1–3; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 John 7–11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14–15; Titus 3:10; Romans 16:17–20; Matthew 22:21; Acts 15:17–29).
Church groups other than Baptists have held some of the Baptist distinctives, and one may even find churches that hold all of the distinctives but do not call themselves Baptist. Such groups are “baptistic,” but for some reason they choose not to be identified as Baptists. On the other hand, some churches naming themselves “Baptist” are not truly Baptist because they no longer hold the historic Baptist beliefs or even the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
Baptists are people of the Book above all else, and Baptists enjoy a priceless heritage of generations who have exalted God’s Son our Savior and have proclaimed God’s inspired Word.
These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word “BAPTISTS.”
B — Biblical Authority
The Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute truth and authority of God Himself, therefore it is the final and sole authority in every aspect of faith and practice. No denomination, fellowship, creed, church covenant or constitution, pastoral opinion, or any other human prescription may override the Bible (2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Acts 5:29; Mark 7:7–9).
A — Autonomy of the Local Church
The local assembly answers to no authority other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Head of the church, therefore, it is independent and self-governing. No denominational hierarchy of any kind may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Any tie with a like-minded fellowship or association can never involve capitulation to that group as an authority (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:21–22; 5:23–24; Revelation 2:1; 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, 19, 23).
P — Priesthood of the Believer
Every believer is a “priest” of God, having equal access to God’s presence in prayer through our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator—whether titled pastor, minister, priest, bishop, or pope—is qualified or necessary. As a priest, the believer can personally study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; 5:9, 10; Hebrews 4:14–16).
T — Two Ordinances
The Lord Jesus Christ has instituted two ordinances and no others: 1) the baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; 8:12; Romans 6:4); and 2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, the memorial of His death (broken body and shed blood) for our sins (Matthew 28:19–20;
1 Corinthians 11:23–32).
I — Individual Soul Liberty
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the freedom to choose what he believes is right regarding spiritual things. No one can or should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have historically opposed religious persecution. This liberty does not exempt any man from his responsibility to the Word of God or from his accountability to God Himself (Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9).
S — Saved, Baptized Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who profess personal faith in Christ, have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism, and whose manner of life is consistent with the Word of God. Only in this way can a oneness in Christ exist, and members strive 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; 1 Corinthians 5:1–11; Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14).
T — Two Offices
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church—pastor and deacons. These exist within the local assembly, not outside or over it. The three terms—“pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop” or “overseer”—all refer to various aspects of the same office
(1 Timothy 3:1–13; 4:14; Acts 6:1–6; 20:17–38; Titus 1:5).
S — Separation: Personal and Ecclesiastical
God desires the church—each believer personally and the assembly as a whole—to maintain a standard of purity in conduct, doctrine, and purpose. This necessitates a separation both to God and from the world. The believer is to abstain from all that pertains to the works of the flesh, and the church is to be separate from all false doctrine and ungodliness, and from any alliance with civil government (Romans 12:1–2; Galatians 5:16–21; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; James 4:4; 2 Corinthians 10:3–4a; Ephesians 5:7–11; 1 John 4:1–3; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 John 7–11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14–15; Titus 3:10; Romans 16:17–20; Matthew 22:21; Acts 15:17–29).