Statement Of Faith
1. Of the Holy Bible
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. We believe the King James Version of the Bible is the preserved Word of God for English speaking people. II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:21; I Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Ps. 119:11; Rom. 3:1-2; II Tim. 3:15; I Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39; Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4; Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; I Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48; Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; I Cor. 1:10; I Pet. 4:11.
2. Of the True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, 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.
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 men.
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death and shed blood on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
We believe 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.
We believe the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the whole world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, indwelling and sealing all true believers unto the day of redemption.
We believe the Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. John 4:24; Ps. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; I Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13;Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5; comp. 2, 7; Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2; II Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8; Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; I Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:3-5; Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; I John 2:1-2; John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:12-14; II Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14; Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; I John 2:20, 27.
3. Of Satan
We believe that Satan is a real person, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; 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; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10.
4. Of Creation
We believe that God created the heavens and earth in six literal 24-hour days. We reject evolution, the gap theory, the day-age theory, theistic evolution, and every other theory of creation except the six literal 24-hour days, as recorded by God in Genesis. Genesis 1-2; Ex. 20:11; Col. 1:16-17; John 1:3; Heb. 11:3; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 3:9.
5. 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 that sinless and happy state; in consequence of which all men are now sinners; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse. Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16; Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7; Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom 3:9-18; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22.
6. Of the Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the 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 atonement for the Elect; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; I John 4:10; I Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24; Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; II Cor. 5:21; Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21; Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; 3:21-26; I John 4:10; 2:2; I Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15; Heb. 1:8, 3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Ps. 89:19; Ps. 14.
7. 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 promise 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; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. John 1:16; Eph. 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; I Pet. 3:7; I John 2:25; Rom. 5:21; Rom 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9; Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; I John 2:12; Rom. 5:1-3, 11; I Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; I Tim. 4:8.
8. Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe 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 that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel, which involves him in an aggravated condemnation. Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17 ; Rom. 16:26 ; Mark 1:15 ; Rom 1:15 -17; John 5:40; Matt. 23:37 ; Rom. 9:32 ; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46; John 3:19; Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:27; II Thess. 1:8.
9. Of Grace in Regeneration
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy dispensation to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life. John 3:3, 6-7; I Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27; II Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; I John 4:7; John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; I Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13; I Pet. 1:22-25; I John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11; Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; I John 5:4, 18.
10. Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating, irresistible power of the Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced 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 as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; I John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; II Cor. 7:11; Rom. 10:12-13; Ps 51; Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Heb. 4:14; Ps. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 8:25; II Tim. 1:12.
11. Of God’s Purpose of Grace
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves His people; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence. II Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; I Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; I John 4:19; Hosea 12:9; II Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24; Jer. 31:3; Rom 11:28-29; James 1:17-18; II Tim. 1:9; Rom 11:32-36; I Cor. 4:7; 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16; Col. 3:12; I Cor. 3:5-7; 15:10; I Pet. 5:10; Acts 1:24; I Thess. 2:13; I Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 1:16; I Thess. 2:12; II Tim. 2:10; I Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; II Pet. 1:10; I Thess. 1:4-10; Rom. 8:28-30; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29; II Pet. 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11.
12. Of Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is a divine work of grace; that it is not a state of sinless perfection attained through a “second blessing” or through a special “Baptism of the Holy Ghost;” that it is an act of grace by which the believer is separated unto God and dedicated unto His righteous purpose; that by it we enter into divinely appointed privileges and thus become larger partakers of His holiness; that it is also a progressive work, begun in regeneration, and carried on in the life of every believer by the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God; and that it is nurtured only by Heaven’s appointed means, especially by the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the saved through his self-examination, obedience, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. I Thess. 4:3; 5:23 ; Rom. 15:16 ; Jer. 1:5; Prov. 4:18; John 17:17; II Cor. 3:18; I John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; I Tim. 4:5; Luke 9:23; Matt. 24:42; 7:7-11.
13. Of the Perseverance of 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 they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18; I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Ps. 121:3; 91:11-12; Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; II Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; I John 4:4.
14. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church. Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15; Rom. 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Ps. 119; Rom. 8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44; Rom. 8:2, 4; 10:4; I Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb. 12-14; Matt. 16:17-18; I Cor. 12:28.
15. Of the Local Church
We believe that a New Testament Baptist Church, according to divine purpose and plan, is a visible, local, organized body; that it is composed of baptized believers associated together by a covenant of faith and fellowship in the Gospel; that New Testament validity flows from strict obedience to essential principles of the New Testament; that it is a sovereign, independent, democratic, and militant body; that its ministry is gloriously blessed with the presence and leadership of the Holy Spirit and the light and revelation of the Written Word; that its work should ever be from within to without and never from without to within; that it is a self-governing body and is the sole judge, under the limitations of the Scriptures, of the measure and method of cooperation; that it is the only ecclesiastical tribunal the Lord has on earth; that its judgment concerning membership, missions, benevolence, cooperative alignments, and support is final; that it was personally founded by Christ Jesus during His ministry on earth; that it is subject to His laws and is the custodian of His ordinances; that the perpetuity of our faith, our doctrines and practices, ordinances and ordinations has been effected through the Holy Spirit personally planting and preserving local Baptist churches of like faith and order down through the centuries by a continual line of authority. Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 1:1-3; Acts 2:31-42; II Cor. 8:5; Matt. 16:19; 18:15-17; John 14:16-17, 26; Acts 1:8; 13:1-4; Matt. 18:17-18; 16:18-19; 26:26-29; 28:19-20; I Tim. 3:15; Mark 3:13-14; Luke 6:12-13.
16. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances personally set in the Church of the living God by the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that Baptism is the burial of a believer in water by the authority and instruction of the local Baptist Church; that it symbolizes the death and the burial and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; that it also typifies the believer’s death to sin, the burial of his old nature, and his resurrection unto a new life; and that it is administered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial table of unleavened bread and fermented wine administered by the authority and instruction of the local Baptist Church and observed by its members; that it symbolizes the broken body and the shed blood of the Son of God; that its observance points backward to the crucified Lord on Calvary and forward to the returning Lord in glory. We believe that these ordinances are not sacraments, but are sacred symbols, pointing to the world’s only Savior, and bidding the sons of men look unto an everlasting fellowship with the King of kings and Lord of lords when He shall return to take over the reins of all government. Matt. 26:26-29; 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 16:19; Acts 10:47; I Cor. 11:23 -24; 11:24 -25, 26.
17. Of the Lord’s Day
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and recreations, except works of mercy and necessity, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God. Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; I Cor. 16:1-2; Ex. 20:8-11; Rev. 1:10; Ps. 118:24; . 58:13-14; 56:2-8; Ps. 119:15; Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26 ; 13:44 ; Lev. 19:30; Ex. 46:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2-3; Ps. 26:8; 87:3; Heb. 4:3-11.
18. Of Civil Government
We believe that the local church and the State should be kept completely separate; that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and 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 Prince of the kings of the earth. Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; I Pet. 2:13-14; Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; I Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:23; Jer. 30:21; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13; I Tim. 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20.
19. 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 by and through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, 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 happiness of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 6:16; Rom. 1:17; 7:6; I John 2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; I Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; I Pet. 4:17-18; I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Ps. 10:4; Isa. 55:6-7; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23-26; John 12:25-26; Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-14.
20. Of Giving
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17-18; I John 3:17.
21. Of Human Sexuality
We believe God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, polygamy, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. Gen. 2:24; 19:5, 13; 28:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4.
22. Of Divorce and Remarriage
We believe that marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God and is intended to last until one of the spouses dies and that divorce is a sin. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may be members of Faith Baptist Church , they may never be considered for the office of pastor or deacon. Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6.
23. Of the Sanctity of Life
We believe that human life begins at conception and ends at death. We believe that assisting in the ending of life under any circumstances is sin. We further believe that an unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well being of the mother are acceptable. Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44.
24. Of the Return of Christ
We believe in the bodily, personal, imminent return of Jesus Christ; that He will first come in the air to catch away His Saints ushering in the seven year tribulation period; and that He will return all the way to the earth with His Saints at the close of the tribulation to judge the living nations and to set up His literal 1,000-year millennial kingdom on earth; following this the lost will be judged at the Great White Throne after which God will usher in eternity with a new heaven and new earth. I Thess. 4:13-18; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-7; 21:1; I Cor. 15:51-54; II Pet. 3:10-13.
25. Of the Resurrection
We believe in the resurrection of the bodies of the dead, both saved and lost; that the bodies of the saved shall be resurrected at the coming of Christ and reunited with their souls that are with the Lord; and that the lost shall be resurrected, after the millennial reign of Christ, from their present state of torment, to appear bodily before the Great White Throne to be eternally judged and cast into the lake of fire. John 5:21-30; I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:51-54; II Tim. 4:1; Rev. 7:9-17; 20:5-6, 11-15.