All churches and all Christians have belief systems. Beliefs are sometimes called “doctrines.” Although some people think doctrines are boring and stuffy, they are important. Here’s why? What you believe determines how you behave.
Our church’s full doctrinal statement is the Baptist Faith and Message. What follows are nine key areas from our church’s doctrinal statement.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is co-equal with God the Father. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. After three days, He arose from the dead to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and lord of lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives all believers a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-15; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
The Bible is God’s Word. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living; and because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5
People are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only be trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his or her life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
A local church is the body of baptized believers who are united by their common faith in Jesus Christ. Only believers in Christ are subjects for membership in the church. Only believers are candidates for baptism. Jesus gave the church two symbolic ordinances (commands): baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In the Bible, the church is called “the body of Christ”, “the people of God”, “the family of believers’, and “the bride of Christ”. The local church is an expression of the kingdom of God.
Acts 2:42-47; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:36-37; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Ephesians 2:19; Revelation 19:7-9; Matthew 6:9-13
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. IF you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. The be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 14:19; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 2 Peter 2:4
