A statement of our teaching is simply a summary of our beliefs for those outside the church, to provide a quick reference for those checking us out. Understand that this is only a summary. Likewise, the scripture references provided here are provided in summary. In every case, we would refer you to the whole of scripture for a complete examination of what we believe. As a church, we affirm the Baptist Faith and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention June 14, 2000. It is also a summary and should be considered in that light. Regarding:
I. The Scriptures
We believe the 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 should be tried.
2 Timothy 3:15-17; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 2:12; 1 John 4:1
II. The One True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God. He is 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 Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Exodus 15:11; Psalm 83:18, 147:5; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 2:12-13, 10:10; Matthew 10:37, 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24, 5:17, 10:30, 14:23, 15:26, 17:5, 17:10; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 1:20; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 12:4-6; Ephesians 2:18; Philippians 2:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 3:4; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 1:4-5, 4:6-8, 4:11
III. Man
We believe that mankind is the special creation of God, created in the very image and likeness of God. Further, we believe that he was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; 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. Only the grace of God can bring man into fellowship with God. Because the creator died for the salvation of all people, every person has worth and deserves respect and Christian love befitting one bearing the image of God.
Psalm 34:1-22, 89:19; Isaiah 42:21, 53:4-5; Matthew 18:11, 20:28; John 1:1-14, 3:16; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:21-26, 4:25; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, 15:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:3; Philippians 2:8-9, 14; Colossians 2:18, 3:1-4; Hebrews 1:3, 1:8, 4:14, 7:25-26, 9:13-15, 12:24; 1 John 2:3, 4:10;
IV. 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 substitutional and sacrificial death made a full atonement for the guilt earned by our sins; 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 for all who will freely believe.
Psalm 34:1-22, 89:19; Isaiah 42:21, 53:4-5, 53:11-12; Zechariah 13:1; Matthew 9:6, 18:11, 20:28; John 1:1-16, 3:16; Acts 10:43, 13:39, 15:11; Romans 3:21-26, 4:4-5, 4:23-25, 5:1-3, 5:9-11, 5:17-19, 5:21, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 1:31-31, 3:5-7, 15:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:3, 3:8; Philippians 2:8-9, 14, 3:7-9; Colossians 2:18, 3:1-4; 1 Timothy 4:8; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 1:3, 1:8, 4:14, 7:25-26, 9:13-15, 12:24; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 2:3, 2:12, 2:25, 4:10;
IV. A. Regeneration, sometimes referred to as the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers move from death to life and become new creations in Christ. Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person who, repenting of his sin, accepts by faith the salvation that is found in Jesus Christ.
IV. B. Justification is a glorious blessing from God in that the believer in the work of Christ gains the righteousness of Christ and his sins are applied to the account of Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace with God and secures the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness. Justification 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.
V. Repentance And Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating 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.
Psalm 2:6, 51:1-19; Mark 1:15; Luke 15:18-21, 18:13; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38, 3:22-23, 11:18, 16:30-31; Romans 10:9-11; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 1:12 James 4:7-10; 1 John 5:1; Hebrews 1:8, 4:14, 7:25
VI. God’s Purpose Of Grace
We believe that Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He offers salvation to sinners; 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.
Exodus 33:18-19; Isaiah 42:16; Jeremiah 31:3; Matthew 20:15, 20:16; Luke 18:7; John 6:37-40, 10:16, 15;16; Acts 1:24, 13:48, 15:14; Romans 3:27, 4:16, 8:28-30, 9:23-24, 11:5-6, 11:28-29, 11:32-36; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, 3:5-7, 9:22, 15:10; Ephesians 1:3-14; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:12 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10, 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:8-9, 2:10; Hebrews 6:11; James 1:17-18; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 2:9, 5:10; 2 Pet 1:10-11; 1 John 4:19
VII. 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 and sealed until the day of judgement.
John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 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; Ps 91:11-12; Phil 1:6; Phil 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb1:14; 2 Kgs 6:16; Heb 13:5; 1 John 4:4
VIII. The Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in Acts and the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Matthew 18:17; John 14:15, 15:12; Acts 2:41-42, 2:47, 5:11, 6:1-7, 8:1, 11:21-23, 14:23, 15:22, 18:15-20, 28:20; Romans 16:17-20; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3, 4:17, 5:6, 5:12-13, 11:2, 11:23-24, 14:12, 14:23; 2 Corinthians 2:17, 8:5; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:7; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; 1 John 14:21; 2 John 6
IX. Baptism And The Lord’s Supper
Scriptural Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit; 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 pre-requisite 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 juice, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Matthew 3:5-6, 26:26-29, 28:19-20; Mark 14:22-25, 16:16; Luke 22:14-20; John 3:22-23, 4:12, 6:26; Acts 2:38-42, 8:12, 8:36-39. 10:47-48, 16:32-34, 18:, 22:16; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, 11:17-32, Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:12; 1 Pet 3:20-21;
X. The Lord’s Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day and is to be kept sacred by all the church body by the devout observance of God’s grace in opportunities to worship, both private and public. It is a day of spiritual devotion to the Lord, a day of spiritual, physical, and emotional rest.
Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:8; Leviticus 19:30; Psalm 26:8, 87:3, 118:15, 24; Isaiah 56:2-8, 58:13-14; Mark 2:27; Luke 4:16; John 20:19; Acts 11:26, 13:44, 17:2-3, 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 4:3-11, 10:24-25; Revelation 1:10
XI. Of Civil Government
We believe 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.
Exodus 18:23; Deuteronomy 16:18; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalm 2:1-12, 72:11; Jeremiah 30:21; Daniel 3:15-18, 6:7-10; Matthew 22:21, 23:10, 28:1-20; Acts 4:18-20, 5:29; Romans 13:1-7, 14:4, 14:9-13; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; Revelation 19:16
II Timothy 2:15 - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."