The Holy Bible is the inspired word of God and is the only basis for any statement of faith and practice. This church is in agreement with the doctrinal statement of “The Baptist Faith and Message” as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000. We also will offer the following explanation of our basic beliefs:
The Bible...
is the divinely inspired, written revelation of God to mankind and is the source for determining all doctrine and moral standards. The Bible reveals to us the nature of our relationship with God and provides His invitation to all to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
God…
is God; there is no Other. He is the creator and sustainer of the universe. Though God is One, He reveals himself to mankind as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father…
is sovereign. His sovereignty is expressed through his relationship with all He has created. His nature defines for us the meaning of love and wisdom. He is the source and sustainer of all life.
God the Son…
became the perfect mediator between God the Father and humanity through his incarnation. He was both fully human and fully divine. He did not sin, but was completely obedient to the Father, even in His death, when he willingly gave himself to be a sacrifice for our sin. He was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven where He remains until the end of time.
God the Holy Spirit…
is the Spirit of God. He lives in every believer to guide us in our walk with God and to confirm our salvation. He convicts those who are lost of their need for salvation through Jesus Christ. He provides power and vision to the church.
Mankind…
was made in God’s image and for His glory. However, mankind has chosen to become disobedient and thus suffers alienation from God. This alienation carries with it the punishment of death and eternal separation from God. God, in His mercy, has provided a plan by which people may pass from death to life. This plan gives mankind the opportunity to obtain an abundant life, as well as an eternal life, through faith in Jesus Christ.
Salvation…
is offered to all mankind through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Salvation is made available because of God’s grace and is realized through the believer’s faith in Christ. Salvation is a transforming process which puts us into a permanent, and righteous, relationship with God. Salvation involves the following:
1. A sincere turning from one’s sins to God;
2. Faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin;
3. A commitment to follow Christ;
4. God’s “re-birthing” of the believer into a living being;
5. God’s acceptance of the believer as His child;
6. God’s perfecting of the believer toward moral and spiritual maturity; and
7. The anticipated, future completion of the believer’s development in eternity
Churches …
are organized bodies of believers. These believers are committed to doing the will of Jesus Christ by uniting together in a covenant relationship with other believers thus forming a community of worship, nurture, and evangelism. Christ is the head of each church. The pastors and deacons, officers of the church charged with the spiritual care of its members, are accountable to Christ.
Baptism…
is an act of obedience to Christ whereby a believer is immersed in water as a witness to the transforming work which Christ has performed upon his or her life, to the commitment the believer has made to be Christ’s disciple, and to the believer’s hope in the future resurrection of the dead in Christ.
The Lord’s Supper…
is an act of obedience whereby believers remember the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ through the partaking of unleavened bread and grape juice.
Worship…
is the adoration of God. Worship is vital to a believer’s life. Both private and corporate worship are commanded and modeled in the Bible. The church should provide opportunities to worship God that are Biblically grounded, God-honoring, creative, and culturally appropriate.
Discipleship…
is the process of becoming more like Christ. Each believer commits himself or herself to the goal of spiritual maturity through personal Bible study and prayer, through developing thoughts and attitudes that reflect Christ’s nature, and by relating to others in a Christ-like manner. The church provides its members with opportunities to mature through education and inspiration.
Evangelism…
is both a privilege and responsibility for the believer. Evangelism is the task of making Christ known to the world. The church is to equip its members with the tools needed to reach the un-reached, to keep evangelism and missions at the forefront of its activity, and to utilize effectively the spiritual gifts of each member in accomplishing the task.
Ministry…
is the means by which the temporal and eternal needs of others are met by believers. Ministry is directed by the Holy Spirit and is accomplished through the lives of committed believers who work individually as well as in a relationship of interdependence with other believers.
Fellowship…
is the oneness that exists between believers as a result of their relationship with God. The degree to which believers experience this oneness is dependent upon their love and commitment to one another. The greater the degree to which fellowship is accomplished and is demonstrated to non-believers, the greater benefit to the expansion of God’s kingdom.
Christ’s Return…
will occur at the time appointed by God the Father. Time will end and each person will be judged according to their relationship with Christ. Those who accepted Christ will receive a new body suited for eternal existence, their earthly works as believers will be judged, they will be rewarded accordingly; and, they will live eternally in perfect fellowship with God. The unrighteous will be separated from God and will be punished eternally for their rejection of Christ.