We are Baptist in doctrine, and that should say it all, but unfortunately
many people call themselves Baptist that do not hold to the doctrinal tenets
that would make them such. Therefore we feel it necessary to elaborate on
what we believe.The basis of what follows on this page is our "Articles of Faith,"
but they do not explain how we practice our faith, so we have also included a
fuller description of what we believe in these areas.
God
Scriptures
Man
Salvation
Justification
Grace
Sanctification
Perseverance of the Saints
The Law and Grace
Church
Civil Government
Righteous and the Wicked
Creation
Future Events
We believe that there is one, and only one, true and
living God; that He is absolute in nature, perfect in attributes, holy in
character, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; that He is infinite
in wisdom, marvelous in power, and amazing in love; that He is holy, righteous,
and true, worthy of all confidence and love; that He unites in Himself the
infinite, the eternal, and the Almighty Three -- God, the Father, the Son and
God, the Holy Spirit; that the three persons of The God-head subsist in the same
divine nature, essence and being; and that they are coexistent and coequal in
every divine attribute, each one executing distinct but harmonious offices in
the he great work of redemption.
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 should be tried.
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of
his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy 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.
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
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.
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 rejection involves him in
an aggravated condemnation.
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born
again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition 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.
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.
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.
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God,
according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves 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.
We believe that sanctification is the process by
which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that
it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is
carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy
Spirit, the Sealer, and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means -
especially, the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and
prayer.
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 that they are kept by the power of
God through faith unto salvation.
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.
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 is only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose
qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and
Titus.
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a
believer, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: 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 prerequisite 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 wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always
by solemn self-examination.
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.
We believe that there is a radical and essential
difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith
are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, 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.
We believe that the Genesis account of creation is the literal and exact truth, and must not be considered as allegorical or figurative. Man was created directly in God's own image and after his likeness. Man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms. All animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God's established law was they should bring forth "after their kind."
We believe that the end of this world is
approaching; that at the Last Day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the
dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then
take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the
righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final
state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
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