THE DECLARATION OF OUR FAITH
Updated 2015
1. THE SCRIPTURES. We believe in the infallible, verbal inspiration of the whole Bible, that God is its author, that it has truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction with the salvation of sinners and the instruction of the saints unto all good works for its end; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man, the true center of Christian union; the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, doctrines and opinions should be tried.
2. THE TRUE GOD. We believe that there is one, and only one live, 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 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 office.
3. JESUS CHRIST. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit; that He was born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever or can ever be born of woman; that He took upon Himself our nature yet without sin; that He was God manifest in the flesh; that He fulfilled every jot and tittle of the Divine and the ceremonial laws of Moses; that God laid upon Him our sins; that He bore them in His own body on the cross; that He died for our sins, not for an example but as the substitutionary Lamb of God; that in Him was fulfilled and ended all the sacrifices and offerings for sin; that He was buried and rose again the third day; and after forty days ascended “to the right hand of God” in heaven itself; that He is there now our merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, our only advocate and intercessor, the only mediator between God and men; that this same Jesus shall come again suddenly, bodily, personally and visibly; that He will judge both the saved and the unsaved; that He will sit upon the throne of David and rule and reign with His Blood-washed redeemed people of every kindred and tongue and people and nation for ever and ever; that it is the duty of all believers to constantly look for Him and to live in readiness for His coming, making manifest to all men the reality and the power of this hope in Christ.
4. THE HOLY SPIRIT. We believe the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent of the New Birth; that He seals, endures, guides, enlightens, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believers.
5. THE DEVIL. We believe in a personal Devil, that he is the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the author and Lord of all the powers of darkness—destined however to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
6. THE FALL OF MAN. We believe that the first three chapters of Genesis are the historical facts of God’s creation of all things and that the creation was the direct act of God; that man was created in innocence, in the image and likeness of God, 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 by 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 of excuse.
7. 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 became our substitute being made a curse for us, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven; and united in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections. He is in every way the qualified, suitable, compassionate and the all sufficient Savior.
8. JUSTIFICATION. We believe that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ; that justification includes the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life; 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 makes available every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
9. SANCTIFICATION. We believe that sanctification is setting apart or separation unto God, and not the eradication of one’s carnality or sinful nature, that all who believe in Christ Jesus as Savior are sanctified unto God, by the blood of Christ, and the Spirit of God, and that it is the duty of all who are saved to sanctify or separate themselves in like manner unto the purpose for which they have been sanctified, this being enjoined upon them and made possible by the word and Spirit of God, in self examination, self denial, watchfulness and prayer.
10. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION. We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel of Christ; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept Him by a cordial penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of any sinner of earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel of Christ; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
11. GRACE IN REGENERATION. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that the new birth is a creation in Christ Jesus, that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the sinner is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life and is made a new Creature in Christ; that this new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by character, not by culture, not any works of righteousness upon our part but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth; so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel of Christ; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith and newness of life.
12. REPENTANCE AND FAITH. We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our soul 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 and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
13. GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE. 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 of Christ; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
14. THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS. We believe that such as are truly born again will not utterly fall away and perish but will 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,” which culminates in the final glorification of the saints.
15. 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 arise entirely from their love of sin; to deliver from which, and to restore them through a mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the Gospel of Christ, and of means of grace connected with the establishment of the church.
16. THE TRUE CHURCH . We believe that a church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a congregation of baptized believers; associated by a covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel of Christ; taking the Holy Bible as the only rule of faith and practice; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and the privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are bishop or pastor and deacons; that the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission, Matt. 28:19-20; that the only head of the church is Christ; that the sole authority for faith and practice is the Scriptures; that such a church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any.
17. MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH . We believe that the Missionary Baptist Church originated not at the reformation, not in the Dark Ages, not in any century after the Apostles; that no personality this side of Christ Jesus is a satisfactory explanation of their origin; that the first Baptist church was the church at Jerusalem which originated during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ; that Baptist principles are as old as Christianity; that the likeness of the Baptist church to the churches during the days of the Apostles constitute them the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ.,
18. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER. We believe that Scriptural baptism is the immersion in water of a saved person in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost by the authority of a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to show forth in a solemn and beautiful symbol our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and our death to sin and resurrection to the new life; that it is a prerequisite to the privilege 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 death of Christ until He comes, preceded always by solemn examination.
19. THE LORD’S DAY. We believe 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 sinful recreation, 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.
20. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Those only who are justified in the name of the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His sight; those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the condemnation of the law. This distinction between the righteous and the wicked holds in and after death, and will be made manifest at the judgment when final and everlasting rewards are made to all men.
21. THE RESURRECTION. We believe in the actual bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ; that the same body that was nailed to the cross and laid into the tomb was “again the third day according to the Scriptures” raised glorified and in it Christ ascended into heaven and is there now at God’s right hand making intercession for us; that just as sure as Christ arose from the dead that there will be a resurrection of the just and a resurrection of the unjust; that the bodies of the righteous will not only be spiritual but incorruptible, immoral “fashioned like unto His glorious body,” prepared to ever be with the Lord; while the unjust shall be raised with the bodies prepared to consciously suffer forever “their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” We believe the two resurrections shall be separated by the literal reign of Christ upon the earth.
22. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. We believe that God alone is Lord of the conscience, and that He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and State should be separated. The States owes to the church protection and full freedom, in the pursuit of its spiritual ends, in providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the State more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The Gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The State has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The State has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right free and unhindered access to God on the part of men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the Civil power.
23. MARRIAGE. Marriage is a biblical institution established by God as clearly described in the scriptures. This church recognizes that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for their lifetime. Accordingly, our church pastors, staff and members will not participate in same sex unions or same sex marriages, not shall this church property or resources be use for such purposes. Scripture References: Genesis 2:15-24, Mark 10: 1-9.
24. HUMAN SEXUALITY. The Bible teaches that legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. This church believes all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, bestiality, bisexual conduct, fornication, incest, homosexuality, pornography, sodomy or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God. Anyone who is openly part of the sinful practices list above in Items 23 and 24 shall not assume any role that may be construed as membership in this church. Scripture References: Adultery – Exodus 20:12-17, Proverbs 5:15-20, Hebrews 13:4, Bestiality – Leviticus 18:23, Bisexual Conduct – Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:18-32, Fornicaton – Mark 7:20-23, Romans 13:11-34, I Corinthians 5:11, I Corinthians 6:9-11, Homosexuality – Genesis 19:4-7, Leviticus 18:22, I Corinthians 6:9-11, I Timothy 1:9-11, Jude 1:7, Incest – Leviticus 18:1-30, I Corinthians 5:1, Obedience – Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Joshua 24:13, John 14:15, Galatians 5:16-24, Revelation 20:11-15, Pornography – Ezekiel 23:14-21, Matthew 5:27-28, Romans 13:13-14, Sodomy – I Corinthians 6:9-11, I Timothy 1:9-11, Jude 1:7, Transgender – Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:15-25