1. The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. The King James Bible is the preserved Word of God for the English-speaking people (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21).
2. The Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, eternally, existing in three persons- Father, Son, Holy Ghost, each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections, (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 1 John 5:7)
3. The Freeness of Salvation
We believe the Scriptures teach 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 except his own inherent depravity and voluntary refusal to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, which refusal will subject him to an aggravated condemnation.
(I Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; I Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1,6,7; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13; John 6:37; Acts 2:38; John 3:15,16; I Timothy 1:15; I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4,5; John 15:40; John 3:18,36)
4. Repentance
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance is a personal act, prompted by the Spirit of God; and consists in a godly sorrow over sin, as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; that it is accompanied with great humiliation in view of one’s sin and guilt, together with prayer for pardon; also by sincere hatred of sin, and a persistent turning away from, and abandonment of, all that is evil and unholy.
(Matthew 3:1,2; 4:17; Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19; 5:31; 17:30; 20:21; Luke 18:13; 24:47; II Corinthians 7:2; Romans 2:5; Isaiah 55:7; Psalm 51:1-4,7)
5. The Total Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin that human race fell, inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God; and that man is totally depraved, and, of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23, 5:12, 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3, 4:17-19).
6. Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (John 1:12; Rev. 1:5, Eph. 2:8-10).
7. The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
1. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 3:36, 6:37-40,10:27-30; 1 Peter 1:4-5).
2. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh (Romans 13:13-14; 1 John 2:15-17; Titus 2:12-15).
8. The Church
1. We believe that a Biblical Baptist Church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is solely made of born-again, baptized believers (Acts 2:41; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Eph. 5:25-27).
2. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local Baptist churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures ( Acts 20:17-28; 1 Timothy 3:13-16; Titus 1:5).
3. We believe in the autonomy of the local Baptist church free of any external authority or control ( 1 Cor. 3:9; Acts 13:1-4, 1 Peter 5:1-4).
4. We recognize water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the Baptist church in this age ( Matt. 28:19-21; Acts 2:21, 8:35-39; 1 Cor. 11:23-36). We do not accept alien baptism, and re-baptize people that have been saved, but were not baptized in a baptist church. Closed communion is the only form of communion we practice.
9. Missions
We believe that God has given the local Baptist church a Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. AS ambassadors of Christ we must use all scriptural means available to go to foreign nations and our own nation and not wait for them to come to us, (Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20).
10. Giving
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving; but, that every Christian should also give other freewill offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made, (Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 1 John 3:17).
11. Ecumenical Movement
We believe that the ecumenical movement is a demonic attempt to unite all Christian denominations around experience to the disregard of biblical doctrine. It emphasizes love at the expense of truth. All fellowship should be grounded in doctrine. (Acts 2:42) It is a betrayal of the unity of believers based upon sound doctrine of the historic Christian Faith. Its method of operation is subversive. Its concept of an ecclesiastical Kingdom is not supported by Scripture. We reject all cooperation with this movement. (2 Cor. 6:14-17)
12. Unchaste Conduct
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate physical activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, beastiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography is a sinful perversion of God's original intent for a physical relationship between a husband and wife. (Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:20-32; I Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:l-8; Hebrews 13:4)
13. Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, inexcusable taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
14. Independent Church
The New Testament church should be an independent church. We are not affiliated with any man-made external organization be it a Convention, Association, Fellowship, or National Denomination. Our only Head is the Lord Jesus Christ and our only headquarters is heaven. We fellowship with sister churches of like precious faith and practice, and support missionaries sent forth by the authority of such churches.
15. Baptist Distinctives
We believe that the strict, literal interpretation of the Bible makes us Baptists.
The Baptist Distinctives are easy to remember using the acronym B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S. Many Christians believe some of these distinctives, but true Baptists believe them all. The Baptist distinctives are listed below:
Bible Is The Authority
The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. It is the final authority on all matters of faith, practice, and polity. The tradition of men, human opinion, false science, religious creeds, nor popular opinion override the plain teaching of God's Word. The Bible is inspired and preserved by God and carries His absolute authority. Baptists believe the Bible and strive to live according to its teaching. It is the Divine Revelation of God to man and is the complete and infallible guide to faith and life. (Psalm 12:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Autonomy of the Local Church
Each local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Head of the church. Each church is autonomous, or self-governing, and contains all human authority for leadership within its congregation. No denomination, governmental body, or religious hierarchy may dictate the church's beliefs or practices. A Baptist church may choose to associate with other churches of like faith around mutual interests or ministry opportunities, but one church cannot exert authority over another. (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 18:15-20; Acts 15:22-21; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23)
Priesthood of the Believer
All born-again believers have the privilege of direct access to God. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and man. We need no other human agent or spiritual mediator. As God's priests, we can study His Word, pray for our needs, intercede for others, offer worship, and serve in His work. Every child of God has equal access to their Heavenly Father. (1 Timothy 2:1-6; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 5:9,10)
Two Ordinances
The local church is mandated by God to practice two ordinances. 1. Baptism of believers by immersion in water symbolizes sincere faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection with the desire to walk in newness of life. 2. The Lord's Supper, or Communion,commemorates Christ's broken body and shed blood giving each believer an opportunity for self-examination and rededication.
These are not sacraments to earn salvation, but privileges granted by grace. (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
Individual Soul Liberty
Every individual, believer and unbeliever, possesses the God-given privilege of free will having the liberty to choose what to believe. No one should be forced to any belief against his or her will. God speaks to individuals through His Word and His Spirit.
Every person is individually responsible to God and will be judged according to the beliefs and practices he or she freely chooses.
Freedom of choice demands personal responsibility. (John 3:36; Romans 14:4-12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9)
Saved Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified with Him in believer's baptism. Church membership is a necessary privilege for believers who follow Christ.
Fellowship, guidance, and encouragement of the local church family are essential for believers to maintain an unwavering testimony and a meaningful life of service. (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12,18; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Hebrews 10:23-25)
Two Offices
Scripture mandates two offices for the local church: Pastor and Deacon. The Pastor leads, feeds, guides, and guards the church at the direction of Christ. The Bible terms “pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop” refer to different responsibilities for the same office.
Deacons help the pastor care for the flock so he can give priority to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
The Bible gives qualifications for each office. (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 6:1-7; Philippians 1:1)
Separation of Church and State
God established both civil and local church governments.
They have distinct responsibilities and operations. Neither should control the other. Believers in a free society should influence government toward righteousness, but should not make an unholy alliance for control, influence, or favors.