Doctrinal Statement
What We Believe...
If you have read one Baptist Doctrinal Statement, you have read them all; however, talk is cheap, it is the walk that costs. Those who genuinely believe their doctrinal statement will walk accordingly, regardless of the cost. It is our desire to honour the Lord; therefore...
We believe in the absolute, verbal inspiration of the sixty-six books of the Bible. The Old and New Testaments are inerrant in the original writings, and they are the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We believe that the Masoretic Text of the Old Testament and Textus Receptus of the New Testament are the preserved Word of God. It is our practice to use only the King James Version.
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in direct and instant creation that was completed in six literal, twenty-four-hour days. We reject any theory of evolution.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. This redemption was accomplished through His death on the cross, and was made sure to us by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration and sanctification, indwelling equally and permanently in every believer and sealing him unto the day of redemption.
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to sinful man by grace and received solely by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. All who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood.
We reject all theories, philosophies, and theologies that are inconsistent with the Bible. We reject the systems of Calvinism and Arminianism. We conclude biblically that Christ died for all men and that salvation is appropriated, by individual choice, by faith in Jesus Christ. We reject an “unconditional election” to Heaven and a predetermined sentence to Hell as being unbiblical. We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again of the Holy Spirit, are the children of God, and are eternally secure.
We believe in a literal devil who was an agent in the fall of man. He is presently the prince of this world, but ultimately he will be judged and eternally punished.
We believe that a New Testament Baptist church is a local assembly of baptized believers, assembled for worship, edification, and obedience to the Great Commission. Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are the only two ordinances of the church. Pastor and deacon are the only valid offices.
We believe all believers should honour the Lord by a life of separation from the world’s philosophies and practices. This separation should affect the believer morally, personally, and ecclesiastically. We stand in opposition to the Ecumenical Movement, New Evangelicalism, Neo-Orthodoxy, the Charismatic Movement, and Cooperative Evangelism between churches who are not of the same faith and practice.
We believe that the rapture is imminent and will be followed by a literal seven-year period of tribulation upon this earth. This tribulation time will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth to introduce a literal millennial reign.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men - the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgement and everlasting punishment. We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell.
Concerning The Doctrine of Repentance: Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) Salvation is the gift of God brought to sinful man by the grace of God, and received by repenting of offending God by our sin.
Concerning Para-Church Ministries: We believe that a New Testament local church is an assembly of baptized believers, assembled for worship, edification, and obedience to the Great Commission. Baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper are the only two ordinances of the church. The pastor and deacon are the only valid officers. There are no scriptural grounds for any ministry to exist outside of the authority God has invested in the local church.
Concerning The Universal Church Myth: We reject the theory of a “universal church" as being an unscriptural theory that has been used to help usher in the day of apostasy in which we live. The local church is the only means that God has given for the preaching of the Gospel. First Timothy 3:15 was penned,“...that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Concerning Separation: We believe all believers should honour the Lord by a life of separation from the philosophies and practices of the world. We are also commanded to separate from false teachers, and disobedient Christians.
Concerning Tongues: We are neither charismatic in our style of service, or doctrine. We do not believe that speaking in tongues has anything to do with the local church age. We do not believe that God is giving us further revelation than what has already been given to us in the Bible. The pope cannot speak ex cathedra and the charismatics do not receive a "word of knowledge" as being a new revelation. We believe in eternal security; that once someone accepts Christ as their Savior, they are eternally "kept" by the Holy Spirit and the intercessory work of Christ before the throne of God.
Concerning The Return of Christ: We believe in the imminent rapture of the believers of this current age, followed by a literal seven-year period of tribulation upon this earth. This tribulation time will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth to introduce a literal millennial reign.
Concerning Heaven And Hell: We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell.
Concerning Dispensationalism: We are concerned that the Scriptures are accurately presented therefore, we are not ashamed of the terms "dispensation" or "dispensational." The term is a perfectly good New Testament word selected by the Spirit of God to describe the stewardships, administrations or dispensations that the Godhead established in the decree for mankind. We are traditional biblical dispensationalists believing that a consistent literal interpretation of Scripture produces a consistent dispensationalism. We are careful to interpret Scripture literally whenever it is obviously literal. We believe that dispensationalism is the logical product of literal interpretation. We accept the normal usage of language as God's intention for human readers. We reject the extreme views of "hyper-dispensationalism."
Concerning The Apostasy of Our Day: Revelation 3:14 tells us that the rebukes concerning the condition of the churches in our Laodicean age are directed to the pastor of the church. God warned that the standards of the Word of God would be set aside in an effort to be “increased” in attendance. The Bible also says, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19).
Concerning Numerical Growth: By the grace of God we are determined not to compromise any part of the Word of God to appease the wishes of anyone on earth, be he unsaved or professed Bible believer. We will preach the whole council of God straight and plain so that none will misunderstand. We will not sacrifice the favour of the Lord so that we may win the favour of any person or to satisfy our desire to see the attendance grow.