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A
Bible Baptist is one who believes in a supernatural Bible, which tells of a
supernatural Christ, who had a supernatural birth, who spoke supernatural words,
who performed supernatural miracles, who lived a supernatural life, who died a
supernatural death, who rose in supernatural splendor, who intercedes as a
supernatural priest and who will one day return in supernatural glory to
establish a supernatural kingdom on the earth.
ARTICLE 1 - OF THE
SCRIPTURES
We
believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that
it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is,
and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation
of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme
standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
-
By
“The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from
Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written does not only contain
and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
-
By
“inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy
men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way
that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free
from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
II
Tim. 3:16-17;II
Pet. 1:19-21; Acts
1:16; Acts
28:25; Psa.
119:160; Psa.
119:105; Psa.119:130;
Luke
24:25-27; John
17:17; Luke
24:44- 45; Psa.
119:89; Prov.
30:5-6; Rom.
3:4; I
Pet. 1:23; Rev.
22:19; John
12:48; Isa.
8:20; Eph.
6:17; Rom.
15:4; Luke
16:31; Psa.
19:7-11; John
5:45-47; John
5:39.
ARTICLE 2 - OF THE TRUE
GOD
We
believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite,
intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth;
inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor,
confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and
executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Ex.
20:2-3; Gen.
17:1; I
Cor. 8:6; Eph.
4:6; John
4:24; Psa.
147:5; Psa
83:18; Psa.
90:2; Jer.
10:10; Ex.
15:11; Rev.
4:11;I
Tim 1:17; Rom.
11:33; Mark
12:30; Matt.
28:19; John
15:26; I
Cor. 12:4-6; I
John 5:7; John
10:30; John
17:5; I
Cor. 2:10-11; Phil
2:5-6; Eph.
2:18; II
Cor. 13:14.
ARTICLE 3 - OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT
That
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 filled; 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 in the New Birth: that He seals, endues, guides, teaches,
witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
John
14:16-17; Matt.
28:19; Heb.
9:14; John
14:26; Luke
1:35; Gen.
1:1-3; II
Thess. 2:7;John
16:8-11; John
15:26-27; Acts
5:30-32; John
3:5-6; Eph.
1:13-14; Matt.
3:11; Mark
1:8; Luke
3:16; John
1:33; Acts
11:16; Luke
24:49; John
16:13; Rom.
8:14; Rom
8:16; II
Thess. 2:13; I
Pet. 1:2; Rom.
8:26-27.
ARTICLE 4 - OF THE DEVIL
OR SATAN
We
believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through
pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of
angels; that he is now 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 lord of the
antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness -- destined, however,
to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to the judgment of an
eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isa.
14:12-15; Ezek.
28:14-17; Rev.
12:9; Jude
1:6; II
Pet. 2:4; Eph.
2:2; John
14:30; I
Thess. 3:5; Matt.
4:1-3; I
Pet. 5:8; I
John 3:8; Matt.
13:39; Luke
22:3-4; Rev.
12:10; II
Cor. 11:13-15; Mark
13:21-22; I
John 4:3; II
John 1:7; I
John 2:22; rev.
13:13-14; II
Thess. 2:8-11; Rev.
19:11, 16,
20;
Rev.
12:7-9; Rev.
20:1-3; Rev.
20:10; Matt
25:41.
ARTICLE 5 - OF CREATION
We
believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to accepted
literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created
directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that 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;
that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God’s established
law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.”
Gen.
1:1; Ex.
20:11; Acts
4:24; Col.
1:16-17; Heb.
11:3; John
1:3; Rev.
10:6; Rom.
1:20; Acts
17:23-26; Jer.
10:12; Neh.
9:6; Gen.
1:26-27; Gen.
2:21-23; Gen.
1:11; Gen.
1:24.
ARTICLE 6 - OF THE FALL
OF MAN
We
believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by
voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence
of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice, and
therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Gen.
3:1-6, 24;
Rom.
5:12; Rom.
5:19; Rom.
3:10-19; Eph.
2:1, 3;
Rom.
1:18; Ezek.
18:19-20; Rom.
1:32; Rom.
1:20; Rom.
1:28; Gal
3:22.
ARTICLE 7 - OF THE
VIRGIN BIRTH
We
believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost, in a miraculous
manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be
born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.
Gen.
3:15; Isa.
7:14; Matt.
1:18-25; Luke
1:35; Mark
1:1; John
1:14; Psa.
2:7; Gal.
4:4; I
John 5:20; I
Cor. 15:47.
ARTICLE 8 - OF THE
ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We
believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the
mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by 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 and vicarious atonement
for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His
death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the
sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our
sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now
enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest
sympathies suitable, a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior.
Eph.
2:8; Acts
15:11; Rom.
3:24; John
3:16; Matt.
18:11; Phil
2:7; Heb.
2:14; Isa.
53:4-7; Rom.
3:25; I
John 4:10; I
Cor. 15:3; II
Cor. 5:21; John
10:18; Phil
2:8; Gal.
1:4; I
Pet. 2:24; I
Pet. 3:18; Isa.
53:11; Heb.
12:2; I
Cor. 15:20; Isa.
53:12; Heb.
9:12-15; Heb.
7:25; I
John 2:2
ARTICLE 9
- OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We
believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new
birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a
process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made
a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of
God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our
comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but
wholly and solely by character, not by the will of man, 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; that its proper evidence appears
in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John
3:3; II
Cor. 5:17; Luke
5:27; I
John 5:1; John
3:6-7; Acts
2:41; II
Pet. 1:4; Rom.
6:23; Eph.
2:1; II
Cor. 5:19; Col.
2:13; John
1:12-13; Gal.
5:22; Eph
5:9.
ARTICLE 10
- OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We
believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made
free to all by the gospel; that it is immediate duty of all to accept them by
a cordial, penitent and an obedient faith; and 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.
I
Thess. 1:4; Col.
3:12; I
Pet. 1:2; Titus
1:1; Rom.
8:29-30; Matt.
11:28; Isa.
55:1; Rev.
22:17; Rom.
10:13; John
6:37; Isa.
55:6; Acts
2:38; Isa.
55:7; John
3:15-16; I
Tim. 1:15; I
Cor. 15:10; Eph
2:4-5; John
5:40; John
3:18; John
3:36.
ARTICLE 11
- OF JUSTIFICATION
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 gift 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, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Acts
13:39; Isa.
53:11; Zech.
13:1;
Rom. 8:1; Rom.
5:9; Rom.
5:1; Tit.
3:5-7; Rom.
1:17; Hab.
2:4; Gal.
3:11;
Rom. 4:1-8; Heb.
10:38.
ARTICLE 12
- OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that
Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces,
wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply
convicted 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 openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
Acts
20:21; Mark
1:15; Acts
2:37-38;
Luke 18:13; Rom.
10:13; Psa.
51:1-4; Psa.
51:7; Isa.
55:6-7; Luke
12:8; Rom.
10:9-11.
ARTICLE 13
- OF THE CHURCH
We believe that a
Baptist Church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a
covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, said church being understood
to be the citadel and propagator of the Divine and Eternal Grace; observing
the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights,
and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination
are pastors or elders whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly
defined in the scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found
in the Great commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build
up the church; Third, to teach and instruct as he has commanded. We do not
believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the
absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy
of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is
Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to
cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance
of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and
method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of
government, of discipline of benevolence, the will of the local church is
final.
Acts
2:41; Acts
2:42; I Cor.
11:2;
Eph. 1:22-23; Eph.4:11;
I
Cor. 12:4, 8-11;
Acts
14:23; Acts
6:5-6; Acts
15:23; Acts
20:17-28; I Tim.
3:1-13; Matt.
28:19-20; Col.
1:18; Eph.
5:23-24; I Pet.
5:1-4; Acts
15:22; Jude
3,4; II Cor.
8:23-24; I Cor.
16:1;
Mal. 3:10; Lev.
27:32; I Cor.
16:2; I Cor.
6:1-3; I Cor.
5:11-13.
ARTICLE 14
- OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that
Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the
Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local
church, to show forth in 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 pre-requisite to the privileges of a
church relation and to the Lord’s supper; in which all born-again, baptized believers, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to
commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn
self-examination.
Acts
8:36-39; Matt.
3:6; John
3:23;
Rom. 6:4-5; Matt.
3:16; Matt.
28:19,20; Rom.
6:3-5; Col.
2:12; Acts
2:41-42;
I Cor. 11:23-28
ARTICLE 15
- OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
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 eternal
salvation.
John
8:31-32; Col.
1:21-23; I John
2:19; Matt.
13:19-21; Rom.
8:28; Psa.
121:3; Heb.
1:14; I Pet.
1:5; Phil.
1:6;
John 10:28, 29; Rom.
8:35-39.
ARTICLE 16
- OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
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, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting
conscious suffering of the lost.
Mal.
3:18; Gen.
18:23; Rom.
6:17-18; Prov.
11:31; I Pet.
1:18; Rom.
1:17; I Cor.
15:22; Acts
10:34-35; I John
2:29; Rom.
6:16; I John
5:19; Gal.
3:10; Rom.
7:6; Rom.
6:23; Prov.
14:32;
Luke 16:25; Matt
25:34, 41;
John
8:21; Luke
9:26; John
12:25; Matt.
7:13-14.
ARTICLE 17-
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil
government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human
society; 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 coming Prince of the kings of
the earth.
Rom.
13:7; II Sam.
23:3; Ex.
18:21-22; Acts
23:5; Matt.
22:21; Tit.
3:1; I Pet.
2:13,14; I Pet
2:17; Acts
4:19-20; Dan.
3:17-18; Matt.
10:28; Matt.
23:10; Phil.
2:10-11; Psa.
72:11.
ARTICLE 18
- OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in and
accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value.
Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily “the
third day according to the Scriptures;” that He
alone is our “merciful
and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God;”
“that
this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven” -
bodily, personally and visibly; that the “dead
in Christ shall rise first;” that the living
saints “shall
all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;”
“that
the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David;”
and that “Christ
shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until
He
hath put all enemies under His feet.”
Matt.
28:6-7; Luke
24:39; John
20:27;
I Cor. 15:4; Mark
16:6; Luke
24:2-7; Acts
1:9, 11; Luke
24:51; Mark
16:19;
Rev. 3:21; Heb.
8:1; Heb.
12:2; Heb.
8:6; I Tim.
2:5; I John
2:1; Heb.
2:17;
Heb. 5:9-10; John
14:3; I Thess.
4:16; Matt.
24:27; Matt.
24:42; Heb.
9:28;
I Cor. 15:42-44, 51-53;
I Thess.
4:17; Phil.
3:20, 21;
Luke
1:32; I Cor.
15:25; Isa.
11:4-5; Psa.
72:8; Rev.
20:1-4; Rev.
20:6.
ARTICLE 19
- OF MISSIONS
The command to give the
gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to
the churches.
Matt.
28:18-20, “ And Jesus came and spake unto them,
saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you and, lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.”
Mark
16:15, “ And he said unto them, Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
John
20:21, “ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be
unto you: as my Father hath sent me even so send I you.”
Rom.
10:13-15, “ For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom
they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have
not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they
preach except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good
things!”
ARTICLE 20
- OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
Scriptural giving is one of the
fundamentals of the faith.
II
Cor. 8:7, “ Therefore as ye
abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all
diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”
We are commanded to bring our gifts into
the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week.
I
Cor. 16:2, “ Upon the first
day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath
prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
Under Grace we give, and do not pay, the
tithe.
Hebrews
7:2-4, "Abraham
gave the tenth of the spoils."
This
was four hundred years before the law, and it is confirmed in the New
Testament.
Matthew
23:23, "These
ye ought to have done."
We are commanded to bring the tithe into
the common treasury of the church.
Lev.
27:30, “ The tithe… is
the Lord’s.”
Mal.
3:10, "Bring ye all
the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and
prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will now open you the
windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room
enough to receive it.”
In the New Testament the church was
the common treasury.
Acts 4:34, 35,
37, “And
brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the
apostles’ feet…having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it
at the apostles' feet."
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