Our Beliefs

The Bible

We believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word and His revelation of Himself to humanity. Scripture is true and trustworthy and is the supreme standard for Christian faith, belief, and conduct. The whole Bible bears witness to Jesus Christ and God’s work of redemption.

God

We believe there is one living and true God, the Creator and ruler of all things. God eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons who are one in nature and being. God is holy, loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, and worthy of our worship, obedience, and trust.

Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. He was born of the virgin Mary, lived without sin, died on the cross for sinners, rose bodily from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will return in power and glory. Through Christ alone, sinners are reconciled to God.

The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is fully divine. He inspired the Scriptures, convicts people of sin, brings about new life in those who believe, dwells within every Christian, develops Christlike character, gives spiritual gifts, and empowers believers and the church for worship, service, and witness.

Humanity, Sin, and Salvation

We believe every person is created by God and possesses dignity and worth, but humanity has been separated from God by sin. Salvation is offered freely through Jesus Christ and is received through repentance and personal faith in Him as Lord and Savior. Salvation is entirely an act of God’s grace and includes the believer’s new birth, justification, lifelong growth in holiness, and final glorification.

God’s Grace

We believe salvation begins and ends with God’s gracious work. Those who truly belong to Christ are kept by God’s power and will persevere in faith to the end. This grace gives Christians no reason for pride, but every reason for humility, gratitude, and faithful obedience.

Christian Life and Discipleship

We believe Christians are called to live under the lordship of Jesus Christ in every area of life. Through Scripture, prayer, worship, fellowship, stewardship, service, and the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to grow in spiritual maturity and use the lives and resources God has entrusted to them for His glory and the good of others. The Baptist Faith and Message addresses this Christian responsibility through its articles on the Lord’s Day, stewardship, education, cooperation, social responsibility, peace, and religious liberty.

The Church

We believe the local church is a congregation of baptized believers joined together in the faith and fellowship of the gospel under the lordship of Jesus Christ. The church gathers for worship, discipleship, fellowship, service, the ordinances, and the work of making the gospel known. We also believe all redeemed believers throughout the ages belong to the greater Body of Christ.

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism is an act of obedience that pictures the believer’s faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Christ and the beginning of a new life in Him.

We believe the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience in which believers remember the death of Jesus Christ and look forward to His return.

Evangelism and Missions

We believe every follower of Christ and every local church has the privilege and responsibility to make disciples. Jesus has commanded His people to proclaim the gospel to all nations, and Christians are called to bear witness to Christ through both their words and their lives.

The Kingdom and Christ’s Return

We believe God is sovereign over all creation and that His kingdom is made known especially through those who trust and follow Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus will personally and visibly return, the dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all people in righteousness. Those who belong to Christ will dwell with Him forever.

Faith in Everyday Life

We believe the Christian faith shapes the way believers live within their families, churches, communities, and society. Christians are called to pursue righteousness, truth, compassion, peace, human dignity, religious liberty, and love for their neighbors while remaining faithful to Christ and His Word. The full Baptist Faith and Message addresses these responsibilities in greater detail, including Christian education, stewardship, cooperation, social responsibility, peace and war, religious liberty, and the family.