What We Believe
We desire those presenting the Word of God to be in agreement with our position regarding these Essential Beliefs. The following represents these beliefs. If you have questions, please feel free to discuss them with any of our Pastors.
In essential beliefs – we have UNITY.
“There is one body and one Spirit… there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs – we have LIBERTY.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about things, keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs – we show LOVE.
“…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains, but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
Our Essential Beliefs:
1. About God
There is one and only one living and true God. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
2. About God the Father
God, as Father, reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace.
3. About God the Son
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin.
4. About God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
5. About the Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter.
6. About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude that separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
7. About Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense, salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
8. About Baptism
We believe that baptism is commanded by Christ and illustrates Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Additionally, baptism illustrates the new life Jesus gives to believers in Himself. This outward symbol of an inward commitment is by immersion and happens after conversion; it is the believer’s first act of obedience.
9. About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally with Him is heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
10. About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” your salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
11. About the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a symbol and statement of faith for believers. During this time, believers remember Christ’s sacrificial death and their relationship with Him.
12. About Tithing
We believe in giving the tithe, 10% of income, as commanded by Scripture. Tithing demonstrates that God has first place in our life and is done regularly, willingly, and joyfully as we share in ministry and make an investment in eternity.
13. About the Church
A New Testament church is a local autonomous body of believers who are associated by their common faith and fellowship with Jesus Christ. It is the desire of every member to protect the unity, share the responsibility, serve the ministry, and support the life of the church.
14. About Evangelism
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the good news with those whom God has brought us into contact. We practice personally sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.
To study a more expansive presentation of our beliefs contained in the Baptist Faith and Message, please click HERE.
OUR ASSOCIATIONS
We are a Southern Baptist (SBC) congregation. We cooperate with other like-minded churches within the Capital Baptist Association.