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 power, Who ascended 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.
Of the Scriptures
Of the true God
Of the Holy Spirit
Of the Devil or Satan
Of Creation
Of the fall of man
Of the virgin birth
Of the atonement for sin
Of grace in the new creation
Of the freeness of salvation
Of justification
Of repentance and faith
Of the church
Of baptism and the Lord's supper
Of perseverance of the saints
Of The Righteous And The Wicked
Of civil goverment
Of The Resurrection And Return Of Christ And Related Events
Of missions
Of The Grace Of Giving
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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. By "preservation" we mean that the King James Version is the preserved Word of God in the English Language. Psalms 119:89; Matthew 24:35; I Peter 1:23-25.
Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89,105, 130, 160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:31; 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39,45-47; 12:48; 17:17; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Romans 3:4; 15:4; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19
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.
Genesis 17:1; Exodus 20:2-3; 15:11; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 11:23; 1 Corinthians 12:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 4:6; Philippians 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1John 5:7; Revelation 4:11
We believe 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 fulfilled; 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.
Genesis 1:13; Matthew 3:11; 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17,26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11, 13; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:14, 16, 26-27; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:7,13; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2
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.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:25; 25:41; 27:39; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; 2 John 7; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10; 13:13-14; 19:11, 16, 20; 20:1-3, 10
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be 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."
Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26-27; 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6
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.
Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:10-19; 5:12, 19; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1, 3
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 a woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.
Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthews 1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 15:47; 1 John 5:20
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 with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate
and an all sufficient Savior.
Isaiah 53:4-7, 11-12; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2
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 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.
Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3,6-7; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17,19; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:1; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; 1 John 5:1
We believe in God's electing grace; 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
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.
Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-18, 36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29-30; 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17
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.
Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:1; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 4:1; 5:1-9; 8:1; Galatians 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38
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.
Psalm 51:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans 10:9-11, 13
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.
Leviticus 27:31; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17-28; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4,8-11; 16:1-2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-13
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 a 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 prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the
Lord's supper, in which the members of the church, 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.
Matthew 3:6; 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12
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.
Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:20; 13:19-21; John 8:31-32; 10:28-29; 16:8; Romans 8:28, 35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 1:14; 1Peter 1:5; 1 John 2:19
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.
Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 7:13-14; 25:34; Luke 9:26; 16:25; John 8:21; 12:25; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:17; 6:16-18,23; 7:6; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Galatians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:18; 1 John 2:7, 29; 5:19
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.
Exodus 18:21-22; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; 23:5; Romans 13:7; Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14,17
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 ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God"; 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."
Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:4-5; Matthew 24:27, 42; 28:6-7; Mark 16:6,19; Luke 1:32; Luke 24:2,4-6, 39, 51; John 14:3; John 20:27; Acts 1:9, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Philippians 4:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9; 8:1; 9:28; 12:2
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches.
Matthew 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 alway, 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, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Romans 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!"
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith.
2 Corinthians 8:7, "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, 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.
1 Corinthians 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 - "Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils," - Hebrews 7:2,4 -
and this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the new Testament; Jesus said concerning
the tithe, "these ought ye to have done", Matthew 23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church.
Leviticus 27:30, "The tithe ... is the Lord's."
Malachi 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 not 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 it was the common treasury of the church.
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."
Historically, Baptists find their origins in the Free (Anabaptist) Churches. These churches existed from the time of the apostles. Even though the name BAPTIST was not used until the 1600's, the Baptist distinctives were practiced by small, persecuted groups during the Dark Ages and the Reformation.
Biblical faith and practice forced these to separate from two powerful traditional groups.
The Roman Catholic Church - This group eventually rejected all of the Baptist distinctives.
When their persecution ended, they became the persecutors.
The Protestant Churches - During the Protestant Reformation, these formerly Catholic churches tried to return
to a more Biblical pattern. They still rejected most of the Baptist distinctives. To a lesser degree, they also
persecuted the Anabaptists.
Thus, Bible-centered Baptist Churches are not Protestant churches. They existed long before the Reformation.
Even though the name BAPTIST has been misused by many, we retain the name because the historic
Baptist position best describes our position in matters of doctrine, faith, and practice.
We share similar positions with other groups who base their beliefs completely on Bible teaching.
Even though they may not choose our name, they are fellow workers.
For the sake of memory, we have arranged the major Baptist distinctives in an acrostic.
No insight, testimony, or decree of man, regardless of his piety or position, can ever supersede the Bible (II Timothy 3:16,17). This distinctive is the primary Baptist distinctive. All others spring from this absolute trust in the scriptures.
The local church is an independent body accountable to no one but our Lord. There is no person or organization on earth that can dictate what a local church can or should do (Acts 15; Matthew 18:15-17). This does not prevent voluntary cooperation with other churches as long as such activity does not violate the church's independence or affiliate the church with satanic apostasy.
Every believer today is a priest and may enter the presence of God directly through only one Mediator, our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. There is no other human mediator (Hebrews 4:14-16; I Peter 2:5-10). Along with the privilege of priesthood, there is the responsibility as priests to live a life separated from sin and unto God.
An ordinance is . . .
A command of Christ
A picture of saving truth
Explained in the New Testament
Practiced by the New Testament churches
We practice only believer's baptism by immersion. This contradicts two practices common among Roman Catholic
and Protestant churches: infant baptism and sprinkling (pouring).
Immersion is the only acceptable mode for baptism because it alone preserves the picture of saving truth.
No other form pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:1-5).
We believe that communion (the Lord's Supper) is a symbolic ordinance, picturing Christ's body broken for
our sins and His blood shed for our redemption. It is not a saving ordinance, but helps us remember His death,
and inspires us while looking forward to His coming, 1 Corinthians 11:23-24. It is to be observed by regenerate,
obedient,baptized,church members.
We believe that every individual has the liberty to believe, right or wrong, as his own conscience dictates. While we seek to persuade men to choose the right, a person must not be forced to into compliance (Romans 14:5-12).
Membership is strictly a matter of obedience; it bestows no grace (Acts 2:41-47).
There is no additional hierarchy of offices (I Timothy 3:1-13).
The church and state are two separate authorities ordained by God. One should not attempt to control the other (Acts 4:29; Romans 12:18;13:1-5; I Timothy 2:1-4; I Corinthians 5:9-13).