The Bible
We believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the Scriptures: that every word of the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments is fully and divinely inspired by God and is inerrant. The Bible is therefore the complete and perfect Word of God, given through divine inspiration, profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. We believe that special revelation ceased with the completion of the New Testament, and the Bible stands as our sole and sufficient authority for all matters of faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Salvation
We believe that all people inherit a sinful nature from Adam's fall, rendering them totally depraved, separated from God, and unable to earn salvation by their own efforts. Salvation is a free gift of God's grace alone, received through faith in Christ alone, and purchased by the blood of Jesus through His death on the cross. This saving grace brings justification, regeneration, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, deliverance from eternal condemnation, adoption into God's family, eternal life in His kingdom, and the promise of future resurrection. It also produces repentance and a new life marked by following Christ and submission to God's moral law.
Ezekiel 36:26-27; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:4; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-12; Titus 3:5-7
Creation
We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, along with everything in them, in six literal, consecutive, 24-hour days by speaking them into existence. In those six 24-hour days, He also formed humanity—male and female—in His own image. He then rested on the seventh day, establishing a pattern of work and rest for His people.
Genesis 1:1-31; Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:11
Baptism
We believe that baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision-— a public declaration of faith after accepting Christ as Savior. The act of baptism itself does not save us or wash away our sins but is instead a picture of what Christ did for us in His death, burial and resurrection. When a believer is immersed in baptism, they are testifying to others that they have died to sin, been buried with Christ, and risen to walk in new life with Him.
We practice believer's baptism, meaning baptism is reserved for those who have made a conscious, personal decision to follow Christ. Only then can someone genuinely identify with Him in this way.
Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 1:10; Acts 8:38; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12
The Trinity
We believe in one triune God who eternally exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-eternal in being, identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and share the same divine attributes and perfections. God is a spirit that is personal, eternal, infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, unchanging, holy, and loving. He is the Creator and Ruler of all things and the only proper object of our worship.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. Eternally pre-existent with the Father, He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross to atone for our sins through the shedding of His blood, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended into Heaven. Today He is exalted as Lord of the universe, Head of the church, and our High Priest. He will come again to raise the saved to eternal life, the lost to eternal punishment, judge all people, rule over all creation, and establish a perfect new heaven and new earth.
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-3; John 8:58; John 17:5; Acts 2:22-24, 31-33; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 2:9-10; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24
Eternal Security
We believe in the eternal security of the believer; in other words, once saved always saved. Scripture clearly states that all the redeemed are held firmly in the Father's hand, kept by God's power, and therefore are secure in Christ forever.
John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:4-5
Our Distinctives
We believe God created the heavens and the earth in six literal days (Genesis 1:1-31; Exodus 20:11).
We practice ecclesiastical separation from false teachers and doctrine (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 John 1:9-11) and personal separation from sinful activities and worldly practices (2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Romans 12:2).
We affirm the autonomy of the local church under Christ its Head (Acts 2:41-47; Colossians 1:18).
We practice believer's baptism by immersion as a testimony of faith (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:3-4) and view the Lord's Supper as a symbolic memorial (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
We believe in the eternal security of the believer (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39), the cessation of sign gifts (1 Corinthians 13:8-10), and the imminent premillennial return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:1-6).
Baptist Distinctives
Biblical Authority
The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice, because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture's inherent authority.
1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Autonomy of the Local Church
The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus, the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church may not be a “member” of any other body.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23; Colossians 1:18
Priesthood of the Believer
Priest is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God. ”Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priests we can study God's Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God-whether we are a preacher or not.
1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9-10
Two Ordinances
The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection; and (2) the Lord's Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Individual Soul Liberty
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9
Saved, Baptized Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer's baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3
Two Offices
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church- pastor and deacon. The three terms-pastor, elder, and bishop, or overseer-all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church.
Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Separation of Church and State
God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government's purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7, and the church's purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government.
Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 5:17-29