MISSION STATEMENT
FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH STATEMENT OF FAITH
A. The Word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
B. Written by holy men, inspired by God. 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Samuel 23:1-2.
C. Sixty-six books, verbally inspired in totality as originally written. 2 Timothy 3:16.
D. Truth without error. John 17:17, Psalms 119:160.
E. The complete revelation from God to man. Hebrews 1:1-2, Psalms 119:89, John 12:48-50.
F. The supreme authority for Christian doctrine and conduct. Isaiah 8:20, John 12:48, 2 Timothy 3:16.
B. Hears and answers the prayers of His people. Isaiah. 65:24, Matthew 21:22, 1 John 3:22.
C. Chose a people in His Son before the world began. Ephesians 1:3-4, Romans 8:29-30.
D. Sent His Son to accomplish their redemption. Galatians 4:4-5, 1 John 4:14, 1 Peter 1:18-20.
E. Will consummate history in judgment and triumph. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Revelation 20:12-15, Matthew 25:31-32.
B. Is truly and eternally God. John 1:1, 10:30, Hebrews 1:8.
C. For our redemption, took upon Himself human nature. Romans 8:3, Galatians 4:4-5.
D. Was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:18-25.
E. Has two natures, the divine and the human, each distinct and eternally united. Philippians 2:68, Romans 1:3-4.
F. Though tempted in the flesh, lived a sinless life. Hebrews 4:15, Luke 4:1-12.
G. Was crucified for our sins and rose bodily from the dead for our justification. Romans 4:25, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 3:24-26, 1 Cor. 15:3-3.
H. Through the baptism with the Holy Spirit, unites us with the body of Christ. (ie. Regeneration) John 1:33, 1 Corinthians 12:13.
I. In His risen, glorified body ascended to the Father. Philippians 3:20-21, Acts 1:9.
J. Ever lives to make intercession for His own as their High Priest. 1 John 2:1, Hebrews 7:25.
K. Will personally, literally and visibly return with power and great glory. Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:30, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
B. Was active in creation. Genesis 1:1-3.
C. Convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. John 16:8-11.
D. Is the Agent of regeneration. Titus 3:5-6, John 3:5-6.
E. Dwells in every believer from conversion to glory. Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, John 14:17.
F. Is the Spirit of truth who inspired holy men to write the scriptures and continues to guide us into their understanding. 2 Peter 1:21, John 16:13.
G. Empowers, fills, sanctifies, and imparts spiritual gifts and graces to all who are led by Him. Acts 1:8, 4:31, 1 Corinthians 12:11, Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:16, 22-23.
H. Testifies to the Lordship of Christ and teaches the truth of God. John 15:26, 15:26.
A. Angels are created ministering spirits, ministering at God’s command with great power. Psalms 148:2-5, Psalms 103:20, Hebrews 1:4.
B. Will administer the events at Christ’s second coming. Matthew 24:31, 13:41,42,49.
A. Is a fallen angel; chief of the host of all evil spirit beings; a person. Colossians 1:16, Ezekiel 28:15, Revelation 9:11, Luke 11:15.
B. Is the unholy god of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 6:12, John 14:30.
C. Is the accuser of the saints. 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:10, Zechariah 3:1, Luke 22:31.
D. Is man’s great tempter. 1 Thessalonians 3:5, Genesis 3:1-15.
E. Is the arch enemy of God. Matthew 4:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 12:9, Isaiah 14:12-14.
F. Along with his hosts, is destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son, and will suffer eternal punishment in a place prepared for him and his angels. Revelation 20:10, Matthew 25:41.
A. The scriptures teach that in six literal days God created the world and it was good. On that sixth day of creation, God created man in His own image and saw that it was very good. We believe that in its original state the world, including man, was perfect just as God intended it to be, and that death entered the world only as a result of the sin of Adam. Genesis 1:5, 8, 10, 12-13, 19, 23, 25, 31, 2:17, 3:3, 6-7, 17-19, Romans 5:12
B. All life was effected by special creation and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only after their kind. Genesis 1:1,11, 24.
C. The world was created for the glory of God. As God’s stewards, we are to maintain our environment with respect and care. Revelation 4:11, Genesis 2:15, Isaiah 43:7.
A. Marriage was instituted by God at creation as a permanent, monogamous, heterosexual union. Matthew 19:4-6, Malachi 2:15, Genesis 2:18-25.
B. God demands chastity before marriage and fidelity within marriage. 1Thessalonians 4:3, Exodus 20:14, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:15-20.
C. Husbands are to love their wives and treat them with respect. Ephesians 5:25,28, 1 Peter 3:7.
D. Wives are to love their husbands with a gentle and submissive attitude. Ephesians 5:22, Titus 2:4-5, 1 Peter 3:3-4.
E. Children are a blessing from God and are to be reared by godly example and Biblical training. Psalms 127:3, Ephesians 6:4.
A. Man is the pinnacle of God’s creative work, made in God’s image and likeness. Genesis 1:26.
B. God values human life above all other creation. Psalms 8:3-6.
C. We are accountable to God to preserve such life from conception to the God-appointed time of death. Exodus 20:13, Genesis 9:5-6, Psalms 139:13-16.
D. Man was created in a state of innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless state. Genesis 1:31, 3:4-6.
E. All men are now sinners by nature and by choice and are therefore deserving of eternal punishment. Romans 5:12, 18, 2 Thessalonians 2:12, Romans 1:18-20, 3:10-23.
F. Man’s depravity is such that he is incapable of receiving the things of God apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:7, 1 Corinthians 2:14, John 6:44.
A. The salvation of sinners is wholly by grace. Romans 3:24, Ephesians 2:8-9.
B. Christ, the Son of God, is our mediator before God, His life, death and resurrection made a full propitiatory and expiatory atonement for our sins. 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2, Romans 3:25.
C. His atonement consisted in the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, bearing the penalty of God’s holy law. 1 Peter. 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 2:14, 9:14-15.
D. He is in every way a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. Hebrews 7:25-26, 10:12-22.
A. The eternal act of God’s sovereign grace by which He chooses, calls, justifies and glorifies sinners. Romans 8:28-30, 9:16.
B. Effectuated by the Holy Spirit through God’s Word in drawing sinners to Christ so that their wills are freely brought into compliance with God’s elective purpose, thereby excluding all human boasting. John 6:37, Acts 13:48, Ephesians 2:8-9.
C. Demonstrated to believers by their personal faith in Christ, their love toward God and their desire for holiness. Ephesians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:3-7, 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
D. The ground of the believer’s assurance and promotes humility and service. Romans 8:33, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Peter 1:5-11.
The new birth is:
A. A new creation, instantaneous and not a process. 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 5:24.
B. The giving of spiritual and eternal life to one dead in trespasses and sins, making them partakers of the divine nature; such persons being kept by the power of God through faith so that they shall never perish. Ephesians 2:1, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 Peter 1:4-5, John 10:28-30.
C. Brought about solely by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the divine truth. John 1:12-13, 3:7-8, 1 Peter 1:23.
D. Properly evidenced by the fruits of 1) Repentance, 2) Faith, and 3) Newness of Life. Acts 11:18 b, 1 John 5:1, Titus 2:11, 12.
A. Is the great blessing by which God accepts, accounts and declares the sinner righteous. Romans 3:24, 28.
B. Includes pardon from the guilt and condemnation of all sin and the gift of eternal life. Romans 5:1, 9, 6:23.
C. Is bestowed by grace through faith solely upon the grounds of Christ’s vicarious life and death, imputing the righteousness of Christ to the believing sinner. 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9, Romans 4:4-5.
A. Is the believer’s position in Christ, whereby he is set apart unto God as the recipient of all heavenly perfections. Hebrews 10:10, 14, 9:14-15.
B. Is also a process by which the believer sets himself apart from sin to God in the gradual attaining of moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to the Word of God. 2 Timothy 2:21-22, John 17:17-19.
C. Will culminate in the glorious and eternal state of entire sanctification at the coming of the Lord
Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Philippians 3:20-21.
D. We further believe that it is God’s will that the believer be continually filled with the Spirit, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in holiness of life. Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:22-23, Hebrews 12:14.
A. Organized according to the New Testament. Ephesians 4:11-16.
B. Associated in obedience to the command of Scripture by a covenant of faith and in the fellowship of the gospel. Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Peter 1:22.
C. Observing the ordinances of Christ – Baptism and Communion. Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 2:41-42.
D. Whose officers are Pastors (Elders or Bishops) and Deacons. Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 3:13.
E. Whose primary mission is to evangelize, baptize and teach. Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 4:2.
F. Exercising their absolute right of self-government. Matthew 18:15-17, Acts 15:22-31, 1 Corinthians 6:1-3.
G. Whose only head is Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:18.
H. Each of which serves as a priest before God, offering up sacrifices of praise and prayer, and sharing in a ministry for which he has been equipped for the good of the body. 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:15, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 14.
I. We further believe that it is scriptural for true churches to co-operate with each other in the furtherance of the Gospel and in contending for the faith. Acts 15:22-31, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 23, 24.
A. We are commanded to preach the gospel to all people, calling them to repent and put their faith
in Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21, Luke 24:47.
B. We are commanded to be witnesses of Christ to all people, proclaiming Him as an all sufficient Savior for all who will call upon Him. Acts 1:8, Hebrews 7:25.
A. Is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:38.
B. Is the direct command of Christ. Matthew 28:19.
C. Shows forth the believer’s union with the crucified, buried and risen Christ, His death to sin and resurrection to new life. Romans 6:4-6, Colossians 2:12.
D. Is a condition of church membership. Acts 2:41-42.
We believe that the Lord’s supper:
A. Is to be observed regularly by the Christian congregation. 1 Corinthians 11:26, Acts 2:42, 46.
B. Is symbolic of the sacrificial, substitutionary death of Christ, proclaiming the reality and the sufficiency of it and the believer’s continuing participation in it. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
A. A weekly day of rest and worship was instituted at creation and reaffirmed under Mosaic law. Observing a day of rest and worship bears a testimony to the greater rest in the life to come. Exodus 20:8, 11, Hebrews 4:1-11.
B. Sunday is an appropriate day for meeting together because it was the day of our Lord’s resurrection and of most of His appearances; Pentecost, the historic birthday of the church occurred on a Sunday; Sunday was often the day when New Testament Christians met together. Mark 16:2, John 20:19, Acts 2:1-4, 20:7.
A. Is divinely appointed for the interests and good order of society. Romans 13:1-4.
B. Should conscientiously be prayed for, honored and obeyed except in things opposed to the revealed will of God. 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Romans 13:5-7, Acts 5:27-29.
A. In the personal, bodily and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ; in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust; in the eternal blessedness of the redeemed and in the judgment and eternal conscious punishment of the wicked. Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7, Titus 2:13, Revelation 19:20, 20:7, 11-15, 21:1-7, 22-27, 22:1-5, Mark 9:47-48, John 5:24-29.
B. The dead shall be resurrected and, with the living, be judged by God to determine their eternal destiny. Acts 24:15, Matthew 25:32-34, 41.
C. All believers will enter into eternal blessedness and all unbelievers eternal punishment. 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Matthew 25:46.
- The worship and praise of Almighty God.
- The preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ unto the salvation of the lost, and for the edification of the saints.
- The teaching and training of believers, and the development in them of a consistent Christian character.
- The promotion of missionary enterprises at home and abroad.
- The administration of the ordinances as commanded in scripture: Baptism and Communion.
- The faithfulness of this Church to its mission statement will be evidenced by these two precepts:
- Faithfulness to the Word of God in preaching, teaching, and evangelizing the lost.
- The degree in which its members submit to the authority of the Holy Scriptures.
FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH STATEMENT OF FAITH
- OF THE SCRIPTURES
A. The Word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
B. Written by holy men, inspired by God. 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Samuel 23:1-2.
C. Sixty-six books, verbally inspired in totality as originally written. 2 Timothy 3:16.
D. Truth without error. John 17:17, Psalms 119:160.
E. The complete revelation from God to man. Hebrews 1:1-2, Psalms 119:89, John 12:48-50.
F. The supreme authority for Christian doctrine and conduct. Isaiah 8:20, John 12:48, 2 Timothy 3:16.
- OF GOD AND OF THE HOLY TRINITY
- WE BELIEVE THAT GOD THE FATHER
B. Hears and answers the prayers of His people. Isaiah. 65:24, Matthew 21:22, 1 John 3:22.
C. Chose a people in His Son before the world began. Ephesians 1:3-4, Romans 8:29-30.
D. Sent His Son to accomplish their redemption. Galatians 4:4-5, 1 John 4:14, 1 Peter 1:18-20.
E. Will consummate history in judgment and triumph. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Revelation 20:12-15, Matthew 25:31-32.
- WE BELIEVE THAT GOD THE SON, JESUS CHRIST
B. Is truly and eternally God. John 1:1, 10:30, Hebrews 1:8.
C. For our redemption, took upon Himself human nature. Romans 8:3, Galatians 4:4-5.
D. Was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:18-25.
E. Has two natures, the divine and the human, each distinct and eternally united. Philippians 2:68, Romans 1:3-4.
F. Though tempted in the flesh, lived a sinless life. Hebrews 4:15, Luke 4:1-12.
G. Was crucified for our sins and rose bodily from the dead for our justification. Romans 4:25, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 3:24-26, 1 Cor. 15:3-3.
H. Through the baptism with the Holy Spirit, unites us with the body of Christ. (ie. Regeneration) John 1:33, 1 Corinthians 12:13.
I. In His risen, glorified body ascended to the Father. Philippians 3:20-21, Acts 1:9.
J. Ever lives to make intercession for His own as their High Priest. 1 John 2:1, Hebrews 7:25.
K. Will personally, literally and visibly return with power and great glory. Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:30, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
- WE BELIEVE THAT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
B. Was active in creation. Genesis 1:1-3.
C. Convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. John 16:8-11.
D. Is the Agent of regeneration. Titus 3:5-6, John 3:5-6.
E. Dwells in every believer from conversion to glory. Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, John 14:17.
F. Is the Spirit of truth who inspired holy men to write the scriptures and continues to guide us into their understanding. 2 Peter 1:21, John 16:13.
G. Empowers, fills, sanctifies, and imparts spiritual gifts and graces to all who are led by Him. Acts 1:8, 4:31, 1 Corinthians 12:11, Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:16, 22-23.
H. Testifies to the Lordship of Christ and teaches the truth of God. John 15:26, 15:26.
- OF THE HOLY ANGELS
A. Angels are created ministering spirits, ministering at God’s command with great power. Psalms 148:2-5, Psalms 103:20, Hebrews 1:4.
B. Will administer the events at Christ’s second coming. Matthew 24:31, 13:41,42,49.
- OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN
A. Is a fallen angel; chief of the host of all evil spirit beings; a person. Colossians 1:16, Ezekiel 28:15, Revelation 9:11, Luke 11:15.
B. Is the unholy god of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 6:12, John 14:30.
C. Is the accuser of the saints. 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:10, Zechariah 3:1, Luke 22:31.
D. Is man’s great tempter. 1 Thessalonians 3:5, Genesis 3:1-15.
E. Is the arch enemy of God. Matthew 4:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 12:9, Isaiah 14:12-14.
F. Along with his hosts, is destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son, and will suffer eternal punishment in a place prepared for him and his angels. Revelation 20:10, Matthew 25:41.
- OF THE CREATION
A. The scriptures teach that in six literal days God created the world and it was good. On that sixth day of creation, God created man in His own image and saw that it was very good. We believe that in its original state the world, including man, was perfect just as God intended it to be, and that death entered the world only as a result of the sin of Adam. Genesis 1:5, 8, 10, 12-13, 19, 23, 25, 31, 2:17, 3:3, 6-7, 17-19, Romans 5:12
B. All life was effected by special creation and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only after their kind. Genesis 1:1,11, 24.
C. The world was created for the glory of God. As God’s stewards, we are to maintain our environment with respect and care. Revelation 4:11, Genesis 2:15, Isaiah 43:7.
- OF MARRIAGE AND THE HOME
A. Marriage was instituted by God at creation as a permanent, monogamous, heterosexual union. Matthew 19:4-6, Malachi 2:15, Genesis 2:18-25.
B. God demands chastity before marriage and fidelity within marriage. 1Thessalonians 4:3, Exodus 20:14, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:15-20.
C. Husbands are to love their wives and treat them with respect. Ephesians 5:25,28, 1 Peter 3:7.
D. Wives are to love their husbands with a gentle and submissive attitude. Ephesians 5:22, Titus 2:4-5, 1 Peter 3:3-4.
E. Children are a blessing from God and are to be reared by godly example and Biblical training. Psalms 127:3, Ephesians 6:4.
- OF MAN
A. Man is the pinnacle of God’s creative work, made in God’s image and likeness. Genesis 1:26.
B. God values human life above all other creation. Psalms 8:3-6.
C. We are accountable to God to preserve such life from conception to the God-appointed time of death. Exodus 20:13, Genesis 9:5-6, Psalms 139:13-16.
D. Man was created in a state of innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless state. Genesis 1:31, 3:4-6.
E. All men are now sinners by nature and by choice and are therefore deserving of eternal punishment. Romans 5:12, 18, 2 Thessalonians 2:12, Romans 1:18-20, 3:10-23.
F. Man’s depravity is such that he is incapable of receiving the things of God apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:7, 1 Corinthians 2:14, John 6:44.
- OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
A. The salvation of sinners is wholly by grace. Romans 3:24, Ephesians 2:8-9.
B. Christ, the Son of God, is our mediator before God, His life, death and resurrection made a full propitiatory and expiatory atonement for our sins. 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2, Romans 3:25.
C. His atonement consisted in the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, bearing the penalty of God’s holy law. 1 Peter. 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 2:14, 9:14-15.
D. He is in every way a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. Hebrews 7:25-26, 10:12-22.
- OF ELECTION
A. The eternal act of God’s sovereign grace by which He chooses, calls, justifies and glorifies sinners. Romans 8:28-30, 9:16.
B. Effectuated by the Holy Spirit through God’s Word in drawing sinners to Christ so that their wills are freely brought into compliance with God’s elective purpose, thereby excluding all human boasting. John 6:37, Acts 13:48, Ephesians 2:8-9.
C. Demonstrated to believers by their personal faith in Christ, their love toward God and their desire for holiness. Ephesians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:3-7, 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
D. The ground of the believer’s assurance and promotes humility and service. Romans 8:33, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Peter 1:5-11.
- OF THE NEW CREATION
The new birth is:
A. A new creation, instantaneous and not a process. 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 5:24.
B. The giving of spiritual and eternal life to one dead in trespasses and sins, making them partakers of the divine nature; such persons being kept by the power of God through faith so that they shall never perish. Ephesians 2:1, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 Peter 1:4-5, John 10:28-30.
C. Brought about solely by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the divine truth. John 1:12-13, 3:7-8, 1 Peter 1:23.
D. Properly evidenced by the fruits of 1) Repentance, 2) Faith, and 3) Newness of Life. Acts 11:18 b, 1 John 5:1, Titus 2:11, 12.
- OF JUSTIFICATION
A. Is the great blessing by which God accepts, accounts and declares the sinner righteous. Romans 3:24, 28.
B. Includes pardon from the guilt and condemnation of all sin and the gift of eternal life. Romans 5:1, 9, 6:23.
C. Is bestowed by grace through faith solely upon the grounds of Christ’s vicarious life and death, imputing the righteousness of Christ to the believing sinner. 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9, Romans 4:4-5.
- OF SANCTIFICATION
A. Is the believer’s position in Christ, whereby he is set apart unto God as the recipient of all heavenly perfections. Hebrews 10:10, 14, 9:14-15.
B. Is also a process by which the believer sets himself apart from sin to God in the gradual attaining of moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to the Word of God. 2 Timothy 2:21-22, John 17:17-19.
C. Will culminate in the glorious and eternal state of entire sanctification at the coming of the Lord
Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Philippians 3:20-21.
D. We further believe that it is God’s will that the believer be continually filled with the Spirit, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in holiness of life. Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:22-23, Hebrews 12:14.
- THE LOCAL CHURCH
A. Organized according to the New Testament. Ephesians 4:11-16.
B. Associated in obedience to the command of Scripture by a covenant of faith and in the fellowship of the gospel. Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Peter 1:22.
C. Observing the ordinances of Christ – Baptism and Communion. Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 2:41-42.
D. Whose officers are Pastors (Elders or Bishops) and Deacons. Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 3:13.
E. Whose primary mission is to evangelize, baptize and teach. Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 4:2.
F. Exercising their absolute right of self-government. Matthew 18:15-17, Acts 15:22-31, 1 Corinthians 6:1-3.
G. Whose only head is Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:18.
H. Each of which serves as a priest before God, offering up sacrifices of praise and prayer, and sharing in a ministry for which he has been equipped for the good of the body. 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:15, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 14.
I. We further believe that it is scriptural for true churches to co-operate with each other in the furtherance of the Gospel and in contending for the faith. Acts 15:22-31, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 23, 24.
- OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS
A. We are commanded to preach the gospel to all people, calling them to repent and put their faith
in Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21, Luke 24:47.
B. We are commanded to be witnesses of Christ to all people, proclaiming Him as an all sufficient Savior for all who will call upon Him. Acts 1:8, Hebrews 7:25.
- OF CHRISTIAN ORDINANCES
A. Is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:38.
B. Is the direct command of Christ. Matthew 28:19.
C. Shows forth the believer’s union with the crucified, buried and risen Christ, His death to sin and resurrection to new life. Romans 6:4-6, Colossians 2:12.
D. Is a condition of church membership. Acts 2:41-42.
We believe that the Lord’s supper:
A. Is to be observed regularly by the Christian congregation. 1 Corinthians 11:26, Acts 2:42, 46.
B. Is symbolic of the sacrificial, substitutionary death of Christ, proclaiming the reality and the sufficiency of it and the believer’s continuing participation in it. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
- THE LORD’S DAY
A. A weekly day of rest and worship was instituted at creation and reaffirmed under Mosaic law. Observing a day of rest and worship bears a testimony to the greater rest in the life to come. Exodus 20:8, 11, Hebrews 4:1-11.
B. Sunday is an appropriate day for meeting together because it was the day of our Lord’s resurrection and of most of His appearances; Pentecost, the historic birthday of the church occurred on a Sunday; Sunday was often the day when New Testament Christians met together. Mark 16:2, John 20:19, Acts 2:1-4, 20:7.
- OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
A. Is divinely appointed for the interests and good order of society. Romans 13:1-4.
B. Should conscientiously be prayed for, honored and obeyed except in things opposed to the revealed will of God. 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Romans 13:5-7, Acts 5:27-29.
- OF CHRIST’S RETURN AND RELATED EVENTS
A. In the personal, bodily and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ; in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust; in the eternal blessedness of the redeemed and in the judgment and eternal conscious punishment of the wicked. Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7, Titus 2:13, Revelation 19:20, 20:7, 11-15, 21:1-7, 22-27, 22:1-5, Mark 9:47-48, John 5:24-29.
B. The dead shall be resurrected and, with the living, be judged by God to determine their eternal destiny. Acts 24:15, Matthew 25:32-34, 41.
C. All believers will enter into eternal blessedness and all unbelievers eternal punishment. 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Matthew 25:46.