Beliefs Important to Baptists

1. Authority of the Bible - We believe that the bible was written by men under the direct inspiration of God. It has God for it’s Author, salvation for its end and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter.
2. Autonomy of the local church and congregational church government - Each church answers to God and each other; there is no hierarchy of leadership outside the local church. Every association, convention or other Baptist groups exist to support the mission of the local church. Each church is self-standing and makes decisions for their local Body based on democratic processes under the leadership of Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the church.
3. The Trinity God Head - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three have individual attributes and purposes but have no division of their nature, essence or being. They are One Great I AM
4. Fallen state of unregenerate man – All people have sinned and fall short of what God requires for them to enter into His Glory.
5. Salvation by Grace alone through Faith alone in Christ alone – Where man failed God is victorious. He provided the full payment for our sins and by His Grace through Faith in the virgin birth, sinless life, substitution death and victorious resurrection from the grave we can be purged of all wrongdoings and restored into God’s Righteousness.
6. Security of the Believer – We believe in the doctrine known as “once saved, always saved” We believe that nothing can separate a believer from the love of their Heavenly Father. Our strong belief in God’s Word tells us that when He says we will be His forever and for eternity, that is what He means. This is a promise and a covenant - John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”(NLT)
7. Soul competency and the priesthood of the believers – God speaks to us individually and specifically. We need no special priestly order or clerical class to have access to God; we each have the same full access to the Throne Room of God through Jesus Christ. We need no mediator other than Jesus Christ. Each believer has a great responsibility in this priesthood of believers. We must submit under the authority of God, His Word and His Holy Spirit. We should also seek wise counsel and spiritual guidance from trusted Godly leaders in order to protect ourselves from deception and straying away from God’s Truths.
8. Believers Baptism and church membership - Baptism is for those who are capable of and make the decision to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior through repentance and faith. Baptism by immersion is a requirement of church membership unless there is a physical restriction that prevents baptism; baptism by alternate means are acceptable in these cases.
9. Missions – we seek and purpose to be the presence of Christ in our community and throughout the world. We serve those in need, minister to those who are sick or hurting and love those who are unloved.
10. Evangelism – Believing that the greatest need of every individual is to come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and savior we strive to tell the world about Him and His love for them.
11. Religious Freedom – The church should not resort to civil power or authority to impose it’s beliefs upon another. While we do have a responsibility to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every one across our globe we do not have the right to force them to obey our ways. They have been given the choice to accept or reject the truth of Christ and we must not interfere or hinder their choice.
12. Separation of the STATE from the church – The State should make no laws, rules or resolutions that restrict the freedom of a religious organization and should provide the church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. Each believer has a responsibility to live within the parameters of the laws of our government to the point that they violate God’s Laws. Believers should hold the State accountable to God’s Standards and be involved in the political process.
13. Symbolic understanding of our two ordinances’ the Lord’s Supper and Baptism – We observe these as ordinances of obedience in remembrance and honor to Jesus Christ. Baptism is a symbol of the Death, Burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the new birth of a believer that is possible through Him. The Lords Supper is symbolic of the substitution death of Jesus Christ for our sins.
14. Voluntary Cooperation among churches – Knowing that a “three fold cord” is stronger than a single strand we voluntarily join in cooperation with other churches and missions to encourage one another, coordinate ministries and do the work of God across our community, State, Country and World.
15. The Family – we believe that God has perfectly designed the family unit. A family is the foundational unit of human society and is composed of persons related by blood, marriage or adoption. We believe that a marriage is a sacred and eternal covenant between on man and one woman both of equal worth and both created in God’s image.
16. Life – We hold all life to be sacred and specially created by God in His Image. We stand against abortion in any manner or time period, against euthanasia of any person regardless of age or physical condition. Death penalties and Wars must be performed within the confines of established law and only to protect and preserve innocent lives from the potential of harm.