Many times we have been asked what we believe and practice as a church. I hope to reveal to you just what we do believe and practice. First I would like to say that we are an independent, Missionary, New Testament, Baptist Church. Now lets look at what that means. 1. Independent means that we believe that the church should be Local and Visible. That means we are not associated with a large or even a small church association But rather we are one church in this world and there are several other churches around the world. Each church is separate and independent of each other in authority and practice. Each church has the choice to fellowship with each other and to cooperate in the sending of Missionaries but each church is independent. 2. Being a Missionary Baptist church means we believe in the commandment of God to send forth the Gospel message into all of the world. "...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and in Samiaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8 3. Being a New testament church we believe that the New Testament is the source of our doctrines and practices. This does not mean the Old Testament is not worth using it means the instruction for the church is in the New Testament. Here are a few of the basic doctrines that we believe and practice and they are each out of the Bible. 1. Salvation is of grace and only of grace. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8 & 9 2. We believe the Bible is God's word and should be taken with all gravity, and seriousness. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Tim. 3:16 & 17 We also believe that the King James Version is the best English translation, and we use that as the version we teach and preach from. 3. We believe that baptism should be immersion and that only saved people are candidates for baptism. "... And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." Acts 8:36 & 37 We also believe that baptism can not save a person from their sins but, again, salvation is the gift of God in grace. 4. Concerning God we believe in one God and only one God. He is a triune God or as we call Him a Trinity. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). These are three distinct personages yet one being who is creator, Saviour and guide. We are made in His image and we are body, soul and spirit (I Thess. 5:23). God is sovereign, just, loving, yet one that carries out judgment. And we should never place human values on Him, but rather we should place His values on us that we might live a life that reflects the life of Jesus Christ the Saviour. Rom. 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." |