One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Statement of Faith
As revealed to us all by God’s holy word, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. – John 3:16-17
Vision
A body of True Believers is the vision of Mt. Pisgah. When do true believers shine? All the time. In this life, it can be challenging to come to a place of joy, especially when we fall on hard times. But God’s word tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). There is only one way we can keep our joy light on all the time; that way is to connect it to Jesus.
Mission – His Great Commission
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)
Purpose
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. Many Baptists will note this as the first paragraph from the Baptist Church Covent. This paragraph and those that follow are our declarations to our God. We live and support this purpose:
- For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in,
- I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me.
- Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
- When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
- When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
- The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
(Matthew 25:35-40)
What We Believe
One True God
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor
Show More
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.
The Scriptures
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired by God, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its
Show More
matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
The Fall of Man
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being
Show More
by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
The Way of Salvation
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law
Show More
by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
The Freeness of Salvation
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach 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 cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but
Show More
his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Justification
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word; we believe and teach 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 promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is
Show More
bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
Regeneration
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that in order to be saved, sinners must confess with ours mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Upon this confession and belief we are then regenerated, or
Show More
born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life.
Repentance and Faith
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of
Show More
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 as our prophet, priest and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
God’s Purpose of Grace
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that election or grace is, therefore, God’s unmerited favor – His goodness toward those who have no claim on, nor reason to expect, divine favor. The principal manifestation of God’s grace is seen in the form of a free gift to all. It is
Show More
the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves all sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
Sanctification
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the
Show More
presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
Perseverance of the Saints
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that such only are real believers as endure to 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
Show More
welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
The Law and Gospel
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely
Show More
from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
A Gospel Church
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts,
Show More
rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior,
Show More
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 wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
The Christian Sabbath
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Throughout man’s time, this date has been observed on the first day of the week “The Lord’s Day” which
Show More
is Sunday or the seventh day of the week which is Saturday. Though many viewpoints and definitions have arisen over the millennia, most originate and end in the same textual tradition of “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy”. This means this date is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
Civil Government
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things
Show More
opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth.
Righteous and Wicked
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach 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
Show More
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.
The World to Come
As revealed to us all by the scriptures, God’s holy word, we believe and teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be
Show More
adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.