Beliefs

What We Believe

ABOUT GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1,26,27 and 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 1:2, II Corinthians 13:14

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return to earth someday to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s.

Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, John 14:10-30, Hebrews 4: 14, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus. At the moment of salvation, He lives in every Christian. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding the Bible, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift at the moment of their salvation. As Christians, we seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit daily.

II Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:12, I Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18

ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is the Word of God. It was written by human authors, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and is inspired by God. It contains no error and is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.

II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:20-21, II Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105 and 160, Proverbs 30:5

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

People are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. But every person has sinned. This is what separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:1-2

ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment we are saved.

Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12, John 14:6, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1

ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer cannot “lose it”.  If you are genuinely saved, you are secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.

John 10:29, II Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 10:10 and 14, I Peter 1:35

ABOUT ETERNITY

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separate from God is hell. To be eternally with God is heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.

For further details/descriptions, see the Baptist Faith & Message provided by the Southern Baptist Convention.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM

Baptism does not make you a believer or assure that you are going to Heaven. It shows that you already believe. Baptism is a lot like a wedding ring. Just like wearing a wedding ring does not make you married, baptism does not save you, only your faith in Christ does that. It is an outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart. If you have questions about baptism or are interested in being baptized, please call the church office at (540) 473-2861.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  II Corinthians 5:17

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”  Romans 6:4