The Holy Scriptures
These are the Old and the New Testaments; they were written by holy men, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and are God's reveleaed word to man. They are a sufficient and infallible rule and guide to salvation and all Christian worship and service. (Ex. 4:14; Psa. 32:8; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; Heb. 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:18-21)
Since the Bible is the Word of God, it is without error in all matters upon which it speaks, whether history, geography, matters relating to science or any other subject.
Free Will Baptists believe in the plenary, verbal inspiration of the Bible. By plenary we mean "full and complete.: We hold that all parts of the Bible are inspired and that inspiration extends to all it's subjects. By verbal we mean that inspiration extends to the very words of Scriptures, not just the thoughts and ideas expressed by human authors. (2 Sam. 23:2; Jer. 1:9; 1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10)
We believe the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant. The Bible is without error and trustworthy in all its teachings, including cosmogony, geology, astronomy, anthropology, histoyr, chronology, etc., as well as in matters of faith and practince. Being the very Word of God, it is God's final revelation and our absolute authority. (Psa. 119:151, 160; Matt. 5:17,18; John 10:35;17:17)
Being and Attributes of God
The Scriptures teach that there is only one true and living God, who is Spirit, self-existent, eternal, immutable, omniopresent, omniscient, omnipotent, independant, good, wise, holy, just, and merciful, the....Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the Universe; the Redeemer, Saviour, Sanctifier, and Judge of men; and the only proper object of worship. (Gen. 1:1; 18:25; Ex. 3:14; 20:4-5,11; 31:13; 34:6,14; Lev. 19:2; Num. 9:6; 23:19; Deut. 6:4; 32:4; 33:27; 1 Kings 8:27; 1 Chron. 28:9; 2 Chron. 20:6; Nehem. 9:17; Job 6:10; 7:20; 9:2; 42:2; Psa. 25:8; 33:6-9; 47:4; 50:6; 78:35; 83:18; 90:2; 92:15; 94:9-10; 95:3; 100:5; 106:1; 119:68,137; 135:6; 139:7-10; 145:9; Prov. 23:11; Isa. 14:13-14; 41:14; 43:2-11; 45:21; 49:26; 57:15; 59:20; Jer. 10:10; 23:24; 50:34; Daniel 2:20; 4:35; Zeph. 3:5; Malachi 3:6; Matt. 4:10; 19:17,26; Mark 14:36; Luke 18:27; John 5:26; 7:28; Acts 1:24; 15:18; 17:24; Rom,. 1:20; 11:33-36; 16:27; 1 Cor. 8:4; 2 Cor. 1:19; 3:17; Eph. 2:4; 4:6; Coloss. 1:16-17; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:17; 2 Tim. 4:8, Hebr. 1:13; 11:13; 12:23;James 1:17; 1 John 4:24; 5:20; Jude 1,25; Rev. 1:4; 19:6,10)
The mode of His existence, however, is a subject far above the understanding of man. Finite beings cannot comprehend him. There is nothing in the universe that can justly represent Him, for there is none like Him. He is the fountain of all perfection and happiness. He is glorified by the whole creation, and is worthy to be loved, and is worthy to be loved by all intelligence. (Ex. 8:10; 9:14; 1 Chron. 17:20; Job 11:7; 26:14; Psa. 19:1-2; 145:10;150:6; Isa. 40:28; Rom. 11:33)
Divine Government and Providence
God excercises a providential care and superintendence over all His creatures, and governs the world in wisdom and mercy, according to the testimony of His word. (Exodua 34:6; Job 14:5 36:5; Psa. 22:28; 97:2; 104:13-14; Isa. 33:12; Matt 10:30; Acts 17:28; Eph. 1:11)
God has endowed man with power of free choice, and governs him by moral laws and motives; and this power of free choice is the exact measure of man's responsibility. (Deut. 30:19; Prov. 1:24-28; Isa. 1:18-20; John 5:40; Rom. 2:14)
All events are present with God from everlasting to everlasting; but His knowledge of them does not in any sense cause them, nor does he decree all events which He knows will occur. (1 Sam. 2:30; Jerem. 44:4; Ezek. 18:20-25,31l; 33:11; Acts 15:18)
Creation, Primitive State of Man, and His Fall
Creation
Of the World. God created the world, and all things that it containts, for How own pleasure and glory and the enjoyment of His creatures. (Isa. 43:7; 1 Tim. 6:7; Rev. 4:11)
Of the Angels. The angels were created by God to glorify Him and obey His commandments. Those who have kept their first estate He employs inl ministering blessings to the heirs of salvation and in executing His judgments upon the world. (2 Sam. 24:16; Psa. 103:20; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:14; Jude 6; Rev. 7:11; 16:1)
Of man. God created man, consisting of a material body and thinkign, rational soul. He was made in the image of God, to glorify his Maker. (Gen. 1:7; 2:7; 1 Cor. 6:20)
Both Scripture and nature as designed by God affirm the life-long convenantal upon of one man, being male as created by God, and one woman, being female as created by God, in a one-flesh relationship. This one-flesh relationship is emblematic of the union of Christ and His church. It is the sole and beautiful context odf the divine plan for the biblical marriage of man and woman as imagebearers of God, as well as the foundation for the family as the basic, divinely ordained unit of human society. Violations of this one-flesh union, whether heterosexual ot homosexual, premarital or extramarital, contravene the divine plan for the family and for the conception and rearing of children, bring spiritual despair, guilt, and death to individuals and culture. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18, 20-25; Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18; Matt. 19:4-6; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 7:1-5; Eph. 5:21-33; 1 Thess. 4:3-5; Heb. 13:4)
Scripture and nature alos affirmthat two sexes, male and female, distinct and complementary by divine design, undergird the foundation of marriage and society, and that hte denial or alteration of one's embodied biological identity constitutes a repudiation of the divine intent in creation.
Primitive Man, and His Fall
Our first parents, in their original state, were upright. They naturally preferred and deisred to obey their Creator, and had no preference or desire to transgress His will until they were influenced and inclined by the tempter to disobey God's commands. Previous to this, the only tendency of their nature was to do righteousness. In consequences of the first transgression, the satate under which the posterity of Adam came into the world is so different from that of Adam that they have not that righteousness and purity which Adam had before the fall; they are not willing to obey God, but are inclined to evil. Hence, none by virtue of any natural goodness and mere work of their own, can become the children of God, but they are all dependent for salvation upon the redemption effected through the blood of Christ, and upon being created anew unto obedience through the operation of the Spirit; both of which are freely provided for every descendant of Adam. (Gen. 8:21; Psa. 51:5; 58:3; Eccl. 7:29; John 1:13; 3:3-6; 6:44; Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 2:14; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 2:3; 4:24; Col. 1:14; 3:10; Titus 3:5; Heb. 12:14)
Of Christ
His Divinity
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, possesses all divine perfections. As He and the Father are one, He in His divine nature, filled all the offices and performed the works of God to His creatures that have been the subjects of revelation to us. As man, He performed all the duties toward Fod that we are required to perform, repentance of sin excepted.
His divinity is proved from His titles, His attributes, and His works.
His Titles. The Bible ascribes to Christ the titles of Savior, Jehovah, LORD of hosts, the first and the last, God, true God, God over all, mighty God, and the everlasting Father. (Psa. 83:18; Isa. 8:13, 14; 9:6; 40:3; 43:10,11; 44:6; 45:21; Luke 1:76; John 1:1; 4:42; 12:41; 20:28,29; Rom. 9:5 Phil. 3:20; 1 Tim. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:10; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:8 1 Pet. 2:4-6; 1 John 3:16; 5:20; Rev. 1:1, 11 ; 22:13)
His Attributes. He is eternal, unchangeable, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, holy, and to be worshipped. (Mic. 5:2; Matt. 18:20; 28:9,18,20; Luke 1:35; 24:52; John 2:24,25; 3:13; 5:23; 16:30; 21:17; Acts 3:14; Eph. 1:23; Phil. 2:10,11; Col. 1:17; 2:8-10; Heb. 1:6,8, 12; 7:26; 13:8; Rev. 1:8; 2:23; 3:7)
His Works. By Christ the world was created. He preserves and governs it; He has provided redemption for all men , and He will be their final Judge. (Isa. 9:6; 44:6; Matt. 25:31-46; John 1:3,10; 5:22; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7,21; Col. 1:16,17; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 1:3,8,10 9:12; 1 Pet. 1:18; 3:22; Rev. 5:9
The Incarnation of Christ
The Word, which in the beginning was with God and which was God, by whom all things were made, condescended to a state of humiliation in being united with human nature and becoming like us, pollution and sin excepted. In this state, as a subject of the law, He was liable to th einfirmites of our nature, was tempted as we are, but lived our example, perfect obedience to the divine requirements. As Christ was mdae of the seed of David, according to the flesh, He is "the Son of man," and as the divinve existences is the fountain from which He proceeded, and was the only agency by which He was begotten, He is "the Son of God," being the only begotten of the Father, and the only incarntaiton of the Divine Being. (Isa. 42:21; 53:3; Matt. 1:18,20; 3:15; 4:1-11; 5:17; 8:17,24; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; 19:10; 22:44; John 1:14,18,34; 3:16; 11:13,35; 13:15; 16:27; 19:28; 20:31; 2 Cor. 8:9; Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:17; 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 John 2:6)
The Atonemenmt and Mediation of Christ
The Atonement. As sin cannot be pardoned without a sacrifice, and the blood of beasts could never wash away sin, Christ gave Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, and thus made salvation possible for all men. He died for us, suffering in our stead, to make known the righteousness of God, that he might believe in His Son. Through the redemption effected by Christ, salvation is actually enjoyed in this world, and will be enjoyed in the next by all who do not in this life refuse obedience to the known requirements of God. For present and future obedience can no more blot out our past sins than past obedience can remove the guilt of present and future sins. If God pardoned the sins of men without satisfaction for the violation of His law, it would follow that transgression might go on with impunity; governemnt would be abrogated, and the obligation of obedience to God would be, in effect, removed. (Isa. 45:22; 53:5; 10:11; Matt. 20:28; 26:28; Mark 16:15; John 1:29; Rom. 2:14,15; 3:25,26; 4:25; 5:6-9,18; 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:14,15; Eph. 1:7; 1 Tim. 2:6; 4:10; Titus 2:11; Heb. 2:9; 9:22,26; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:2; Rev. 5:9
Mediation of Christ. Our Lord not only died for our sins, but He arose for our justification, and ascended up to heaven, where, as the only mediator between God and man, He makes intercession for us until He comes again. (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:11; Rom. 4:25; 8:34; 1 Cor. 15:17; Heb. 7:25; 9:24)
We believe that all children dying in infancy, having not actually teansgressed agasint the law of God in their own person, are ounly subject to the first death, which was brought on by the fall of the first Adam, and not that any one of them dying in that state shall suffer punishment in hell by the guilt of Adam's sin for such is the Kingdom of God. (Matt. 18:2-5; 19:14; Mark 9:36,37; 1 Cor. 15:22)
The Holy Spirit
The Scriptures ascribe to the Holy Spirit the acts and attributes of an intelligent being. He guides, knows, moves, gives information, commands, forbids, sends forth, reproves, and can be sinned against. (Gen. 1:2; 6:3; Isa. 63:10; Mark 3:29; John 14:26; 16:8,13; Acts 7:51; 8:39; 13:2,4; 16:6; 21:11; 10:19; 1 Cor. 2:11,13; Eph. 4:30)
The attributes of God are ascribed to the Holy Spirit.
The worls of God are ascribed to the Holy Spirit: creation, inspiration, giving of life, and sanctification. (Job 26:13; 33:4; Psa. 104:30; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 Pet. 3:18; 2 Pet. 1:21)
The apostles assert that the Holy Spirit is the Lord. (Isa. 6:8,9; Matt. 1:8; John 3:16; Acts 28:25,26)
From the forefoinfg, the conclusion that the Holy Spirit is in reality God and one with the Father in all divine perfections. It has also been shown that Jesus Christ is God - one with the Father. Then these three - the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit - are one God.
The truth of this doctrine is also proved from the fact that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are united in the authoirty by which believers are baptized; and in the benedictions pronounced by the apostles, which are acts of the highest religous worship. (Matt. 28:19,20; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2)
Free Will Baptists understand the Bible teaches the following facts: On the Day of Pentecost believers spoke in distinct foreign languages which were readily understood by the nationalities present. (Acts 2:5,8,11)
Tounges were given as a special gift to the early church as only one sign which confirms the witness of the Gospel to unbelievers. (1 Cor. 14:1-40; Heb. 2:4)
While tounges were bestowed by the soverign will of God on some believers, all did not speak with tounges. When this gift was abused, it became the source of disturbance in the congregational meetings. To eliminate confusion and correct the error, Paul set particular guidelinges for the Christian church to follow. The gift of tounges was neither an evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, nor does it bring about sanctification. (1 Cor. 12:10,13,30; 14:18,19,23,33)
We believe that speaking in tounges as a visible sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an erroneous doctrine to be rejected. Any implication of a "second work of grace" has never been tolerated in our fellowship of churches, and will not be permitted.
We teach and preach the fullness of the Holy Spirit and heed the scriptural admonition, "Be filled with the Holy Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymnbs and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God the Father and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5:18b-20)
The Gospel Call
The call of the God is the co-extensive with the atonement to all men, both by the word and strivings of the Spirit, so that salvation is rendered equally possible to all; and if any fail of eternal life, the fault is wholly his own. (Prov. 1:24-31; 8:4; Isa. 45:22; 55:1,11; 65:12; Jer. 7:13,14; Ezek. 33:11; Hosea 13:9; Joel 2:28; Zech. 7:11-13; Matt. 23:37; Mark 16:15; Luke 2:10; John 1:9; 5:40; 16:8; Acts 10:34; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17)
Repentance
The repentance which the Gospel requires includes a deep conviction, a penitential sorrow, an open confession, a decided hatred, and an entire forsaking of all sin. This repentance God has enjoined on all men; and without it in this life the sinner must perish eternally. (Psa. 32:3,5; 51:3,4,17; Prov. 28:13; Ezek. 18:30; 36:31; Luke 13:5; Acts 3:19; 17:30; 2 Cor. 7:10)
Faith
Saving faith is an assent of the mind to the fundamental truths of revelation, an acceptance of the Gospel, through the influence of the Holy Spirit, and a firm confidence and trust in Christ. The fruit of faith is obedience to the Gospel. The power to believe is the gift of God, but believing is an act of the creature, which is required as a condition of pardon, and without which the sinner cannot obtain salvation. All men are required to believe in Christ, and those who yield obedience to this requirement become the children of God by faith. (Mark 16:16; John 1:7; 3:15,16,36; 5:46,47; 8:21,24; Acts 10:43; 16:31 Rom. 4:20-22; 5:1; 10:9,10; 1 Cor. 12:8,9; Gal. 3:26; 5:6,22; Eph. 2:8; 3:12; Phil. 1:29; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 11:1,6; James 2:17; 2 Pet. 1:1)
Regeneration
As a man is a fallen and sinful being, he must be regenerated in order to obtain salvation. This change is an instantaneous renewal of the heart by the Holy Spirit, whereby the penitent sinnner recieves new life, becomes a child of God, and is disposed to serve Him. This is called in Scripture being born again, born of the Spirit, being quickened, passing from death to life, and a partaking of the divine nature. (Psa. 119:50,93; Ezek. 11:19,20; 36:26,27; John 1:12,13; 3:3,5-8; 5:24,25; Rom. 8:16; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 2:1,5,10; Col. 2:13; Titus 3:5; Heb. 3:14; 12:14; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 2:5; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 3:14; 4:7; 5:1; Rev. 21:27)
Justification and Sanctification
Justification. Personal justification implies that the person justified has been guilty before God; and, in consideration of the atonement of Christ, accepted by faith, the sinner is pardoned and absolved from the guilt of sin, and restored to the divine favor. Christ's atonement is the foundation of the sinner's redemption, yet, without repentance and faith, it can never give him justification and peace with God. (Isa. 53:11; Acts 3:19; 13:38,39; Rom. 5:1,16; 9:31; Heb. 4:2; 11:6)
Sanctification is the continuing of God's grace by which the Christian may constantly grpow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 7:1; Gal. 2:20; Col. 4:12; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 6:1; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 1:7,9; 5:4)
Perseverance of the Saints
There are strong grounds to hope that the truly regenerate will perservere unto the end, and be saved, through the power of divine grace which is pledged for their support; but their future obedience and final salvation are neither determined nor certain, since through infirmity and manifold temptations they are in danger of falling; and they ought, therefore, to watch and pray lest they make shipwreck of their faith and be lost. (1 Chron. 28:9; 2 Chron. 15:2; Job 17:9; Ezek. 33:18; Matt. 16:18; 24:13; John 10:27,28; 15:6; Acts 1:25; Rom. 8:38,39; 1 Cor. 9:27; 10:12,13; 2 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 1:6; 1 Tim. 1:19; Heb. 6:4-6; 12:15; 2 Pet. 1:10; 2:20,21; Rev. 2:4; 22:19)
We believe that salvation is a present possession by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and that a person's eternal destiny depends on whether he has this possession. This we hold in distinction from those who teach that salvation depends on human works and or merit.
We believe that a saved individual may, in freedom of will, cease to trust in Christ for salvation and once again be lost. This we hold in distinction from those who teach that a believer may not again be lost.
We believe that any individual living in the practice of sin (whether he be called a "backslider" or "sinner") must be judged by that evidence to be lost should he so die in his sins. This we hold in distinction from those who suggest that pernicous doctrine that a man may live in sin as he pleases and still claim Heaven as his eternal home.
We believe that any regenerate person who has sinned (again, whether he be called "backslider" or "sinner") and in whose heart a desire arises to repent may do so and be restored to favor and fellowship with God. This we hold in distinction from those who teach that when a Christian sins he cannot repent and be restored to favor and fellowship with God. (2 Pet. 1:4-10)
The Lord's Day
This is one day in sever, which from the creation of the world God has set apart for sacred rest and holy service. Under the former dispensation, the seventh day of the week, as commemorative of the work of creration, was set apart for the Lord's Day. Under the Gospel, the first day of the week, in commemoration of the resurrection of Christ, and by authority of Christ and the apostles, is observed as the Christian Sabbath. On this day all men are required to refrain from secular labor and devote themselves to the worship and service of God. (Gen. 2:3; Ex. 20:8-11; Psa. 118:22-24; Isa. 56:2; 58:13,14; Neh. 9:14; Mark 2:7; Luke 24:1-6, 33-36; John 20:19,26; Acts 2:1; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10)
The Church
A Christian Church is an organized body of believers in Christ who statedly assemble to worship God, and who sustain the ordinances of the Gospel according to the Scriptures. Believers in Christ are admitted to this church on giving evidence of faith in Christ, obtaining consent from the body, being baptized, and recieving the right hand of fellowship. (John 15:2,6; 18:36 Acts 2:41,47; 20:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 12:27,28; 16:1; Eph. 1:22,23; 5:25,27; Col. 1:18,24; 1 Pet. 2:5; Rev. 1:4)
The Church of God, or members of the body of Christ, is the whole body of Christians throughout the whole world, and none but the regenerate are its members. (Acts 2:41; 8:12; Gal. 3:27)
Tithing
Both the Old and New Scriptures teach tithing as God's financial plan for the support of His work. (Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Deut. 14:22; Mal. 3:8-10; Matt. 23:23; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-8; Heb. 7:9-17)
The Gospel Ministry
Qualification of Ministers. They must process good, natural and acquired abilities, deep and ardent piety, be especially called of God to the work, and ordained by prayer and the laying on of hands. (Psa. 50:16; Acts 13:2,3; 20:28; 1 Cor. 2:12-16; 9:16; 1 Tim. 3:2-7; 4:13-15; 2 Tim. 1:6-11,14; 2:2,15,22; 3:5; Titus 1:5-9; 2:7,8; Heb. 5:4)
Duties of the Ministers. These are to preach the Word, administer the ordinances of the Gospel, visit their people, and otherwise perform the work of faithful ministers. (Jer. 3:15; Ezek. 33:7; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 22:19,20; Acts 20:11,28; 27:35; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23-28; 2 Cor. 4:5; 2 Tim. 4:2; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:2)
Ordinances of the Gospel
Christian Baptism. This is the immersion of believers in water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in which are represented the burial and resurrection of the Christ, the death of Christians to the world, the washing of their souls from the pollution of sin, their rising to newness of life, their engagement to serve God and their resurrection at the last day. (Matt. 3:16; 28:19; Mark 1:5; John 3:23; Acts 2:41; 8:36-39; 16:32-34; Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor. 15:29; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12; 3:3; Titus 3:5)
The Lord's Supper. This is a commemoration of the death of Christ for our sins in the use of bread which He made the emblem of His broken body, and the cup, the emblem of His shed blood, and by it the believer expresses his love for Christ, his faith and hope in Him, and pledges to Him perpetual fidelity. (Matt. 26:26-28; Acts 2:42; 20:7; Rom. 14:1,10; 1 Cor. 10:16,17,21; 11:23-29; 12:12-17)
Washing of the Saints' Feet. This is a sacred ordinance, which teaches humility and reminds the believer of the necessity of a daily cleansing from all sin. It was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ, and called an "example" on the night of His betrayal, and in connection with the instituion of the Lord's Supper. It is the duty and happy perogative of every believer to observe this sacred ordinance. (John 13:4-8; 1 Tim. 5:1-10)
Death
As a result of sin, all mankind is subject to the death of the body. The soul does not die with the body, but immediately after death enters into a conscious state of happiness or misery, accroding to the character here possessed. (Psa. 89:48; Eccl. 8:8; 12:7; Matt. 10:28; 17:3; 22:32; Luke 16:22-26; 23:43; Acts 7:59; Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:22; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 6:9)
Second Coming of Christ
The Lord Jesus, who ascended in high sits at the right hand of God, will come again to close the Gospel dispensation, glorify His saints, and judge the world. (Matt 24:42-44; 25:31; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2 Pet. 3:3-13)
The Resurrection
The Scriptures teach the resurrection of the bodies of all men, each in its own order; they that have done good will come forth to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil to the resurrection of the damnation (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:22, 23,35-54; 2 Tim. 2:18; Phil. 3:21)
The Judgment and Retribution
The Judgement. There will be a judgment, when time and man's probabtion will close forever. Then all men will be judged accoridng to their works. (Eccl. 9:10; 12:14; Matt. 12:36; Acts 17:31; Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 15:24; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Peter 3:11,12; Rev. 10:6; 20:12; 22:11)
Retribution. Immediately after the judgment, the righteous will enter into eternal life,, and the wicked will go into a state of endless punishment. (Matt. 132:41-43; 25:46; Mark 3:29; 9:43,44; Rom. 2:6-10; 6:23; 2 Pet. 1:11; Jude 7; Rev. 14:11; 21:7)
Marriage and Sexuality
We believe that the term "marriage" has only one legitimate meaning, and that is that marriage that joins one man and one woman in a single, convenantal union sanctioned by God as delineated in Scripture. Marriage ceremonies performed in any facility owned, leased, or rented by this church will only be those sanctioned by God, joingin one man with one woman as their respective genders were determined at birth. Whenever a conflict exists between the church's position and any new legal standard for marriage, the church's statement of faith, doctrines, and biblical positions will govern. (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22-23; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Cor. 7:1-9)
We believe that God commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage as defined in the above statement. We believe that any other type of sexual activity, identity, or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage, including those that are becoming more accepted in the culture and the courts, are contradictory to God's natural design and purpose for sexual actiivty. (Gen. 2:24; 19:5; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; 1 Cor. 5:2; 6:9-10; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. Those two distinct, complementary genders togheter reflect the image and nature of God, and the rejection of one's biological gender is a rejection of the image of God in that person. (Gen. 1:26-27)
Sanctity of Life
Abortion. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion is murder and constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. (Job 3:16; Psa. 51:5; 139:13-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1,5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:36,44)
Euthanasia. We believe that an act or omission that of itself or by intention facilitates premature death is assuming a decision that is to be reserved for God. We do not believe that discontinuing medical procedures that are extaordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome is euthanasia. (Ex. 20:13; 23:17; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28)
Love. We beleive that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly with those who oppsoe us. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat of the use of violence as means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such actions. (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom, 12:9-10, 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 3:8-9; 1 John 3:17-18)
Lawsuits Within The Church
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits with the Church. We believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim us pursued without malice or slander. (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32)
Protection of Children
We believe that children are a heritage from the Lord and must be absolutely protected with the body of Christ from any form of abuse or molestation. This church has zero tolerance for any person, whether paid staff, volunteer, visitor, or member, who abuses or molests a child. (Psa. 127:3-5; Matt. 18:6; Matt. 19:14: Mark 10:14)
This church's statement of faith incorporates parts II and III of the National Association of Free Will Baptist's "A Treatise of the Faith and Practices of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., which lists the statement of faith of Free Will Baptists.
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of that we believe. We believer however, that the statement of faith, which includes the incorporated provisons and additional positions set forth in section 3.02 of our by-laws, accurately represetns the teachings of the Bible and therefore is binding upon all deacons, members, officers, stadd, and volunteers, All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church must be in complete agreement with the statement of faith. All activities permitied or perfromed in aby facilities owned, rented, or leased by this church or enganged in by any staff member of this church may not conflict with the statement of faith. In all, conflicts regarding interpertaion of the statement of faith, the pastor, in consulation with the deacon board, has the final authority.