We believe that a Baptist church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders, whose They shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting punishment. We believe that the New Testament church is a local assembly of baptized believers who have voluntarily joined themselves together to carry out the Great Commission. Published on April 8, 2021. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. Directions. Founded in 2019, FBA offers a full day, in-person environment that uses the well-known Abeka Christian curriculum with a combination of video instruction and teacher-led classes. He exalts Christ. While not stated in the 2000 BF&M, some churches also apply this interpretation to deacons, being a pastoral office of the church, and will not ordain women or allow them to serve as deacons. We also affirm that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God;" that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God." Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. The one and only Head is Christ through the Holy Spirit. 5:1921; Eph. All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Each church, however, is to depend solely upon the Holy Bible for Faith and Practice. The full historicity and perspicuity of the biblical record of primeval history, including the literal existence of Adam and Eve as the progenitors of all people, the literal fall and resultant divine curse on the creation, the worldwide cataclysmic deluge and the origin of nations and languages at the tower of Babel. What makes us different from the others can be easily discussed by considering the Baptist Distinctives. For every article of our statement of faith rests upon the foundation of Christ: We exalt Him as our only hope and source for the forgiveness of sin, and the grace of salvation. What would you say? He ascended into heaven and is exalted at the right hand of God the Father where He is our Advocate and High Priest, the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. The first day of the week is the Lords Day. Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:67, 24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:1920; Romans 6:12; 13:17; Galatians 5:1, 13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:12; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:1217; 3:1117; 4:1219. All who believe in Him are justifiedon the grounds of His shed blood. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. Dr. H.L. True repentance is inseparably related to true faith causing one to purposely turn away from sin and move instead toward God as an act of faith. We believe that, by His finished work on the cross and His unceasing ministry of intercession in Glory, Jesus Christ has procured for every believer eternal redemption, eternal salvation, and everlasting life. I have heard folk say, I am Baptist to the bone if you cut me bless God, Ill bleed Baptist! [citation needed][b]. Hindi We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors; but, through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; and that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We further believe that water baptism by immersion is to be observed once, and is a sign of identification and a testimony to the believers new life in Christ. The Baptist Faith and Message is also available in different language translations. We must remember that first and foremost, we are Christians blood-bought, eternally saved, Christ professing, grace given, mercy receiving, repentant sinners who the Father in heaven has spared from the fiery pits of Hell! The other four that were expelled are New Faith Mission Ministry in Griffin, Ga.; St. Timothy's Christian Baptist Church in Baltimore; Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss. The 2000 BF&M has been criticized[citation needed] for including a specific list of contemporary sins, which could lead to endless additions. Thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of 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 and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. Boston Baptist College teaches and practices the ministry of the Holy Spirit from a textual and historical position rather than that which is espoused by the modern Charismatic interpretation. Confessions serve us due to their helpful summary of the essential teachings of Scripture so as to both . Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. Statement of Faith. The Holy Spirit conceived His incarnationin a miraculous manner. It is Gods unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. 11:79; 1 Tim. There they await the first resurrection when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christand to be glorified forever with the Lord. Thurs. We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning: A life-long covenant, sanctioned by God, that joins one man and one woman, who were each born as a man and a woman, in a single, exclusive union, as spoken and described by God in Scripture. 5:3; Col. 3:56). Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. NOVEMBER 1994. He was active in the creation of all things. Therefore, we believe the Universal Church and this local church family are obligated to make every effort to evangelize all people everywhere, beginning in our homes, then reaching to our town, state, nation, and the entire world. (Genesis 2:18-25; Leviticus 18:1-30; Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 7:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4). ; Matthew 16:1819; 21:2845; 24:22, 31; 25:34; Luke 1:6879; 2:2932; 19:4144; 24:4448; John 1:1214; 3:16; 5:24; 6:4445, 65; 10:2729; 15:16; 17:6, 12, 1718; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:910; 8:2839; 10:1215; 11:57, 2636; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 15:2428; Ephesians 1:423; 2:110; 3:111; Colossians 1:1214; 2 Thessalonians 2:1314; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10, 19; Hebrews 11:3912:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:25, 13; 2:410; 1 John 1:79; 2:19; 3:2. Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:23; 15:11ff. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. Examples of such work would include course material, books or articles written, video presentation, online courses, or software developed. "Throughout the process, the [Faith Statement Development] team sought the Lord's guidance and wisdom and has . ; 5:810; 6:123; 8:118, 2939; 10:910, 13; 13:1114; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 30; 6:1920; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:1720; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:2225; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:822; 4:1116; Philippians 2:1213; Colossians 1:922; 3:1ff. Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:4 God gives all believers spiritual gifts. Furthermore, Gods name is put upon us. To treat my institutional responsibilities as a sacred trust and so to be prompt, productive and professional as an employee of Boston Baptist College. We believe that Gods design for the family is modeled in the leadership of the church. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. 10. He seals, enlightens, instructs, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps every born-again believer. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. The will of the local church is final on all matters of membership, policy, procedure, government, discipline, and benevolence. We believe that Gods design for the family starts with marriage. ; 1 Thessalonians 5:2324; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:1114; Hebrews 2:13; 5:8-9; 9:2428; 11:112:8, 14; James 2:1426; 1 Peter 1:223; 1 John 1:62:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:122:5. by which to know the Father, than through the Son (John 14:6). Married persons, husbands and wives, are commanded to exclusive sexual fidelity to each other while single persons are called to abstinence (Heb.13:4). We believe that in His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until Gods purpose is fulfilled. Clear expressions about the future direction of the SBC under the "conservative resurgency" leadership. We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state. Here are 10 things to know about Baptists and their beliefs. Leadership It is our conviction that water baptism has no saving merit. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. It is to be preceded always by solemn self-examination. Watch Live Here : https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&q=https://bit.ly/Highschoolbasketball_BoysThe Faith Baptist (Davison, MI) varsity . Sexual misconduct that is prohibited includes (but may not be limited to) disorderly lewd conduct, indecent or obscene conduct or expression, involvement with pornography, premarital sex, adultery, pedophilia, homosexual conduct and all forms of same-sex dating, or any other conduct that violates biblical standards. To avoid all forms of theft, misuse, or unauthorized possession of professional materials or information or the personal property or workspace of other employees. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and . (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5), We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Who ascended into Heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. To contribute to the protection of the physical property of the campus and the physical safety of all members of the campus community- including the safeguarding of all keys and forms of access to facilities. We believe the Bible to be the center of true Christian unity and the supreme and final authority against which all matters of doctrine, faith, human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tested. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that the one and only Superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and that on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, or benevolence, the will of the local church is final. 9. A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of Gods grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. By "Inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired. Reaffirmation of most historical Baptist convictions. ; Psalms 2:7ff. 14. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in Gods image. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. . However, for more contemporary churches which have elders, the interpretation has been extended to this office as well, thus prohibiting women from being elders. The Holy Bible, God's Inspired Word, is the Absolute and Supreme Authority. Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. President Baptist.org, Featuring : Statement of Faith Therefore, we are under just condemnation without defense or excuse. The new birth of mans spirit by Gods Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. The Scriptures The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. Mission Statement, Faith Baptist Church. The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. The canon of Scripture clearly declares that Gods design at Creation for sexual desire, orientation and identity is within the bounds of the marital union of one natural-born man and one natural-born woman (Gen. 1:2628; Gen. 2:2225; Rom. God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. . We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of Gods gift of sex. And with Mr . It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. John Newton Brown, D. D., of New Hampshire (b. Repentance is characterized by godly sorrow for sin which is offensive to God and destructive to the soul. Moreover, the cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal support of the churches. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and He is both the Son of God, and God the Son. These distinctives are easily remembered using the acrostic BRAPSISS and here is a breakdown for us to better understand: These distinctives in faith and practice have set those who have become known as Baptists (and their forefathers) as being distinct from all other forms of religion, including Catholics and Protestants. Christ, glorified in Heaven, is the Head of the Church. The Baptist Faith and Message (BF&M) is the statement of faith of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). (All matters of finance, of student or staff performance are to be discussed only with the appropriate parties within secured office space not in the hallways, cafeteria, or areas where confidential information could be overheard even inadvertently.). 12. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, 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 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. We believe that justification is the judicial act of God declaring us to be righteous through faith in Christ Jesus. The Churchs purpose of existence is to evangelize the world and complete itself through the winning of lost souls to Christ. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11; Matthew 25:41; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9-10; Revelation 20:10), We believe in the Genesis account of creation as being neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct and immediate creative acts of God without any evolutionary process. We receive the spirit of adoption and we are enabled to come boldly to the throne of grace and cry Abba, Father. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:12; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:710; 119:1, 89, 105, 140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:132; Matthew 5:1718; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:4446; John 5:39; 16:1315; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff. We believe that the Bible is clear that the next event on the prophetic timetable is the Rapture of the saved (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In Christian education there should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic responsibility. We believe He arose bodily from the dead on the third day in the same body in which He suffered and died. This page was last edited on 24 January 2023, at 12:43. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. All believers from Pentecost to the Rapture are added to the Church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We believe that God's method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations the tithes and offerings of His people; that it is to be given to the Lord through the care of the churches; and the support of the ministry is by His local church or storehouse to be distributed as directed by the leadership of the Spirit as the need arises; that the time to tithe is the first day of the week; that everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of the income; and that timing was instituted long before the law was ever given and was practiced by the early church. Preaching The Gospel As It Is To Men As They Are. Salvation is received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work. We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, 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. We further believe the wedding ceremony is an act of worship before God where one man and one woman are joined in holy matrimony. Article XVIII. Knowing who we are is one thing, but knowing WHAT we are is completely another. 6. Genesis 1:2630; 2:5, 7, 1822; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:36; 32:15; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:2631; Romans 1:1932; 3:1018, 23; 5:6, 12,19; 6:6; 7:1425; 8:1418, 29; 1 Corinthians 1:2131; 15:19, 2122; Ephesians 2:122; Colossians 1:2122; 3:911. Each church, however, is to depend solely upon the Holy Bible for Faith and Practice. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Parents are to demonstrate to their children Gods pattern for marriage. Inclusion of a statement that Baptists honor the principles of soul competency and the priesthood of believer. (Matthew 26:17-29; Acts 2:46; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-33), We believe that the Universal Church, which is Christs body, has been given a mandate by Christ Himself to be Gods missionary society to the entire world. All who join CHBC are required to affirm the CHBC Statement of Faith, the revised New Hampshire Confession of Faith from 1853. Genesis 1:2628; 2:1525; 3:120; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:49; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:2628; Psalms 51:5; 78:18; 127; 128; 139:1316; Proverbs 1:8; 5:1520; 6:2022; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:1314; 24:3; 29:15, 17; 31:1031; Ecclesiastes 4:912; 9:9; Malachi 2:1416; Matthew 5:3132; 18:25; 19:39; Mark 10:612; Romans 1:1832; 1 Corinthians 7:116; Ephesians 5:2133; 6:14; Colossians 3:1821; 1 Timothy 5:8, 14; 2 Timothy 1:35; Titus 2:35; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:17. Our statement of faith stands firmly within historic Christian orthodoxy, confessing the great doctrines of the Trinity and the incarnation of Christ as set forth in the Nicene and Chalcedonian creeds. We believe that Jesus Christ eternally existed with the Father and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus Christ abide all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Second, the 2000 revision of the BF&M removed the assertion that the person of Jesus Christ was to be the exegetical standard by which the Bible was to be interpreted,[citation needed][c] and replaced it with the last sentence in the quotation below. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. Engaging people authentically, as Jesus did, treating all as creations made in God's very image, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental ability, nationality, or economic class. Children are to honor and obey their parents. D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed. It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. It summarizes key Southern Baptist thought in the areas of the Bible and its authority, the nature of God as expressed by the Trinity, the spiritual condition of man, God's plan of grace and salvation, the purpose of the local church, ordinances, evangelism, Christian education, interaction with society, religious liberty, and the family. He is the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth. (Genesis 13:14-17; Ezekiel 37; Romans 11:1-32), Section 22: The Rapture and Other Future Events, We believe in the imminent, pre-millennialreturn of Christ for His Church. We believe that a Baptist church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. Gender identity and roles are merely aspects of Gods creative design (Gen. 1:2628; 1 Cor. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. We are sinners by nature and by conduct. Matthew 3:1317; 26:2630; 28:1920; Mark 1:911; 14:2226; Luke 3:2122; 22:1920; John 3:23; Acts 2:4142; 8:3539; 16:3033; 20:7; Romans 6:35; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 21; 11:2329; Colossians 2:12. ; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff. Statement of Faith. It is clearly commanded of God that all believers should live lives of separation from all worldly and sinful practices and to be holy as He is holy. through faith, plus nothing, and believers are eternally secure. I. Because all humans are sinful, they are separated from God and stand in need of rescue and redemption. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. He is worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. ; Isaiah 61:13; Joel 2:2832; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:2832; 28:19; Mark 1:10, 12; Luke 1:35; 4:1, 1819; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:1617, 26; 15:26; 16:714; Acts 1:8; 2:14, 38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17, 39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:16; Romans 8:911,1416, 2627; 1 Corinthians 2:1014; 3:16; 12:311, 13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:1314; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8, 14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:67; Revelation 1:10; 22:17. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. To refrain from the violation of any civil or criminal law that could adversely affect Boston Baptist College or bring reproach upon the cause of Christ. 1. To display respect for Gods creation and His provisions and to specifically practice respect for and courtesy to all persons equally. (Ephesians 5:21-6:4), We believe that man was created innocent, in the image of God, and under His law; Adam fell from his sinless state by voluntary transgression and all men sinned in him. It summarizes key Southern Baptist thought in the areas of the Bible and its authority, the nature of God as expressed by the Trinity, the spiritual condition of man, God's plan of grace and salvation, the purpose of the local church, ordinances, evangelism, Christian education, interaction . ; and Fern Creek . After one is saved, water baptism shows our faith and union in Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection to a new life that exalts and glorifies Christ. Each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. These distinctives are those beliefs and practices that establish the unique character of the New Testament faith, setting it apart as distinct from any and all other faiths or systems of belief of religious thought. 1803, d. 1868), about 1833, and has been adopted by the New Hampshire Convention, and widely accepted by Baptists, especially in the Northern and Western States, as a clear and concise statement of their faith, in harmony with the . Contact. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, under the authority of the local church. 2:1214) and thus the college community unites in the conviction that God opposes any attempt to alter ones gender by surgery or appearance. His righteousness is imputed unto us. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. He regeneratesthe sinner by the Word of God. [2] Described as "the New Hampshire Confession of Faith [of 1833], revised at certain points, and with some additional articles growing out of present needs," it was intended as "a reaffirmation of Christian fundamentals," which was deemed necessary because of "the prevalence of naturalism in the modern teaching and preaching of religion. Each article or position is followed by Scripture which they use to support their position.[a]. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. To pursue a balanced, disciplined approach to personal health. As stated in Matthew 4:4 (ESV): But He answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. We are to observe and do all things Christ has commanded us (teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Office Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm Phone: (518) 399-2220 Fax: (518) 399-2580 office@faithcrossroads.org. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and . We also believe that the husband is to be the head of the home and, together with his wife, has the responsibility to bring up their children in the caring guidance, counsel, and discipline of the Lord.