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STATEMENT
OF FAITH
WHAT I BELIEVE
I am a Baptist (Southern
Baptist Convention), not because the baptist church is perfect, but because
I believe that the particular church I belong to teaches and preaches the
whole Word of God - without sugar coating it - in It's entirety.
It calls sin "SIN", and evil "EVIL". It believes that there are absolutes
in this world, as defined by the Holy Word of God, the Bible.
Am I perfect, or
sinless? NO, NO, NO!! Only FORGIVEN! Only by the Grace
of God will I EVER be perfect - not in this life - but when I am called
HOME to heaven, I WILL be perfect, made so by the cleansing blood of Jesus
Christ!
Am I going to tell
you to rush right out and join a "Baptist" church?? NEVER!
But, I do ask you to examine whatever church you join in the light of God's
Word. If you see and hear things being taught that are in direct
opposition to the Bible, or are told that only certain parts of the Bible
are true, or that the Bible is not complete and there is another book needed,
then it is time to look for a new Christian home (church).
There are wonderful,
Bible believing churches by many names. It doesn't matter what they
are called, as long as they teach the unerring Word of God in It's entirety!
I believe that the
Bible calls for us to become a part of a local body of believers (church),
not just to "get something out of it", but to participate in it, and share
our talents, whatever they may be, with fellow believers.
About God:
God is the creator and the
ruler of the universe. There is only one, true holy God. He eternally exists
in three personalities: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. These
three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis1:1,26-27, 3:22;
Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians13:14
About Jesus:
Jesus Christ is the Son of
God. He is co-equal with the Father (God). Jesus lived on earth by a miraculous
conception and virgin birth. He lived a sinless human life and offered
Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on
a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power
over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again
to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew-1:22-23; Isaiah-9:6;
John-1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrew-4:14-15; I-Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans-1:3-4;
Acts-1:9-11; I-Timothy-6:14-15; Titus-2:13; John-14:6; Hebrews-13:8
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
people aware of their need of Jesus Christ. He also lives in every
Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with
power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing
what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
II-Corinthians-3:17; John-16:1-13,
14:16-17; Acts-1:8; I-Corinthians-2:12, 3:16;
Ephesians-1:13; Galatians-5:25;
Ephesians-5:18
About the Bible:
The sole basis for our belief
is the Bible. The Bible is God's word to all people. It was written by
human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is
the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because
it is inspired by God, the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in the
original manuscripts. They are the final authority on all matters of faith
and practice.
II-Timothy-3:16-17; II-Peter-1:21;
James-1:22; Hebrews-4:12; Romans-1:16-17
About Salvation:
Because of the sin of Adam,
all have sinned and are separated from God. The result is eternal death
and separation from God. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
however, we have the gift from God to all people, Salvation. 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 people be saved from
sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ
into his life by faith.
Romans-6:23; Ephesians-2:8-9;
John-14:6, 1:2, 1:12, 5:24; Titus-3:5;
Galatians-3:26; Romans-5:1,8,
8:31-39; Romans-10:13; Revelation-3:20
About Security of the Believer:
I believe that since Jesus
Christ died ONCE,
for
ALL sin,
for
ALL time - past - present - and future,
for
ALL people,
then our salvation is ours for eternity, since ALL
OUR SIN, - past - present - future, HAS BEEN PAID FOR! IF
we could do anything to lose our salvation once we have truly accepted
the free gift of salvation, then we would have to crucify once again our
Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved again.
Hebrews-6:4-6, John-10:28-29,
3:36,
5:24, 1:12; 1John-5:13
About the Church:
I believe that there is ONE
church, comprised of all believers, and that each local church makes up
a part of this "universal" church.
Ephesians-4:5-6, 5:30-32,
2:14, 1:22-23; Colossians-1:18, 1:24, 3:15;
John-10:16, 17:20-22; Romans12:4;
Hebrews-1:11-12, 1:22-23
About Baptism:
I believe
that all baptism is by immersion as demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ,
and is done after public acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as
atonement for our sin. It is not necessary for salvation, but is
done in obedience to our Lord's command and example. It is a symbol
of our death and burial to sin, and resurrection to new life through Christ.
Colossians-2:12
VIEWPOINT ON HEALING
I believe that God can and
does heal in our current day. I also believe, however, that God offers
strength in our weakness and, at times, allows us to grow spiritually,
although not always comfortably, by allowing the "thorns" into our lives,
(2 Cor. 12:9).
I DO NOT BELIEVE that
healing is 100 percent guaranteed with the right "faith formula."
I believe that God can heal
despite our lack of faith, if it is HIS will, therefore, we are not able
to meet a formula of "praying harder," and be guaranteed an
outcome of healing (Mark 6:5,6). Illness
is not necessarily a sign that we have done something wrong (John
9:3) nor that we have "hidden sin" in our lives, (John
5:14) (though most of us do harbor secret sin, if we are honest
with ourselves).
I caution against
worshipping "the idea of healing", rather than worshipping God, (Exodus
20:3). Although I STRONGLY encourage people to pray for God's
healing, I also comfort them in their pain; as I believe that we are called
to comfort others in their pain, as God has comforted us in our own (2
Cor. 1:3-5), even when we are still living with pain in our own
lives (1 Peter 4:10).
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