GIVE

Statement of Faith

This local church exists in order to fulfill a threefold purpose:

  1. The worship of God in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23).
  2. The edifica>on of the body of believers (Ephesians 4:16).
  3. The fulfillment of the Great Commission to make disciples of all na>ons (MaIhew 28:19).

The Holy Scriptures contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the only rule or standard that God has given the churches to govern all maIers of faith and prac>ce. All church doctrines and confessions of faith are subordinate to, and must be measured by, the Holy Scriptures. As its subordinate standard, this church recognizes the 1689 London Bap>st Confession of Faith. The 1689 London Bap>st Confession stands in the line of historic Protestant confessions.

Charles Spurgeon, in his preface to the 1689 London Bap?st Confession, wrote:

“[The 1689 London Bap>st Confession is not provided] as an authorita>ve rule, or code of faith, whereby you are to be leIered, but as an assistance to you in controversy, a confirma>on in faith, and a means of edifica>on in righteousness. Here, the younger members of our church will have a body of divinity in small compass, and by means of the Scriptural proofs, will be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them. Be not ashamed of your faith; remember it is the ancient gospel of martyrs, confessors, reformers, and saints. Above all, it is the truth of God, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail. Let your lives adorn your faith, let your example recommend your creed. Above all, live in Christ Jesus, and walk in Him, giving credence to no teaching but that which is manifestly approved of Him, and owned by the Holy Spirit. Cleave fast to the Word of God which is here mapped out for you.” What We Believe

Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Glory to God Alone.

  1. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by the inspira=on of God, and are the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience.
  2. We believe in one triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; the same in essence, equal in power and glory.
  3. We believe in the fall of Adam from original righteousness; in the imputation of his sin to all his posterity; in the total depravity of human nature; and in man’s inability to restore himself to the favor of God.
  4. We believe that God has loved His people with an everlasting love; that He chose them in Christ before the foundation of the world; that He called them with a holy and effectual calling; and, being justified alone by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, they are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation.
  5. We believe there is one Mediator between God and man—the man Christ Jesus, who, by the sa=sfac=on made to law and jus=ce, in becoming an offering for sin, has, by His most precious blood, redeemed the elect from under the curse of the law and the just wrath of God; that they might be holy and without blame before Him in love.
  6. We believe that good works are the fruits of faith, and follow aTer jus=fica=on, and are evidences of a gracious state; and that all believers are bound to obey every command of God from a principle of love. 7. We believe that a visible church of Jesus Christ is a congrega=on of faithful persons, who have given themselves to the Lord, and to one another, by the will of God and have covenanted to keep up a godly discipline, agreeable to the gospel.
  7. We believe that Bap=sm and the Lord’s Supper are gospel ordinances, appointed by Jesus Christ, and are to be con=nued in His church un=l the end of the age.
  8. We believe that the immersion of the body in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is the only Scriptural way of Bap=sm, as taught by Christ and His apostles.

10.We believe that Sunday is the Lord’s Day, the day of public worship for Chris=ans. It is a Chris=an ins=tu=on for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrec=on of Christ from the dead and should include exercise of worship and spiritual devo=on, both public and private. “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.”

11.We believe in the general bodily resurrec=on of the dead and the final Day of Judgment; that the happiness of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be everlas=ng.

12.We believe in the complementary role of men and women. Men and women are absolutely equal in essence, dignity, and value, but are different by God’s design. As part of God’s good created order, men and women are to have different, yet complementary, roles and responsibili=es in the home and church, especially as it comes to authority and teaching. These role dis=nc=ons are God’s grace to man and woman and are to be protected, preserved, and prac=ced, for His glory and our joy. 13.We believe that marriage is ordained by God to be the exclusive union of one man and one woman, un=l death do them part.

14.We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornica=on, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bes=ality, incest, pornography, any aaempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God.

15.We believe that God has created mankind in His image and that human life begins at concep=on. God, in His infinite sovereignty, uniquely formed human beings and gave them a special dignity, personal freedom, and individual accountability among all the works of crea=on. Human beings have been made for rela=onship with God and to be good and faithful stewards of crea=on. God created each person’s inmost being, forming each person in his mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). As God’s individualized and personal crea=on, each person is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). God has ordained all the days of each person’s life before they came to be (Psalm 139:16).

16.We believe that God has ordained the sanc=ty of all human life, and we therefore condemn any aaack on that sanc=ty, including murder, abor=on, euthanasia, suicide, and the assis=ng of another’s suicide.

17.We believe that all things, whether in life or in death, must be done to the glory of God alone.