What We Believe
Our Vision Statement
Friendship with God, Friendship with Believers, and Friendship with Those Yet to Believe
In essential beliefs — we have unity
“There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all.” Ephesians 4:4-6
In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
In all our beliefs — we show charity
“If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” I Corinthians 13:2
- 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.
- About Jesus Christ — Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, 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 someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
- 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 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. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. We serve Christ under the empowerment of the Spirit. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
- About the Bible — The Bible is God’s Word to us. 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 for living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. Some have said it well that the BIBLE is: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth!
- About Human Beings — People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
- 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 one receives Jesus Christ by faith.
- About Eternal Security — Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
- 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 separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
See the Baptist Faith and Message for a complete listing of the foundational matters of faith for Southern Baptists.