Our Beliefs Overview
We are American Baptists and are affiliated with the conservative renewal movement in our denomination. Like all Baptists, we hold to the Bible as our source of authority. In accordance with the historic Baptist tradition, we hold to...
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Believers Baptism by Immersion,
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Liberty of Conscience,
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Separation of Church and State, and
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Priesthood of every Believer.
We also affirm the following distinctives, which need emphasis at the present time:
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THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE - The Bible is the inspired, authoritative, and infallible Word of God and is our sole rule of faith and practice. It is the standard by which all human conduct and creeds should be tried.
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THE TRINITY - There is only one true God who is manifested in three eternal and coequal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God possesses holiness, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, love, mercy, and all other perfections. All humankind owes to Him supreme faith and obedience.
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HUMANKIND - Humankind has been created in the image of God, but through Adam's fall is now sinful, lost, and condemned. By deliberate choice all participate in sin, which is open rebellion to God's law. Notwithstanding the fall, all human life through creation has value and dignity.
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JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH - Human beings can be forgiven of sin and be justified solely through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, who died for sinners and rose again from the dead. Only by repentance from sin, and faith in Jesus Christ the Lord can with God be attained.
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REGENERATION - Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit by which the believer receives a new nature from God. Christian growth or sanctification is the continuation of the new life principle which begins in the new birth.
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THE CHURCH - The church in its widest sense includes all believers of all ages. The church is manifested visibly in the local body of baptized believers, who covenant together to worship, follow God's commands, and reach out to the community.
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HUMAN DESTINY - Jesus Christ will eventually return to the earth visibly, at which time He will raise the dead and judge all people. Believers will enjoy an eternal time of blessedness in Heaven, while unbelievers will experience eternal separation from God in Hell.
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EVANGELISM & SOCIAL CONCERN - The church has been called to preach the gospel so that individual people can receive salvation. Also, the church is to become involved in the improvement of society by advocating Biblical principles which confront poverty, racism, violence, and all forms of injustice against humanity.
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HUMAN SEXUALITY - God's design is that man and woman either be joined together in a perpetual monogamous relationship or live in a single state. Extra-marital sex, adultery, and homosexuality are inconsistent with Biblical teaching.