Articles of Faith

We affirm that the Church is the living body of Christ made up of all Church–Age believers from Pentecost to the Rapture (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:12; Colossians. 1:13; Acts 2:1-4; Revelations. 3:10). The local Church is the visible Body of Christ made up of individual believers assembling together in a place. Jesus Christ being the head of the Church shed His blood for it. The Holy Spirit empowers the Church through the finished work of Christ to adore God the Father and admonish one another advancing the Great Commission of Christ from Montrose unto the uttermost parts of the Earth.

(Ephesians 4:12-13)

Further we affirm that the Church, a mystery previously hidden in God, is distinct from Israel (Romans 11:7-11; 1 Corinthians 10:32; Ephesians 3:2-9).  The Church was predicted and announced first by its one foundation and head Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:15-19; Ephesians 5:32; Colossians 1:18), and the Church was initiated and revealed at Pentecost through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-4; 11:15-16).

The Church fulfills God’s purpose for it by:

• reflecting God’s glory (John. 17:18-22; Ephesians 3:10),
• declaring the mystery of the Gospel to the World (Ephesians 3:1-11; Matthew 28:18-20),
• loving Him (Revelation 2-3),
• maintaining purity (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:27),
• the faithful proclamation of His Word (2 Timothy 4:1-2), and by
• doing good to all (Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 10:22-24; 13:16).

The local church is the visible manifestation of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12); and the Word of God’s emphasis is on gathering together of called out members assembling to worship the Lord, not on buildings or location (John 4:21-24; Acts 14:27; 20:8).  Although the word “membership” is not found anywhere in our New Testament, the Bible clearly points to membership.

Local church membership is the only way scriptural discipleship and mandates can be fulfilled.

• Acts 2:41 “added to”
• Evidenced by direct Scriptural reference to local assemblies (Romans 16:1, 5; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 16:19; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:2, 22; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon. 2; Revelation 1:4, 11, 20; 2:1, 7, 8, 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 29; 3:1, 6, 7, 13, 14, 22).
• Conduction of the Ordinances (1 Corinthians 11:2, 17-20; Acts).
• Gifts are given to the church for the mutual edification of the body with structure and in love (1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:7-16).
• Body life where: (1 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 12; Ephesians 4:16)
  • One another Scriptures are followed (Ephesians 4:1-6; Philippians 2:1-4)
  • Correction and care takes place (Ephesians 4; Hebrews 10:24-25; 2 Peter 2)
• A place where leadership (1 Timothy 3) can be implemented (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2) and followed (Hebrews 13:7).
• A visible witness to the world. Identification with a body of believers magnifies the Gospel (Matthew 5:13; John 13:34-35; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 2:9-12).
• A place where godliness can be exemplified and passed on. (2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Corinthians 11:1; John 14:15; 1 John 2:19; 1 John 4:20-21).
• Church discipline is practiced (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:4-13).

The purpose of the church is to be:

Adoring God (Ephesians 3:21).

• Christ Glorifies the Father – John 17:1-5
• Christ is the Head of the Church – Colossians 1:18
• Christ is worthy of Worship – Philippians 2:9-11

Admonishing One Another (Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:12)

• Enabled by Christ – Ephesians 4:7-8
• Equipping of – Ephesians 4:11-14.
• Exegetical preaching of God’s Word – 2 Timothy 4:2
• Encouraging by Love for and Consideration of – John 13:35; Colossians 2:6; Hebrews 10:24-25
• Exhorting and Purifying of – Ephesians 5:26-27; Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:15

Advancing Jesus Christ – Matthew 28:18-20

• Proclaiming the Good news – Luke 14:23; 1 Corinthians 9:22; 2 Corinthians 5:20
• Practicing the Good news – Matthew 5:13-16; John 17:21; 13:35;
• Propagating the Bide of Christ – Matthew 16:18; Revelation 5:9; 14:6

The Baptist Distinctive

Bible is the only source for our faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Autonomy of the local church (Matthew 18:17; 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 6:1-6).  Each local church is autonomous and independent. It disciplines its own members (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13), elects its own officers (Acts 6:1-6), and settles its own affairs (1 Corinthians 6:1-5).

Priesthood of the believer (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:5, 6).

Two ordinances

• Baptism is by immersion (baptizo– to dip, dunk) after conversion (Acts 2:41) in identification with Christ picturing the death, burial, and resurrection (John 3:23; Romans 6:4), in obedience to Christ (Matthew 28:19), and is not Salvific (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).
• The Lord’s Supper/Communion is to be done in remembrance and demonstration of the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf coming together with organization, care for others, sobriety, and personal reflective examination and confession. Also a warning of potential consequences of sickness and death when done carelessly. It is symbolic and not Salvific (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:17-31; Hebrews 9:12).

Individual Soul Liberty (John 16:12-13; Romans 14:12; 1 John 2:27).

Saved Church Membership (Acts 2:47; Acts 8:36-38)

Two Church Offices (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 8-14; Titus 1:5-9; Philippians 1:1).

• The pastor/bishop/elder are synonymous terms in the Bible referring to the same office (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2) Jesus Christ being the head of the church for which He gave His life (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-27; Colossians 1:18). The role of the pastor as the under-shepherd is to oversee the work of the ministry of the church, feed and protect God’s flock, preach, teach (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 2 John 9-11; 1 Timothy 1:19-20) and not fleece it, for he will give an account for what he does (Ezekiel 34).
• Deacon (Acts 6:1-8; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).  With an emphasis on character, the deacon is servant of the Church meeting spiritual and temporal needs (Acts 6:1-6).

Separation of church and state.

 I affirm that the Lord has called his under-shepherds to guard and protect His flock by maintaining purity of practice and by separation from any and all who would seek to subvert that in any way (2 Timothy 2:10-26, Titus 3:8-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 5:1-11; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; Matthew 18:15-17; Matthew 7:15; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 John 4:1-3; Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 1:8-10).