FREE WILL BAPTISTS BELIEFS
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
These are the Old and the New Testaments; they were written by holy men, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and are God’s revealed word to man. They are a sufficient and infallible rule and guide to salvation and all Christian worship and service.
Since the Bible is the Word of God, it is without error in all matters upon which it speaks, whether history, geography, matters relating to science or any other subject.
The Scriptures teach that there is only one true and living God, is Spirit, self-existent, eternal, immutable, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, independent, good, wise, holy, just, and merciful, the…Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the Universe; the Redeemer, Saviour, Sanctifier, and Judge of men; and the only proper object of worship.
The mode of His existence, however, is a subject far above the understanding of man finite beings cannot comprehend Him. There is nothing in the universe that can justly represent Him, for there is none like Him. He is the fountain of all perfection and happiness. He is glorified by the whole creation, and is worthy to be loved and served by all intelligence.
CHURCH COVENANT
“Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ”
“We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.”
“We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger. To abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.”
“We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay.”
“We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.”
The church covenant was officially adopted April 16, 1991.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
WE BELIEVE:
— The Scripture of the Old and the New Testaments of the King James Version Bible are inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings and are God’s revealed Word and the final authority in faith and conduct.
II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21
— In one true and living God, the Creator of all things, eternally existing in three Persons and in a threefold relationship, that of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1; Deuteronomy 6:4; I Corinthians 8:4; Jeremiah 10:10; Hebrews 11:3; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14
— That the Lord Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is the eternal Son of God.
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3
— That God created man consisting of a body, soul and spirit, and was made in the image of God.
Genesis 2:7; I Thessalonians 5:23; Genesis 1:27
— That the Lord Jesus died for our sins and accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified and stand before God accepted in the character and merit of Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12; John 3:14-15; John 11:25; I Peter 1:18-19, 2:24
— That the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead, ascended up to heaven, and seated on the right hand of God.
Ephesians 1:20; Acts 1:10; Hebrews 8:1, 10:12
— Saving faith is an assent of the mind to the fundamental truths of revelation, and acceptance of the Gospel, through the influence of the Holy Spirit, and a firm confidence and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior.
Hebrews 11:1,6; Romans 10:10; Acts 16:31
— That there are strong grounds to hope the truly regenerate will perservere unto the end, and be saved through the power of divine grace and true faith, but through disobedience and lack of faith there is a danger of falling.
I Peter 1:5; Hebrews 3:6, 12:1; Revelations 2:10; Romans 8:38-39; II Thessalonians 1:11; Jude 20-21; Hebrews 12:22; I Corinthians 10:11-12
— That Satan is a being (fallen angel), declared in Scriptures to be the unholy god of this world.
II Corinthians 4:3-4
— In the resurrection of the bodies of all men, the saved to eternal life and unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment.
— In the abstainment from drinks consumed as beverages with alcoholic content.
Proverbs 20:1
— In baptism (immersion) of believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; the Lord’s Supper; and Washing of Saints Feet as ordinances to be observed by the local Church.
— That marriage consists only of a man and a woman.
Genesis 31:27-28
— That homosexuality is abomination.
Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27