Doctrinal Statement
WORD OF GOD
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and is inspired and without error in its original form and therefore the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21
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GOD
We believe that there is only one God, holy and omnipotent, who exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1-26; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19
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We believe that God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners, according to His sovereign election and love for man.
John 3:16; Ephesians 1:4-5
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JESUS CHRIST - the Lord
We believe that Jesus Christ is God; that He was born of a virgin; that He lived without committing sin; that He died by means of crucifixion as a substitute for the sins of man; that He was resurrected physically from the dead; that He ascended into Heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father; that He will return visibly to take with Him His Church; and that when He comes, He will judge the world.
John 17:5; Luke 1:26-35; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15;
Matthew 20:28; Acts 2:32-33; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-
17; Revelation 20:11-15
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HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God; that He is a Person; that He regenerates and indwells all believers from the moment of their conversion; that He distributes spiritual gifts in the church; and that He is the Guide of the believer.
Acts 5:3-4; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:7 & 11; Ephesians 5:18
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MAN
We believe that all men are created in the image of God. Because of the sin of Adam, however, the human race is radically depraved, without hope, and condemned to eternal punishment and separation from God. They are incapable, in and of themselves, to restore their fellowship with God.
Gen.1:26; Rom. 5:12; Eph.2:1-9
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SALVATION and GRACE
We believe that salvation and fellowship with God are received only by grace, which is a gift of God manifested in the life of the believer through personal repentance of sin and faith in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for us.
Romans 5:10 & 19; Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:8-9
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RESURRECTION
We believe that there will be a final bodily resurrection of all the dead. Those who are saved will receive eternal life with God in Heaven, and those who are not saved will be condemned to eternal punishment; separation from God.
Romans 6:23; John 5:28-29; Matthew 18:8
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CHURCH
We believe that the church is universal and is made up of the people of God. The Church is made up of local congregations who are led by qualified pastors who teach and lead by example the believers in Jesus Christ to worship God, edify one another and evangelize the world through conduct, good deeds and spoken word.
Acts 2:41-47; Ephesians 4:11-13
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CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that believers in Jesus Christ, being filled with the Holy Spirit, should grow daily in the grace and knowledge of God and that they should consistently overcome the influences of the world, the flesh, and of Satan.
2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 5:18-19
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SACRAMENTS or ORDINANCES
We believe that the practice of the Lord's Supper was ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ to remember His death, His resurrection and His return. Moreover, we believe that the Lord's Supper was given to the church so that believers could examine themselves in order to maintain a right relationship with both God and his fellow man.
Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
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We believe that Baptism was commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism was and still is intended to identify the new believer/convert (born again person) with Jesus Christ as a symbol of new life. While Baptism is not necessary for a person's salvation, it is a very important act of obedience for the believer.
Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-9; Luke 23:39-43
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SATAN
We believe that the enemy of God and of the Church is Satan. He is a real person who is not visible. While he possesses a great power, he was defeated by the Lord Jesus Christ and believers can live in the victory that Christ conquered for them.
1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 1:20-22; 6:16-18, Matt. 28:18-20
We also appreciate the following historical and contemporary confessions of faith.
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The Baptist Faith and Message 2000
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The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
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Southgate Fellowship Affirmations & Denials
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Together for the Gospel Affirmations and Denials
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Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone
Solus Christus - Christ Alone
Sola Gratia - Grace Alone
Sola Fide - Faith Alone
Soli Deo Gloria - The Glory of God Alone
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We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in the Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone.
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Unwarranted confidence in human ability is a product of fallen human nature ... God's grace in Christ is not merely necessary but is the sole efficient cause of salvation. We confess that human beings are born spiritually dead and are incapable even of cooperating with regenerating grace. We reaffirm that in salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by his grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life. We deny that salvation is in any sense a human work. Human methods, techniques or strategies by themselves cannot accomplish this transformation. Faith is not produced by our unregenerated human nature.