Question 1

1. The Scriptures

Accepted Answer

We believe the Holy Bible is divinely inspired, the truth without error, and the supreme standard of faith and practice. It reveals the principles by which God will judge us, His will for humanity, the way of salvation, and is the final authority for doctrine, conduct, and church unity. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) (2 Peter 1:21)

Question 2

2. The True God

Accepted Answer

We believe in one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent spirit , whose name is Jehovah, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in every divine perfection. He is the Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer, worthy of all worship, love, and obedience.(Genesis 1:1) (1 John 4:24) (Psalm 83:18) (Psalm 147:5) (Exodus 15:11) (Ephesians 2:18)

Question 3

3. The Fall of Man

Accepted Answer

We believe man was created in holiness, under the law of his maker, but fell through voluntary transgression. As a result, all people are sinners by nature and by choice, separated from God and under just condemnation. (Genesis 1:27) (Genesis 3:6-24) (Romans 5:19)

Question 4

4. The Way of Salvation

Accepted Answer

We believe salvation is wholly of grace through Jesus Christ, who took on human nature, obeyed the law, died for our sins, rose again, and is fully able to save all who believe. (Ephesians 2:8) (Romans 10:9-13) (1 John 4:10)

Question 5

5. Justification

Accepted Answer

We believe sinners are justified by God through faith in the blood of Christ. Justification brings full pardon and eternal life, not by works, but by grace through faith alone. (John 1:26) (Ephesians 3:8) (Acts 13:39) (Romans 5:9)

Question 6

6. The Freeness of Salvation

Accepted Answer

We believe salvation is freely offered to all through the Gospel. We believe that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel. Those who repent and believe receive eternal life; those who reject it remain in condemnation. (Isaiah 55:1) (Revelation 22:17) (John 5:40) (John 3:19)

Question 7

7. Grace in Regeneration

Accepted Answer

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be born again. Regeneration is a work of the Holy Spirit, giving a new heart and nature, a holy disposition of the mind, producing faith, repentance, and a changed life. This is done by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. (John 3:3) (John 3:6-7) (1 Corinthians 1:14) (2 Corinthians 5:17) (John 3:8)

Question 8

8. Repentance and Faith

Accepted Answer

We believe repentance and faith are gifts of God, inseparable and necessary for salvation; wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and being made aware of our way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour. (Mark 1:15) (Acts 11:18) (Ephesians 2:8) (1 John 5:1) (John 16:8)

Question 9

9. God's Purpose of Grace

Accepted Answer

We believe election is God’s eternal plan to save sinners, consistent with human responsibility. It displays God’s sovereign goodness and leads to humility, prayer, and holy living. (2 Timothy 1:8-9) (Ephesians 1:3-14) (1 Peter 1:1-2)

Question 10

10. Sanctification

Accepted Answer

We believe sanctification is the process by which believers are made holy. It begins at regeneration and continues through the Word, the Spirit, prayer, and obedience. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) (1 Thessalonians 4:3) (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Question 11

11. Perseverance of the Saints

Accepted Answer

We believe true believers will endure to the end. God watches over them and keeps them by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (John 8:31) (1 John 2:27-28) (1 John 2:19)

Question 12

12. Harmony of the Law and the Gospel

Accepted Answer

We believe God’s law is holy and unchanging. The inability of fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin. The Gospel delivers believers from sin and enables them to obey God’s righteous standard through our relationship with Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:31) (Matthew 5:17) (Luke 16:16-17) (Romans 7:22) (Romans 8:7-8)

Question 13

13. A Gospel Church

Accepted Answer

We believe a true church is a body of baptized believers, joined by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing Christ’s ordinances and governed by His Word. (1 Corinthians 1: 1-13) (Matthew 18:17) (Acts 5:11) (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)

Question 14

14. Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Accepted Answer

We believe baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, symbolizing new life in Christ. The Lord’s Supper by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self examination. (Acts 8:36-39) (Matthew 3:5-6)

Question 15

15. The Christian Sabbath

Accepted Answer

We believe the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day and should be kept sacred to worship, rest, and spiritual devotion. (Acts 20:7) (Colossians 2:16-17) (Mark 2:27-28) (Exodus 20:8)

Question 16

16. Civil Government

Accepted Answer

We believe civil government is ordained by God for the interests and good order of human society. Authorities are to be prayed for, respected, and obeyed, except where they contradict the will of Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.(Romans 13:1-7) (Titus 3:1) (Revelation 19:16)

Question 17

17. The Righteous and the Wicked

Accepted Answer

We believe there is a clear and eternal difference between the righteous and the wicked. Believers are saved and secure through faith in Jesus Christ; those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and remain under judgment and curse. (Malachi 3:18) (Romans 1:27) ( 1 John 5:19)

Question 18

18. The World to Come

Accepted Answer

We believe the end of the world is near: that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place, that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgement will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness. (1 Peter 4:7) (1 Corinthians 7:29-31) (Acts 1:11) (Revelation 1:7) (Acts 24:15) (Matthew 13:49)

The 18 Articles of Faith

Adapted from J. Newton Brown’s Baptist Church Manual (1853)