Faith Baptist Church is Independent and Non-Denominational
A local New Testament church is self-governed, and autonomous. We appeal to no other person but Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb. 12:2)
Faith Baptist Church Adheres to Biblical Fundamentals
We hold to the basic core of Biblical doctrines for faith and practice and separate from false teaching. (Jude 3)
- The Inspiration and authority of Scripture: God authored all of Scripture, every word of it and every part of it. (2Timothy 3:16). The Bible is God’s Truth (John 17:17). It is without doctrinal error!
- The Deity of Jesus Christ: He is fully God as well as fully Man. He has always existed as God, and He always will be God. (John 1:1; 20:31; 1 Timothy 3:16).
- Christ’s Virgin Birth and Miracles: Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25) and was sinless (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22). He performed miracles to authenticate His credentials as Israel’s Messiah (John 20:30,31).
- Christ’s Blood Atonement for Sin: Jesus shed His blood as the payment for our sin. Without the shedding of His blood, there would be no remission of sin (Romans 3:24-26; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 9:14-28; Revelation 1:5).
- Christ’s Bodily Resurrection: Jesus arose from the grave, triumphing over death and assuring believers of their future resurrection (Luke 24:1-12, 34-38; 1 Corinthians 15:1-20).
- Christ’s Personal Return: Jesus assured His disciples that he will come again (John 14:1-3). Angels announced His return (Acts 1:11), and the apostles taught that He will return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 3:1-10; 1 John 3:2).
Faith Baptist Church is Baptist
A church’s distinctive beliefs set it apart from all others. A Baptist church in general, holds to convictions that make them different from all other groups. Historically, Baptist churches have continued to hold to the Baptist distinctives because these distinctives are Biblical. These teachings may be remembered by associating them with the letters that form the word "BAPTISTS." The historical Baptist position centers on these Biblical distinctives:
Biblical Authority — Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Creeds and confessions of faith attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, but do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority.
Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21
Autonomy of the Local Church — local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing congregationally ruled Church. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a "member" of any other body.
Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23
Priesthood of the Believer — "Priest" is defined as "one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God." Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priests, we can study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God—whether we are a preacher or not.
I Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10
Two Ordinances — The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins. Thus, believers only practice Communion during the Lord’s Supper.
Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Individual Soul Liberty — Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself. However, soul liberty challenges believers to morally and ethically separate from the activity of an unregenerate person.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9
Saved, Baptized Church Membership — Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14;
Ephesians 4:3
Two Offices — The Bible mandates only two offices in the church—pastor and deacon. The three terms for "pastor," "elder," and "bishop," or "overseer"—all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church.
1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1
Separation of Church and State — God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government’s purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church’s purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government. The Government exists for the common good and is an agent of God.
Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 15:17-29