Christian Education is one of the greatest resources that we have in our churches and yet it is the least appreciated. Christian Education is the ministry that under girds all other ministries in the church. We are unable to live as God desires if we are not educated in the things of God. The following paragraphs describe the core beliefs of the Baptist Church.
However, to fully understand the principles and moral guidance contained in these beliefs, we encourage every heart to become dedicated students in Sunday School. Sunday School serves as a strong educational arm of the church as well as an evangelistic arm where the believer and non-believer can come to know Jesus Christ and come to know the will of God for his or her life.
Article I. Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation fore its end, and truth without any mixture of error.
Article II. Of the True God
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfection to whom we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. He is revealed to us in the person of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
Article III. Of the Fall of Man
We believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:27). He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed (disobeyed) the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; and fell into a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin.
Article IV. Of the Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon him or nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by his death. Being risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in Heaven, the only mediator between God and man who was tempted in all manners as we are tempted and therefore intercedes before God the Father with the greatest of compassion toward sinful man.
Article V. Of Justification
We believe that justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus Christ.
Article VI. Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner except his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teacher, Savior and Lord.
Article VII. Of Grace in Regeneration
We believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness.
Article VIII. Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all sufficient Saviour.
Article IX. Of God's Purpose of Grace
We believe that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which he regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners. It is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man and in no way interferes with the salvation of any individual.
Article X. Of Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Article XI. Of the Perseverance of Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors.
Article XII. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one of the great ends of the gospel.
Article XIII Of a Gospel Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinance of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word; that its only Scriptural officers are bishops, or pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles of Timothy and Titus.
Article XIV. Of Baptism and Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to anew life; that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ---preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Article XV. Of the Christian Sabbath
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for the rest that remaineth for the people of God.
Article XVI. Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Article XVII. Of the Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and are under condemnation.
Article XVIII. Of Christian Education
We believe that Christianity is the religion of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is therefore a part of our Christian heritage. An adequate system of schools is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ's people.
Article XIX. Of Social Service
We believe that every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ regnant in his own life and in human society; to oppose in the Sprit of Christ every form of greed, selfishness and vice; to provide for the orphaned, the aged, the helpless, and the sick; to seek to bring industry, government and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth and brotherly love; to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and his truth.
Article XX. Of Stewardship
We believe that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to him. We have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in our possessions.
Article XXI. Of Evangelism and Missions
We believe that is is the duty of every Christian man and woman, and the duty of every church of Christ to seek to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thusly upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life. It is also expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods sanctioned by the gospel of Christ.
Article XXII. Of the Resurrection
We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead. His grave was emptied of its contents. He appeared to the disciples after his resurrection in many convincing manifestations. He now exist in his glorified body at God's right hand.
Article XXIII. Of the Return of the Lord
We believe that the New Testament teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this earth. "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heave, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." The time of his coming is not revealed. "Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36).
Article XXIV. Of the World to Come
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that solemn separation will then take place; the the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.