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1. The Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without
error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and
conduct.
2. The Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in
three persons, that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that
they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation,
providence and redemption.
3. God the Father
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in
holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself
mercifully in the affairs of each person, that He hears and answers prayer,
and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus
Christ.
4. Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the
Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and
teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection,
ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal
visible return to earth.
5. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to
convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate,
sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that
the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding
helper, teacher and guide.
6. Regeneration
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are,
therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their
sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
7. The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ
is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the
local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized
on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and
fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local
church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost
world.
8. Christian Conduct
We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the well-being
of others; that their conduct should be blameless before the world; that
they should be faithful stewards of their possessions; and that they should
seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity
in Christ.
9. The Ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to
the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian
baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune
God. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration
of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed
and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
10. Religious Liberty
We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is
responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is
independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or
political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate
as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation
or patronage of the other.
11. Church Cooperation
We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ
by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such
an organization, whether it is the Conference or a district conference,
exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference
is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise
cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary independent
basis.
12. The Last Things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ
to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection
of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous,
and the endless suffering of the wicked.
Adopted by the Baptist General
Conference in 1951, reaffirmed in 1990 and amended in 1998. |