STATEMENT OF FAITH AGREEMENT

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF COLLEGE HILL

ARTICLES OF FAITH

Whereas our creed is in the total revealed word of God, and we present no formal creed herein, the following articles represent the consensus of belief of the membership of the church.

The Holy Bible was given by inspiration of God and is a treasure of heavenly instruction; it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and it is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be measured; it is the authoritative rule of all 

saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. Psalms 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 1:1-2.

I.  GOD

There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself perfections, and being infinite in them all, and to Him all creatures owe the highest of love, 

reverence and obedience. Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:4- 5; 1Timothy1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6.

 A.  THE TRINITY

God is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence of being.  Matthew 28:19; Galatians 4:4-6.

B.  GOD THE FATHER

God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace.  He is all-powerful, all loving, and all wise.  Psalms 139; Matthew 6:8; John 17:24; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 6:6; James 1:25; 1 Peter 1:2, 19.

C. GOD THE SON

Christ is the eternal Son of God.  In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God taking upon Himself the demands and necessities of human nature and identifying Himself completely with mankind, yet without sin.  He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His death on the Cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin.  He is the divinely appointed Mediator between God and man.  He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand he ever lives to make intercession for His people.  He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church and Sovereign of the universe.  He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission.  He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present Lord. John 1:1-4; Hebrews 12:24; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 5:8; 1Timothy 2:5.

D.  GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God.  He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth.  He exalts Christ.  He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.  He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration.  He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church.  He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption.  His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer unto the fullness of the stature of Christ.  He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.  John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 12:11; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 3:17-18; Romans 15:30; Ephesians 4:30; Matthew 28:19; Romans 8:14, 26; Acts 1:8; 20:28; Hebrews 9:14, Galatians 5:22-23.

II.  FALL OF MAN

Man was created by the special act of God, in His own image, and is the crowning work of His creation.  In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice.  By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race.  Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence; whereby, he inherits a nature and an environment inclined toward sin, and as soon as they are capable of moral action become transgressors and are under condemnation.  Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God.  Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3; Psalms 53:3; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3.

III. 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, Lord, and Savior. Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by his own blood obtained redemption for the believer.  Salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, justification, and glorification. Psalms 27; 13:5; 25:5; 51:12; Isaiah 33:2; Luke 2:30, 3:6; 19:9; Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16; 10:10; 13:11; 2 Timothy 3:15; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 1:14; 2:3.

A.  REGENERATION

Regeneration is a changed heart, shaped by the Holy Spirit, whereby we became partakers of the divine nature, and a holy disposition is given leading to the love and practice of holiness.  It is a work of God’s free and special grace alone. Ezekiel 36:26; John 3:3-7; Colossians 3:10; Titus 3:5.

B.  REPENTANCE

Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, (humbles) himself with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk with God so as to please Him in all things. Psalms 34:18; Luke 15:17; Ezekiel 18:21; Matthew 3:2; Acts 20:21.

C.  FAITH

Saving faith is the belief, on God’s Authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His word concerning Christ, accepting, and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness. Psalms 37:5; Mark 9:24; Romans 3:28; 4:5; 5:1; 10:17, Galatians 2:16; Acts l5: 9; 26: l8; 1 Corinthians l3; James 2:17; Romans 5: l.

D.  JUSTIFICATION

Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal 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 redemption that is in and through Christ.  Romans 1:17; 3; 4; 5:9; Micah 6:8; Romans 5:18; Galatians 3:11.

E.  SANTIFICATION

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, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.  1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:17; Ephesians 1:4; 4:15; 5:27; Hebrews 3:11; 1 Peter 1:2, 15; 2:5; 2 Peter 3:11-18; John 10:36; 17:17; Romans 15:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 10:14.

IV. OF THE PERSERVERNACE 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; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.  John 3:16; 10:28, 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:38-39; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:5.

V.  THE CHURCH

We believe the Lord Jesus is the head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples and in Him is, invested supremely all power for its government.  The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His work; that its only ordained officers are (Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons), whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the epistles of Timothy, Titus and the Book of Acts.  Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23 and 5:24; Colossians 1:18; Acts 14:21-24; Philippians l:1; 1 Timothy 3: 1-13.

VI. BAPTISM

We believe that baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in the water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of his remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in the newness of life.  It is a prerequisite to church fellowship and to participation in the Lord’s Supper. Matthew 3:13-17; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 28:19-20.

VII. THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe in the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate the (undying) love of Christ and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion and fellowship with Jesus Christ.  It is always to be preceded by self-examination.  Matthew 26:26-37; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.

VIII.  THE LORD’S DAY

We believe that the first day of the week (Sunday) is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred for religious purposes.  It should be used in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion (both public and private), works of necessity and mercy being exceptions.  Matthew 28:1-6; John 20:1; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Exodus 20:8-11.

IX. THE RESURRECTION

The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God — the righteous to rest with Him and wicked, to be reserved under darkness to the judgment.  At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both the just and the unjust will be raised. Job 19:26; Psalms 17:15; Isaiah 26:19; Matthew 22:31; Luke 14:14; John 5:28; 11:23; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:12-28; 1 Thessalonians 4; 5:23; Philippians 3:10; John 11:25.

X.  THE JUDGEMENT

God hath appointed a day wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ when everyone shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment and the righteous into everlasting life.  Matthew 7:1; Romans 14:10; 1 Peter 4:17; John 5:22; 9:39; 12:31; 16:8.

XI. LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and he has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it.  The state owes every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends.  It is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church members should not resort to civil powers in relations with one another.  The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends.  Matthew 22:17-21; Mark 12: l3-17; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4: 1 Peter 2: l7.

XII. STEWARDSHIP

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him.  Christians have a spiritual (debtor-ship) to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the Gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions.  They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents and material possessions and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.   The tithe is to be considered the starting place of Christian stewardship.  Luke 6:1; Luke 12:42; 16:8; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Peter 4:10.

XIII. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

We believe that God ordained marriage at creation as the sacred union of one man and one woman.  All sexual relations must therefore be reserved for that union.  Christian marriage is a representation of Christ’s relationship to His church.

We also believe that children are a blessing from the Lord.  Thus, all human life is sacred and worthy of protection from the moment of conception.  Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Psalm 127 and 128; 139:13-16; Matthew 19:1-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hebrew 13:4.

XIV. COOPERATION

 Christ’s people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objectives of the Kingdom of God.  Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches.  They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit combine and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner.  Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational and benevolent ministries of the Kingdom of Christ.  Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
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