Articles of Faith
I. Of The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God. By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
Key Scriptures:
2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:19–21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psalm 119:105, 130, 160; Luke 24:25–27, 44–45; John 17:17; Psalm 119:89; Proverbs 30:5–6; Romans 3:4; 1 Peter 1:23; Revelation 22:19; John 12:48; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17; Romans 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psalm 19:7–11; John 5:39, 45–47
II. Of The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons — the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost — equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Key Scriptures:
Exodus 20:2–3; Genesis 17:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; John 4:24; Psalm 147:5; Psalm 83:18; Psalm 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 15:11; Revelation 4:11; 1 Timothy 1:17; Romans 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4–6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11; Philippians 2:5–6; Ephesians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 13:14
III. Of The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.
Key Scriptures:
John 14:16–17, 26; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1–3; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:8–11; John 15:26–27; Acts 5:30–32; John 3:5–6; Ephesians 1:13–14; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; Romans 8:14, 16, 26–27; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2
IV. Of The Devil, or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels. He is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power behind the present apostasy, the lord of the Antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness — destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to the judgment of eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Key Scriptures:
Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:14–17; Revelation 12:9; Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; John 14:30; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Matthew 4:1–3; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 13:39; Luke 22:3–4; Revelation 12:10; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; Mark 13:21–22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 7; 1 John 2:22; Revelation 13:13–14; 2 Thessalonians 2:8–11; Revelation 19:11, 16, 20; Revelation 12:7–9; Revelation 20:1–3, 10; Matthew 25:41
V. Of The Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted literally, not allegorically or figuratively. Man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness. Man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species. All life was made directly and God’s established law is that they bring forth only “after their kind.”
We believe God created mankind distinctly male and female, and that the only legitimate marriage is that between a man and a woman. We believe all sexual activity outside of marriage — including homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, pornography, and gender alteration — is sin.
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26–27; Genesis 2:21–23; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16–17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Acts 17:23–26; Jeremiah 10:12; Nehemiah 9:6
VI. Of The Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker but fell from his sinless state by voluntary transgression. Because of this, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice, and are therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 3:1–6, 24; Romans 5:12, 19; Romans 3:10–19; Ephesians 2:1, 3; Romans 1:18–32; Ezekiel 18:19–20; Galatians 3:22
VII. Of The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin. He is both the Son of God and God the Son — fully divine and fully human.
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psalm 2:7; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:47
VIII. Of The Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace through the mediatorial work of the Son of God. Jesus Christ took on human nature without sin, fulfilled the law perfectly, and gave Himself as a voluntary substitution — the Just for the unjust — bearing our sins in His own body on the cross. His atonement is not just an example but a full and vicarious payment. Having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven as a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior.
Key Scriptures:
Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24–25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7–8; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4–7, 11–12; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 20; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 9:12–15; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:2
IX. Of Grace in the New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, a sinner must be born again. The new birth is a miraculous and instantaneous new creation in Christ Jesus, not a result of character development or human effort. It is wholly the work of the Holy Spirit using the Word of God. Evidence of the new birth appears in repentance, faith, and a transformed life.
Key Scriptures:
John 3:3–7; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 19; Luke 5:27; 1 John 5:1; Acts 2:41; 1 Peter 1:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13; John 1:12–13; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9
X. Of The Freeness of Salvation
We believe in God’s electing grace and that salvation is available to all who will receive it by faith. It is the duty of every person to respond to the Gospel. Nothing but an individual’s own rejection of God’s grace prevents salvation.
Key Scriptures:
1 Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29–30; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1, 6–7; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13; John 6:37; Acts 2:38; John 3:15–16; 1 Timothy 1:15; Ephesians 2:4–5; John 5:40; John 3:18, 36
XI. Of Justification
We believe that justification is a legal act of God in which He declares the believer righteous. It includes the pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life based entirely on Christ’s righteousness, not on any human merit. Justification is received by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Key Scriptures:
Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 4:1–8; Romans 5:1, 9; Titus 3:5–7; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38
XII. Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are inseparable and essential to salvation. They are produced in the heart by the Holy Spirit, leading the sinner to recognize his guilt and turn to God for mercy, while receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Key Scriptures:
Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37–38; Luke 18:13; Romans 10:9–13; Psalm 51:1–4, 7; Isaiah 55:6–7; Luke 12:8
XIII. Of The Church
We believe that a Baptist church is a congregation of baptized believers, united in faith and fellowship of the Gospel. It is the center of God’s work on earth, observing the ordinances of Christ and governed by His Word. Its biblical officers are pastors and deacons. We believe in distinct spiritual roles for men and women as set forth in Scripture. Only men are eligible for licensure and ordination as pastors.
We believe the church’s mission is:
To make disciples, To build the body of Christ, To teach all that Jesus has commanded.
Each local church is autonomous and responsible before Christ. Cooperation with other churches is biblical but voluntary and under local control.
Key Scriptures:
Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22–23; 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Acts 14:23; 20:17–28; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Matthew 28:19–20; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23–24; 1 Peter 5:1–4; Jude 3–4; 2 Corinthians 8:23–24; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2, 6:1–3, 5:11–13; Malachi 3:10
XIV. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost by the authority of the local church. It symbolizes our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and our new life in Him. Baptism is a prerequisite for church membership.
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial in which believers, through the symbolic use of bread and the fruit of the vine, remember Christ’s death. This ordinance is always preceded by self-examination.
Key Scriptures:
Acts 8:36–39; Matthew 3:6, 16; John 3:23; Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–28
XV. Of The Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that true believers will endure in faith to the end. Perseverance in Christ is the distinguishing mark of genuine faith. God’s providence protects believers, and they are kept by His power through faith.
Key Scriptures:
John 8:31–32; Colossians 1:21–23; 1 John 2:19; Matthew 13:19–21; Romans 8:28, 35–39; Psalm 121:3; Hebrews 1:14; 1 Peter 1:5; Philippians 1:6; John 10:28–29
XVI. Of The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe there is an essential and eternal difference between the righteous and the wicked. Only those justified by faith in Jesus Christ are truly righteous in God’s sight. All others remain in sin and under condemnation. This distinction remains after death—eternal life for the saved and eternal conscious punishment for the lost.
Key Scriptures:
Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17–18; Proverbs 11:31; 1 Peter 1:18; Romans 1:17; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 John 2:29; Galatians 3:10; Romans 6:23; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25:34, 41; John 8:21; Matthew 7:13–14
XVII. Of Civil Government
We believe civil government is divinely appointed for the good of human society. Believers are commanded to honor, obey, and pray for those in authority—except when such obedience would violate God’s commands. Jesus Christ is the only Lord of the conscience and the true King of Kings.
Key Scriptures:
Romans 13:7; 2 Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21–22; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13–14, 17; Acts 4:19–20; Daniel 3:17–18; Matthew 10:28; Philippians 2:10–11
XVIII. Of the Resurrection and Return of Christ and Related Events
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day, His ascension to the right hand of God, and His ongoing priestly ministry for believers. We believe in His visible, personal, bodily return. At His coming, the dead in Christ will rise first, and living believers will be transformed. Christ will reign for 1,000 years in righteousness before delivering up the kingdom to God the Father.
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 28:6–7; Acts 1:9,11; 1 Corinthians 15:4, 42–44, 51–53; Luke 24:2–7, 51; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:1, 2:17, 9:28; John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Isaiah 11:4–5; Revelation 20:1–6; Psalm 72:8
XIX. Of Missions
We believe the Great Commission is the responsibility of the local church. Every believer is called to participate in the work of evangelism and discipleship, sharing the Gospel with the world and making disciples of all nations.
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13–15
XX. Of the Grace of Giving
We believe giving is a grace and a form of worship. Christians should give regularly, generously, and cheerfully to support the work of the local church and the spread of the Gospel. Giving is not out of obligation, but out of love and faith.
Key Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Hebrews 7:2,4; Matthew 23:23; Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Acts 4:34–37
Life Baptist Church 