Biblical, Evangelical, Baptistic

The Holy Scriptures:

The BIBLE is God’s infallible, inerrant Word, verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit through holy men, such that the actual words were God’s words without error or contradiction.  The Word of God has been divinely preserved in the vast majority of the manuscripts from which the Authorised Version has been translated.  2 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Tim. 3:16, Rev. 22:18-19, Matt. 24:35.

 

The Trinity of the Godhead:

There is one God.  There are three persons in the Godhead – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  God is the only Creator – Upholder – Redeemer and Saviour of Mankind.  Matt. 28:19, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Cor. 13:14.

 

The Deity of Jesus Christ:

Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Godhead.  He is co-existent, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father of whose person and glory He is the exact expression.  This absolute deity of Jesus Christ is indissolubly combined with His perfect humanity in one Person.  He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.  1 Tim. 3:16, John 1:1-3, Rom.9:5.

 

The Sinfulness of Man:

Man was created in the image of God, and is Body, Soul and Spirit.  Through disobedience he fell from innocency.  He is now a sinner by nature and practice and therefore is under the wrath of God.  Rom. 3:23, 1 John 1:8-10.  Man has been given a free will and is able to choose both good and evil, to accept Salvation or reject it.  He cannot save himself but does have the power to receive the gift of eternal life.  This act does not constitute works but is an act of faith.  Rev. 22:17, Matt. 16:24, John 3:15-16, John 10:9, John 7:37.

 

Jesus’ Atonement:

The sinner is able to be redeemed from the guilt, penalty and power of sin through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In His death Christ is the sinner’s representative and substitute.  The sinner is reconciled to God and justified, not by human merit, but by divine grace and by faith alone in what Christ has done.  This atonement is sufficient for the whole world but efficient only for those who personally believe in Christ.  1 John 2:1-2, Heb. 7:25, Heb. 9:26-28.

 

The need of the Holy Spirit for Conversion:

The Holy Spirit convinces a person of his sinfulness, and thereupon leads him to repentance for sin and a personal faith in Jesus Christ as the only Saviour and to obedience to God.  The Holy Spirit makes the presence of Christ as Lord and Helper a conscious reality to every believer, and enables him to experience all the benefits available to him in consequence of his living union with Christ.  Titus 3:5, 1 Pet. 1:23, 1 Pet. 1:2, John 3:1-8, John 16:8-11, Luke 24:47, Acts 3:19, 1 Thess. 1:9.

 

Regeneration and Justification:

At the moment a sinner exercises faith in Christ for Salvation, he is freely cleansed of all sin, declared righteous (justified) before God being clothed in Christ’s righteousness, and is also regenerated (born again) of the Holy Spirit, thus becoming a new creature in Christ.  1 Peter 1:23, Rom. 5:1, Rom. 3:24-28, 2 Cor. 5:17.

 

Sanctification:

Each believer is free from Sins’ guilt but daily needs deliverance from sin’s power.

The Old Man (unconverted way of life) has been crucified but the principle of sin still operates in the believers’ members and will continue to do so until the redemption of the body at the coming of Christ for His saints.  Victory over sinful tendencies is the privilege of every believer, by the Holy Spirit’s control and filling.  Victory is appropriated by faith.  Rom. 6:6, Rom. 7:21-23, Col. 3:9-10, Rom. 8:2.

 

The Local Church:

The Church is the Body of Christ composed of true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It has its visible form in the local assembly for the purpose of evangelism, ministry and mutual fellowship.  The Church is built on the foundation of the apostles (New Testament) and the Prophets (Old Testament).  Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers are given in our time to teach and lead.  Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church by which all the saved are directed, as members of His Body.  The gifts of the Spirit are given to the church for its edification.  1 Cor. 13:8, 1 Cor. 14:20-22, Acts 28:23-28.

The sign gifts (e.g. tongues and interpretations, miracles) however, were intended to be transitional and foundational and ceased when Israel finally rejected the gospel.  Eph. 4:11-13, Col. 1:17-19, Eph. 5:23-32.

The officers of the Church are Pastors (also called Shepherds, Elders and Overseers) and Deacons (servants) who are appointed by the Church for spiritual leadership and service.  These are to be fit men in accordance with 1 Tim. 3:1-13, Tit. 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Acts 6:1-8.

Pastors, Elders and Deacons (the Church Leadership) shall be responsible for the ministry of the Church.

 

The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ:

At the end of this age, according to his promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in His Glory to the earth.  The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits His return.  He will come as the Heavenly Bridegroom to receive His Church before the Great Tribulation and as King of Kings after the Great Tribulation when He will judge the nations and reign over the earth for 1,000 years, etc.  1 Thess 4:16-18, Matt. 25:31-34, Rev. 20:1-7, Matt. 24:3-31, Rev. 3:10-11.

 

The Resurrection of the Dead:

After death the bodies of men return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God – the righteous to be with Him and the unrighteous to be reserved for the judgement.  There will be two Resurrections – the saved will be resurrected at the first resurrection and the unsaved at the second resurrection.  Acts 24:15, 1 Cor. 15:1-58, Rev. 20:5-6

 

Rewards and Punishment in a Future State:

The believer’s sins have been judged in Christ, and at the first resurrection receives rewards for faithful service.  2 Cor. 5:6-10, 1 Cor. 15:12-58, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, Rom. 14:10.

The unbeliever will stand before the Great White Throne to be judged for his sins and be consigned to the Lake of Fire where he will suffer torment eternally.  Rev. 12:4; 14:10-11 & 20:10-15.

 

Satan:

Satan is a created angelic being who fell through pride.  He and those angels who follow him make up the demon hordes for whom hell has been prepared.  Eze. 28:1-19, Matt. 25:41, Rev. 12:4 & 20:10.