Statement of Faith for Faith Baptist Church in Attica Kansas
The Scriptures
We believe that the King James Bible is the preserved Word of God for the English speaking people, and that it is sufficient for living the Christian life. The Scriptures are our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (Psalm 12:6,7; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21)
God
We believe that God is eternally existing as a Triune Being; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Triune = Tri-Unity. The Lord Jesus' own teaching revealed that He Himself is co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father, and He deserves the same honor as the Father. Jesus also taught about the Spirit Who is separate but equal to the Father and the Son in His Nature. God is the Creator of all things seen and unseen. We reject all Gnostic heresy that undermines the Deity, Eternality, and Holiness of the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and His Son Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1,2 John 1:1-3; John 5,6,14,15; I Corinthians 8:6; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:12-17; Hebrews 11:3; I John 5:7)
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and is the only begotten Son of God. Jesus (the Word) is eternally existing with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus is not a created being or an angel. Jesus satisfied God's demand for moral purity when he lived a sinless life. Jesus satisfied God's demand for Judgment upon man's sin when He died on the Cross. Jesus bodily rose from the dead. Jesus lives today to intercede on our behalf to the Father. Jesus is coming back to earth a second time to set up his earthly kingdom. Jesus is the final Judge. Everything Jesus said and did was a perfect reflection of and submission to God the Father and His will. (John 1:1-15; John 5,6; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:12-19; Hebrews 4:15)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God. He is equal in nature to both God the Father and God the Son. It is by his leadership the Scriptures were written. His office is to convince men of sin, judgment and righteousness; to regenerate the penitent believer; to comfort and guide and seal the believer; and to empower the believer for service. (John 3:1-8, John 16:8-13, Acts 2:4, 5:9, 8:29; Rom 8:9; Galatians 5:16,17; Ephesians 1:13,14; Philippians 4:13)
Sin
We believe that sin is a Transgression/violation of the moral LAW of God. The consequence for Sin is separation from God. A Holy/Just God cannot pardon a guilty person. Therefore, Jesus died as a substitute for every person who would believe upon Him. God transferred all man's sin(s) to Jesus on the Cross, as was symbolized by the sin offering and the scape goat under the first covenant. If a person dies in their sins they will be eternally separated from God in the Lake of Fire, being found guilty at the Great White Throne Judgment. ( Numbers 14:18; Isaiah 59:2; Ez 18:4; John 8:19-24; Romans 6:23; James 1:13-15; Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 3:4; Revelation 20:11-15)
Mankind
We believe that mankind was created by God on the 6th day of Creation and given an eternal soul; the man's name was Adam, his created wife, Eve. There are only two genders, male and female; and there is only one race - the Human race. Mankind was created with a free will to choose to obey or disobey God. In choosing to disobey, he was held responsible for that action and cursed to die. The curse was passed upon all Adam's descendants. Mankind has no ability in and of himself to reverse the curse or bring himself eternal life. (Genesis 1:26,27, 2:16,17, 3:1-19; Romans 3:10-23, 5:12, 6:23)
Satan
We believe that Satan is a created being/angel that lifted himself in pride against God and was eternally punished. He is the accuser of the brethren, the author of all confusion and the father of lies. His ultimate home will be the Lake of Fire where he will not rule and reign but be tormented with those who reject God's authority and die in their sins. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Revelation 20:10-15)
Salvation
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and died as a substitute for the sins of the whole world, transferring every sin to his own account, and then rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and we await His second advent. Every person must be confronted about their condition as a sinner and then shown the Saviour as their Solution. Through confrontation about personal sin, the Holy Spirit does a work to convince the person of guilt and inability to earn God's favour, or save themselves. If a person humbles themselves and receives the truth that they are guilty and cannot earn God's favour, the Holy Spirit will draw them to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness, trusting only in His Work on the Cross on their behalf. Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins, and he awaits any sinner to call upon him for forgiveness now. (Luke 13:3; John 3:16-18; John 6.37-47; Romans 5:8-9; 10:9-13; 2 Cor 7:10; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5)
Church
The local church is the assembly of baptized believers on earth and is a representation of the future assembly of Jesus' Church in heaven, of which every believer is a member. The local church regularly assembles to pray and worship God together. When the church is not assembled, the church behaves in a worthy manner of being called Christian. When the opportunity presents itself, the Christian seeks to lead others to Jesus by passing out information about Jesus and bringing them to church if they are open to the Good News of Jesus. We believe in the autonomy of the local church. Jesus is the Head and Chief Shepherd, as stated below. (Matthew 16:15-18, Mathew 28:19,20; 1 Cor 12:13; Col 1:18; 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 Tim 3:15 )
Eternal Security
We believe that all the redeemed are kept by God's power and are secure in Christ forever. In short, the Bible teaches "once saved, always saved". (John 3:16, 36; 6:37-40; 17: Romans 5:8; Romans 8:1, 38-39; Ephesians 1:13,14; Ephesians 5:22-32; 1 Peter 1:1-9)
Marriage and the Family
We believe that there are only two genders - male and female. We believe marriage was the first institution created by God in the Garden of Eden. We believe that it was then, and is still today, a faithful union between one man and one woman as long as they both shall live. Any form of homosexuality/bestiality/transgenderism is sin and needs to be repented of. Marriage is not only a legally binding agreement in the eyes of the state, it is a sacred Commitment unto God and each other and before witnesses, and is not to be taken lightly or broken. We believe sexual relations outside of marriage is sin. Sex is a gift that is given by God to a married couple to form a family unit. We believe that the death of a spouse is the dissolution of the marriage covenant. (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Acts 21:25; 1 Corinthians 6:13,18, 7:2; 10:8, 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Ephesians 5:22-32; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4; Jude 7)
8 things that make the Baptist Church Distinct
Biblical Authority - The Scriptures are the final Word or our Faith and Practice. (2 Tim 3:16,17)
Autonomy of the Local Church - The local church is self-governing body under the authority of Jesus, the Scriptures. No single church or convention can lord over another church. (1 Cor 12:27; Col 1:18, 2 Tim 3:16,17, 1 Peter 5:1-4)
Priesthood of the believer - The believer has direct access to God in prayer through the intercessory help of the Spirit of God. (Heb 4:14-16; Rom 8:26,27)
Two offices- Pastor and Deacon - The pastor is a God-called man of that particular flock who is to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. He is under the authority of Jesus and the Scriptures; A deacon is a servant who assists the pastor and the church. (1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Tim 3; Acts 6:1-4)
Individual Soul Liberty - Each human can make their own decisions through their God given Free will which is a result of being made in the Image of God. (Ez 18:4, Luke 13:2 Cor 5:10)
Saved and Baptized Church membership - Only a person with a testimony of Faith in Jesus as their personal saviour and having been baptized can be a member of the local church. (Acts 2:41-47)
Two Ordinances- Baptism and Lord’s Supper - Baptism and the Lord's Supper are commanded for every believer. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 9:1-18; Luke 22:17-20, 1 Cor 11:17-34)
Separation of Church and State - Church members are subject to the Law of the Land inasmuch as they don't contradict Scripture, because God ordained human government. But human government has no authority granted it by God to dictate worship in the church. (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:11-17; Acts 4:13-20)
