Statement of Faith ?

I wonder??????????? How far is Poughkeepsie, Ar, from me?????

Let me look at the map......hmmmmmmmmmm....interesting.....

Sherrie

 

No. It wouldn't be enough. Errors come from interpretation and application, not from the Bible itself. The Bible, faithfully translated, is by and large clear in what it says. The problems come from what we believe about what it says.

For instance, I would guess that you and I both believe in the biblical principle of modesty. But we might differ significantly to how that applies to a modern day Baptist church.

 

You know where I live??????????? Now that is spooky! ahaha! So next time in town...got to look me up! Or at least meet me at Church! Singing Cop attends there too!

You can see my church on Hihway 60 behind the Moble Home Sales!

Sherrie

 

But before you attend perhaps you should read the Statement of Faith of her church.

A statement of faith may clear up various interpretational differences. Just about anything can be proved by using small portions of scripture. The Bible even says, "...there is no God". ...Well it says a fool says there is no God.

Rob

 

Actually Rob, it says:
Psa 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.


(Did I just prove your point, Bart?)

 

Deacon, there are some churches that have no statement of faith. When you ask them for their statement, they tell you, "The Bible is our statement of faith." That's it; you won't get any more out of them unless you sit them down and drill them.

The one church that told me that--well, I've never been visited or called by anyone from that church. Guess they were waiting on me to be convicted by God that that was the church where I needed to be....

 

You caught me Arti, that's my own paraphrase. we'll have to argue about it in the {mis}translation forum.

Statements of faith provide newcomers with a concise outline of basic beliefs and practices. They don’t cover all beliefs; they don’t replace the Bible as the foremost source of truth. What I can read in a simple 'statement of faith' in a few minutes may save me a year of listening to sermons and visiting elders and asking questions.

They are not easy to write! Is there a problem with laziness in a church that doesn't have one or do they just want you to stick around and spend your time in their church.

Rob

 

I don't think it is laziness at all. I think they are being arrogant. "WE are more spiritual than YOU. WE believe the WHOLE Bible and YOU believe some parts are more important than others.", or some such nonsense.

 

I'm with you, Bart-I hate it when people give you vague statements of faith because they are afraid of discussing the real issues(with me it's usually Calvinism)

 

This is our Church Doctrine/Statement of Faith. I don't believe it leaves any doubt as to where we stand.

ARTICLE I. THE SCRIPTURES

The Bible, including both Old and New Testaments, in the original autographs is the inerrant, infallible, and inspired Word of God. The Scripture is the final Authority in all matters of faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20, 21)

ARTICLE II. THE SOVEREIGN GOD

God is a Person, eternally existing, as a Trinity in unity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – three Persons and yet but one God. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 8:6)

ARTICLE III. THE SON OF GOD

Jesus Christ, eternally existing, is the only begotten Son of God, Who became a man totally apart from sin, being conceived be the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. (Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1-15; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15)

ARTICLE IV. MAN

Man was created in the image of God but fell through sin, bringing not only physical death but also spiritual death – separation from God. Now all mankind is totally depraved, having inherited a sinful nature, is bent toward sinning, and has become sinful in thought, word, and deed. (Gensis 1:26, 27; 2:16, 17; 3:6-19; Romans 3:10-23; 6:23)

ARTICLE V. SALVATION

The Salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, accomplished through personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. (John 1:12; 3:3-7; Ephesians 2:8-9)

ARTICLE VI. SECURITY

The elect of God, at the point of salvation, are given the gift of eternal life. They are thus kept by God’s power and are secure in Christ forever. (John 10:27-30; Romans 8:31-39; Romans 6:23: I John 5:11-13)

ARTICLE VIII. SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is the process, begun at the point of salvation and continuing until the time of glorification, whereby the believer is set apart as a partaker of the holiness of Christ. (Hebrews 10:10; Philippians 3:21; John 17:17)

ARTICLE IX. THE CHURCH

A New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, observing His laws, practicing His ordinances, and carrying out His commission. Such a group is associated together by a common faith and fellowship in the Gospel.

The Church is an autonomous body, free from the mandates of any hierarchy and responsibility directly to her Lord.

The Scriptural officers of a Church are Bishops (or Pastors) and Deacons, whose qualifications and responsibilities are defined in Acts 6, I Timothy 3, and Titus 1. (Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:2; Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 1:22-23)

ARTICLE X. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

There are two Church Ordinance: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a Church ordinance, it is a prerequisite to the privileges of the membership and to the Lord’s Supper.

The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming. (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19-20; Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12)

ARTICLE XI. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

Civil government is divinely appointed for the interest and good of human society. Thus, magistrates are to be prayed for and conscientiously obeyed, except in things opposed to the Will of God.

The Church and State are to be separate. That is, neither should exercise control over the other. (Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; Matthew 23:10; Revelation 19:16)

ARTICLE XII. EDUCATION

The primary responsibility of education was given to the home and the church. We believe that our children should be taught subjects from a Christian point of view. The education of children should include informing them of the necessity of a personal experience with Jesus Christ.

A commitment to Christian Education must also be a commitment to Academic Excellence and Academic Responsibility. (Deuteronomy 6:1-10; Job 28:28; Psalms 1; Psalms 19:7-11; Proverbs 22:6; Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 28:18-20; I Corithians 1:18-31)

ARTICLE XIII. STEWARDSHIP

God is source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these are 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, proportionaltely, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth. THE TITHE IS TO BE CONSIDERED THE STARTING PLACE OF CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP. (Leviticus 27:30-32; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 23:23; Luke 12:16-21)

ARTICLE XV. FUTURE EVENTS

At death the spirit and soul of the believer pass instantly into the presence of Christ and remain in conscious joy until the resurrection of the body when Christ comes for His own (II Corinthians 5:8; I Corinthians 15: 51-57). The blessed hope is the imminent, personal, pre-tribulational, pre-millennial appearance of Christ to rapture the Church (Titus 2:13; I Thess. 4:14-17). His righteous judgements will then be poured out on an unbelieving world during the Tribulation. The climax of this era will be the physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth in great glory to introduce the Davidic Kingdom (Rev. 19:11-16). Following the Millennium, the Great White Throne Judgement will occur, at which time the bodies and souls of the wicked shall be reunited and cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). The righteous shall enjoy eternal conscious blessedness with the Lord.

CHURCH COVENANT

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized (immersed) in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Bible to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to bring tithes and offerings cheerfully and regularly for the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also engage to seek the salvation of lost souls; to maintain family and private devotions; and to teach our children the Truths of God’s Word; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; and to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation; to avoid the sins of the tongue by giving only a good report about others or by remaining silent.

We moreover engage that, when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other Bible-believing church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

LINK TO PARK MEADOWS BAPTIST CHURCH

 

What? No statement concerning creation!!!
Good for your church! I personally like it that way.

Rob

 

Isn't that covered in Article I Rob?

 

Just as deeply as it needs to be.

Rob