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| __ B A P T I S T _ C H U
R C H |
| Anchorage,
Alaska |
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| DOCUMENTS |
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Statement of Faith
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The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Holy
Scriptures, which are limited to the sixty-six books from Genesis through
Revelation, are the inspired Word of God, and that they were written by holy
men of God who were controlled by the Holy Spirit. This supervision included
all the books contained in the Holy Scriptures, and extended even to the very
words the authors used. Therefore, the Scriptures are totally without error in
the original manuscripts. Bible translations, on the other hand, have a derived
inspiration to the degree that they accurately reflect the meaning of the
original manuscripts.
The Holy Scriptures shall remain, until the end
of this church age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God
to man. They are basic to Christian growth and unity, and are the supreme
authority by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions must be evaluated.
(2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12; 1 Pet. 1:10; 2 Pet. 1:19-21)
The
Godhead
We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an
infinite, perfect, self-existent, sovereign, holy, personal, loving,
all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere-present spirit, whose name is Jehovah,
the creator and ruler of heaven and earth; revealed in three distinct persons;
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each of whom is to be honored and
worshipped equally as true God. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John
14:10, 26)
Satan
We believe in the existence of Satan who
originally was created a holy and perfect being, but through pride and unlawful
ambition rebelled against God, thus becoming utterly depraved in character, the
great adversary of God and His people, leader of all other evil angels and
spirits, the deceiver and god of this present world. (Isa. 14:12-15; Eze.
28:13-17; Matt. 4:1-11; 12:22-28; 25:41; John 8:44; 2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Tim. 3:7;
Rev. 2:9; 12:10)
State of Man
We believe that the material
universe, including man, came into being by direct creation of God, and not by
process of evolution. We believe that man was created in holiness, in the image
and likeness of God, under the law of his Creator; but by voluntary
transgression (Adam's sin) the whole human race fell from that holy and happy
state; in consequence of which all mankind inherited a sinful nature and are
now sinners: not by constraint but by choice. (Gen. 1:1, 26-27; 2:7; 3:1-15;
John 1:1-3; Rom. 1:18; 3:21-23; 5:12-14; Eph. 2:1-3; Titus 3:5; Rev. 21:8)
Salvation of Man
We believe that repentance and faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition for salvation. Salvation is totally of
grace apart from our works and made possible only through the vicarious death
of Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary. There is salvation in none other
than Christ, and the personal acceptance of Him is absolutely essential. (John
3:6-7; 3:16, 18, 36; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:13; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:22-23; Acts
16:31; Eph. 2:8-9)
We believe that the blessings of salvation are
freely offered to all who will believe and that nothing prevents the salvation
of the greatest sinner except his own inherent depravity and voluntary
rejection of the Gospel.
We believe that all true believers possess
everlasting life; that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation; and that they are saved and kept, not by self-righteousness, but by
the righteousness of Christ. (John 3:16; 10:28-29; Rom. 1:16; Phil. 1:6; Heb.
13:5; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; Jude 24-25)
The Church
We believe that a
church (local assembly) is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by
covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; established by Jesus
Christ, who is the sole Head; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by
His laws; exercising its Scriptural rights, and privileges; that its only
Scriptural officers are Pastors (also referred to as Bishops and Elders), and
Deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the epistles to
Timothy and Titus. We believe that the church began with the New Testament
Saints and will be consummated at the coming of Christ in the rapture. (Matt.
18:15-21; Acts 1:8; 2:1-47; 5:11; 8:1; 11:21-23; 14:23; 15:22; 1 Cor. 1:1-10;
11:2; 14:12; Phil. 1:17; I Tim. 3; Titus 1; 3 John 9)
Biblical
Prophecy
We believe in the pre-tribulational, pre-millennial return of
Christ (the rapture) for His Bride (the church), a blessed hope for which we
should constantly watch and pray. (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 22:26; 1 Thess.
1:9-10; 4:13-18; 2 Tim. 4:8; Titus 2:11-13; Rev. 1:7; 19; 20; and 21)
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Historic Baptist Distinctives
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Biblical Authority: The Bible is the final authority
for faith and practice (II Tim. 3:15-17).
Autonomy of the Local Church:
The local church is entirely independent of every other church or of any
denominational hierarchy, and being sovereign in all matters pertaining to its
function as a church (Matt. 18:15-20; Acts 13:1-3; I Cor. 5:1-13).
Priesthood of the Believer: Every believer is a priest before God and
has direct access to God through prayer (I Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16; I Pet. 2:9).
Two Ordinances: Baptism (by immersion) and the Lord's Supper are the
two ordinances ordained by Christ, observed by the churches in Acts, and set
forth as symbols of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Saviour (Matt.
28:19; Lu. 22:7-20; Acts 2:37-47).
Individual Soul Liberty: Every
Christian has the right to interpret the Scripture and worship God as he feels
the Bible teaches (Acts 17:10-11; I Pet. 5:1-3).
Separation of Church
and State: The ideal relationship is a free and independent church within a
free and independent state (Matt. 22:21).
Two Officers: Pastor and
Deacon are the only recognized offices today within the Church (I Tim. 3:1-13).
The New Testament terms Pastor, Bishop, and Elder refer to the same office and
are used interchangeably (Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5-7; I Peter 5:12).
Saved
Church Membership: The membership of the local church must be comprised only of
those who have openly confessed Jesus Christ as their personal Savior (Acts
2:37-41; I Thes. 1:1-10). |
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