Doctrinal Statement

Affirmation of Faith

This is a summary of what we hold to be true as a church and a member of Converge.

The Word of God

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (John 17:7; Romans 15:4; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21)

The Trinity

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. (Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-4; I John 5:7)

God the Father

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of all people, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-17; John 4:24; John 17:5)

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:2-3; I John 1:7)

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide. (John 14:26; John 16:7-15; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13-14)

HUMANITY

We believe God created humankind immutably as male and female to reflect and bear His image. As such, human beings of every ethnicity, age, ability, as well as the pre-born deserve dignity, protection, honor, respect, and Christian love. Because of Adam and Eve’s free choice to sin, God’s image in all humankind has become distorted and relationship with God has become disrupted. (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 3:16-19)

Regeneration

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12-13; John 3:3, 16-17; Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:1-9; Titus 3:5)

The Church

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:38-41; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 5:25-27)

Christian Conduct

We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the well-being of others; that their conduct should be blameless before the world; that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions; and that they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. (II Corinthians 9:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 2:14-16; Colossians 3:17-23; I Thessalonians 5:17-18)

The Ordinances

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-32)

Religious Liberty

We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.(Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21)

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

We believe that Christian marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God for the well-being and propagation of humankind. It is a covenant representing the spiritual and physical union into which one man and one woman may enter for the glory of God, symbolizing the relationship of Christ to his church. As the sign of this covenant, sexual activity is reserved exclusively for the marriage relationship. According to the scriptural ideal, marriage requires sacrificial love and faithfulness to each other for life. (Genesis 1:28, 2:24; Matthew 19:4-5; Ephesians 5:32-33)

Church Cooperation

We believe that local Churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in an association of churches. Such an organization, whether it is Converge Worldwide (formerly known as the Baptist General Conference) or one of its regional districts, exists and functions by the will of the Churches. Cooperation in the association is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis. (Acts 11:29-30; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4; 3 John 5-8; Colossians 4:15-16)

The Last Things

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. (John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:1-15; Matthew 25:31-46)

Doctrinal Distinctives

ELDER-LED & CONGREGATIONAL

Like baptist churches throughout history, Faith is ruled by the congregation, which means the members of Faith Baptist collectively have the final authority in the governance of the church. Faith is also led by a pluraity of elders. The word “elder” in Scripture is used interchangably with the word “overseer.” The charge of this office is to “shepherd/pastor the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2). For this reason, we have a plurality of “pastors” at Faith. Some minister full-time (vocationally) and some have other professions, but devote additional time to shepherding and guiding the flock. Our Elder Council is comprised of men who meet the qualifications laid out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-9.

GRACIOUSLY COMPLEMENTARIAN

In accordance with Scripture, we believe that men and women have been given roles within the life of the church that differ in many ways, but complement each other. We strive to do this without going beyond what the Bible teaches and restricting anyone from serving in a way that Scripture doesn’t prohibit.

We believe the Bible teaches that the office of Pastor/Elder is reserved for qualified men. Additionally, we believe the practice of teaching and preaching the word in the gathered church is also reserved for men (1 Timothy 2:12). Still, we joyfully celebrate the gifts God has given to the women of our church. Women serve in many areas where they use a variety of gifts including teaching. Our heart in all of this is to trust God’s design for the church, and rejoice in the variety of gifts he gives to the body. For more, see “The Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood” below under "Other Documents and Convictions."

A BELIEF IN GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN ALL THINGS

We recognize there are different views on this topic, and welcome all into membership who profess faith in Christ and agree with our statement of faith. At the same time, in our teaching and preaching we hold to the view that God is sovereign in all things including salvation.