Biblical Authority

Baptists hold that the final authority for faith and practice is the Bible. "We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried."

The Bible is supernaturally Inspired
The Bible is totally true
The Bible is God's complete revelation
The Bible is the final authority

Freedom of Conscience

Baptists view the concept of individual freedom of conscience as inherent in the instructions of the New Testament. This is derived from the many passages teaching that each individual soul will be called into accountability and judgment before God. Romans 14:12

Separation of Church & State

Baptists hold that the church of Jesus Christ is local, visible, autonomous, self-governing and consists of born-again, baptized believers. Because the state includes all persons, believers and unbelievers, it is not possible that the church of the New Testament could function with participation by both.

The New Testament Church

Baptists believe the church of the New Testament is a local, visible and spiritual assembly of baptized believers.

Regenerate Church Membership

It is the distinctive practice of Baptists to require that a person must profess personal faith in Jesus Christ (be regenerated) before he or she can be a candidate for baptism and church membership.

Believer's Baptism

"We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life."

The Lord's Supper

Baptists believe that the elements of the Lord's Supper -the bread and the cup-are symbolic of Christ's body and blood.

The Offices of Pastor & Deacon

Baptists hold that, according to the plain teaching of the Holy Scriptures, the regularly appointed offices in a Christian church are but two-that of pastor, and deacon; the first, to minister in things spiritual and the second, in things temporal.

Church Government

Baptists believe that each separate and individual church is independent of the authority of all other churches, persons, and bodies of men, either civil or ecclesiastical and its affairs are to be administered by its own members, under the authority of Christ.

The Perpetuity of the New Testament Church

Baptists believe that the institution of the New Testament church as a local, visible, independent and sovereign body established by Jesus Christ exists and will continue to exist until Christ comes again.