1. 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.
2.
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.
3.
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 each person, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from
sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
4.
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.
5.
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.
6.
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.
7.
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 confession
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.
8.
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 possesions; and that they should seek to
realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.
9.
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.
10.
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 an 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.
11.
Church Cooperation
We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating
with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether
a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches.
Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches
may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary basis.
12.
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 righteousness, and the endless
suffering of the wicked.
Adopted
by the Baptist General Conference in 1951, reaffirmed in 1990 and amended in 1998.