NEW TESTAMENT
BAPTIST CHURCH
PANTEGO, TX
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
A Bible-believing Baptist is one who believes in a supernatural Bible, which tells of a supernatural Christ, Who had a supernatural birth, Who spoke supernatural words, Who performed supernatural miracles, Who lived a supernatural life, Who died a supernatural death, Who rose in supernatural splendor, Who intercedes as a supernatural priest and Who will one day return in supernatural glory to establish a supernatural kingdom on the earth.
THE SCRIPTURES
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.
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By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but is the very Word of God.
2. By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired.
3. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the King James Version Bible. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church.
Scripture References:
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Acts 1:16, 28:25; Psalm 19:7-11, 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Luke 16:31, 24:25-27 & 24:44-45; John 5:39, 5:45-47, 12:48, 17:17; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 3:4 & 15:4; I Peter 1:23; Revelation 22:19; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17
THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worth of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Scripture References:
Exodus 15:11 & 20:2-3; Genesis 17:1; I Corinthians 2:10-11, 8:6 & 12:4-6; Ephesians 2:18 & 4:6; John 4:24, 10:30, 15:26 & 17:5; Psalm 83:18, 90:2 & 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10;
Revelation 4:11; I Timothy 1:17; Romans 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; Philippians 2:5-6; II Corinthians 13:14
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth: that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnessed, sanctifies and helps the believer.
Scripture References:
John 1:33, 3:5-6, 14:16-17, 26, 15:26-27, 16:8-11, 13; Matthew 3:11 & 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; Luke 1:35, 3:16 & 24:49; Genesis 1:1-3; Romans 8:14, 16, 26-27; Acts 5:30-32 & 11:16;
II Thessalonians 2:7, 13; Ephesians 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; I Peter 1:2
THE DEVIL OR SATAN
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness, destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Scripture References:
Revelation 12:9-10, 12:7-9, 13:13-14, 19:11, 16, 20; 20:1-3 & 20:10; I John 3:8, 4:3 & 2:22; Matthew 4:1-3, 13:39 & 25:41; Isaiah 14:12-15; John 14:30; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Jude 6;
II Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; I Thessalonians 3:5; I Peter 5:8; Luke 22:3-4; II John 7; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; II Thessalonians 2:8-11
CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God's established law was that they should bring forth fruit only "after their kind."
Scripture References:
Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26-27 & 2:21-23; Acts 4:24 & 17:23-26; Exodus 20:11; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10:12; Nehemiah 9:6
THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constrait, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Scripture References:
Genesis 3:1-6 & 3:24; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32, 3:10-19, 5:12 & 5:19; Ephesians 2:1, 3; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Galatians 3:22
THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord. bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead. He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.
Scripture References:
Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25, 15:11; John 2:2, 3:16 & 10:18; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14, 7:25, 9:12-15 & 12:2; Isaiah 53:4-7 & 53:11-12; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 14; I Peter 2:4 & 3:18
GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
Scripture References:
John 1:12-13, 3:3, 6-7; II Corinthians 5:17 & 5:19; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; Acts 2:41; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Epehesians 2:1 & 5:9; Colossians 2:13; Galatians 5:22
THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial penitent and an obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Scripture References:
I Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; I Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29-30 & 10:13; Matthew 11:28; Revelation 22:17; Isaiah 55:1, 6-7; Acts 2:38; I Timothy 1:15; Ephesians 2:4-5;
John 3:15-16, 18, 36, 5:40 & 6:37; I Corinthians 15:10
JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Scripture References:
Acts 13:39 & 2:37-38; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8 & 18:13; Romans 10:9-11, 13; Psalm 51:1-4, 7; Isaiah 55:6-7
REPENTANCE OF FAITH
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
Scripture References:
Acts 2:37-38, 20:21; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8 & 18:13; Romans 10:9-11 & 10:13; Psalm 51:1-4 & 51:7; Isaiah 55:6-7
THE CHURCH
We believe that a Baptist Church is a congregation of baptized believers assoiciated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; said church has been authorized to observe the ordinances of Christ (baptism and Lord's Supper); said church is to be governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors (elders and/or bishops) whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual disciples; second, to baptize the converts; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church as the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true church to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Scripture References:
Acts 2:41-41, 6:5-6, 14:23, 15:22-23 & 20:17-28; I Corinthians 11:2, 12:4, 13:8-11, 16:1-3, & 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:22, 4:11, 5:23-24; I Timothy 3:1-13; Matthew 28:19-20; Jude 3 & 4; Colossians 1:18; I Peter 5:1-4; II Corinthians 8:23-24; Malachi 3:10; Leviticus 27:32
BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
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 the "old life" without Christ and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church membership and to the Lord's Supper; in which born again believers in Christ, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Scripture References:
Acts 2:41-42 & 8:36-39; Matthew 3:6, 16, 28:19-20; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 11:23-28
THE PERSERVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
Scripture References:
John 8:31-32, 10:28-29; Colossians 1:21-23; I John 2:19; Matthew 13:19-21; Romans 8:28, 35-29; Psalm121:3; Hebrews 1:14; I Peter 1:5; Philippians 1:6
THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Scripture References:
Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:3; Romans 1:17, 6:16-18, 6:23 & 7:6; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; I Peter 1:18; I Corinthians 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:29 & 5:19; Galatians 3:10;
Luke 9:26 & 16:25; Matthew 7:13-14 & 25:34-41; John 8:21 & 12:25
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
1. We believe that civil government is of divine qppointment, for the interests and good order of human
society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things
opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince
of the kings of the earth.
2. Lawsuits Between Believers. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against
other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the
resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a
Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the
claim is pursued without malice or slander.
Scripture References:
Romans 13:7; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5, 4:19-20; Matthew 10:28, 22:21 & 23:10; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14 & 2:17; Daniel 3:17-18; Philippians 2:10-11; Psalm 72:11;
I Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32
THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "The third day according to the Scriptures;" that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God;" "that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven"--bodily, personally and visible; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first," that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David;" and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet."
Scripture References:
Matthew 28:6-7, 24:27, 42; Luke 1:32, 24:2-7, 24:39, 51; John 14:3 & 20:27; I John 2:1; I Corinthians 15:4, 15:25, 42-44; Mark 16:6, 19; Acts 1:9-11; Isaiah 11:4-5;
Hebrews 2:17, 5:9-10, 8:6, 11, 9:28 & 12:2; I Timothy 2:5; Psalm 72:8; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 3:21, 20:1-4 & 20:6
MISSIONS
1. We believe that the command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches.
2. We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us.
Scripture References:
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15; II Corinthians 5:20
THE GRACE OF GIVING
1. Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the faith.
2. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the figt has been made.
Scripture References:
Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:7; 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; I Timothy 5:17-18; I John 3:17
3. We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week.
Scripture References:
I Corinthians 16:2
4. Under Grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe - "Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils" (Hebrews 7:2, 4), and this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the New Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, "These ye ought to have done."
Scripture References:
Matthew 23:23
5. We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church. (Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10) In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the church.
Scripture References:
Acts 4:34, 25,37
HUMAN SEXUALITY
1. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one"s gender by surgery or appearance.
Scripture References:
Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
2. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.
Scripture References:
Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; I Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.
Scripture References:
Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; I Timothy 2:8-15, 3:4-5, 12
2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction.
Scripture References:
Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalms 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18, 22:15; 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; I Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4;
Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrew 13:4; I Peter 3:1-7
3. Divorce and Remarriage. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Divorce should not be encouraged, but repentance and reconciliation should always be sought, according to the perfect will of God. We also realize that divorces are a reality in our society, and that there are divorced people that still love God and want to serve Him. We believe that divorced people can seek and receive forgiveness, and that they can be used by the Lord in His great work
Scripture References:
Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; I Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6; I John 1:9
4. Abortion. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother are acceptable.
Scripture References:
Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24, 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
5. Love. We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in sinful actions.
Scripture References:
Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10, 17-21, 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; II Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2;
I John 3:17-18
DOCTRINE
We accept the Scriptures as our final authority in matters of faith and practice, and adopt the Articles of Faith as listed above, as our interpretation of Bible doctrine; all power is received from Christ, our Head. The church is independent of any ecclesiastical body or convention.