Doctrines and Distinctives
It is our desire to maintain our theological and historical distinctions as Baptists through the adoption of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith (in modern English). This document has served to ground and to guide the teaching of Baptist churches throughout the centuries, particularly for those who hold to the convictions reclaimed and defended during the Protestant Reformation.
While many churches formally belong to denominations, and it is good and right for them to hold to the statements of faith written and adopted by their denominations, we recognize that as an independent Baptist church there is theological safety from drifting by holding to a historically proven confession. This confession clearly explains many core doctrines that have been challenged or watered-down in recent decades – such as the nature of God, His providence over the affairs of all things including salvation, the nature and work of Christ in his incarnation and atonement, the proper relationship of law and gospel, the right understanding of the ordinances of the church, and the church’s relationship to civil government.
We do, however, recognize that like all documents, it stands under the authority of Scripture, and to this end, we identify two areas of clarification. First, in article 12.4 regarding the Church, the confession states that the pope is “the antichrist” (and in the original English, “that antichrist”) who exalts himself in the church against Christ. We agree that the Pope is an antichrist, while still allowing for a future and final antichrist yet to come. Second, in article 22.8 regarding the Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day, while we do hold that it should be reserved as a day of public worship and spiritual rest, we acknowledge the Christian freedom to work if necessary, and do not identify secular recreation as contrary to spiritual rest if partaken of in thankfulness (1 Cor 10:30). However, we agree the day should hold a special spiritual significance and thus be ordered properly in light of that.
Theological Statements for Modern Issues
We additional recognize that the London Baptist Confession was written at a time when certain theological issues were not being challenge, but in our day, we find it necessarily to define and support the following statements.
Human Sexuality
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, pedophilia, polyamory, 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 (Genesis 2:24; 19:5, 13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).
We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23).
Family Relationships
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 (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12).
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 a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction (Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 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; Hebrews 13:4; I Peter 3:1-7).
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. In the case where an unbelieving spouse divorces a believer, the believer is free to remarry. If one’s spouse dies then the widow or widower is free to marry another believer (Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, 39).
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 human 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 (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).
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. Additionally, Scripture teaches that love of God and neighbor will include confronting sin and opposing lifestyles that are both spiritually and physically destructive. It is not unloving to ask civil magistrates to oppose lifestyles that are contrary to God’s design, indeed such actions are required by God (Micah 6:8). However, when dealing with those who oppose us, we do so 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 such sinful actions (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; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18).
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 (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32).