Statements of Faith

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General Baptist

Statements of Faith

The movement of churches today called "General Baptist" began in America in 1823 when founder Benoni Stinson organized the Liberty Church (now Howell General Baptist Church) in southern Indiana. In 1870 the General Association of General Baptists was organized, bringing together General Baptist local associations of churches in cooperative efforts.

I. GOD

We believe that there is only one true, living, and eternal God and that the Godhead is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
A. One true and eternal God
Deuteronomy 6:4, 33:27; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 3:15, 16; 28:19; John 14:9-11; 10:30; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2:5; 6:17; Hebrews 1:1-13; 3:12; Mark 12:29
B. The Godhead
1. God as Father
Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9; Ephesians 4:6
2. God as Son
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 16:16; John 1:1; 3:14, 16; 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Hebrews 1:8
Virgin Birth of Jesus
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38
3. God as Holy Spirit
John 14:16, 26; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4; Romans 8:16

II. THE BIBLE

We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the Old and New Testaments; the inspired and infallible Word of God and therein is found the reliable guide of Christian faith and conduct.
A. The Inspired Revelation
Luke 24:44-46; Romans 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:20-21
B. The Infallible Word
Isaiah 40:8; Luke 21:33; John 17:17; Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:25
C. The Reliable Guide
Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:105, 140; John 5:39; Acts 17:11-12; Romans 10:14-15; 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

III. MAN

We believe that God created man in His own image to bring Him honor through obedience, and that when man disobeyed, he became a fallen sinful creature, unable to save himself. We believe that infants are in the covenant of God's grace and that all persons become accountable to God when they reach a state of moral responsibility.
A. Man's Origin
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; Psalms 8:5
B. Man's Purpose
Genesis 1:28-31; 2:15-25; Isaiah 43:7
C. Man's Sin
Genesis 3:1-24; Psalms 51:5; Jeremiah 13:23; Romans 1:18-3:23; 5:12-21; 7:1-25
D. Man's Accountability
Matthew 19:13-15; Romans 4:15; 5:13; 6:16; Hebrews 11:24-26

IV. SALVATION

We believe that Salvation (regeneration, sanctification, justification, and redemption) has been provided for all mankind through the redemptive work (life, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession) of Jesus Christ, and that this Salvation can be received only through repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
A. Salvation
Hebrews 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 Peter 1:9; Hebrews 7:25
B. Regeneration
John 3:3-8; 1:11-13; 1 Peter 1:23; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:4; Titus 3:5
C. Sanctification
1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:9-10, 29; 2 Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 13:12; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:2
D. Justification
Romans 3:20-24; 5:1-2, 18; 8:30-33; Acts 13:38-39; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:21
E. Redemption
Matthew 20:28; Isaiah 53:6; Colossians 1:14; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:9
F. Christ's Redemptive Work
John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 22:17; 2 Peter 3:9; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9
G. Life and Death
Romans 5:10; Hebrews 9:12-15; John 10:11; 1 John 3:16
H. Resurrection
Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17
I. Ascension
Hebrews 4:14-16; 6:19-20; 9:24; 10:11-12
J. Intercession
Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:15; Isaiah 53:12; 1 Timothy 2:5
K. Repentance
Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 24:47; Luke 13:3-5; Acts 2:38; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
L. Faith
John 3:16-18; Hebrews 11:1,6; 1 Peter 1:5

V. ASSURANCE AND ENDURANCE

We believe that those who abide in Christ have the assurance of salvation. However, we believe that the Christian retains his freedom of choice; therefore, it is possible for him to turn away from God and be finally lost.
A. Assurance
Matthew 28:20; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 5:9
B. Endurance
Matthew 10:22; Luke 9:62; Colossians 1:23; Revelation 2:10-22; 3:3-5
C. Warnings
John 15:6; Romans 11:20-23; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 3:12; 10:26-29; 2 Peter 2:20-21
D. Finally Lost
John 15:6, 1 Corinthians 9:27; Hebrews 6:4-6

VI. CHRISTIAN DUTIES

We believe that Christians should live faithfully by serving in and through the local church, praying diligently, witnessing earnestly, practicing tolerance, showing loving kindness, giving as God prospers, and conducting themselves in such a way as to bring glory to God.
A. Faithful Service
1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 101:6; Matthew 28:18-20; John 15:7-14; Romans 12:14; 1 Corinthians 13 - 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 4:6; Hebrews 12:1
B. Prayer
2 Chronicles 7:14; Daniel 6:10; Matthew 6:1-13; 26:41; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
C. Witnessing
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8
D. Tolerance
Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 10:27; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-9
E. Loving Kindness
John 13:35; 1 John 3:11; 4:7, 11-12
F. Financial Stewardship
Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

VII. THE CHURCH

We believe that the Church Universal is the body of Christ, the fellowship of all believers, and that it's members have been called out from the world to come under the dominion and authority of Christ, it's head. We believe that a local church is a fellowship of Christians, a part of the Body of Christ, voluntarily banded together for worship, nurture, and service.
A. The Church Universal
Matthew 16:18; John 10:10; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:12-14, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18, 24; Hebrews 12:23
B. The Local Church
Matthew 18:17; Acts 2:38-47; 11:19-30; Revelation 1:4; 3:22
1. Worship and Service
Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 14:12, 23-25; Hebrews 10:25; James 1:26-27
2. Nurture
Ephesians 4; 2 Peter 1:2-8; 3:18

VIII. THE ORDINANCES

We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances instituted by Christ to be observed by Christians only. We also believe that the Biblical mode of baptism is immersion and that participation in the Lord's Supper should be open to all Christians.
A. Baptism
    1. Instituted
Matthew 3:13-15; 28:19
    2. Subjects
Acts 2:41; 8:12, 37-38; 10:47-48; 16:30-33; 19:5
    3. Biblical mode
Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12
    4. Purpose
Matthew 3:14; 1 Peter 3:21
B. Communion
    1. Instituted
Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
    2. Subjects
1 Corinthians 11:27-29
    3. Purpose
1 Corinthians 11:26

IX. THE LORD'S DAY

We believe in the sanctity of the Lord's Day, the first day of the week, and that this day ought to be observed by worshipping God, witnessing for Christ, and ministering to the needs of humanity. We believe that secular work on Sunday should be limited to cases of necessity or mercy.
A. Sanctity
Exodus 20:8; Isaiah 58:13-14
B. Observance
Mark 2:27-28; Luke 4:16; 16:1-6; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10

X. LAST THINGS

We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, and in the bodily resurrection of the dead. We believe that God will judge all mankind by Jesus Christ; that He will reward the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell.
A. Return
Matthew 24:25; Luke 12:40; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7
B. Resurrection
John 5:25, 28-29, 6:40; 11:24-25; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6
C. Judgment and Reward
Matthew 25:21; Mark 9:43-48; John 5:27; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 10; Revelation 2:7; 14:13; 20:10-15; 22:12