Doctrine Q&A

 

Basic Baptist Beliefs

Since you have been baptized into the fellowship of the Church, it is important that you know what Baptist believe. Look up the scripture references given below and learn from these why Baptists believe as we do. The Bible says, “…Be ready always to give an answer to every man that seekth you a reason of the hope that is in you…” (1Peter 3:15).

GOD IS CREATOR AND SUSTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE
(Gen. 1:3; Act 17:24; Col. 1:!6-17)

THE BIBLE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD
(2 Tim. 2:16; Matt. 24:35; 2 Pet. 1:19-21)

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD – PRE-EXISTENT BEFORE THE WORLD, VIRGIN BORN, SINLESS; CRUCIFIED, RISEN AND RETURNING.
(John 1:1; John 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4)

SALVATION IS ACCOMPLISHED ONLY BY THE WORK OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS IN OUR BEHALF. IT IS RECEIVED AS A GIFT FROM GOD, ACCEPTED THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR.
(John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-10; John 1:13, Titus 3:5)

BAPTISM IS THE IMMERSION IN WATER TO SYMBOLIZE THE BELIEVER’S DEATH TO SIN AND HIS RESURRECTION TO NEW LIFE IN CHRIST.
(Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:4)

THE LOCAL CHURCH IS A GROUP OF BAPTIZED BELIEVERS BOUND TOGETHER IN A COMMON FAITH I CHRIST TO PROMOTE THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
(Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:41; Matt. 28:19-20)

Fundamental Facts
It will help you now if you will face fundamental fact and make a positive decision about each one of them.CHURCH MEMBERSHIP DOES NOT SAVE.
You have been saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Good works cannot save. Culture cannot save. Baptism does not save. Your membership in the Church does not save. Christ has done that and there is none else sufficient to it. You are to live a consistent life in the Church because Christ has saved you.CHRISTIANS ARE CONTINUOUSLY TEMPTED
You must not think you will not be tempted since you have become a Christian. Temptation will be increased and will be more severe. You have just enlisted in the Lord’s army (read Ephesians 6:11-18).CHRISTIANS HAVE GREATER JOY
No joy is taken from the person who becomes a Christian. In fact, to become a Christian places one in position to have real joy, the happiest possible life. Jesus said to believers, These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11). You can now be the happiest person in the world.CHRISTIANS HAVE LARGER LIBERTY
It does not take away one’s liberty to become a Christian. In fact, the Christian has larger liberty. He is no longer a slave to needless restrictions and endless prohibitions. We read, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2Cor. 3:17). The Christian is delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom. 8:21). The Christian has God’s freedom, which means he can do anything but commit sin, and this he will not desire to do.