Articles of Faith

ARTICLE I- THE SCRIPTURES

We believe the Holy Bible is a supernatural book, that it is the very Word of God,
that it is in the sixty-six books the full, final and complete revelation of Gods will to
man. We believe the Author of the Bible is God the Holy Spirit, and by inspiration we
mean the plenary, verbal inspiration, that holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit as revealed in Second Peter chapter one. We believe that
the King James Version (1611, Authorized Bible) is Gods preserved Word in the
English language. We reject all modern translations and paraphrased versions, as
these commonly alter or delete Bible doctrines, including the pure meaning of
redemption and the virgin birth and deity of Christ. We believe and teach that the
Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. II Pet. 1:20-21; II Tim.
3:16-17; Matt. 5:1

We believe the Holy Bible is a supernatural book, that it is the very Word of God
ARTICLE II- GOD THE FATHER
We believe and teach that there is one, and only one, true and living God. He is
absolute in nature, perfect in attributes, and holy in character. He is the Creator of
all things, animate and inanimate. He is immutable, omnipresent, omnipotent,
omniscient, eternal and sovereign. Eph. 4:6; I Tim. 1:17; Ps. 147:4; Ex. 20:2-3; Rom.
11:33; Gen. 17:1; John 4:24; Ps. 90:2; Ps. 139:7-10

ARTICLE III- GOD THE SON

Jesus Christ was God in human flesh, and is the Second Person of the Trinity, divine,
even as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He was virgin born and incarnate in
flesh. He lived a sinless life and is the only true Saviour of mankind by His vicarious
death on the cross. He resurrected physically from the tomb, ascended into Heaven,
and is now the believers Great High Priest, ever interceding for them. Isa. 9:6; II
Cor. 5:21; Gen. 3:15; Heb. 10:11-14; Isa. 53:5; John 1:1-5, 14; Heb. 4:12; Gal. 3:13;
Col. 1:13-17; Heb. 2:17-18; I Peter 3:18; Heb. 1:2

ARTICLE IV- THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, the third Person of the Trinity. He is equal with
God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature, and is involved in all the
works of God, from the creation. In relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains
the Evil One until Gods purpose is fulfilled; He convicts of sin, judgment and
righteousness; He is the agent of the new birth and indwells, seals, guides and
empowers the Believer for service. John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 15:26-27; Rom
8:16; Eph. 1:13-14; Rom. 8:26-27

ARTICLE V- CREATION
We believe the Genesis record of the creation week is literal, and not allegorical or
figurative; that God Personally created the heaven and the earth in a direct act, that
He brought forth all original matter out of nothing. We believe that man was created
instantly and immediately, by divine power, in Gods own image, on the sixth
creation day, and not through any evolutionary process. Gods established law says
that all species shall bring forth after their kind. Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:23-26; Rom.
1:20; John 1:1-3; Heb. 11:3;Gen. 1:26-27

ARTICLE VI- THE DEVIL (SATAN)

We believe that Satan is an actual being and not an imaginary influence; that he
once enjoyed high heavenly honors and glorious heavenly privileges; that he
through pride, ambition and self will betrayed God and as a result, brought down
upon his head the judgment of God. He operates today as the god of this world and
the prince of the power of the air; that he is the arch deceiver, and father of all lies;
that he is the greatest enemy, tempter, and opposer of the saints. His final abode
shall be the lake of fire which is the eternal place of punishment prepared for the
devil and his angels. Isa. 14:12-15; Jude 6; I John 3:8; Ezek. 28:14-17; I Peter 5:8;
John 8:43-44

ARTICLE VII- THE FALL OF MAN

We believe that man was created in innocence and purity, and by voluntary
transgression of the Lords command, fell from the state in which he was created
and as a consequence became a sinner alienated from God; in so doing, he brought
upon himself and all mankind just condemnation. Man is now, by virtue of his fallen
nature, void of holiness, positively inclined to evil and actually condemned to
eternal ruin without excuse. Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:19; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 5:12; Rom.
1:18; Rom. 1:28

ARTICLE VIII- THE VIRGIN BIRTH

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit in a
miraculous manner; born of the Virgin Mary as no other man was born or can be
born of woman. He is both the Son of God and God the Son; in His humanity, both
wholly God and wholly man. Luke 1:35; Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt 1:18-25; John
1:14; Mark 1:1

ARTICLE IX- THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN

We believe that the lost sinner- every mortal- is guilty and under just condemnation
and is by nature alien to God and because of sin, condemned to die; that the
atonement for sin was provided through the substitutionary work of the Son of God,
Who by divine appointment freely took upon himself our nature, yet without sin,
that He through obedience through His earthly walk personally honored the divine
law by keeping it, and through His death on the cross actually satisfied the law for
the penalty of sin. His obedience and sacrificial death made full and vicarious
atonement for all sin, so forgiveness and salvation may be provided freely to all who
believe. Rom. 3:25; I John 1:7; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:22; John 10:17-18; Heb. 12:2

ARTICLE X- GODS PLAN FOR MANS SALVATION

We believe and teach that salvation is by Gods grace and that salvation is free to
all through the Gospel: that it is the duty of all to accept Christ, the Saviour, by
faith; and those who voluntarily reject salvation and Jesus Christ will face eternal
separation from God in a literal place of fiery punishment the Bible calls hell.
When a sinner repents and receives Jesus Christ as Personal Saviour, that sinner
also receives eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from divine wrath. The
eternal purpose of God in salvation is first, that God be glorified; after this, to secure
and preserve the believer forever in Christ; hence, the believer is saved and kept
eternally, apart from works or human effort. It is also the eternal purpose of God
that the believer conform to the image of His Son. This salvation, wrought by grace,
assures us that we are preserved in Christ by the power of God and no man can
pluck the saved from the Fathers hand. Gods Word teaches eternal security- Once
in Grace, always in Grace.John 3:15-16; I Peter 1:4-5; John 1:12; John 10:27-30;
Rom. 10:1-3; John 5:24; Rom. 8:28-29; 35-39; Rom. 11:29; Eph. 1:4-7; 12-14

ARTICLE XI- REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that repentance and faith are solemn and inseparable prerequisites for
salvation; that they are necessary elements wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit;
as the sinner is deeply convicted of his guilt and helplessness he turns in
repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ, surrendering himself wholeheartedly, and
receiving Him as personal Saviour and Lord, he is immediately born again. Acts
3:19; II Cor. 7:9-10; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 20:21; Matt. 3:1-2; John 6:44 We
believe and teach that all are sinners in need of this great salvation.

You need to be saved: Rom. 3:10; 3:23; Jn. 3:1-16

You cannot save yourself: Titus 3:5
God has provided for your salvation: Heb. 7:25
Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation: John 14:6
God wants to save you: II Peter 3:9; I Tim. 2:4

You must trust in Christ alone, repenting of your sins: Acts. 3:19; Rom. 10:9-10
God can save you now: Rom. 10:13
ARTICLE XII- THE RESURRECTION
We believe and teach that Jesus Christ arose literally and bodily from the grave. We
also believe and teach that this resurrection assures all believers the same physical
resurrection when the Lord returns for the Saints at the time of the Rapture. There
will also be a resurrection of the unsaved to stand in judgment before the Lord,
known in the Scriptures as the Great White Throne Judgment. Matt. 28:6-7; John
20:27; I Cor. 15:1-11, 42-52; Heb. 9:27-28; I Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:11-15

ARTICLE XIII- THE CHURCH

We believe and teach that the local, visible assembly of Scripturally-baptized
believers (ellhsia) is Christs body- the one body of Eph. 4:4- the only kind of
church found in the New Testament. We do not believe in an invisible or universal
church. Although the family of God- all blood-washed, redeemed saints- is
invisible in that sense, and heaven-bound, not all believers are joined to a Body of
Christ- His local, visible assembly, which He called my church. The local New
Testament Baptist church alone was authorized to carry out the Great Commission.
The first New Testament Baptist church was founded by Jesus Christ during His own
Personal ministry, using the materials prepared by John the Baptist; and
membership in Christs Body- that local assembly, the manifestation of Christ in that
locale- is by Scriptural baptism. We believe and teach that the local New Testament
Baptist church is an independent congregation and is not governed or controlled by
an ecclesiastical hierarchy. All assemblies in the New Testament were independent,
self-governing, self-financing, and self-propagating assemblies. Eph. 3:21; Acts 2:47;
I Tim. 3:15; Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:24; Eph. 1:22-23; Acts 16:5; Acts 11:22; Acts 8:1

ARTICLE XIV- CHURCH ORDINANCES

We believe that Baptism and the Lords Supper are the only ordinances set forth in
the Scriptures for observance in Christs visible assemblies. Scriptural Baptism
began with John the Baptist. Johns baptism was Christian baptism; John was the
first gospel preacher. Our Lord Jesus Christ accepted this baptism himself and
accepted those that John baptized into the church that He organized during His own
personal ministry.

A. Baptism Believers baptism, to be Scriptural, must involve: 1) The Proper

Candidate one who has been born again. 2) The Proper Mode or Method
immersion of the believer in water. 3) The Proper Design or Motive to show forth
the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and spiritually, of the believer, to a new
life in Christ; baptism also makes him a member of the Scriptural church into which

he is baptized. 4) The Proper Administrator- a real, Baptist church, founded with

church authority.

B. The Lords Supper We believe the Lords Supper is a memorial supper

administered by the authority and instruction of the local Baptist church. It
symbolizes the broken body and the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and only
members of the local church who are in a right relationship with God are qualified
participants in the Lords Supper service. There is no saving grace communicated
either through Baptism or the Lords Supper. They are pictures and memorials for
believers in Scriptural churches to observe, as matters of obedience.Matt. 3:13-17;
Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-34; Acts 8:36-38; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 26:17-30; Mark 1:14; I Cor. 1:14-18

ARTICLE XV- THE GRACE OF GIVING

We believe and teach that Gods method of financing His work of spreading the
Gospel is by the tithes and offerings of His people in and through the local New
Testament Baptist church, which is the storehouse. The time to tithe is upon the first
day of the week, and everyone is accountable to the Lord for one-tenth of his
income. Tithing was instituted before the law, and by Christ in the New Testament
Baptist church. Matt. 23:23; Lev. 27:28-34; I Cor. 16:1-2; Luke 6:38; II Cor. 9:6-15;
Gen. 14:17-20; Mal. 3:7-10; II Cor. 8:1-8

ARTICLE XVI- THE WORK OF MISSIONS

We believe that all missionary endeavor should be carried on through and ministry,
and under the authority of the local church; that mission boards and mission
hierarchies tend to corrupt and usurp the authority of the local church. The Great
Commission was given to the local New Testament Baptist church; therefore, the
authority to preach, baptize and teach rests solely with the local church, and not
with any educational institution, mission board, denomination, or other religious
organization. It is therefore the responsibility of local, Scriptural assemblies to train
those who go forth to spread the Gospel, and to supervise their labors under the
direction of the Holy Spirit. We do believe that it is the privilege and right of local
churches to cooperate with each other in carrying out the Great Commission. This
cooperation should be carried on in such a manner as to preserve the sovereignty
and autonomy of each local body in all matters of faith and practice. Matt. 28:19-20;
Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 9:1-15; II Cor. 8:1-6; I Cor. 16:1-3

ARTICLE XVII- SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

The original intent of our founding fathers was to keep civil government in its proper
perspective. We believe civil government should be influenced by the prayers,
preaching, teaching and involvement of all believers in Christ. We believe Christians

should be actively involved in the electoral and legislative processes, and working
to promote godly government. The requirements of license, certification and taxes
on the church of Jesus Christ are unconstitutional and non-Biblical. The churches
ministers are God-ordained and need no mans approval or control. The Holy Spirit
calls and maintains the work of God. The state is not above- nor equal to- God. The
state is to be a servant of God to the people for good; it is accountable to God for
its acts. God is the Supreme Sovereign, and as such is the Ultimate Authority, and
should be obeyed above any other delegated authority. We believe that we should,
as much as lieth in us, live peaceably with all men. However, we will resist
peaceably all efforts of civil governments to control the churches of Jesus Christ.
There is nothing in the first amendment to the United States Constitution which
supports the idea of separation of church and state. The original intent was clear:
our founding documents clearly prohibit the establishment of a state religion and
guarantee the free exercise of religious belief. The division between church and
state is one of function; it is a division of labor; the church is to be a minister of
grace; the state is to be a minister of justice. Both are divinely-established
institutions, and both are to serve the Lord God. God never intended for church and
state to exist independently and separately. The church is to influence the state to
godly and righteous rule. The state is to protect the good and prevent the evil. We,
therefore, exhort our members to be active in praying and working for Scriptural,
godly civil government. I Tim. 2:1-2; Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 5:29; Matt. 22:15-21; Prov.
8:15-17; Ex. 18:11; Rom. 12:17-18; I Peter 2:13-20; Job 34:24

ARTICLE XVIII- EVENTS OF THE END TIMES

We believe and teach that Jesus Christ is coming again, and that God has a plan still
future for this world and all that dwell therein, both saved and lost. Jn. 14:1-3; I
Thess. 3:13; I Cor. 15:51-55; Rev. 19:11-16; Jude 14-15; Zech. 14:1-5; Titus 2:13

The Rapture- Catching Away- of the Saints

We believe and teach that Jesus Christ shall catch away all believers before the
Tribulation. All true believers will be caught up together, along with the dead in
Christ- the deceased bodies of saints who have died through the ages- to meet the
Lord in the air. The time of the rapture is imminent. I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:51-55;
II Thess. 2:1-12; Mark 13:27-31; Luke 21:25-31; Luke 21:8-19

The Tribulation- 7 Years of Anguish

We believe and teach that the Rapture will immediately be followed by a 7-year
Tribulation, described in many Bible texts, here on the earth. This will be a time of
turmoil, trouble, and death, as Antichrist is revealed and during the latter 3 years,

God pours out His wrath on an unbelieving world. Dan. 12:1; II Thess. 2:1-12; Matt.
24:21; Luke 21:25-26; Rev. 6:16-17; Rev. 16:11-21; Rev. 14:1-16

The Conversion of the Jews

We believe and teach that God still has a plan for physical Israel: God will raise up
144,000 Jewish witnesses to preach the gospel during the Tribulation, and all Jews
who survive the Tribulation will believe on Christ when He appears in the heavens in
the Second Advent. Zech. 12:10-14; 14:1-9; Romans 11:25-27; Matt. 24:38

The Battle of Armageddon

We believe and teach that when Jesus Christ comes at the Second Advent, that,
accompanied by all the saints in heaven, He will meet the armies of His enemies at
the Battle of Armageddon, and defeat them in a moment with the word of His
mouth. At this time, He will establish His physical kingdom on this earth. Rev. 16:1121; Ezek. 38:1-23; Zech. 12:1-4

The Millennium

We believe and teach that the Lord Jesus Christ, in His glorified body, will literally
rule and reign on the earth, after the Tribulation, for 1,000 years, from Davids
Throne in Jerusalem. He will rule the nations with a rod of iron, and will execute
justice and righteousness on the earth.Rev. 20:1-6; Jer. 23:5; Rev. 11:15-17; Isa.
32:1; Isa. 11:9; Isa. 2:1-5

The Final Judgment

We believe and teach that after the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, there will be a
brief, final rebellion, culminated by the Great White Throne Judgment, the judgment
of all the lost of all the ages, at which time they will be cast into the Lake of Fire
forever. Rev. 20:1-15

The Eternal State

We believe and teach that after this final judgment, eternity begins. The saints
will live forever with the Lord in heaven, eternally praising and worshiping Him and
fellow-shipping together with the saints forever and ever. Rev. 21:1-7; 9-27; Rev.
22:1-21

ARTICLE IX- END TIMES APOSTASY

Whereas the last days are set forth in Scripture as perilous times, and recognizing
that these days are upon us, and seeing a departure from the Word of God, be it
resolved that we, the members of the Bible Baptist Church of Grand Forks, North
Dakota, make the following declaration of our Biblical position:

We declare ourselves to be Bible-believing Baptists and oppose the

interdenominational and New Evangelical trends of our day. We hold to the Faith
once delivered to the saints and oppose modern liberalism. We stand opposed to
the modern charismatic movement with its unscriptural practices, as well as
ecumenical unification of religion. In this day of apostasy, we determine, by Gods
grace, to stand for truth from the inspired Scriptures, until Christ comes to take the
saints home to be with Him! I Cor. 13:1-13; I Cor. 14:22-34; Heb. 2:1-4; I Tim. 4:1-3;
II Tim. 3; II Tim. 4:1-4; Jude 3; Col. 2:8

ARTICLES OF FAITH

Of the

FAITH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Due to the various different religious organizations which profess to take the Bible
as their guide as we do, yet differ with us in doctrine, faith, and practice, we feel
constrained to set forth a distinctive declaration of what we believe; not as a
substitute for the Holy Scriptures, but as exponents of what are conceived to be the
fundamental doctrines of the Word of God.

I. THE TRUE GOD

We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:1011), an infinite (Ps. 139:7-12; 147:5); intelligent (Acts 15:18), sovereign (Ps. 115:3)
Spirit (John 4:24), Whose name is JEHOVAH (Ps. 83:18), the Creator (Gen. 1:1) and
Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth (Dan. 4:35; I Chron. 29:11-12), inexpressibly
glorious in holiness (Ex. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; I Peter 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8), and worthy of
all possible honor, confidence and love (Jer. 2:12-13; Matt. 10:37; Mark 12:30; Rev.
4:11), that in the unity of the Godhead there are three Divine Persons, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; II Cor. 13:14; I
John 5:7), equal in every Divine perfection (John 5:17; 10:30; 14:23; 17:5; Acts 5:34; I Cor. 2:10-11; PHI. 2:5-6), and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the
great work of redemption (Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5).

II. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired (II Sam. 23:2;
Acts 1:16; Rom. 3:1-2; II Peter 1:21). and is the perfect treasure of heavenly
instruction (Ps. 19:7); that it has God for its Author (II Tim 3:16-17; I Thess. 2:13),
salvation for its end (II Tim 3:15; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; 10:8-10; John 5:38-39; I
Peter 1:10-12), and truth without any mixture or error for its matter (Prov. 30:5-6;
John 17:17; Rom 3:4; Rev. 22:18-19); that it reveals the principles by which God will
judge us (John 12:47-48; Rom. 2:12; James 2:12, Deut. 18:19); and therefore is, and
shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (I Cor. 1:10;
Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 3:16; I Peter 4:11), and the supreme standard by which all
human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (Acts 17:11; II Cor. 13:5; I
Thess. 5:21; I John 4:1; Isa 8:20).

III. THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE

We believe that the Genesis account of creation is to be accepted literally and not
figuratively or allegorically; that God created man in His own image (Gen. 1:26-27;
2:7), and not by or through the process of evolution from lower species; that all
animals and vegetable life was likewise directly created (Gen. 1:20-25; John 1:1-3;
Col. 1:16; Rom. 1:18-20) and placed under God's inviolable law that they should
bring forth only after their kind (Gen. 1:21-24).

IV. THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN

We believe that the Devil or Satan is a personal evil spirit (I Cor. 2:12; Eph. 2:2),
formerly a holy angel (Ezek. 28:11-19), from which estate he by transgression fell
(Isa. 12:27; I Tim. 3:6), drawing a host of angels as their leader (Job 4:18; Matt.

25:41; Rev. 12:3-9), being the prince of the power of the darkness of this world (John
12:31; 14:30; 16:11), that he is the enemy of God (Zech. 3:1-2; Matt. 13:39), the
tempter (Gen. 3:1-6; Matt. 4:3) and accuser of the saints (Job 2:1-7; Rev. 12:10), the
possessor of the power of death (Heb. 2:14-15), as allowed by God, author of all evil
and of all false religions (John 8:44; II Cor. 12:13-15; 4:3-4), the chief power back of
the present apostasy (II Thess. 2:7; I Tim 4:1); and that he is destined to final defeat
and eternal destruction in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10).

V. THE FALL AND DEPRAVITY OF MAN

We believe that man was originally created upright (Eccl. 7:29) and finitely perfect
(Gen. 1:27,31), but by voluntary transgression he fell from his happy and holy
estate (Gen. 3:6-24) in consequence of which disobedience and threatened death
was then and there inflicted (Gen. 2:16-17; Rom. 5:12); and he totally lost all
spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins and becoming subject to the
power of the Devil;that sin of Adam was imputed to his entire race (Rom. 5:18-19; I
Cor. 15:22), and that the corrupt nature has been transmitted to all his posterity by
ordinary generation (Gen. 8:21; Job 14:4; Ps. 51:5; 58:3; Isa 48:8); and hence every
descendant of Adam is by nature a child of wrath (Eph. 2:1-3), totally destitute of
spiritual life (John 5:24; Col. 2:13), at enmity with God (Rom. 8:7), wholly inclined to
evil (Job 15:16; Jer. 13:23; 17:9) and without strength (Rom.. 5:6) or hope (Eph.
2:12) unless saved by Christ (Matt. 1:21) and made alive by the Holy Spirit (John
3:3,5; 6:63; II Cor. 3:6).

VI. THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD

We believe that election is the eternal (Eph. 1:4), personal (Deut. 7:6; John 15:16;
Acts 9:15), unconditional (II Tim. 1:9) purpose of God, according to which He
graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves lost sinners (Rom. 11:5-6; Eph 1:3-14; I
John 4:19; I Peter 1:1-2); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of
man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (Acts 13:48; Rom.
8:28-31; II Thess. 2:13-14; James 1:17-18); that it is a most glorious display of God's
sovereign goodness being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable. (Ex. 33:1819; Jer. 31:3; Matt. 20:15; Rom. 9:22-24; 11:32-36; Eph. 1:11); that it utterly
excludes boasting (Eph. 2:8-9) and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in
God, and active imitation of His free mercy (I Cor. 1:26-31; 4:7; I Peter 2:9); that it
encourages the use of means in the highest degree (I Cor. 9:22; II Tim. 2:10); that it
may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel (I Thess. 1:4-10;
Rom. 1:16); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (Isa. 42:16; Rom. 8:2831; 11:29); and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves
the utmost diligence (Phil 3:12; Heb. 6:11; II Peter 1:10-11).

VII. THE WAY OF SALVATION

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) in a
miraculous manner, born of the virgin Mary (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25), without
human father (Gal. 4:4); that He by the appointment of the Father freely took upon
Himself our nature, yet without sin (Heb. 2:14; 4:15; 7:26; I Peter 2:22), honored the
Divine law by perfect obedience (Isa. 42:21; Matt. 5:17; Rom. 3:21; Gal. 4:4-5), and
by His vicarious death made full atonement for all the sins of all the elect (Matt.
20:28; John 10:11,15; Isa. 53:1-12; Rom. 4:25; I Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:12-14, 26; I
Peter 3:18); that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned at the right hand
of God in Heaven (Heb. 1:8; Col. 3:1-4; Rom 8:34; I Peter 3:22); and uniting in His
wonderful Person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every
way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior (Ps.
89:19; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:25-26); that the full benefit of which is received by
faith alone (Rom. 3:20-28) in the shed blood of Christ (Rom. 3:24-25) and that no
repentance, no faith, no feeling, no resolutions, no sincere efforts, no submission to
rules and regulations of any church, no baptism, nor any other such thing can in the
least way add to the value of the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5).

VIII. THE GRACE OF REGENERATION

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again

(John 3:3, 6-7; I Cor. 2:14; II Cor. 5:17; Tit. 3:5); that regeneration consists in giving a
holy disposition to the mind (Deut. 30:6; Jer. 24:7; Ezek. 36:26; Gal 5:6; I John 4:7);
that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy
Spirit, in connection with divine truth (Ps. 119:50; Prov. 1:23; John 17:20; I Cor. 4:15;
James 1:16; I Peter 1:23-25), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel
(Ps. 110:3; John6:44-45, 65; II Cor. 10:5; Eph 1:17-20; I Peter 1:22-25); and that its
proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance (Acts 5:31; II Tim. 2:24-25),
faith (John 6:29; Acts 18:27; Phil. 1:29; Col. 2:12; I Peter 1:21) and newness of life
(Rom 6:4; I Cor. 6:9-11; I Peter 4:1-4).

IX. THE BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who believe
in Him is salvation; that it includes all the Divine redemptive acts of God on behalf
of the elect, such as effectual calling, which is the Divine act of God effectually and
irresistibly calling the elect to obtain the salvation which Christ purchased for them
by His atonement (John 10:26-28); justification, which is the Divine act of God
whereby He purchased by the shed blood of Christ (Rom. 5:9), and by His mighty
power, the freedom of the believer from the power and dominion of sin (Rom. 3:24;

4:25; 5:1; 8:30; Acts 13:39; Titus 3:7); grace, the Divine disposition of God wherein
He saves, not upon any merit of their own (Eph 2:5. 9-10), but wholly by the work
and merit of Christ (John 3:16; I Peter 2:24; 3:18; Rev. 7:13-15); propitiation, the
Divine act of God in offering Christ as the sinner's substitute (Isa. 53:4-6, 11-12);
imputation, the Divine act of God whereby He imputes or counts the righteousness
and excellencies of Christ to the believer (Rom. 4:1-13; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; I John
3:5); forgiveness, the Divine act of God by which he remits the sins of a believer
(Jer. 31:34; Luke 24:47; Acts 13:38;Eph. 1:7; Col. 2:13; Titus 2:14); sanctification,
the Divine act of God whereby He imparts His holiness to the inner man (Eph. 4:24;
II Peter 1:4; I John 3:7), or newly born one, and sets apart the entire man to the
service of God (Rom. 6:1-23; II Cor. 7:1; I Thess. 4:3-4; 5:22; II Tim. 2:19-22);
glorification, the divine act of God whereby that element or part of man which is
mortal will be changed into a state and condition of immortality (Rom. 8:11; I Cor.
15:35-37; Phil 3:20-21; Col 3:4; I John 3:1-2).

X. THE WORK OF MISSIONS

We believe that Jesus Christ gave the New Testament church as an institution. a
world-wide and an age-lasting commission in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of
all nations; that the gospel is to be preached to every creature (Mark 16:15; Acts
1:8); that all men everywhere are responsible to repent and believe the gospel
(Mark 1:15), and that no accountable person will be saved without hearing and
receiving the gospel (Mark 16:16; John 3:18-36; Rom. 1:16); that the heathen
without the gospel are lost and will be judged by the light of nature and conscience
(Ps. 19:1-4; Rom. 2:11-15); that it is the duty of every New Testament Baptist church
to support missionaries who are sent out by the authority of a local church, who
meet the Bible qualifications of a missionary (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9), who furnish a
doctrinal statement, and a disclosure of how mission funds are used, as they are
directed by the Spirit of God and the majority vote of the whole congregation.

XI. REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable
graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God (Acts 11:16-18; I Cor.
12:3:9; Gal 5:22; I John5:1); whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger,
and helplessness (Ps. 116:3-5; Isa. 6:5), and of the way of salvation by Christ (John
16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31), we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession,
and supplication for mercy (Luke 18:13; II Cor. 7:11); at the same time heartily
receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him
alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior (Acts 3:22-23; Rom. 10:9-11; II Tim. 1:12;
Heb. 7:25).

XII. THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (Job 17:9; Matt.
10:22; John 8:31; Rev. 2:10); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the
grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (Matt. 13:20-21;
John 6:66-69; 13:18; I John 2:19); that a special providence watches over their
welfare (Ps. 90:1-10; 91:11-12; 121:3; Jer. 32-40; Matt. 6:30-33; Rom. 8:28); and
that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (II Kings 6:16;
Phil 1;6; 2:12-13; Heb.1:14; 13:5; I Peter 1:3-5; I John 4:4; Jude 24-25).

XIII. THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL

We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral
government (Ps. 19:7; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20, 31; 4:1-5); that it is holy,
just and good (Ps. 119; Rom. 7:7, 12, 14,22; Gal. 3:21); and that the inability which
the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their
love of sin (Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44; Rom. 8:7-8); to deliver them
from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the
holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with
the establishment of the New Testament church (Matt.16:17-18; Rom. 8:2,4; 10:4; I
Cor. 12:28; I Tim 1:5; Heb. 8:10;12:14; Jude 20-21).

XIV. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

We believe that a New Testament church is a local, visible, congregation of

scripturally baptized believers (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:41, 47; I Cor. 12:13;Eph 4:5),
associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (Acts 2:42; I Cor.
5:12-13; II Cor. 8:5); observing the ordinances instituted by Christ (Matt. 28:19-20)
its only Head (Eph 1:20-23;5:23); governed by His laws alone (Gal. 6:2; James 4:12);
that such an assembly is the body of Christ in its locality (I Cor. 12:27), with which
all the regenerated should affiliate, for this is the only kind of true church in the
world today, that its officers of ordination are pastors (Eph 4:11) and deacons
(Phil.1:1; I Tim. 3:8-13); that each assembly has the absolute right to selfgovernment as led by the Holy Spirit, free from any interference whatsoever from
any organization, group, convention, association or individual; that it is scriptural for
assemblies to cooperate with each other for the furtherance of the gospel and the
doctrines of the Word of God (Acts 15:1-31; II Cor. 8:23-24; 11:8-9; Phil. 4:15-16),
but that each church is the sole human judge of the measure and method of its
cooperation; that only sound New Testament Baptist churches today preserve the
essential apostolic faith and practice; that Christ's promise to build His church has
been fulfilled in only these kind of churches, the first of which He organized during

His earthly ministry (John 1; Matt. 16:18) and gave to it, and to others that should
descend from it the Great Commission; that these true churches on earth alone
possess Divine authority(Matt. 28:18); therefore, we brand as unscriptural open
communion, alien baptism, pulpit affiliation with heretical ministers, mission boards,
ecumenicism, unionism, modernism, modern conventionalism and associationism,
one-church dictatorship, preacher-dictatorship and all kindred evils arising from
these practices.

XV. THE ORDINANCE OF BAPTISM

We believe that Bible baptism is the dipping into water (Matt. 3:1-17); John 4:1-2;
Col. 2:12) of a penitent believer (Acts 8:36-39) by the Divine authority of a true New
Testament Baptist church(Matt. 28:18-20) in the name of the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, not in order to obtain the remission of sins, but to declare that the
believer has already been saved by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
(Rom. 6:1-11) and to picture in a most solemn emblem His death to sin and
resurrection to walk in newness of life; that it is a prerequisite to membership in the
church and participation in the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41-42); that the ceremonial
washing of sins is only pictorial(Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:20-21); therefore, all valid
baptism must be administered by the authority of a true New Testament Baptist
church, and any so-called Baptist church which knowingly receives alien immersion
is not a Scriptural Baptist Church, and its ordinances are not valid.

XVI. THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe that the Lord's Supper is not a sacrament, but a solemn symbolic
ordinance placed in the church by our Lord (Matt. 26:26-30), in which the members
of the one church observing the ordinance (I Cor. 11:18, 20, 22-23), by the use of
unleavened bread and wine, commune not with one another, but the Lord (II Cor.
10:16); that it shows forth not their love for one another, but their Lord's death till
He comes (I Cor. 11:24-26); that the one loaf of the supper points to the unity of the
body observing it (I Cor. 10:17), which unity is essential to the scriptural observance
of the ordinance (I Cor. 11:18-34).

XVII. THE LORD'S DAY

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2);
Rev. 1:10); that it is to be kept sacred to religious purposes (Ex. 20:8; Ps. 118:24;
Rev. 1:10); that Christians should refrain from all secular labor and worldly
recreations (Isa. 58:13-14); that they should devoutly use all the means of grace,

both private and public, by which they may be drawn closer to God and provoked to
holier living (Heb. 10:15), and in preparation for the rest which remains for the
people of God (Heb. 4:3-11).

XVIII. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment and arrangement, for the
best interest and good order of human society (Gen. 9:1-7; Ex. 18:23; Deut. 16:18; II
Sam. 23:3; Jer. 30:21; Rom. 13:1-7); and that magistrates are to be prayed for (I
Tim. 2:1-3), conscientiously honored and obeyed (Matt 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter
2:13); except in matters opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Dan. 3:15-18;
Matt. 10:28; Acts 4:18-20; 5:29), Who is the only Lord of men's conscience, and the
Prince of the kings of earth (Ps. 72:11; Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4, 9-13; Rev. 19:16).

XIX. GODLY LIVING

We believe that born-again believers should abstain from all appearance of evil (I
Thess. 5:22;II Tim. 2:19); that they are to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this
present evil world (Titus2:11-13); that they are to be careful to maintain good works
(Titus 3:8; Eph. 2:10); that they are to seek in every possible way to serve Jesus
Christ (II Cor. 5:15; Gal. 2:20; I Peter 4:2) and to walk worthy of their high and
heavenly calling (Eph. 4:1; Phil 3:12-14; Heb. 3:1); that failure to do this will result in
chastisement (Heb. 12:5-14); and that continued disobedience proves one is a
stranger to the saving grace of God (Rom. 6:11-12, 16-22; I John 3:1-10).

XX THE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE WICKED

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous
and the wicked (Gen. 18:23; Prov. 12:26; Isa 5:20; Jer. 15:19;Mal. 3:18; Acts 10:3435; Rom. 6:16); that such 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
(Prov. 11:31;Rom. 1:17; 6:18,22; I Cor. 11:32; I Peter 4:17-18;; I John 3:7); while all
such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the
curse (Ps. 10:4; Isa. 55:6-7; John 3:36; Gal. 3:10; I John 5:19); and this distinction
holds among men both in and after death (Prov. 10:24; 14:32; Eccl. 3:17; Luke 12:45; 16:25; John8:21-24; Rev. 22:11).

XXI. THE RESURRECTIONS

We believe that there will a resurrection both of the righteous and the wicked (Dan.
12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; 26:8); that there will be one thousand years of time
intervening between the resurrection of the righteous and of the wicked (Rev. 20:46); that the dead in Christ shall rise first (I Cor. 15:23; I Thess. 4:13-18); and that at
the expiration of the one thousand years the wicked will be raised and judged (Rev.
20:4-11).

XXII. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe that the second coming of Christ is to be pre-millennial, bodily, visible

and that it will consist of two stages: His pre-tribulational appearance in the air and
His post-tribulation coming to earth; that at the rapture all those who sleep in Christ
will be raised in glorified bodies and all saints who live and remain on the earth will
be translated that they should not see death and caught up with them in the air (I
Thess. 4:13-18); that at His coming to earth (Matt. 24:29-31) He will sit on the
throne of His glory for the first time (Matt. 25:31; Rev. 3:21), judging all men then
living on the earth (Isa. 11:3-4), receiving the righteous into His Kingdom and
sending the unrighteous into everlasting fire (Matt. 25:31-46); that the throne of
David is His throne (Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33); that the two stages of His coming will
be separated by a seven-years tribulation period (Dan. 9:24-27; Revs. 11:1-19)
during which the woes depicted in the Book of Revelation will be poured out during
the reign of the Antichrist (Rev. 6-19); that during the tribulation period on earth the
judgment seat of Christ and the marriage of the Lamb will take place in Heaven
(Matt.5:11-12; I Cor. 3:10-15; II Cor. 5:9-10; Rev. 19:1-9) after which the Lord Jesus
Christ will return with all the saints for the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14-16;
19:11-21); that Satan will be bound a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-3), and the saints
will reign a thousand years with Christ on earth (Ps. 149:5-9; Dan.7:18, 27; II Tim.
2:12; Rev. 1:5-6; 2:26-27; 5:9-10; 20:4-6).

XXIII. THE FINAL STATES

We believe that the earth will be redeemed from the curse of sin and fitted as the
eternal dwelling place of the people of God (Isa. 66:17; Matt. 5:5; Rom.8:20-22);
that the fitting of the earth for the eternal home of the redeemed will be by a
process of purification by fire (II Peter 3:7-13); that the finally impenitent and
incorrigibly wicked will be cast, both souls and resurrected bodies (Matt. 10:28;
Mark 9:42-29), into the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:14-15), where they shall
be punished forever (Rev. 14:10-11).

Article XXIV Of Human Sexuality

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be

pursued outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any
form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bi-sexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication,
adultery and pornography is a sinful perversion of God's gift of sex. (Gen. 2:24;
19:5,13; 28:8,9; Lev. 18:130; Rom. 1:2629; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9; I Thess. 4:18; Heb. 13:4)
We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter ones gender by
surgery or appearance. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining
of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:2; Eph. 5:22-23). Note:
anyone who can not abide by this article of faith may not be members of Faith
Missionary Baptist Church.

Article XXV Of the Sanctity of Human Life:

We believe that human life begins at conception and the unborn child is a
living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of
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 mental well being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5;
139:1416; Isa. 44:24; 49:1,5; Jer. 1:5; 20:1518; Luke 1:44)