THE BIBLE — GOD WROTE A BOOK.

The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives. It is our one and only source of faith and practice.

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Ecclesiastes 12:9-12; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 16:13 15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16  

TRINITY – GOD: THREE IN ONE.

God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority. 

Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19

THE FATHER – GOD THE LIFE-GIVER.

God is self-existing, powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that we live, move, and exist. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises. 

Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4

THE SON — GOD BECAME MAN.

Jesus Christ is completely human and completely God. God becoming incarnate in Christ is the only plan for bringing people who are enemies of God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we could have life. 

Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16

THE HOLY SPIRIT — GOD IS ALWAYS PRESENT.

His presence assures us of our relationships with Christ. He guides believers into all truth, and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He indwells every believer and seals them for the day of redemption. He comforts us and makes us more like Christ. 

Genesis 1:2; Psalms 51:11, 139:7; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Luke 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17

MAN — IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD.

Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot obtain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love. 

Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11

ETERNITY — WITH GOD OR AWAY FROM GOD.

Man was created to exist forever. Upon death, every person will be eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is what the Bible calls Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is what the Bible calls Eternal Life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. 

John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25, 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15

SALVATION — OF GOD ALONE, IN CHRIST ALONE. 

The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God and it cannot be earned by our own effort. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. 

Matthew 1:21; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24;Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18;3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10;Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20

ETERNAL SECURITY — GOD'S POWER TO KEEP THE SOUL. 

Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation through eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

MARRIAGE — GOD’S DESIGN FOR FAMILY.

Marriage is sacred union between one man and one woman, designed for intimate human love, procreation, as the grace of life, and as a picture of the gospel in the way Christ loves His church

Genesis 1:27-28; 2:23-24; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:22-33 1 Peter 3:1-8

THE CHURCH — GOD’S DESIGN FOR COMMUNITY. 

The church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ, to obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the gospel to the world. The church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.

Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3

PASTORS — GOD GAVE MEN TO PREACH. 

Pastors are God-called men who fit the qualifications and carry out the duties which are all written within the pastoral letters.
The first and foremost duty of the pastor is to preach and teach the Word of God to the local church. 

1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus. 

For a more information, please visit abaptist.org for the associational doctrinal statement.