THE HOLY BIBLE

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, are the plenary, verbal, infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God (Deut 8:3; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Galatians 1:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1; 2 Peter 1:20-21). That is to say that every word, from Genesis to Revelation, is God-breathed and it is without error. It will not, nor can it fail. God also promises that His Word shall be preserved from eternity past to eternity future (Psalm 12:6-7, Psalm 33:11, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 111:7-8, Psalm 117:2, Psalm 119:89, 152, 160; Isaiah 40:8, Isaiah 55:11, Matthew 5:18, Matthew 24:35; Luke 16:17; 1 Peter 1:23, 25; Rev 22:18-19). We believe that the Authorized King James Bible (1611 AD) is God's Preserved Word for the English-speaking people. We believe that the Word of God is the sole authority for faith and practice and that no human is above the Word of God.

GOD

We believe in one true living God (1 Corinthians 8:4; Ephesians 4:5-6; 1 Thess 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5), one in essence (Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 44:8, Isaiah 45:21), three in distinct personality [the Trinity] (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Genesis 11:7; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19; John 14:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 1 John 5:7); the only infinite and eternal God (Genesis 21:33; Deut 33:27; Isaiah 40:28; Romans 16:26; Rev 21:6, Rev 22:13).

GOD THE FATHER

(1 Cor 8:6; 1 Peter 1:2) is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-2; Colossians 1:16; Rev 4:11). He is perfect in holiness (Psalm 99:9, Psalm 145:17; Isaiah 6:1-3; Rev 4:8); infinite in wisdom and understanding (Psalm 147:5b; Romans 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 25); rich in grace and mercy (2 Chronicles 30:9b; Titus 2:11); supreme in love (1 John 4:8,16); measureless in power (Jeremiah 32:17; Psalm 147:5a; Rev 19:6); and all present (Psalm 139:7-12). We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of all mankind, that He hears and answers prayers, and that He saves from sin and eternal damnation all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 5:29; Romans 10:13).

GOD THE SON

(Hebrews 1:8), Jesus Christ, preexistent with the Father and was the Word by which all things were created (John 1:1-4, John 1:14; Colossians 1:16); God's only begotten Son (John 3:16,18; 1 John 4:9). He was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:31,34); born of the Virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,34); lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15); was humble and ever obedient unto the Father (John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:8); and by His own death (the shedding of His own blood) on the cross, he gave eternal redemption for sin unto the whole world (Romans 5:8-11; Hebrews 9:11-12, Hebrews 9:14,22,). We believe that He arose bodily on the third day (Matthew 28:5-6, Matthew 28:10; Mark 16:6,9,19; Luke 24:5-7, Luke 24:36-39; John 20:11-18; 1 Corinthians 15:4); ascended into Heaven on the fortieth day (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:3, Acts 1:9-10); that He is the only mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 12:24); and making intercession for His own (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). We look for His imminent personal, visible, pretribulational, premillennial return to the earth according to His promises (1 Thess 4:13-17); that is our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13).

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

a Person, co-equal with the Father and Son, in all His attributes (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 John 5:7). He was sent by the Lord Jesus Christ from God the Father (John 15:26) to reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-11); to regenerate all who put their faith and trust in Christ as their personal Saviour (Titus 3:5); to indwell (1 Corinthians 3:16); guide in all truth (John 16:13); and teach them the things of God (John 14:26, John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13). He empowers the believer to live in victory over sin, self, Satan, and the world (Ephesians 1:13-14). He helps us in our infirmities and intercedes for us according to the will of God the Father (Matthew 8:17; Romans 8:26-27).

CREATION

God created the heavens and the earth and all that is therein, visible and invisible in six literal, 24-hour days as it is written in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 (Genesis 1:1, Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:11; Deut 4:32; Psalm 33:6,9, Psalm 148:5; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6).

MAN

Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:7,18, Genesis 2:21-23) but because of Adam's transgression (disobedience) the entire human race fell (Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:9-11; Romans 5:19). Because of this, all men are totally depraved and without Christ, spiritually dead, and lost. All men everywhere are sinners, both by nature and by choice (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3; Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23). To die in this condition is to be damned forever and eternally separated from God in Hell (Mark 16:16b; Romans 13:2; 2 Thess 2:12).

SIN

Sin originated with the devil (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:12-14, Ezekiel 24:15-19). Sin is the transgression (breaking) of God's law (1 John 3:4); coming short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23); rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:2); unbelief, making God a liar (1 John 5:10); going ones own way, planning ones life according to ones own will, failing to seek the will of God (Isaiah 53:6), and all unrighteousness (1 John 5:17). Sin entered into the world by one man, Adam (Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12). The result of sin is death (Romans 6:23), spiritual (Genesis 3:8; Isaiah 59:2), physical (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 26; Hebrews 9:27), and eternal (Luke 16:19-26, Luke 16:27-31; John 8:24; Revelation 20:14-15).

SATAN

We believe in a literal devil (Satan) (Job 1:6-9; Job 1:10-12; Matthew 4:1-6, Matthew 4:7-11; Revelation 20:2) who is a liar (John 8:44), presumptuous, proud (Isaiah 14:12-14), powerful (Revelation 12:9), wicked (Matthew 13:19; Ephesians 6:11-12; 2 Thess 2:8), malignant, subtle (Genesis 3:1), deceitful (Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:10), religious, and fierce. He was cast out of Heaven (Isaiah 14:12; Luke 10:18) and is now the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), prince of this world, and world system (John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4). He caused the fall of man (Genesis 3:1,14); is his constant adversary (1 Peter 5:8); and seeks to beguile (Genesis 3:13), tempt (1 Thess 3:5), accuse (Revelation 12:10), and devour him (1 Peter 5:8). He is the archenemy of God (Matthew 13:28,39), hater of Christ, and for this he perverts the Scriptures (Genesis 3:1; Luke 4:9-11), opposes the work of God, hinders the Gospel, and works lying miracles (wonders). He has already been judged and one day will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).

SALVATION

Salvation is in Jesus Christ alone (John 3:16-18, John 3:36, John 14:6; Acts 2:38,41, Acts 4:10,12). It is offered freely to all (Romans 10:13), and is obtained by repenting of one's sins (Luke 13:3,5), and receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour by faith in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 10:9-10). Salvation is solely by God's grace through faith alone, is a free gift, and is not merited by works (Ephesians 2:8-9); it results in God's forgiveness for all our sins (Psalm 103:12; 1 John 1:9). It is made possible by the blood of Christ willingly shed on the cross for all mankind (Romans 3:25; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Salvation imparts eternal life and one can never be lost again (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39). The instrument of salvation is the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23), and is the agent of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Click HERE to learn more.

HEAVEN AND HELL

Heaven and Hell are literal places, prepared by God as the only eternal abodes according to the Scriptures. All those who have been saved, or born-again (click HERE to learn how), shall live eternally with God in Heaven (John 14:1-3, John 14:23). All those that have rejected Jesus Christ shall suffer torment in the lake of fire forever, eternally separated from God (Luke 16:24; Revelation 20:12-15).

CHURCH

The New Testament Church (assembly) was started personally by the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry (Matthew 16:16-19; 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6) and continues to this present day. Jesus Christ is the head of the church ( Ephesians 5:23). We believe Christians should zealously participate in all scheduled worship services and activities organized by the church (Hebrews 10:25). The church's sole purpose is to obey His word. The church that Christ formed was both local and visible (Matthew 18:17; Acts 2:47). The church is made up of born-again, baptized believers, who are organized to carry out the work of God (Acts 2:41-42). The church is the pillar and ground of the truth ( 1 Timothy 3:15). The purpose of the church is to carry out the Great Commission; that is, spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth ( Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Each local church is to be independent, autonomous, and free from political authority or ecclesiastical hierarchy. The church has two ordinances - Baptism and the Lord's Supper:

Baptism is only for the believer and consists of immersion in water (John 3:23; Acts 8:36-39) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is a public testimony of the believer's birth in the body of Christ and is an act of obedience to Christ's command (John 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:17). It symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12). As Christ died and was buried, we also died to our old nature. As Christ arose from the dead, even so we are to walk in the newness of life (1 Peter 3:21).

The Lord's Supper is a memorial of the suffering and the death of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 22:17-20). It was instituted by Jesus the night he was betrayed. The Lord's Supper consists of unleavened bread (Matthew 26:17,26; Mark 14:12,22; Luke 22:7,19) and the fruit of the vine (unfermented grape juice) (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18). The fruit of the vine is non-alcoholic, unfermented grape juice. The unleavened bread and grape juice does not become His body and blood, neither do they contain His body and blood; they are symbols of His broken body and shed blood and are to be a continual reminder of His sacrifice until His promised return (Exodus 12:15; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, 1 Corinthians 11:24-26). This church body practices "close" communion. That is, communion is for those who have trusted Christ as their Saviour according to the scriptures (see "Salvation", above). Each individual is responsible to examine himself whether or not he is worthy to participate (1 Corinthians 11:27-28).

THE GREAT COMMISSION

All believers are commanded by Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8); therefore, every believer is responsible and accountable (Ezekiel 3:18-21) to fulfill the Great Commission. This involves two major tasks: evangelism and discipleship. The Gospel is to be proclaimed to every creature (Romans 10:14-17); those who believe and accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour should be baptized and discipled.

ESCHATOLOGY

(End Times) refers to the future (prophetic) events. We look for the imminent personal, visible, pretribulational, premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ to the earth according to His promises (1 Thess 4:13-17); that is our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13). We believe that the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is in two steps: the Rapture and the Revelation. We believe that the Rapture is an imminent event when the Lord Jesus Christ will descend to the clouds gathering all Christians, (the Church, or the Bride of Christ) to himself. At this time the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thess 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52). We believe that sometime after the Rapture there will be a seven-year period beginning with a covenant (Daniel 9:27) between the Antichrist and the nation of Israel, commencing with the physical return of Jesus Christ to this earth at Jerusalem. The Bible has several names for this seven year period. Among these are the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24), the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 2:12-22), and the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:14). Each of these names tell something about the purpose for this period of time. The Church (all of whom who accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour [click here if you are not certain]) will not endure any of this seven-year Great Tribulation period (Jeremiah 30:7; 1 Thess 5:9; Revelation 3:10). During this seven-year period, while the earth is experiencing the Wrath of God, there will be two significant events for those (saved) leaving in the rapture: the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10) and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). We believe that the Great Tribulation period will end after seven years when during the War of Armageddon the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth, destroys the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and binds Satan for 1000 years. After dealing with His enemies, the Lord Jesus Christ will set up a literal earthly kingdom where he will rule for 1000 years with a rod of iron (Revelation 20:2-4). At the end of this millennium, Satan will be loosed from the bottomless pit, gather his forces to make war with Christ and face his final defeat. This will be followed by the Great White Throne Judgment, where all unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire as written in Revelation chapters 20 and 21. According to Revelation chapter 22, we believe that the final historical event will be the descending of The New Jerusalem out of Heaven from God where all saints will live with God forever.

HUMAN SEXUALITY

God has commanded that no intimate physical activity should be engaged in outside of marriage. Any form of fornication (the gratification of sexual appetite without respect to marriage or the necessity of God's approval), adultery, incest, prostitution, pornography, bisexuality, homosexuality, lesbianism, and bestiality is sinful perversions of God's gift of physical intimacy between husband and wife (Genesis 19:4-7, Genesis 19:13; Genesis 26:8-11; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2,5; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:3,5; 1 Thess 4:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; Jude 7; Revelation 21:8).

MARRIAGE

The family was instituted by God and the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:21-24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23,31).

ABORTION

Human life begins at conception; the unborn child is a living human being, including body and soul (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5, Psalm 139:13-16; Ecclesiastes 11:5; Isaiah 44:2,24, Psalm 49:1,5; Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 20:15-18; Luke 1:44). Abortion is murder (Exodus 21:12,22-23). We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or mental well being of the mother are acceptable.

GENDER DIFFERENTIATION

Men and women are spiritually equal in position before God (Galatians 3:28) but God has ordained distinct and separate functions in the home and in the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home (Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 5:22-25) and men are leaders of the church (1 Timothy 2:11-14). Accordingly, only men are eligible for ordination by the church (1 Timothy 3:2,4-5,12). We believe God created men to be men and women to be women (Matthew 19:4; Mark 10:6). We believe that God desires all individuals to maintain their original gender for life.

LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS

Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or churches to resolve personal disputes (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). However, a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (Ephesians 4:31-32).

AUTHORITY FOR THIS STATEMENT OF FAITH

The Bible is the authority for this Statement of Faith and is the sole and final source of all that we believe. This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. We believe that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teachings of the Holy Bible.

"Now therefore hearken ... unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you" ~ Deuteronomy 4:1-2.

"At Charity Baptist Church, our desire is to please God, and serve Him because we love Him." Pastor Henry Strickland