1. About God
God
is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.
He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis
1:1, 26, 27 Genesis 3:22 Psalm 90:2
Matthew 28:19
1 Peter 1:2 2 Corinthians 13:14
2. About Jesus Christ
Jesus
Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal, in essence, with the Father. Jesus
lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the
sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days
to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and
will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of
Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23 Isaiah 9:6 John 14:10-30 Hebrews 4:14, 15
1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 Romans 1:3, 4 Acts 1:9-11 1 Timothy 6:14, 15 John 1:1-5 Titus 2:13
3. About the Holy Spirit
The
Holy Spirit is co-equal, in essence, with the Father and the Son of God. He is
present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also
lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for
living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we
seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17 John 16:7-13 John 14:16, 17 Ephesians 5:18
1 Corinthians 2:12 1 Corinthians 3:16 Ephesians 1:13 Galatians 5:25 Acts 1:8
4. About the Bible
The
Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the
supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for
Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth
without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:20, 21 2 Timothy 1:13
Psalm
119:105, 160 Psalm 12:6 Proverbs 30:5
5. About Human
Beings
People
are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are
the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous
potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward
God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many
problems in life.
Genesis 1:27 Psalm 8:3-6 Isaiah 53:6a Romans 3:23 Isaiah 59:1,
2
6. About Salvation
Salvation
is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our
sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as
God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn
from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives
Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23 Ephesians 2:8, 9 John 14:6 John 1:12 Titus 3:5
7. About Eternal
Security
Because
God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in
that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot
“lose” it. 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 us
this security.
John 10:29 2 Timothy 1:12 Hebrews 7:25 Hebrews 10:10, 14
1 Peter 1:3-5
8. About Eternity
People
were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from
God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be
eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is
eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16
John 14:17 Romans 6:23 Romans 8:17-18 Revelation 20:15
1 Corinthians 2:7-9
These beliefs are ones we deem to be the essentials extracted from the Baptist Faith &
Message, 2000. For the full listing of the beliefs in that document that we are in accord with please go to www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp