Statement of Faith
Community Baptist Church

The Bible
We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and are our final authority for faith and life.  We strive to live out our Christian faith in light of God’s revelation in the Holy Scriptures.  2 Timothy. 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21, Psalm 1:2; I Peter 2:2

God           
We believe that there is but one living and true God and that he exists eternally as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each equal in glory and power.  This triune God created all, sustains all, and rules all.  Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-4, 14,18; Acts 5:3-4 ; Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-2; Acts 17:28; Hebrews 1:3

Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God.  He is one person with both human and divine natures—fully God and fully man.  Jesus came to this earth by being born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, and voluntarily died on the cross to atone for the sins of all by acting as our substitute.  God raised His body from the dead and He now acts as the only Mediator between God and humanity.  One day Christ will come again for His people and He will return personally and visibly to earth to judge all of mankind and to rule forever as King.  Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-37; John 1:1-2, 14; Phil. 2:6-1; Luke 24; I Timothy 2:5-6; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14; Revelation 19:11-16

Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the one who brings people to repentance and faith.  The Holy Spirit indwells all true believers and guarantees their eternal security.  The Holy Spirit comforts, leads, empowers, teaches, and gifts believers.  We will seek to live out the Christian life and grow to be more like Jesus by depending on the power of the Holy Spirit.  John 3:5-8; Ephesians 1:13-18; 5:18; Romans 8:9-14; John 14:16-18; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 12:11-13; Galatians 5:22-25  

Humanity
We believe that every individual is born with inherent worth and dignity because we are created in the image of God.  We will affirm this God-given dignity by respecting and caring for all human life.  The first humans, Adam and Eve, lost their intimate relationship with their Creator when they sinned against God.  Because of their sin, we are all sinners with a corrupted human nature who without Christ will receive the penalty of our rebellion—separation from a loving God.  Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 8:3-5; Gen. 3:1-6; Rom.3:10-12; 5:12, 19; Eph. 2:1-3

Salvation
We believe that repentance from sin and personal faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus is the only way to be delivered from sin and its consequences.  No amount of good deeds or human effort can cure us of our sin problem and make us right with a holy God.  Salvation is entirely a gift of God’s immeasurable grace brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit.  Genesis 3; Ephesians 2:1-10; Acts 20:21; Titus 3:5-6; John 10:28-29

Satan and Demons
We believe that Satan and his demons are fallen angels who are the fierce enemies of God, His people, and His work.  Their future destiny is eternity in the lake of fire. Presently they blind unbelievers from seeing the truth of the Gospel and lie to and accuse believers as they serve Christ.  Christians are to be continually aware of the spiritual battle we are engaged in and are to resist the enemy by using God’s Word.  Isaiah 14:12-15; Matthew 25:41; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4; I Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:10-18

The Church
We believe that our primary Christian growth happens in the context of a loving Christian community where authentic and vulnerable relationships are developed.  This community is called the church and is made up of all true Christians throughout the world.  The mission of the church is to make disciples and to represent and glorify Christ on earth as His body.  God has commanded His church to meet together regularly under the oversight of elders to learn God’s Word, pray, minister to one another, and practice baptism and communion.  We seek to promote unity among the body of Christ by accepting and loving those who both love Jesus and affirm the essential truths of God’s Word.  Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 5:1-16; Matthew 28:19-20

Human Destiny

We believe that for all people, there will be a resurrection of the body and a judgment.  Unbelievers will experience eternal separation from God in a place of unending torment.  The believer’s judgment will relate to their service for Christ, not their salvation, since their sins were already forgiven.  Believers will be raised to enjoy the presence of God in heaven and His eternal kingdom.  Matthew 10:28; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:31-46; John 14:3; I Thessalonians 4:13-17; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 10; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15