Niobe Baptist Church Doctrinal Statement
Section 1. The Scriptures. We believe the Bible to be the Word of God; that it is the only complete and final revelation of God's will to man; that it is plenarily and verbally inspired; that it is inerrant in the whole and in each of all its parts in the original manuscripts; that it has been and will be preserved by God through the ages in reliable translations into the languages of the world's people and thus remains God's Word; and therefore, is our only authority in matters of faith and practice. Matthew 5:18; 24:35; II Timothy 3:16, 17; I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:21.
Section 2. God. We believe the Scriptures reveal there is one and only one living and true God; Who is eternally existing, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, and manifesting himself in Three Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - One in essence and power. Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14.
Section 3. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ. We believe in the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, as part of the God-head, co-equal with the Father; his incarnation as the God-man, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death on the cross for our sins, shed blood as the only ground for atonement for sins and physical resurrection from the grave; His ascension to the right hand of God where He ever lives to make intercession for believers; Hs personal, imminent, pre-tribulational, pre-millennial coming for His redeemed ones; His subsequent return to earth with His saints to establish His millennial kingdom. Matthew 1:18-25; 20:28; 24:29-31; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-5, 14; 10:30; 20:1-29; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 15:14; Philippians 2:6-11; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:15; 7:25; I Peter 1:18, 19; 2:21-23; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6.
Section 4. The Holy Spirit. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person; that He possesses personality; that He has all the distinctive Divine attributes; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment; that He regenerates, renews, indwells, enlightens and empowers in matters of life, service and prayer all that are truly saved; that He restrains evil until He is taken out of the way. John 14:16, 17; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 5:3, 4; I Corinthians 3:16; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 5:18; II Thessalonians 2:7; Titus 3:5.
Section 5. Man. We believe God made man is His own image and that man came into the world by direct creation of God, not by evolution. We believe that man was created in innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell from that state; that all his posterity are born in the same state of sin into which he fell. In consequence of this all mankind is now sinful, and are sinners, not by constraint but of choice; therefore man is under condemnation without defense or excuse. We also believe that man in his natural estate is in a condition of total depravity. Genesis 1:26, 27; 3:1-24; 9:6; Isaiah 53:5; Romans 3:19, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 4:18, 19.
Section 6. Salvation. We believe salvation to be by grace through faith, wholly apart from human merit and works; that due to the fact that every individual is a sinner by birth and choice, he must exercise personal faith in the redeeming work of Christ on Calvary in order to be saved. Psalm 51:5; John 3:16; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9, 10; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5.
Section 7. Security of the Believer. We believe in the eternal security and full assurance of all that are truly saved. John 5:24; 10:27-29; Romans 8:33, 34, 38, 39; Philippians 1:6; I John 5:13; Jude 24, 25.
Section 8. Satan. We believe in the reality and personality of Satan; that he is a created being once known as Lucifer and the anointed cherub that covereth; that through pride he fell into condemnation; that he is the unholy god of this world and the prince of the power of the air; that he is the author of the Fall, the archenemy of God and the souls of men; that he will be judged at the Revelation of Jesus Christ and is destined to the judgment of an eternal place in the lake of fire. Genesis 3:1-7; Job 1:6-11; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; John 8:44; I Corinthians 4:3,4; Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 20:10.
Section 9. Eternal Destiny.
A. Heaven. We believe in Heaven, a prepared place of eternal bliss for all whom, through faith in the Lamb of God, have become the children of God; there they will eternally reside with Christ. John 14:1-6; Philippians 3:20; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 21:1-8.
B. Hell. We believe in the lake of fire, a place of eternal judgment and torment prepared for the devil and his angels, and also for all those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior. Matthew 25:41, 46; Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8.
Section 10. The Church.
A. Universal Church. We believe the church universal is built by Christ and is composed of all truly saved people of the Dispensation of the Age of Grace. Matthew 16:16-18; Romans 12:4, 5; I Corinthians 12:12, 13; Hebrews 12:23.
B. Local Church. We believe that the local church was founded by Christ in New Testament teaching and practice and is the pillar and ground of God's Truth in the world. As such we are a Fundamental Baptist Church, a voluntary association of baptized believers, equal in rank and privilege, subject to the Word of God and independent of any external ecclesiastical control whatsoever. (By Fundamental, we mean we are a Church which holds, without reservation or compromise, to the Fundamentals of he Faith. These Fundamentals are: 1) The Inspiration of the Scriptures; 2) The Deity of Jesus Christ; 3) The Virgin Birth of Christ; 4) The Substitutionary Death of Christ upon the Cross; 5) The Physical, Bodily Return of Christ.) Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:41, 42; 6:1-4; I Corinthians 1:1, 2; 12:12-14; Galatians 1:1, 2; I Timothy 3:14, 15.
Section 11. Church Ordinances.
A. Baptism. We believe God's Word commands every believer (and only believers) to be baptized by immersion; that baptism is also a pre-requisite to membership. Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 8:36-39; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12.
B. Communion. We believe the Lord's Supper should be observed as Christ said, In remembrance of Me; that it is a memorial of Christ's death, His broken body and shed blood for us; that every believer is invited to partake of the Lord's Supper provided they have examined themselves according to I Corinthians 11:27-32. We further believe the Lord's Supper has no sacramental virtue. Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 11:23-34.
Section 12. Separation.
A. From the World. We believe that all the saved are called into a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices and alliances. Romans 12:1, 2l; II Corinthians 6:14-17; James 4:4; I John 2:15-17
B. From False Teaching. We believe that false teaching is anything contrary to revealed Biblical Doctrine; that we should separate ourselves from any false teachers and teachings; that we should not cooperate with any person or group that adheres to false teaching. We identify ourselves as NOT being Liberal, Neo-orthodox, Neo-evangelical, Charasmatic, Hyper-Calvinistic or Covenantal in Theology. (For the sake of clarification, we define the above stated persuasions as follows: 1) Liberal - the persuasion that the Bible is to be interpreted by human reasoning, experience and human views of science and history; that identifies itself as Christian without holding to the Fundamentals of the Faith; 2) Neo-orthodox - the persuasion that the Bible CONTAINS the Word of God, rather than that the Bible IS the Word of God; that claims that the Bible contains errors; 3) Neo-evangelical - the persuasion that claims to hold to the Fundamentals yet cooperates in religious activity with those who do not hold to them; 4) Charismatic - the persuasion which believes the sign gifts, such as tongues and healings, are still valid spiritual gifts today, some of which go as far as stating that such gifts are tests of genuine salvation; 5) Hyper-Calvinistic - the persuasion that states God's primary Decree was to save some people, and condemn the rest; that concludes from this that the believer does not have a responsibility to share Christ with the lost; 6) Covenantal - the persuasion that teaches only 2 Covenants [Works and Grace]; that states that all promises made to Abraham and Israel are fulfilled in the New Testament Church, and WILL NOT be fulfilled for Israel in End Time Events.) Romans 16:17; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15; I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 4:3, 4; II Peter 2:1, 2; I John 4:1-3; II John 9-11.
Section 13. Translations. We recommend the use of translations which are accurate transmissions (the Act of God in preserving His Word in translation) from the original languages and which are befitting the dignity of the Word of God. We believe the King James Version is such a translation. We reject any paraphrase and new versions which add to or delete from the Word of God. We reject the concept as heretical that any translation of the Bible is given by inspiration and believe firmly that inspiration ceased upon the completion of the original manuscripts through God's work of preserving His Inspired Word continues through the ages. Deuteronomy 4:2; I Peter 1:23-25; Revelation 22:19.
Section 14. The Lord's Day. We believe that since the Lord arose on the first day of the week and since the First Century Church assembled on the first day of the week, the Lord's Day ought to be devoted wholly to the public and private duties of assembling for worship and attending to Divine things at the home; that we ought to abstain from unnecessary labor and from whatever is inconsistent with the observance of the Lord's Day. Matthew 28:1-6; John 20:1-15, 19; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians16:1, 2; Revelation 1:10.
Section 15. Evangelism. We believe it is the solemn obligation of every believer to be a personal soul sinner and to do his utmost to carry out the Savior's command to give the gospel to the whole world. Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4.
Section 16. Spiritual Gifts. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ gifts every believer, at the time of salvation, with at least one spiritual gift. These gifts are for the building up of Christ's Body, the Church. We also believe that some of the gifts, such as tongues and healings, were valid only during the First Century, being designated as sign-gifts, with the purpose of being a sign to unconverted Jews and as a means of confirming the spoken word of the Lord's messengers, prior to the completion of the Canon of Scripture. Mark 16:17, 18; Acts 2:1-11; Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12:4-11; 14:21, 22; Ephesians 4:8, 11-16; Hebrews 2:3-4.
Section 2. God. We believe the Scriptures reveal there is one and only one living and true God; Who is eternally existing, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, and manifesting himself in Three Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - One in essence and power. Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14.
Section 3. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ. We believe in the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, as part of the God-head, co-equal with the Father; his incarnation as the God-man, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death on the cross for our sins, shed blood as the only ground for atonement for sins and physical resurrection from the grave; His ascension to the right hand of God where He ever lives to make intercession for believers; Hs personal, imminent, pre-tribulational, pre-millennial coming for His redeemed ones; His subsequent return to earth with His saints to establish His millennial kingdom. Matthew 1:18-25; 20:28; 24:29-31; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-5, 14; 10:30; 20:1-29; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 15:14; Philippians 2:6-11; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:15; 7:25; I Peter 1:18, 19; 2:21-23; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6.
Section 4. The Holy Spirit. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person; that He possesses personality; that He has all the distinctive Divine attributes; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment; that He regenerates, renews, indwells, enlightens and empowers in matters of life, service and prayer all that are truly saved; that He restrains evil until He is taken out of the way. John 14:16, 17; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 5:3, 4; I Corinthians 3:16; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 5:18; II Thessalonians 2:7; Titus 3:5.
Section 5. Man. We believe God made man is His own image and that man came into the world by direct creation of God, not by evolution. We believe that man was created in innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell from that state; that all his posterity are born in the same state of sin into which he fell. In consequence of this all mankind is now sinful, and are sinners, not by constraint but of choice; therefore man is under condemnation without defense or excuse. We also believe that man in his natural estate is in a condition of total depravity. Genesis 1:26, 27; 3:1-24; 9:6; Isaiah 53:5; Romans 3:19, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 4:18, 19.
Section 6. Salvation. We believe salvation to be by grace through faith, wholly apart from human merit and works; that due to the fact that every individual is a sinner by birth and choice, he must exercise personal faith in the redeeming work of Christ on Calvary in order to be saved. Psalm 51:5; John 3:16; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9, 10; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5.
Section 7. Security of the Believer. We believe in the eternal security and full assurance of all that are truly saved. John 5:24; 10:27-29; Romans 8:33, 34, 38, 39; Philippians 1:6; I John 5:13; Jude 24, 25.
Section 8. Satan. We believe in the reality and personality of Satan; that he is a created being once known as Lucifer and the anointed cherub that covereth; that through pride he fell into condemnation; that he is the unholy god of this world and the prince of the power of the air; that he is the author of the Fall, the archenemy of God and the souls of men; that he will be judged at the Revelation of Jesus Christ and is destined to the judgment of an eternal place in the lake of fire. Genesis 3:1-7; Job 1:6-11; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; John 8:44; I Corinthians 4:3,4; Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 20:10.
Section 9. Eternal Destiny.
A. Heaven. We believe in Heaven, a prepared place of eternal bliss for all whom, through faith in the Lamb of God, have become the children of God; there they will eternally reside with Christ. John 14:1-6; Philippians 3:20; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 21:1-8.
B. Hell. We believe in the lake of fire, a place of eternal judgment and torment prepared for the devil and his angels, and also for all those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior. Matthew 25:41, 46; Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8.
Section 10. The Church.
A. Universal Church. We believe the church universal is built by Christ and is composed of all truly saved people of the Dispensation of the Age of Grace. Matthew 16:16-18; Romans 12:4, 5; I Corinthians 12:12, 13; Hebrews 12:23.
B. Local Church. We believe that the local church was founded by Christ in New Testament teaching and practice and is the pillar and ground of God's Truth in the world. As such we are a Fundamental Baptist Church, a voluntary association of baptized believers, equal in rank and privilege, subject to the Word of God and independent of any external ecclesiastical control whatsoever. (By Fundamental, we mean we are a Church which holds, without reservation or compromise, to the Fundamentals of he Faith. These Fundamentals are: 1) The Inspiration of the Scriptures; 2) The Deity of Jesus Christ; 3) The Virgin Birth of Christ; 4) The Substitutionary Death of Christ upon the Cross; 5) The Physical, Bodily Return of Christ.) Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:41, 42; 6:1-4; I Corinthians 1:1, 2; 12:12-14; Galatians 1:1, 2; I Timothy 3:14, 15.
Section 11. Church Ordinances.
A. Baptism. We believe God's Word commands every believer (and only believers) to be baptized by immersion; that baptism is also a pre-requisite to membership. Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 8:36-39; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12.
B. Communion. We believe the Lord's Supper should be observed as Christ said, In remembrance of Me; that it is a memorial of Christ's death, His broken body and shed blood for us; that every believer is invited to partake of the Lord's Supper provided they have examined themselves according to I Corinthians 11:27-32. We further believe the Lord's Supper has no sacramental virtue. Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 11:23-34.
Section 12. Separation.
A. From the World. We believe that all the saved are called into a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices and alliances. Romans 12:1, 2l; II Corinthians 6:14-17; James 4:4; I John 2:15-17
B. From False Teaching. We believe that false teaching is anything contrary to revealed Biblical Doctrine; that we should separate ourselves from any false teachers and teachings; that we should not cooperate with any person or group that adheres to false teaching. We identify ourselves as NOT being Liberal, Neo-orthodox, Neo-evangelical, Charasmatic, Hyper-Calvinistic or Covenantal in Theology. (For the sake of clarification, we define the above stated persuasions as follows: 1) Liberal - the persuasion that the Bible is to be interpreted by human reasoning, experience and human views of science and history; that identifies itself as Christian without holding to the Fundamentals of the Faith; 2) Neo-orthodox - the persuasion that the Bible CONTAINS the Word of God, rather than that the Bible IS the Word of God; that claims that the Bible contains errors; 3) Neo-evangelical - the persuasion that claims to hold to the Fundamentals yet cooperates in religious activity with those who do not hold to them; 4) Charismatic - the persuasion which believes the sign gifts, such as tongues and healings, are still valid spiritual gifts today, some of which go as far as stating that such gifts are tests of genuine salvation; 5) Hyper-Calvinistic - the persuasion that states God's primary Decree was to save some people, and condemn the rest; that concludes from this that the believer does not have a responsibility to share Christ with the lost; 6) Covenantal - the persuasion that teaches only 2 Covenants [Works and Grace]; that states that all promises made to Abraham and Israel are fulfilled in the New Testament Church, and WILL NOT be fulfilled for Israel in End Time Events.) Romans 16:17; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15; I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 4:3, 4; II Peter 2:1, 2; I John 4:1-3; II John 9-11.
Section 13. Translations. We recommend the use of translations which are accurate transmissions (the Act of God in preserving His Word in translation) from the original languages and which are befitting the dignity of the Word of God. We believe the King James Version is such a translation. We reject any paraphrase and new versions which add to or delete from the Word of God. We reject the concept as heretical that any translation of the Bible is given by inspiration and believe firmly that inspiration ceased upon the completion of the original manuscripts through God's work of preserving His Inspired Word continues through the ages. Deuteronomy 4:2; I Peter 1:23-25; Revelation 22:19.
Section 14. The Lord's Day. We believe that since the Lord arose on the first day of the week and since the First Century Church assembled on the first day of the week, the Lord's Day ought to be devoted wholly to the public and private duties of assembling for worship and attending to Divine things at the home; that we ought to abstain from unnecessary labor and from whatever is inconsistent with the observance of the Lord's Day. Matthew 28:1-6; John 20:1-15, 19; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians16:1, 2; Revelation 1:10.
Section 15. Evangelism. We believe it is the solemn obligation of every believer to be a personal soul sinner and to do his utmost to carry out the Savior's command to give the gospel to the whole world. Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4.
Section 16. Spiritual Gifts. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ gifts every believer, at the time of salvation, with at least one spiritual gift. These gifts are for the building up of Christ's Body, the Church. We also believe that some of the gifts, such as tongues and healings, were valid only during the First Century, being designated as sign-gifts, with the purpose of being a sign to unconverted Jews and as a means of confirming the spoken word of the Lord's messengers, prior to the completion of the Canon of Scripture. Mark 16:17, 18; Acts 2:1-11; Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12:4-11; 14:21, 22; Ephesians 4:8, 11-16; Hebrews 2:3-4.
