Our beliefs govern all we do, how we think, and why we exist. As Christians, the very core of our beliefs centers on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the good news that Jesus came and lived a perfect life on our behalf and then died the death that we deserve. He rose again three days later making it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God and one another. Without this belief, we have no hope and no church. It is the reason we exist.
We are a Southern Baptist Church that believes the statement of faith of the Southern Baptist Convention, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000. We have reiterated some points and select verses of that important statement below for your convenience:
We believe in the inerrancy of the Bible. Because the Bible is the Word of God, it is free from falsehood. God does not lie nor is his knowledge limited. Therefore, everything that the Bible says is true and good. Our beliefs about God, the world, and his dealings with humanity depend on the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
We believe that God is Trinity. God has eternally existed in an interpersonal relationship. He exists as one essence and as three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-18, 29
We believe that humanity is made in God’s image. Therefore, all of humanity has dignity and any attack on any human is an attack on Jesus Christ who is himself the image of the invisible God. Genesis 1:26-30
We believe that sin affects every part of humanity and because of sin, all of humanity is lost, blind to their spiritual state, dead in their sins, and hostile to God. We are unable to save ourselves. Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 John 1:8
We believe that salvation is found exclusively in Christ. Being fully God and fully man, Jesus alone is uniquely qualified to atone for the sins of his people. He lived the life we were called to live and then died the death we deserve, and, therefore, is alone able to save us from our sins and to eternal life with him. Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14
We believe that a person is saved by grace through faith. Salvation is not earned; it is giving as a gift, and it is received when a person believes that Jesus is who he says he is and repents from their sin. This faith and repentance expresses itself in confessing Jesus as Lord. Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:1-10
We believe that the mission of God is not peripheral to Christianity but is its heartbeat. Christians are saved in order to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and to make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19-20
We believe that the church is the body and bride of Christ commissioned to extend his ministry to the ends of the earth. Ephesians 4:1-16
We believe that every person will either spend eternity with God in glory or eternity separated from God in a place of eternal torment. Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
For further consideration: Eleventh Street Baptist Church Bylaws