The Word of God
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired
and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith
and conduct.
II Timothy 3:16 - II Peter 1:21 - I Corinthians 2:12,13 - John 10:35 - Hebrews 1:1,2 - Mark 12:36 - Acts 3:18
The Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three
persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute
distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.
Matthew 28:19 -
John 14-16 - II Corinthians 13:14
God the Father
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness,
wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the
affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin
and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 8: 5,6 - Matthew 6:9-13 - John 1:12 - John 5:24 - Ephesians 2: 8,9
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy
Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings.
We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension
into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return
to earth.
John 3:16 - Matthew 1:18 - John 14:1-4
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict
the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify,
and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit
indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher,
and guide.
John 1:33,34 - John 14:26 - John 15:26 - II Corinthians 3:18
Regeneration
We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore,
under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust
in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 3:23 - Romans 6:23 - Ephesians 2:8,9 - Titus 3:5-7
The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ
is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local
church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a
credible confession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship.
We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary
task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.
Acts 1:8 - I Corinthians 12:12-19 - Matthew 28:19,20 - Acts 2:42-46 - I Peter 2:9,10
Christian Conduct
We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being
of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that
he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek
to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.
Acts 4:32 - Hebrews 10:14 - I Corinthians 1:2 - I Peter 1:15
The Ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the
local church; baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian baptism
is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We
believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of
His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered
until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 3:15 - Matthew 28:19 - Luke 22:17-19
Religious Liberty
We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.
Psalm 51:4 - Hebrews 4:16 - Matthew 22:21
Church Cooperation
Immanuel Baptist Church exists in cooperation with the Baptist General Conference.
We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ
by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such
an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and
functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary,
and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with
interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary basis.
The Last Things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to
earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection
of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous,
and the endless suffering of the wicked.
John 14:1-4 - I Thessalonians 4:13-17 - Revelation 21:1-8 - Revelation 22:5