Doctrine
We hold to the
London Confession of Faith of 1689
as the fullest expression of our faith.
The articles of faith for the church are listed in the
church covenant from 1842.
The following is a brief statement of our faith:
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We believe the whole Bible to be the verbally inspired and infallible Word of God,
the only sufficient rule of faith and practice.
(2 Timothy 3:14-17; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 2:19-20; 2 Peter 1:19-20)
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We believe that the chief end of man is to glorify and enjoy
his Creator, Who exists in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -
and these three persons are one God.
(Psalm 86:9; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Luke 2:10; Philippians 4:4;
Matt. 3:16-17; Matt. 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2)
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We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God,
became man, vicariously placed Himself under the law and became obedient
even unto the death of the cross, fulfilling the law for His people
and atoning for their sin. He thereby purchased His church that
they should be a holy people. He arose from the dead and ascended
into heaven, where He continues to minister to His people as their
prophet, priest and king.
(John 1:1-14; Galatians 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21;
1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 2:1-2)
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We believe that man is by nature dead in sin and must be born
again by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is by grace through faith. Saving
faith is the embracing of Christ as Lord and Savior, turning from
sin to serve the living God, and this faith is the gift of God.
(Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:8; Luke 13:3)
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We believe that Christ will come again, that all people will
be bodily resurrected, and that Christ will judge all people. Those
that have not obeyed the gospel shall be punished with everlasting
destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord, while those
who by grace have obeyed the gospel shall inherit the kingdom prepared
for them from the foundation of the world and shall ever be with the Lord.
Until the day of His appearing, it is incumbent upon us to live in all
purity as strangers and pilgrims in this world, holding forth the Word
of life, that others may be brought to a saving knowledge of our God.
(Acts 17:31; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-34; 1 Peter 2:11)
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We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person
as either male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary
sexes together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that God
created marriage to be exclusively the union of one man and one woman,
and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union.
(Gen. 1:26-27, 2:18-25; 1 Cor. 6:18, 7:2- 5; Heb. 13:4).
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We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God
in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions,
including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged,
and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death.
We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.
(Ps. 139)
This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs.
The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks
with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct
of mankind, is the final source of all that we believe. For purposes of
our faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, we hold to the
London
Baptist Confession of 1689 as the fullest expression of our faith,
and the elder board of First Regular Baptist Church of Northumberland
is our final interpretive authority on the Bible's application.
The church constitution can be found here.
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