Statement of Faith

Preamble

By faith, trusting wholly in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation, believing in the teachings and practices of Fundamental Baptists, and in those great, distinctive principles for which they have ever stood, we, therefore, band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ for communion and fellowship in worship, for cooperation in service; for comfort and edification of one another and to fulfill the Great Commission; we adopt for our statement of faith the following articles:

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of Heavenly instructions; that it has God for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

We believe the King James Bible is the authorized version to be the only copy of scriptures by which God has preserved His word in the English language in accordance with Psalms 12:6, 7. Only the King James Bible will be used for preaching, teaching, public reading and scripture memorization and other class work in, by, and through the Shasta Baptist Church. (Scripture given to be maintained.)

II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:21; II Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Romans 3:4, 2:12; John 12:47-48

THE TRUE GOD

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, and infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons – The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct, but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

John 4:24; Ps. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10; Exod. 15:11; I Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8; 4:11; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; Eph. 2:18

THE FALL OF MAN

We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in innocency, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression he fell from that holy and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

Gen. 1:27; 1:31; Acts 17:26; Gen. 2:16-17; 3:6-24; Romans 5:12, 19; Isa. 53:6;
Rom. 3:9-18; Eph. 2:3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Ezek. 18:19-20;
Rom. 1:20; 3:10; Gal. 3:22

THE VIRGIN BIRTH

We believe the Scriptures teach that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born, or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God the Son.

Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18, 25; John 1:14

GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE

We believe the Scriptures teach that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, God’s purpose comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that grace is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that grace utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

II Tim. 1:8-9; II Thess. 2:13-14; II Tim. 2:10; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; II Pet. 1:10;
I Thess. 1:4; Exod. 33:18-19.

THE WAY OF SALVATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the shed blood and mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who, according to the will of the Father, assumed our flesh, yet without sin; honored the Divine Law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.

Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; I John 4:10; I Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14;
Heb. 4:14; 12:24; Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; II Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53:4-5; Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9;
Heb. 2:18

REGENERATION

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is an instantaneous act and not a process; that it is the miraculous result of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. That in the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Ghost in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

John 3:3; II Cor. 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 16:30-33; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 3:8

REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties and inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God, whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with confession and supplication for mercy; and at the same time we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and rely on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.

Mark 1:15; Isa. 55:7; Acts 11:18; 20:21; 2:37-38; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31

JUSTIFICATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that justification is an act which includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures us every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

John 1:16; Acts 13:39; Rom. 8:1; 5:9; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom. 4:25; 5:1,2,11;
I Cor. 1:30-31; I Tim. 4:8

ADOPTION

We believe the Scriptures teach that adoption is a gracious act, by which the Father, for the sake of Christ, accepts believers to the state and condition in their hearts, whereby they become members of the family of God, and entitled to all the rights and privileges and promises of his children; and, if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, to the heritage of the saints on earth, and an inheritance reserved in Heaven for them.

Rom. 8:14-16; Gal. 3:26; 4:6-7; Eph. 1:5; I John 3:1; Heb. 12:7

SANCTIFICATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the Will of God, we are made partakers of His Holiness; and that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer; and in the practice of all godly exercises and duties.

I Thess. 4:3; 5:23; II Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph.1:4, Prov. 4:18; II Pet. 3:18; II Cor. 3:18;
Heb. 6:1; Rom. 8:15; Phil. 2:12-13; I Pet. 2:2; II Cor. 13:5

THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Holy Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure until the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

John 6:39; 3:31; I John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18; 2:19; John 13:18; 6:66-69; Rom. 8:28;
Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24:25; Heb. 13:5; John 10:27-29; Rom. 8:38-39; I Pet. 1:5

THE LOCAL CHURCH

We believe the Scriptures teach that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only Scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have the opportunity and the building up and edifying of the saints. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of Self-Government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only head is Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:41-42; 8:1; I Cor. 4:17; Acts 2:27; I Cor. 11:2; II Thess 3:7; Rom. 16:17-20;
II Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 28:20; John 15:15; 15:10; Acts 14:23; 15:22; I Tim. 3;
Titus 1.

BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of the believer in water, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with authority of the local church, to show forth in solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to church membership.

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration, by the use of unleavened bread and of the fruit of the vine of the death of Christ until He comes again; to be preceded always by solemn self-examination.

Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6; John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5; Matt. 3:16; 28:19; Col. 2:12;
Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-28

CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of Divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and coming Prince of the kings of the earth. Civil rulers have no rights of control over, or of interference with, religious matters.

Rom. 13:1-7; I Pet. 2:13; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Tim. 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:38; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7; 10; Acts 4:18-20; Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Ps. 72:11; Ps. 2

THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of God are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are, in His sight, wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in this life and after death, in the everlasting bliss of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

Malachi 3:18; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 6:16; 1:17;
I John 2:2; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; I Cor. 11:32; I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21;
Ps. 10:4; Isa. 55:6, 7; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Luke 12:4-5; 11:23-26; John 12:25-56; Matt. 7:14

SATAN OR THE DEVIL

We believe the Scriptures teach that the personality of Satan is the un-holy god of this age, and the author of all the powers of darkness and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire.

Matt. 4:1-3; II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10

HUMAN SEXUALITY

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.

Gen 2:24; Gen. 19:5; 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9;
I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4

MARRIAGE

We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.

Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23

LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS

We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.

I Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32