The Bible—both Old and New Testament together—is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant revelation of God to man, providing all that is needed for faith and salvation, and serving as the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be measured.

(2Tim 3:16-17; 1Thes 2:13; 2Pe 1:20,21)

A New Testament church is a local body of baptized believers. Our church is a self-governing body operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Thus, church membership is believers making a formal commitment to one another to maintain doctrinal, spiritual, and moral integrity among ourselves through close, loving community grounded in the Word of God.

(Col 1:18; 2Cor 1:1, 8:1)

Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. As priests, we can study Gods Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God – whether we are "Clergy" or not.

(1Pet 2:5,9; Rev 5:9-10)

The local church should practice two ordinances: 1) Baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. 2) The Lords Supper, or communion – commemorating His death for our sins. These do not bring sanctification in themselves and are not understood as “sacraments.”

(Mat 28:19; 1Co 11:23-32)

Every individual, believer or unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptist have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself. Thus, we heavily emphasize the preaching of the gospel to the whole world.

(Rom 14:5,12; 2Cor 4:2; Titus 1:9)

Salvation, from Hell to Heaven, is the gracious gift of God to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. All true believers will endure to the end and will never fall away from this state of grace.

(Joh 3:16; Eph 2:8-9, John 10: 27-29; Heb 6:4-6)

The Bible mandates only two offices in the church – Pastor and Deacon. The three terms "Pastor.. Elder.. & Bishop" all refer to the same office. The two offices of Pastor and Deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church. We participate willingly in local associations, state mission boards, and the Southern Baptist Convention on the basis of common Christian faith and church practice for the sake of missions and doctrinal integrity.

(1Ti 3, Titus 1:5-9)

All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual in Christ.

The Christian and the Social Order

In the spirit of Christ, Christians should:

Oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography.

Work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick.

Speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.

Seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love.

In order to promote these ends, Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.

Peace and War

It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on the basis of righteous principles. We should do all in our power to put an end to war insofar as it accords with the spirit and teachings of Christ. The true remedy for “the war spirit” is the gospel of Jesus. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of Him and His teachings, and the practical application of His law of love to all the affairs of men and nations. Christian people throughout the world should pray for peace under the reign of the Prince of Peace.

Religious Liberty

A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal. This implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all humanity. It also implies the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without civil governments interfering.

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no church, religious group, or denomination should be favored by the state more than others.

Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christian to obey it in all things that are not against the teachings of Scripture. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ utilizes spiritual means for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion.