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Abortion
Seventh Day Baptists believe that life begins at conception. Therefore, we are morally opposed to activities that thwart such life, including abortion and human embryonic stem cell research. Further, we urge governments not to provide funding for human embryonic stem cell research. Baptism We believe that baptism of believers in obedience to Christ's command is a witness to the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We believe in baptism by immersion as a symbol of death to sin, a pledge to a new life in Him. Romans 6:3-4; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:11; Galatians 3:26-27 The Bible We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is our final authority in matters of faith and practice. We believe that Jesus Christ, in His life and teachings as recorded in the Bible, is the supreme interpreter of God's will for mankind. 2 Peter 1:20-21; Romans 3:2; 2 Peter 3:1-2, 15-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Matthew 5:17-19; Psalm 119:105; John 20:30-31; Hebrews 1:1-2. Church's Role We believe that the church of God is all believers gathered by the Holy Spirit and joined into one body, of which Christ is the Head. We believe that the local church is a community of believers organized in covenant relationship for worship, fellowship and service, practicing and proclaiming common convictions, while growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We believe in the priesthood of all believers and practice the autonomy of the local congregation, as we seek to work in association with others for more effective witness. Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12:13, 14, 27; Romans 12:4-5; Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:19-22; Romans 15:5-7; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 10:24-25. Communion We believe that the Lord's Supper commemorates the suffering and death of our Redeemer until He comes, and is a symbol of union in Christ and a pledge of renewed allegiance to our risen Lord. Mark 14:22-25; Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:23-30. Evangelism We believe that Jesus Christ commissions us to proclaim the Gospel, to make disciples, to baptize and to teach observance of all that He has commanded. We are called to be witnesses for Christ throughout the world and in all human relationships. Matthew 24:14; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5-6; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Ephesians 6:14-20. Homosexuality We believe the practice of homosexuality is an abomination and is contrary to the natural order God established at creation. We believe homosexuality is practiced by choice and is neither a genetic trait nor an orientation. We pray that those currently engaged in homosexual behavior choose to repent of this practice and turn their hearts towards obeying God and keeping His commandments. Gen. 2:18-24; Gen. 5:1-2; Lev. 18:22; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:8-11 Mankind We believe that mankind was created in the image of God and is therefore the noblest work of creation. We believe that human beings have moral responsibility and are created to enjoy both divine and human fellowship as children of God. Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:3-9; Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:44-48; John 1:12; 1 John 1:3. Marriage Seventh Day Baptists affirm that marriage is an institution established by God at Creation, and that God established marriage to be solely between a man and a woman. Gen. 2:18-24. Sabbath We believe that the Sabbath of the Bible, the seventh day of the week, is sacred time, a gift of God to all people, instituted at creation, affirmed in the Ten Commandments and reaffirmed in the teaching and example of Jesus and the apostles. We believe that the gift of Sabbath rest is an experience of God's eternal presence with His people. We believe that in obedience to God and in loving response to His grace in Christ, the Sabbath should be faithfully observed as a day of rest, worship, and celebration. Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 16:23-30; Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 5:17-19; Mark 2:27-28; Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14, 42-44; 16:11-13; 17:2-3; 18:4-11; Ezekiel 20:19-20; Hebrews 4:9-10; John 14:15; Isaiah 58:13-14; Luke 23:56. |
Sin
We believe that sin is disobedience to God and failure to live according to His will. Because of sin all people have separated themselves from God. We believe that because we are sinners, we are in need of a Savior. Salvation We believe that a person cannot save himself by his own strength or effort. Salvation is God's gift to us. This gift of salvation can only be received by faith (trust) in God. Those who try to earn the gift through works alone will always fall short because of their sin. Further, there is no room for boasting in salvation because salvation is not earned or deserved. We believe that all who repent of their sin and receive Christ as Savior will not be punished at the final judgment but enjoy eternal life. To be saved, a person must respond by putting his faith and trust in Christ alone for salvation. A sinner who repents of his sin is then invited to put his faith and trust in Christ alone for his salvation. In order for a person to come to Christ, he must know who Christ is and what He has done for him. Unfortunately, many people who know about Christ do not personally receive Him and trust Him alone for salvation. It is this personal trust that brings people into right relationship with God. What does it mean to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? First, it means that we know and believe in our hearts that Jesus is the only way to be saved. Second, agree with scripture about what Christ has done for us on the cross in paying our penalty for sin, so that we might have forgiveness of sin. Third, we must surrender and open our hearts to Him and receive Him into our hearts and lives. He will come into our lives and make us the kind of people He wants us to be. Faith means that we know that we can trust Him with our lives and that He will watch over us and give us the power we need to lead the kind of lives that He wants us to lead. A person must surrender his sin and life to Jesus through confession, repentance, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Confession is simply telling God that you know that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9.) Repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God. Jesus said that repentance or turning away from sin is necessary for salvation. "I tell you, unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3,5 NASB.) The Holy Spirit coming into your life will give you the power that you need to be the kind of person that God wants you to be. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." (Acts 1:8.) 1 John 3:4-5; Romans 3:23-25; Isaiah 59:2; 1 John 1:8-10; Romans 5:6-8; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3; John 3:16-18, 36; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Matthew 25:41-46; Romans 5:10. The Trinity We believe in one God, infinite and perfect, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe who exists eternally in three persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- and desires to share His love in a personal relationship with everyone. Gen. 1:1-2; Deut. 6:4; 1 Kings 8:27; Psa. 90:1-2; Isa. 57:15; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16; Acts 17:24-25; 1 Tim. 1:17; 2 Pet. 3:9. We believe in God the Father, who is sovereign over all, and is loving and just as He forgives the repentant and condemns the unrepentant. Ezek. 33:11; John 3:16-18; John 5:24; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; 2 Thess. 1:6-8. We believe in God the Son, who became incarnate in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He gave Himself on the cross as the complete and final sacrifice for sin. As our Risen Lord, He is the mediator between God the Father and mankind. John 1:14-18, 34; John 14:6; Rom. 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:20-21; Heb. 1:3; Heb. 10:10-14; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 John 3:16. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who gives spiritual birth to believers, lives within them, and empowers them for witnessing and service. We believe the Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures, convicts of sin and instructs in righteousness. John 3:5-8; John 14:16-17; John 16:7-11; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:4-7; 2 Pet. 1:20-21. |
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