Our Doctrine

The Beliefs of Aboite Baptist Church

GOD

We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit, 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 on every divine perfection, and executing distinct, but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

(Exodus 20:2-3; I Corinthians 8-6; Revelation 4:11)

THE SCRIPTURES

Inspiration We believe that the scriptures are the inspired Word of God. This means the Holy Spirit supernaturally superintended the work of the human authors in such a manner that the resulting product is in fact, “God breathed,” the actual Word of God. Inspiration applies not only to the concepts but also to the very words of their grammatical form. Every portion of scripture is fully and equally inspired.

Therefore, we accept the Scriptures as God’s Word which accurately reflects His character and nature, and demands our submission and obedience. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1: 19-21; Galatians 3:16)

Inerrancy We believe that the scriptures are infallible (incapable of error), and inerrant (without error) in the original documents. The scriptures record accurately (but not exhaustively) all events of which it speaks; and its teaching is factual and true whether in reference to history, science, ethics, doctrine, or any other matter.

Therefore, we accept the Biblical Record as completely accurate and will diligently study the words of Scripture to determine their meaning, intent, and application to our lives. We accept the truth of Scripture above any scientific or historical claims which appear to contradict it in the event the two cannot be reconciled. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 19:7-9; James 1:25; Romans 3:4)

Canon We believe the canon of scripture consists of the generally accepted thirty-nine (39) books of the Old Testament and twenty-seven (27) books of the New Testament. These sixty-six (66) books are unique in their inspiration. Though other works may prove beneficial to the Christian community, they are not “God breathed”

Therefore, we consider no part of the Scriptures as unnecessary or out of date and will place no other documents or utterances on a par with them. (Deuteronomy 4:2; Psalm 119:89; Revelation 22: 18-19)

Preservation We believe that God has providentially preserved the text of the scriptures. Although the original documents are no longer available, the existing manuscripts reliably reflect what was originally written. God has preserved the text to such a degree that we can confidently assert that what we have today is the Word of God.

Therefore, we prefer English translations that adhere more strictly to the original Greek and Hebrew texts such as the English Standard Version (ESV), King James Version (KJV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), and New King James Version (NKJV) for study purposes and see less rigid translations such as the original New International Version (NIV) and New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) as suitable for general use. (Psalm 119:160; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18)

Authority We believe that because of their Divine origin, the Scriptures are authoritative. They rightly give commands and demand obedience. They are the only certain standard and final rule for life and faith. Therefore, we will seek to obey its precepts and enjoy its promises. We will use it as a test of truth in all areas of life. (Isaiah 45:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:16)

Sufficiency We believe that the scriptures are sufficient for our salvation and sanctification. They are adequate for life, faith, conduct, and practice.

Therefore, we will focus and depend on them for our continued spiritual growth and victory over sin, rather than the latest “Christian” movements, fads, books, or seminars. (Psalm 119:98-104; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3-4)

Interpretation We believe the Scripture has but one true meaning and it should be interpreted in a natural and normal sense. Words have meaning in their context and grammar has rules. Historical context, grammar, figures of speech, and literary genre should be considered. Though some passages are difficult to understand, there are no “secret spiritual meanings” hidden in the text.

Therefore, we need to recognize the need to learn and employ proper Bible study methods to correctly understand and interpret the Scriptures. (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:15-16)

JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is the virgin-born Son of God, who lived a sinless life, died a vicarious death, rose in bodily form, ascended into Heaven where he now ministers as our high priest, and is coming back to this earth to establish His earthly kingdom.

(Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14; Matt 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:4; Matt; 28:6-7; Acts 1:9-11; Mark 16:19; Rev 3:21; Heb 8:6; I Tim 2:5; Rev 20:6; Psalm 72:8)

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; and baptizes the believer into the body of Christ; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.

He bestows spiritual gifts some of which were of a temporary nature designed as signs to authenticate the message of the apostles, and have ceased. Among these are the gifts of tongues and healing.

(John 14:16; Matt 28:19; Heb 9:14; Luke 1:35; Gen 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; I Cor 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; Acts 11:16)

SATAN

We believe in the personality of Satan (who is also called the dragon, the old serpent, the Devil), that he is the unholy god of this age, and the author of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment.

(Matthew 4:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 20:2)

CREATION

We accept the Genesis account of creation as being neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct, immediate, creative acts of God; that man was created by a direct work of God, and not from the previously-existing forms of life, and that all men are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race. We reject both theistic and naturalistic evolution.

(Genesis, chapters 1 and 2; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3)

FALL OF MAN

We believe that man was created in innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; that he is totally depraved, and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

(Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 5:19; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:10-19; Romans 1:18; Romans 1:32)

ATONEMENT

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust; Christ, the Lord bearing our sin in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.

(Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; John 3:16; Matthew 18-11; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isa 53:4-7; Romans 3:25; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21)

REGENERATION AND JUSTIFICATION

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again (regenerated); that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in 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 Spirit in connection with divine truth so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that it involves more than mere mental assent but is the personal reception of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

We believe that Justification is that act of God whereby the believer is declared righteous upon the basis of Christ’s imputed righteousness.

(John 3:3; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 16:30-33; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; II Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8; Romans 3:21-28; Galatians 2:16)

ETERNAL LIFE

We believe in the security of the saints; that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father and Jesus Christ.

(Philippians  1:6; John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Jude 1)

LOCAL CHURCH

We believe 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 officers are pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties, are clearly defined in the Scripture. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ toall men as we have opportunity. 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 superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

(Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11; Acts 20:17-28; Colossians 1:18; I Tim 2:1-7; Ephesians 5:23; Acts 15: 13-18)

ORDINANCES

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life, that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation.

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.

(Acts 8:26-39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12: I Corinthians 11:23-28)

CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except in those things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth.

(Rom 13:1-7; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:20; Acts 4:19-20; Daniel 2:17-18)

SEPARATION

We believe that obedience to God’s Word will not allow cooperation in spiritual efforts with those who deny the historic Christian faith. We specifically repudiate the assumption that cooperation with apostates is justified if commendable spiritual results are obtained by so doing. We believe the Bible requires a church to be completely separated from associational fellowship with groups which permit the presence of theological liberals.

(II Corinthians 6:14-18; Romans 16:17-18; II John 9-11)

RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED

We believe 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 Christ, and sanctified by the spirit of our 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 and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

(Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17-18; I John 5:19; Romans 7:6; Romans 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 6:25; Matthew 25:34-41; John 8:21)

ESCHATOLOGY

We believe that the imminent rapture of the Church is the next event to occur according to prophecy. Christ’s coming for His church as outlined in I Thess. 4:13-18 and I Cor. 15:51-52 will announce the beginnings of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:24-27), which includes “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7), the Great Tribulation, and the Battle of Armageddon. At the close of the Great Tribulation period, Christ will establish His earthly kingdom and occupy the throne of His Father David (Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 1:29-30) and reign for one thousand years (the millennial reign referred to in Revelation 20:1-6).

At the close of the Millennium, Satan will be loosed to deceive (Rev. 20:8). Fire from God out of Heaven will end this battle. (Revelation 20:9)

After this the Great White Throne of Judgment occurs. All the wicked dead of all ages will appear before this throne (Revelation 20:11-15).