Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. Hebrews 6:1-3
Have you ever really thought about what you believe and why? Many of us float through life as Christians – because we walked the aisle and got baptized – but often we don’t think any more about it. It is what we did and now who we are. But we will not be able to effectively pass on the Good News until we understand exactly what that means. It is good to think about why we believe what we believe.
Baptists are a people who profess a living faith. This faith is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ who is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Therefore, the sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is Jesus Christ whose will is revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
God always has been and always will be the same – yesterday, today, and forever. His promises are just as true for us as they were for those who lived in Bible times. He is the same God to us that He was to them. The doctrines, or beliefs, we hold as Christians are what our faith is based on and should be the foundation of our lives. When we understand what we believe, it is so much easier to put our faith into action. Together with other believers, we unite in faith and practice by living out what we believe in service together.
Knowing what you believe is vital to the full Christian experience in life.
What We Believe About GOD
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and with the same attributes and perfection.
God the Father - yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; 1 Corinthians 8:6a
We believe there is only one God who is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power. He is self-existent and the creator and sustainer of all creation. He loves us and pursues us for a relationship, hears and answers prayer, saves us from the death that we deserve in our sin, redeems us and gives us eternal life.
A word about God the Father - God is not like your earthly father. If you had a bad experience with your earthly father, this may trip you up. Our Heavenly Father is everything our earthly father was not. He far exceeds any expectations and more than lives up to any promises He makes. He is faithful and true, loving and kind. He will never leave us or forsake us.
God the Son - and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 1 Corinthians 8:6b - “I and the Father are one." John 10:30
We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal, and only begotten Son of God.
Jesus was born of a virgin to provide redemption for all. He was fully God and fully man at the same time. He lived a sinless life and sacrificed His life to pay the penalty for our sins. He redeemed us and gave us eternal life. He was crucified and buried but rose again on the third day. He ascended into Heaven and is now exalted on the right hand of God. We believe that He is coming again to rapture His church (all believers).
We have God the Father, perfect holy and infinite in wisdom. We have God the Son who was fully God and fully man and sacrificed His life for the atonement of our sins.
Tomorrow we will take a look at the Holy Spirit.
