Our Beliefs

Southern Baptist in doctrine and in practice.

Members of the Lexington Baptist Association.

Members of the S.C. Baptist Convention.

Members of the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Scriptures . . .  We believe that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God." (II Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired in that holy men of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit," (II Peter 1:21) to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in the originals is therefore without error. We believe that all the Scriptures center around the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work, in His first and Second Coming, and hence that no portion, even of the Old Testament, is properly read, or understood, until it leads to Him. We also believe that all Scripture was designed for our practical instruction. (Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11; II Timothy 3:16)

 

The Triune Godhead . . . We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Savior and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

God The Father . . . We believe that God, as Father, reigns over all His universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all loving, all knowing, and all wise. He is fatherly in attitude toward all men but is Father, indeed, to those who have become children of God through Jesus Christ, Who will deliver them into the Father's hands. (Genesis 1:1; I Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10, Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14, 15; I Corinthians 8:6; I Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 4:6)

 

God The Son . . . We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God's righteous judgment against sin. After accomplishing of that redemption and justification by His bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father where He intercedes on behalf of those who trust Him. (Luke 1:34; John 1:1,2,14,18; Romans 3:24-26, 8:34)

 

God The Holy Spirit . . . We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment. He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead. He baptizes or places all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ. He indwells believers permanently, seals them unto the day of final redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon them and fills or controls those who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit so that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God. (John 3:3-8, 14:16,17; 16:7-11; I Corinthians 12:7-11,13; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18)

 

Creation . . . We believe that man was created directly by and in the image of God. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, by His direct act. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17)

 

 

Satan . . . We believe that Satan is a real being, the author of sin and the architect of the fall of man, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Matthew 4:1-3; Acts 5:3; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10)

 

Man . . . We believe that even though man was created in the image of God, he fell into sin and, is lost. This is true of all men and unless a person is born again by the Holy Spirit, he or she cannot see the kingdom of God. (Genesis 1:26, 27; John 3:3; Romans 3:10, 23)

 

Atonement for Sin . . . We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice. We believe that His shed blood redeems everyone who will believe in Him. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body, of our Lord Jesus Christ and in His ascension into heaven. He is our High Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-3,14; 3:1-7,16; Hebrews 10:4-14, I John 2:2)

 

Salvation . . . We believe that salvation is the free gift of God's grace. It cannot be gained or made more secure by works, but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who trust in the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 10:9, 10; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8,9)

 

The Christian Life . . . We believe that we are called with a holy calling to live in such a way as to seek after the Spirit not after the flesh, and in so doing, live in the power of the indwelling Spirit so that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The flesh is never eradicated in this life but the individual believer must choose to keep the flesh in subjection to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives to the dishonor of our Lord. (Romans 6:11-13; 8:2,4,12,13; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 2:1-10; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 1:4-7; 3:5-9)

The Great Commission . . . We believe that until the return of Christ, it is the Christian's duty and privilege to seek the fulfillment of Christ's Great Commission and to minister in His name to a needy world. We are to be instruments of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit provides redemption and reconciliation in the world. (Matthew 25:31-46; 28:18-20)