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VALLEY BAPTIST
CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FAITH 1. OF THE SCRIPTURES We believe that the Holy Bible, Consisting of the Old and New Testaments Scriptures, was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us and therefore is and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried II Timothy 3:16,17 Isaiah 8:20 I Thessalonians 5:21 2. OF THE TRUE GOD We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an
infinite, intelligent spirit whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme
Ruler of Heaven and earth; that He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness
and worthy of al 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 in every divine perfection and executing distinct but
harmonious office in the great work of redemption. 3. OF THE FALL OF MAN We believe that man was created in holiness under the law of his Maker but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice, being by nature utterly void of hat holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse. Genesis 1:27 Genesis 1:31 Genesis 3:6-24 4. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION 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, that being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, yet without sin, He honored the diving law by His personal obedience and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven and , uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with diving perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour. Ephesians 2:8 John 3:16 Philippians 2:16-17 5. OF JUSTIFICATION We believe that the great gospel blessing, which Christ secures to such as believe in Him, is justification; the justification includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life in principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that justification brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. John 1:16 Acts 13:39 Romans 5:9 6. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION 7. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION John 3:3 Ephesians 5:9 John 3:8 8. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating spirit of God, whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ we turn to God with unfreigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; and at the same time we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and rely on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour. Mark 1:15 Acts 11:18 Ephesians 2:8 9. OF GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saved sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, God’s purpose comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that grace is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable, that grace utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence. II Timothy 1:8-9 II Thessalonians 2:13-14 Exodus 33:18-19 10. OF SANCTIFICATION We believe that sanctification is the process by which , according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. I Thessalonians 4:3 I John 2:29 Romans 8:5 11. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their perservering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. John 3:31 I John 2:19 Romans 8:28 12. OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule
of His moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; that the inability
which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises
entirely from their love of sin; and that the one great end of the Gospel
is to deliver them from this inability and to restore the, through a Mediator,
to unfeigned obedience to the holy law and of the means of grace connected
with the establishment of the visible church. 13. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized
believers, associated by covenant in the 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 is
only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose qualifications,
claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. 14. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer,
in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost to show forth in a
solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen
Saviour with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new
life. We believe that the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of
the church by the sacred use of the bread and wine are to commemorate
together the dying love of Christ, is to be preceded always be solemn
self-examination. 15. OF THE LORD’S DAY We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by abstaining from all secular labor, except works of mercy and necessity; by the devout observance of all means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest which remaineth for all the people of God. Acts 20:7 Psalm 118:24 Isaiah 58:13-14 16. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests
and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed
for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed
to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience
and the Prince of the kings of the earth. 17. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE 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 and sanctified by the Spirit of our God and truly righteous in His esteem, while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and that this distinction holds among men both in and after death. Malachi 3:18 Romans 1:17 I John 5:19 18. OF THE WORLD TO COME We believe in “That blessed hope” --the personal, imminent return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Acts 1:11 I Thessalonians 4:13-18 We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost. Acts 24:15 Matthew 24:31-46 Revelation 22:11 |