God—We believe that there is one God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Exodus 3:14; Psalm 51:11; Galatians 4:6; 1 John 5:6-7)
Jesus—We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, was born of a virgin, was wholly God and wholly man, lived a sinless life, died in our place as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, was buried, arose bodily from the grave, and ascended into Heaven. (Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-3)
Christ’s Return—We believe that Jesus Christ will literally return to earth. (Matthew 16:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; Revelation 20:1-22:13)
Holy Spirit—We believe that God the Holy Spirit is active in convincing unbelievers of their need for salvation, and is the Comforter and Guide who lives in every believer. (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; Acts 1:8; 2 Peter 1:21)
Bible—We believe that the Bible is the Word of God without any error, the sole authority for life and faith. (Exodus 24:4; Jeremiah 15:16; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; 1 Peter 1:25)
Man—We believe that man is a special creation of God, made in His image, but that through the sin of the first man, Adam, mankind fell so that all men are sinners and need salvation. (Genesis 1:26-30; Isaiah 6:5; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-22)
Salvation—We believe that salvation is a gift received through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Exodus 6:2-8; Acts 2:21; Romans 5:8-10)
Assurance—We believe that every person who is truly saved is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 5:24; Acts 20:32; 1 John 5:11)
Eternity—We believe that those persons who die in their sins without Christ spend eternity in Hell and those persons who die with their sins forgiven through Christ spend eternity in Heaven. (Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 6:23; 2 Timothy 2:10-13)
Baptism—We believe that water baptism is an act of obedience to the command of Christ and is by immersion after salvation. (Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 2:41-42; Colossians 2:12)
Church—We believe that the church is a local body of baptized believers with the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head. (Matthew 16:15-19; Acts 2:41-42; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 10:24-25)
Prayer—We believe that each believer has direct access to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 145:18; Philippians 4:6; James 5:16)
Government—We believe in the separation of church and state, but not in separation of God and government. Christians are salt and light in society. (Matthew 22:21; Galatians 5:1,13; 1 Peter 2:12-17, 4:12-19)
Sovereignty—We believe that God, in His foreknowledge and sovereignty, knew each individual that would elect to be saved and gave each person a free will to choose to do so. Salvation is available to all and God desires that all men come to a place of conviction and repentance, turning from their sin and self to Jesus Christ. Once an individual is genuinely transformed by saving grace through faith in Jesus Christ, that person cannot lose his or her salvation. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:17)
Church Ordinances—We believe that there are two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Church Governance—We believe the church is Holy Spirit Led, Staff Directed, Deacon Served, and Congregation Equipped to do the work of the ministry.
THE 2000 BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION