Who we are is informed by what we believe, and as BAPTIST this is what informs our faith and practice:

B—Biblical Authority: The Bible is our only authority for faith and practice. No insight, testimony, or decree of man, regardless of his piety or position, can ever supersede the Bible. All others spring from this absolute trust in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16).

A—Autonomy of the Local Church: Each local assembly is self-governing. The local church is an independent body accountable to Christ.We however, voluntarily cooperate with other churches as long as such activity does not violate the church's independence or affiliate the church with false teaching. Acts 15; Matthew 18:15-17.

P—Priesthood of All Believers: Each believer is privileged to come to God individually without human or saintly intervention. Every believer today is a priest and may enter the presence of God directly through only one Mediator, our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9

T—Two Ordinances: Two commands issued and instituted by Christ to His Church to be obeyed are Believers' Baptism and the Lord's Table. We practice only believer's baptism by immersion. The Lord's Table (also called The Lord's Supper or communion) is a symbolic ordinance, picturing Christ's body broken for our sins and His blood shed for our redemption: Acts 8:36; Romans 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23, 24; 2 Corinthians 11:23-26 .

I—Individual Soul Liberty: Every person has the right to worship God according to his conscience without coercion: Romans 14:4, 5.

S—Saved Church Membership: Church membership is open to all who have exhibited repentance toward God and exercised faith in Christ: Acts 2:44, 47

T—Two Offices: The Lord has established two offices, Pastor and Deacon, to minister to His flock. There is no additional hierarchy of offices. Pastors are also called bishops, overseers, or elders in the New Testament. Deacons are given to help the pastor in the daily administration and decision making of the church: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

S—Separation of Church and State: The Lord has established the State to administer civil, secular

government and the Church to minister man's spiritual needs. The two are separate entities never to be intertwined: Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:29

OUR GREATEST GIFT

1. God's Plan for Salvation: There is none righteous, no, not one. - Romans 3:10. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23

2. God's Provision: The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23. God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

3. Our Response: If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. - Romans 10:9. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. - Romans 10:13.

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