Charity Baptist Church Statement Of Faith (Condensed)

The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible 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 shall be tried.

God

We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all 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 offices in the great work of redemption.

Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after his own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind."

The Existence of Satan

We believe in the existence of Satan who originally was created a holy and perfect being, but through pride and wicked ambition rebelled against God, thus becoming utterly depraved in character; that he is the great adversary of God and his people, the leader of all evil angels and wicked spirits, and the deceiver and god of this present world; that his powers are vast, but strictly limited by the permissive will of God who over-rules all his wicked devices for good; that he was defeated and judged at the cross, and therefore, his final doom is certain; and that we are able to resist and overcome him only in the armor of God, by the blood of the lamb and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from the holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

Salvation

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again, that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and sin is made alive and is a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the will of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the divine truth, so as to secure our obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and the newness of life.

The Local Church

We believe that a local church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its offices of ordination are pastors (elders, bishops) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the church; Third, to teach and instruct as he has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from the interferences of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit, that it is scriptural for true churches to co-operate with each other in contending for this faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation; on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is composed solely of those who have been redeemed and washed in His blood, regenerated and sealed by the Holy Spirit, and that they are saved to worship and to serve; that it is the responsibility and privilege of all who are saved to seek to win others to Christ, to the "utter-most part of the earth"; that they should seek to live a holy life, to separate themselves from and forsake all that might dishonor God, cast discredit on His cause, or weaken their testimony.

The Separation of Church and State

We believe in the separation of church and state with each having definite and distinct spheres of responsibility.

Heaven

We believe that Heaven is a literal place of pure delight and eternal joy prepared by God for all those who have been born again.

Hell

We believe that hell is a literal place of punishment for the lost (all who have not been born again), that they will be there until the great white throne judgment, whereby at that time they will be justly judged by God, every one according to their works and will be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity. This is the second death.