Beliefs – Moray Coast Baptist Church

You'll notice that we give Scripture references throughout this statement of faith. This is because our beliefs are based upon the Word of God, and not on church tradition or the opinions of men. We firmly believe that the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what any man or any church teaches. The only thing that matters is what the Bible says. "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (I Corinthians 2:5)

I. WE HOLD TO THE AUTHORISED, KING JAMES VERSION OF THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Matthew 4:4); that it is without error and will never lead us astray (Psalm 12:6-7; 19:7; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17); that its teachings ought to be obeyed (Joshua 1:8; Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 14:15; James 1:22-25); that the Bible is the only authority in matters of faith and practice (I Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 7:7-9); that it has been perfectly preserved through the power of God (Psalm 12:6,7; 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; John 10:35; I Peter 1:23); and, that the Authorised, King James Bible is an accurate, faithful translation of God’s inspired, preserved word. For this reason, our church believes that the King James Bible is God’s Word for English-speaking people, and we reject all other English translations.

II. WE BELIEVE IN SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

A. ALL MEN ARE SINNERS WHO NEED CHRIST

We believe that all mankind is lost in sin and needs a Saviour (Romans 3:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14); that every person is a sinner (Romans 3:23; Ecclesiastes 7:20); that every person is worthy of judgment because of their sin (John 3:18,36); that the penalty for sin is eternal punishment in hell (Luke 16:19-24; Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9); but the Lord Jesus Christ paid for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14,18,20; I John 2:2).

B. ALL MEN MUST REPENT AND RECEIVE CHRIST TO BE SAVED

We believe that salvation cannot be obtained through our own good works (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9); that Christ provided the only way of salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6) when He died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4); and that a person must repent of their sin and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus by faith in order to be saved (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21; Romans 10:9-13).

C. SALVATION IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE, NOT JUST A SELECT FEW

We believe that each and every person has a free will to either choose or reject Christ (Acts 2:37; 5:33; 7:54); that it is God’s desire for all people to be saved (2 Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:4); that the message of the gospel has been made available to all people (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8); and that whosoever will receive it may be saved (John 3:15-16; Acts 10:43; Romans 10:13). Therefore, we do not accept the heresy of Calvinism, which teaches that God has predestined some to salvation and some to eternal damnation.

D. WE BELIEVE IN THE ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER

We believe that a saved person can never lose their salvation (John 5:24); that their salvation is upheld by the Lord, not by their own efforts (I Peter 1:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; John 6:37-40; John 10:28-30; Romans 8:35-39); and that they will remain a child of God even if they sin against Him or fail Him (I Corinthians 3:11-15; I John 2:1). Because of this, we don't accept the false doctrine of Arminianism, which teaches that a person may lose their salvation.

III. WE BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the doctrine of the Trinity: that there is one God, Who is made up of three distinct Persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19,20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; I John 5:7).

A. GOD THE FATHER

We believe that God the Father is the Chief Person of the Godhead (Matthew 28:19,20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; I John 5:7); that He is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; I Peter 1:3); that He is the Father of all those who are saved (the family of God) (Ephesians 3:14,15; Galatians 1:3,4; I Thessalonians 3:12,13; 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17); that He is Omniscient (Psalm 139:1-6,15-16; 147:4-5; Matthew 10:29,30); that He is Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10; 2 Chronicles 6:18); that He is Omnipotent (Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 19:26; Luke 18:27); that He created all things (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5; Revelation 4:10,11); and that He reigns Sovereign over Heaven and Earth (Genesis 14:19,22; Matthew 11:25; Acts 17:24).

B. GOD THE SON(the Lord Jesus Christ)

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:33,34; 9:35-38); that He is co-equal with God the Father (John 5:18; 10:30; 14:9; Philippians 2:5,6; Hebrews 1:2,3); that He was involved in the creation of the world (John 1:1-3,10; Hebrews 1:2; Colossians 1:13-17); that He took on human form and dwelt among men, as God in the Flesh (John 1:1,14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Philippians 2:5-8); that He came to save sinners (Matthew 20:28; Luke 19:10) and to establish His New Testament Church (Matthew 16:18) (see WE BELIEVE IN THE LOCAL CHURCH, FOUNDED BY JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF below); that He paid for the salvation of the world by His death and shed blood on the cross (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14,18,20; I John 2:2); that He was buried, and rose again the third day (Matthew 28:1-7; I Corinthians 15:1-4); that He ascended to the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:20-22; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 10:11-14), where He now intercedes on the behalf of those who are saved (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25); and that He is coming again (see WE BELIEVE THAT CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN below).

C. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19,20; I John 5:7); that He is a Person, and not merely a “force” (Ephesians 4:30; Acts 5:3; 13:2); that He convicts the lost of their sin, and of God’s impending judgment upon their lives (John 16:8); that He seals the believer until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5); that He opens our understanding of the Scriptures (John 16:13; I Corinthians 2:12-14); that He provides spiritual gifts to the saved that they might be equipped to serve God in and through the local, New Testament Church (I Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:5-8); and that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, or the sign gifts (such as tongues, prophecy, healing, etc.) were done away with once the Scriptures were completed (I Corinthians 13:8-10).

IV. WE BELIEVE IN THE LOCAL CHURCH, FOUNDED BY JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF

A. WE BELIEVE CHRIST FOUNDED THE CHURCH DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY

We believe that the New Testament Church was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ during His Earthly ministry (Matthew 16:18; 18:15-17); that the Apostles were the founding members of His church (I Corinthians 12:28); and that the church which Christ established held to the same beliefs and principles that Scriptural, Independent Baptist churches hold to today.

B. WE BELIEVE THAT THE CHURCH IS AN ASSEMBLY OF BAPTIZED BELIEVERS

We believe that churches are visible assemblies, or gatherings of people that met in specific locations (I Corinthians 1:2; Acts 8:1; 13:1; Romans 16:1; I Peter 5:13); and that each local, New Testament church is made up of those who are saved and have been scripturally baptized (see BAPTISM below) following their conversion (Acts 2:41; I Corinthians 12:13). Therefore, we do not accept the unscriptural teaching of a “universal, invisible church” made up of all believers around the world.

C. WE BELIEVE THAT EACH CHURCH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE GREAT COMMISSION AND ADMINISTERING THE ORDINANCES

We believe that each church is responsible for preaching the gospel, baptizing those who have received Christ, and teaching them the whole counsel of God (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Tim 2:1-2; Acts 20:27); that each church is commanded to teach and practice the doctrines of the Scriptures (Jude v.3; Ephesians 4:5; Matthew 28:19-20), not the traditions of men (Mark 7:7-9; I Corinthians 2:1-5); and that each church is commanded to administer the ordinances of Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-26) (see BAPTISM and THE LORD’S SUPPER below).

D. WE BELIEVE THAT CHURCHES SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONS, UNDER THE HEADSHIP OF CHRIST AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THEIR PASTORS

We believe that churches should have no other Head than Jesus Christ himself (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18); that churches should be led by pastors (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:7, 17; I Peter 5:1-4); and that churches should govern themselves (Matthew 18:15-18; Acts 1:16-26; 6:1-6; 13:1-3). For this reason, we are an Independent Baptist church, and we are not associated with the Baptist Union of Scotland or any other man-made organisation of churches.

E. WE BELIEVE IN THE PERPETUITY OF THE LORD’S CHURCHES

We believe that the Lord’s churches have had a continued existence from the time of Christ, up until this present time (Matthew 16:18; 28:19-20; Ephesians 3:21); that the Lord’s churches were “Baptist” in their doctrines and practices, even though they were called by various names in history (Novatians, Waldenses, Ana-Baptists, etc.); and that Scriptural, Independent Baptist churches will continue until our Lord’s return (Ephesians 3:21).

V. WE BELIEVE IN TWO ORDINANCES: BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe that there are only two ordinances in the Bible for New Testament Churches: Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.

A. BAPTISM

We believe that baptism is to be administered by total immersion in water (not sprinkling or pouring) (Acts 8:37,38; Matthew 3:13-17; Romans 6:3-5); that it pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:4,5); that baptism does not save the soul, but it is a step of obedience that follows salvation (Acts 8:36-38; 16:30-33); that it is a church ordinance, and should only be administered by New Testament Churches (Matthew 28:19,20); and, that baptism is necessary for church membership (Acts 2:41; I Corinthians 12:13). In order for baptism to be truly scriptural the candidate must be saved, the mode must be immersion, and the administrator must be a Biblical Baptist Church. Because of this, we only accept baptism from other Independent Baptist churches of like-faith and practice, and we will NOT accept any other form of “baptism” such as sprinkling or pouring.

B. THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial service, calling to remembrance the death of the Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 11:24-26; Luke 22:19); that the elements of the Lord’s Supper are unleavened bread, which pictures the broken body of Christ (I Corinthians 11:24; Luke 22:19), and the “fruit of the vine” or grape juice, which pictures the shed blood of Christ (I Corinthians 11:25; Matthew 26:28); and that the Lord’s Supper is a local church ordinance (I Corinthians 11:24,25, cf. 1:2) which should only be partaken of by members of the church (closed communion) (I Corinthians 11:17-20, 33).

VI. WE BELIEVE IN THE GENESIS ACCOUNT OF CREATION

We believe that creation took place in six literal days (Genesis 2:1,2; Exodus 20:11; Exodus 31:17). We reject the teachings of Evolution, Theistic evolution, the Gap Theory, etc…

VII. WE BELIEVE THAT CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN

A. WE BELIEVE THAT THE RAPTURE WILL OCCUR BEFORE THE TRIBULATION

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return in the clouds to take the saved, living and dead, to be with Him for eternity (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54); that this event, which is also called the Rapture, will occur before the Tribulation Period, and that believers will not face the wrath of God that will be poured out on the world during the Tribulation (Romans 5:9; I Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Revelation 4:1); and that believers will then stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be rewarded for faithful Christian service (Romans 14:10; I Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

B. WE BELIEVE CHRIST WILL SET UP HIS KINGDOM AFTER THE TRIBULATION PERIOD

We believe that Christ will return at the end of the Tribulation Period, and set up His Kingdom on the earth (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 19:11-16); that He will reign on the earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:3-6); that Satan will then gather the armies of the world against Christ His saints in the Battle of Gog and Magog (Revelation 20:7-9a), but Christ will be victorious (Revelation 20:9b-10); that the lost will then stand before the Great White Throne of God to be judged for their sin (Revelation 20:11-15); and that Christ will continue to reign over the world for all eternity (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 1:31-33).

VIII. WE BELIEVE IN REACHING THE WORLD THROUGH MISSIONS

We believe that each Christian should be concerned with reaching the lost around them (Acts 4:31; 8:4; 11:19-21); that Biblical mission work consists of evangelizing the lost, planting New Testament Churches, and training men for the ministry (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 14:21-23; 2 Timothy 2:2); that missionaries (evangelists) should be sent out under the sole authority of a New Testament Baptist Church (Acts 13:1-4; 14:26-28; 15:35-41); and that mission boards and clearinghouses have no Scriptural place in the sending or supporting of missionaries.