WHY WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH An Independent Baptist Church is: A Self Governing Church: Each local church is autonomous and is governed by itself, not by any outside body, synod, union, etc. A Bible Centered Church: The Word of God is our absolute final authority for all matters of faith and practice. A Church that is Sound in Doctrine: In the Bible we learn everything from creation to the state of things in eternity and how to get to heaven.  Error including the charismatic movement, results from man taking Scripture out of context. A Church that is Characterized by Purity: God expects holiness and purity in His people and we strive to obey God's commands in this. A Church that is Missionary Minded: We support world-wide evangelism by supporting missionaries in prayer and in finance. A Church that Seeks to Follow New Testament Practices: Baptists have always believed that baptism is for anyone, who has personally received Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Hence we follow New Testament practices and do not baptize babies. We also observe the Lord's Supper to remember His death and soon return

B Biblical Authority Baptists believe in the inspiration, inerrancy and authority of the Scriptures.  We believe the Bible is the sole and sufficient rule of faith and function. 2 Timothy 3:16 A Autonomy of the Local Church Baptists believe the local church is autonomous or self-governing, that all believers are part of the Body of Christ, and as such have a part in their local church. Romans 12:4-6 P Priesthood of every believer Baptists believe that every child of God has the right to approach God and be heard.  We have no earthly priesthood, since Christ Himself is our High Priest. Hebrews 4:14-16 T Two Church Offices: Pastor and Deacon Baptists believe there are only two offices of the local church, that of the Pastor (Bishop) and the Deacons.  Christ is the Head of the Church, the Pastor is the Shepherd, and the Deacons are Servants of the Pastor and the church. 1 Timothy 3:1-5   1 Timothy 3:8-10 I Immersion Baptists believe in baptism by immersion.  It follows salvation in obedience to Christ's command and pictures the spiritual death, burial, and resurection to new life, and union of the believer with the church. Romans 6:4 S Security of the Believer The believer is saved and kept by grace, receives everlasting life upon receiving Christ as Savior and is sealed by the Holy Spirit. John 10:28 T Two Ordinances of the Church: Baptism and the Lord's Supper Baptism and Communion embody the central message of the Christian faith. Baptism is a one-time event where the new believer announces publicly that he is now a Child of God. Communion is a periodic reminder of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Mark 16:16   1 Corinthians 11:24-26

We do not believe the Bible because we are Baptists We are Baptists because we believe the Bible! BAPTISTS BELIEVE: In the separation of church and state.  (Luke 20:25) In the incarnation, virgin birth, and deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the atonement of sin by the death and shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. The bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, and the premillennial return of Christ. The necessity of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation, making each believer a priest. The local church as the Divinely established organism for the Great Commission. A clear Christian testimony to the world by holy living.