STATEMENT OF FAITH

THE BIBLE

We believe that the Holy Scriptures, as originally written, was verbally inspired by God, and the product of Spirit-controlled men, and is therefore entirely inerrant and infallible.

II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21

GOD, SATAN, CREATION and the FALL of MAN

God

We believe that there is only One living and True God, infinite in every excellence; that in the unity of the Godhead exists three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 20:2-3; Psalm 90:2; 1 Corinthians 8:8; 1 John 5:7

Satan

We believe in the distinct personality of Satan.

Matthew 4:1-3

Creation

We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life.

Genesis 1-2; John 1:3

Fall of Man

We believe that man, in the person of the first - Adam, was created in innocence, but through voluntary transgression fell into sin, thus passing condemnation and death upon the whole human race.

Genesis 3; Romans 5:12

SALVATION and REDEMPTION

Salvation by Grace

We believe that faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation from sin.

Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-9

Redemption from Sin

We believe that the only escape from the condemnation of sin is through the redemption wrought by Jesus Christ.

John 3:7-16; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 3:24-25

CHURCH, ORDINANCES, RIGHTOUS & WICKED, and CIVIL GOVERNMENT

The Church

We believe that the Church universal is manifest through the local Church which is the congregation of immersed believers, associated by the covenant of faith and the fellowship of the Gospel.

Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 3:1-15

Ordinances

We believe that there are two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Acts 8:36-39; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

The Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked.

Romans 6:17-23; Matthew 25:41

Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society.

Romans 13:1-7; Daniel 3:17-18

HUMAN SEXUALITY and MARRIAGE

Human Sexuality and Marriage

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God assigns gender at conception and forbids any attempts to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.
Genesis 1:27; 2:24; 19:5,13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 7:2; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4

THE RESSURECTION and RETURN OF CHRIST

The Resurrection

We believe in the resurrection of the bodies of the dead; that the believers asleep in Christ will be raised at the coming of Christ for His Church.

John 5:21-30; 1 Thessalonians 4:15

The Return of Christ

We believe in the imminent, bodily, personal, premillennial return of Jesus Christ, and that He will come before the seven-year tribulation period to catch away the Church.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

GOD'S SIMPLE PLAN OF SALVATION

We believe because of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden all of mankind is condemned before God, and is deserving of eternal punishment in hell. We believe that God, through His great mercy, was unwilling that any man should suffer eternal punishment in hell, provided an opportunity of Salvation. We believe that God sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, to minister, to suffer death on the cross, and to die in man's place. We believe that Christ not only died on the cross, but was buried in the tomb, and rose from the grave on the third day. That provision is applied to the individual only when he receives God's gift of Grace through faith. We believe that faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation from sin, and this is wholly by Grace; that no works, however good, make that salvation more secure. Now justified, God begins the process of sanctification with the ultimate outcome of glorification, when the believer is united with the Lord. We believe that when an individual accepts Christ, he is secure forever.

Lamentations 3:21-23; Matthew 19:28, 25:41; Mark 10:45, 12:32-34; John 3:16, 5:24, 10:28-29, 21:25; Acts 10:34, 16:31; Romans 4:1-8, 10:9-13, 17; I Corinthians 3:11-17, 15:3-4, 52; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:5-8; Titus 3:5-7; I Peter 2:9-12; II Peter 3:9; I John 3:2, 4:10; Revelation 20:11-15

If you have any questions, you can call 518-674-3316, or e-mail SandLakeBaptistChurch@gmail.com at any time!