I am Southern Baptist by affiliation but Christian in all matters of faith and practice. I therefore, for the benefit of the reader of this blog, do make the following statement. I acknowledge that any statement of faith, has no claim of divine authority and is for informational purposes. I am in full agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message as amended in 2000. I also am in full agreement with the Chicago Statements on Biblical Inerrancy and Biblical Hermeneutics. To this end the following is my personal statement of faith.
THE BIBLE — I believe that the Bible is the verbal and plenary inspired Word of God. It is without error in the original languages. The human authors, acting under and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, accurately conveyed the Word of God in the autographs.The Bible is the only infallible source of counsel in all matters. It is imminently applicable to daily life.
GOD — I believe in one God in three persons. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. He was, He IS and He is to come.
EXCLUSIVITY — I believe that there is one and ONLY one way fallen man can hope to be reconciled to a Holy God. That way is through the vicarious, substitutionary death of Jesus Christ that served as the atonement for my sins and the sins of the world. I believe in the death of Jesus on Calvary’s cross. I believe he was buried in a borrowed tomb and I believe that on the third day, He was physically resurrected from the grave and lives today. He is seated at the right hand of God, constantly interceding on our behalves. He is our mediator, He is our High Priest. He is the Lamb of God, He is KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. There are no other equally valid ways of salvation. There are no other ways to be reconciled to God. JESUS is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. In other words, it is only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved from an eternal hell.
CHRISTIAN UNITY — I believe that insofar as it doesn’t violate the commands of Jesus and the conscience of the believer, Christians should actively associate themselves together in the furtherance of God’s work in this world. This includes humanitarian aid, missions work in foreign countries, missions work in North America and missions work in our Commonwealth of Virginia.
THE CHURCH — I believe that the local church is autonomous (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) to conduct its business, to enter into fellowship with other churches, to elect its officers and other such matters as may be necessary under the guidelines of God’s Word. Thus, no outside authority, no government agency, no civic club, no hierarchy shall take primacy over God’s local church. I believe that God has ordained the office of pastor to be the undershepherd of His flock here on earth. I believe that God has ordained the office of deacon to assist the pastor in the work of ministry and to serve the local congregation.
I have taken my inspiration for the above statement from the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and the Chicago Statements on Biblical Inerrancy and Biblical Hermeneutics.
