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What We Believe

 

  1. We believe in the verbal inspiration of the 66 books of the Bible in its original writings and that it is without error and that it is the sole authority in all matters and practice.  Biblical reference:  II Timothy 3:16;  II Peter 1:20-21

  2. We believe there is only one true God, existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  These three are co-eternal and co-equal from all eternity, each person with distinct offices but of one essence.

  3. We believe that Adam was created in innocence but fell by disobedience and thus the whole human race fell and is by nature spiritually dead and lost.  Biblical reference: Genesis 4:1-6; Romans 3:10-23; Ephesians 2:1

  4. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He came into the world born of a virgin; shed His blood on Calvary as a vicarious substitute for all sin; that He was buried and rose, bodily and ascended to the right hand of the Father.  Biblical reference:  Hebrews 10:12, John 3:16, Romans 8:11, Colossians 1:14, Isaiah 7:14.

  5. We believe in the person and work of the Holy Spirit, which includes conviction of sin, regeneration of sinners, and indwelling believers.  Biblical reference:  John 16:8, Ephesians 4:30, I Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:9-16.

  6. We believe in salvation by grace through faith, and that salvation is free to all by the gospel.  Biblical reference:  Ephesians 2: 8-9, Romans 1: 16.

  7. We believe that it is the plan of God for each believer to walk after the Spirit and to not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  Biblical reference: Romans 8: 1 - 8.

  8. We believe in the eternal preservation and therefore the eternal perseverance of the believer.  Biblical reference: Philippians 1:6, II Timothy 1:12, I Peter 1:3-5, Jude 1:24, John 10:27-30.

  9. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to show forth our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior with its effects on our death to sin and resurrections to a new life.  Biblical reference: Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:4-6.

  10. We believe the Lord's Supper is that which the members of the church are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ and in so doing, do show forth His death until He comes again.  Biblical reference: I Corinthians 11: 23-26.

  11. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two ordinances of the church.

  12. We believe that the great Gospel blessing, which Christ secures to those who believe in Him, is justification.  Justification includes the pardon of sin, the gift of eternal life on the principles of righteousness.  It is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's love, His righteous as imparted to us.  Biblical reference:  Romans 3:24, Romans 5:16-19.

  13. We believe that the New Testament church is a local, visible group of baptized believers (not invisible or universal) united for His purposes, for knowledge and for the spread of the Word including world-wide missions.  We believe that the local church is completely self-determining and responsible only to Christ, the Head of the church.  We believe it to be completely independent with no other person, groups or bodies having any authority or right of intervention or control over or within a local church.  Biblical reference:  Acts 2:41-42, I Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 1:22-23, I Corinthians 16:2.

  14. We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His Holiness. We believe that sanctification is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration and is carried on in the heart of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the sealer and comforter through the continual use of the appointed means, especially by the Word of God, by self-examination, by self-denial, by watchfulness and by prayer.

  15. We believe in the personal, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial second coming of Jesus; in the bodily resurrection of the righteous dead at His coming; in an endless heaven for all the redeemed, and in an endless hell for the lost.  Biblical reference: Psalms 9:17, I Thessalonians 5:9-11, I Thessalonians 1:10, II Thessalonians 2:1-2, Revelation 3:10, Luke 21:36, Titus 2:13, Isaiah 26:17-21, Isaiah 27:11, Revelation 4:1-4, I Corinthians 15:51-57, John 5:28-29, I Thessalonians 4:14-17.

  16. We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and that they compose the entire Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed; and therefore, are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only English-language translation used by Harvest Baptist Church. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21)

  17. We believe that Satan once enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty; that he fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world.  We hold him to be man's greatest tempter; the enemy of God and His Christ; the accuser of the saints; the author of all false religion; the chief power behind the present apostasy; the lord of the anti-christ; the author of all powers of darkness.  He is destined to final defeat at the hand of God's Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, the place prepared for him and his angels.  Biblical reference:  Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 12:7-10, Revelation 20:7-10.

  18. Where the meaning or interpretation of any section in this constitution is not clear, it should be interpreted in harmony with scriptures.  Where there is a conflict, the Bible always stands superior over this constitution.

  19. We believe that the spirits of the saved at death go immediately to be with Christ in Heaven; that at His second coming the works of the saints will be judged and rewards determined.  We believe that the spirits of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hell until final judgment.  At the final judgment their bodies shall be raised from the grave, judged, and along with death and Hell shall be cast into the lake of fire, the place of final and everlasting punishment.

  20. We believe in the priesthood of all believers.  We believe that Christ is our Great High Priest and through Him every born again person has direct access into God's presence without the need of a human priest.  We believe that the believer has the right and responsibility to personally study and interpret the scriptures guided by the Holy Spirit.

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