WHAT WE BELIEVE

We subscribe to the "Baptist Faith and Message" (Attachment A) adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas in 2000 or current edition as our larger statement of faith with scriptural references. We believe:

  1. In the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God, without any error, the all-sufficient authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and Christian living. (2 Timothy 3:16)
  2. In one God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
  3. In the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, and that He is true God and man, He died on the cross for our sins. He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father and is now our High Priest and Advocate. (Matthew 1:23, John 1:1, 1 Peter 2:24, Acts 4:10, Mark 16:49, Hebrews 6:20, 1John 2:1)
  4. That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and therefore lost. Only through regeneration by the work of the Holy Spirit can man’s salvation and spiritual life be obtained. (Genesis 1:27, Romans 3:23, Titus 3:5)
  5. That eternal salvation is the free gift of God, entirely apart from man’s works, and is possessed by any and all who have faith in and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. (John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9)
  6. In a regenerated church membership, that is, persons old enough to understand their need for Jesus Christ and, of their own free will, accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:10)
  7. That Baptism is by immersion and the Lord’s Supper is a memorial to His suffering and death on the cross. These are ordinances to be observed by the church in its present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means for man’s salvation. (Matthew 3:6,13, Matthew 26:26-28, Hebrews 6:2, James 5:14-16, Acts 8:38, 1 Corinthians 11:24-26)
  8. In the personal, bodily, imminent, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ and that His Second Coming inspires believers for dynamic and zealous life and service for Him while waiting for His return. (Matthew 24:3-33)
  9. In the bodily resurrection of the dead, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven, and the everlasting punishment and separation from God of the unsaved in hell. (1 Corinthians 15:47-55, John 3:18, Revelation 20:15)
  10. In the autonomy of the local church. The church shall manage its own affairs and shall not be subject to any other religious body or organization. (Ephesians 5:1-33)
  11. In the Martindale Baptist Church Statement of Marriage and Sexuality of Martindale Baptist Church (Attachment B).