Mountain View Baptist Church
Statement of Doctrines and Beliefs
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired. This means the collection of 66 books as originally written. That it is truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by with all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. Ref: Psalm 119:160; Romans 15:4; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19.
The Godhead
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God. He is infinite, intelligent, Spirit, and the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth. He is glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. In the unity of the Godhead, there are three equally perfect persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Ref: Genesis 17:1; Exodus 15:1, 20:2-3; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; 15:26; Romans 11:33-36; I Corinthians 8:6; 12:4-6; Ephesians 4:6; I Timothy 1:17; Revelation 4:11.
The Lord Jesus Christ
The Son of Whose name is the Lord Jesus Christ exists eternally with the Father, and at the time of His incarnation, without change in His deity, became a man through the miracle of His divine conception and virgin birth. He lived a sinless, impeccable life, and died a substitutionary death for all men. He was buried and arose from the grave physically the third day. He ascended to Heaven; is presently fulfilling His intercessory and mediatorial ministry. He promised to return to rapture the church before the tribulation, at the conclusion of which He will institute His Davidic reign over Israel and the Nations on earth. Ref: Matthew 1:20-25; 17:5; Luke 1:26-35; John 8:28; 14:3; I Corinthians 15:4; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 4:15; 9:24; 10:12; I John 2:2.
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person. He is equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature. He was active in the creation. His relation to the unbelieving world is such that he restrains the Evil One until God’s purpose is fulfilled. He convicts man of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony. He is the agent in the New Birth. He seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. Ref: Genesis 1:1-3; Matthew 3:11, 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:8-13; Acts 5:30-32, 11:6; Romans 8:14, 16, 26, 27; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Thessalonians 2:7, 13; Hebrews 9:14; I Peter 1:2.
The Devil or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors. However, through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels. Satan is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, and the author of all false religions. Satan is the chief power of the present apostasy and the lord of the anti-Christ. He is the author of all the powers of darkness – destined however to final defeat at the hand of God’s son. He will suffer the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. Ref: Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:25, 37, 39; 25:41; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2; I Thessalonians 3:5; II Thessalonians 2:8-11; I Peter 5:8; II Peter 2:4; I John 2:22, 3:8, 4:3; II John 7; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10; 13:13-14; 19:11, 16, 20; 20:1-3, 10.
Creation
We believe the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and it is neither allegory nor myth. Man was created in directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness. Man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms. All animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” Ref: Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26, 27; 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3: Revelation 10:6.
Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression, fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Ref: Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Ezekiel 18:19, 20; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:10-19; 5:12,19; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1-3.
Salvation – Atonement
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly the grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience. By His death, He made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins. His atonement consisted not in setting us an example as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place. This constituted the Just dying for the unjust. Christ the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree. Christ, having risen from the dead, is now in heaven and unites in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable and compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. Ref: Isaiah 53:4-7, 11, 12; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16, 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; I Corinthians 15:3, 20; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7,8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2: I Peter 2:24; 3:18 I John 2:2; 4:10.
Salvation – Grace of God in the New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again. The New Birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus. It is an instantaneous event and not a process. In the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God. The new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, character, or the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. Proper evidence of the new creation appears in the fruits of repentance and faith in the newness of life. Ref: Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3, 6-8; Acts 2:41; 16:30-33; Romans 6:23; II Corinthians 5:17, 19; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:1; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; II Peter 1:4; I John 5:1.
Salvation – Freeness
We believe in God’s electing grace. The blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept these blessings by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but their own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel and anyone who rejects the gospel ascents to aggravated condemnation. Ref: Isaiah 55:1, 6-7; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-16, 18, 36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29, 30; 10:13; I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4, 5; Colossians 3:12; I Thessalonians 1:4; I Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; I Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17.
Salvation – Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing, which Christ secures to such as believe in Him, is justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on 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 blood and therefore His righteousness is imputed unto us. Ref: Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:1; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 4:1-8; 5:1, 9; 8:1; Galatians 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38.
Salvation – Repentance and faith
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we then turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy. At that time, we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confess Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. Ref: Psalm 51:1-4, 7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; Romans 10:9-11, 13.
Salvation – Perseverance of the saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end. Their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark, which distinguishes then from superficial professions. A special providence watches over their welfare and they are kept by the power of God through faith until eternal salvation. Ref: Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:30; 13:19-21; John 8:31, 32; John 10:28-29; 16:8; Romans 8:28, 35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 1:14; I Peter 1:15; I John 2:19.
The Church
We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel. This church observes the ordinances of Christ, is governed by is laws, exercises the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word. Its officers are Pastors, or elders and Deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission. This mission includes making individual disciples, building up the church, teaching and instructing believers as Chris commanded, and in this respective order. The Local church has the absolute right of self-governance, free from interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations. The one and only superintendent of the Church is Christ through the Holy Spirit. Scripturally, churches can co-operate with one another in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel. Every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation. The will of the local church is final concerning all manners of discipline and benevolence. Ref: Leviticus 27:32; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:1-3; I Corinthians 8:11; 11:2; 12:4; 16:1-2; II Corinthians 8:23-24; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:1-13; I Peter 5:1-4; Jude 3-4.
The Church – Baptism
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a born-again believer in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, to show forth in solemn and beautiful emblem their faith in the crucified, buried, risen, and coming Savior. The effect thereof is to display the believer’s death to sin and a resurrection to a new life and that it is a prerequisite for a proper church relationship and a God-blessed life. We, hereby, declare that the church will receive into its membership those who have been truly born again, and then baptized (immersed) in obedience to the command of Christ. Ref: Matthew 3:6, 16; Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12.
The Church – The Lord’s Supper
We believe the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance given of the church in which born-again believers, by the sacred use of bread and juice, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ. This ordinance is always preceded by solemn self-examination. We, hereby declare that the church invites other scripturally baptized Christians to participate in our communion service. Ref: Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-28.
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society. The magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in the things opposed to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth. Ref: Exodus 18:21-22; II Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; 5:29; 23:5; Romans 13:1-7; Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1 I Peter 2:13-14, 17.
Future Events
We believe that at death the spirit and soul of a believer passes instantly into the presence of Christ and remains in a state of conscious joy until the resurrection of the body when Christ comes for His own. Ref: I Corinthians 15:50-58; II Corinthians 5:6-8; I Thessalonians 4:13-18.
The blessed hope of the believer is the imminent, personal pre-tribulational and pre-millennial appearance of Christ to rapture the church. His righteous judgments will then be poured out on an unbelieving world during the tribulation, that last half of which is the Great Tribulation. The climax of this fearful era will be the physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth in Great Glory to introduce the Davidic Kingdom. Israel will be saved and restored to national superiority. Satan will be bound and the curse will be lifted from the physical creation. Following the Millennium, the Great White Throne judgment will occur, at which time the bodies and souls of the wicked dead shall be re-united and cast into the lake of fire. Jesus Christ shall reign forever and ever as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Ref: Isaiah 11:1-2; Matthew 24:29-30; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Thessalonians 2:1-12; I John 4:3; Revelation 3:10; 20: 2-3, 11-15.
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