Our Mission
“To proclaim salvation from sin and the promise of Heaven through Jesus Christ alone. As believers to mature in the word of God yielding to the Holy Spirit, pleasing our Lord in all we do.”
Article 1: THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible as originally written was verbally inspired of God (II Tim. 3:16) and was the product of Holy Spirit controlled men (II Peter 1:19-21). Therefore, the Scriptures are truth and our only authority in faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:17)
Article 2: THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is only one living and true God (Isa. 44:6), an infinite personal Spirit (John 4:24), the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth (Ps. 19:1-8); that He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and is worthy of all honor, confidence, and love (Rev. 4:11); that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons–the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit–equal in essence and in every divine perfection (I John 5:7, Matt. 28:19), executing distinct but harmonious offices.
Article 3: THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the very God by whom and for whom all things are created. (John 1:1, Col. 1:15, Col. 2:9, Heb. 1:13, John 1:14). We believe in His Virgin Birth, that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and is therefore God manifested in the flesh. (Matt. 1:23, John 1:14).
We believe in salvation by divine sacrifice, that the Son of God gave “His life a ransom for many” and bore our sins in His own body on the tree (I Pet 2:24, Matt. 20:28, I Tim. 2:6).
We believe in His physical resurrection from the dead and His bodily presence at the right hand of God as our High Priest and Advocate (Acts 1:3, Heb. 4:14).
Article 4: THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, equal with God the Father and with God the Son, and of the same nature (I John 5:7); that He was active in the work of creation (Gen. 1:2); that in His relation with the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts the unsaved of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11), and bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching, teaching and testimony; that in His relation to the believers He regenerates (Titus 3:5), baptizes into Christ (I Cor. 12:12-13, Rom. 6:3), takes up His residence in the body (I Cor. 6:19), and becomes the divine seal until the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30); that He also teaches spiritual truth (I John 2:27), guides according to God’s will (John 16:12-15), convicts of personal sins (Rom. 8:11-14), prays for God’s people (Rom. 8:26), sanctifies (II Cor. 3:18), and enables God’s people to do all that God requires (Eph. 5:18).
We believe that the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Gal. 5:22)), are the evidences of His indwelling rather than the speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations (John 14:16-17, John 16:8-11, Acts 5:30-32). (See article 16 Point 3 – Our position on the sign gifts movement.)
Article 5: SATAN
We believe that Satan is a personal being (Job 1:6-7, John 8:44); a fallen angel (Ezek. 28:11-19, Isa. 14:12-15) who is now the god of this age (II Cor. 4:4); the prince of this world (John 12:31); the leader of the powers of darkness (Eph. 6:12); the author of sin (Gen. 3:1-6), who tempts men to sin (Matt. 4:1-11), who blinds the unsaved (II Cor. 4:4), and having been judged by Christ’s death (John 16:11), will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10).
Article 6: CREATION
We believe the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted as six literal 24 hour days; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or any evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms (Gen. 1, 2; Matt. 19:4).
Article 7: THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in the image of God in innocence(Gen. 1:26-27); that he (Adam) disobeyed God voluntarily (Gen. 2:17); that as a result of his sin, all of mankind shares the awful consequences of sin–a sinful constitution, condemnation and death; that all men in their unregenerate state are sinners and are lost (Gen. 3:1-6, Rom. 5:12-21).
Article 8: THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of God’s grace through the mediation of Christ (Rom. 3:23, Eph. 2:8), who by appointment of the Father took on Himself our nature (John 20:21, Phil. 2:7), yet without sin (II Cor. 5:21), honored God’s law by personal obedience (Phil. 2:8), and by His substitutionary death made full atonement for our sins (John 19:30, I Cor. 15:3, I Jn. 2:2, 4:10, I Pet. 2:24); that His death was not the example of a martyr, but was voluntary (John 10:15-18), in the place of sinners and fully sufficient to pay the debt of their sins (II Cor. 5:21, I Pet. 2:24, Heb. 1:3); that He arose physically from the dead (John 20:16-17), ascended into heaven where He is Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15), offering Himself to people everywhere as the sufficient Savior (John 14:6).
Article 9: JUSTIFICATION
We believe that God justifies all who receive Christ as their Savior (Rom. 3:24); that in justifying the believer, God acquits him/her of the verdict of condemnation and declares him/her to be righteous (Rom. 5:1, Eph. 4:24); that God is able to do this in a righteous way for Christ died to pay our debt of sin and now lives to be our righteousness (Phil. 3:9); that people are justified only by God’s grace through faith in Christ’s work, and not by any human merit or work (Eph. 2:8-9).
Article 10: FAITH
We believe that faith in Christ is the only condition of salvation (Acts 17:30, Acts 20:21), a change of mind regarding oneself and God which leads to proper action, a belief in the facts of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16), and personal trust in Christ and His work of atonement (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). We believe that Faith in Christ is brought about by the pre-salvational work of the Holy Spirit and not of man’s own desire to trust in God.
Article 11: THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship in the Gospel (Eph. 4:11-13, Acts 2:41-42); observing the ordinances of Christ (I Cor. 11:24-25, Matt. 28:19, Acts 16:30-33); governed by His laws (John 16:12-15); and exercising the rights and privileges invested in them by His Word (Rom. 12:4-8); that the officers are Pastor(s) and Deacon(s), whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Scriptures (I Tim. 3:1-10, Phil. 1:1); that the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to the unsaved (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8) and the ministry of Christ in strengthening and developing the spiritual lives of His people (Acts 14:21-23); that the church has the right of self-government without interference from any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Acts 13:1-2, 14:26-28); that the only Superintendent of the church is Christ through the Holy Spirit (I Pet. 5:4, John 16:13-14); that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and in propagating the Gospel (Phil. 4:15-17); that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation (Phil. 4:15b); that the will of this church is final on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, and of benevolence (I Thess. 5:14-15).
“Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, Heritage Baptist Church is organized exclusively for religious and educational purposes, as specified in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal internal revenue tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.”
Article 12: THE ORDINANCES
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19); that it testifies to the believer’s faith in Christ as Savior (Acts 8:37-38), to his/her obedience to Christ’s command (Matt. 28:20), to his/her oneness with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:4), and his/her desire to live a life of discipleship (Acts 2:41-42); that it is to be distinguished from the baptism of the Holy Spirit which takes place at salvation and by which the believer is brought into living union with Christ; that it is a pre-requisite to church membership (Acts 2:42). Christian believer’s baptism also portrays the truth of Romans 6:1-4 and I Corinthians 12:13.
We believe that the observance of the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of His death until He comes; that the bread and cup are symbols of His broken body and shed blood, reminding us of His finished work while on the cross; that this observance should be preceded by self-examination, confession of sin, and that it should be conducted with praise, joy, and communion with Christ. (I Cor. 11:23-34). It shall be the policy of Heritage Baptist Church to conduct open communion. Heritage Baptist Church shall regularly observe the Lord’s Supper as scheduled by the Pastor(s) and Deacon(s).
Article 13: THE SECURITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for and in Jesus Christ (John 17:11-15); that the security of His people is assured by God’s will (John 6:39-40, 10:28-29), His ability (II Tim. 1:12), and the provisions which He has made (Jude 24; Heb. 7:25; I Cor. 11:31-32; Rom. 8:28-39).
Article 14: CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the well-being and order of human society (Rom. 13:1-7); that magistrates are to be honored, prayed for, and obeyed except in those matters which are opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:19-20, 5:19-29), the only Ruler of the earth, the King of kings and Lord of lords (I Tim. 6:14-15).
Article 15: FUTURE EVENTS
We believe that Christ will return to receive to Himself His church before that period of world trouble begins, which is called the Great Tribulation or the Seventieth Week of Daniel 9 (John 14:1-3, I Thess. 4:13-5:10); that the bodies of the saved dead will be raised to incorruptibility and the bodies of the saved living will be changed to immortality (I Cor. 15:50-57); that all who are members of Christ’s Church will be forever with Him (I Thess. 4:17); that at the end of the Tribulation Period, He will come to earth with His Church to establish the Kingdom of Old Testament prophecy (Rev. 19:11-20:6) to restore the Remnant of Israel to their land in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham (Gen. 17:8, Ezek. 36:24-30), and to reign on David’s throne in Jerusalem over the earth for a thousand years (Isa. 9:6-7, Luke 1:31-33, Rev. 20:6b); that He will then judge the lost (Rev. 20:11-15); that He will create a new Heaven and Earth where God will dwell with the redeemed of man-kind forever (Rev. 21:1-22:15).
Article 16: OUR STAND ON DOCTRINAL ISSUES OF TODAY
In the view of the unrest concerning doctrinal question within the sphere of evangelical Christianity, we the members of Heritage Baptist Church seek to state clearly our position on issues we deem necessary to face and may add to this section as the need arises.
1. Our position on the Translation issue.
While we use the New King James Bible as the Pulpit Bible, we do recognize the value of other translations, but carefully warn about some modern paraphrases, such as Good News for Modern Man and The Living Bible. We do not agree that the King James Bible is the only reliable and inspired text.
2. Our position on the Ecumenical Church.
Background
The Ecumenical Movement began in England in 1846 with the establishment of the Evangelical Alliance for the purpose of promoting Christian union and religious liberty. In 1948, a merger of the World Conference on Faith and Order and the Universal Christian Council for Life and Work resulted in the formation of the World Council of Churches. The World Council of Churches proposes that a church should be free from the obligation of preaching a distinctive gospel for the converting of individual souls so that it can cooperate with all agencies, both sacred and secular.
Conclusion
Since this Ecumenical Movement includes all denominations and religions that are willing to join with them, and many of them deny the doctrines which we hold to in our Confession of Faith, Heritage Baptist Church will not be a part of this movement and will not cooperate or fellowship with churches in this movement or with churches who do not belong to the Ecumenical Movement, but who do fellowship with churches that are in the movement. (Acts17:2-3,11; 1Cor.2:2; 2Cor.11:4,13-15; Gal.1:6-9; 1Thes.5:21; 1Tim.4:1; 2Tim.4:2-5; 2Pet.2:1; Jude 1:3-4)
3. Our position on the Sign Gifts movement.
God used the Sign Gifts of prophesy, apostolic healings, and tongues in the Early Church to authenticate the authority of the Apostles, for the proclamation of the Gospel (Acts 2:1-12), and as proof that the world was entering the Dispensation of Grace (Eph. 3:1-7). We believe the teaching of 1 Corinthians was corrective in nature and the church at Corinth was suffering from carnality and the misuse of Apostolic Gifts (1 Corinthians 14).
While we pray continually for the physical and spiritual healing of individuals in our
Community and church, we believe that the Sign Gifts ceased with the completion of the New Testament and the death of the Apostles. Therefore, we do not practice the Sign Gifts. We believe that the Word of God is sufficient for salvation, growth and maintenance in the life of every believer. We believe, at this present time in the Church age, that the Holy Spirit ministers to His people through the Word of God (II Tim. 3:16&17, Heb. 4:11-13).
4. Our position on Marriage and Sexuality
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one, legitimate meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, covenantal union, as delineated by Scripture. Marriage celebrations and ceremonies performed at Heritage Baptist Church, on its grounds, and by its Pastor(s) will be only those sanctioned by God, joining one man with one woman as their genders were determined by God at birth and both parties having confessed Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord. Whenever there is a conflict between the church’s position and any new legal standard for marriage, the church’s statement of faith, doctrines and biblical positions will govern. (Gen.1:27-28; 2:23-25; Ex.20:14,17; Prov.5;7; Dan.1:8; 6:4-10; Mk.10:2-9; 12:16-17; Acts4:19; 5:29; Rom.1:16-32; 1Cor.6:16; 7:1-15; 2Cor.6:14,10:3-5; Eph.5:21-33; Heb.13:4)
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage as defined above. We believe that any other type of sexual activity, identity, or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage, including those that are becoming more accepted in the culture and the courts, are contradictory to God’s natural design and purpose for sexual activity (Gen.1:27-28; 2:23-25; 19:5-13; Ex.20:14,17; Lev.18; Prov.5;6:24-35;7; Dan.1:8; Rom.1:16-32; 1Cor.5:1; 6:9-18; 7:1-15; Eph.5:21-33; 1Thess. 4:1-8; Heb.13:4).
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who will confess and forsake their sin, seeking His forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Jn.3:15-21,36; Rom.3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10,13; Eph.2:8-9; Rev.3:20)
5. Our position on Divorce and Remarriage
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2-12; Titus 1:6). Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication (Matt. 5:31-32; 19:7-12) or religious incompatibility (1 Cor. 7:8-16). Although repentant divorced and remarried persons, or divorced persons may serve in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, men who have been divorced for any reason, or who are married to a divorced woman, may not be considered for the offices of Pastor or Deacon. This restriction shall be maintained for the sake of example in the flock (1 Tim. 3:8-13).
6. Our position on the Sanctity of Human Life.
We believe that human life begins at conception (Ps. 139:13-16) and that man was created by God (Genesis 1:27; Job 31:15) in God’s image and likeness. Therefore, we hold human life in its highest regard and stand opposed to abortion for any reason.