Calvary Baptist Church - Clinton, Indiana

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ARTICLES OF FAITH

I. OF THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible was

            (a) written by men supernaturally inspired;

            (b) that it is the truth without any admixture of error for its matter

            (c) therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to make; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct creed and opinions should be tried.

1. By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written, does not contain and convey the word of God, but IS the very Word of God.

2. By “Inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way their writings were supernaturally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have every been or ever will be inspired.

            (a) II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1: 19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25;

            (b) Psalms 119: 160; Psalms 119: 130; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45

            (c) Psalms 119:89; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; I Pet. 1:23; Rev. 22:19; John 12:48; Isa.                     8:7-11; John 5:45-47; John 5:39.

3. We believe that God has supernaturally preserved the Scriptures through the ages. He has done so through what is known as the “textus receptus” or “the received text.” We do not accept modern versions based upon the “critical text” as accurate or reliable translations of the Scriptures. The King James Version which we accept as accurate and reliable translation of the Textus Receptus and is to be used in all public worship, preaching and teaching. Psalm 12:6,7; 119:89; 119:160; Matthew 5:18; 1 Peter 1:25.

4. Neither do we accept extreme doctrines regarding the translation of Scriptures that would include “double inspiration” or the false belief that one can be saved only through the use of one particular version

5. The Calvary Baptist Church recognizes the authority and superiority of the Scriptures in all matters regarding church policy and practices.

II. OF THE TRUE GOD

We believe that there is

(a) one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth;

(b) inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible worship, confidence and love;

(c) that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every Divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

(a) Ex. 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; John 4:24; Psalms 147:51, 83:18, 90:2; Jer. 10:10;

(b) Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11; I Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30;

(c) Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph 2:18; II Cor. 13:14.

III. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

We believe

(a) that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner;

(b) born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman;

(a) Gen. 3:15;

(b) Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psalms 2:7; Gal. 4:4;

IV. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person:

(a) equal with God the Father (John 14:16-17);

(b) equal with God the Son (Matt. 28:19);

(d) that He was active in the creation (Gen. 1:1-13);

(e)that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the Evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled (II Thes. 2:7);

(f) that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness (John 16:8-11);

(g) that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony (John 3:5-6);

(h) that He is the agent in the New Birth (John 3:5-6);

(i) that He seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer ( Eph. 1:13-14; Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11: 16; Luke 24:29; John 16:13; John 14;26; Rom. 8:14, 16; II Thes. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:26-27).

V. OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN

We believe that Satan was once:

(a) Holy and enjoyed heavenly honors;

(b) but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell (Isa. 14:12-13; Ezek. 28:15-17):

(d) that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world (I Thes. 3:5; Matt. 4:1-3);

(e) we hold him to be man’s great tempter (I Pet. 5:8);

(f) the enemy of God and His Christ (Zech. 1:3; I John 3:8; Matt. 13:25, 37-39; Luke 22:3-4);

(g) the accuser of the saints (Rev. 12:10);

(h) the author of all false religions, the chief power back of [behind???] the present apostasy (II Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22);

(i) the lord of the anti-christ (I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:22);

(j) the author of all the powers of darkness (Rev. 13:13-14; II Thes. 2:8-11);

(k) destined however

(aa) to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son (Rev. 19:11, 16, 20; 12: 7-9; 20:1-3);

(bb) to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels (Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41).

VI. OF THE CREATION

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and

(a) that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16,17; Heb. 11:3; John 1:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6);

(b) that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness (Gen 1:26-27; I Cor. 11:7);

(c) that 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 (Gen. 2:7; Gen. 2:21-23);

(d) that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind" (Gen. 1:11, 24).

VII. OF THE FALL OF MAN

We believe

(a) that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker (Gen. 3:1-6,24);

(b) by voluntary transgression he fell from his sinless and happy state (Rom. 5;12,19);

(c) in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice (Rom. 3;10-19; Eph. 2:1,3; Rom. 1:13; Ezek. 18:19-20);

(d) being by nature utterly void of that state required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil (Rom. 1:20,28,32; Gal. 3:22);

(e) and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

VIII. OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN

We believe

(a) that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24);

(b) through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins (John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; Rom. 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor 15:3; II Cor. 5:21);

(c) that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the Sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree (John 10:18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 2:24; 3;18; Isa. 53:11; Heb. 12:2);

(d) that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be suitable, a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior (I Cor. 15:20; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; 7:25; I John 2:22).

IX. OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION

We believe

(a) that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again (John 3:3);

(b) that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus (II Cor. 5:17);

(d) that in the new birth that one dead in his trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God (II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13);

(e) that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by 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 (John 3:8;1:12-13);

(f) that is proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life (Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:9).

X. OF JUSTIFICATION

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him, is Justification:

(a) that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness (Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; 5:1,9);

(b) that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s Blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us (Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 1:17; 4:1-8; Heb. 2:4; 10:38; Gal. 3:11).

XI. OF SANCTIFICATION

We believe that biblical sanctification has three aspects:

First, the believer is set apart positionally before God the moment he believes;

Secondly, he is set apart progressively in his walk day by day as he grows in grace;

Thirdly, he is set apart from the very presence of sin when his sanctification is completed at the coming of Christ for the Church (I Cor. 1:2-3; 6:11; Heb. 10:10-14; John 17:17-19; II Thes. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2).

XII OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe

(a) in God’s electing grace (I Thes. 1:4; Col. 3:12; I Pet. 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom. 8:29-30);

(b) that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel (Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6;37);

(c) that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith (Isa. 55;7; John 3:15-16; 5:40; I Tim. 1:15; I Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5);

(d) that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel (Isa. 55:6; Acts 2:38);

(e) which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (John 3:18; 3:36).

XIII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that repentance and faith are

(a) solemn obligations (Acts 20:20) and

(b) also inseparable graces (Mark 1:15)

(d) thereby, being deeply convicted of guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition and confession (Luke 18:`13; Rom. 10:13; Psalms 51:1-4; Isa. 55:6-7);

(e) at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior ( Luke 12:8; Rom. 10:9-10).

XIV. OF THE CHURCH

We believe that a local church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers

(a) associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel (Acts 2:41,42);

(b) observing the ordinances of Christ (I Cor. 11:2);

(d) exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word (Eph. 4:11;

I Cor. 12:4; 8:11).

(e) that its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures (Acts 14:23; 6:5-6;15:23;20:17-28; I Tim 3:1-13);

(f) we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20):

(1) to make individual disciples;

(2) to build up the church by baptism;

(3) to teach and instruct, a he has commanded.

(We do not believe in the reversal of this order.)

(g) we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit (Col. 1;18; Eph. 5:23-24; I Pet. 5:1-4);

(h) that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation (Acts 15:22; Jude 2-3; II Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 16:1; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32; I Cor. 5:11-13);

(i) on all matters of membership, of policy of government, of discipline, and of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

XV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe that Christian baptism is

(a) the immersion in water of a believer (Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:6, 16; John 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5);

(b) in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matt. 28:19);

(c) to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life

(Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12);

(d) that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20);

(e) in which members of the church by the sacred use of bread and fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the death of Christ until He comes (I Cor. 11:23-28);

(f) preceded always by solemn self-examination;

(g) we also extend the courtesy of the Lord’s table to all true believers who are active members of a Gospel preaching, Bible-believing church.

XVI OF THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER

We believe that every person, immediately upon acceptance of Christ as his personal Savior, receives the gift of Eternal Life, and is made at once a son of God. As such a special Providence watches over his welfare so that he is kept in a state of Grace until it is succeeded by a state of glory. (John 10:28-29; 1;12; 5:10-13; I Pet. 1:5; Phil. 1:6; Rom. 8:28-29; Eph. 1:13-14)

XVII OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

We believe that

(a) there is radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; Prov. 11:31; I Pet. 4:18);

(b) that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem (Rom. 1;17; I Cor. 15;22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:29;3:17; Rom. 6:16);

(c) while all such continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse ((I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; Rom. 7:6; 6:23);

(d) and this distinction holds among men both in after death, in the everlasting filicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost (Prov.14:32; Luke 16:25; Matt. 25:34,41; John 8:21; Luke 9:26; John 12:25; Matt 7:13-14).

XVIII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is

(a) of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society (Rom. 13:17; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22)

(b) that magistrates are to be prayed for conscientiously honored and obeyed (Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13-14,17)

(d) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth. In this connection we stand firmly for the separation of church and state (Matt. 10:28; 23;10; Rev. 10:16; Phil. 2:10-11; Psalms 72:11).

XIX OF THE RESURRECTION, RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS

We believe in and accept the sacred scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value:

A. THE BODILY RESURRECTION

Matt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16;6; Luke 24:2,4-6.

B. THE ASCENSION

Acts 1:9, 11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1; 12:2.

C. THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD

Heb. 8:6; 2:17; 5:9-10; I Tim. 2:5; I John 2:1.

D. THE SECOND COMING (PREMILLENIAL)

John 14:2; Acts 1:11; I Thes. 4:16; Matt. 24:27; 25:13; 24:42 James 5;8; Heb. 9:28.

E. THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD

I Thes. 4:16; I Cor. 15:42-44; 15:52.