Our Beliefs
CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive
the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour; and, on the profession of our faith,
having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most
solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in
Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk
together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of the church, the
relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to
religiously educate our children; to seek salvation of our kindred and
acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealing,
faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all
tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of
intoxicating drinks as a beverage; illegal drugs, and pornography, and to be
zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love;
to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to
cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech; to be slow to
take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rule of
our Saviour to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will
as soon as possible unite with some other church of like faith, where we can
carry out the spirit of the covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
DECLARATION OF FAITH
1. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the HOLY BIBLE was written by men divinely
inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction: that it has GOD for
its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error, for
its matter; that it reveals the principles by which GOD will judge us; and
therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of
Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds,
and opinions should be tried.
2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16, 3:21;
John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Ps. 119:111; Rom. 3:1,2; 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12;
Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39; Prov. 30: 5-6; John 17:17; Rev.
22:18,19; Rom. 3:4; Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:3,4; Luke 10: 10-16; Luke
12:47,48; Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1,2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11; 1 John
4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 13:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3; Eph.
6:17; Ps. 119:59,60; Phil. 1:9-11.
2. OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true
GOD, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and
Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and
worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; 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.
Isa. 43:10; John 4:24; Ps. 147:5; Ps. 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom.
1:20; Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Isa 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15,16; Rev. 4:6-8; Mark 12:30;
Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12,13; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1Cor. 12:4-6; 1
John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5,10; Acts 5:3,4; 1 Cor.
2:10,11; Phil. 2:5,6; Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4,5.
3. OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of
his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state;
in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but
choice, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of
God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to
eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Gen. 1:27; Gen. 1:31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Gen.
2:16,17; Gen 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Ps. 51:5; Rom 5:15-19; Rom.
8:7; Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18-32; Rom. 1:32;
Rom. 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15; Ezek. 18:19,20; Rom. 1:20; Rom. 3:19; Gal.
3:22.
4. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace,
which is both elective and saving; 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, and by his death
made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead he is now
enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest
sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable,
a compassionate, and a all-sufficient Saviour.
Eph. 2:8; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5,7; Acts 15:11;
2 Tim. 1:8,9; John 3:16; Tit. 3:3-7; John 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; Heb. 12:24; Phil.
2:6,7; Heb. 2:9,14; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8;
Gal. 4:4,5; Rom. 3:21; Isa. 53:4,5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25;
Rom. 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; I John 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15; Heb. 1:8;
Heb. 1:3; Heb. 8:1; Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; Heb. 7:26; Ps.
89:19; Ps. 34.
5. OF JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ
secures to such as believe in him is Justification; that Justification includes
the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of
righteousness; 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; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to
us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with
God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
John 1:16; Eph. 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11,12; Rom. 8:1; Rom
5:9; Zech 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom. 5:17; Tit. 3:5-7; 1 Pet. 3:7, 1 John
2:25; Rom. 5:21; Rom. 4:4,5; Rom. 6:23; Phil. 3:7-9; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 3:24-26;
Rom. 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12; Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 5:3; Rom. 5:11; 1 Cor. 1:30,31;
Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8.
6. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to
all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a
cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation
of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary
rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated
condemnation.
Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17; Rom. 16:25,26; Mark 1:15;
Rom. 1:15-17; John 5:40; Matt. 23:37; Rom. 9:32; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46; John
3:19; Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thess. 1:8.
7. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be
regenerated or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy
disposition to the mind; that it is effected, in a manner above our
comprehension, by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth,
so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper
evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3; John 3:6,7; 1 Cor. 2:14; Rev. 14:3; Rev. 21:27; 2
Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28,29; Rom. 5:5; 1 John 4:7; John
3:8; John 1:13; Jam. 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13;
1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11; Eph
5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 2:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; Matt. 7:20; 1 John 5:4,
18.
8. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and
also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God;
whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of
the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition,
confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the
Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as
the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts
2:37,38; Acts 16:30,31: Luke 18:13; Luke 15: 18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 7:11;
Rom. 10:12-13; Ps. 51; Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22,23; Heb. 4:14; Ps. 2:6; Heb. 1:8;
Heb. 7:25; 2 Tim. 1:12.
9. OF GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe that Election, which encompasses foreknowledge,
foreordination, and predestination is the eternal purpose of God, according to
which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being
perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means
in connection with the end; that is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign
goodness, being infinite.
15:16; 1 John 4:19; 2 Thess. 2:13,14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16;
Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex. 33:18,19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23,24; Jer.
31:3; Rom. 11:28,29; Jam. 1:17,18; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36; 1 Cor. 4:7; 1 Cor.
1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; Rom. 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; 1 Thess.
2:12,13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet.
1:10; 1 Thess. 1:4-10; Rom. 8:28-31; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29; 2 Pet. 1:10,11;
Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11.
10. OF SANCTIFICATION
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which,
according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is
a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on
in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the
Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially
the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
1 Thess. 4:3; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 2 Cor. 13:9; Eph.
1:4; Prov. 4:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3: 12-16; 1 John 2:29; Rom. 8:5;
John 3:6; Phil 1:9-11; Phil 2:12,13; Eph. 4:11,12,30; Eph. : 6:18; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2
Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 9:23; Luke 11:35; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18.
11. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto
the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which
distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence
watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through
faith unto salvation.
John 8:31; 1 John 2:27,28; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 John
2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20,21; John 6:66-69; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer.
32:40; Ps. 121:2; Ps. 91:11,12; Phil. 1:6; Phil 2:12,13; Jude 24, 25; Heb. 1:14;
Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4.
12. OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and
unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and
that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its
precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and
to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is
one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the
establishment of the visible church.
Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom 3:20; Rom. 4:15; Rom.
7:12; Rom. 7:7,14,22; Gal. 3:21; Ps. 119; Rom. 8:7,8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23;
John 6:44; John 5:44; Rom. 8:2-4; Rom. 10:4; Heb. 8:10; Heb. 12:14; Jude 20,21.
13. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe that the church is a visible congregation of
baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the
gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising
the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word; that its only
Scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications,
claims, and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.
1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts
11:21-23; 1 Cor. 4:17; 1 Cor. 14:23; 3 John 9; Acts 2:41,42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts
2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12,13; 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23,24;
Matt. 18:15-20; 2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Cor. 4:17; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; 1
John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4:2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12;
Phil. 1:27; Phil 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1.
14. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water
of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show
forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and
risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new
life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the
Lord’s Supper; in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread
and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always
by a solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5,6; John 3:22,23; John 4:1,2; Matt.
28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:8; Matt. 28:19;
Acts 10:47,48; Gal. 3:27,28; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16;
Acts 2:41,42; Matt. 28:19,20; 1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke
22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:28; 1 Cor. 5:1,8; 1 Cor. 10:3-32; 1 Cor. 11:17-32; John
6:26-71.
15. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day,
or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by
abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations; by the devout
observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by
preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16,17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1
Cor. 16:1,2; Ex. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Ps. 118:24; Isa. 58:13,14; Ps. 118:15; Heb.
10:24,25; Acts 11:26; Heb. 4:3-11.
16. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment,
for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to
be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed
to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience,
and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-23; Jer.
30:21; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-3; Acts 5:29; Matt.
10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; Dan. 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev.
19:16; Ps. 72:11; Ps. 2: Rom. 14:9-13.
17. TONGUES
We acknowledge that God is sovereign, and could give the gift
of tongues whenever He pleases. However, we believe that God’s Word teaches that
the sovereignty of God has always been exercised within the framework of His
purposes; that the purpose of the gift of tongues was to authenticate the Gospel
of Grace as divinely originated and commissioned, until the completed canon of
Scripture could be appealed to for proof of the authenticity of the message. We
believe that the present tongues movement and practices is not in harmony with
our understanding of the Word of God.
Acts 2:4-11; 1 Cor. 13:8-10; 1 Cor. 14:22; Heb. 2:4
18. THE FAMILY
God had ordained the family as the foundational institution
of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage,
blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant
commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between
Christ and His church, and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the
framework for intimate companionship, and the channel for sexual expression
according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human
race.
The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since
both are created in God’s image. The marriage relationship models the way God
relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church.
He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his
family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her
husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She,
being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the
God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in
managing the household and nurturing the next generation.
Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and
heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s
pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral
values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving
discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and
obey their parents.
Gen. 1:26-28; Gen 2: 18-25; Gen. 3:1-20; Ex. 20:12; Deut.
6:4-9; Josh. 24:15; 1 Sam. 1:26-28; Ps. 51:5; Ps. 78:1-8; Ps. 127; Ps. 128; Ps.
139:13-16; Prov. 1:8: Prov. 5:15-20; Prov. 6:20-22; Prov. 12:4; Prov. 13:24;
Prov. 14:1; Prov. 17:6; Prov. 18:22; Prov. 22:6, 15; Prov. 23:13,14; Prov. 24:3;
Prov. 29:15,17; Prov. 31: 10-31; Eccl. 4:9-12; Eccl. 9:9; Mal. 2:14-16; Matt.
5:31,32; Matt. 18:2-5; Matt. 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 7:1-16;
1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:21-33; Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; 1 Tim.2:8-15; 1 Tim. 5:8,
14; 2 Tim. 1:3-5; Titus 2: 3-5; Heb.13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7.
19. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference
between the righteous and the wicked; 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; while all such as continue in
impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this
distinction holds among men both in and after death.
Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23, Acts 10:34,35;
Rom. 6:16; Rom. 1:17; Rom. 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7; Rom. 6:18,22; 1 Cor.
11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet. 4:17,18; 1 John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa.
57:21; Ps. 10:4; Isa. 55:6,7; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov.
10:24; Luke 12:4,5; Luke 9:23-26; John 12:25,26; Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 7:13,14.
20. THE LORD’S RETURN
We believe that Christ Jesus is coming back to earth again;
that His return shall be personal, audible, visible, and bodily; that it shall
mark the advent of the "Day of the Lord" and usher in the millennium; and that
He shall in that day turn the tables on Satan, take up the throne of His Father
David, put down all His enemies, rule with a rod of iron, triumph over sin, and
give the world and example of righteous government during His thousand years of
personal reign on earth.
Job 18:25,26; Isa. 9:6,7; Zech. 14:4; Mal. 4:2; Luke 1:31-33;
Matt. 25:31-34; Rev. 19:11-21; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16,17; Rev. 1:7; 2 Pet.
3:10; Rev. 20:4-6; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:1-3; Rev. 20:10; Isa. 9:7; 1 Cor.
15:25-27; Ps. 2-9; Rev. 12:5; Rev. 19:15; 1 John 3:8; Ps. 72: 1-20.
21. THE RESURRECTION
We believe that Christ Jesus arose bodily from the grave on
the first day of the week, that His miraculous emergence from the tomb
forecasted alike bodily resurrection for every member of the Adamic race; that
the dead in Christ shall rise first and in glorified bodies like His; that they
shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air; that the dead in trespasses and
sin, or the dead out of Christ shall rise at the close of the millennium; and
that they shall be brought before the Great White Throne Judgement and there
face the Judge of the quick and the dead.
Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:1-12; 1 Cor. 15:12-22; 1 Thess. 4:13-18;
Rev. 20:5,6; Rev. 11:15; Dan. 12:3; 1 Sam. 2:6; Isa. 26:19; Hos. 13:14; Isa.
25:6-8.
22. INDIVIDUAL REWARDS
We believe that reward and salvation are not one in the same
thing. We believe that the Lord shall reward His own; that He Himself shall
descend from Heaven with a shout; that the dead in Christ shall rise first; that
solemn separation shall take place; that the blood-washed and Holy Spirit-
begotten shall be caught up to meet Him in the air, and there, be rewarded
according to the deeds done in the body; and that the place call the New Heaven
and the New Earth is ordained the everlasting dwelling place of the children of
God. We believe that the wicked are the children of the devil; that they are
rebels against God; that they reject the free offer of salvation through Christ;
that they ignore the wooing of the Holy Spirit; and that they, as a consequence,
are hell bound being under a death sentence; that they shall spend eternity in
the Lake of Fire which burneth with fire and brimstone where the Dragon, the
Beast, and the False Prophet shall ever be.
1 Cor. 3:11-15; 1 Thess. 4:16-18; Matt.24:40,41; Matt.
13:47-50; 1 Cor. 3:8; Rev. 21:1-8; John 8:44; Rom. 8:7; John 3:18; Rev.
20:10-15; Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:10-11; Matt. 16:27.
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© 2008 Emmanuel Baptist
Church Irvine, Kentucky
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