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Kennerly Road Baptist Church Articles of Faith
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Section 1. Doctrine
of the Scriptures
Section 2. Doctrine
of God
Section 3. Doctrine
of the Holy Spirit
Section 4. Doctrine
of Christ
Section 5. Doctrine
of Man
Section 6. Doctrine
of Angels
Section 7. Doctrine
of Salvation
Section 8. Doctrine
of the Church
Section 9. Doctrine
of Last Times
Section 1. Doctrine of the Scriptures
We believe that every word of the original autographs of the Scriptures was breathed out by God Himself (II Timothy 3:16-17); that by virtue of the superintendence and empowering of the Holy Spirit, the human writers of the Scriptures wrote not their private interpretations but the very words of God (H Peter 1:19-21), preserved from error of any kind on any subject whatsoever (John 10:35).
We believe that the
Scriptures are, therefore, the unique,
absolute, authoritative standard of faith and practice, to be studied,
proclaimed, obeyed, and defended (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Joshua 1:8; Psalm
19:7-11; John 17:17; Jude 3-4); that they are to be interpreted
literally,
historically, and grammatically (Matthew 12:39-41; II Peter 1:16)
unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise (John 6:35, 51:58; 10:7; 15:1);
and that every portion is without exception profitable for doctrine and
Christian growth (II Timothy 3:16). We believe, therefore, that the
denial
of their inerrant authority contradicts the clear position of Christ
and
the apostles and thus undermines all facets of their doctrine as
reliable
for faith and practice; that the sixty-six books of the Bible
constitute
the complete and only authoritative revelation of God to man (1
Corinthians
14:37; II Peter 3:15-16); and that anyone who adds to or takes away
from
this completed revelation is cursed of God (Revelation 22:18-19).
A. Existence
We believe in one unique and infinite God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45 :21-22; John 17:3), the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth (Psalm 104; Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:25, 35; Matthew 6:26-30), whose existence, clearly evident from what He has created and innately recognized by the conscience of man (Romans 1:19-20), has always been and shall always be (Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 33:27; II Peter 3:8; Psalm 90:2, 4).
B. Spirituality
We believe that God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and as such is an Immaterial (Luke 24:3 9), invisible (John 1:18; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:1; I Timothy 1:17; 6:16), living (Psalm 84:2; Matthew 16:16) and life-giving (Psalm 36:9; John 5:26) Person.
C. Triunity
We believe that God comprises three distinct Persons in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit coequal in every Divine perfection and fulfilling distinct yet harmonious functions within the Godhead (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4; John 15:26; John 16:13-14).
D. Transcendence
We believe in the infinite and unlimited transcendence of God: in perfection, holiness (Exodus 15:11; Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16) and immutability (Psalm 102:27; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17); in knowledge, omniscience (Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 46:10; Hebrews 4:13); in power, omnipotence (Isaiah 40; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:27; Ephesians 3:20; Job 42:2); and in presence, omnipresence (Psalm 139).
E. Immanence
We believe in the immanence of God, as evidenced by His gracious love for and merciful interaction with the creation, notably with man (Psalm 103), demonstrating His trustworthiness (Psalm 100:5; John 17:3; I John 5:20; Romans 3:4); righteousness (II Chronicles 12:6; Ezra 9:15; II Timothy 4:8; Revelation 6:4) and goodness, love (I John 4:7-8), benevolence (Psalm 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17), mercy (Ephesians 2:4; James 5:11; I Peter 1:3), and grace (Romans 5:21; II Corinthians 12:9; Titus 2:11).
F. Creatorship
We believe that God directly created out of nothing the universe and all that is in it, including mankind, as literally set down in Genesis 1-2; that all theories of evolution, secular or religious, not only deny observable natural law but also deny the veracity of the Scriptures and undermine the rightful authority of God over His own creation (Genesis 1:31; Isaiah 45:11-12, 18; John 1:3; Romans 5:12; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:l1).
G. Providence
We believe that God
providentially oversees the affairs
of the universe, both spiritual and physical, sustaining and guiding it
according to His predetermined purpose (Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:17;
Hebrews 1:3); that on occasion He has used literal miracles to bring
about
His will (notably in the days of Moses, of Elijah and Elisha, and of
Christ
and His apostles); that even those things that are inherently bad and
evil
cannot ultimately thwart His will, but become tools in His hand to
bring
about the Divine consummation of history (Psalm 76:10; Acts 4:25-28).
Section 3. Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
A. Deity
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, coequal with the Father and the Son, as demonstrated by His attributes (I Corinthians 2:10; Psalm 139:7; Hebrews 9:14), works (Genesis 1:21; II Peter 1:21; Luke 1:35; John 16:8; John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:26-27; II Thessalonians 2:13), and association within the Trinity (II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:30; Matthew 28:19).
B. Personality
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a distinct Person of the Godhead and as such possesses the attributes of personality (Acts 5:3, 9; 7:51; Matthew 12:31; 1 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 4:30; John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-14).
C. Work
1. Within the Godhead
We believe that the Holy Spirit participated in the creation of the universe; that He empowered the writers of Scripture to pen the very breathed-out words of God, that He bears witness to the truth; and that He testifies of Christ and brings honor to Him (Genesis 1:2; II Peter 1:19-21; John 16:13-15; John 15:26).
2. In relation to believers
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the agent of the new birth (John 3:5-7; Titus 3:5; II Corinthians 5:17); that He baptizes all true believers into the body of Christ (Mark 1:8; I Corinthians 12:13), indwelling (John 14:16-17; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19), sanctifying them, and thereby sealing them unto the day of full redemption (Romans 8:16; II Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30); that He intercedes for (Romans 8:26) and gives gifts to each believer (Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:8-11; I Peter 4:10-11), empowering (Acts 4:31; Ephesians 5:18), guiding (Galatians 5:16,25; Romans 8:14), and teaching them (I Corinthians 2:12-13); that the true test of His control is not how spiritually gifted a person is, nor what supernatural experience he or she enjoys, but that the person honors Christ as Lord, living in love toward the Church and in obedience to the Scriptures (I Corinthians 12:1-11; 14:16-17, 26; Galatians 5:22-6:1).
3. In relation to the world
We believe that the Holy
Spirit convicts the world of
sin, righteousness, and judgment; that He restrains the evil one in the
world until God’s purpose is fulfilled (Genesis 6:3; John
16:7-11; II Thessalonians
2:6-7).
A. Person
We believe that Jesus Christ is the unique, eternal Son of God (John 1:14,18; 3:16, 18; Hebrews 11:17; I John 4:9), one Person consisting of two natures, human and Divine:
1. His Deity
We believe that as God the Son, Jesus the Christ is completely God, Possessor of Divine attributes and Agent of Divine works, to be worshipped and honored as Jehovah God Himself (John 1:14, 18; 3:16-18; Hebrews 1:8; I John 5:20; John 1:3; Isaiah 42:5, 45:12; Philippians 2:10-11; Isaiah 45:21-23; Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3; John 12:41; Isaiah 6:lff.; Hebrews 1:10-12; Psalm 102:25-27; Ephesians 4:7-8; Psalm 68:18; Genesis 3:15; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6).
2. His Humanity
We believe that by virtue of His incarnation and virgin birth, Jesus Christ is completely man, yet without sin, able to function as both our mediating Advocate and sustaining Comforter (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Romans 8:34; Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; I John 2:1).
B. Work
We believe that according
to the will of the Father, Jesus
Christ took upon Himself human nature, laying aside the prerogatives of
Deity; that He lived His earthly life without sin or sins, and
voluntarily
sacrificed Himself on the cross in bloody death once and for all on
behalf
of mankind, bearing the sins of the entire race in His own body; that
in
so doing He paid sin’s penalty and appeased the wrath of God
("Sufficient
for all; efficient for some."); that He rose again bodily from the
grave
to die no more and is exalted to the right hand of God to reign
forever;
that only in Him, by virtue of His exalted Person and vicarious work,
can
man find salvation from sin and death (Isaiah 53; Mark 10:45; John
10:11;
Romans 5:8; II Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:8-11; I Peter 3:18; I
John
2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Matthew 28; Mark 16:1-14; Luke 24; John 20;
John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
We believe that man was
created in the image of God and
is, therefore, unique among all God’s creation; that in Adam
man willfully
sinned against God, thus forfeiting his original innocence and
alienating
the entire race from God and eternal life; that every man from
Adam’s fall
onward is a sinner by birth and by choice, utterly incapable apart from
God of escaping his sinful condition or its rightful eternal punishment
(Genesis 1:26; 2:7; 3:1-19; 9:6; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Psalm 51:5; 58:3;
Isaiah
64:6; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12, 17-19; I Corinthians 15:21-22; James 3:9).
A. General characteristics
We believe that angels are spirit beings, created by God to serve as His ministers (Job 38:4;7; Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 104:4); that although some rebelled against God and thus are forever wicked and doomed, they all were created sinless and pure (Jude 6; Genesis 1:31); that their ministries and ranks differ, but they are not to be worshipped (Revelation 19:10); that their strength, appearance, and travel are beyond human capabilities (II Peter 2:11; II Thessalonians 1:7); that they are immortal and do not marry (Luke 20:36; Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25); and that their proper abode is in heaven (Jude 6).
B. Good angels
We believe that the good angels (those that kept their first estate) are the spirit ministers of God: as such they proclaimed the birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:26-33; 2:13) and His resurrection (Matthew 28:2,6), as well as protecting and strengthening Him (Matthew 2:13; 4:11; 26:53; Luke 22:43); they take interest in Christians’ prayer and witnessing and give aid in danger and death (Hebrews 1:14; I Corinthians 4:9; I Timothy 5:21; Luke 15:10; Acts 12:7; Luke 16:22); and they also execute God’s providence toward and judgment on the nations (Genesis 19:13; Daniel 10:21; Matthew 13:39; Acts 12:23; Revelation 8,9, 16; 14:6-7).
C. Fallen angels
1. Satan
We believe in one literal, personal Devil, once a holy angel with God, who led the angelic rebellion against God and, hence, against His creation; that the Devil is the accuser of the brethren, the destroyer of men’s souls, the god of this world, whose network of demons (fallen angels) carry out his battle against God and man; that just as he cannot exceed the prescribed limits of God on his activity, so he also will not ultimately succeed, but will be rendered inactive for the thousand years of the millennium and then, subsequent to one final rebellion against Christ, be cast into the lake of fire to burn forever in utter torment (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Luke 10:18; John 8:44; Matthew 4:1-Il; Luke 4:1-13; Job 1 and 2; Revelation 12:9-10; I Thessalonians 2:18; II Corinthians4:4; l1:14~15; I Peter5:8; Matthew25:4l; I John3:8; Revelation 20:1-10).
2. Demons
We believe that when Satan
rebelled against God, a great
number of angels followed in his sin; that they are confirmed in
unrighteousness,
some chained in darkness awaiting their final judgment and others free
to aid Satan in his efforts to thwart the purposes of God, inflicting
disease
and pain, possessing humans and animals, opposing God’s
children, promoting
immorality, and spreading false doctrine; that they are nonetheless
under
the sovereign control of God, who can use them to carry out His own
purpose;
and that their doom in the lake of fire is sure (Daniel10:10-14;
Revelation
16:13-16; Ephesians 6:11-12; Matthew9:33; 12:22; Acts8:7; Mark 5:8-14 I
Timothy 4:1-3; I Samuel 16:14; II Corinthians 12:7; Matthew 8:29;
25:41).
Section 7. Doctrine of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is a gift only by the grace of God; that it is received by turning from sin unto God through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work (John 1:12; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:24-25; 10:19; 12:24; I Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:5).
A. Regeneration
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again by the Spirit of God; that the new birth makes one that is dead in trespasses and sins a partaker of the divine nature and of eternal life, the gift of God; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and newness of life (John 3:1-8, 33; Romans 6:23; II Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 2:1-9; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:5; James l:18; I Peter 1:3).
B. Justification
We believe that justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares one to be righteous, thereby pardoning his sin and imputing to his account Christ’s righteousness (Acts 13:3, 9; II Corinthians 5:18-25; Romans 5:1, 8-11; Ephesians 1:7).
C. Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is an act and a process by which God sets apart all believers from sin and the world unto Himself, thus conforming them to the image of Jesus Christ, which transformation shall be made complete at the return of Christ for His saints (Romans 8:29; I Corinthians 1:2; Hebrews 10:14; Ephesians 1:3-4; 4:11-13; I Thessalonians 5:23-24; Philippians 1:6; 3:21; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24).
D. Election
We believe that God ordained before the foundation of the world those that will be saved and that His election cannot be ultimately thwarted, that this election in no way negates the responsibility of sinners to repent from sin and turn to God nor that of saints to proclaim the gospel of Christ to every person (John 6:37, 44, 65; Acts 13:48; Romans 9:11, 15-16; l0:8-17; Ephesians 1:4,11; Revelation 22:17).
E. Perseverance
We believe that all true believers will never totally or finally fall from grace; that their perseverance is in itself evidence of the reality of their profession; that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal and complete salvation (John 10:27-28; Romans 8:28-39; Ephesians 4:30; Philippians 1:6; II Timothy 1:12).
F. Glorification
We believe that when Christ
comes for His church, all
believers will be transformed in a moment into His likeness, their
bodies
made immortal and incorruptible (Romans 8:30; I Corinthians 15:51-54; 1
John 3:2).
Section 8. Doctrine of the Church
A. Definition
I. The Universal Church
We believe that the true Church, founded by the risen Christ at Pentecost, consists of all who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior; that the true universal Church shall never die out, although local assemblies may; that it constitutes the body of Christ; that the Church is in this dispensation the vehicle of the kingdom of God, as was theocracy of Israel in Old Testament times; that just as national Israel was a mixed multitude, so the professing Church includes hypocrites alongside of the true born again believers; that those who apostatize, although they may have enjoyed spiritual benefits, reveal that they were not truly regenerate (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 10:1-12; Ephesians1:20-23; 3:3-11,21; 5:23-32; Colossians 1:18, 24; Hebrews 6:4-8; I John 2:19; Revelation 2:14-16, 20, 24).
2. The local church
We believe that the local church is a local representative body of the Church universal; that it is a body of believers that meet together to worship God, to receive instruction, to observe the Christian ordinances, and to render whatever service the gospel requires; and that the local church is autonomous, directly responsible to Christ the Church’s head (Acts 2:38, 4 1-47; I Corinthians11:17-34; Ephesians 1:1-2; 4:1l-16).
We believe that local churches, while maintaining their autonomy, should fellowship and work together with true churches obedient to the Scriptures as needs and opportunities arise (Acts 11:22; II Corinthians 8 and 9ùnote 8:19; III John 10; I Corinthians 12; cf. I Corinthians 1:10-13).
B. Separation
We believe that the Scriptures demand of the Church. corporately and individually, separation from this world’s unrighteous system, repudiation of those that teach false doctrine and that spread discord among the brethren, and corrective disassociation from professing brethren that are flagrantly disobedient; that the carrying out of these Scriptural directives is fundamental to the spiritual integrity and survival of the church and of the individual believer; and that those professing Christian groups or individuals that refuse to obey these commands are erring brethren and should be treated as such (I John 2:15-17; Ephesians 5:11; II Corinthians 6:14-18; Matthew 7:15-20; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Acts 20:28-30; Galatians 1:8-9; II Peter 2:1-3; II John 9-11; I Timothy 1:3-7; I Timothy 6:3-5; Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; I Timothy 1:20).
C. Ordinances
We believe that the New Testament enjoins two ordinances and only two: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
1. Baptism
We believe that water baptism by immersion constitutes the public declaration of one’s spiritual initiation into the body of Christ; that it symbolizes the believer’s cleansing from sin through identification with Christ in His death. burial, and resurrection, which identification is accomplished by the spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit, who incorporates the believer into the true spiritual Church; and that its spiritual meaning requires prior regeneration and conversion of the one being baptized (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38, 41; Romans 6:3; I Corinthians 1:13, 15).
2. Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Lord’s Supper, consisting of unleavened bread and drink from the fruit of the vine, symbolizes Christ’s broken body and shed blood sacrificed on our behalf to deliver us from sin and death; that it looks forward to the day when we shall sup with Christ in His kingdom; and that it is open to all true believers in right standing with God (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20; I Corinthians 11:23-34).
D. Officers
1. Function
We believe that since the end of the apostolic age, the human officers of the Church function at a local level only, consisting of the pastor as overseer and teacher (with assistant pastors/ elders/bishops as needed), tending to the spiritual needs of the local body, and deacons as ministers to the needs of the church that do not require the direct involvement of the pastor(s) and that would distract the pastor(s) from primary pastoral duties (I Timothy 3; 4:14; 5:17; Titus 1; Acts 20:17ff.; Romans 12:8; James 5:14-16; I Peter 5:3; Philippians 1:1; Acts 6).
2. Requirements
We believe that the Scriptures clearly demand high spiritual standards of the church officers and that each may exercise gifts associated with the other, within the framework of proper authority (I Timothy 3; Titus 1; Acts 6; Acts 8).
We believe that the Scripture leaves some room for differences of polity among local churches according to the specific needs of the individual assembly in a given time and place (Titus 1:5; I Corinthians 7:17; 16:1,4; Acts 15).
E. Mission
We believe the mission of
the Church is to evangelize
the world, from local neighborhoods to the farthest reaches of the
earth,
and to make Christian disciples of those that believe, baptizing them
in
Christ’s name and providing them the thorough and
demonstrative teaching
of the Word of God (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; Acts
1:8).
Section 9. Doctrine of Last Times
A. Rapture
We believe in the imminent bodily resurrection of deceased believers immediately followed by the catching away of living believers to meet the Lord Jesus in the air prior to the tribulation and the millennium (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Thessalonians 2:1; I Corinthians 15:51-54).
B. Millennium
We believe in a literal thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ upon this earth, during which Satan shall be bound and believers shall serve as administrators of Christ’s kingdom. We believe that Satan shall be loosed to mount a final unsuccessful rebellion against Christ and His people and shall be cast into the lake of fire, where the man of sin and the false prophet are, to burn forever (Revelation 20:1-10).
C. Judgment
1. Judgment Seat of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ shall judge His people to reward them for their earthly works as to their sincere worth in furthering His kingdom; that He will not judge them for their sins, due to their having been judged in His own body on the cross, but that He will judge them for rewards or the loss of them (Romans 14:10; II Corinthians 5:10).
2. Tribulation Judgment
We believe in a literal seven-year tribulation, during which God shall pour out judgment on the earth. We believe that the man of sin shall reign over most of the civilized world, aided by the false prophet; that he shall persecute Israel and those that have accepted Christ during this period, especially during the last three and a half years; and that both he and the false prophet shall be cast into the lake of fire after their unsuccessful battle of Armageddon against the Lamb of God, returning from heaven with His holy ones to set up His millennial kingdom (Revelation 6-19).
3. Great White Throne Judgment
We believe the unbelievers of all ages whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall be sentenced by Christ to burn in torment forever in the lake of fire (Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:11-15).
D. Eternal State
We believe that the redeemed of the ages, in glorified bodies, shall dwell with the triune God forever, to serve and to enjoy Him in perfect peace and happiness (Revelation 21-22).