Confessions in the Baptist tradition declare the church's faith with
conviction, joy and freedom. Baptists historically emphasize the right
of individuals to interpret the scripture as led by the Holy Spirit, the
priesthood of the believer, and freedom of religion. However, these do
not mean there is an absence of doctrines that we cherish and believe.
In an age in which many forces increasingly threaten to erode orthodox
Christian doctrines, it is incumbent on believers to clarify the non-negotiables
of faith. The following affirmations by Transformation Ministries are
an attempt to articulate such essentials in the midst of a pluralistic
religious landscape. We believe that these are central Christian tenets
necessary for maintaining sound doctrine.
We wish to clarify that salvation is
God’s free gift of grace and is received through simple faith in Jesus
Christ and repentance of sin. Salvation is not the result of cognitive
assent to doctrinal statements.
As Baptists we recognize that
confessions do not replace or supplement the Bible and its authority.
Nor are they a substitute for the living, dynamic relationship, which we
have in Jesus Christ. Additionally, we invite the individual believer
to choose other words so as to express the following beliefs in a
personal manner. This confession attempts only to confirm some of what
is central to the faith, and by intent it is silent on less weighty
matters and peripheral issues. However, it is our conviction that what
is written here represents a consensus of doctrine, which will aid in
guarding the deposit of truth, which we believe is revealed in
scripture.
- That there is only one true
and eternal God consisting of three co-equal persons: Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 6:4; John 4:24; John 14:6-13;
Gal. 4:6; 2 Pet. 1:17; Psalm 2:7ff; Isa. 7:14; John 1:1-18; Heb.
1:8; Psalm 51:11; 1 John 4:13; Acts 5:3,4)
- That the Bible, the Word of
God, is our final authority and is trustworthy for faith and
practice when interpreted responsibly under the guidance of God's
Holy Spirit within the community of faith. (Deut. 4:1-2; 2 Tim.
2:15, 3:16-17)
- That God created humankind
in the divine image. Through Adam's fall all became sinful, lost
and condemned. Each human being by deliberate choice participates
in sin and is in need of redemption through Christ's death and
resurrection. (Gen. 1:26-30; Eph. 2:1-22; Rom. 1:19-32, 5:12-21)
- That Jesus Christ is God’s
Son, fully divine and fully human, the eternal and pre-existent
Word. (Heb. 1:1-3, 4:14‑15; John 1:1-3,14)
- That God offers forgiveness
of sin and justification through faith in Christ Jesus apart from
works. Such redemption is received by human individuals as God’s
gift upon repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ, enabling us
to participate in Christ's reign as a present reality and a future
hope. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Eph. 2:8-22; 1 John 1:6-2:11)
- That the Church is a
community of faith consisting of regenerated believers with Christ
as Lord. Such believers claim a personal relationship to God
through Jesus Christ, follow the Lord in believer’s baptism, share
in the Lord's Supper, gather regularly for worship and covenant for
mutual edification and care-giving. (Matt. 16:15-19; Rom. 10:9-10;
Acts 16:30-33; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Eph. 1:22-23; Heb. 10:23-25)
- That the Church is called in
loyalty to Jesus Christ to proclaim in the power of the Holy Spirit
the Good News of God's reconciling grace, inviting persons to
receive salvation and follow Christ as His disciples. As disciples,
we seek justice for all persons and the reform of society. (Matt.
28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Gal. 3:26-28; James 1:27, 2:8)
- That Jesus Christ will
return visibly, at which time He will raise the dead and judge all
people. Believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with God as they
participate in the fullness of His eternal reign, while unbelievers
will suffer eternal separation from God. (Matt. 24:29-31, 25:31-46;
1 Thess. 4:14-18; Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15)
