| General Baptist Statements of Faith |
| The movement of churches today called "General Baptists" began in America in 1823 when founder Benoni Stinson organized the Liberty Church (now Howell General Baptist Church) in southern Indiana. In 1870 the General Association of General Baptists was organized, bringing together General Baptist local associations of churches in cooperative efforts. |
I. GOD
We believe that there is only one true, living, and eternal
God and that the Godhead is revealed as Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.
II. THE BIBLE
We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the Old and New
Testaments; the inspired and infallible Word of God and
therein is found the only reliable guide of Christian faith and
conduct.
III. MAN
We believe that God created man in His own image to bring
Him honor through obedience, and that when man disobeyed,
he became a fallen and sinful creature, unable to save
himself. We believe that infants are in the covenant of God's
grace and that all persons become accountable to God when
they reach a state of moral responsibility.
IV. SALVATION
We believe that salvation (regeneration, sanctification,
justification, and redemption) has been provided for all
mankind through the redemptive work (life, death,
resurrection, ascension, and intercession) of Jesus Christ,
and that this salvation can be received only through
repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ.
V. ASSURANCE AND ENDURANCE
We believe that those who abide in Christ have the
assurance of salvation. However, we believe that the
Christian retains his freedom of choice; therefore, it is
possible for him to turn away from God and be
finally lost.
VI. CHRISTIAN DUTIES
We believe that Christians should live faithfully by serving in
and through the local church, praying diligently, witnessing
earnestly, practicing tolerance, showing loving kindness,
giving as God prospers, and conducting themselves in
such a way as to bring glory to God.
We believe that there is only one true, living, and eternal
God and that the Godhead is revealed as Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.
II. THE BIBLE
We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the Old and New
Testaments; the inspired and infallible Word of God and
therein is found the only reliable guide of Christian faith and
conduct.
III. MAN
We believe that God created man in His own image to bring
Him honor through obedience, and that when man disobeyed,
he became a fallen and sinful creature, unable to save
himself. We believe that infants are in the covenant of God's
grace and that all persons become accountable to God when
they reach a state of moral responsibility.
IV. SALVATION
We believe that salvation (regeneration, sanctification,
justification, and redemption) has been provided for all
mankind through the redemptive work (life, death,
resurrection, ascension, and intercession) of Jesus Christ,
and that this salvation can be received only through
repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ.
V. ASSURANCE AND ENDURANCE
We believe that those who abide in Christ have the
assurance of salvation. However, we believe that the
Christian retains his freedom of choice; therefore, it is
possible for him to turn away from God and be
finally lost.
VI. CHRISTIAN DUTIES
We believe that Christians should live faithfully by serving in
and through the local church, praying diligently, witnessing
earnestly, practicing tolerance, showing loving kindness,
giving as God prospers, and conducting themselves in
such a way as to bring glory to God.
VII. THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church Universal is the Body of Christ,
the fellowship of all believers, and that its members have
been called out from the world to come under the
dominion and authority of Christ, its Head. We believe that
a local church is a fellowship of Christians, a part of the
Body of Christ, voluntarily banded together for worship,
nurture, and service.
VIII. ORDINANCES
We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are
ordinances instituted by Christ to be observed by
Christians only. We also believe that the biblical mode of
baptism is immersion and that participation in the Lord's
Supper should be open to all Christians. (Note: Several
associations and local churches recognize feetwashing as an ordinance.
We believe that this should be left to the individual, and that neither
the practice nor the non-practice of it should be any bar to
fellowship, either in the church, the local association, the Presbytery,
or the General Association.)
IX. THE LORD'S DAY
We believe in the sanctity of the Lord's Day, the first day
of the week, and that this day ought to be observed by
worshiping God, witnessing for Christ, and ministering to
the needs of humanity. We believe that secular work on
Sunday should be limited to cases of necessity or mercy.
X. LAST THINGS
We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, and in
the bodily resurrection of the dead. We believe that God
will judge all mankind by Jesus Christ; that He will reward
the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will
banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell.
We believe that the Church Universal is the Body of Christ,
the fellowship of all believers, and that its members have
been called out from the world to come under the
dominion and authority of Christ, its Head. We believe that
a local church is a fellowship of Christians, a part of the
Body of Christ, voluntarily banded together for worship,
nurture, and service.
VIII. ORDINANCES
We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are
ordinances instituted by Christ to be observed by
Christians only. We also believe that the biblical mode of
baptism is immersion and that participation in the Lord's
Supper should be open to all Christians. (Note: Several
associations and local churches recognize feetwashing as an ordinance.
We believe that this should be left to the individual, and that neither
the practice nor the non-practice of it should be any bar to
fellowship, either in the church, the local association, the Presbytery,
or the General Association.)
IX. THE LORD'S DAY
We believe in the sanctity of the Lord's Day, the first day
of the week, and that this day ought to be observed by
worshiping God, witnessing for Christ, and ministering to
the needs of humanity. We believe that secular work on
Sunday should be limited to cases of necessity or mercy.
X. LAST THINGS
We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, and in
the bodily resurrection of the dead. We believe that God
will judge all mankind by Jesus Christ; that He will reward
the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will
banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell.
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