Articles of Faith
Seventh Day Baptists consider liberty of thought under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be essential to Christian belief and practice. Therefore we encourage the unhindered study and open discussion of Scripture. We uphold the individual’s freedom of conscience in seeking to determine and obey the will of God. The following statement is not intended to be exhaustive, but is an expression of our common belief, which is derived from our understanding of Scripture. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:3-6, 15; Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We believe in one God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, who is manifest in three persons: the Father, who is perfect is justice and love; the Son, who is the eternal God who was manifest in the flesh; and Holy Spirit, who is the regenerator and guide of men.
God Creator: Psalms 90:2; Hebrews 1:2
Trinity: Matthew 28:19
God is Father, Justice, Love: Romans 3:26; John 3:16; Romans 5:8
God is Son:
Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:6,7
Holy Spirit: Regenerator, Guide:
John 3:5; John 14:26; Acts 1:8
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, divinely inspired, and that it is the only perfect rule of faith and practice
The Bible is Inspired: II Peter 1:21; I Corinthians 2:12,13
The Bible is the Perfect Rule: Matthew 4:4; II Timothy 3:16; Romans 10:17
We believe that man is by nature and by disobedience, a guilty sinner in need of salvation, but unable to save himself; that in order to be saved, he must be born again, repenting and accepting by faith Christ’s sacrificial atonement for sin.
Sin: Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6
Guilt: John 8:24; Romans 6:23
Atonement: John 1:29; I Corinthians 15:3; I Peter 2:24
Repentance, Belief, New Birth:
Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:8; John 3:3
We believe in baptism of believers, only by immersion, symbolizing burial with Christ and resurrection to newness of life and the washing away of sins; and that it is a necessary qualification for church membership.
Believer: Acts 8:36, 37
Meaning and Mode: Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3,4; Acts 22:16
Church Membership:
Acts 2:41
We believe that the Lord’s Supper commemorates the suffering and sacrificial death of Christ, was instituted by Him for the church, and is intended only for his followers.
Instituted: Matthew 26:26-29
Partaking: I Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-30
We believe that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath of Creation, of the ever-binding Ten Commandments, of Christ and the Apostolic Church, and that it should be observed as the Christian’s day of rest and worship.
Creation: Genesis 2:1-3
Law: Exodus 20:8-11; Romans 3:31
Christ:
Mark 2:27-28
Apostles:
Acts 18:3-4, 11
Blessing: Isaiah 58:13
For all Time: Matthew 24:20; Isaiah 66:23
We believe in the miraculous resurrection of Christ, and that both the just and the unjust shall be raised when He comes again in judgement, cutting off eternally from the presence of the Lord those who are unrepentant in this life, and receiving into the fullness of eternal life those who are his true followers.
Christ’s Resurrection: Matthew 28:1-7; I Corinthians 15:17-20
Raising of All: Acts 24:15; II Corinthians 5:10
Judgment:
Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46; John 5:28, 29
Time: II Timothy 4:1
Fullness: I John 5:12; Philippians 3:21; I John 3:2