What Does It Mean to be a Christian?

One man. One cross. Millions of lives changed...forever. Have you ever thought that there must be more to life than merely existing — it must have meaning? Christians believe that Jesus Christ gives life its meaning. It's like this: When God created the world he intended man to have a relationship with him. Man spoiled this relationship by doing wrong things, sinning. This separated God and man, just as the things we do wrong lead to separation in our human relationships. To restore our relationship with him, God sent his only son to the world, Jesus Christ, to live as a man--born untainted by any inherited human sin, for he was conceived by the action of the Holy Spirit of God, in the womb of a virgin, sinless at birth. He then lived a sinless life, rendering Him a perfect substitute for the sinner, for he had no sin of His own for which he had to die. Jesus, therefore, paid the price for our sin by dying in our place, a painful death on a cross. Thankfully the story did not end there. God raised Jesus from the dead and took him to be with Him in heaven, where He was enthroned as the Sovereign Lord over the current events of this world, in continuing his purpose, the salvation of mankind. As Jesus took the punishment for all the wrongs things we do, we can now experience God's forgiveness and once again be in a relationship with him. The great part is that anyone can be forgiven by God, it doesn't matter what you have done, you just need to ask him. Christianity is all about a personal relationship with God, made possible by Jesus Christ. Through this relationship we can receive forgiveness for the wrongs things that we do and by God's grace we are given eternal life now, and when our life here draws to a close, through eternity with Him. Want to know more?

BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES - REV. KEVIN SMITH, FBC KINGSTON
I was asked to serve on the BCOQ Baptist Distinctives and Polity Advisory Team. This has resulted in reading over what have historically been the Baptist distinctives within the world-wide Baptist community. In summary, I would to offer them in the acronym BAPPTISTE. It is good occasionally to remember who we are. Here are the Baptist distinctives!

Believer’s Baptism by Immersion -
The qualification for baptism is not a matter of age but of faith. In some religious traditions,
there is pressure to sprinkle the child early in life so that if anything should happen to the child, that she or he would be ensured of going to heaven. In other traditions, baptism is seen as a right
of passage. Baptists believe differently. It is not a rite which creates faith. For us, the qualification for baptism is personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Baptism follows trust in Christ. That is why we speak of regenerate church membership. Each member must experience spiritual regeneration (be born from above). A subject for baptism must be old enough to understand the decision of faith in Christ and must have made that decision before
he or she is baptized. We believe immersion constitutes New Testament baptism. It is only this form that properly fulfills the symbolism of dying, burial, and rising with Christ (Romans 6). Baptists reject infant baptism in favour of believer’s baptism, not only because of their understanding of the New Testament precedence, but also because this practice is more consistent with their understanding of individual competency, the nature of the church, and the significance of the ordinances. Baptism does not save. If a person is not physically able to be baptized, he or she may still be saved. In such cases of physical handicap, under the direction of a doctor, churches have been known to pour water over the baptismal candidate.

Accountable to Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church
Baptists believe that Jesus Christ, being eternally God, only begotten Son, and the visible expression of the invisible God, effectively procured salvation for all creation through his death, burial, and resurrection. He is the one assigned by God the Father to rule with authority over all creation. Every area of the believer’s life and the life of the church is to be subject to the Lord as he is revealed to us in the Scriptures.

As the supreme head of the church, Jesus Christ must be Lord of every programme and actions of each church. No group or individual can dominate the wishes of other members within a Baptist church. All are accountable to and under the direction of Christ. No action of the church should be contrary to His will. The late William Cleaver Wilkinson, a well-known Baptist in his day, wrote in a large book titled The Baptist Principle, “the true organizing principle of Baptist churches may be stated in three words: Obedience to Christ.” This principle expresses the submission of believers to the supreme headship of Christ. Such obedience controls the glorious
liberty that is ours as Christians following the New Testament pattern.

Primacy of Scripture -
Baptists believe that God communicates His will through the inspired Word of God. For Baptists, the Bible is the final authority in matters of faith and practice. This conviction was given classic formulation in 1833 in the first article of the New Hampshire Confession of Faith:
We believe 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
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 centre of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

Ultimately, primacy is given to Scripture because of its unique relationship to the Holy Spirit. In the past the Spirit was involved in the composition of the Bible by means of inspiration. Because
God’s Spirit was operative in the formation of Scripture (2 Peter 1:19-21), the documents themselves are “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In the present the Spirit continues to be involved in the understanding and application of Scripture to each succeeding contemporary situation by means of illumination. The Spirit of Christ directs the Christian and the community by speaking through the pages of the Bible.

Baptists maintain that the Spirit speaking through the Bible must always be given preeminence in Christian life, although tradition, reason, and experience are not to be discounted. This emphasis on the sufficiency of Scripture is especially significant for the question of the use of church creeds. Although Baptists have repeatedly followed other groups in summarizing their convictions in “confessing the faith” for apologetic and instructive uses, these have been seen as valid and helpful only to the extent that they succinctly reflect scriptural teaching. In short, Baptists have sought to stand consistently with Luther’s position, as he purportedly outlined it for the Diet of Worms: Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by evident reason - for I confide neither in Pope or a council alone, since it is certain that they have erred and contradicted themselves - I am held fast by the Scripture adduced by me, and my conscience is taken captive by God’s Word. [Roland Bainton, Here I Stand (New York: Mentor Books, 1950), p. 144]

Priesthood of All Believers and Individual Competency -
The Bible affirms the value of each person as having been created in the image of God, and also declares each person morally responsible for his/her own nature and behaviour.

Baptists believe that inherent in the worth of each person is also the right and competency of each individual personally to deal directly with God through Jesus Christ. In essence, each person, by faith, becomes his/her own priest before God; hence, the cherished term “priesthood of all believers”. This implies that all believers share as equals in Christ’s Body, the church. We are called by God to exercise a priestly role toward each other.

A further extension of this principle means that Baptists believe that no group or individual has any right to compel others to believe or worship as they do. Baptists ideally are champions of the cause of religious liberty.

True Believers only in Church membership -
Baptists follow their Congregationalist forebears in accepting the principle of regenerate church membership, or the pure church ideal, as it is sometimes called. This principle articulates a fundamental understanding concerning the nature of the church, namely, that it consists in a people standing in voluntary covenant with one another and God. This outlook suggests further that, as far as possible, church membership, as participation in this covenant company, must be limited to those persons who are truly converted (true believers). Of course, the pure church ideal remains always an ideal. A pure congregation consisting only of regenerate members cannot be established by human beings, since no one can see the heart of another and thereby determine with certainty the status of the other before God.

In contrast to the mixed-membership practice of certain other bodies, Baptists have continually sought to take seriously the New Testament understanding of the church as the company of the redeemed. The teaching of the Scriptures, they maintain, is clear: church membership is to follow, not precede, personal faith and baptism (Acts 2:41).

Interdependent Congregational Government -
Baptists have always adhered to a congregational form of government. Each local church, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, and the authority of Scriptures seeks to govern its own body by the priesthood of all believers. Christ, present in the lives of congregational members, leads them corporately to discover and obey his mind and will.

While there is a certain degree of autonomy and freedom from coercion by other bodies, this does not mean that churches work in isolation. Churches work with one another in a voluntary
denominational affiliation for the sake of effective witness and service to the world. Avenues of collaborative work include home missions, overseas missions, camping ministry, refugee ministry, training of those in ministry, and chaplaincy services. Baptist churches also recognize the need to temper the exercise of their autonomy in order to associate with a larger body of churches.

Separation of Church and State -
A further extension of the principle of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the priesthood of all
believers is to be found in the Baptist conviction that there must exist a separation between the church and civil governments. There is the easy recognition that God has given legitimate roles to both church and state, but also the deep conviction that neither is to encroach upon the rights or obligations of the other. They are, however, under obligation to recognize and reinforce each other as each seeks to fulfill its divine function. The function of individual believers and the church is to become part of the conscience of the community and nation.

Two Ordinances -
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in
water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death, to offer thanksgiving for His sacrifice, and to look forward to Christ’s return to earth. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Evangelization of the World is Our Task -
Baptists take seriously the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Each member is responsible for the task of witnessing. The remarkable growth of Baptist groups worldwide is the fruit of constant and varied evangelism endeavours. This emphasis also accounts for Baptists’ strong emphasis on missions and distinguishes us as outstanding at recruiting young and old volunteers for Christian service.

A BAPTIST CONFESSION FOR THE 21st CENTURY
(PREPARED FOR THE CANADA CENTRAL ASSOCIATION)
Different religious denominations nuance how they describe their beliefs. Although the Orthodox Creed of 1678 was a creed of the General Baptists of England, normally Baptists recognize that any such statement does not take the place of the Bible. Such statements of faith are not statements of belief to which our people are forced to subscribe, but rather an “orderly statement of beliefs generally held by Baptists.” Our unity is a living faith and an abiding message.

The following words based on the Introduction to the 1925 Statement of Faith of the Southern Baptist Convention, summarize the nature and function of a statement of faith.

1. That it constitutes a consensus of opinion of some Baptist body, large or small, for the general instruction and guidance of our people and others concerning those articles of the Christian faith which are most surely held among us. They are not intended to add anything to the simple conditions of salvation revealed in the New Testament, viz. repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

2. That we do not regard them as complete statements of our faith, having any quality of finality or infallibility. As in the past so in the future, Baptists should hold themselves free to revise their statements of faith as may seem to them wise and expedient at any time.

3. That any group of Baptists, large or small, have the inherent right to draw up for themselves and publish to the world a confession of their faith whenever they may think it advisable to do so.

4. That the sole authority for faith and practice among Baptists is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Confessions are only guides in interpretation, having no authority over the conscience.

The following statements reflect what other bodies within the Baptist World Alliance declare as well as indicating what Baptists have believed historically. An excellent source is W. L. Lumpkin’s Baptist Confessions of Faith: An Interpretation of Every Significant Baptist Confession from the Earliest Anabaptist times to the present day. Revised Edition (Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1969). The Internet also provides a number of statements.

1. The Nature and Unity of the Godhead
We believe in the one living and true God, perfect in wisdom, sovereignty, holiness, justice, mercy, and love. He exists eternally in three coequal persons who act together in creation, providence, and redemption.
1 Timothy 1:17; Psalm 86:15; Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Genesis 1:26; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 1:1-3
Ps 2:7; Is 42:1, 48:16, 61:1; Mt 28:19; Lk 4:17-18; Jn 1:14; 2Co 13:14; 1Jn 5:7

 

2. God the Father
We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of each person, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 19:1-3;; Isaiah 43:3, 15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.

3. Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, the second person of the Godhead, who is the image of the invisible God the Father. To become human He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, so that the two whole and perfect natures, the nature of God and human nature, were united in one Person; truly God and truly human. He revealed God through His sinless life, miracles, and teachings. Being one with the Father, He provided salvation through His atoning death in our place and by His bodily resurrection. He ascended into heaven where he rules over all creation. He intercedes for all believers and dwells in them as their ever-present Lord.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalm 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1, 23-24; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10, 12; Luke 1:35; 4:1, 18-19; 11:11-13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:9, 16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Hebrews 4:15;; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4;23-25; Philippians 2:5-11; Romans 8:34; John 14:23

4. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells and seals every believer in Christ, and that He is the abiding helper, teacher, and guide. We believe that the Holy Spirit gives at least one spiritual gift to all believers for ministry in the church and society. Working within the life of believers the Holy Spirit makes real the presence of Christ, witnesses to their relationship with God, leads into all truth, and produces graces for holy living.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalm 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1, 18-19; 11:13; 12;12; 24:49; John 4:24; 16:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17, 39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11, 14, 16; 12:5-8; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-13; Galatians 4:6; 5:16, 22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; 2:13; 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4;13; 5:6-7; James 1:18; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.

5. The Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures.
We believe that the Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, are the infallible Word of God. They were written by holy people of God inspired by the Holy Spirit and have supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalm 19:7; 119:11, 89, 105, 140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; II Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1; II Peter 1:21

6. The Doctrine of Humanity
We believe God created humans in His own image to have fellowship with Himself and to be stewards over His creation. As a result each person is unique, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect. When tempted by Satan, Adam chose to disobey God; this brought sin and death to the human race and suffering to all of creation. Therefore, everyone is born with a sinful nature and needs to be reconciled with God. Apart from God’s grace, people are helpless and hopeless and need to be regenerated. Satan even tempts those who love God to go astray. Nonetheless, everyone is personally responsible to God for thoughts, actions, and beliefs, and has the right to approach Him directly through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:26-28; 3; Psalm 139:13-17; Matthew 16:23; Romans 3:9-18, 23; 5:12-21; 8:22; 14:12; Ephesians 4:27; 1 Timothy 2:5.

7. Christ’s Atonement for the Sin of Humanity
We believe that in order to redeem people from the guilt, penalty, and power of sin, Jesus became human and died a sacrificial death as our representative substitute. By His resurrection, God’s acceptance of His atoning death was demonstrated. This atonement is sufficient for the whole world, but effective only in those who receive Him. The sinner is justified and reconciled to God, not through any personal merit, but solely on the basis of God’s gracious gift of salvation in Jesus Christ received through faith. By His death, Jesus has demonstrated the initiative of Divine love, broken through the order of justice and merit, triumphed over the powers of evil, and created a new relation between God and the world.
Acts 20:21; Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8-9; 4:15; Colossians 1:27; I Thessalonians 3:12; 5:23; I Timothy 2:4; II Timothy 1:9-10; II Peter 3:18.

8. Salvation
We believe salvation involves the redemption of the whole individual, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.

A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.

Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God.

Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour. Faith is also a body of beliefs considered to be the teachings of Jesus and the apostles’ teachings.

Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon the principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favour with God.

B. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him or her. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.

C. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22 to 28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14, 29; 3:3-21, 36; 5:24; 10:9, 28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21, 42-47; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3 ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18, 29-39; 10:9-10, 13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-26; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1 to 12:8, 14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Jude 3; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.

9. The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We recognize that in spite of our sinfulness, Christ longed for the unity of the body of Christ. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized following a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, fellowship, service, and discipleship and discipline. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task, under the empowering of the Holy Spirit, of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; John 17; Acts 2:41-47; 5;11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23, 27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11, 21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-15; 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2:3; 21:2-3.

10. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to her or his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership.

The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ instituted by Him to be celebrated with the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine by believers in Christ until the end of the age. It commemorates and proclaims the Lord’s substitutionary death and our thanks for His sacrifice. The celebration of the ordinance expresses our fellowship with and in the Lord Jesus Christ as members of the Body of which He is the Head.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; Acts 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16-21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.

11. The Lord’s Day
We believe the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is the Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; Luke 24:1-3, 33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1, 19-28; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10

12. The Kingdom
We believe the Kingdom (or reign) of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over humanity who will willfully acknowledge Him as King and Lord. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which people enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labour that the Kingdom may come and God’s will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matt 3:2; 4:8-10, 23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10, 16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6, 9; 5:10; 11:15, 21-22.

13. Christian Conduct
We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and well-being of others; that their conduct should be blameless before the world; that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions; and that they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full maturity in Christ. We seek to emulate our Saviour by laying down our lives for God and for each other as we consider one another’s rights and privileges before our own. As we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we should demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:6-8; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:13-16, 43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21: Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15; Romans 12-14; 1 Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28; 5:22-26; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8.

14. Singleness and Marriage
We believe that some people are called to the single life. God does call people to that role. It is just as valid a calling as is the calling to marriage. We believe marriage is a covenant union between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor any woman to have more than one husband, at the same time. And it is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are deemed responsible to consent. But marriage must not be within the degree of consanguinity, or affinity, forbidden in the word, nor can any such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful by any human law, or consent of parties, to live together as man and wife. And it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord, and therefore those who profess true religion, ought not to marry anyone who does not have a salvific relationship with the Lord nor those who hold beliefs inconsistent with Christian teaching. Regrettably, divorce is a breaking of that covenant union. It is permitted under only certain biblical grounds. As there have been certificates of divorce since the time of Moses, it stands to reason that a divorce must be preceded by a marriage covenant. Therefore, it stands to reason that a marriage union is a legal, binding covenant.
Genesis 2:24; 6:2; 29:23; 38:16; Exodus 22:16-17; Leviticus 18:6ff.; Numbers 25:1,2; Deuteronomy 22:28; 24:1-4; 2 Samuel 13:14; Malachi 2:15; Matthew 191-12; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 4, 13; 7:2, 36, 39; 2 Corinthians 6:14ff.; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Timothy 4:3; Hebrews 13:4

15. Cooperation
We believe Christ’s people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations, unions, and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God.

Such organizations have no authority over another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ’s Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ’s people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.

Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff. Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12: 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18.

16. Religious Liberty
We believe that God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of humanity which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favoured by the state more than others. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all humans, and the right to propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by civil power.

We believe that every human being is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7, 24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1, 13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.

17. Stewardship
We believe God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual responsibility over the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in our possessions. We are therefore under obligation to serve Him with our time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21, 42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

18. The Environment
We believe that Christians are called to care for the earth, God's gift in trust to us. We are to work in faith, hope, and confidence for the healing and care of all creation. We recognize our responsibility for the curse on the environment.
Genesis 1:26-31; 3:17-19; Exodus 19:5; Psalm 8; 19; Romans 8:18-25; Colossians 1:15-23

19. Peace and War
We believe it is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all humans on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ we should do all in our power to put an end to war.

The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the relationships of humans and nations, and the practical application of His law of love.
Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9, 38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36, 38; Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:1-2.

20. Evangelism and Missions
We believe it is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavour to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of a human’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods in harmony with the good news of Christ.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:17.

21. Christian Social Responsibility
We believe that God is both the Creator and the Judge of all people. We therefore should share His concern for justice and reconciliation throughout human society and for the liberation of men and women from every kind of oppression. Because men and women are made in the image of God, every person, regardless of race, religion, colour, culture, class, sex or age, has an intrinsic dignity because of which he or she should be respected and served, not exploited. Here too we express penitence both for our neglect and for having sometimes regarded evangelism and social concern as mutually exclusive. Although reconciliation with other people is not reconciliation with God, nor is social action evangelism, nor is political liberation salvation, nevertheless we affirm that evangelism and socio-political involvement are both part of our Christian duty. For both are necessary expressions of our doctrines of God and humanity, our love for our neighbour and our obedience to Jesus Christ. The message of salvation implies also a message of judgment upon every form of alienation, oppression and discrimination, and we should not be afraid to denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist. When people receive Christ they are born again into his kingdom and must seek not only to exhibit but also to spread its righteousness in the midst of an unrighteous world. The salvation we claim should be transforming us in the totality of our personal and social responsibilities. Faith without works is dead.
Genesis 1:26,27; 18:25; Leviticus 19:18; Psalm 45:7; Isaiah 1:17; Matthew 5:20; 6:33; Luke 6:27,35; John 3:3,5; Acts 17:26,31; 2 Corinthians 3:18; James 2:14-26; 3:9.

22. The Last Things
We believe God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth in order to establish His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.
Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27, 30, 36, 44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40, 48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15;24-28, 35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.