Houston Bible Baptist Church

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BAPTISTS - THE WORD OF GOD

GOD - JESUS CHRIST - THE HOLY SPIRIT

CREATION - THE FALL OF MAN - THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN - SALVATION - SATAN

THE CHURCH - BAPTISM - THE LORD’S SUPPER - GIVING - MISSIONS - SEPARATION

THE CHURCH

(Mt 16:18) “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

We believe Jesus Christ organized and ordained the church during His ministry on earth and that each individual local New Testament church has been commissioned by HIm to glorify God by evangelizing the lost, baptizing saved, and discipling believers to observe all the commandments of Jesus Christ

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1Ti 3:15)

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Mt 28:18-20)

· A New Testament church consists of a local, independent, indigenous, visible body of saved, baptized believers who regularly meet in one place at one time for one purpose and adhere to one faith

· The first church consisted of the 12 Apostles and was already in existence before the Day of Pentecost

“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,” (Mr 3:14)

· The Day of Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit’s power came upon the church

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Ac 1:8)

· Jesus promised certain sign gifts would confirm the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world, including tongues, and other miracles. These signs were fulfilled early in the book of Acts and subsided as the Bible was canonized

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;” (Mr 16:17)

· Each individual New Testament church is a body of Christ, with Christ as its head and baptized believers as its members.

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Eph 5:23)

· Water baptism unites a believer into the membership of an individual local visible church body, not into a universal, invisible, or mystical church.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Ac 2:41)

· The only 2 Scriptural offices of a church are Pastor and Deacon

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” (1Ti 3:1)

“And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.” (1Ti 3:10)

· The only 2 Scriptural ordinances of the church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (1Co 11:23-26)

BAPTISM

(Ac 8:36-38) “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”

· We believe baptism is the complete immersion in a body of water of a professed believer in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and its purposes are to portray a symbolic picture of His death, burial, and resurrection and to identify the believer with the person, salvation, and church of Jesus Christ

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Ro 6:3-6)

· Baptism is to be administered under the authority of the local church

· Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is the first step of obedience for a new believer and evidence of his clear conscience toward God

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (1Pe 3:21)

· Baptism is the door to church membership and is the basis for unity in the church (the body of Christ)

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Ac 2:41)

· Immersion that is not administered under proper church authority, does not follow the obvious example of complete immersion, or does not accurately identify Scripturally with the person, salvation, and church of Jesus Christ, is not authentic baptism and is not acceptable for membership in a Baptist church

· We do not know of any other baptism, besides Baptist baptism, that meets the Biblical standards to qualify as Scriptural baptism

THE LORD’S SUPPER

(1Co 11:24-26) “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

· We believe the Lord’s Supper is a local church ordinance to be observed by its own members who are in good standing with their church and is intended to remind believers of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ necessary for salvation

· The Lord’s Supper was originally given to the 12 Apostles to be administered in and by the church

· The only Scriptural method of observing the Lord’s Supper is “Closed Communion”

· It is to be served during a service of a local church for the members of that local church only

“Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.” (Mt 26:20)

“Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.” (1Co 11:33)

· The elements of the Lord’s Supper are unleavened bread, representing the sinless body of Jesus Christ, broken for our sins; and the fruit of the vine (non-alcoholic, 100% grape juice), representing the sinless blood of Jesus Christ, shed for the remission of our sins

· The leadership of the church has a responsibility to refrain from administering the Lord’s Supper when major strife or doctrinal controversy is rampant in the church and the members have a responsibility to refrain from participating when they are knowingly engaged in open or un-confessed sin

“For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.” (1Co 11:18-20)

“For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” (1Co 11:29-30)

GIVING

(Mal 3:10) “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

· We believe the only Biblical method of financing the work of the church is through tithes and offerings

· Every church member is expected by God to give 10% of all their increase back to God through the church

· Tithing has been an expectation of God before the law, during the law, and after the law

· The tithe is used for general expenses related to local church ministry and pastoral support

“And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.” (Ge 14:20)

“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.” (Le 27:30)

“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (Lu 11:42)

· Offerings are voluntary amounts given over, above, and after the tithe for special needs or projects

· The tithe demonstrates faith in God; Offerings demonstrate love for God

“I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2Co 8:8-9)

· God equates neglect or refusal to submit tithes and offerings to the church with robbing God Himself

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Mal 3:8)

· God promises blessing and protection to those who faithfully give tithes and offerings

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (2Co 9:6)

MISSIONS

(Mr 16:15) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”.

· We believe it is the God-given mission of every individual believer and church to participate in taking the gospel to their community, their region, their country, and their world, simultaneously.

· Missions is the Biblical ministry of taking the gospel to people outside the physical reach of the church

· God calls missionaries to go and take the gospel to other people groups

· God calls churches to send and support those missionaries

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” (Joh 20:21)

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.” (Ac 13:1-5)

· Faith Promise Missions is the Biblical method for sending and supporting missionaries

· The church is taught its privilege and responsibility to send and support missionaries

· Individual members are challenged to voluntarily promise God by faith to give a regular weekly amount, over and above their tithe, for 1 year so the church can support missionaries

· At the end of the missions year, the church is taught, and challenged again to participate in Faith Promise Missions

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Ro 10:15)

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2Co 8:9)

“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” (1Co 16:2)

“And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.” (2Co 8:10)

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2Co 9:7)

SEPARATION

(2Co 6:17-18) “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

· We believe God commands believers to separate themselves from the world and to God in every area of their lives so that they may please God by living in such a manner as to be distinctly Christian in faith, attitude, word, and behavior

· There are 3 major areas of separation commanded in the Bible

· Personal: Separation from worldly habits and relationships to godly habits and relationships

· Ecclesiastical: Separation from fellowship and cooperation with churches and religious organizations with un-Scriptural faith and practices to fellowship and cooperation with churches and religious organizations of like faith and practices

· Civil: Separation from un-Scriptural church/government alliances to Scriptural relationships between church and government

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2Cor 5:14-16)

“They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Mt 22:21)

“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Ro 14:23)

· Separation does not mean isolation or superiority

“I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.” (1Co 5:9-10)

“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.” (Ro 14:1-3)

BAPTISTS - THE WORD OF GOD

GOD - JESUS CHRIST - THE HOLY SPIRIT

CREATION - THE FALL OF MAN - THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN - SALVATION - SATAN

THE CHURCH - BAPTISM - THE LORD’S SUPPER - GIVING - MISSIONS - SEPARATION

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Statement of Faith (part 4)