Beliefs

The way, the truth, and the light
;

Excerpt from Sandston Baptist Church’s Constitution and By-Laws

Adopted June 1958
Most recently revised December 2023

IV. STATEMENT OF BELIEFS

Preamble to the Statement of Beliefs:

In accepting the following Statement of Beliefs, each member of this church must understand that:

      These beliefs constitute the opinion of the majority of the church body for the general instruction and guidance of our own people. They are not intended to add anything to the simple conditions of salvation revealed in the New Testament, which are repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
      These shall not be regarded as complete statements of our faith having finality or infallibility. We hold ourselves free to revise these statements of faith as may seem wise to the majority.
      These statements re-emphasize that the sole authority for faith and practice among us is the Scriptures of the Holy Bible. These statements are meant to be guides in interpretation, having no authority over the conscience.
      These statements of religious convictions drawn from the Scriptures are not to be used to hamper freedom of thought or pursuit of truth.

Statement of Beliefs:

Holy Bible

We believe in the HOLY BIBLE, the complete and final written revelation of God to man, having salvation for its end and truth without error for its matter. We believe the Bible is the standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried.

Trinity: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit

We believe in the TRINITY: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe in ONE LIVING TRUE GOD, who revealed Himself to us as God the Father, Creator, Preserver, Ruler of the universe. We believe in the SON, JESUS CHRIST, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and sinless. We believe that Christ was crucified and buried, arose from the dead, and has ascended to the throne of God from which He will judge the living and the dead. We believe that Christ’s atoning death provides the redemption of the world. We believe in the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT, the very presence of God revealing himself to those who have received God’s forgiveness of sin. (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 1:35, John 4:24; 14:16-17, Acts 2:38)

Man and Sin

We believe in MAN AND SIN, that because of free will and the influence of evil, the first couple, Adam and Eve, sinned against God’s law. All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

Salvation

We believe in SALVATION, that God has offered everyone a path of reconciliation, forgiveness, and restoration between an individual and God. It was made possible by the grace of the atoning death of Jesus Christ as the perfect Lamb of God, and each individual has a responsibility for his/her own acceptance of this amazing gift. (Acts 2:21)

Church

We believe in the CHURCH, a congregation of baptized believers committed to Jesus Christ as the Head, observing the ordinances of Christ, and governed by His Spirit. We assemble as a church in the spirit of brotherly love without compromise of our understanding of the Scripture and our practice of faith. We believe the local church has the inherent right to govern itself. (Acts 2:42-47)

Baptism

We believe in BAPTISM, an expression of a believer’s faith in Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior. We believe that through baptism we identify with Christ in an act of death, burial, and resurrection… “having been buried with Christ in baptism, risen to walk in newness of life.” We believe in baptism by immersion for those who have been convicted by the Holy Spirit and have made a choice to ask for forgiveness of sin. (Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6:4)

Lord’s Supper

We believe in the LORD’S SUPPER, a symbolic observance of Jesus Christ’s last supper the night before he was crucified. We believe the bread represents His body and the cup represents His blood. We observe the Lord’s Supper in Christian communion, in remembrance, and proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes again. (Matthew 26:17-30, 1 Corinthians 11:23-28)

Worship

We believe in WORSHIP, an act of attributing reverent honor and homage to God, both individually and together as a church family. We believe that God created man in His own image and that through worship we personally encounter God, we glimpse His greatness, and we experience God’s personal revelation to us through the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 18:20)

Model the Life of Jesus Christ

We strive to MODEL THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we endeavor to be examples of Jesus’s behaviors, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to show the world that we are children of God. We believe that every member of the church should be conscious of his/her behavior, leadership, and witness as a follower of the Christian faith. (1 John 2:6, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1-2, Proverbs 3:6)

Soul Competency

We believe in SOUL COMPETENCY, that all believers are free to read and interpret the Bible, and in the PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER, that all believers are free to approach God, free to serve God, and may directly confess their sins, ask for forgiveness, express their thanks, and ask for Divine guidance. (Joshua 24:15)

Liberty

We believe in LIBERTY. We believe in the separation of church and state in order that religious conscience may be exercised without the control of government. (Matthew 22:21)

Education

We believe in EDUCATION as an important function of the ministry of Christ’s church. We believe that every Christian should grow in knowledge and grace through study of God’s word. (Luke 2:40, Colossians 2:6-8)

Stewardship

We believe in STEWARDSHIP. We believe that God is the source of all resources and blessings, and through our service and worship we manage these responsibly and we offer them for His glory. We believe both men and women are divinely gifted and are called to offer service to Him with our leadership, time, talents, and possessions. We do this to help others with a cheerful and grateful heart. Faith without works is dead. (2 Corinthians 8 & 9, James 2:14)

Jesus Christ’s Return

We believe in JESUS CHRIST’S RETURN, that in God’s own time and in His own way He will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead in Christ will be raised, and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell eternally with the Lord. (Matthew 25:31-46, John 14:3, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, Philippians 3:20-21, Hebrews 9:27-28)

Equality & Essential Dignity of all Men and Women

We believe in EQUALITY & ESSENTIAL DIGNITY OF ALL MEN AND WOMEN recognizing that all are made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)

Evangelism, Community, & Fellowship

And we believe in EVANGELISM, COMMUNITY, & FELLOWSHIP.  These beliefs drive us to share the gospel to all people through example, relationships, missions, service, prayer, and invitation.  (Isaiah 6:1-8, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 1:17-18, John 3:16)