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Beech Street Doctrinal Statement
God
We believe that God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are one God. We believe God created the universe by His power and Word. We belive that God is all knowing, all powerful and ever present.
(John 14:7-16; Genesis 1:1, 1:26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 40:28-29; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ was sent by God the Father into the world to save sinners. We believe that Jesus Christ was virgin born, sinless in life and mighty in words and deeds. We believe Jesus was both God and man, that He was crucified for our sins, and was bodily raised from the dead. He then ascended to His Father's side where He is head of the church and intercedes for believers. We believe Jesus Christ is coming again personally, visibly and bodily to reign as Lord.
(Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6, 53:5-6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a person, is God, and has all the divine characteristics. He indwells all believers, baptizes and seals them at the moment of salvation. He fills them in response to confession of sin and surrender to Him. He provides understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing the will of God.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:25; Galations 5:25)
Salvation
We believe that Jesus, through His death on the cross, provided salvation for all. However, to receive salvation one must repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ alone. Through salvation, all who have received Christ will at death depart to be with Him in their spirits and at Christ's return receive a new body which will be like His Glorious body.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
Eternal Security
We believe that since God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
(John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
Eternity
We believe that people are created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
(John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8)
People
We believe that people are made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)
The Church
We believe a New Testament church is a local body of baptized believers who have agreed together to worship its head, Jesus Christ, to edify the believers, evangelize the lost and minister to others.
(Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:27-29; 1 Corinthians 12:27-29; Ephesians 1:21-23, 3:20-22, 4:1-3, 5:21-27; Colossians 1:17-19)
Baptism
We believe that Believer's Baptism by immersion in water is a symbol of salvation and that it shows that one has received the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for the forgiveness of sin. It is the first step of obedience for the Christian. We also believe that it not only identifies us with Christ but also with the church and that all believers should be willing to make a public profession of faith through Believer's Baptism.
(Matthew 3:15-17, 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5)
For additional reading, please visit the
Southern Baptist Faith & Message 2000.