Statement of Faith

The Holy Scriptures

God has revealed all that is necessary for life and salvation in the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is the Word of God. All Scripture is inerrant and infallible, transmitted through human authors by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Scripture alone is the final authority in all matters of doctrine and practice. The authority of Scripture is derived from its Author and not the opinions of men.

God and the Trinity

There is one true and living God who exists in three eternally distinct persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one in being, united in purpose, and equally worthy of glory and adoration. God is invisible, eternal, omnipresent, almighty, all-knowing, unchanging, dependable, sovereign, righteous, holy, gracious, loving, merciful, patient and good.

Creation

God created all that now exists in six days from nothing and it was all good. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit acted together in the work of creation. Out of all living things, only man was created in God’s image. God granted him dominion over all lesser forms of life and over the earth itself.

Providence

God orders and directs His universe in every detail. Every event in nature and every human action and decision is according to His decree and purpose. In God’s infinite wisdom and power, all things work together for the benefit of His people, and for His glory.

The Fall and It's Effects

God made Adam perfect, holy, and upright, appointing him representative and head of the human race. He fell from his original righteousness into sin when he disobeyed God’s command. By his sinful act, Adam brought all people into a state of death and condemnation, passing to each one of them a corrupt, sinful nature.

Man's Inability

The fall brought every man into a state of utter depravity, meaning every dimension of his being is distorted by sin. Apart from the grace of God, fallen man treats sin as his master, God as an enemy, and the message of the cross as foolishness. Until he is born again, he possesses neither the desire nor the ability to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to repent of sin, or to trust in Christ.

The Birth and Life of Christ

God sent His Son into the world to save His people from their sins. Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus was and is both God and man. He was tempted in all things yet without sin, living the perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His people.

The Death of Christ

Jesus died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin, forever finishing the substitutionary work of atonement for His people.

The Resurrection of Christ

On the third day, Jesus rose bodily from the grave. The resurrection affirms the deity and authority of Christ and assures believers of their future bodily resurrection.

The Ascension of Christ

Jesus ascended into heaven to appear in the presence of God as our perpetual High Priest, presenting Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. He is the one and only Mediator between God and men, and Head of His church. He intercedes forever on behalf of His people and rules over all things for their sake.

Election and Responsibility

Before the foundation of the world, God elected a great multitude of men and women to eternal life as an act of His free grace alone. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works or merit. In the unsearchable realm of God’s sovereign will, all men remain responsible beings, subject to God’s command to repent and believe, and accountable to God for their rebellion, impenitence, and rejection of Christ.

Calling and Regeneration

To accomplish God’s redemptive purpose, the Holy Spirit works effectively through the gospel of Christ, regenerating elect sinners and drawing them irresistibly to repentance and saving faith.

Justification

The elect are declared righteous in the sight of God because of Christ’s perfect life. His substitutionary death and the imputation of His righteousness. Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit, nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ’s righteousness. It is granted through faith alone in the person and work of Christ alone.

Sanctification

According to God’s purpose in predestination, the justified are progressively conformed to the image of Christ. All true believers direct their will and affections toward this purpose, putting to death the desires and deeds of the flesh by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit as God’s Word is more fully understood and applied. While sinless perfection will never be attained in this life, it is a certainty in heaven.

Perseverance

All who are chosen, called, regenerated, and justified shall persevere in faith and never finally fall away. Perseverance is not a human accomplishment but a work of God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who creates, sustains, and nourishes a living, growing, transforming, and enduring faith in all true believers.

The Church

A local church is a visible representation of the body of Christ and is under the authority of Christ alone. Nevertheless, in every local church, qualified elders are appointed to serve Christ as they care for His body. Qualified deacons are to assist the elders as needs arise. Each member of the church is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to edify the body. A local church must recognize and fellowship with the universal body of Christ as represented in other true churches.

Baptism

Baptism is the first act of Christian obedience. True baptism is immersion in water, symbolizing both the believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection to new life, and his cleansing from sin. Baptism may only be administered to those who demonstrate repentance from sin and make a credible profession of faith in Christ.

The Lord's Supper

Following their baptism, Christians may, and indeed, must regularly partake of the Lord’s Supper. By breaking and eating the bread and drinking the cup, believers commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. Through the Lord’s Supper, they affirm and celebrate their fellowship with Christ in the New Covenant.

Marriage

Willington Baptist Church will only allow performance of marriages between two members, who are in good standing and active members. This couple must be in agreement with our Constitution/By-Laws and our Statement of Faith. Pastor will meet with the engaged couple for not less than four (4) times for pre-marital counseling.

Evangelism

It is the calling of every local church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded. It is a priority in evangelism to unite new believers with local churches.

The Return of Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead bodily, both righteous and unrighteous. The justified shall enjoy everlasting life in the presence of God in heaven, while the unjustified shall eternally endure God’s wrath in hell.

The Old Covenant

The Old Covenant, the Law of Moses as its core, was revealed to the nation of Israel, promising earthly blessings for obedience, and threatening curses for disobedience. The purpose of the Old Covenant was never to offer eternal life, but rather to govern the life and worship of the Old Testament nation of Israel, to reveal the extent of man’s depravity, and to foreshadow Christ and the New Covenant.

The New Covenant

The New Covenant, established through the person and redemptive work of Christ, provides eternal blessings which are acquired by grace through faith. The Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ, thus becoming obsolete. God’s final words of revelation, given through Christ and His New Testament apostles and prophets, have become the authority concerning Christian conduct, and the interpretive lens through which the Old Testament must be understood and applied.

The Glory of God

Christians must live for God’s glory alone through their awareness and enjoyment of His person, submission to His authority, and reliance upon His goodness. In truth, all things that have or will transpire, serve to glorify God as their highest purpose.

The Five Solas

We affirm the five Solas of the Reformation:

  • Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
  • Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
  • Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
  • Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
  • Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone)

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