Statement of Faith

BEAR RIVER EAST BAPTIST CHURCH STATEMENT OF FAITH

       OUR BELIEFS

1.   We believe the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God, without any error, the all-sufficient authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and Christian living.

2.   We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

3.   We believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, and that He is true God and man. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father and is now our High Priest and Advocate.

4.   We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost. Only through regeneration by the work of the Holy Spirit can man’s salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

5.   We believe that eternal salvation is the free gift of God, entirely apart from man’s works, and is possessed by any and all who have faith in and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

6.   We believe in a regenerated church membership: that is, persons old enough to understand their need for Jesus Christ and, of their own free will, accepted Him as their personal Lord and Savior.

7.   We believe that baptism is by immersion and the Lord’s Supper is a memorial to His suffering and death on the cross. These are ordinances to be observed by the church in its present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means for a person’s salvation.

8.    We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent, and glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ and that His second coming inspires believers for a wonderful and zealous life and service for Him while waiting for His return.

9.   We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven, and the everlasting punishment and separation from God of the unsaved in hell.

10. We believe in the autonomy of the local church. The church shall manage its own affairs and shall not be subject to any other religious body or organization.

11. We subscribe to the “Basis of Union” adopted by the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Furthermore, in light of the Old and New Testament record, we believe that God ordained marriage as a voluntary union of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24, Matt. 19:5-6; Romans 1:26-27; Eph. 5:31); therefore, marriages solemnized by the pastor of this Church, by this Church and upon the property of this Church shall be in accord with this belief.