ARTICLES OF FAITH
I. NAME
This Church, located at Waterford, Kentucky, shall be called the Plum Creek Baptist Church.
II. ARTICLES OF FAITH
Introduction: These Articles of Faith are not intended to add anything to the simple conditions of salvation revealed in the New Testament, viz., repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, nor do we regard them as complete statements of our faith, having any quality of finality or infallibility.
1. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Plum Creek Baptist Church’s faith, doctrine, policy, and discipline, our Pastor, Ministerial Staff, and Deacon body are the Church’s interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application subject to the approval of the Congregation.
2. OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary; that he died for our sins and was raised for our justification; that He is true God and true man and is the only sufficient mediator between God and man, through whom every soul may have direct access to God.
We believe in the personality of the Holy Spirit and that his ministry is to reveal Christ to men in the regeneration and sanctification of their souls and in the understanding and application of Christian truth.
3. OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in holiness under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from the happy and holy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners not by constraint but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
4. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience; and by His death made a full atonement for our sins. Having risen from the dead, the Son of God is now enthroned in heaven; uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection; and in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.
5. OF JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessings which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; and that justification includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God and secures every other blessing needful of time and eternity.
6. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teacher, Savior, and Lord.
Should any case of gross breach of covenant (Articles of Faith) or of public scandal occur, the deacons shall endeavor to remove the offense. If such efforts fail, they shall report the case to the church.
7. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe that in order to be saved sinners must be regenerated or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.
8. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and inseparable grace, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying upon Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
9. OF GOD’S PURPOSE AND GRACE
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active reflection of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effect in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
10. OF SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work, that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer, and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means – especially of the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, prayer, and unselfish service and giving
11. OF STEWARDSHIP
We believe that God, the creator and owner of all things and persons, has entrusted to the Christian his life, time, talents, influence, money, goods, and all things whatsoever he possesses; that as stewards of those possessions, he is to administer them under the will of God for the purpose of Jesus Christ; that in infinite expression of this stewardship he is to contribute systematically and proportionately of his means to the support of his church and of the missionary and benevolent enterprises of Christ’s kingdom.
12. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
13. OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of Moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin. To deliver them from sin and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
14. Of A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinance of Christ, governed by His law and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its Scriptural officers are pastors (sometimes called bishops and elders) and deacons, whose qualifications are defined in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus, together with such other leaders, teachers, and workers as the church may select and as they are needed in carrying out the true functions of a gospel church.
15. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church by sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination.
16. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath; that it is kept sacred to religious purposes by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreation, by the devout observance of all the means of grace both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
17. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is a divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of conscience and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
18. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only who through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and that this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
19. OF THE WORLD TO COME
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that in the last day Christ will descend from heaven and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
III. CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of, intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs and the spread of pornography; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure if without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.
20. STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE, GENDER, & SEXUALITY
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God.. (Gen 1:26-27) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18, 7:2-5; Heb 13:4) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including but not limited to, adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10)
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Plum Creek Baptist Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the members of Plum Creek Baptist Church as well as to the community at large, it is imperative that all persons employed by Plum Creek Baptist Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22)
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11)
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Plum Creek Baptist Church.
21. SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are called therefore to defend, protect and value all innocent human life.
