DOCTRINE
1. The Scriptures
We believe that both the Old and New Testaments are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. Through the providence of God, the Scriptures have been preserved. The King James Version of the Bible shall be all that we use in the English language. (Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
2. God
We believe that there is only one true and living God existing in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each a distinct Person, but all of one essence and all having the same nature, perfections, and attributes, and each is worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience (Genesis 1:26; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19).
3. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, shed His Blood on Calvary as a vicarious substitute, was buried, rose again bodily, and ascended to the Father according to the Scriptures (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 4:15).
4. Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, very God, coexistent with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the chief agent in regeneration, the chief convictor of sin, and the chief comforter of the believer. Simultaneous with regeneration, the Holy Spirit baptizes the believer into the body of Christ. It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. We are a non– Charismatic ministry (Matthew 28:19; John 16:7–11; Acts 5:3–4; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12– 14 Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12; 1 Corinthians 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22).
5. Salvation
We believe that all who, in faith, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior are born again by the Holy Spirit and thus become the children of God. Salvation includes redemption, regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. We believe that repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ are the essential conditions for appropriating the saving grace of God (Luke 13:3,5; John 1:12; 3:3; 17:17; Acts 20:21; Romans 8:29–30; Ephesians 2:8–9; 4:30; Titus 3:5).
6. The Lord’s Day
We believe that Sunday is the Lord’s Day and is a Christian institution for regular observance of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private (1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10).
7. Creation
We believe the Triune God created the universe apart from preexisting materials. We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. We believe in this historicity of the first eleven chapters of Genesis (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 19:4; John 1:1–3; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16–17; Hebrews 11:3).
8. The Local Church
We believe that the New Testament church is a local body of baptized believers with Christ as its Head and the Holy Spirit as its guide. New Testament churches promote God’s work by personal and corporate evangelism, and by cooperating with other local New Testament churches of like faith and practice for missions and many other joint efforts. The local church is governed independently from outside persons, bodies, groups, or authorities (Matthew 28:16–20; Acts 1:6–8; 6:3; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 1 Corinthians 12:12– 14; 2 Corinthians 5:20a; 8-10; Ephesians 1:3–6, 22–23; Philippians 4:15–16).
9. Ordinances
We believe that the local church observes two ordinances—baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that all who have received Christ as Lord and Savior should be baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit; that baptism is by immersion in the likeness of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; and that the Lord’s Supper should be observed in remembrance of Him to show forth His death for our sins until He comes again. (Matthew 26:26–30; 28:19–20; Romans 6:3–6; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
10. Separation
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God (Romans 12: 1-2; 14: 13; 2 Corinthians 6: 14-7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).
11. Eternal State
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life in Heaven, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment in Hell (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13).
12. Missions
We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. We are committed to world missions through prayer, sending, and giving for missionaries of like faith and practice (Matthew 28: 19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21 1:8; 1 Corinthians 5:20).
“To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map.” -William Carey
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TESTIMONIALS
"While they are young, they are not a completely inexperienced team as many missionary recruits are. David and Hannah are a couple seeking to continue the ministry calling that has been prepared in them from childhood. They will be able to “hit the ground running” without spending massive amounts of time in cultural adaptation and language school. This is because of God’s gracious preparation in their lives. They are a special couple and God’s hand is on them. "
Pastor Ryan Banman
East Park Baptist Church - rbanman@eastparkbc.org