WHAT WE BELIEVE

For the more certain preservation and security of the principles of our faith, and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the accepted tenets of the Missionary Baptist denomination, and for the purposc of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this church and the freedom of action of this body with respect to is relation to other churches of the same faith, we do adopt the following Articles of Faith and By-Laws.

 

     I  Name

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This body is known as the Zion Chapel Baptist Church of Elba, Alabama. Mailing Address: Route 1 Box 175N, Elba, Alabama 36323.

 

     II Character

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The government of this church is vested in the body of belivers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperates with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Alabama Baptist State Convention and the Coffee Baptist Association.

 

     III Articles of Faith

 

Baptist are a people who profess a living faith. This faith is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ who is

"the same yesterday, today, and forever." Therefore, the sole authority for faith and practice among

Baptist is Jesus Christ whose will is revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

It is the purpose of this statement of faith to set forth certain teachings which we believe. It is not a creed to be binding, but a declaration on what we believe the Scriptures teach. The Scriptures only are binding upon Baptist.

 

                                               ARTICLE I THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired; and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instraction; 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 supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

 

                                              ARTICLE II THE TRUE GOD

There is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections, to whom we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. 

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                                              ARTICLE III THE FALL OF MAN

We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy 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.

 

                                             ARTICLE IV THE WAY OF SALVATION

We believe that salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial office 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 of our sins; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in Heaven; and, uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divinie perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Saviour.

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                                             ARTICLE V JUSTIFICATION

Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of Righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus Christ. It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other needed blessing.

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                                            ARTICLE VI THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

The blessings of Salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner except his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teacher, Saviour, and Lord.

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                                            ARTICLE VII REGENERATION

Regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness. It is a work of God's free grace conditioned upon faith in Christ and made manifest by the fruit which we bring forth to the Glory of God.

 

                                            ARTICLE VIII REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and 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, relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.

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                                            ARTICLE IX GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE

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 the 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 imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance, and deserves the utmost diligence.

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                                            ARTICLE X SANCTIFICATION

Santification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purpose, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerated person's life.

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                                           ARTICLE XI PERSEVERANCE

All believers endure to the end. Their continuance in well-doing is the mark which distinguishes them from mere professors. A special Providence cares for them, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

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                                           ARTICLE XII THE CHURCH

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of Baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to his teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privilege invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Its scriptural officers are pastors and decons. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all ages.

 

                                         ARTICLE XIII BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

Christian Baptism is the immersion of a beliver in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sit, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of born again believers, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.

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                                           ARTICLE XIV THE LORD'S DAY

The first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercise of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, and by refraining from worldly amusements, and resting from secular employment, work of necessity and mercy only being excepted.

 

                                          ARTICLE XV THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

There is radical and essential difference between the righteous and wicked. Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in his sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are under condemnation. This distinction between the righteous and the wicked holds in and after death, and will be made manifest at the judgement when final and everlasting awards are made to all men.

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                                         ARTICLE XVI THE RETURN OF THE LORD

God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness, the unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.

 

                                     ARTICLE XVII PEACE AND WAR

It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love.