Paradise Baptist Church

WHAT WE BELIEVE

The Scriptures

We believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (II Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired in that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit,” (II Peter 1:21) to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in the originals is therefore without error. We believe that all the Scriptures center about the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work, in His first and second coming, and hence that no portion, even of the Old Testament, is properly read, or understood, until it leads to Him. We also believe that all Scripture was designed for our practical instruction. (Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11; II Timothy 3:16)

The Triune Godhead

We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

~God the Father
God, as Father, reigns over His entire universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all loving, all knowing, and all wise. He is fatherly in attitude toward all men but is Father, indeed, to those who have become children of God through Jesus Christ, Who will deliver them into the Father’s hands. (Genesis 1:1; I Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10, Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14, 15; I Corinthians 8:6; I Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 4:6)

~God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself the demands and necessities of human nature and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, partaking of the nature of God and of man, and in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord. Genesis 18:1.; Psalm 2:7 ff.; 110:1 ff.; Isaiah 7:14;53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; Romans 1:3-4; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; Revelation 1:13-16.

~God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgement. He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service. (Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Matthew 1:18; Mark 1:10; John 4:24; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Revelation 1:10.

Creation

We believe that man was created directly by and in the image of God. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, by direct act. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16,17)

The Devil – Satan

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the mason of the fall of man, and is destined to the judgement of an eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Matthew 4:1-3; Acts 5:3; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10)

Man

Although man was created in the image of God, he fell into sin and, is lost; this is true of all men, and except a man be born again by the Holy Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Genesis 1:26, 27; John 3:3; Romans 3:10, 23)

Atonement for Sin

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe on Him are redeemed by His shed blood. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body, of our Lord Jesus Christ and in His ascension into heaven; He is our High Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-3,14; 3:1-7,16; Hebrews 10:4-14, I John 2:2)

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace. It cannot be gained or made more secure by meritorious works, but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who so trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as lord and Savior, who by His own blood ordained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. (John 1:12; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8,9)

The Christian Walk

We believe that we are called with a holy calling, to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. But the flesh is never eradicated in this life and the individual chooses to keep the flesh in subjection to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives to the dishonor of our Lord. (Romans 6:11-13; 8:2,4,12,13; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 2:1-10; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 1:4-7; 3:5-9)

The Great Commission

Until the return of Christ, it is the Christian’s duty and privilege to seek the fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission and to minister in His name to a needy world. We are to be instruments of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers redemption and reconciliation in the world. (Matthew 25:31-46; 28:18-20)