FUNDAMENTAL
By Fundamental, we mean those beliefs which are essential to the Christian faith, biblically speaking.
The Bible is our sole authority in all matters of faith and doctrine, 2 Tim 3:16
We thus hold to the following beliefs without apology:
The deity and virgin birth of Christ, Matt 1:23
The blood atonement, I John 1:7
The personal second coming of Jesus Christ, Acts 1:10, 11
The bodily resurrection of Christ and believers, I Cor 15:20-22
The fallen, sinful and lost state of all human beings, Rom 3:23
Salvation is by the grace (unmerited favour) of God through Jesus Christ, not of our own good works, Eph 2:8,9.
The eternal blessing of the saved, Rev 22:3-5.
The eternal punishment of the lost in the lake of fire, Rev 20:11-15.
Separation from worldliness to holy living, I Peter 1:15-16.
Separation from theological liberalism and ecclesiastical compromise, II Cor. 6:17.
Zealous evangelism, Matt 28:18-20.
Strong Bible-based teaching, preaching and discipleship, Romans 10:17.
BAPTIST
Baptist principles of the church are New Testament principles.
The only New Testament church was a locally governed church, not a denomination.
Baptism is for believers, not for salvation, but is post salvation, Acts 16:31; 8:36-38
Strong pastoral leadership with the safeguard of congregational government, Eph 4:11, 12; Heb 13:7, 17; Matt 18:11,12
The separation of Church and State, Matt 22:21
Freedom of worship, John 4:24
The Priesthood of all believers, I Peter 2:9
Two ordinances (not sacraments), the Lord's Supper (I Cor 11:23-25) and
Baptism (Matt 28:19,20), administered by the authority of the local church.
INDEPENDENT
New Testament Churches were independent of each other.
There are no denominations in the Bible.
Denominationalism leads to compromise by association.
Denominationalism leads to sin by association (Revelation 18:4).
Denominations exercise control over member churches, thus usurping the authority of the local church. Thus we are firstly Christians, then fundamental, Baptist and Independent.
