Biblical Authority
The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms is true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scriptures, do not carry Scripture's inherent authority. The King James Version is the preserved Word of God in the English language. (2 Timothy 3:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20, 21)
Autonomy of the
The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a "member" of any other body. (Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23)
Priesthood of the Believer
A priest is defined as one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God. Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and man. As priests, we can study God's Word, pray for others and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God whether we are a preacher or not. ( 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9, 10)
Two Ordinances
The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, and (2) the Lord's Supper; or communion, commemorating His death for our sins. (Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
Individual Soul
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. Baptists have always opposed religious persecution. However; this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself. (Romans 14:5,12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9)
Saved, Baptized Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer's baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3)
Two Offices
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church--pastor and deacon. The three terms -- "pastor", "elder" and "bishop," or "overseer" --all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church. (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1)
Separation
Personal - God has called believers out of the world to be pure in the midst of sinful culture. Personal separation involves an individual’s commitment to a godly standard of behavior. Biblical separation is based on God’s revelation, His Word, not upon personal preference. ( Romans 13:14,1,5; Thessalonians 5:22; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; 1 Peter 1:14-16)
Political - God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government's purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church's purposes in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government. (Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 15:17-29)
What are the fundamentals of the Christian faith? What are the basic truths every true Christians must uphold?
1) The inerrancy of the Bible.
God has given us His Word, the Bible, and every word of it is True. It is God’s disclosure of Himself to us. It does not contain errors, and it cannot be wrong because every single word of it was breathed out by God.
2) The virgin birth of Christ.
Jesus, God in the flesh, was born of a virgin and lived a completely sinless life. He was all man, but at the same time He was God. He had no earthly father. He was not conceived in sin like every single other person ever born (including Mary).
3) The doctrine of substitutionary atonement.
Jesus died in our place. He took the punishment of our sins upon Himself when He shed His blood on the cross. Since Jesus is the sinless Son of God, His sacrificial death on the cross satisfied God’s requirement for the taking away of sin.
4) The physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus really died. He was really buried in a tomb. After three days and three nights, He physically rose again from the dead. He is risen! His body did not and does not still lie in a grave somewhere.
5) The imminent return of Jesus Christ.
After His resurrection, Jesus went up into heaven. Over and over again, He promised His followers that He would return. Since Jesus is God and cannot lie, He will return just like He said. His return is imminent, that is it could happen at any time. It could be today!