Summary: IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A FIRM GRASP OF BIBLE DOCTRINE. THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF WHAT BAPTIST’S BELIEVE.

Assurance of Salvation.

(1 John 3:9) "Whoever has been born of God does not (continue to) sin, because His seed remains in him; and he cannot (go on) sinning, because he has been born of God."

(Rom. 5:1) "Therefore, having been justified by (through) faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

(Phil. 1:6) "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..."

"True believers may have the assurance of their salvation in many ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; by negligence in preserving it, by falling into some special sin which wounds the conscience and grieves the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God’s withdrawing the light of His countenance, and by allowing fear to cause them to walk in darkness, yet they are never destitute of the seed of God and the love of Christ. This assurance of salvation will in due time be revived, and they will be preserved from utter despair." (1689 Bapt. Confession of Faith)

Necessity of Prayer.

(1 John 5:14-15) "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

"Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is required by God of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to His will; with understanding, reverences, humility, fervency, faith, love and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue." (1689 Bapt. Confession of Faith)

Total Depravity of Mankind.

(Rom. 8:7) "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be."

"From this original corruption (fall of man), whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to al evil, do proceed all actual transgressions" (1689 Bapt. Confession of Faith)

Infallibility of the Scriptures.

(John 17:17) "Thy Word is truth."

"The Holy Scriptures is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience... unto Salvation" (1689 Bapt. Confession of Faith)

One Way to the Father.

(John 14:6) "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

" It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the mediator between God and man; the prophet priest, and king; head and savior of the church, heir of all things, and judge of the world; unto whom He did from all eternity choose a people to be His seed and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified." (1689 Bapt. Confession of Faith)

Communion of the Saints.

(Heb. 10:24-25) "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

"Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification..." (1689 Bapt. Confession of Faith)

Heaven or Hell is the end of Mankind.

Heaven (2 Cor. 5:8) "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

"The souls of righteous men are received in paradise, where the are with Christ..." (1689 Bapt. Confession of Faith)

Hell (Luke16:22b-23) "The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hell, he lifted up his eyes..."

"The souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torment and utter darkness..." (1689 Bapt. Confession of Faith)