A Statement of Faith (Doctrines)
I wrote this one for a Baptist seminary that did not already have a statement of faith.
A Statement of the Common Faith of a Baptist Theological Seminary
This statement of faith reflects the consensus of the faculty and administration of this Baptist Seminary; it is not a creed or instrument of doctrinal accountability but an expression of general doctrinal agreement.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God, Savior and Lord of all creation; he is the perfect revelation of God as well as God incarnate, the only mediator between God and humanity.
God
We believe in the omnipotent God who eternally exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit: three divine persons sharing one eternal divine life and being. God is the creator of all whose rule knows no end.
Humanity
We believe that human persons are created in God’s image and likeness but that all persons (except Jesus Christ) come into the world under the curse of sin and need redemption when they attain the age of accountability.
Redemption
We believe the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ provide the only redemption from sin and that Christ died for all people; reconciliation and new life connected to God are possible only through his death and resurrection.
Salvation by Grace
We believe that salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith and that people cannot save themselves by works of righteousness but that works of righteousness are products of the Holy Spirit who indwells believers by faith.
Conversion
We believe that authentic Christian life begins with conversion to Christ which involves repentance and faith in him; conversion to Christ results in justification (forgiveness) and regeneration (new birth). These are gifts that cannot be earned or inherited.
Scripture and Creeds
We believe that the sixty-six books of Holy Scripture are inspired by God’s Spirit and are the sole supreme authority under God for Christian believing and living; Jesus Christ is the norm by which we interpret Scripture. Creeds and confessional statements are not instruments of doctrinal accountability but expressions of common faith under the authority of Christ and Scripture.
The Church
We believe that the church was instituted by Jesus Christ to be the people of God and is made up of all true believers regardless of race, gender, age or station in life; the church visible is the local congregation of believers.
The Lord’s Return and Last Things
We believe that Jesus Christ will return to raise all the dead, judge people and nations, consign Satan and his followers to hell and bring into heaven all who believe in him by faith.
Sexuality and Marriage
We believe, on the basis of biblical teaching and together with the vast majority of Christians throughout the ages, that sex is intended by God solely for marriage between one man and one woman.
Baptist Distinctives
We believe in the autonomy of the local congregation, separation of church and state and voluntary cooperation between congregations for evangelism and education.
We believe in freedom of conscience from government domination or control and in the liberty and competency of every Christian believer to interpret Scripture and go directly to God in prayer.
Ordinances
We believe in two ordinances instituted by Christ to be observed by his people until he returns: water baptism of believers by immersion and the Lord’s Supper
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