The Beliefs of Roanoke Baptist Church

Our church is an independent, local Baptist church. That is simply a descriptive title of the Roanoke Baptist Church. "Baptist" best describes our doctrine. We believe what most Baptist-type churches have held through the centuries. Though they have not always carried the title "Baptist," there has been a core of chur= ches since the writing of the New Testament which has held to a certain set of doctrines and practices to which we hold today. That group of churches, tho= ugh never organized into an official body nor governed by any human hierarchy, = has existed as independent churches through the history of Christendom. They we= re never a part of the Roman Catholic church and thus are not Protestant becau= se they couldn't leave something to which they never belonged.

The words "independent," "local," and "church" describes the type of organization which holds and practices the set of bel= iefs we described traditionally as "Baptist."

Let's start with the word "church," which in the Bible means "a ca= lled out assembly." Some day all born-again believers, regardless of their denominational title, will be CALLED OUT of this world in the Rapture and resurrection described in I Thessalonians 4:13-17 and will be assembled together in Heaven where they will form the CHURCH, the body of Christ. In the meantime, true individual l= ocal churches are made up of members CALLED OUT of the lost world of unsaved peo= ple to assemble with saved people for several reasons, to be mentioned shortly.= The third aspect of being called o= ut is that born again Christians are CALLED OUT of the worldly lifestyle of the unsaved, which is described as &quo= t;the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life" (se= e I John 2:15-16). II Corinthians= 6:17 says "Wherefore come out from = among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord."

The word "local" speaks of a particular group of people in a certain location who gather together to fulfill their calling.

The word "independent" describes the organizational status of the church. There is no higher or controlling organization over the local church. Matthew 18:15-17 is an example tha= t the local church has the final say. The church is like a family. Thou= gh they can have fellowship with other families and even offer to help them, t= hey have no authority over them.

The New Testament purposes of the local church can be summarized by the followi= ng: worship, fellowship, edification, and fulfilling the Great Commission. Therefore, the Roanoke Baptist Church is a local assembly of born again, baptized believers who gather for worship, fellowsh= ip, edification and the fulfilling of the Great Commission.

All of this has been said to clarify the fact th= at the beliefs and practices of the Roanoke Baptist Church may differ some from other Baptist churches because no hierarchy tells us w= hat our beliefs are or what our practices should be. Most Baptist churches claim the Bi= ble as their final authority. Howeve= r, differences in interpretation and convictions lead to some variations.

It should be further noted that because each individual is ultimately accountable to God for his own personal beliefs, t= here are people within the congregation who may differ some from others or from = the pastor. As the pastor preache= s he urges the individuals in the congregation not to take his teaching as infallible = nor even as their own convictions, but rather to carefully search the Scripture= s to see and make sure that what he is teaching squares with what the Bible teac= hes (Acts 17:11).

Thus, the beliefs stated herein are those held b= y the leadership and most of the congregation of the Roanoke Baptist Church.<= /span>

Because the Bible speaks about so many things, it would take volumes to tell all we believe.= Therefore, here we will simply summarize some of the major doctrines= , or teachings, of God's Word as we see it.&nbs= p; Though many of these doctrines are similar to those found in some ot= her churches, there are some distinctives found in most every Baptist church wh= ich lend to the designation "Baptist.” These distinctives are sometimes illustrated in the acrostic "= BAPTISTS."
&= nbsp; B. Bible is verbally inspired, inerrant and infallible, and the sole authority for <= o:p>

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; faith and practice
&= nbsp; A. Autonomy (self governing) of the local church

  &nbs= p;         P.   Priesthood of the believer through Christ.
       &= nbsp;    T.   Two ordinances of the church are baptism and the Lord's supper
       &= nbsp;     I.   Immersion is the only form of believer's baptism
       &= nbsp;    S.   Soul-liberty/freedom of conscience
       &= nbsp;    T.   Two offices of the church: pastors and deacons
       &= nbsp;    S.   Separation
       &= nbsp;          1.   Between church and state
       &= nbsp;          2.   From worldliness
       &= nbsp;          3.   From liberalism, ecumenism, a= nd all other "isms" of compromise and false

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; doctrine<= /span>

~ &n= bsp; ~ ~ ~ ~

&nbs= p; I Scriptures
&= nbsp; We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the entire Bible (II Timothy 3:16;

  &nbs= p;         II Peter 1:21; Jeremiah 1:9; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; I Corinthians 14:37).
       &= nbsp;    A. Verbal - the very words (not just t= he thoughts).
       &= nbsp;    B.   Plenary - all the words (the = entire Bible, not just parts).
       &= nbsp;    C.   Inspiration - "God-breathed" - God so controlled the human writers as they were=

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; writing Scripture that they wrote the very words God wanted.
&= nbsp; D. God also promised to preserve His W= ord whereby we can rest assured we still have

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; the true Word of God available today.
       &= nbsp;          1.   "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalms 119:89).
       &= nbsp;          2.   "Thou shalt preserve them (His words) for ever” (Psalms 12:6-7).
       &= nbsp;          3.   "My words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
       &= nbsp;          4.   "One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass” (Matthew 5:18).
       &= nbsp;          5.   "Thy righteous judgments endureth for ever” (Psalm 119:160)=

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; 6. "The word of the Lord endureth for ever” (I Peter 1:25).
&= nbsp; E. We believe the only reliable English translation of the Bible, containing 66 books, is

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; the King James Version 1611, which was translated from the family of manuscript= s

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; called The Received Text or The Textus Receptus.
&= nbsp; F. We believe it is absolutely essential to carefully use biblical methods of

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; interpretation, relying primarily on a literal translation unless the text clearly

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; indicates otherwise. It is also necessa= ry to pay close attention to the original meaning

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; of each word, especially in the context in which it is used (II Timothy 2:15).=

   II.      God
       &= nbsp;    We believe that the eternal Godhead exists in the three distinct persons: the Father, the

&nbs= p; Son, and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God having the same nature and

&nbs= p; attributes, but execute three distinct, harmonious offices. They are equally worthy of = our

&nbs= p; worship, trust and obedience. The God of the Bible is the only true and living God, = the

&nbs= p; Creator and Judge of all things (Habakkuk 1:12; Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 3:16-17; =

&nbs= p; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians 13:14; Luke 1:35; Revelation 4= :11;

&nbs= p; Jeremiah 10:10; Acts 14:15; Ecclesiastes 12:14).

III. Christ

= We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, the eternal Son

&nbs= p; of God, who took on human nature (without sin) to become man, without ceasing = to be

&nbs= p; God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in or= der that

&nbs= p; He might reveal to us God in the flesh and redeem sinful men (John 17:5; John 1:1-2, 14;

&nbs= p; Philippians 2:5-8; Luke 1:35; &= nbsp; Colossians 1:14).

&= nbsp; We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth and purcha= sed our

redemption through His substitutionary death on the cross and that His literal, physic= al

resurrection from the dead insures our justification (I Peter 2:22; Hebrews 2:14; <= /o:p>

I Peter 1:18-19; Romans 3:24-25; Romans 4:25).

&= nbsp; We believe that Christ died for the sins of the whole world and not just the elect. While

His death was sufficient for every living soul, it is effectual for those who p= lace their

faith for salvation in Christ (John 1:29; I John 2:2; John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9)= .

&= nbsp; We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at= the right

hand of God, where as our High Priest He intercedes for us, is preparing a place= for us,

and is our advocate with the Father (Acts 1:10-11; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34; <= o:p>

  &nbs= p;         John 14:1-3; Hebrews 4:15-16; I John 2:1).

IV.       Holy Spirit
       &= nbsp;    We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person in the Godhead, possesses = all the

&nbs= p; attributes of Deity and thus is fully equal to the Father and Son. His primary work

&nbs= p; consists of restraint, conviction, regeneration, baptism, sealing, indwelling, filli= ng,

&nbs= p; strengthening, illuminating, interceding, and distributing gifts (Acts 5:3-4; <= /span>

&nbs= p; II Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 3:5-8; I Corinthians12:11-13, 2:2-14;=

  &nbs= p;         Ephesians 1:13, 5:18, 3:16; John 14:17; I Corinthians 2:12-14).

V.       = ; Man
       &= nbsp;    We believe that man was created by God and in His image, and not a product of = some

&nbs= p; evolutionary process. He was sinless and had spiritual life. His personal and purposeful=

&nbs= p; disobedience in the Garden of Eden resulted in spiritual and physical death, which was <= o:p>

&nbs= p; passed on to all his succeeding offspring. Thus mankind is sold under sin, without= any

&nbs= p; righteousness, under the wrath of God, and has no means within himself of recovery or

&nbs= p; salvation (Genesis 1:26-27, 31, 3:1-24; Romans 1:18, 5:12, 7:14; Psalm 14:1-3; =

  &nbs= p;         Ephesians 2:8-9).

VI.       Salvation
       &= nbsp;    We believe that salvation is a free, undeserved gift from God. It cannot be         &= nbsp; earned or

&nbs= p; purchased by personal merit or effort. It has already been purchased for us by the sinless,

&nbs= p; precious blood of Christ, Who became sin for us and died in our place, rising bodily=

&nbs= p; again on the third day to prove His sacrifice was accepted and that He had power = over

&nbs= p; death. Salvation can only be accepted by calling in faith on the name of the Lord = and

&nbs= p; receiving Him as one's personal Savior (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 1:4, 6:23,=

&nbs= p; 10:13; Isaiah 64:6; II Corinthians 5:15, 21; I Thessalonians 5:10; I Corinthians 15:55-57;

  &nbs= p;         John 1:12).

VII.      <= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> = Angels
       &= nbsp;    We believe that God created a great host of sinless angels who do not die, nor= do they

&nbs= p; reproduce. They have great power and their purpose was to be ministering spirits =

&nbs= p; (Colossians 1:16; Jude 6; Luke 20:36; Mark 12:25; II Peter 2:11; Hebrews 1:14).

&= nbsp; We believe that Lucifer, the "anointed cherub," rebelled against God through pride and

&nbs= p; became Satan. A multitude of angels followed and fell with him and have become

&nbs= p; demons. Their eternal destiny will be torment in the Lake of Fire (Ezekiel 28:14-15;

&nbs= p; Isaiah 14:12-17; II Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:9, 20:10; Matthew 25:41).

&= nbsp; We believe that Satan continues to wage war against God, His plan and His peop= le,

&nbs= p; blinding minds of unbelievers in trying to prevent their salvation. Disguising himse= lf as

&nbs= p; an angel of light he tempts, devours, accuses the brethren, murders, and lies (Ephesians

&nbs= p; 6:12; II Corinthians 11:13-15; I Thessalonians 3:5; I Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:10= ;

  &nbs= p;         John 8:44).

VIII.     Last Things (future events)
       &= nbsp;    We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent (any moment) return of Jesus Chri= st to

&nbs= p; "catch up" or "rapture" His saints – the church – unto Himself just before the seven-year

&nbs= p; tribulation (Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-17, 5:12; I Corinthians =

&nbs= p; 15:51-57; John 14:3; Revelation 3:10).

&= nbsp; We believe that while the seven years of tribulation are occurring on earth, t= he church in

&nbs= p; Heaven will experience the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every believer's works w= ill be

&nbs= p; judged to determine reward or loss. The church will also experience the marriage of the

&nbs= p; Lamb during that time, where Christ will take the church as His bride (I Corinth= ians 3:11-

&nbs= p; 15; II Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:12; Revelation 19:6-9).

&= nbsp; We believe that the seven years of tribul= ation will be God's judgment on this earth and

&nbs= p; Satan's great persecution on those that are saved during the tribulation. Israel = will again

&nbs= p; turn to God in revival. The climax of all the judgment will be the Battle of Armageddon

&nbs= p; when Christ will visibly and bodily return with His saints in great power. Satan= 's forces

&nbs= p; will be defeated and Satan will be bound for 1,000 years (Daniel 9:24-27, Jeremi= ah 30:7-

&nbs= p; 8; Revelation 6:1-17, 8:1-13, 16:1-21, 19:11-21, 20:1-3).

&= nbsp; We believe Christ will then set up His kingdom on earth and reign in Jerusalem for a <= o:p>

&nbs= p; thousand years of peace and prosperity, during which time Satan will be bound. At th= e

&nbs= p; end of the 1,000 year millennial reign of Christ, Satan will be loosed and will rally the

&nbs= p; remaining unsaved people to rebel against God. Then Satan will receive his final defe= at

&nbs= p; (Isaiah 2:1-4, 9:6-7, 11:1-10; Revelation 20:8-9).

&nbs= p; We believe after Satan's final defeat all the unsaved of all time shall be rai= sed to stand

&nbs= p; before the Great White Throne Judgment where their severity of judgment for eterni= ty

&nbs= p; will be determined justly by their works of evil and they will be cast into the = Lake of Fire

&nbs= p; to be tormented forever because they would not get saved. This is the second d= eath

&nbs= p; (Revelation 20:11-15).

&= nbsp; We believe that God will destroy this universe with fire and create a new Heav= en and a

&nbs= p; new earth where He will live with His people in eternal bliss and they shall se= rve Him

&nbs= p; (II Peter 3:10; Revelation 21:1, 3-4, 22:3).