Articles of Faith (Old Baptist Union)
We believe ...
1. With all our hearts in the only true and living God, the Creator and sustainer of all things, visible and invisible; and that in the unity of this Godhead there are three Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:142. In the full inspiration of the Bible, accepting it as the Word of God, and regarding its teaching as of supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, John 17:173. In the Bible doctrine of the Fall of Man, and in his consequent need of redemption through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, and regeneration through the Holy Spirit. That God does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance, for which cause Christ commanded that the Gospel should be preached to all creation.
2 Peter 3:9, Romans 5:12, Romans 5:8, John 3:6-74. That by His grace and through the merits of Jesus Christ, God has made full provision for the salvation of all men and women, but that only those who repent of their sins, and accept Christ, by faith, as their Saviour, will be saved.
John 3:16, John 2:2, John 3:185. That all who truly repent and believe the Gospel should be baptised by immersion.
Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:46. That those who are baptised should receive "laying on of the hands" from the elders.
Acts 8:17, Hebrews 6:1-2, 1 Timothy 4:147. In the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus; and in His deity and absolute sinlessness.
Luke 1:35, Hebrews 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:8, 1 Peter 2:228. In Christ’s death upon the cross as an atoning sacrifice for sin; In His bodily resurrection; in His ascension into Heaven, there to “appear for us in God's presence” and in His personal Coming Again to receive His people to Himself, and to establish his millennial kingdom.
1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 1: Hebrews 9:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 20:49. In the infallibility of Christ as a Teacher.
Matthew 7:29, John 12:48, John 17:1410. In the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit and in His continued presence in the Church; and that His gifts may still be claimed and exercised, subject to His will.
John 15:26, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Acts 5:3-4, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 11:2911. In the existence of a personal Devil, the arch enemy of God and man, who “leads the whole world astray”; and that, although his power is still great on earth, he is a defeated foe, doomed to final destruction.
Matthew 4:1, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Revelation 20:1012. That man is a being consisting of body, soul and spirit. That the spirit can live independently of the body and that it continues in a state of consciousness between death and the resurrection.
1 Thessalonians 5.23, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Revelation 6:9-10, Acts 7:5913. In the present day possibility and privilege of divine healing, and we recognise God uses a rich variety of means to bring people to healing.
1 Corinthians 12:9, James 5:14-1514. That we should observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper in accordance with our Saviour’s injunction.
1 Corinthians 11:23-2615. In the resurrection of the body, in the glorification of the redeemed and in the everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord of the finally impenitent."
John 5:28, 1 Corinthians 15:49-53, Matthew 13:41-43, Revelation 20:1516. In the need of obedience to everything Christ has commanded; and that the way of obedience is the way of sanctification, power and blessing.
Matthew 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 4.3, 1 Peter 1:22, Romans 6:16, John 14:2117. That marriage is the union between one man and one woman, ordained by God and acknowledged by the Lord Jesus Christ as attested to in the Scriptures. It is a building block for sound community and a safe place to bring up children.
Genesis 2:21-25, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Matthew 19:3-6, Ephesians 5:21-33, Ephesians 6:1-4
