Doctrinal Statement - What We Believe
Members of Blaenau Gwent Baptist Church believe that doctrine is important. Doctrine is not a personal opinion; it is the understanding of what Scripture teaches as a systematic body of truth upon which the church stands.
1. Scripture
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God; verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21)
2. God
We believe in one God, the creator of all things, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16,17; 2 Corinthians 13:14
3. Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man.
Matthew 1:22,23; John 1:1,2,14; Philippians 2:6,7; Colossians 1:15-20
4. Salvation
We believe in the necessity of the substitutionary death of Christ and that all who believe are justified on the basis of His shed blood and, therefore, have the assurance of their eternal salvation.
John 1:12,13; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:21-25; Ephesians 1:7
5. Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God and that he sinned, thereby incurring not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.
Genesis 1:26,27; Romans 3:10-23; Ephesians 2:1,2; II Corinthians 5:17
6. Holy Spirit
We believe in the regenerating, indwelling, sealing, and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit Who baptizes each believer into the body of Christ upon his acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to believers as He wills for the edification of the Church.
1 Corinthians 6:19; 12:13; Ephesians 1:13; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
7. Sanctification
We believe the Christian’s sanctification begins at salvation, giving the capacity for holiness, but not eradicating his capacity for sin.
Identification with Christ’s death and resurrection and
dependence upon the Spirit’s power enable the believer
to experience victory over sin.
Romans 6-8; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 4:21-24
8. Church
We believe in one universal Church, embracing all who are united to Christ by saving faith and divine grace, and that the founding of local self-propagating churches is the goal of missions. We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the ordinances of the Church in this age
Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 11:23-26
9. Angels
We believe in the existence of the holy angels, the personal existence of Satan and his demonic hosts. Though we wrestle with principalities and powers in spiritual ministry, victory is assured by Christ’s death on the cross.
Job 1:6-7; Luke 10:18; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 1:6,14
10. Last Things
We believe the order of the end time events will be as follows: (1) the personal, physical return of Jesus Christ to rapture His church; (2) the seven year tribulation period; (3) the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ to the earth to establish His earthly kingdom which will continue for 1,000 years; (4) the final judgement and eternal state 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Daniel 9:24-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10; 19:11-21; 20:1-15; 21:1 – 22:5
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost. Daniel 12:1-2; Revelation 21:1 – 22:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:2-58; Matthew 25:41,46; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-15
11. Service
We believe that the “Great Commission” of our Lord Jesus Christ to give the Gospel to every creature throughout the world is still present on every believer. We believe in the will, power, and providence of God to meet our every need in His service.
Matthew 6:33; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 4:19
