Valley Baptist Church Doctrinal Statement

Articles of Faith

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THE BIBLE: The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the verbal (every word) and plenary (complete) Word of God.  It is our only rule for faith and practice.

GOD: There is one God, eternally existing and manifesting Himself to us in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

JESUS: Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-existent with the Father and Holy Spirit. He was and is God, was virgin born, and lived a sinless and righteous life. He died on the cross a substitutionary death for the sins of all men,  was buried and on the third day rose bodily from the grave. He ascended into Heaven and is now interceding for us. His return is imminent and will be personal, visible, pretribulational, and premillennial.

MAN:  Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin, becoming spiritually separated from God. All men are lost and cannot save themselves. A man must be born again by faith in Christ to be reconciled to God. Salvation is by the grace of God through faith in His Son, Jesus. Those who accept Christ as Savior are kept by His power eternally. The judgment of the wicked and unbelieving, and the rewards of the righteous are conscious and everlasting.

THE CHURCH:  The Church is the elected company of believers, baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body. Its mission is to witness concerning the Head, Jesus Christ, by sharing the Gospel among all nations. It will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before He appears to set up His Kingdom. The local church is a body of immersed believers associated together for work, worship, and fellowship. The local church is independent and autonomous.

MARRIAGE:  Marriage is a rite of the Church. Marriage has been established by God. This church defines “marriage” as the exclusive covenantal union of one man and one woman in which such union is a lifetime commitment. A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it is consistent with the definition of “marriage” found in these Articles.

HUMAN SEXUALITY:  Legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual activities outside of marriage (referred to in the New Testament as “porneia”) including but not limited to: adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, and pedophilia are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church. Further, lascivious conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation and/or distribution and/or viewing of pornography, are incompatible with the biblical witness.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Every minister, board member, employee, or volunteer shall affirm their agreement with the Articles of Faith and shall conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent therewith. Every person who becomes a member of this church shall affirm their agreement with the Articles of Faith and behave in a manner that is consistent therewith.