What we BELEIVE and TEACH

Statement of Faith and Belief

1. Of the Scriptures

We believe that the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments is the word of God. It is the revelation of God to mankind, is verbally, plenarily and fully inspired by Him and preserved by Him according to scripture. It is sufficient for the knowledge of God and His will that is necessary for the eternal welfare of mankind, is infallible and inerrant, and is the supreme and final authority for all Christian faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Deuteronomy 29:29; 2 Timothy 3:15; John 10:35; Acts 1:16; Mark 12:26-36; Acts 2:4’ Matt 5:18; Psalm 119; Psalm 12:6-7;Prov 30:7)

2. Of the True God

We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, the supreme, infinite, perfect spirit, in whom all things have their source, support and end; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Deut. 6:4; 2 Cor.13:14.

3. Of Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and was raised up for our justification; that he is true God and true Man, and is the only and sufficient mediator between God and man, through whom every soul may have direct access to God. Matt. 1:21-23; Isa. 7:14; Col 1:15-19; Acts 4:12; I Tim. 2:5.

4. Of the Holy Spirit

We believe in the absolute deity and personality of the Holy Spirit; that His ministry is to reveal Christ to men in the regeneration and sanctification of their souls, and in the understanding and application of Christian truth. Acts 5:3-4; Jn. 16:7-15; I Cor. 12:13.

5. Of Man, Salvation, and Eternal Security

We believe that man was created in holiness but fell into sin not by constraint but by choice, therefore is under God’s just condemnation. Man can be saved only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. On the cross he once and for all shed his precious blood for the remission of sins. We believe that once a man is truly saved he cannot lose his salvation for he is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:1-19; Eph. 4:18; Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5-6; Jn. 10:27-28; Rom. 8:38-39; II Tim. 1:12.

6. Of Baptism and Lord’s Table (Breaking of Bread)

We believe in the two ordinances of Christ for the church, namely: baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Table. Baptism does not save, but is an act of obedience to the command of Christ and a testimony to the world of our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership, and to the Lord’s Table, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the death of Christ, preceded always by self-examination. Rom. 6:1-15; Matt. 28:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-30.

7. Of Christian Living and Stewardship

We believe that as Christians we have to live a life of holiness by the help of the Holy Spirit, and that the things that God entrusted to us should be ministered under the will of God for the purposes of Jesus Christ, and in the expression of this stewardship we have to systematically and proportionately contribute to the support of this church and of the missionary enterprises of Christ’s kingdom. I Pet. 1:16; II Cor. 8:9.

8. Of Christ’s Second Coming and the Eternal Destiny of the Righteous and the Wicked

We believe and look for the imminent, personal, visible and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ from heaven. We believe in the resurrection of both the just and the unjust; the just will be destined to eternal happiness in heaven and the unjust to eternal suffering in hell. I Thess. 4:16-17; Acts 1:11; Jn. 14:1-3; Matt. 25:46; Rev. 20:5-13.

9. Of the Local Church Autonomy and Fellowship

We believe that every church is independent and self-governing but that it is under moral obligation to associate itself with other churches of like faith and order in approved common enterprises that seek the promotion of Christ’s kingdom, particularly such as mission, Christian education and Christian charitable endeavors. We believe that the local church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word. Eph. 1:22-23, 5:25-27; I Cor. 12:12-14; II Cor. 11:2.

10. Of Marriage

We believe and uphold the sanctity and exclusivity of marriage as being the holy, God-willed and blessed union of a man and woman, who are joined together in their humanity and in their spirituality, sharing in the life of the Holy Trinity.

11. Of Ordinances

We believe that there are only two ordinances for the church regularly observed in the New Testament in the following order:

a. Baptism which is the immersion of the believer in water, whereby he obeys Christ’s command and sets forth his identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection;

b. The Lord’s Supper which is the memorial wherein the believer partakes of the two elements, bread and wine, which symbolize the Lord’s body and shed blood, proclaiming His death until He come.

OUR CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

In view of the need for Christian Churches to maintain biblical standards in a secular society, we the members of the Maple Baptist Church hereby affirm the following statement of Christian lifestyle.

1. WE AFFIRM that the Bible clearly reveals God’s will for the lifestyle of His redeemed people.
   WE DENY that biblical standards in such areas as the family and sexuality are outdated in modern times. (Deut. 4:2; Ps 119:89, Matt 5:17-19; Mk. 13:31; Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 10:6-11)
    
2. WE AFFIRM that human sexuality is a good gift from God to be received with thanksgiving.
   WE DENY that sexual activity outside of marriage is necessary for the full development of human personhood. (Gen 1:27-28; 2:18-25; Prov. 5:18-19; Song of Songs; Heb 13:4)
    
3. WE AFFIRM that in the Bible God defines marriage as life-long exclusive covenant between a man and a woman. WE DENY that same sex relationships constitute marriage in the Biblical sense (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:3-9; Rom. 7:2-3)
    
4. WE AFFIRM that only within marriage as defined above(Statement #3) is sexual activity pleasing to God. WE DENY that homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, bestiality, adultery, premarital sex or pornography are pleasing to God. (Ex. 20:14,17; Lev. 18; Matt. 5:27-30;
    
5. WE AFFIRM that the above four guidelines are clearly based on Scripture and therefore constitute the will of God for the members of Maple Baptist Church and further AFFIRM that the above four guidelines shall serve as a basis for pastoral and church discipline.
   WE DENY that the use of the above guidelines is motivated by anything other than a reverent fear of the Almighty God our Maker, Redeemer and Judge, and our sincere desire to obey His commandments revealed in Scripture.