WE BELIEVE THAT THE HOLY BIBLE

• Was written by holy men controlled by the Holy Spirit (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25.)

• Is true and without any admixture of error for its matter (Ps. 119:105, 130, 160; Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; Jn. 17:17.)

• Is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (Ps. 119:89; Prov 30:5-6; Rom 3:4; I Pet. 1:23; Rev. 22:19; Jn. 12:48; Isa. 8:20; Eph 6:17; Rom 15:4; Lk. 16:31; Ps. 19:7-11; Jn. 5:39, 45, 47.)

• By “The Holy Bible,” we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written, does not merely contain and convey the Word of God, but is the very Word of God.

• By “inspiration,” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.

WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE LIVING AND TRUE GOD.

• He is an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth (Ex. 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; Jn. 4:24; Ps. 147:5; Ps. 83:18; Ps. 90:2; Jer. 10:10.)
  
• He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (Ex. 15:11; Rev 4:11; I Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mk. 12:30.)
  
• 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 (Matt. 3:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Jn. 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I Jn. 5:7; Jn. 10:30; Jn. 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14.)

WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOD AND THAT HE

• Existed from all eternity ( Isa. 9:6; Gal 4:4; Jn. 17:5; Phil 2:6; I Tim. 3:16).
  
• Is the Creator of all things (Col. 1:16-17; Jn. 1:3) .
  
• Was born of a virgin ( Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-23).
  
• Lived a sinless life (II Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; I Pet. 2:22; I Jn. 3:5).
  
• Died an atoning death ( Jn. 3:16; Jn. 10:11, 15; Rom. 3:24-25; I Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:5, 6, 10, 11).
  
• Arose in physical resurrection (Mat. 17:22-23; Lk. 24:5-6; I Cor. 15:4-8, 20; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 2:24, 30-32).
  
• Ascended to God’s right hand, at which place He is our great High Priest (Acts 7:55-56; Heb. 4:14-16; Heb. 5:5-10).
  
• Is coming in the air to receive His own unto Himself in an imminent and pre-millennial resurrection and pre-tribulation rapture (I Thess. 1:9-10; I Thess. 4:13-18; Phil. 3:20-21; I Cor. 15:50-52).
  
• Is to return to earth to establish God’s kingdom among men ( Lk. 1:32-33; Rev. 19:11-16; I Cor. 15:24-25; Rev. 21:3).

WE BELIEVE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A DIVINE PERSON:

• Is equal with God the Father ( Jn. 14:16-17).
  
• Is equal with God the Son (Matt. 28:19).
  
• Is of the same nature as the Father and the Son (Heb. 9:14; Jn. 14:26; Lk. 1:35).
  
• Was active in the creation (Gen. 1:1-2).
  
• In His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled (II Thess. 2:7).
  
• Convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness ( Jn. 16:8-11).
  
• Bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony ( Jn. 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32).
  
• Is the agent in the new birth ( Jn. 3:5-6) .
  
• Seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer (Eph 1:13-14; Matt. 3:11; Mk. 1:8; Lk. 3:16; Jn. 1:33; Acts 11:16; Lk. 24:49; Jn. 16:13; Jn. 14:26; Rom. 8:14, 16, 26-27; II Thess. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:18-21).

And that the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control) is the evidence of His indwelling and filling, rather than speaking in tongues and other spectacular demonstrations.

WE BELIEVE THAT SANCTIFICATION HAS A TWO-FOLD MEANING:

• That of setting apart of things, days, or persons specifically for God, and that the believer at the time of his regeneration is so set apart by God the Father (I Cor. 1:30; Heb. 10:10, 14).
  
• That of the progressive work of the Holy Spirit whereby the believer, obedient to the Word of God, experiences the power of the indwelling Christ for holiness of life and victory (Col. 1:26-28; Jn. 17:17; I Thess 5:23; II Cor. 3:18).

WE BELIEVE THAT SATAN:

• Was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell ( Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17).
  
• Drew after him a host of angels (Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4).
  
• Is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world (Eph. 2:2; Jn. 14:30; II Cor. 4:14).
  
• Is man’s great tempter (I Pet. 5:8; I Thess 3:5; Matt. 4:1-3) .
  
• Is the enemy of God and His Christ (Zech. 3:1; I Jn. 3:8; Matt. 13:25, 37-39; Lk. 22:3-4).
  
• Is the accuser of the saints (Rev. 12:10) .
  
• Is the author of all false religions, the power back of the present apostasy (II Cor. 11:13-15; Mk. 13:21-22).
  
• Is the lord of the Anti-Christ (I Jn. 4:3; II Jn. 7: I Jn. 2:22).
  
• Is the author of all powers of darkness (Rev. 13:13-14; II Thess. 2:8-11) .
  
• Is destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son (Rev. 19:11, 16, 20; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev. 20:1-3).
  
• Is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire, a place prepared for him and his angels (Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41).

WE BELIEVE IN THE GENESIS ACCOUNT OF CREATION:

• It is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; Jn. 1:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6; Ps. 19:1).
  
• That man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness (Gen. 1:26-27; I Cor. 11:7).
  
• That man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms (Gen. 2:7; Gen. 2:21-23).
  
• That all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind” (Gen. 1:11; Gen. 1:24).

WE BELIEVE THAT MAN:

• Was created in the image of God and was vested with authority by God (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 8:6-8; Heb. 2:6-8).
  
• Fell by voluntary transgression from his sinless and happy estate (Gen. 3:1-6; I Tim. 2:14).
  
• All mankind are now sinners (Rom. 3:10, 23; Rom. 5:12, 19).
  
• Is under just condemnation without defense or excuse (Rom. 1:20; Rom. 3:19; Rom. 1:32; Gal. 3:22).
  
• Has his redemption provided for (Col. 1:14; Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 2:24; Rom. 4:25).
  
• Has salvation wholly of grace which is accomplished by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; that Christ is the all-sufficient Savior, and Christ must be received by faith by men (Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; I Cor. 15:3-4; Heb. 7:25; Jn. 1:12; Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 3:36; Jn. 5:24).

WE BELIEVE THAT THE BEREAN BAPTIST CHURCH IS A CONGREGATION OF IMMERSED BELIEVERS WHICH:

• Is associated by a Covenant of Faith and fellowship of the Gospel (Acts 2:41-42).
  
• Observes the ordinances of Christ (Acts 2:42; I Cor. 11:2).
  
• Is governed by His laws (Eph. 1:22-23).
  
• Exercises the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word (Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:4, 8-11).
  
• That its two scripturally designated officers are pastors (elders or bishops) and deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in the Scriptures (Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:22-23; Acts 20:17, 28; I Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-7; I Pet. 5:1-4).
  
• The true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission; first, to make individual disciples; second, to baptize them; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded.   We do not believe in the reversal of this order or sequence (Matt. 28:19-20).
  
• The local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit (Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; I Pet. 5:1-4).
  
• It is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the Faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation (Acts 15:22; Jude 3-4; II Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 16:1).
  
• On all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of stewardship, the will of the local church is final (Mat. 28:19-20; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:30, 32; I Cor. 16:2; I Cor. 6:1-3; I Cor. 5:7-13).

WE BELIEVE THAT THE CHRISTIAN BAPTISM:

• Is the believer’s immersion in water (Acts 8:26-39; Matt. 3:6, 16; Jn. 3:23; Rom. 6:4-5).
  
• Is into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
  
• Shows forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life ( Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12).
  
• In scriptural order, it ( baptism) precedes the privileges of church membership and is the public recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20).

WE BELIEVE THAT:

• The Lord’s Supper is a memorial service in which the elements of bread and fruit of the vine represent His broken body and shed blood and remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus (“Who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all”); that this ordinance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming and preceded always by solemn self-examination (I Cor. 11:23-28; Rom. 8:32).

WE BELIEVE THAT:

• Such only are real believers as those who endure unto the end ( Jn. 8:31-32; Col. 1:21-23).
  
• Their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (I Jn. 2:19; Matt. 13:19-21).
  
• A special providence watches over their welfare (Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Ps. 121:3; Heb. 1:14).
  
• They are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation (I Pet. 1:5; Phil. 1:6; Jn. 10:28-29; Jn. 16:8; Rom. 8:35-39).

WE BELIEVE:

• There is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (Ma. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; Prov. 11:31; I Pet. 4:18).
  
• Such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem (Rom. 1:17; I Cor. 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; I Jn. 2:29; I Jn. 3:7).
  
• While all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse (I Jn. 5:19; Gal. 3:10; Rom. 7:6; Rom. 6:16; Rom. 6:23).
  
• This distinction holds among men both in life and after death; in the everlasting happiness of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost ( Prov. 14:32; Lk. 16:25; Matt. 25:34, 41; Jn. 8:21; Lk. 9:26; Jn. 12:25; Matt. 7:13-14).

WE BELIEVE THAT:

• Civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society ( Rom. 13:1-7; II. Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22).
  
• Authorities are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Tit. 3:1; I Pet. 2:13-14; I Pet. 2:17; Acts 5:29; Acts 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17-18).
  
• The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Lord of the conscience and is the coming Prince of the kings of the earth (Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:10; Rev. 10:6; Phil. 2:10-11; Ps. 72:11).

WE BELIEVE IN

• The bodily resurrection of Christ (Matt 28:6-7; Lk. 24:39; Jn. 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mk. 16:6; Lk. 24:2, 4-6).
  
• The ascension of Christ (Acts 1:9, 11; Lk. 24:51; Mk. 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1; Heb. 12:2).
  
• The high-priesthood of Christ (Heb. 8:6; I Tim. 2:5; I Jn. 2:1; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5:9-10).
  
• The second coming of Christ ( Jn. 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16; Matt. 24:27; Matt. 25:13; Jas. 5:8; Matt. 24:42; Heb. 9:28).
  
• The resurrection of the righteous dead (I Thess. 4:16; I Cor. 15:42-44, 52).
  
• The change of the living in Christ (I Cor. 15:51-53; I Thess. 4:17; Phil. 3:20-21).
  
• The reign of Christ on the throne of David ( Lk. 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30).
  
• The reign of Christ on earth (I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 32:1; Isa. 11:4-5; Ps. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4 ,6).