York Baptist Church Confession of Faith
1. THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible, as originally written, was verbally inspired and the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore has truth without admixture of error for its matter (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2. THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is only one living and true God, infinite in every excellence; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three personal distinctions – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, yet one in substance and equal in every divine perfection (1 John 5:7; 1 Corinthians 8:6; John 4:24).
We believe in the absolute Deity of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1-2; 1 John 5:20; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:26-38).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person equal with the Father and the Son and of the same substance and nature (John 14:16-17; 15:26; Romans 8:14-27).
3. ANGELS AND THE DEVIL (SATAN)
We believe in the existence of angels; that God created them as personal, spirit beings (Hebrews 1:13-14; Matthew 20:35; Luke 20:35-36; 2 Peter 2:11; Revelation 5:11).
We believe in the distinct personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, author of all darkness and sin. His destiny will be the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10).
4. CREATION
We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life and not by the process of evolution (Colossians 1:16-17; Genesis, Chapters 1 & 2; John 1:3).
5. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man, in the person of first Adam, was created in innocence but by voluntary transgression fell into sin; thus plunging the whole race into condemnation and death, so that now all mankind is born in sin and shaped in iniquity (Romans 5:12; Genesis, Chapter 3; Romans 5:10-19).
We believe that sin is a reality and not an illusion, that is proclaimed in nature, declared by God, revealed by Jesus Christ, proved by experience, and known by the believer (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:12).
6. THE REDEMPTION FROM SIN
We believe that the only escape from condemnation of sin is through the redemption wrought by Jesus Christ by His death at Calvary and our receiving Him as our personal Saviour (Acts 16:31; John 1:1-3, 14; 3:1-7; Acts 16:30-33; Hebrews 10:4-14).
7. SALVATION BY GRACE
We believe that faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation from sin and this salvation is wholly of grace; that no works, however good, make that salvation more secure (Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 16:31; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 10:9-11).
8. THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church universal is a New Testament institution; unknown to the Old Testament prophets; established by Jesus Christ, who is its sole Head, revealed through the Apostles; empowered and perpetuated by the Holy Spirit. It began with the New Testament saints and will be consummated at the coming of Christ in the Rapture (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:8; 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12-18; Ephesians 5:23-33; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
9. THE ORDINANCES
We believe that there are two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water and is properly called “Believer’s Baptism”. The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of our Lord’s death until He comes. Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32.
10. CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of Divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society. (Romans 13:1-7; 2 Samuel 23:3; 4:19-20; Daniel 3:17-18).
11. THE RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only such as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of God (Romans 6:23; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 25:34-41; Luke 6:25; John 8:21).
12. THE RETURN OF CHRIST
We believe in the bodily, personal, pre-millennial, any-moment return of Jesus Christ; that He will come before the seven year Tribulation period to catch away His church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58).
13. THE RESURRECTION
We believe in the resurrection of the bodies of the dead; that believers who sleep in Jesus will be raised at the coming of Christ for His church and be caught up with the transformed living saints to meet the Lord in the air. The wicked dead will be raised at the close of the millennial kingdom and stand in their bodies at the Great White Throne Judgment to receive their final doom (John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 7:9-17; 20:11-15).