Pine Crest Baptist Church’s

Biblical Convictions 

God.  There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver, and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.

The Scriptures.  The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. 

The Trinity.  God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence of being. 

Providence.  God from eternity decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all events; yet so as not in any wise to be the author or approver of sin nor to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.

Election.  Election is God’s eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life – not because of foreseen merit in them but of His mere mercy in Christ – in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and glorified.

The Fall of Man.  God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptations of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.

The Mediator.  Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and mankind.   Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners.   He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people.   He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.

Salvation.  We believe that salvation is by grace; through faith in Jesus Christ, who came to earth and took on the form of man, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven. We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own voluntary rejection of Jesus Christ as his personal Savior involves him in condemnation.

Regeneration.  Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickens the dead in trespasses and sins, enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness.  It is a work of God’s free and special grace alone.

 Repentance and Faith.  We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable grace is wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God, whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all –sufficient Savior. 

Justification.  Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith.

Sanctification.  We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the Will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.

 Perseverance of the Saints.  Those who God has accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

The Church.  The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church which is composed of all His true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its government.  According to His commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into particular societies; and to each of these churches He has given needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which He has appointed.  The regular officers of a Church are Bishops or Elders (Pastors), and Deacons.

Baptism.  Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life.

The Lord’s Supper.  The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by His churches until the end of the world.  It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designated to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion with Him, and of their church fellowship.

The Lord’s Day.  The Lord’s Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, resting from worldly employments, and amusements, works of necessity and mercy only excepted.

Liberty of Conscience.  God alone is Lord of the conscience and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word, or not contained in it, Civil magistrates being ordained of God, subjection in all lawful things commanded by them ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

The Resurrection.  The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God — the righteous to rest with him, the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment.  At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust will be raised.

The Judgment.  God has appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life.