Articles of Faith
For the African-American Baptist Church
WHO ARE WE?
WE ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WHO ARE BAPTIST. OUR ANCESTORS WERE AFRICANS WHOSE FAMILIES WERE TAKEN OUT OF THEIR LAND. WE WERE FEW IN NUMBER WHEN WE WERE BROUGHT TO THIS LAND, BUT WE HAVE BECOME A POPULOUS PEOPLE.
WHO IS OUR GOD?
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one living and true GOD, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is YHWH (YAHWEH), the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love.That in unity of the GODHEAD there are three persons, the FATHER, the SON (YAHWEH YAHOSHUA), and the HOLY SPIRIT (RUAH HAQODESH); equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
WHAT HAS GOD DONE FOR US?
The people of this land treated us harshly and forced us to work as slaves. We cried for help to the GOD of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob, Leah, and Rachel; and the Father of JESUS CHRIST. GOD heard us and saw our suffering, hardship, and misery. By GOD's great power and strength. GOD saved us from sin to righteousness, from death to life, from slavery to freedom, and from oppression to liberation. GOD worked miracles, wonders, and caused terrifying things to happen. We believe GOD is still active in the events our history as African-American people, GOD is forever opening doors for us that were once closed. Our GOD is the GOD who is revealed in the Bible, and supremely in JESUS CHRIST; and who is interpreted from the perspective of the Baptist theological tradition as forged in the crucible of our experience as a people who are despised, rejected, and oppressed by the people who rule this land.
HEBREWS 11, EXODUS 3:14-17, 1TIMOTHY 1:17, ISAIAH 45:21-22
WHAT DOES GOD EXPECTS FROM US?
WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE?
LUKE 10:25-28
We offer our resources and ourselves to GOD. We gather in worship as African-Americans to offer praise and Thanksgiving to GOD for all that GOD has done and is doing for us and through us. GOD may through the presence and power of the HOLY SPIRIT empower us to live our lives in accordance with GOD'S will and participate in history as agents of GOD'S liberation to the poor and oppressed.
HEBREWS 12 & 13
WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?
The Bible :-
We believe the HOLY BIBLE was written by people divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. It has GOD for its author, salvation for its end, truth without mixture of error for its matter. It reveals to us the principles whereby GOD will judge us and therefore is and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standards by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
Humanity :-
We believe the Scriptures teach that GOD created humans in a state of holiness and gave them freedom of choice. Humans are the highest work of GOD'S creation. By their freedom of choice, humans sinned against GOD and brought sin into the world. As a result of their actions the entire creation is positively inclined to sin and therefore is under just condemnation to eternal destruction. Humans' greatest need is salvation, a right relationship with GOD. Only the grace of GOD can restore creation to a right relationship with GOD.
GENESIS 1:27, 2:7, ISAIAH 43:7
Salvation :-
We believe the scriptures teach that salvation of sinners is wholly through the grace of GOD accomplished through the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, the SON of GOD. By the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS took upon himself our nature being born of the Virgin Mary. JESUS obeyed GOD to the fullest and showed us the way to live in complete harmony with GOD through his ministry of preaching, teaching, healing, expelling of evil forces, faith, prayer, and compassion. For our sins, JESUS CHRIST was crucified, dead, and buried. For our justification, JESUS CHRIST rose from the dead. JESUS is now reigning in Heaven at the right hand of GOD the Father Almighty. Jesus is in every way a perfect, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.
LEVITICUS 16, ROMANS 5:10-18, ISAIAH 53:5-6, HEBREWS 11:13-15
Justification :-
We believe the Scriptures teaches that justification is the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life to all who believe in GOD; as GOD is revealed in JESUS CHRIST. Justification is based on the principles of GOD'S righteousness. It is bestowed, not earned by any works of righteousness that we have done, but solely through faith in the work GOD has accomplished through JESUS CHRIST. It brings us into a state of peace that passes all understanding and keeps us in favor with GOD for all times and eternity.
ROMANS 5:1-11, 8:1-2, 30
Regeneration :-
We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration is the process whereby sinners are born into a new life with GOD through JESUS CHRIST. This new life is obtained through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. We share in the divine nature and receive a holy disposition, which leads us to love and practice that which is right. It is a work of GOD'S free grace conditioned upon repentance of sin, faith in GOD'S work in JESUS CHRIST, and a newness of life.
JOHN 3:1-7, JOHN 1:12-13, ROMANS 10:8-11, 2CORINTHIANS 5:17
Sanctification :-
We believe the Scriptures teach sanctification is the second step of salvation. It is a process by which according to GOD'S will we are set apart and share in GOD's holiness, whereby we overcome sin and become like GOD.
Sanctification is an ongoing work in the life of the believer that began at the point of regeneration. It is carried on in our lives by the presence and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT through the continual use of the Word of GOD, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. Sanctification leads us to turn from all other loyalties and to give complete loyalty to GOD. This loyalty leads us to realize GOD is acting in the events of history to reconcile the world to GOD and to act as agents of liberation to the poor and oppressed; and agents of transformation in relationship to unjust social, political, and economic structures in our society.
GALATIANS 5:22-25, 1THESSALONIANS 4:1-7
Glorification :-
We believe the Scriptures teach that GOD watches over us and keeps us by GOD'S power until we are like GOD; which is glorification. It is the final step of salvation. Believers endure to the end of this earthly life through our unwavering faith in GOD through JESUS CHRIST.
1CORINTHIANS 15:51-58, 1THESSALONIANS 4:13-18
Church :-
We believe the Scriptures teach that the church is a family of baptized believers in GOD as GOD is revealed in JESUS CHRIST. We are bound together by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT in covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. We agree to meet together for worship, to observe the ordinances of CHRIST (Baptism and The Lord's Supper), to abide by and be governed by GOD'S Holy Word, and to work for the extension of GOD'S Kingdom in the world.The Church was established by JESUS CHRIST 2,000 years ago at Caesarea Phillippi and came down to us through the Baptist tradition. Our faith in GOD has been and is preserved and expressed in the theological affirmations of African-American people in our sermons, prayers, music, and testimonies. Therefore we are called upon to be Stewards and Preservers of the Gift of Our Heritage.
MATTHEW 16:13-19, ACTS 2:41-47, COLOSSIANS 1:18,24, MATTHEW 28:18-20, ROMANS 6:3-11, 1CORINTHIANS 11:23-34 |
