Our Beliefs

Church Covenant 

Having been drawn by divine grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and having been baptized by immersion as born again Christians, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we covenant together as one body to spread the joy of the gospel from St. Cloud to the ends of the earth. (John 6:44; Matthew 28:18-20).  

In all we do, we will aim to glorify and enjoy the God of our salvation, from whom and through whom and to whom are all things: to Him be all glory forever! (1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 11:36) 

We will eagerly maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by walking together in love and in the Spirit and by putting away all bitterness, anger, and injurious speech. (Eph. 4:3; Gal. 5:16, 25; Eph. 4:29, 31) 

With humility and gentleness, patience and love, we will be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven us. (Eph. 4:1-2; Luke 17:3; Col. 3:13; 1 Thess. 5:11; 1 Pet. 1:22) 

We will carry each other's burdens, rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. (Gal. 6:2; Rom. 12:15) 

We will train our children in the instruction of the Lord, seeking to walk in a way that adorns the gospel of Christ before our family, friends, and neighbors (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; 1 Pet. 3:1). 

We will strive to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, as we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Gal. 5:22-24; Titus 2:12; 1 Pet. 1:14) 

We will not neglect to gather together, but will support and treasure the biblical preaching of the whole counsel of God, the faithful observance of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and the loving exercise of church discipline. (Heb. 10:25; 2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:13) 

We will contribute cheerfully and generously to the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the advancement of the gospel both to our neighbors and the nations. (Matt. 28:19; Luke 12:33; 2 Cor. 9:7) 

We will, when we move from this place, unite as soon as possible with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.

2000 Baptist Faith and Message

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

Scripture References: II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20–21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31–32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection; and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26; John 1:1, 3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19–20; Ephesians 4:5–6

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

Scripture References: Luke 10:21–22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; I Timothy 1:1–2; 2:5–6; I Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth.

Scripture References: Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; 8:32; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:21–23; John 20:30–31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6–8; 6:9–10; Hebrews 7:25; 9:28; I Timothy 3:16

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.

Scripture References: John 14:16–17, 26; 15:26–27; 16:9–14; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Galatians 5:22–26

We believe that man was created by God in His own image; that he sinned and thereby incurred physical, spiritual, and eternal death, which is separation from God; that as a consequence, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are sinners by choice and therefore under condemnation. We believe that those who repent and forsake sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become new creatures, delivered from condemnation, and granted eternal life.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:26; 5:2; 3; 2:17; 3:19; Ecclesiastes 2:11; John 3:14; 5:24, 30; 7:13; 8:12; 10:26; Romans 9:22; II Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 19:3, 20; 20:10, 14–15; 21:18; Psalm 51:7; Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:14; Romans 3:19; 5:19; Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9; John 3:16; 1:13; II Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:1

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the unique task of making disciples of Jesus Christ from all nations.

Scripture References: Ephesians 2:19–22; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:19–21; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23–25; Matthew 28:18–20

We believe that a Christian has died with Christ and been raised with Him to new life, and should therefore live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.

Scripture References: I Corinthians 10:31; Romans 12:1–3; Hebrews 12:1–2; John 14:15, 23–24; I John 2:3–6; II Corinthians 9:6–9; I Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 1:9–10

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of the believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture References: Matthew 28:18–20; Romans 6:3–5; I Corinthians 11:23–26

We believe that every human being has direct relations with God and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from undue interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.

Scripture References: I Timothy 2:5; Romans 14:7–9, 12

We believe that local churches can promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time.

Scripture References: I Timothy 2:5; Romans 14:7–9, 12

This church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis.

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.

Scripture References: Matthew 16:27; Mark 14:62; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20; I Thessalonians 4:15; II Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 4:5; I Corinthians 15; II Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 20:4–6, 11–15

Have questions? Want to learn more? We would love to hear from you.