Doctrinal Beliefs

THE TRINITY

The Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three persons equal in every Divine perfection, exercising distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption, yet there being not three gods but ONE, (John 10:30; 4:24; I Cor. 8:6; 1 John 5:7). 

INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES

The Scriptures of God of the Old and New Testament are the inspired, inerrant, Word of God, and that they are the final authority in faith and practice. The King James Version is God’s preserved Word for English speaking people. The KJV shall be used exclusively at the Gilead Baptist Church. (Psa 119:89; Matt 24:35; II Tim 3:16-17; Matt 5:19).

CREATION

We  believe that God created the universe in six literal days and that man was created in the image of God but chose to sin. Hence, all persons inherit a depraved nature and are lost sinners in need of salvation (Rom. 5:12). God created man and woman, and instituted marriage between one man and one woman for one life (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7-9, 16-17; 3:1-19).

VIRGIN BIRTH

Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God, born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ is both the Son of God and God the Son. (John 1:1,3,14; 10:30).

BLOOD ATONEMENT AND JUSTIFICATION

The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice. All who receive Him by faith are justified by His shed blood and become children of God. (I Cor. 15:3,4; Rom. 3:24; 5:1, 9, 10; John 1:12,13).

PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, the Agent of conviction, regeneration, indwelling, baptism, sanctification, and illumination of all who are born into God’s family through Jesus Christ. We are opposed to the charismatic movement and its tongues and other sign manifestations (Jn. 3:5-6; 14:16; Acts 1:5; 11:15; I Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20; 12:13).

RESURRECTION

We believe in the bodily resurrection and Lordship of Jesus and the resurrection of the saved unto life, and the lost unto condemnation. (Acts 2:32; I Cor. 15:4; I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:52; Rev. 20:12-15).

SALVATION

We believe that salvation is a free gift of God for “whosoever will”; it is by grace, through faith, plus nothing, and believers are eternally secure. Salvation is received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work. “Whosoever will” may come to Christ; God does not pre-elect persons to heaven or hell (Acts 16:31; Rom. 3:10-23; 5:6-12; 6:23; 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5-6).

THE SECURITY OF THE SAINTS

All who are truly born again have “eternal life; and they shall never perish,” and that they are “kept by the power of God. Through faith unto Salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.”  (John 10:28,29; Rom. 8:35-39; Phil. 1:6; I Peter 1:5).

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

We believe every saved person is called into a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices.  (James 4:4; I John 2:15, 16; Romans 12:2; II Cor. 6:14-17).

BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water to demonstrate their faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour.  The Lord’s supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by a solemn self-examination. (John 3:23; Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:16; I Cor. 11:23-28).

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe in the imminent, pre-Tribulation return of Jesus Christ for all believers. This Rapture of the saints will be followed by a seven-year period of Tribulation, after which Christ will return in glory to judge the world and set up His millennial reign on earth (I Cor. 15:51-58; I Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-9; Rev. 19-22).

SATAN

We believe Satan is a person; he is the enemy of God, the tempter of man, and the author of all the powers of darkness.  He is destined to judgement of eternal justice in the lake of fire. (Job 1:6-7; Matt. 4:1-3; II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20;10).

THE CHURCH

We believe the local church is the “…pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15). We believe the local church is composed of members who have been saved and baptized according to the command of Christ, and have voluntarily united together for the purposes of worship, fellowship, service, and the Lord’s Table. We believe all true believers will be taken up at the Rapture, just prior to the Tribulation (Matt. 16:16-18; Acts 2:41-43; 20:28; Eph. 5:25-30;  I Tim. 3:4-15).