WHAT WE TEACH

The teaching of Peace Baptist Church is based on the Scriptures. Article VI (displayed on this page) from our constitution serves as our statement of faith1, and it reflects those doctrines that the elders and congregation consider essential to understanding, teaching, and practicing God’s Word.

SCRIPTURES

We teach that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man. The sixty-six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the verbal, plenary (inspired in word and equally in all parts) Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Bible is objective, propositional (contains definite, objective statements) revelation (1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13), fully inspired (God-breathed) and inerrant in the original documents (Psalm 19:7-9; 2 Timothy 3:16). God “breathed out” His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man (2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:15-16). The Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice. God communicates with His people through the Scriptures (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21), not by personal or private “revelations.” True faith and growth come by the Word of God (Romans 10:17; John 17:17). The Bible’s central theme is God’s redemptive plan in Jesus Christ (Luke 24:44-46; John 5:39; Hebrews 1:1-2).

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GOD

The Lord our God is one, the only living and true God (1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Deuteronomy 6:4). He is self-existent (Jeremiah 10:10; Isaiah 48:12) and infinite in being and perfection. His essence cannot be understood by anyone but Him (Exodus 3:14). He is a perfectly pure spirit (John 4:24). He is invisible and has no body, parts, or emotions arising from external causes. He alone has immortality, dwelling in light that no one can approach (1 Timothy 1:17; Deuteronomy 4:15, 16). He is unchangeable (Malachi 3:6), transcends all space (1 Kings 8:27; Jeremiah 23:23), eternal (Psalm 90:2), incomprehensible, almighty (Genesis 17:1), in every way infinite, absolutely holy (Isaiah 6:3), perfectly wise, wholly free, completely absolute. He works all things according to the counsel of His own unchangeable and completely righteous will (Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10) for His own glory (Proverbs 16:4; Romans 11:36). He is most loving, gracious, merciful, and patient. He overflows with goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. He rewards those who seek him diligently (Exodus 34:6, 7; Hebrews 11:6). At the same time, He is perfectly just and terrifying in His judgments (Nehemiah 9:32, 33). He hates all sin (Psalm 5:5, 6) and will certainly not clear the guilty (Exodus 34:7; Nahum 1:2, 3).

God has all life (John 5:26), glory (Psalm 148:13), goodness (Psalm 119:68), and blessedness in and of Himself; He alone is all-sufficient in Himself. He does not need any creature He has made nor does He derive any glory from them (Job 22:2, 3). Instead, He demonstrates His own glory in them, by them, to them, and upon them. He alone is the source of all being, and everything is from Him, through Him, and to Him (Romans 11:34–36). He has absolute sovereign rule over all creatures, to act through them, for them, or upon them as He pleases (Daniel 4:25, 34, 35). In His sight everything is open and visible (Hebrews 4:13). His knowledge is infinite and infallible. It does not depend upon any creature, so for Him nothing is contingent or uncertain (Ezekiel 11:5; Acts 15:18). He is absolutely holy in all His plans, in all His works (Psalm 145:17), and in all His commands. Angels and men owe to Him all the worship (Revelation 5:12–14), service, or obedience that creatures owe to the Creator and whatever else He is pleased to require of them.

This divine and infinite Being consists of three persons, the Father, the Word or Son, and the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). These three have the same substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence without this essence being divided (Exodus 3:14; John 14:11; 1 Corinthians 8:6). The Father is not derived from anyone, neither begotten nor proceeding. The Son is eternally begotten of the Father (John 1:14,18). The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 15:26; Galatians 4:6). All three are infinite and without beginning and are therefore only one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being. Yet these three are distinguished by several distinctive characteristics and personal relations. This truth of the Trinity is the foundation of all of our fellowship with God and of our comforting dependence on Him.

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ORIGINS

We teach that God spoke the heavens, the earth, and all living things into existence in six literal days, and all was good. We teach that man was directly and immediately created by God (Genesis 2:7) in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26–28; 5:1; James 3:9), free of sin (Genesis 1:31) and endowed with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:15–25). We teach that mankind was created by God as either male or female, distinct sexes that are biologically defined and divinely imparted to each individual at conception (Genesis 1:27; 2:5–23; Job 3:3; Psalm 139:13–14; 1 Corinthians 11:3–15). Attempting to confuse the two sexes is an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10). We teach that God’s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life according to the will of God, and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the world (Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11). We teach that, in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, became subject to the wrath of God, and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16–17; 3:1–19; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 2:13–14; 1 John 1:8). We teach that because all men were in Adam—united with him as the representative of humanity—the guilt of sin was imputed and a corrupt nature was transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception (Romans 5:12, 18–19; 8:3; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21). All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1–3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9–18, 23; 5:10–12).

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SIN

We teach that God created Adam and Eve, the first humans, without sin and in perfect fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:26-28, 31; 2:18-24; James 3:9). They chose to sin by disobeying God and incurred His judgment. Their sin separated them from Him and brought suffering and death upon themselves, their descendants, and the whole creation (Genesis 3; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:5; Romans 8:20-22). Mankind’s continued unbridled wickedness brought further judgment, which destroyed the earth in a world-wide flood (Genesis 6-8; 2 Peter 2:4-5). After the flood, mankind’s continued rebellion at Babel brought God’s judgment in confusing their language and scattering them over the face of the earth (Genesis 11:1-9; Luke 1:51).  We inherit Adam’s sin nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12), are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), and are sinners ourselves (Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12). Consequently, none of us are able by our efforts to reconcile ourselves to God (Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:8).

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SALVATION

Salvation from sin and death is wholly of God by grace on the basis of redemption by Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, through faith alone and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates and saves (John 3:1-8; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:1-2). Such election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7; Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11) and to trust Christ as Savior and Lord (John 3:16-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Colossians 2:6). The pure grace and mercy that God grants to totally depraved sinners is not related to any initiative of their own part nor to God’s anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign will (Romans 9:10-18; Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2). God is truly sovereign, but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Romans 11:33-36). His sovereignty always exalts the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9). God’s election of sinners does not minimize a believer’s responsibility to evangelize, but rather intensifies that privilege (Romans 10:14; 2 Timothy 2:10). Both sovereign election on God’s part (Ephesians 1:4, 11; John 6:44; 15:16; Acts 13:48; Romans 9:18), and man’s responsibility to repent and believe the gospel (Ezekiel 33:11; Matthew 23:37; Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 2:1; 3:9) are equally taught in Scripture.

Atonement is the finished work of our Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself, which He offered up to God through the eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14; 10:14), has fully satisfied the justice of God (Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 4:10), propitiated the wrath of God (Romans 3:25–26; cf. 1:18), procured reconciliation (Romans 5:10), and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven (Hebrews 9:15), for all those the Father has given to Him (John 6:39; 10:14–15, 28–29; 17:2, 9, 24).

Regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24; James 1:18), when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10).

Justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares man righteous. This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation (credit to one’s account) of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (Romans 5:17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is both “just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). Justification is a declaration of right standing before God, not an infusing of righteousness within the believer (making a believer righteous).

Sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought into greater conformity with the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1–22; 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–4; 5:23). In this respect, we teach that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict—the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh—but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is not completely ended until he sees Christ face to face. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin (Galatians 5:16–25; Ephesians 4:22–24; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9–10; 1 Peter 1:14–16; 1 John 3:2–9).

Perseverance of the saints simply taught means all the redeemed being kept by God’s power, will persevere in their love for Christ, secure in Him forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Jude 24). Such security belongs only to true believers in Christ, not merely those who claim “faith.” Those habitually deny the Lord by their unrepentant sinful conduct have no real claim to security (John 6:66; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:19).

Assurance is not found in boasting of any personal effort or work(s), yet comes in trusting the promises of God (John 5:24; Romans 8:1, 31-39) and its regenerating power in one’s life (1 John 2:3-5; 3:9-10; 3:23-24). Godly love and obedience bolster one’s confidence that he/she is a child of God. It is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word (1 John 5:13).

Holiness, or separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments. The Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5). Out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and not bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. Separation from apostasy, and worldly and sinful practices, is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11). Believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2). As the Christian walks in the Spirit, the Spirit’s fruit will be exemplified in his life (Romans 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10; Galatians 5:22, 23).

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FAMILY

We teach that God created and blessed the family as the foundation of society. Marriage unites one man and one woman in a lifetime commitment to each other (Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-6). Marriage provides for intimate companionship, pure sexual expression (Genesis 2:25; Ephesians 5:31-33), procreation, and reflects the relationship of Christ and the church (Genesis 1:28; Proverbs 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5). A husband is commanded to love his wife as Christ loved the church. A wife is commanded to submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33). Children are a gift from God and are fully human from conception (Psalm 127:3; 139:13-16). Parents are to train their children by modeling a godly life, teaching them the Scriptures, disciplining them in love, and providing them a resource of wisdom and counsel (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Proverbs 1:8-9; 13:24; 22:6). Parents are to care for the needs of their children (2 Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 6:4; 1 Timothy 5:8). Children are to obey their parents with respect and honor (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 23:22; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20).

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THE CHURCH

We teach that Christ established the church and is the Head of the church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). The church comprises believers from its beginning at Pentecost until the return of Christ (Acts 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the church carries out Christ’s work in the world (John 15:26; Acts 1:8). The purpose of the church is to worship, praise, and glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Christ Jesus to the entire world (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8); by teaching His Word (Colossians 1:24-28; 1 Timothy 4:11); by seeking Him through earnest prayer (Acts 2:42); by equipping the saints to walk, serve, and fellowship in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42-46; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 14:26); and by keeping the ordinances (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25; Matthew 28:19). We teach that the Lord gave two ordinances to the church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is for believers and is a public testimony of faith in Christ in obedience to His command (Matthew 28:19). Baptism identifies the believer with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Colossians 2:12) and is best represented by immersion (Acts 8:36-39). The Lord’s Supper is the believer’s remembrance of our Lord’s death until He comes and should be preceded by careful spiritual self-examination of the participant (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28). We teach that the church is expressed in local congregations of believers established under the headship of Christ and the authority of Scripture (Galatians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 1:11). Individual congregations are to be governed by elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7), men meeting biblical standards, who are responsible to guard the purity of church doctrine (Titus 1:9), to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3), and to oversee church matters (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17). Deacons are responsible for assisting the elders in the work of the ministry (Acts 6:1-6; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).

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angels

We teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9–14; Hebrews 1:6–7, 14; 2:6–7; Revelation 5:11–14; 19:10; 22:9). We teach that Satan is a created angel who was the efficient cause of the first sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12–17; Ezekiel 28:11–19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1–14), and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1–15). We teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah 14:13–14; Matthew 4:1–11; Revelation 12:9–10); that he is the prince of this world, who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20); and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12–17; Ezekiel 28:11–19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

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  1. PBC recognizes and values the historic creeds and confessions assembled throughout church history. These creeds and confessions of like faith include the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, and the Baptist Faith & Message. We also recognize and value those of similar faith including the Westminster Confession of Faith, Heidelberg Catechism, and Belgic Confession. ↩︎
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