Our Beliefs

Here at Antioch we affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 which is available at: http://www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp.

Below is a summary of our Statement of Faith.

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. The Bible is the divinely authoritative standard for every age and every life.

We believe there is one true and living God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit who exist eternally in three persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.

We believe that man was created in the very image of God, in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruins, without defiance or excuse.

We believe that God, by His sovereign choice and out of love for men, sent Christ into the world to save sinners.

We believe that Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation, Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present Lord.

We believe salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. There is no salvation apart from genuine repentance and personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

We believe that sanctification is the process whereby, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

We believe that glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.

We believe that a true believer is eternally secure. Although he cannot lose his salvation, habitual sin may interrupt the joy of his fellowship with God and bring the loving discipline of his Heavenly Father.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.