Statement of FAith

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The Holy Bible, the inspired and infallible written Word of God, is the sole and final source of all that we believe.  It is the basis of our Statement of Faith and speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind.

It was written by human authors who were under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. The 66 canonical books, as they were originally written, are without error and provide the final and supreme authority of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  (II Timothy 3:16; Psalms 12:6; Psalms 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; John 1:1-5)

He is the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and the Ruler of the universe.  The eternal God reveals Himself to us as God the Father, God the Son, and God he Holy Spirit.  The three distinct persons are co-equal and are one God.  He is all powerful, all loving, and all wise. (Deuteronomy 4:35; Isaiah 44:6-8; Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-4; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19)

1. His Incarnation - Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, voluntarily laid aside His glory as God, took upon Himself the form of a servant, came to this earth, and dwelt among men as both God and man. (I Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9)
2. His Virgin Birth - Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-38)
3. His Death - Jesus Christ lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sins of the whole world. He was crucified on a cross at Calvary as the complete offering for the penalty of sins of all humanity. (Matthew 27:33-35; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:12)
4. His Resurrection - Jesus Christ arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  This miracle signified God's acceptance of Christ as payment for the sins of the world.  It also assures eternal life and immortality to all who believe and are saved. (I Corinthians 15:3-8; Romans 4:25; Luke 24: 6-7; I Peter 1:3)
5. His Ascension - Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, ascended back to God and Heaven's glory. He is there today, exalted at the right hand of God.(Luke 24:50-52; Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11)
6. His Advocacy - Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and men.  He is constantly at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for His people. (Hebrews 7:25; 4:14)
7. His Return - Jesus Christ is coming again soon as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He will resurrect the bodies of the dead saints and catch away all the living saints. He will come to earth a second time with His saints to set up the millennial kingdom of perfect reign. (I Thessalonians 4:14-18; I Corinthians 15:51-53)

He is the third Person of the Godhead, possessing all the attributes of God. He is present in the world to make man aware of their need for Jesus Christ and effect regeneration. He indwells every Christian from the moment of salvation; enlightens and empowers them to conform to the image of Christ; and provides them with spiritual gifts by which to serve God through His church. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 8:9; John 16:7-13; John 14:16, 17, 26; Ephesians 5:18)

 Satan (and his lesser angels) were cast out of the Heaven, having fallen from his original position before God.  Satan, also called "the serpent", caused the fall of the human race. (John8:44; II Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2;  Genesis 3:1-6; I Peter 5:9-9)

Any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, and bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  Therefore, every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Hoschton Baptist Church. (Genesis chapters 1 and 2; Colossians 1:16, 17; John 1:3; I Corinthians 6:9-11, 18)

1. Gender and Sexuality - Human Beings (mankind) are created by God in His image.  He creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26, 27; Isaiah 59:1,2)  
2. Marriage - A biblical institution established by God as described by Scripture.  Marriage has only one meaning; the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive covenant union for lifetime, as delineated in Scripture. (Genesis 2:18-25, 27, 28; I Corinthians 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:22-33)

It is God's free gift to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood purchased eternal redemption for the believer. Salvation requires acknowledgement of sin nature; confession to God personally; repentance of sin nature; and forgiveness from God. (Romans 3:23; 10:9; Hebrews 9:22; John 5:24; 6:40; 14:6; Titus 3:5)

1. We Believe in Eternal Security.  God gives eternal life through Jesus Christ; therefore, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Once born again, salvation cannot be lost. (John 3:16; 10:29; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; I peter 1:3-5)
2. We BELIEVE Heaven is a literal place where believers, at God's appointed time, will live forever in God's presence. Heaven is also the present site of the New Jerusalem, Holy City of God, which Christ is preparing for those who have accepted Him as their personal Savior. (Isaiah 66:1; John 14:1-3; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 21:2-4; Revelation Chapters 21 and 22
3. We BELIEVE Hell is a literal place and was created to be the final abode for Satan and his demons. It has enlarged itself to accommodate all of the unrighteous who reject Jesus Christ. Eternity in hell is the result of God's judgment against sin and unrighteousness. (Luke 16:23, 24; Revelation 20:10-15; 21:8; Matthew 8:12; 23:33; Hebrews 10:26-31; Romans 2:5-11)

1. Universal Church - Jesus Christ is the chief "Cornerstone" and "Supreme Head" of the true (universal) church. It is composed of all born again believers, and also referred to as "Body of Christ" or "Bride of Christ". (Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22,23) 
2. Local Church - God ministers on earth through the local church, an organization composed of the assembly of born again believers who have been scripturally baptized.  The purpose of the local church is for edification, sanctification, and evangelism. Jesus Christ is the head of the local church, not any person, group, or religious organization and the New Testament church should be led by the Holy Spirit and is directly accountable to God. (Hebrews 10:25; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 22:21)

It is the responsibility of the parents to educate and discipline their children in the truth of God. The church must work to compliment the parent's efforts and facilitate Godly living. (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Joshua 24:15)

 Each individual must search their heart and decide their own participation.

1. Baptism - The Bible teaches that Baptism is to be done by immersion, following salvation, as a one-time act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith and identification with Jesus Christ.  The ordinance signifies the believer's death to sin, burial of the old life, and resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. (Matthew 3:13-16, 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-5;  Acts 2:38-41; Colossians 2:12)
2. The Lord's Supper - is an ongoing symbol of remembering our Lord's death, burial, resurrection and promised return.  Only the true born-again children of God participate in this ordinance.  A careful examination of the believer's heart should be made prior to participation as unworthy partaking brings judgment. The Lord's Supper consists of the eating of the bread as a symbolic reminder of the physical body of Christ which was broken for mankind.  Drinking of the "first fruit" of the vine (grape juice) is symbolic of the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed for the remission of sins.  (I Corinthians 11:24-30; Matthew 26:26-29)