Emmanuel Baptist Church

Our Beliefs

Listed below are the components that make up our Doctrinal Statement. We do not take lightly the statements that are listed here – but rather prayerfully believe that these are clearly detailed by a close examination of the Holy Word of God. Hover or Click on any of the verses listed to see the text of that verse. (Doctrinal Statement – Download)

Scripture (God's Holy Word)

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, that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psa. 119:11,160; Rom. 3:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39; Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4; Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48; Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11; 1 John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 1:3-5; Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11

The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10; Exo. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15- 16; Rev. 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5.

The Lord Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus, the Son of God became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, so that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men; that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical, resurrection from the dead; that He ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He intercedes for us; that He shall return to earth and that His coming will be personal, bodily, visible and premillennial.
Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; John 3:18; 10:36; John 20:31; Heb 4:14; John 1:1-14; Phil. 2:5-11; 2John 1:7; Matt. 28:19; John 1:1,18; 20:28; 2Cor. 13:14; 1Tim 3:16; Titus 2:13; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; John 14:7-11; Matt. 20:28; 26:28; Eph. 1:7; 1Tim 1:15; 1Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53; Rom 4:25; 5:10; 2Cor. 5:21

The Holy Spirit

We believe that Holy Spirit, is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son being of the same nature; that he was active in creation; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel; that He is the agent of the new birth; that He seals, keeps, sanctifies, and empowers all who believe in Jesus Christ; that He indwells, being the abiding helper, teacher, and guide of every born again child of God; the down payment and surety of our inheritance in Jesus Christ.
Gen. 1:1-3; Matt. 28:19; Mark 1:18; Luke 1:35; 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-13; Acts 5:30- 32; 11:16; Rom 8:14,16, 26-27; Eph. 1:13-14; Heb. 9:14

The Devil, or Satan

We believe that Satan is a literal person; that he was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the enemy of God; that he is the accuser of the saints; that according to God’s purposes he is the father of all false religions and the designated leader of all the powers of darkness; that he is limited in his activity by the wisdom, power, and decree of God; that he is destined to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son, and to the judgment of an everlasting torment in the Lake of Fire, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isa. 14:12-15; Eze. 28:14-17; Zech. 3:1; Matt. 4:1-3; 13:25, 37-39; 25:41; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30: 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 2:2: 1 Thes 3:5; 2 Thes. 2:8-11; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 2:22: 3:8; 4:3; 2 John 7; Jude 6; Rev.12:7-10; 13:13-14;19:11,16,20; 20:10

The Creation

We believe that the Genesis account of creation is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that in six twenty-four hour days all that is was spoken into being by God that man was created directly in God’s image and after His own likeness; therefore, the creation of man was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species.
Genesis 1:1,3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26; Exo. 20:11; Jer. 10:12; John 1:3; Act 4:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; Rev. 10:6. Gen. 1:26-27; 9:6

The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created 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 ruin, without defense or excuse.
Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16; Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7; Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22

The Way of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24 Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21. Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15 Heb. 1:8, 3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14:1

Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
John 1:16; Eph. 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 5:21; Rom. 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9; Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12; Rom. 5:1-3, 11; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8

The Freeness of Salvation

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17; Rom. 16:26; Mark 1:15; Rom. 1:15-17; John 5:40; Matt. 23:37; Rom. 9:32; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46; John 3:19; Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thess. 1:8

Grace in Regeneration

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27; 2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7; John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11; Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18

Repentance and Faith

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 7:11; Rom.10: 12-13; Psa. 51; Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23: Heb. 4:14; Psa. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim. 1:12

God's Purpose of Grace

We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John 4:19; Hos. 12:9; 2 Thess. 2:13- 14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14; Exo. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23- 24: Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29; James 1:17-18; 2 Tim. 1:9; Ro m. 11:32-36; 1 Cor. 4:7; 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet. 1:10; 1 Thess. 1:4-10; Rom. 8:28-30; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29; 2 Pet. 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11

Sanctification

We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means-especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4;Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16; John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14; Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; 4:30

The Perseverance of the Saints

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18; 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3; 91:11-12; Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4

The Harmony of the Law and the Gospel

We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the church.
Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15; Rom. 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Psa. 119; Rom. 8:7- 8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44; Rom. 8:2, 4; 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb. 12:14; Matt. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 12:28

A Gospel Church

We believe that a Church of Jesus Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus; that it is an independent, sovereign, local body, possessing the absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations, secular or sacred,; that Christ Jesus is its only head; that it is scriptural for true churches to fellowship together in contending for the faith and furtherance of the gospel and that each church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its fellowship.
1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. 3:5; Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13; 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15- 20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:17; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4.2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; all the Epistles; Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14; Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; by the authority of the New Testament church, to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of a local church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and fruit of the grape vine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self examination.
Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8; Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-28; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles; 1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71

The Christian Day of Worship

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 1 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23; Jer.30: 21; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Psa. 72:11; Psa. 2; Rom. 14:9-13

The Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death; that the righteous, at death, do pass into the presence of God and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in the glory; that the wicked, at death, remain in conscious torment in the flames of outer darkness until the final judgment of the great white throne at the close of the millennium, when death and hell give up the dead that in them to be judged each one according to his works and accordingly cast into the lake of fire forever and ever.
Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19;Acts 10:34- 35; Rom. 6:16; Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet. 4:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa. 10:4; Isa 55:6-7; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; John 12:25-26; Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-14

Moral Issues

Believing that the rise of a humanistic and or postmodern thought process within public domain has shattered once well defined and commonly accepted moral norms, the following statements give expression to the biblical position held by this assembly.

A. The Family

God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. (Gen. 2:18,21-25) It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood or adoption. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. (Exo. 20:12; ; Mal. 2:14-16; Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-9) It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church, (Eph. 5:21-33) and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel for sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. (Heb. 13:4; Gen. 1:28) The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image. (Gen. 1:27) The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. (Eph. 5:25-27) A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. (Eph. 5:24; 1Pet. 3:3-7) She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband (Eph 5:33) and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. (Prov. 31:10-31;1 Tim. 5:14; Titus 2:3-5)

Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. (Psalm 127:3; 139:13-16) Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline (including corporal punishment), to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents. Deut. 6:4-9; Josh. 24:15; Prov. 1:8; 22:15; Eph. 6:1-4)

B. Sexual Relations

We believe the Bible specifically places man and woman in a biblical, God-commanded, relationship and that God instituted the marriage relationship between man and woman (Gen. 2:23,24; Eph. 5:22-23) and the creation of the biblical family. We therefore hold that it is totally against the command and teaching of the Word of God to, in any way, change or distort this order. Thus, we must biblically conclude that homosexuality, lesbianism, co-habitation outside marriage, pedophilia and any other sexual relationship apart from one man and one woman in a marital union is incompatible with the Word of God and must be rejected as alternate life styles. (Rom. 1:18-32)

C. Sanctity of Life

We believe that the Scripture teaches that all human life begins at conception (Jer. 1:5; Psalm 51:5; Luke 1:39-44) and that God is fashioning that life throughout the period of pregnancy (Psalm 139). The Bible places dignity upon the human life because man is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). This dignity is nowhere in Scripture mitigated by any of the frailties that might attend life, regardless of how severe. Therefore, we conclude that abortion is a violation of the sanctity of life and the standard of God.

1. Abortion

2. Euthanasia

Euthanasia is any intentional, direct act causing someone’s death under the guise of mercy. Despite the euphemisms used to describe assisted suicide, it still involves killing. The patient does not die from his or her underlying medical condition, but at the hands of those who have the power and knowledge to do so, typically physicians. This, we affirm, is a direct violation of the sixth commandment. (Exo. 20:13) Further, the Scriptures give God and He alone the right to give and take life. (1 Sam. 2:6; Job 14:5) or to set the standards for the taking of life. (Gen. 9:6). Therefore, euthanasia must be considered inconsistent with God’s revealed truth and therefore rejected regardless of how noble the motive involved.

However, we would affirm a fundamental difference between euthanasia and making a medical decision to not receive certain medical help that might prolong a terminal situation. That decision, we believe, lies between God, the individual and /or the family.

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