Hartland Baptist Church - Declaration 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 for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and religious opinions should be tried.
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Scripture References: Luke 16:29-31; Eph. 2:19-22; Matthew 22:29-32; John 1:45; II Timothy 3:13-17; Hebrews 1:1; II Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 19:7-11; Psalm 119:1-9

We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections, to whom we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
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Scripture References: Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; Deut. 5:6-7; Deut. 6:4-5; Isaiah 48:12-13; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; John 2:14-18; John 5:26; Gal. 4:4-6; I Timothy 2:17; I Cor. 8:4-6; Hebrews 11:6.

We believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:7. He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but, through the temptation of Satan, he fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin, are under condemnation and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
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Scripture References: Romans 3:21; Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:4-7; Genesis 3:22-24; Psalm 51:5; John 1:23; Romans 5:12-14; Romans 7:23-25; Col. 1:21.

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by His death. Being risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting in His person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour.
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Scripture References: Matthew 1:21-25; Luke 1:35; Romans 1:1-6; Romans 3:25; I Cor. 13:3-4; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7-14; Eph. 1:20-23; Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 1:21-23.

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believes 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 righeousness 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.
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Scripture References: Romans 1:1-6; Romans 3:25; I Cor. 13:3-4; Gal. 2:19-20; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7-14; Eph. 1:20-23; Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 1:21-23.

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner except his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teacher, Saviour and Lord.
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Scripture References: Mark 16:16; John 3:14-16; Romans 5:1-11; I Cor. 1:30-31; Eph. 1:5; Eph. 2:4-10; Rev.22:17.

We believe that regeneration of the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit. We further believe that in order to be saved sinners must be regenerated or born again, that regeneration consist 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.
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Scripture References: John 1:12-13; John 3:1-8; Romans 8:1-13; II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:1-10; Eph. 4:30; Col. 3:1-11; Titus 3:3; Matthew 3:8-10.

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 heartly receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
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Scripture References: Mark 1:14-15; Mark 6:12; Luke 13:1-5; John 16:8-11; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:10; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:20-21; Romans 3:25-31.

We believe that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means of connection with the end. It is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility. All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall out of the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptations, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on themselves, yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
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Scripture References: Acts 26:18; Romans 6:3-7; Romans 8:17-38; II Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 3:14-21; Hebrews 12:14.

We believe that santification is the process by which the regenerate gradually attain to moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in their hearts. It continues throughout the earthly life, and is accomplished by the use of all the ordinary means of grace, and particularly by the Word of God.
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Scripture References: John 17:15-17; Acts 30:32; Romans 6:3-7; Romans 8:17-38; II Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 3:14-21; Hebrews 12:14.

We believe that all real believers endure to the end. Their continuance in well-doing is the mark which distinguishes them from false professors. A special Providence cares for them, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
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Scripture References: Matthew 26:70-75; John 10:27-31; Romans 5:8-10; Romans 8:28-39; Romans 9:18; I Cor. 11:32; II Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14; Eph 4:30; II Timothy 2:10; I John 2:19-20.

We believe that a church of Christ is a local body 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, and seeking to extend the gospel to the end of the earth. Its scriptural officers are bishops, or elders, and deacons.
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Scripture References: Matthew 16:18; Matthew 18:15-18; Acts 2:41-47; Acts 14:21-24; I Cor. 1:2; I Cor. 2:6-14; Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:1-13.

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its efect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life, that it is prerequsite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commenorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination.
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Scripture References: Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; Matthew 26:26-27; Luke 22:19,30; John 3:22-23; Acts 8:30-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Cor. 10:16-17; I Cor. 11:23-26.

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, and it is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, and by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreation, works of necessity and mercy only excepted, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
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Scripture References: Matthew 28:1-6; John 20:1; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2; Rev. 1:9-11.

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and wicked. Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under condemnation. This distinction between the righteous and the wicked hold in and after death, and will be made manifest at the judgement when final and everlasting awards are made to all men.
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Scripture References: Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 1:48; Luke 23:43; John 3:36; Romans 9:22-24; I Cor. 15:45-53; II Cor. 5:1-10; Philippians 3:20-21; I Thes. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:10-15.

We believe that the scriptures clearly teach Jesus rose from the dead. His grave was emptied of its contents. He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection in many convincing manifestations. He now exists in His glorified body at God's right hand. There will be a resurrection of the righteous and wicked. The bodies of the righteous will conform to the glorious spiritual body of Jesus.
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Scripture References: Matthew 28:6; John 5:28-29; John 14:1-3; John 20:1-29; II Cor. 5:1-10; Philippians 3:20-21; I Thes. 4:13-17; Rev. 20:12-15.

We believe that the New Testament teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this Earth. The time of His coming is not revealed. It is the duty of all believers to live in readiness for His coming and by diligence in good works to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ.
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Scripture References: Matthew 23:29-44; Mark 13:24-37; Luke 21:25-26; Acts 1:9-11.

We believe that it is the duty of every christian man and woman, and the duty of every believer in Christ to seek to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerated life. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods sanctioned by the gospel of Christ.
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Scripture References: Matthew 10:5-15; Matthew 13:1-23; Matthew 22:8-10; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 23:46-53; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-4; 21; 39; Acts 8:1-40; Acts 10:42-48; Acts 13:30-33; II Cor. 5:19-21; I Thes. 1:1-8.

We believe that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. As Christians we have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in our possessions. We are therefore, under obligation to serve Him with our time, talents and mateial possessions, and should recognize all these as entrusted to us to use for the glory of God and helping others. Christians should cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally contribute of their means to advancing the Redeemer's cause on earth.
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Scripture References: Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 12:41-48; Acts 2:44-47; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 8:1-15.

We believe that the Kingdom of God is the reign of God in the heart and life of the individual in every human relationship, and in every form and instittution of organized human society. The chief means for promoting the Kingdom of God are preaching the Gospel of Christ, and teaching the principles of righteousness contained therein. The Kingdom of God will be complete when every thought and will of man shall be brought into captivity to the will of Christ. It is the duty of all Christ's people to pray and labor continually that His Kingdom may come and His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
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Scripture References: Daniel 2:37-44; Daniel 7:18; Matthew 4:23; Matthew 6:10; Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:25; Mark 11:10; Luke 12:32; Luke 22:29; Luke 23:42; John 3:3; John 18:36; I Cor. 15:24; Col. 1:13; Hebrews 12:28.