What We Believe
What We Believe
The doctrine of the Missionary Baptist Church is unique because of their belief and teachings. We believe
that our origins began with Christ, and we teach that which Christ taught; the whole truth no more, no less
according to the Holy Scriptures (Matt. 28:19.20). For the scriptures, the Bible, the inspired Word of God,
is the blueprint of our Christian faith. It is the medium through which God addresses humanity, and the
means of humanity’s knowledge of the incarnation, crucifixion, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is
imperative that we believe the Bible, the whole Bible as being the inspired Word of God, from Genesis to
Revelation. Without such belief we would be in danger of wrong interpretations and understandings.
Thus, the Missionary Baptist believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired by God.
(2nd Tim. 3:16, 17; 2nd Peter 1:21)
B
(Biblical Authority): God’s Word is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. As the
inspired, inerrant, and preserved Word of God, it bears the absolute authority of God Himself. No human
opinion or church decree can usurp the teachings of Scripture. Whatever the Bible dictates, we as Baptists
accept it as true.
(2nd Peter 1:20-21, 2nd Timothy 3:15-17, 1st Thessalonians 2:13, Psalm 12:6-7, 119:128)
A
(Autonomy of the Local Church): The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord
Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. The church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious
“hierarchy” outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices.
(Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 3:21, 1st Corinthians 11:3, 12:12)
P
(Priesthood of the Believer): Every believer is a priest of God and may enter His presence in prayer
directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and His
people.
(1st Peter 2:9, Hebrews 4:14-16, 1st Timothy 2:5)
T
(Two Ordinances): An ordinance is a ceremony which the Lord has prescribed and bidden the church
to observe. Baptists believe that the ordinances are only two. They are Baptism by Immersion and Holy
Communion: (1) Baptism is an outward show of an internal conversion, to identify with Jesus’ death
burial and resurrection. It is the acknowledgement and sign of the washing away of old sins and the taking
on of a new way of life in Christ. (2) The Lord’s Supper commemorates Christs’ sacrificial death for our
sins. Like Baptism, Communion presents an important picture. The bread and the fruit of the vine (grape
juice) symbolizes the body and the blood of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
(Mark 16: 15-16; Luke 3:7-8; Acts 8:12; 1st Corinthians 12:12-14; 1st Corinthians 11:2, 23-32)
I
(Individual Soul Liberty): Every person, whether saved or unsaved, has the liberty to choose what
he/she believes about God. Baptists have always been opposed to religious persecution. The liberty,
however, does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to
God.
(Romans 14:5, 12; 2nd Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9)
S
(Saved, Baptized Church Membership): Every member of a Baptist church must be a born-again
believer who has been subsequently baptized by immersion upon evidence of salvation and that by
profession within the local body.
T
(Two Offices): Baptists have maintained only two offices in the local church as set forth in the New
Testament: Pastor and Deacon. The terms “Pastor”, “Elder”, and “Bishop” or “Overseer” all refer to the
same office.
(1st Timothy 3:1,10; 1st Peter 5:1,5)
S
(Separation of Church and State): God has established both the church and the civil government,
giving each its own distinct jurisdiction. No church or government should control each other, nor should