What We Believe

Lakeshore Baptist Church

Baptists, since their beginnings, repeatedly have composed confessions which expressed the doctrinal consensus among related churches. In principle, however, Baptists always have insisted that no statement of faith can be considered creedally binding even upon concurring congregations. The purpose of their doctrinal summaries was to explain to other Christians and to the larger society what Baptists believed and practiced. Within and among Baptist churches, statements of faith also provided a standard for instruction, counsel and fellowship. We, as the North American Baptist Conference, presently feel the need to state more fully our Baptist understanding of the Christian faith. The purpose that guided us in writing and the use that we intend for this declaration are
In continuity with our immediate forefathers and the larger fellowship of Baptists throughout history, we seek to practice and propagate by God's grace the following convictions: It is trustworthy, sufficient, without error; the supreme authority and guide for all doctrine and conduct I Peter 1:23-25; John 17:17; II Timothy 3:16-17. It is the truth by which God brings people into a saving relationship with Himself and leads them to Christian maturity John 20:31, I John 5:9-12; Matthew 4:4; I Peter 2:2. He exists eternally in three coequal persons who act together in creation, providence and redemption Genesis 1:26; I Peter 1:2; Hebrews 1:1-3.
The holy angels are obedient spirits ministering to the heirs of salvation and glorifying God Hebrews 1:6-7; 13-14. Certain angels, called demons, Satan being their chief, through deliberate choice revolted and fell from their exalted position Revelation 12:7-9. They now tempt individuals to rebel against God I Timothy 4:1; I Peter 5:8. Their destiny in hell has been sealed by Christ's victory over sin and death Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10. As a result, each person is unique, possesses dignity and is worthy of respect Psalm 139:13-17. Through the temptation of Satan, Adam chose to disobey God; this brought sin and death to the human race and suffering to all creation Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-21; 8-22. Therefore, everyone is born with a sinful nature and needs to be reconciled to God Romans 3:9-18, 23. Satan tempts people to rebel against God, even those who love Him Ephesians 4:27; II Corinthians 2:11; Matthew 16:23. Nonetheless, everyone is personally responsible to God for thoughts, actions and beliefs and has the right to approach Him directly through Jesus Christ, the only mediator Romans 14:12; I Timothy 2:5. It is offered as a free gift by God to all and must be received personally through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ I Timothy 2:4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 20:21. An individual is united to Christ by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27. As a child of God, the believer is acquitted of all guilt and brought into a new relationship of peace Romans 5:1. Christians grow as the Holy Spirit enables them to understand and obey the Word of God II Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:15; I Thessalonians 3:12. Christians are commanded to be baptized upon profession of faith and to unite with a local church for mutual encouragement and growth in discipleship through worship, nurture, service and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world Acts 2:41-42, 47; Luke 24:45-48. Each church is a self-governing body under the lordship of Christ with all members sharing responsibility Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-28. The form of government is understood to be congregational Matthew 18:17; Acts 6:3-6; 15:22-23.

To express unity in Christ, local churches form associations and a conference for mutual counsel, fellowship and a more effective fulfillment of Christ's commission Acts 15; I Corinthians 6:1-3. Church and state exist by the will of God. Each has distinctive concerns and responsibilities, free from control by the other Matthew 22:21. Christians should pray for civil leaders, and obey and support government in matters not contrary to Scripture I Timothy 2:1-4; Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-16. The state should guarantee religious liberty to all persons and groups regardless of their religious preferences, consistent with the common good. In a Christlike spirit, they oppose greed, selfishness and vice; they promote truth, justice and peace; they aid the needy and preserve the dignity of people of all races and conditions Hebrews 13:5; Luke 9:23; Titus 2:12; Philippians 4:8-9; I John 3:16-17; James 2:1-4. We affirm the family as the basic unit of society and seek to preserve its integrity and stability Genesis 2:21-25; Ephesians 6:1-4. The certain hope of the Christian is that Jesus Christ will return to the earth suddenly, personally and visibly in glory according to His promise Titus 2:13; Revelation 1:7; 3:11; John 14:1-3. The dead will be raised, and Christ will judge mankind in righteousness John 5:28-29. The unrighteous will be consigned to the everlasting punishment prepared for the devil and his angels Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 20:10. The righteous, in their resurrected and glorified bodies, will receive their reward and dwell forever with the Lord Philippians 3:20-21; II Corinthians 5:10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18.