Doctrinal Statement
The following are the doctrinal statements, which each member of Hillview Baptist Church shall believe and support:
THE BIBLE
We believe in the verbal, plenary, inspiration, and authority of the Scriptures. The Bible is God’s word written specifically for man as a guide to the path of life. It is truth without any mixture of error. We believe that the Bible reveals God, the fall of man, the way of salvation, and God’s plan and purpose for the ages. The Holy Bible was written by men who were supernaturally inspired. It is the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard and source of truth for Christian beliefs and living, by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried, (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
1. By the Holy Bible, we mean that collection of sixty six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but is the Word of God.
2. By inspiration, we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been r ever will be inspired, (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21).
GOD
We believe there is only one true, living sovereign, holy, and eternally existent God. God is infinitely perfect and He exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-equal in every divine attribute and hold harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. The triune God is the creator and sustainer of all things, the source of all truth, and is worthy of worship, confidence, and obedience, (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 31; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ; His virgin birth, His perfect and sinless life; His death on the cross for the substitution for sinners; His resurrection; His ascension into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father advocating for the believer. Furthermore, we believe He will personally and visibly return to the earth to establish His eternal kingdom, (John 1:1-3, 14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 1:11).
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the person and deity of the Holy Spirit possessing all the divine attributes as is evident in Father and the Son. We believe the Holy Spirit’s present ministry with man is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by, convicting the world of sin, revealing truth, regenerating the believing sinner, reconciling his relationship with God, and immersing him into the Church (which is the Body of Christ). We believe He indwells guides, instructs, and empowers believers for godly living and service, (John 14:16-19; 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:9, 11; Titus 3:5).
MAN
We believe God created man in His image. But man sinned, incurring not only physical death, but also spiritual death (separation from God, which all people inherit from Adam). We believe man is subject to Satan’s power; and that man, within himself, has no means of recovery or salvation, (Genesis 1:17, 31).
SIN
We believe Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience. This act resulted in the fall of all mankind. Therefore, all people have sinned and lost their ability to live for the glory of God. Mankind's fall has incurred both physical and spiritual death on all until there is forgiveness and salvation by the grace of God, (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12-21; 6:23).
SALVATION
We believe salvation is God’s free gift. Salvation is neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any human virtue, work, ceremony, or effort. We receive God’s gift only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, all true believers have—as a present possession—eternal life, perfect righteousness, and adoption into God’s family. Christians also enjoy every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and have the divine guarantee that they shall never perish. God has delivered Christians from all condemnation, and we have eternal security in Christ, (Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
THE CHURCH
We believe the true Church is composed of all who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, through saving faith in Jesus Christ. We also believe that those who are thus members of the true Church are eligible for membership in the local Church, (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Hebrews 10:25).
THE BLESSED HOPE
We believe in the personal, imminent and pre-millennial coming of our Lord. First, He will come to receive His own to Himself; later, He will set up His earthly kingdom and reign over redeemed Israel. At that time Christ will also reign over all nations, bringing peace and blessing to the world. We believe this blessed hope has a vital bearing on our personal lives and service, (Titus 2:13).
THE CHRISTIAN'S WALK
We believe God calls us—with a holy calling—to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. God wants us to live in the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, so we will not fulfill the lusts of our physical bodies. We believe the fallen, Adamic nature of the flesh cannot be eradicated in this life. Therefore, keeping ourselves constantly in subjection to Christ, we must allow God’s Holy Spirit to live through us in a daily “walk” of faith. Otherwise, the flesh will certainly demonstrate its presence in our lives, to the Lord’s dishonor. It is the responsibility and privilege of every Christian to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek and to make growing disciples, (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
THE ETERNAL STATE
We believe the souls of those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation immediately pass into His presence at death. There they remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of our bodies at Christ's coming for His Church. Then, with our souls reunited with our glorified bodies, we will live with Him forever in glory. We believe God will punish unbelievers with everlasting separation from His presence, His glory, and His power in eternal Hell, (John 3:16; 2:25; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15).
SATAN
We believe Satan is a person, a fallen angel, the author of the fall of man, and the god of this age. However, we also believe that he is the Christian’s defeated enemy. His destiny is eternal punishment in Hell. (Job 1:6-12; Mark 8:32)
THE CHRISTIAN HOME
In addition to these important beliefs, we also believe God has given the parents the responsibility to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6) We believe a consistent and complete education will occur when home, Church, and school work closely together and are in agreement on the basic concepts of life.
BAPTISM AND LORD'S SUPPER
Jesus instructed His followers to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the Church two visible symbols (called "ordinances") as reminders. These two ordinances are baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism by immersion is a one-time act of obedience and identification with Jesus as Lord. It serves as an outward sign of conscious confession of repentance and faith. The Lord's Supper is an ongoing symbol remembering our Lord's death, burial, resurrection, and promised return. We do not regard anyone’s participation in these practices as a means of salvation, (Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 26: 26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32).
