GOD
We believe that there is only one true, living,
and eternal God and that the Godhead is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit.
Commentary by Dr. Douglas Low,
Professor of New Testament,
Chapman Seminary and OCU
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the
Old and New Testaments; the inspired and infallible Word of God and therein
is found the only reliable guide of Christian faith and conduct.
Commentary by Dr. Douglas Low,
Professor of New Testament,
Chapman Seminary and OCU
MAN
We believe that God created man in His own image
to bring Him honor through obedience, and that when man disobeyed, he became
a fallen and sinful creature, unable to save himself. We believe that
infants are in the covenant of God's grace and that all persons become
accountable to God when they reach a state of moral responsibility.
Commentary by Dr. Douglas Low,
Professor of New Testament,
Chapman Seminary and OCU
SALVATION
We believe that salvation (regeneration,
sanctification, justification, and redemption) has been provided for all
mankind through the redemptive work (life, death, resurrection, ascension,
and intercession) of Jesus Christ, and that this salvation can be received
only through repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ.
1. Commentary by Dr. Douglas Low,
Professor of New Testament,
Chapman Seminary and OCU
2. Commentary by Dr. Douglas Low,
Professor of New Testament,
Chapman Seminary and OCU
ASSURANCE AND ENDURANCE
We believe that those who
abide in Christ have the assurance of salvation. However, we believe that
the Christian retains his freedom of choice; therefore, it is possible for
him to turn away from God and be finally lost.
Commentary by Dr. Douglas Low,
Professor of New Testament,
Chapman Seminary and OCU
CHRISTIAN DUTIES
We believe that Christians should
live faithfully by serving in and through the local church, praying
diligently, witnessing earnestly, practicing tolerance, showing loving
kindness, giving as God prospers, and conducting themselves in such a way as
to bring glory to God.
Commentary by Dr. Douglas Low,
Professor of New Testament,
Chapman Seminary and OCU
THE CHURCH
We believe that the Church Universal is
the Body of Christ, the fellowship of all believers, and that its members
have been called out from the world to come under the dominion and authority
of Christ, its Head. We believe that a local church is a fellowship of
Christians, a part of the Body of Christ, voluntarily banded together for
worship, nurture, and service.
ORDINANCES
We believe that baptism and the Lord's
Supper are ordinances instituted by Christ to be observed by Christians
only. We also believe that the biblical mode of baptism is immersion and
that participation in the Lord's Supper should be open to all Christians.
(Note: Several associations and local churches recognize feetwashing as an
ordinance. We believe that this should be left to the individual, and that
neither the practice nor the non-practice of it should be any bar to
fellowship, either in the church, the local association, the Presbytery, or
the General Association.)
THE LORD'S DAY
We believe in the sanctity of the
Lord's Day, the first day of the week, and that this day ought to be
observed by worshiping God, witnessing for Christ, and ministering to the
needs of humanity. We believe that secular work on Sunday should be limited
to cases of necessity or mercy.
LAST THINGS
We believe in the personal return of
Jesus Christ, and in the bodily resurrection of the dead. We believe that
God will judge all mankind by Jesus Christ; that He will reward the
righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will banish the
unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell.
The movement of churches today called "General Baptists" began in America in 1823 when founder Benoni Stinson organized the Liberty Church (now Howell General Baptist Church) in southern Indiana. In 1870 the General Association of General Baptists was organized, bringing together General Baptist local associations of churches in cooperative efforts.