12. Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that civil authorities are to be prayed for, honoured and obeyed, except only in the things opposed to the Word of God; and that the church and state should be separate, the state owing the church protection and full freedom.
Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; Daniel 3:12,18; I Timothy 2:1-2
13. Separation from All Forms of Apostasy and False Gospels
We believe that modernism, liberalism, “social gospel,” and any other gospel other than the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, are not of God, but are of antichrist; and that we as believers should have no fellowship with such unfruitful works of darkness, and that we are called upon to separate from all alliances, churches, groups, organizations and individuals that sanction such doctrines.
II Corinthians 6:14-18; II Peter 2:1-2; I John 2:22; Jude 1:4; II Thessalonians 3:6; II John 1:7-11; Ephesians 5:11; I Timothy 6:3-6; Revelation 18:4-5; Acts 19:8-10; Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 1:8-10; Philippians 3:17–19; Matthew 7:15–20
14. Separation from Worldliness
We believe that all believers should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Saviour and that separation from worldly pleasures and practices is commanded of God.
Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; II Corinthians 6:14–7:1; I John 2:15–17
15. Marriage and Sexuality
A. Based on the teachings of the Scriptures, marriage is an institution ordained by God from the creation of the world and intended as a lifelong union of one man and one woman.
B. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the lawful joining of one man and one woman for life; that marriage is to continue until death and that divorce is not the plan of God.
C. We believe that for the protection of society and the family, God commands that sexual relations are only lawful between a husband and wife in the bonds of marriage.
D. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.
Genesis 2:23-24; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 7:1-3; Hebrews 13:4; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 6:9
E. The Scripture condemns all forms of sexual immorality.
Based on the authority of the Scriptures, Central Arctic Baptist Church has always practiced, and continues to practice, a view of marriage in keeping with these beliefs. Therefore, in order to maintain a consistent Christian witness, the church cannot sanction, approve or promote in any way sexual activities outside of the above definition of marriage, including but not limited to adultery, fornication, pornography, pedophilia, polygamy, bestiality or homosexual unions. Further, because a person’s gender is established at conception, the church cannot sanction the marriage of any person classified as being of another gender than the one he or she had at birth. Though striving to live peaceably with all people and to obey legitimate government authority, we must ultimately obey God rather than man if the two come into conflict. Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-29
F. In keeping with our beliefs regarding marriage and sexuality as expressed in this statement of faith and in keeping with our purpose as expressed in Article II, we have the following practical policies:
1) The facilities of this church may not be used for any ceremony that in any way approves of, solemnizes, supports or allows any union which is inconsistent with these beliefs.
2) No pastor or member of the church shall officiate, or allow others to officiate, at any ceremony designed to approve of, solemnize, support or allow any union which is inconsistent with these beliefs. Nor may any member of the church enter into such a union without being subject to church discipline.
3) All people are welcome to attend our regular worship services. However, those who attend may not display behavior that is indicative of the sinful behaviors listed in (15)(E) of this section in church services, at church functions, and on the church grounds.
G. Realizing many individuals have violated God’s standard, we desire to reach out and help them find deliverance and freedom from sin through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
16. Divorce and Remarriage.
We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last for life. Although divorced and remarried persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon or other leadership positions within the church.
Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 7:1-3; I Timothy 3:2,12; Titus 1:6
17. Gender Distinctions
We believe that God views men and women equal in importance, but distinct in roles; that the spiritual leadership and offices of pastor and deacon are limited to qualified men.
Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18-21; I Timothy 2:12; 3:2,12
18. Sanctity of Life
We believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all human life; therefore, all mankind has purpose. We believe that God has made us in His image; therefore, all mankind has inherent value. We believe that God is the Sovereign Lord of life; therefore, all mankind has the inherent right of life from conception to natural death. We believe that abortion, murder, suicide, and euthanasia are sinful.
Genesis 1:26; 9:6; Exodus 20:13; Job 1:21; Psalm 139:13-18; Jeremiah 1:5; Acts 17:24-28
19. Soulwinning
We believe that the command to proclaim the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable; and that this commission is the responsibility of all believers in Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15
20. The Righteous and Wicked
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the righteous (saved) resulting in their everlasting blessedness with Christ, and in the bodily resurrection of the wicked (unsaved) resulting in their everlasting, conscious punishment in the Lake of Fire.
I Corinthians 15:12-54; John 5:25-26; John 14:2-3; Revelation 20:5-6, 10-15; Luke 16:24
21. Things To Come
We believe in the personal, imminent, pre-tribulational, and pre-millenial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones (the Rapture); immediately followed by the tribulation, with a subsequent return to the earth, after the tribulation, with His saints, to establish His millennial kingdom. Afterwards will be the establishment of the new heavens and new earth throughout the ages of eternity.
Acts 1:6,7,11; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Matthew 24:15-31; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:1-3; Revelation 21:1-4; I Thessalonians 1:10
1.The Scriptures
We believe that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God; that the very words were spoken by God to holy men of old; that divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the Scriptures in the original manuscripts. They are complete and final revelation of the Word of God to man, and therefore are our only rule for faith and practice. We accept the King James Version as the preserved Word of God in the English language.
II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Mark 12:36; Matthew 5:18; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 119:89; Revelation 22:18,19; Psalm 12:6,7; Isaiah 40:8
2. The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God; an infinite, intelligent, perfect Spirit and personal being; the creator, preserver and supreme ruler of the universe; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and all other perfections, and worthy of all possible honour, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
John 4:24; Genesis 1:1; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Exodus 15:11; Mark 12:29,30; Ephesians 2:18
3. The Person of Christ
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; that He is very God by Whom and for Whom all things were created; that He was virgin born; that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and is God manifest in the flesh; that He lived a perfect, sinless life and gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men; and that He rose bodily from the grave.
John 1:1-3, 14; Matthew 1:18-25; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 9:14,26,28; John 1:29; I Corinthians 15:4-8
4. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person and not just an influence, equal with God the Father and God the Son; that He was active in creation; that He convicts of sin, judgment, and righteousness; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer; and that He calls individuals into Christian service and empowers and directs them in that service. We reject the modern Charismatic Movement with its unscriptural emphasis on speaking on tongues and other sign gifts.
John 14:16,17; John 16:7-14; Genesis 1:2; Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:49; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:14-16,26; II Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 13:2-4; I Corinthians 12:13
5. Satan
We believe that Satan was once a holy angel, and enjoyed heavenly honours, but through wicked pride fell and drew after him a host of other angels; that he is the enemy of God and every Christian; that he is the author of all false religions and present day apostasy; that he shall be punished for ever and ever with his fallen angels in the Lake of Fire.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:13-17; I Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11; Revelation 12:9; Matthew 4:1-3; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Revelation 20:10
6. Creation
We believe that the Genesis account of creation is literal, and is the accurate historical record; that man, the universe, and all that is in it were created by God and not some process of evolution; that the six days of creation were literal twenty-four hour days.
Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:7,11,14,20,24,26,27; Exodus 20:11; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3
7. Man
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners not by constraint, but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defence of excuse.
Genesis 1:27,31; Genesis 3:6-24; Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 1:20; Romans 5:12,19,20
8. Salvation
We believe that God in His love and mercy has provided eternal salvation through the perfect redemptive and substitutionary atonement of our Lord Jesus Who bore all the sins of the whole world in His own body. The conditions of salvation are grace through faith, apart from any human works or effort, plus or minus nothing; that it is freely given to all who will receive it; and that man cannot obtain salvation apart from the convicting and renewing work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
Romans 5:8; I Peter 2:24; I John 2:2; Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 6:37,44; John 3:5; Romans 10:17
9. Blessings of Salvation
We believe that all who are in Christ are justified, forgiven, imputed with Christ's righteousness, regenerated, given eternal life, adopted into the family of God, redeemed, given spiritual gift(s), sanctified, sealed, and eternally secure in Him. Therefore, all true believers will endure to the end.
Romans 5:1,9; Hebrews 10:17; I John 1:9; Romans 4:5-7; Titus 3:5; John 3:3-5; John 10:28; Ephesians 1:5,13; Colossians 1:14; I Corinthians 12:4-11; Hebrews 10:10; John 5:24; I John 5:4
10. The Local Church
We believe that the local New Testament church is a visible assembly of baptized believers, associated by common faith and fellowship in the Gospel; observing the ordinances of baptism by immersion and the Lord's supper governed by His Word, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles found in the Great Commission; that each local church has the absolute right of self-government with Christ as the Head, free from the interference of any hierarchy of any individuals, churches, or organizations.
Matthew 18:17; Acts 2:41-47; I Corinthians 11:2; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 5:23-24; I Peter 5:1-4; Acts 6:3-5; Acts 15:22
11. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost; that it is commanded by our Lord and shall be practiced by the church; that it pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and also the believer's death to sin and his resurrection to a new life. We believe that the communion of the Lord's supper is a privilege and responsibility intended only to be observed within the setting of the local church membership; that the sacred use of the bread and fruit of the vine are symbolic only, commemorating together the death of Christ, and is to be preceded by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; Acts 10:48; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41,42; I Corinthians 11:23-31
“…the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” - I Timothy 3:15
