Statement of faith

The official statement of faith for SGBC is the Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, with minor modifications. As this document contains some 70 pages we provide a condensed summary of our beliefs in the following paragraphs. The larger document, with an insert identifying the modifications, is available upon request.

The Bible - The Bible is God’s Word. Scripture is inspired by God (God breathed) not only in its general sense, but in every word. The Bible is God’s written revelation of Himself and His will to mankind. It is the highest authority in the church and the final judge of all church teaching. Every individual has the privilege and duty to study the Bible to know God and His will.

God - There is only one God. God is personal, eternal, holy, just, sovereign, and loving. God knows all things, is everywhere present, and is the source of all life. God is spirit and exists independently of the material universe. There are three coequal, coeternal yet distinct persons in the Godhead; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Material Universe - The material universe (all things, all life, mankind) was created by God in six literal days. The chief purpose of the universe is to bring glory to God. God rules over the entire created universe including mankind and He causes all things to work according to His will.

Man- Man, male and female, was created in the image of God. Thus man is distinct from all other living creatures. Man’s being consists of body and spirit. As originally created by God man was holy and upright and had dominion over all other creatures. Man is under God’s authority and is accountable to God for his actions, thoughts, and motives.

Sin - Man (Adam and Eve) fell from his originally created state of uprightness by willfully disobeying God. All disobedience of God is sin. Man’s original sin and his continuance in sin brings death upon every member of the human race. God holds man accountable to pay the debt of his sins. Man’s nature is corrupt so that he naturally desires to do what is contrary to God’s will. He is completely incapable of delivering himself, in whole or in part, from either his guilt or his corrupt nature. In this state man is under God’s wrath and curse and is liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.                                                                      [NEXT]