 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Contact Us |
ON THE SCRIPTURES: We believe that God breathed every word of the sixty-six books of the Bible (not just the thoughts, concepts or doctrines). The Holy Spirit inspired the words, caused men to write them inerrantly and then preserved those writings infallibly – faithful to and unbroken from the originals. The Word of God (KJV in English) is the center of our communion with Christ and our standard for conduct. Cf. Psalm 12:6-7; 19:7-11; 119:89,105,130,160; 138:2; Prov 30:5-6; Luke 16:31; 24:25-27,44-45; John 5:39; 10:35; 17:17; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Rom 3:4; 15:4; 1 Cor 14:7; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 1:19,23; 2 Pet 1:19-21; and Rev 22:19. Without preservation there is no need for inspiration. The Massoretic text is God’s preserved Word in Hebrew. The koine Greek Textus Receptus (Majority Text) is God’s preserved Word in Greek. We believe translation into any other language will only be accurate so long as these texts are exclusively used. In English the King James Bible is the only translation that faithfully follows the preserved text and is the official English language version of New Testament Baptist Church of Safford, AZ.
ON GOD AND THE TRINITY: We believe God is One God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe the three persons of the Godhead are equal in attributes and power, unified in plan and purpose, and work distinctly yet harmoniously. Cf. Gen 1:1-3; 17:1; Ex 15:11; 20:2-3; Ps 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jer 10:10; Matt 3:11; 28:19; Mark 1:8; 12:30; Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49; John 3:5-6; 4:24; 10:30; 14:16-17,23,26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11,13; 17:5; Acts 5:1-4,30-32; 11:16; Rom 1:7; 8:14,16,26-27; 11:33; 1 Cor 2:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 1:13-14; 2:18; 4:6; Phil 2:5-6; 2 Thess 2:7,13; 1 Tim 1:17; Heb 1:8; 9:14; 1 John 5:7; 1 Pet 1:2; and Rev 4:11. God the Father is God, John 10:30; 17:5; God the Son (Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel) is God, Phil 2:5-6; and God the Holy Spirit is God, Acts 5:3-4.
ON CREATION: We believe the Bible account of creation occurred in six 24-hour days as a direct act of God. We believe man was created in God’s image as a living soul - higher, separate and apart from all animal life. Gen 1-3; Ex 20:11; Neh 9:6; Job 26:7; Psa 33:6,9; Jer 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; 17:23-26; Rom 1:20; Col 1:16-17; Heb 11:3; and Rev 10:6.
ON THE FALL OF MAN: We believe man was created sinless and innocent. He was given the ability to choose and voluntarily sinned against God. We believe all mankind are sinners by nature and by choice and, therefore, under the same condemnation. Cf. Gen 3:1-6,24; Eze 18:19-20; Rom 1:18,20,28,32; 3:10-19; 5:19; Gal 3:22; and Eph 2:1,3.
ON THE BIRTH OF CHRIST: We believe Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a virgin named Mary and miraculously born into the world. Mary was not born sinless. As our Lord’s mother she was a sinner blessed among women not blessed above them (Luke 1:28, 42). Christ is both the Son of God and Son of Man. Cf. Gen 3:15; Ps 2:7; Isa 7:14; Matt 1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:30-35; John 1:14; 1 Cor 15:47; Gal 4:4; Heb 10:5; and 1 John 5:20.
ON THE DEATH OF CHRIST AND ATONEMENT: We believe Jesus took the sinner’s place, bore his sins, and met the penalty of a Holy God through His substitutionary death for all men. By the shedding of His blood He satisfied the Law. By grace and through faith His righteousness is imputed to everyone who believes. Cf. Isa 53:4-7,11-12; Matt 18:11; 26:28; John 3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; 20:28; Rom 3:24-25; 1 Cor 15:3,20; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 1:4; Eph 2:8; Phil 2:7-8; Heb 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15,28; 12:2; 1 Pet 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:2; and 4:10.
ON THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST: We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He rose from the tomb on the third day “according to the Scriptures,” and that He ascended bodily into Heaven. It is through His resurrection we have a sure hope of everlasting life. Cf. Matt 28:6-7; Mark 16:6,19; Luke 24:1-7,39,51; John 20:27; Acts 1:9,11; Rom 4:25; 1 Cor 15:4,12-28; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 2:17; 5:9-10; 8:1,6; 12:2; 1 John 2:1; and Rev 3:21.
ON SALVATION: We believe salvation is by grace through faith. The sacrifice made by Christ is the only basis of salvation, the only means of reconciliation, and the only ground of justification. It is free to all who repent of their sin and receive it by faith. Faith precedes works. Good works are, however, a natural result and evidence of Holy Spirit regeneration in a life. Cf. John 20:31; 24:46; Acts 4:12; Rom 10:9; Eph 2:8-10; 1 Thess 5:9; Titus 3:5-8; and Heb 5:9.
ON ETERNAL SECURITY: We believe in the eternal security of all believers in Christ. When a person is born again, they are given everlasting life. Everlasting life doesn’t end and can’t be taken or given away. The Father planned it, the Son secured it, and the Holy Spirit sealed it. Cf. John 5:24; 10:27-30; Rom 8:35-39; Eph 4:30; and 1 Pet 1:5.
ON THE RAPTURE AND SECOND COMING: We believe the Bible teaches the imminent return of Christ in the air to catch away believers. They will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ and eat at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. We also believe Christ will return to earth bodily and visibly. This second coming will be premillennial and He will establish His Kingdom for a thousand years. All who are judged at the Great White Throne Judgment will be cast into the Lake of Fire to be forever separated from God. Believers will spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord. Cf. Ps 72:8; Isa 11:4-5; Matt 24:27,42; 25:31-34; Luke 1:32; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 15:25,42-44,51-53; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:16-18; Heb 9:28; and Rev 19:11 - 20:15.
ON HEAVEN AND HELL: We believe Heaven and Hell are real, literal, physical, and eternal places. Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of the saved, its light emanating from the presence of God Himself. Hell is a place of indescribable torment and punishment separated from God. Cf. Isa 33:14; Dan 7:10; Matt 6:20; 13:42; Mark 9:41; Luke 10:20; John 14:2; and Rev 14:10.
ON SANCTIFICATION: We believe sanctification is a personal separation from the world and things that are unclean to things that are holy, clean, and sacred. It is a progressive work started at salvation and carried on by the Holy Spirit. We believe that a person who is saved will desire to be like Christ and not find rest or peace in worldly and sinful practices. Our sanctification will be complete when we see Him. Cf. Rom 8:5; 12:1-2; 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 3:18; 5:17; 6:14-18; Col 2:6; 1 Thess 4:1-10; 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 2:19; 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Pet 3:18 and 1 John 2:15-17.
ON SEPARATION: We believe that the church should separate itself from worldly and ecumenical philosophies and organizations such as the National Association of Evangelicals, National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, etc. We also believe that local church discipline may, as a last resort, require separation from an erring brother in order to win him back. Cf. Amos 3:3; Matt 18:15-17; Luke 17:3; John 17:15-16; 1 Cor 5:11-13; 2 Cor 6:15-18; Gal 6:1; Eph 5:1-7; 1 Tim 5:20; Heb 11:23-26; and Rev 18:4-5.
ON SOUL-WINNING AND MISSIONS: We believe that the Lord gave to the church, and therefore to all members in particular, what is commonly referred to as the Great Commission. This responsibility for evangelization begins at home and extends to the uttermost parts of the earth. We believe a New Testament church will both pray for and financially support missionaries both at home and abroad. Cf. Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; and Rom 10:13-15.
ON THE LOCAL CHURCH: We believe that a New Testament church is a local body of believers scripturally baptized for the common goal of fulfilling the Great Commission. The true local church is autonomous and declares Christ as its Head, the Holy Spirit as its Comforter and Guide, and the Bible as its only source of faith and rule of practice. The church has two offices: Pastor and Deacon; and two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Cf. Lev 27:32; Mal 3:10; Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17-28; 1 Cor 5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4,8-11; 16:1-2; 2 Cor 8:23-24; Eph 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1; 1 Pet 5:1-4; and Jude 3-4.
ON CHURCH ORDINANCES: We believe there are two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Scriptural baptism must occur under the authority of a local, New Testament church and must be by immersion in water. The testimony of baptism is completed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Baptism is a prerequisite to church membership and the Lord’s Supper. We further believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial for saved church members who have examined themselves and confessed all known sin. Unleavened bread represents the incarnate, broken body of Christ and unleavened (non-alcoholic) fruit of the vine (grape juice) represents the sinless, shed blood of our Lord. Together they commemorate the obedience of Christ to the Father unto death, “even the death of the cross.” Cf. Matt 3:6,16; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-10; John 3:23; Acts 2:42; 8:36-39; Rom 3:6; 6:3-5; 1 Cor 11:2,17-34; and Gal 2:12.
ON PRAYER AND FASTING: We believe prayer is both a command from God and privilege. It is His way for us to receive things, experience fullness of joy, and obtain relief from trouble, anxiety and care. Answered prayer is an unanswerable argument against unbelief and skepticism. It is the only way to have Holy Spirit power and it is the only way to be saved. Fellowship with God requires constant prayer and daily Bible reading. Honest, regular communication with our Saviour will naturally bring us closer to Him. We further believe that fasting pleases God. In many churches it has been long-forgotten, even though Christ Himself said, “When the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” There are a host of Bible precedents for fasting: humility, purification, skill and wisdom, providential intervention, direction, power, postponement of judgment, etc. Cf. Ps 35:13; 55:22; Dan 1:8,17; 6:18; Jonah 3:5,9; Matt 26:41; Luke 5:33-35; Luke 11:13; 18:1; John 16:24; Acts 10:30-3; 13:3-4; 14:23; Rom 10:13; Phil 4:6-7; 1 Thess 5:17; 1 Tim 2:1; Heb 11:6; James 4:2; and 1 Pet 5:7.
ON THE FAMILY: We believe the family is God’s first line of defense against Satan and his attacks. God established the institution of marriage before any other and charged fathers and mothers with the care of His children as “an heritage of the Lord.” We’re responsible to point our children to Christ daily - and throughout the day. Cf. Gen 1:28; 9:1; Dt 6:6-9; Ps 103:13; 127:3-5; 128:3-4; Prov 13:24; 17:6; 19:18; 20:30; 23:13-14; 2 Cor 6:14-18; Eph 6:4; 1 Tim 2:9-15; 2 Tim 1:3,5; and 1 Pet 3:1-7.
ON CIVIL GOVERNMENT: We believe that government is by divine appointment and for our own good in society. Rulers and leaders in all capacities are to be prayed for, honored, and, except in those things opposed to God’s will, obeyed. Cf. Ex 18:21-22; 2 Sam 23:3; Psa 72:11; Dan 3:17-18; Matt 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; 23:5; Rom 13:7; Phil 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; and 1 Pet 2:13-14,17.
ON THE DEVIL OR SATAN: We believe Satan is real, the god of this world, and working to blind “the minds of them which believe not.” He was once holy but fell through pride and ambition in his desire to be “like” the Most High. In his fall he brought with him a host of heavenly angels. He is behind all that is against God and His Word. He is already defeated and awaiting eternal judgment in Hell. Cf. Isa 14:12-15; Eze 28:14-17; Matt 4:1-3; 13:25,39; 25:41; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; 2 Cor 4:3-4; 11:13-15; Eph 2:2; 1 Thess 3:5; 2 Thess 2:8-11; 1 Pet 5:8; 2 Pet 2:4; 1 John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; 2 John 1:7; Jude 6; Rev 12:7-10; 13:13-14; 19:11,16,20; 20:1-3, and verse 10.