The story of God, the world, and you.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus makes of the big issues: God; the World; and You? Here's life according to Jesus in 3, 2, 1... Explore further at three-two-one.org

The following is a summary of the doctrinal beliefs of Concord Baptist Church. For an expanded statement, read our entire confession of faith, The Baptist Faith and Message (2000). Specifics about church practice, including membership and discipline, are found in our Bylaws.

THE SCRIPTURES.

The Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of himself. It is truth without any mixture of error, a testimony to the kingdom of God in Christ, has salvation for its end, is the basis of Christian union, and is the supreme standard by which all else is judged. Psalm 19:7-11; 119:11, 89, 105, 140; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 21:33; John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:15-17

GOD.

There is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This triune God, as the sovereign and holy creator of all things, is worthy of our highest love, reverence, and obedience. Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 28:18-20; Revelation 4:11

MAN.

Man is the special creation of God, both male and female, made in the image of God. Thus every person is to be treated with dignity, and the gift of gender is part of the goodness of God's creation. Despite being made in God’s image, man has rebelled against God and is now separated from him and under condemnation. Only the grace of God can restore man unto fellowship with God. Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; 5:18; Ephesians 2:1-3

SALVATION.

The triune God has acted in grace to save a people for himself. God the Father, in his great love, sent his Son into the world to make atonement for sin. God the Son, Jesus Christ, was born of a virgin, lived in sinless obedience, was crucified as a substitute for sinners, rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father as Lord of all. God the Holy Spirit regenerates sinners, giving them new life in which they freely turn from their sins and trust in Jesus as Lord.

The good news of salvation is to be preached to all people, as there is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Being united to Jesus through faith, believers are thus justified, adopted as God’s children, empowered for sanctification, and secured for glory. All true believers are preserved by God and persevere to the end.

In short, salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. Ezekiel 36:26; John 3:16; 14:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:4-10

THE CHURCH.

The church is a local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the gospel, governed by Christ through his word, observing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, exercising discipline, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The two offices of the church are pastors, also called elders and overseers, and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. The New Testament also speaks of the church in universal terms as the Body of Christ which includes all the redeemed of all ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation. Matthew 16:17-19; 18:15-20; 28:18-20; 1 Timothy 2:12–3:13; Revelation 5:9-10

THE SOCIAL ORDER.

Christians are to pray and to labor that the kingdom of heaven may come on earth, while awaiting the full consummation of the kingdom at the return of Jesus Christ. Recognizing that lasting change comes only through salvation, Christians should nevertheless oppose racism, every form of greed and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, and pornography. Christians should support God’s design for marriage as the covenant union of one man and one woman for life; provide for the orphan, the widow, and others in need; speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Genesis 1:27; Jeremiah 29:7; Micah 6:8; Matthew 6:9-10; James 1:27

LAST THINGS.

Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth, the dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all men. The unrighteous will be consigned to everlasting punishment and the righteous will dwell forever with God. In that day the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. Daniel 12:2; Acts 1:11; 17:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 11:15; 20:11-15