Statement of Faith

The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs; the Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe concerning truth, morality, proper conduct, and salvation. We do assert, however, that the following Statement accurately represents the teaching of the Bible; therefore, all members must abide by it. The elders shall review all curricula the church uses to ensure that the materials agree with our doctrinal statement. If the approved curricula should contain beliefs that differ from ours, teachers will seek to refute those views in their classes.

Out of recognition that the Lord has granted the oversight and leadership of His church to the elders, they are responsible for the final interpretive authority of our statement of faith and constitution and by-laws.

We teach that godly men wrote the words in the original manuscripts of all sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments while the Holy Spirit guided them in their thinking and guarded them from all error. Therefore, these Hebrew-Christian Scriptures constitute God’s inerrant, infallible truth; our current copies are virtually identical with the originals. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the Christian’s final authority and standard by which every believer should judge all human conduct, creeds, and opinions (Matthew 5:18). We teach that the Bible
constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
(Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

We believe in the existence of only one living and true God, the infinite-personal Spirit, and teach that He is the Maker and supreme Sustainer and Ruler of the heavens and the Earth. Inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love, He lives eternally in the perfect unity of three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Equal in every divine perfection, because They are of the same nature and essence, the Persons of the Trinity execute distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
(Matthew 28:18-19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11; 1 John 5:7)

We teach that Lucifer, once a holy, anointed cherub and greatly exalted in God’s presence as the highest of all creation, fell from that position through a rebellious act of ambitious pride against the LORD, drawing after him a host of angels (Isaiah 14:12-15). Now known as Satan, the adversary of God, he rules the Earth as the malignant “prince of the power of the air” and the unholy “god of this world.” At present, he “works” in unbelievers (Ephesians 2:2) as well as accuses those who trust in Jesus (Revelation 12:7-9); however, one day God will cast him and his demon followers into the lake of fire where they will suffer eternal punishment (Revelation 20:10).

We believe the Genesis account of creation, and accept it as literal history; we do not interpret it allegorically or figuratively. Human beings are God’s special creation, made in His own image and after His likeness. They have not experienced evolutionary development from lower to higher species over the course of millions of years. God established a physical law that all animal and vegetable life should bring forth only “after their kind.” We teach that the seven days of Genesis 1 (explained by the terms “evening and morning”) were literal 24-hour days. All three Persons of the Godhead participated in the creation of nature and humanity; all things came into existence through Jesus Christ, the Word (Genesis 1: 1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; John 1:1-3).

We teach that God created mankind innocent and with original righteousness (Genesis 1:26). However, by voluntary transgression against the LORD’s commandment, Adam ate from the forbidden fruit and joined Eve in disobedience; they both became sinners, falling from their original state (Genesis 3:1-24), and then passed down that sinful condition to their children. All human beings now enter the world with a sinful nature, but they freely choose to rebel against God in thought, word, and deed. Consequently, human beings stand condemned to death (eternal, spiritual separation from God) unless the Lord miraculously intervenes; they cannot regain their former relationship with Him by any effort of their own. In their natural state, they are “totally depraved”; that is, they have no spiritual ability to receive and appropriate gospel truth apart from the Holy Spirit’s regenerating grace.

As divine revelation, the gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died as our substitute, bearing our sin in His body on Calvary’s cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). He resurrected bodily from the tomb, having conquered sin and death. Through His servants, He now proclaims to sinners a message that grants them forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and spiritual salvation from Hell if they would only place their personal faith in Him and His finished work on the cross.

We teach that sinners obtain eternal salvation by grace alone through faith alone in the only Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). According to God’s predetermined plan, Christ freely took upon Himself sinless human nature, perfectly obeyed God’s law, and died on the cross, taking the place of sinners and completely atoning for their sins through His shed blood. His death completely removed sin from the account of believers. We should not understand His death as martyrdom; instead, we should see it as a voluntary, substitutionary death, the righteous One suffering for the sin of the unjust. Having risen from the grave and been enthroned in heaven, Jesus unites a perfect understanding of human weakness with divine righteousness, making Him qualified in every way to be a suitable, compassionate, all-sufficient Savior.

We teach that in order for a sinner to realize salvation from eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, he must come to know Christ spiritually and become a new creation in Him. Through the new birth, the Spirit instantly makes the spiritually dead sinner a partaker of the divine nature (John 3:3, 8; 2 Peter 1:4). Solely through His power, the Spirit graciously regenerates the sinner (that is, imparts the eternal life of God to him as a free gift), enabling the individual to believe the gospel. The genuine Christian will show his new life in Christ by turning from sin and trusting the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior.

We teach that election is that eternal act of God by which, in His sovereign pleasure and on account of no foreseen merit in any human being, He chose in Christ certain individual sinners to receive the special graces of regeneration and sanctification and so be made voluntary partakers of Christ’s salvation.

We teach God’s sovereign grace (1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 8:29-30). God offers a free salvation to everyone through the gospel; however, only individuals who receive this gift by obedient faith actually benefit from it. Nothing prevents their salvation but their own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel. Their continual refusal to submit to Christ will eventually lead to their eternal condemnation.

We teach that God justifies (“declares righteous”) those who trust in Jesus for salvation; the Holy Spirit then “credits” the righteousness of Christ to their “heavenly bank account,” so to speak (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Lord does not consider any “works of righteousness which we have done,” because these so-called “good works” all fall short of the perfection God requires for entrance into heaven (Titus 3:5).

We teach that the Lord demands from us both repentance (the changing of our minds about Christ and about our sinfulness) and faith (trust) in Jesus, yet we acknowledge that He must first produce these inseparable “graces” in us. The Holy Spirit first makes our “souls” alive (Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13), enabling us to turn away from sin and turn toward God in faith. He convinces us of our guilt and helplessness, and instructs us in the only way of salvation through Christ. Consequently, we repent of our sin, and at the same time, receive the Lord Jesus by faith, openly confessing Him not only as our all-sufficient Savior but also as the Master who commands our obedience.

We teach that true believers possess eternal life and new life from the moment of salvation, and that they can never lose it. The Father preserves truly born-again people so that He might present them as a gift to His Son. Saints persevere because God preserves them (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:29-30, 35-39).

We teach that all born-again people of this age (from Pentecost to the Rapture) are part of the universal Church. Furthermore, we maintain that a true local church is a body of born-again, immersed believers that the Spirit brings together to be built up in the faith through instruction in the Scriptures, the singing of “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19), and the observance of the two ordinances: baptism by immersion and the “Lord’s table.” We teach that all members of this assembly ought to be faithful witnesses to the watching, unsaved world.

We teach that the New Testament teaches that the local church has two offices: elder and deacon; the Apostle Paul defines the spiritual qualifications and duties of these men (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). As a local church, we are free to govern ourselves as led by the elder council; no hierarchy of officials or organizations has the right to interfere with how we manage our church life. We alone judge how we discipline our members and meet one another’s financial needs. Nevertheless, we should cooperate with other local churches of like faith as we seek to defend the faith and further the gospel’s influence in the community.

We must maintain a righteous attitude toward our financial support of church ministries. Paul’s epistles stress “grace giving”: cheerfully and sacrificially contributing to the needs of the saints according to how the Lord has prospered us (2 Corinthians 8-9). Under this present dispensation of the Church, we ought to consider the OT tithe as the starting point of our giving; however, the elders should not compel members to contribute funds they do not have (2 Corinthians 8:12). Nevertheless, we must keep in mind that everything we have belongs to God; therefore, we should use it all to bring Him glory.

We teach that neither immersion (Christian baptism) nor the Lord’s Table (communion) gives new life or forgives sins. Believers ought to submit to this command of Christ. A single immersion in water “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ—a union that took place at salvation when the Spirit baptized him into His body, identifying him with the Lord in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).

When we celebrate the Lord’s table (1 Corinthians 11:23-32), we commemorate Jesus’ blood atonement on our behalf. The “elements”—we use unleavened bread and grape juice—symbolize Jesus’ body and blood. We should always examine our spiritual lives before “taking communion.” Only immersed believing members (or visitors who belong to an assembly of “like faith and order”) should participate.

We teach that all believers should seek to live “spirit-controlled” lives, separating themselves from all worldliness and apostasy (falling away from the faith). A radical difference exists between the “righteous” and the “wicked”; only those whom God has declared righteous (justified) and set apart for Himself (sanctified) belong to God. We should exercise our Christian liberty, but regulate it with love for the sake of other believers (1 Corinthians 8-10). In our social relationships, we should live righteously and faithfully, keeping our tongues in check and being prepared to forgive offenses immediately. Our obedience toward God stands as a witness to the world of God’s holiness (1 Peter 1:13-16).

We teach that God appoints governing authorities for the interests and good order of human society. Christians should pray for their well-being and obey them in all matters, except when they act corruptly or enact laws opposed to Christ’s commandments (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2: 2-4; Daniel 1:8; 3:16-18; 6:10).

We teach that God has commanded that human beings should not engage in intimate sexual activity outside of a marriage between one man and one woman. Any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We teach that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance (Genesis 19:5, 13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).

We teach that the only Scriptural marriage is the union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-23). These two, distinct, complementary genders reflect God’s design for marriage (Genesis 1:27-28). We teach that marriage has only one meaning as it is expressed in Scripture, being between one man and one woman in a covenantal union together (Gen. 2:18-25).
For these reasons, we believe that to preserve the integrity and ministry of High Point Baptist Church, and to provide a model of Christian living to our members and community, all persons who are members of, or who are serving in our organization, whether as a volunteer, paid personnel, or in any other capacity, must agree to and abide by this Statement on marriage, gender, and sexuality (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).

It should also be noted however, that God also offers redemption and full restoration for those who confess and forsake these or any other sins, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). However, this does not mean that in some cases, there are not consequences for sinful behavior, even that which has been forgiven and repented of. Therefore, at the sole discretion of the elders, those who had participated in sexual deviancy may be restricted in the capacities in which they may serve. Finally, every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and/or harassing behavior or attitudes are not acceptable conduct for the believer, and such behavior shall be confronted as sinful, as it is not in accord with Scripture or the beliefs of High Point Baptist Church.

In order to reserve our facility for any wedding ceremony, refer to the HPBC Facility Use Policy.

We teach that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for them in the home and the church. The husband is the leader of the home, and men are the leaders (elders) of the church. Accordingly, the church can allow men only to seek licensure and ordination (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12).

We teach that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband must seek to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, and the wife must seek to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband, as the Church submits to the headship of Christ. Since children are “a heritage” of the Lord, parents are responsible to teach them spiritual and moral values as well as lead them through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scripturally-informed corporal correction (Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; 1 Peter 3:1-7).

We teach not only that God disapproves of and forbids divorce, but that He intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Jesus regarded divorce and remarriage as permissible only in the case of “sexual immorality” (cf. XVIII for sexually immoral conduct) or abandonment (Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:15; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6).

We teach that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. We reject all teachings purporting that abortions of pregnancies because of rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth control, population control, the mental health of the mother, stem cell research, or misuse of the exception to save the life of the mother are acceptable. The life of the mother should be of utmost concern. Therefore, in rare cases, doctors may have to perform a pre-term or even nonviable delivery of a baby to save the mother’s life in an emergency. Those who have experienced abortions can find forgiveness through placing their trust in Christ. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15; Luke 1:44).

We teach that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God; we must respect it from conception until natural death. Any act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes murder (i.e., assisted suicide). People may legitimately discontinue medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome, considering them over-zealous treatment (Exodus 23:7; Matthew 5:21; Acts 17:28).

We teach that Christians must not bring civil lawsuits against one another or against the Church to resolve personal disputes, because the Church has the resources necessary to resolve them. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for legitimate injuries from another believer’s insurance company as long as he does not maliciously pursue the claim (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32).

We teach that sickness and all other maladies are the effects of sin. The New Testament teaches that Christ “died for our sins” and that He “was made sin for us.” That is, He died as our sin Substitute, and the Father punished Him instead of us. However, God did not include temporal salvation and physical healing as benefits from Jesus’ atoning death in the same sense as He did eternal salvation and spiritual forgiveness. Scripture does not teach that Christ paid the penalty for the physical effects sin sometimes causes (sickness and pain). The Bible only indicates that Jesus paid the penalty for sin itself–our moral violation of God’s holy law. When the prophet Isaiah wrote that the Suffering Servant (Jesus) “bore our sicknesses and carried our pains” (Isaiah 53:4), he merely meant that the Lord would heal the infirm and ill as part of His public ministry. When God ushers in the eternal state, then He will remove all sin and sickness from His people.

During this present age, God is rescuing His people from spiritual death. He heals us physically if He so desires; Jesus’ death does not obligate Him to do so. For our part, we can ask the Lord to heal us; however, we should understand that He operates according to His purpose and will, not ours.

We teach that the Holy Spirit enabled some first-century members of Christ’s body, the Church, to speak in other known languages without studying them. He also gave them other spiritual abilities (prophecy, healings, miracles, etc) as means to authenticate the gospel before the apostles had finished writing the New Testament. When they completed the “canon,” the Church no longer needed these extraordinary miracle gifts to demonstrate the truth of the message; therefore, we teach that the Church no longer receives these gifts of the Spirit.

We teach dispensational, pre-millennial theology, and subscribe to the pre-tribulation “Rapture” of the Church.
We teach that at death those who have trusted the Lord Jesus as their Savior pass into His presence and remain with Him in conscious joy until they receive their resurrection body at the Rapture of the Church (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). At that time, Christ will judge their works and reward them according to the quality of their service.

At death, those who have not trusted the Lord will experience conscious torment until their resurrection and judgment at the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ on the Earth. At that time, Christ will judge them according to their works before His “Great White Throne.” Found guilty, they will experience eternal death (separation from God) in the lake of fire.

Israel and the Church constitute two separate programs of God. After the Rapture of the Church, the Lord will resume working with Israel. Unbelieving Israel will suffer intense persecution through the “time of Jacob’s trouble,” the “Great Tribulation” (Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:21-22). At the Revelation (Revelation 19), the Lord Jesus will save the elect in that nation, and they will enter Messiah’s kingdom on the Earth where He will reign for one thousand years.