Our Beliefs

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We wish you a warm welcome to Shadow Ridge Baptist Church. We are committed to building right relationships with God and others. Whether you be single or married, young or old, you will find this church as a place where God delights to shower you with His love and grace.

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Our Beliefs & Values

The following is a summary of our Statement of Faith, and does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that this statement accurately represents the teaching of the Bible.

The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God.

The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed (in all areas including creation, science, geography, chronology, history, and in all other matters in which it speaks), and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:10, 26).

The Person and Work of the Father

We believe that the Father is God (John 6:27; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Peter 1:2). We believe that the Father is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7). The Father acknowledged Christ to be His Son (Matthew 17:5; Luke 9:35), and the Son acknowledged the Father (Matthew 11:27; 26:63-64; Luke 22:29; John 8:16-29, 33-44; 17:1).

God is the Father of only those who believe on Christ (John 1:12; Galations 3:26; Ephesians 2:19; 3:15; 5:1; cf. also John 20:17; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:3; 2:18; 4:6; Colossians 1:12-13, 19; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 1:3; 2:1, 22; 3:1).

The Father is the author of the decree (Psalm 2:7-9), and election (Ephesians 1:3-6). He is the begetter and sender of Christ (John 3:16). He is the disciplinarian of His children (Hebrews 12:9).

The Person and Work of Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2; 14; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through his death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:24; 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2).

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14).

We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27).

We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians. 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12).

We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, apostles, prophets (proclaiming new revelation), and the gift of healing, were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing (I Corinthians 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22).

Creation

We believe in the Biblical account of the creation of the universe in six literal, solar days (24-hour periods); that God created by His Word the heavens, the earth, and all their hosts, without preexisting materials; that man was created by a direct act of God; that all humans were present in Adam when he was created; that new individuals (in all their parts) come into existence today, not by a continuing creation, but through the laws of propagation established by God; that each individual is a living person from the moment of conception; that all forms of evolutionary hypotheses are serious errors which strike at the very person and glory of God. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin (Genesis 1:1-31; 2:7; 5:3; Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 11:13; Psalm 139:13-16; Luke 1:41, 44; John 1:3; Romans 5:12-24; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 11:3).

The Condition of Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became spiritually dead and alienated from God; and thereby justly condemned to eternal damnation without defense or excuse, and that man, of himself, is totally incapable of remedying his lost and depraved condition (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19).

Sin

We believe that sin is the transgression of the Law of God; we believe in the universality of sin; that is separates man from God; that there is no remission of sin apart from the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and man’s repentance (Luke 24:46-47; Romans 3:10-26; 6:23; 7:23-24; 1 John 3:4).

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

We believe that salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

We believe that any other requirements added to this faith result in a works salvation. An example of a false addition is the belief that one must be baptized to be saved. Baptism is only a step of obedience and identification to God after salvation (Matthew 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; John 4:1-2; Matthew 28:19; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21). Repentance is not a prerequisite for salvation, but is a genuine change of mind about Jesus Christ occurring at the time of believing in Christ (Acts 2:38; 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9).

Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is an instantaneous act at the moment of regeneration and is a progressive work of the Holy Spirit to conform the believer to the image of Christ; thus a believer through this process is set apart for God’s use. At salvation, a believer is positionally sanctified. Progressive sanctification is the process by which a believer becomes more and more in practice set apart to God. Ultimate sanctification takes place when Christ returns. A state when the believer is totally and completely set apart to God (1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Thessalonian 5:23).

Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:4-5).

We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15).

We believe that eternal security is a Scriptural doctrine that is true regardless of one’s belief, and that assurance is one’s confidence in a present salvation.

The Church

We believe that the church started at Pentecost (Acts 2); that the apostles and the prophets are the foundation, and Christ is the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22) and the sole foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). Each Christian is a lively stone in the spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4-8); that the church, by its nature as the body of Christ, was dependent upon the finished work of Christ (Acts 20:28) and the coming of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons (I Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27).

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

We recognize water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

We believe in the sole authority of the Scriptures for faith and practice for the church body (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

We believe in the two offices, pastor (elder, bishop) and deacon for the church (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1).

We believe in the individual priesthood of the believer; giving the believer direct access into God’s presence without the need of a priest; that the believer has the right and responsibility to personally study and interpret the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit (John 14:6; Hebrews 4:16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 2:1, 5, 9).

Separation

We believe in personal and ecclesiastical separation; that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God; that believers should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers in marriage, business, and to ecclesiastical and intimate personal relationships (Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).

The Christian Life

We believe that the Christian should avoid a legalistic lifestyle; thus a believer whose attitude is to conform to a standard by the power of the flesh for the purpose of self-gain. We believe that the believer’s desire should be to obey by the power of the Spirit for the purpose of glorifying God. We believe that a Christian should desire to live a life of righteousness, good works, and separation unto God from the evil ways of the world (Romans 12:1, 2), manifested by speaking the truth (James 5:12), maintaining the sanctity of the home (Ephesians 5:22 – 6:4), settling differences between Christians in accordance with the Word of God (1 Corinthians 6:1-8), not engaging in carnal strife but showing a Christ-like attitude toward all men (Romans 12:17-21), exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23), and maintaining a life of prayer (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6).

The Second Advent of Christ

We believe in that “blessed hope,” the personal, imminent return of Christ Who will rapture His Church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom (Psalm 89:3-4; Deuteronomy 2:31-45; Zephaniah 14:4-11; 1 Thessalonian 1:10; 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6).

The Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13).

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thessalonian 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6). We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonian 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15).

Satan and the Fallen Angels

We believe that God created an innumerable company of spiritual beings, known as angels; that one, Lucifer, the highest in rank, sinned through pride, and thereby became Satan; that a great company of the angels followed him in his moral fall; that some became demons and are active as his agents and associates in the prosecution of his unholy purposes; and that others who fell are “reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Revelation 12:1-10; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). We believe that Satan is the author of sin and, under the permission of God, was the deceiver of Eve in the Fall; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 4:2-11; John 12:31; Revelation 20:10). In his warfare, he appears as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), counterfeiting the works of God by fostering religious movements and systems of doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1-3), and that these doctrines in every case are characterized by a denial of the efficacy of the atoning sacrificing of Christ and of salvation by grace alone.

Civil Government

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: home, church, and state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14).

We believe that civil government is ordained of God for the welfare of human society to promote and protect the good and to restrain and punish evil. Therefore, we consider it the duty of Christians to pray for rulers and for those that are in authority over them and to give due loyalty, respect, and obedience to them. However, where the demands of civil law would militate against the supreme law and will of God, Christians should obey God rather than man (Deuteronomy 4:17; Matthew 22:17-21; Acts 4:19, 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Acts 23:5; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13,14).

Human Sexuality

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex (Genesis 2:24; 19:5, 13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5: 1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonian 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).

We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23).

We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home. Men are to be the leaders of the church. Only men are eligible for ordination by the church (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12).

Missions

We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Music

We believe that a music’s message should be scriptural (Colossians 3:16). The purpose of church music is to glorify God (Psalm 147:1; 150; 2 Corinthians 10:31). Music should glorify God and minimize self (John 3:30; Romans 8:4; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 8:1; Galatians 5:24; Philippians 2:3). The following are the scriptural guidelines for God-honoring music:

Since music worships God, music in the church should be offered to God only by a Spirit-controlled believer (John 4:24; Romans 8:8; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:23; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 14:1-5; 15:3, 4).

The text and arrangement should honor God by encouraging godly thinking (Philippians 4:8), affecting a balanced expression of the emotions with spiritual understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15), and resulting in the body being viewed as a holy temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

The words should portray the reverential awe of worship (Isaiah 6:1-6).

The character of music should be appropriate, orderly, and precise. The technique and structure of music should be constructed with finesse (1 Corinthians 14:40; 1 Timothy 3:16).

The presentation of the music should evidence a holy and consecrated character (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15); promote a lifestyle of godliness, modesty, and holy quietness, and not modish fashion, suggestive acts, or sexual aggressiveness (1 Peter 1:16; Titus 2:11-12); and edify believers, especially the new or weak believer (Romans 14:13, 21; 15:2).

While the overall purpose of music is to glorify God, godly music will result in believers being instructed in doctrine (Colossians 3:16; 1 Titus 3:16), and unbelievers being convicted by God’s truth (Psalm 40:3)