What We Believe

WBC STATEMENT OF FAITH

Section 1. The Word Of God.

We believe that the Bible is the fully inspired Word of God, without error written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct (Mark 13:31; John 8:31-32; Acts 20:32; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

Section 2. The Trinity.

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:1, 26; Matt. 28:19; John 1:1, 3; 4:24; Rom. 1:19-20; Eph. 4:5, 6).

Section 3. God the Father.

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, judgment, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, that He justly executes His wrath upon those who reject Him (Matt. 23:9; Luke 10:21-22; John 3:16; 6:27; Rom. 1:7; 1 Tim. 1:1-2; 2:5-6).

Section 4. Jesus Christ.

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of God, He now is interceding for His people and one day soon will visibly return to earth (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; 20:28; 30:31; Acts 1:11; Rom 5:6-8; 6:9-10; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:4-5; 1 Peter 2:21-24; Heb. 7:25; 9:28; Matt. 20:28; Heb. 4:15).

Section 5. Holy Spirit.

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer in Christ, that He is received by grace, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide (John 3:5-6; 14:16-17; 15:26-27; 16:7-14; Rom. 8:9; Rom 15:16; 1 Cor. 3:16).

Section 6. Regeneration.

We believe that man was created by God in His own image; that he sinned and thereby incurred physical, spiritual, and eternal death, which is separation from God; that as a consequence, all human beings are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and receive by faith Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are born again by the Holy Spirit and become new creatures, delivered from condemnation, and receive eternal life (Gen.1:26; 2:17; 3:19; 5:2; Psalm 51:7; Pro.28:13; Eccl. 2:11; Jer. 17:9; John 1:12-13; 3:14; 5:24,30; 8:12; 10:26-28; Rom. 3:19-20; 5:19; 8:1; 9:22; 2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Thess. 1:9; 1 John 1:9; James 1:14; Rev. 20:10, 14-25; 21:1-8).

Section 7. The Church.

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world (Acts 1:8; 2:41-42; Eph. 2:19-22; 5:19-21; Heb. 10:23-25).

Section 8. Christian Conduct.

We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the well-being of their fellow man; that they should strive to be blameless before the world; a faithful steward of the time and possessions God has given them; and seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.

The Warroad Baptist Church believes that Christian marriage is a sacred institution ordained of God for the happiness of mankind and the propagation of the human race. It is a spiritual and physical union into which one man and one woman may enter for the glory of God and, according to the Scriptural ideal, is to be broken only by death.

While our present society calls into question the validity and definition of marriage, this church desires to hold on to the clear statements and definition given to family in the Scriptures.

The Warroad Baptist Church should exert a major effort to help their members uphold and preserve God’s plan for marriage and family by providing preparatory classes for young people before marriage and special study classes for adult couples after marriage.

The Warroad Baptist Church desires to be a loving and healing community that should nurture and teach individuals and families in the Biblical ideals of marriage and the Christian home. The church should deal with people involved in divorce and remarriage with firmness, love, forgiveness, patience, and prayer.

Because the Warroad Baptist Church believes that God’s plan for the family is one man and one woman united in marriage for life, the practice of homosexuality and homosexual marriage goes against what is written in the Scriptures. Beliefs about the sinfulness of homosexual behavior, like beliefs about the sinfulness of lying, stealing, murder, greed, adultery, etc., are an essential part of our commitment to the supreme authority of the Bible in all matters of faith and conduct. Since a person who believes that lying, stealing, murder, greed, or adultery are Biblically acceptable lifestyles would not be deemed qualified to serve as pastors, leaders, teachers, or members of Warroad Baptist Church, so those who practice homosexuality are disqualified from these important activities. (John 14:15; 23-24; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 9:6-13; Eph. 4:13; Col. 1:9-10, 28; Heb. 12:1-2; 1 John 2:3-6; Genesis 2:18, 24; Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 7:2; Galatians 5:1-2; II Timothy 2:24-26; Colossians 3:16)

Section 9. The Ordinances.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed and commanded two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of the believer in water into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for remembrance of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered by born again believers walking in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ until His return (Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).

Section 10. Religious Liberty.

We believe that every human being ought to have direct relations with God, and is ultimately responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that, therefore, the institutionalized church and state must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other (Rom. 14:7-9,12; 1 Tim. 2:5).

Section 11. Church Cooperation.

We believe that local churches can further promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time (Acts 15:36,41; 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:1; Gal. 1:1-3; Rev. 1:4; 10-11).

This church is affiliated with Converge North Central and Converge Worldwide, and may likewise cooperate with inter-denominational fellowships on a voluntary, independent basis.

Section 12. The Last Things.

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal happiness of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked. These last things have a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer (Matt 16:27; Mark 14:62; John14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 4:5; 15:20-24; 35-38; Phil 3:20; 1 Thess. 4:14-18; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2 Tim. 4:1; Titus 2:13; Rev. 20:4-15).