Our Beliefs

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Bible Only Rule of Faith & Practice

God’s Word is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.  As the inspired, inerrant, and preserved Word of God, it bears the absolute authority of God Himself.  No human opinion or church decree can usurp the teachings of Scripture.  Whatever the Bible dictates, we accept as true.  We use only the King James Version of the Bible.  (2 Peter 1:20-21 , 2 Timothy 3:15-17 , 1 Thessalonians 2:13 , Psalm 12:6-7 , Psalm 119:128)

Autonomy of the Local Church

The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the church.  The church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious “hierarchy” outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices.  (Colossians 1:18 , Ephesians 3:21 , 1 Corinthians 11:3 , 1 Corinthians 12:12)

Priesthood of the Believer

Every believer is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.  No other mediator is needed between God and His people.  (1 Peter 2:9 , Hebrews 4:14-16 , 1 Timothy 2:5)

Two Ordinances (Immersion and the Lord’s Supper)

The local church must keep the ordinances as delivered to the apostles in the New Testament: (1) Baptism by immersion for believers who have evidenced “fruit meet for repentance” picturing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and giving entrance for the believer into the local church body. (2) The Lord’s Supper which commemorates Christ’s sacrificial death for our sins.  Participants of the Lord’s Supper are born again, baptized believer’s of the local church body.  (Mark 16:15-16 , Luke 3:7-8 , Acts 8:12 , 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 , 1 Corinthians 11:2 , 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)

Individual Soul Liberty

Every person, whether saved or unsaved, has the liberty to choose what he believes about God.  This liberty, however, does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.  (Romans 14:5 , Romans 14:12 , 2 Corinthians 4:2 , Titus 1:9)

Saved, Baptized Church Membership

Every member of Souls Harbor Baptist church must be a born-again believer who has been subsequently baptized by immersion upon evidence of salvation and that by public profession within the local body.

Two Offices in the Church (Pastors and Deacons)

Baptists have maintained only two offices in the local church as set forth in the New Testament: Pastor and deacon.  The terms “pastor”, “elder”, and “bishop” or “overseer” all refer to the same office.  (1 Timothy 3:1 , 1 Timothy 3:10 , 1 Peter 5:1 , 1 Peter 5:5)

Separation (Church and State, Personal, Ecclesiastical)

God has established both the church and the civil government, giving each its own distinct jurisdiction.  No church or government should control each other, nor should there be any alliance between them.  Believer’s can and should promote righteousness in all areas of living, government included.  (Romans 13:1-7 , Matthew 28:18-20 , Acts 5:29 , Proverbs 14:35 , Proverbs 29:2)