Statement on Baptist Distinctives
As Redemption Fellowship Church, we joyfully affirm and uphold the historic Baptist distinctives that guide our faith, practice, and mission. These principles, rooted in the teachings of Holy Scripture, define who we are as a community of believers and shape our understanding of God's design for His church.
1. Biblical Authority: We believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, and the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We are committed to diligent study, faithful proclamation, and obedient application of God's Word in every aspect of our lives and ministry.
2. Autonomy of the Local Church: We believe that each local church is an independent and self-governing body, accountable directly to Jesus Christ, its head. While we value cooperation with other like-minded churches, we affirm the right of our congregation to govern its own affairs, elect its own leaders, and determine its own programs and policies, free from external control.
3. Priesthood of All Believers: We believe that every born-again believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, and is personally responsible to interpret and apply the Scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual equality means every member has a role to play in the ministry of the church.
4. Two Ordinances: We observe two symbolic ordinances instituted by Christ for His church:
* Believer's Baptism: We practice baptism by immersion of believers only—those who have personally confessed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Baptism is a public declaration of a believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and is a prerequisite for church membership.
* The Lord's Supper (Communion): We observe the Lord's Supper as a memorial of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. It is a time for believers to remember His broken body and shed blood, to examine their hearts, and to anticipate His glorious return.
5. Regenerate Church Membership: We believe that church membership should be composed only of those who have made a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ and have given evidence of spiritual regeneration. Our church is not merely a social club, but a spiritual body of redeemed individuals committed to Christ and to one another.
6. Separation of Church and State: We believe in the biblical principle of the separation of church and state, meaning that the church should be free from government interference and the government should not establish or control the church. We uphold religious liberty for all and advocate for the right of individuals to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.
7. Two Offices: We recognize two biblical offices within the local church:
* Pastors (Elders/Overseers): Men called by God and affirmed by the church to shepherd, teach, and lead the flock, modeling godly character and sound doctrine.
* Deacons: Men called by God and affirmed by the church to serve the practical needs of the congregation and support the ministry of the pastors.
These distinctives are not peripheral beliefs but foundational truths that shape our identity, guide our mission, and inspire our worship. We are committed to living out these principles faithfully, to the glory of God.
As Redemption Fellowship Church, we joyfully affirm and uphold the historic Baptist distinctives that guide our faith, practice, and mission. These principles, rooted in the teachings of Holy Scripture, define who we are as a community of believers and shape our understanding of God's design for His church.
1. Biblical Authority: We believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, and the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We are committed to diligent study, faithful proclamation, and obedient application of God's Word in every aspect of our lives and ministry.
2. Autonomy of the Local Church: We believe that each local church is an independent and self-governing body, accountable directly to Jesus Christ, its head. While we value cooperation with other like-minded churches, we affirm the right of our congregation to govern its own affairs, elect its own leaders, and determine its own programs and policies, free from external control.
3. Priesthood of All Believers: We believe that every born-again believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, and is personally responsible to interpret and apply the Scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual equality means every member has a role to play in the ministry of the church.
4. Two Ordinances: We observe two symbolic ordinances instituted by Christ for His church:
* Believer's Baptism: We practice baptism by immersion of believers only—those who have personally confessed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Baptism is a public declaration of a believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and is a prerequisite for church membership.
* The Lord's Supper (Communion): We observe the Lord's Supper as a memorial of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. It is a time for believers to remember His broken body and shed blood, to examine their hearts, and to anticipate His glorious return.
5. Regenerate Church Membership: We believe that church membership should be composed only of those who have made a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ and have given evidence of spiritual regeneration. Our church is not merely a social club, but a spiritual body of redeemed individuals committed to Christ and to one another.
6. Separation of Church and State: We believe in the biblical principle of the separation of church and state, meaning that the church should be free from government interference and the government should not establish or control the church. We uphold religious liberty for all and advocate for the right of individuals to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.
7. Two Offices: We recognize two biblical offices within the local church:
* Pastors (Elders/Overseers): Men called by God and affirmed by the church to shepherd, teach, and lead the flock, modeling godly character and sound doctrine.
* Deacons: Men called by God and affirmed by the church to serve the practical needs of the congregation and support the ministry of the pastors.
These distinctives are not peripheral beliefs but foundational truths that shape our identity, guide our mission, and inspire our worship. We are committed to living out these principles faithfully, to the glory of God.