The Holy Scripture We believe that all Scripture, defined as the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is God-breathed and was written by men under the divine direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and as such is perfectly true, consistent and trustworthy. Its message is the full, complete revelation of the only true living God and His loving redemptive plan for mankind. It contains all instructions necessary for the salvation of the sinner and for leading the believer to be set apart for holy living and good works. We believe that the Holy Scripture is the only authority in life and faith, both for the individual Christian and for the Church, and that it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness (conformity to God’s will rather than our own).” (2 Tim 3:16) We further believe that the Holy Scripture presents Jesus Christ as the only standard by which all human conduct, creeds and religious opinion is to be measured. (Leviticus 26:46; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 12:48, 17:17; Luke 6:17; Hebrews 4:12)
God We believe in the only true, living God who eternally exists perfectly in three persons, “God the Father,” “God the Son,” and “God the Holy Spirit.” We believe that these three are in perfect unity, having exactly the same nature, essence and being.God the Father. We further believe God is the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver and Rules of the universe. He is all powerful, present everywhere, all knowing and His perfect knowledge extends to all things past, present and future including the free-will decisions of mankind. (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16, 28:19-20; Acts 2:33; Titus 3:4-6; i John 5:6-7; Isaiah 57:15)
God the Son We believe in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God and that by His freely shed precious blood, He purchased our salvation and provided the only way to Heaven (see Salvation). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and walked this earth in sinless perfection as both fully God and fully man. He died in obedience to God’s perfect plan for salvation as the only possible sacrifice for our sin. He was buried, rose with a glorified body on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ascended to Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, petitioning the Father on behalf of the believer. We believe that He lives within each Christian through the indwelling Holy Spirit. He is coming again in all His power and glory to receive His Bride, the church, and every eye will behold Him. We further believe He will reign on the earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and judge both the living and the dead. (John 3:16; Luke 3:22)
God the Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and is the indwelling of Jesus Christ in every true believer. The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of the Holy Scripture and is our only necessary interpreter and teacher of the scriptures. The Spirit convicts men of sin, righteousness and judgement, and converts the repentant sinners, baptizing them into the family of God through the spiritual birth (see Salvation). The Holy Spirit helps our inadequacy in prayer, always praying within the perfect will of the Father, with words known and unknown and with groaning too deep to be understood. He is our comforter, seal, advocate and our guide in daily living, keeping and empowering us. He is the giver of spiritual gifts and is our guide in their use in our daily walk as well as in the Church. We believe that while the Holy Scripture commands us to be filled with the Spirit, we can grieve Him by our disobedience and hinder His work in our lives by our sinfulness. (John 4:24, 14:15-18, 16:7-9, 14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:4-6)
Salvation We believe that man is born in the condition of sin, which eternally separates him from fellowship with Holy God. The only way to salvation from this sin is by a personal faith, through grace, in the redeeming blood of Jesus and in His resurrection from the dead. This salvation must be accomplanied by repentance (turning away) from sin and confession. Salvation cannot be earned by works that anyone can do, but is freely offered to all who will believe. We believe that salvation results in the spiritual birth as accomplished by the Holy Spirit, is permanent, guarantees eternal life with God in Heaven and should lead to the complete joyous yielding of our body, soul and spirit to Jesus Christ as Lord. We further believe those not having the Holy Spirit living in them are not saved and therefore are not Christians. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:9)
Baptism The ordinance of baptism, by immersion, is the visual symbol of a believer’s repentance and salvation. We believe there is no saving power in baptism. However, baptism is an act of obedience following the example of Jesus Christ and his command in the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; John 4:1-2; Ephesians 4:4-6)
The Lord’s Supper We believe that the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of remembrance established by Jesus in which the bread and the cup represent the broken body and the spilled blood of Christ at the Cross. The Lord’s Supper at Ivy Memorial Baptist Church is open to all born again believers. However, the Lord’s Supper should be taken in a worthy manner. “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself. (1 Corinthians 11:28-29)” (1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Luke 22:14-23)
Relationships and Marriage We believe God created man and woman as sexual beings. We further believe marriage was created by God as the union of one man and one woman, and is the only avenue for sexual expression that is acceptable to God. Any sexual act outside the bonds of marriage is sinful and separates man from God. (Genesis 2:18, 23-24; Ephesians 5:25; Hebrews 13:4)
Sanctity of Life We believe that God knew us before we were formed in the womb and numbered all our days according to His plan. Human life begins at conception and is to be protected and defended. (Isaiah 49:15; Psalms 139:14-16)
Senior Pastor We believe the senior pastor shall be a man of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, ordained to proclaim the gospel, and committed to and reflecting the standards of ministry described in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7. (I Timothy 2:12, 3:1-7)