What I Believe

I speak for myself, although I am a Baptist Minister, I can and will speak for only myself.
1) I believe in the Holy Trinity.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
2) I believe Jesus died on the cross at Calvary and shed his precious blood so that our sin debt is paid in full
3) I believe Jesus is coming back and I believe it will be soon.
4) I believe in the King James Bible.
5) I believe there's a heaven and a hell.
6) I believe that satan does exist, but that he can only do to us what God allows.
7) I believe that once you are saved, you are always saved.
8) I believe we are to spread Gods Word to all nations.
9) I believe we are to love one another as Christ loves us.
10) I believe in the rapture.
11) I believe in free will as a gift from God.
12) I believe that God answers prayers.
13) I believe that God will only put on us that which we can bear.
14) I believe that all things were created by God for a specific reason.
15) I believe that Gods word is pure.
16) I believe in Gods love, mercy, and kindness.
17) And last, but most certainly not least, I LOVE JESUS CHRIST!!

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'nuff said!!

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monkeysmama21 wrote:I grew up in a Baptist church, and everything that he just said pretty much sums up everything that I was ever taught :) There really isn't much of a difference between us all......I mean, we believe the Bible word for word, we believe in fully submerging Baptisms (I say we....a habit....I just go where God is these days. Don't care what type of church it is as long as it's full of Christians)...........ummmmmm.....we aren't supposed to drink (failed that one miserably in my past)........I don't know. The main thing about Baptists I guess, is that we sort of live by the last verses....." I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." Revelations 22: 18-19

I don't remember it sounding so harsh as a child. lol. I am translating from an NIV also though, which Baptists pretty much live by the KJV...... the gist is, that nothing should be added or taken away from the Bible. It is what God intended it to be. period.

Thank you and God bless. No, I'm not perfect and I don't pretend to be. I sin daily and ask for forgiveness. I repent daily, I don't get saved daily. Once saved, ALWAYS saved. I thank you for your input. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily.

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snackstix wrote:Baptist doctrines Joanne? He just told you what he believes, that's it. If you have all those then denomination is of no consiquence. It's all in the LOVE. If you have Christ's love, then the rest of it works out with that. :)

The love of Jesus goes beyond denominational WALLS that people build around themselves that need to be torn down in the name of Jesus.

Thanks for your input, I couldn't have said it better. God bless.

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scarlettohall wrote:Care to enlighten those of us who are not Baptist about the Baptist beliefs/doctrines?

I knew you were going to try to start something the minute you asked if I would start a thread. What I wrote is what I believe. I cannot and will not speak for others. So, if your looking to start something, I'm going to disappoint you. You believe what you want, I believe in what I believe. God is non-denominational, and so am I. Thank you for your input and God bless.

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Yes, Baptist is a denomination. But, there are Baptist churches that are part of a conference, and you have those that I belong to that are independent. And now I'm as independent as you can be. LOL!! I just want to get Gods Word out to as many people as I can. And, no, it's not ignorance, just curiosity. God bless!!

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scarlettohall wrote:

paulk63 wrote:

scarlettohall wrote:Care to enlighten those of us who are not Baptist about the Baptist beliefs/doctrines?

I knew you were going to try to start something the minute you asked if I would start a thread. What I wrote is what I believe. I cannot and will not speak for others. So, if your looking to start something, I'm going to disappoint you. You believe what you want, I believe in what I believe. God is non-denominational, and so am I. Thank you for your input and God bless.

Look..I don't know what your problem is but I'm not trying to start anything and I really grow weary of being accused of such. I was merely asking about the Baptists...you did say you were a Baptist minister right? I'm interested in learning about other denominations/religions. But, ya know what? With your attitude...nevermind. For a minister I thought I'd see more of Jesus in you. Remember this verse? "Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me."

You are correct. I must apoligize for my comments. I was not acting in a Christ like manner. As far as my beliefs, they are listed at the top of this thread. That's all I can say. As far as doctrine is concerned,I just go by the KJV bible. I hope we can continue to talk, for you are very steadfast in your beliefs, as am I. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to express your opinions. God Bless.

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lilolme wrote:Scarlettohall, as a Southern Baptist, I hope you will accept my apology for the way you were spoken to in this thread!

Baptists are also very BIG into Witnessing and as for the way you were treated when inquiring about the Baptist Faith was horrible. That is not the kind of Witnessing I want associated with me, as a Baptist!

Paulk63, you said God is non-denominational and so am I. This confuses me if you are a Baptist Minister! Could you elaborate on that statement?

I am an independant Baptist Minister. Which means, I don't feel the need or desire to preach what the Baptist conference says. I go strictly by the KJV bible. That's all I need. I witness to people all the time. I tell them what God has done for me, and also what God will do for them. After that, it's between them and God. I am expected to plant the seeds, God will handle the rest. That is the root of my belief. I am unlike most other Baptist Ministers, I don't put on a show, I don't sugar coat things, I take what I say from different books in the bible, mostly Romans, John, Acts, and Revelation. Sure, there are a lot of places people can search for any info on any denomination. I get all the information I need right from the source: King James Bible. God bless!!

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lilolme wrote:Well, now that I see that you are an Independent Baptist, I guess you may not have provided the same link as I did. However, there are still links you could have provided that Scarlettohall could have read through.

The greatest link to my belief: King James Bible
that is the only link I need. It's all right there in black, white and red. That way, there is no mistake. Do not put your trust in man, put your trust in the only one who has never changed. His word is pure. In God I trust. God bless.

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If someone came to me and wanted to know how to be saved and know it, I would explain to them but showing them what the KJV says about it.

If you came to me and wanted to tell me what you believe I would listen, and then tell you what I believe, but, again, I can only say what I believe. I'm not trying to convert anyone. I don't force my beliefs on others. I can and will, go by the KJV bible. As far as the links go, I have a few that people can check out:

http://move.to/freewill

http://www.sulphurfwb.com/6.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freewill_Baptist

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ladylikepsych wrote:I think I will just refrain from asking any questions....I lose my head easy enough on my own without it getten bitten off...

No, you won't get your head bit off. I will be glad to answer any questions you might have if I can. God bless.

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WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST CHURCH?

The name Independent Fundamental Baptist Church is used traditionally by churches which pattern themselves strictly after the example of the early church as found in the New Testament.

The words "Independent" and "Fundamental" have been added by Baptist churches after the use of the name Baptist failed to fully identify what they believed. The name Baptist is used by many churches who are not fundamental in their beliefs.

Some "Baptist" churches were in the past founded on the doctrinal teachings of the New Testament, however, many of them have drifted away from many of the teachings of the Scriptures.

Some of these churches have gone so far as to deny the fundamental teachings of the Bible, such as the deity of Christ, the virgin birth and salvation by the Grace of God, through faith.

These churches still call themselves "Baptist, " but in fact they do not believe or practice what true Baptists have historically believed.

The true Independent Fundamental Baptists have no association or fellowship with these churches because they teach or practice things contrary to the New Testament.

The name Fundamental Independent Baptist is of recent origin and came into being as a result of many modern day Baptist churches compromising the Word of God and teaching and practicing false doctrines.

There were however, many Baptists who loved the Word of God and held true to it and refused to abandon the teaching of the New Testament. In order to distinguish between the doctrinally unsound Baptist churches and those that believed the Bible many Baptist churches changed their name.

These true Baptists added the adjectives Fundamental and Independent to their name in order that they not be identified with the false practices and teaching of the doctrinally unsound churches using the Baptist name.

The word "Independent" means that the church is not a member of any council, convention or is a part of any hierarchy outside the local congregation.

An Independent Baptist Church would not be apart of a national Baptist organization such as the Southern Baptist Convention, the American Baptist, or any other Baptist organization that would exercise authority over the local church. Thus, the name "independent" means that the church patterns itself after the New Testament example and stands alone under the authority of the Bible.

Independent churches have no organized organization over them in authority. They direct their own affairs under the authority of the New Testament Scriptures, free from the outside interference.

The New Testament teaches that Christ is the head of the church,(Eph. 5:23) and the Chief Shepherd )1 Peter 5:4). The local pastor is the shepherd (Heb. 13:17, Acts 20:28, Eph. 4:11) or leader of the congregation.

The Independent Baptist church has a congregational form of government with each member having the right of the vote and all the affairs of the churches are conducted by the local congregation following the guidelines of the New Testament.

Independent Fundamental Baptist churches have fellowship one with the other and often cooperate in such things as evangelism. They, however, will only fellowship or cooperate in joint meetings with churches of like belief. They will not participate, on a church basis, in any outside function with churches which do not also strictly base their faith and practice on the New Testament. They will not participate in joint meetings, or evangelistic endeavors, with Protestants, Catholics, or other doctrinally unsound church groups who do not hold to the fundamental teachings of the New Testament (Examples: Billy Graham, Promise Keepers)

Fundamental Independent Baptists church will remain separate from these churches as well as other Baptists groups who participate with the unscriptural churches. They practice the Biblical teachings of separation as stated in Ephesians 5:11, which says, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." The Independent Baptist believes that to join with churches who teach and practice false doctrine is condone and even show approval of Biblical error and that all doctrinal error is sin.

The officers of the local church are pastors and deacons. (I Tim. 3:1-16) The pastor of the church is called by majority vote of the congregation. Men meeting the Biblical qualification of deacons (I Tim. 3:8-13) are appointed from the local congregation and approved by the majority vote.

Many Baptist churches have Trustees, but their position was established in order to have legal "signatories" to sign legal documents of the church. Neither Deacons or Trustees are a governing body nor a "board," but titles of special appointed servants who service and are subject the will of the pastor and congregation.

The word "Fundamental" means that the Baptist church uses the New Testament strictly as its authority for faith (doctrine) and practice. In recent years the news media has called doctrinally unsound church such as the Charismatics and Pentecostals "fundamentalists." Even some TV evangelists have referred to themselves as being "fundamentalist." But they should not be confused with Fundamental Baptists.

They are in fact worlds apart. Many of the TV evangelists and all of the Charismatic and Pentecostal churches promote teachings which are not Biblical. Fundamental Baptist use the name in its strictest sense as meaning holding to the fundamentals of the New Testament teachings without error.

True Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches uphold the purest teachings of the early church as revealed in the New Testament

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ladylikepsych wrote:ok...here is an observation....

catholics and baptists both believe in the holy trinity?

I know nothing about baptists....but I do like to compare similarities in religions...cuz I suspect that they are more similiar than they are different...

how many folks see it that way?

There a some things that both religions believe, but there are a few we don't; such as it says in Matthew 23:9;
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Baptists also believe in in full submerging during baptism.
Babies do not need to be baptized until the reach the age where they can make their own choice to be baptized or not.
We don't believe that baptism is needed to enter heaven.
Case in point, when Christ was on the cross with the two thieves on either side, and the one thief said take me with you, and Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in paradise" I don't believe they took him off the cross to baptize him!!! We believe that baptism is a public showing of our belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. We don't believe in the pope. Our only leader is Jesus Christ. We don't believe that someone can be saved after they are dead. We believe that how you lived your life, and what you do for the cause of Jesus Christ in your life and you be saved, while still alive, is what gets you into heaven.

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dizzybummer wrote:I hate all this fighting.
You guys believe in god should it matter?

You are 100% correct!! And as you can see, I apoligized for my outburst. That will not happen again. I have an abcessed tooth and half my face is swollen up to twice it's size and I look like something out of a sci-fi movie!! I'm also in a lot of pain. I'm taking anti-biotics and pain pills and I believe that's what was throwing off my senses. Again, I apoligize for my earlier statements.

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CowGalDeb wrote:Speaking from personal experience here..

I was raised in a denominational faith. I've looked at some of the other religions and yes, all have some common ground or truths.

Right now I am studying two things:

1. the Bible (KJV) and

2. what is going on in today's world and how it relates to bible prophecy

When looking for answers I find that prayer is my biggest aid. Asking God to guide me and show me the way.

That is your best bet!! God will NEVER steer you wrong. God bless and thank you for your input!!

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blaza wrote:and then threaten us with eternal damnation if we don't?

God doesn't send people to hell, they do that to themselves by rejecting him. We owe our very existance to God. God created man. If you believe in God or not, is your own choice. No one can walk your walk, or run your race, except you. God will talk to those who are willing to listen, and God is waiting for us to talk to him, and he will listen also. God wants to be part of our everyday lives, not just when something bad happens. He is a loving kind God. Does God get upset? Sure he does. Take Noah and the flood for example. Or Sodom and Gummora, or when the Jews were in the desert worshipping the golden calf that Aaron made. Man gets upset, so, where do you think man got it from? God created man in his own image. And God shows me his mercy every day. And I thank God that he has such patience!! Anyone else would have given up on mankind by now.

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ladylikepsych wrote:Thank you for the info...

Catholics do not "believe" in the pope. He is just regarded as an authority in religious matters...

That's what I meant. The only authority we believe in is Jesus Christ.

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ladylikepsych wrote:oh blaza....

think of it as a parent child relationship.

Exactly!!! You said it right. After all, he is the Father, and we are his children.

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