What We Believe

page58_picture0_1395845957 Inglewood aligns with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. You can link to this document below from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) website.

Baptist Faith and Message 2000

Within this statement of faith there are some topics that we consider “The Essentials”. These topics are pillars of our doctrine. We have listed these below.

THE ESSENTIALS

About God

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

(Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 3:2; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, as well as God the Son. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and willingly offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return again soon to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the assurance of being with Him forever.

(Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)

About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make all mankind aware of their need for Jesus Christ as Savior. He also dwells within every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives believers spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under the authority and power of the Holy Spirit daily.

(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8;

1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:8; Galatians 5:25)

About the Bible

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human

authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme authority and source of truth for Christians’

beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any error. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21;

2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 119:160; Proverbs 30:5)

About Human Beings

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character and person. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has the potential for good, all of us are flawed by an attitude of disobedience toward God that the Bible calls “sin”. This attitude separates people from God, and reveals our need for forgiveness only made possible by way of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; John 14:6)

About Salvation

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must choose to

receive it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ and receiving God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty, which is separation from God for all eternity spent in a literal place the Bible calls “Hell.” When we turn from our self-ruled life and surrender to Jesus Christ in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment a person receives the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, by faith. (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:4-6; Acts 1:5, 11:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Matthew 16:18, 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26)

About Baptism

We believe that baptism is an illustration of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is not obtained by baptism but rather by faith alone in Jesus Christ. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water which serves as an outward public expression of the individual’s decision to embrace Jesus as their personal Savior. Baptism is an example that was set by Jesus and commanded by Jesus as part of the Great Commission. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Colossians 2:12, Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 8:35-39)

About Eternity

People are created to live forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through

forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is eternal death. To be eternally in relationship with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16, 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8, 2:44-46)