The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Bible, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is completely of Divine Inspiration. It is given to man by God, and is without error, and is the authoritative, supreme, final authority in all matters. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:18-19.
The Trinity
We believe in One God, eternally existing in Three Persons: the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. 1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19: Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:10; John 10:26.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God: that He was supernaturally begotten of the Holy Spirit; born of a virgin; He is completely God and completely man; He is the Only-Begotten Son of God; He is the sinless Savior of mankind. Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:35-36; Luke 2:10-11; John 1:14; John 3:16: 1 John 4:9. We believe in the literal, physical Bodily Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. We believe in His literal, physical, Bodily Ascension into Heaven to intercede for us there as High Priest and Advocate for believers. We believe in His literal, physical. Bodily Second Coming. Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:20-21; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 John 2:1-2: Revelation 1:7.
Man
We believe man was created in the image of God. But sinned and brought upon himself and all his descendants the penalty of physical and spiritual death. We believe that all men are born with a sin nature, and that sin creates a debt that no man can pay for himself. Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Genesis 1:26-27: 1 Corinthians 11:7.
The Gospel
We believe the Gospel is the Good News that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary for our sins; that He arose alive from the dead to make the necessary atonement for the sins of mankind to pay the sin debt and purchase salvation for all who will believe; and that all who will place their faith in Him are saved by His shed Blood. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 1:14; Ephesians 1:7: Romans 5:9: Acts 4:12.
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Third Member of the Trinity, and that He is completely God. We believe that at the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live within the believer to guide him in his Christian walk, convict him of sin, empower him for Christian service, and keep him eternally secure unto the day of redemption. John 1:32-34; Acts 1:8; Acts 15:8: Romans 6:13: Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:18.
Eternal Security
We believe each believer is instantly born into the family of God the moment he accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. We believe that since the Lord Jesus paid the price and penalty for our sins, we are preserved in Christ, secure in Christ, and possess everlasting, eternal life. We believe that believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit for all eternity. John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39: John 5:24: Ephesians 1:13.
The Church
We believe the church is the Body of Christ to carry out His Work, that it is a local congregation of believers, associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, and guided by the Word of God. We believe that the Scriptures teach two offices, (bishops or pastors, and deacons) and two ordinances (believer's baptism and the Lord s Supper). We believe that the mission of the church is to give out the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, and to equip believers for such mission. We believe that the only head of the church is the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 2:41; Matthew 28:20; John 14:15; Acts 14:23; Romans 16:17-20.
Heaven and Hell
We believe that Heaven is a real place that is the eternal home of all who by faith receive the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that Hell is a real place that is the eternal home of all those who die without the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. We believe in the literal, physical, bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the everlasting life in Heaven of all believers, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Revelation 20:5-6; John 14:1-3; Revelation 21-22; Luke 16:19-31: Revelation 20:11-15.
Satan
We believe that Satan is a real, personal being, that he is the enemy of God, the great deceiver of mankind, the father of all lies, and that both he and his followers will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity. 2 Corinthians 11:13-16; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Revelation 20:2.
Stewardship
We believe the Word of God teaches the giving of tithes and offerings to the church for the purpose of earning out the mission of the church. We believe that each believer has a personal responsibility before God for his faithfulness in stewardship of both time and money. Malachi 3:8-10: Matthew 23:23: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
Personal Separation
We believe Christians should be separated to God and from the world, and that all believers are called into a lifestyle of personal separation from the world and its sinful practices. James 4:4: Romans 12:1-2: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. The Bible condemns all forms of sexual immorality. It is a sin to engage in homosexual activity or unions and sinful to approve such practice. Romans 1:18-32. As a result, we cannot sanction, approve, or promote in any way adultery, fornication (sexual relationship outside marriage- living together), pornography, pedophilia, polygamy, bestiality, bisexuality, homosexual unions or marriage, or any other sexually immoral act outside God’s ordained marriage listed below under marriage. Lewd conduct, transgender behavior and pornography are incompatible with God’s intention and will not be acceptable at Heritage. The church is called to teach and practice these teachings and is not at liberty to depart from them for a different authority if it is to authentically bear the name “Christian.” In instances involving matters as foundational as marriage, we must ultimately obey God rather than man if the two come into conflict. Acts 4:18-22. Furthermore, any civil government’s attempt to force this Church to violate the statements contained herein shall specifically be viewed as being in violation of this Church’s free exercise of religion otherwise known as the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
The Lord's Day
We believe that Sunday, the first day of the week, is the Lord's Day. We believe it is sacred, and set apart for the Lord for devotion and worship of Him by the believer. We do not believe that it is the Sabbath Day, but the Lord's Day. John 20:1: John 20:19; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Hebrews 10:25.
Creation
We believe that God created the universe in six literal, twenty-four hour days. We reject evolution, and all other theories devised by man that contradict the teaching of the Word of God. Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11.
Marriage
We believe that God has ordained marriage for establishment of the human race. We believe in the marriage of one natural born man and one natural born woman. Therefore, any staff member, pastor, leader, deacon, ordained minister, or called preacher recognized by Heritage Baptist Church will not participate in same sex unions or marriages, nor shall the property or resources of the church be used for such purposes. We believe that man and woman stand on an equal position in the sight of God, and are given different functions within the family. We believe that God has commanded no sexual activity outside the bonds of marriage. Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23; Genesis 3:16; Exodus 20:14; Matthew 19:4-6.
Believer's Baptism
We believe each person who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour should make his public profession in Christ through following the Lord's command for believer's baptism. We believe that this baptism should be by immersion after profession of salvation. We believe that baptism does not save us, but that it is a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus, and is a picture of His Death, Burial and Resurrection. Matthew 10:32-33; Luke 9:23; Acts 16:30-34; Romans 10:9-10.
The Lord's Supper
We believe that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance given to remember the Death of Christ until He Comes Again, and that each remembrance should be preceded by a time of self-examination and confession of sin. It is for believers ONLY. 1 Corinthians 11:23-28.
Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and the unborn child is a living human being. We believe that abortion is murder. Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44.
