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Beliefs

Statement of Faith

Long Leaf Baptist Church

What We Believe

1. The Bible

We believe in the infallible, verbal inspiration of the Bible, in whole or in part.
II Timothy 3:16-17

2. The Triune God

We believe in the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19

3. Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of Creation.
Exodus 20:11

4. The Virgin Birth

We believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, as recorded in Scripture.
Matthew 1:20-21

5. The Deity of Christ

We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:23; John 10:30

6. Christ’s Sacrifice

We believe in the God-given gift, obedience, and vicarious sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 2:9,11; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:24

7. The Church

We believe that the Church is the visible body of Jesus Christ in the world today, with Jesus as its true head.
Ephesians 1:22-23

8. Salvation

We believe that salvation is wholly by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8

9. Eternal Security

We believe that all truly born-again believers are preserved eternally.
I Peter 1:5; John 10:27-30

10. The Second Coming

We believe in the personal and bodily second coming of Jesus Christ, the crowning event of this Gentile age.
Acts 1:11

11. Eternal Punishment

We believe in the Biblical doctrine of eternal punishment for the unrepentant.
Matthew 25:26-30

12. Church Ordinances

We believe that the two ordinances of the Church are:

  • The Lord’s Supper
  • Baptism by immersion of believers only, administered by the New Testament Church.

13. Marriage

We believe that God created marriage to be between one man and one woman, as stated in Genesis 2:24.

Articles of Faith

I. The Scriptures

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth — without any mixture of error — for its matter.

Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and it will remain the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried.

All Scripture testifies to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

Scripture References:
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

II. God

There is one and only one living and true God. He is intelligent, spiritual, and personal — the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and His perfect knowledge includes all things past, present, and future — including the future decisions of His free creatures.

To Him, we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience.

The eternal triune God reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes but without division of nature, essence, or being.

A. God the Father

God reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-wise.

He is Father in truth to those who become His children through faith in Jesus Christ, and He is fatherly toward all men.

Scripture References:
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.

B. God the Son

Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, identifying fully with mankind yet without sin. Through His substitutionary death, He made provision for the redemption of men. He was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now reigns at God’s right hand as the One Mediator.

He will return in power and glory to judge and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the ever-present Lord.

Scripture References:
(Extensive list maintained as provided, available upon request if desired)

C. God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is fully divine. He inspired the Scriptures and enables men to understand truth.

He exalts Christ, convicts of sin, calls men to salvation, and effects regeneration. At regeneration, He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ, cultivates character, comforts, and grants spiritual gifts for service.

He seals believers for final redemption and empowers the church for worship, evangelism, and service.

Scripture References:
(Extensive list maintained as provided, available upon request if desired)

III. Man

  • Created in God's image — male and female.
  • The fall into sin through free choice.
  • The inherited sinful nature.
  • The importance of human dignity.

Core Idea: Humanity was created good but fell into sin, requiring redemption through God's grace.

IV. Salvation

  • Encompasses regeneration (new birth), justification, sanctification, and glorification.
  • Personal faith in Jesus is essential.
  • Repentance (turning from sin) and faith (trusting Christ) go together.
  • Justification is God's declaration of righteousness through Christ.
  • Sanctification is the lifelong process of spiritual growth.
  • Glorification is the ultimate state in eternity.

Core Idea: Salvation is a complete work of God’s grace, involving past, present, and future aspects — all through faith in Jesus Christ.

V. God’s Purpose of Grace (Election)

  • Election is God's gracious plan to save sinners.
  • It does not violate human freedom but works in harmony with it.
  • True believers persevere to the end (security of believers).
  • Believers may fall into sin but will not ultimately fall away.

Core Idea: Salvation is secure because it’s based on God’s purpose, not human effort.

VI. The Church

  • A New Testament church is a local body of baptized believers.
  • It observes the ordinances (baptism and Lord’s Supper).
  • It functions democratically under Christ’s Lordship.
  • Pastors and deacons serve as leaders (pastors limited to men).
  • The universal Church includes all the redeemed from all times.

Core Idea: The local church is a visible expression of Christ’s body, and the universal Church includes all believers everywhere.

VII. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

  • Baptism: Immersion in water, symbolic of death, burial, and resurrection with Christ.
  • Lord’s Supper: A memorial meal symbolizing Christ’s death and anticipating His return.
  • Both ordinances are acts of obedience and expressions of faith.

Core Idea: These are symbolic acts representing spiritual truths, observed by believers in the context of the local church.

VIII. The Lord’s Day

  • Observed on Sunday, commemorating Christ’s resurrection.
  • A day for worship, rest, and spiritual reflection.

Core Idea: Sunday is set aside for Christian worship and devotion.

IX. The Kingdom

  • God’s rule over creation and His special reign over believers.
  • Entered through faith in Christ.
  • Fulfilled when Christ returns and establishes His eternal reign.

Core Idea: God’s Kingdom is both present (spiritual rule now) and future (complete at Christ’s return).

X. Last Things

  • Christ will return visibly and gloriously.
  • All the dead will be raised.
  • Final judgment for all people.
  • The righteous enjoy eternal life with God.
  • The unrighteous face eternal punishment.

Core Idea: History will culminate in Christ’s return, final judgment, and the eternal destinies of Heaven and Hell.

XI. Evangelism and Missions
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.
Scripture References: Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8, 16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:17.

XII. Education
Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ abide all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is, therefore, a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. Moreover, the cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence and should receive along with these the liberal support of the churches. An adequate system of Christian education is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ’s people.
In Christian education there should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic responsibility. Freedom in any orderly relationship of human life is always limited and never absolute. The freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.
Scripture References: Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9,14; 6:1-10; 31:12-13; Nehemiah 8:1-8; Job 28:28; Psalms 19:7ff.; 119:11; Proverbs 3:13ff.; 4:1-10; 8:1-7,11; 15:14; Ecclesiastes 7:19; Matthew 5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20; Luke 2:40; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 2:3,8-9; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; Hebrews 5:12-6:3; James 1:5; 3:17.

XIII. Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.
Scripture References: Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

XIV. Cooperation
Christ’s people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ’s Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ’s people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
Scripture References: Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18.

XV. The Christian and the Social Order
All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends, Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.

Scripture References:
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:13-16, 43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15; Romans 12–14; 1 Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8.

XVI. Peace and War
It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ, they should do all in their power to put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love. Christian people throughout the world should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace.

Scripture References:
Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9, 38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36, 38; Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:1-2.

XVII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom, no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.

Scripture References:
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7, 24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1, 13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.

XVIII. The Family
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.
The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.
Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.

Scripture References:
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; Psalms 127; Psalms 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6, 15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15, 17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8, 14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.