Articles of Faith of Spring Grove Primitive Baptist Church


I.
The scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired written word of God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." They are written to and for the use and benefit of the children of God and are the only rule of faith and practice. In the days of the prophets, God inspired them to write about His holy counsel. In these latter days God has spoken to us by His Son and inspired the Apostles to write about things which God revealed to them. The translation made under the rule and direction of King James is our Authority.

II Tim. 3:16-17, Heb. 1:1-2, II Peter 1:20-21, II Samuel 23:2, Eph. 1:1, Romans 15:4.



II.
The scriptures teach there is only one true and living God, the Father, the Son (Word) and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one, infinite in foreknowledge, wisdom, justice, mercy, love, power and holiness. God is eternal and omnipresent.

Deut. 4:39, Psalms 139, Daniel 4:35, Mark 12:29, John 1:1; 10:30, I Cor. 8:6, Eph. 4:6, I John 5:7, Rev. 1:8.



III.
In the beginning God created the heaven, the earth and the fullness thereof. He fashioned them according to His will and set the laws of nature. Lastly, God created man in His own image, formed him of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Man in this state was very good but subject to vanity. God called the man Adam and gave him a commandment. Adam was the seminal head of mankind. Adam, and we in him, transgressed the commandment which God had given. Therefore, we were condemned before God and completely unable to deliver ourselves from this condition or even to desire deliverance.

Gen. 2:7 & 16-17; 3:6 & 12-13; 6:5, I Cor. 15:21-22, Job 14:4, Psalms 51:5, Jer. 17:9, Romans 3:12 & 23; 5:12-19; 8:6-8.



IV.
Eternal salvation is wholly the free gift of God. Before the foundation of the world, God moved by His love, chose those who will live with Him in eternity. He treasured sufficient grace in Christ to perfect their salvation. This choice was without regard to any works or faith on their part.

II Samuel 23:5, Mark 13:27, John 3:16; 6:37-44; 17:2, Romans 8:28-39, Eph. 1:4-12, I Peter 1:2.



V.
God predestinated His people, before the world began, to be conformed to the image of His Son, and their salvation is forever secured in Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28-33, Eph. 1:4-11, Titus 1:2.



VI.
The Elect shall be called, quickened into Divine life, sanctified by the Holy Spirit and justified in the sight of God by the righteousness of Christ. They shall be preserved in grace unto eternal glory.

John 5:25; 10:27-29, Romans 4:25; 8:30-31, II Tim. 1:9, Titus 3:5, I Peter 1:5; 5:10, Jude 1:1.



VII.
Our faith in God is a result of His work within us and without it we can not please Him. Our good works are the results of our faith, evidence that we are children of God, justification in the sight of men and these good works obtain the approval of God.

John 6:44 & 65, Romans 8:7-10, Gal. 5:22-25, Eph. 2:8-10 & 14; 5:9-10, Heb. 11:1-6; 12:2.



VIII.
Baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ to the church. Those who believe in Christ are the only qualified candidates for baptism. Only baptized believers are entitled to participate in the Lord's Supper.

Matt. 3:13-16; 26:17-18; 28:19, Mark 1:9-11, Acts 2:38; 8:36-39, Romans 6:3-4.



IX.
The washing of the saints' feet is a duty enjoined by Jesus Christ, and should be done in a church capacity.

John 13:1-17.



X.
Only ministers who are called of God, baptized, ordained by a presbytery of our faith, and who maintain gospel order have the authority to administer the ordinances of the church.

Matt. 9:38, Acts 13:2-3, I Tim. 4:14, Heb. 5:4.



XI.
At the end of time, Christ shall come again. The dead shall be raised and those that are alive shall be changed. He will carry the elect to eternal glory. The non-elect will be eternally destroyed.

John 5:28-29, Romans 8:11, I Cor. 15:51-57, I Thes. 4:13-17, II Thes. 1:9, Phil. 3:21.