OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

We believe…

a. in the Bible as the fully inspired Word of God.  2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; Hebrews 4:12

b. in the Trinity of the Godhead; one God eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  John 6:27; Hebrews 1:8; Acts 5:3-4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14

c. in the direct creation of the universe and man by God.  Genesis 1:1, 27; 2:7; Psalm 19:1

d. in the Deity, virgin birth, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and the pre-tribulation, premillennial coming of Christ.  John 8:58; Matthew 1:22-25; 1 Peter 3:18; Luke 24:36-43; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; John 14:1-3

e. in the sin, fall and depravity of the race through Adam.  Romans 3:10, 23; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:1-3

f. in the personality and work of the Holy Spirit in whom all believers are baptized and sealed at the time of conversion.  1 Corinthians 2:10-11; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13

g. in the church, in its general aspect, as the body of Christ.  Colossians 1:18

h. in the church, in its local aspect, as the body of believers, independent and self-governing, whose duty is to observe the ordinances, edify itself and evangelize the world.  1 Corinthians 1:2; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 4:11-13

i. in baptism by immersion for believers only, as a prerequisite for church membership.  Act 2:41

j. in the eternal blessedness of the righteous in heaven and the eternal doom of the wicked in hell.  Matthew 25:41, 46

 

 Statement on Human Sexuality:

Because we are all wounded and broken people in need of the healing power of God’s grace in Christ Jesus, and being aware of the confusion of voices pertaining to human sexuality, the following statement defines our common understanding for sexual behavior:

We affirm the Bible as our rule for faith and practice and embrace its ethic of compassion, love and ministry to all persons and the availability of God’s grace through repentance and Christ’s transforming power. Luke 5:30-32; John 8:1-11, 1 Corinthians 6:11

We affirm that God’s gracious creation intent for human sexual conduct as defined in scripture is faithful, lifelong, monogamous, heterosexual union for married persons and committed celibate behavior for unmarried persons. All other sexual practices are clearly identified as sinful and destructive of individuals, of community, of the fellowship of believers, and the missional purposes of the church, and like all sin, calls for repentance, submission to the transforming power of God, and restoration to the community of faith. Genesis 1:27, 2:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

This moral standard gives absolutely no permission for violence against any person who engages in sexual practices contrary to scripture, nor does this standard give permission for demeaning any person’s value in God’s sight. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save it.” Romans 3:23; John 3:17

Therefore, we encourage grace-motivated ministries that respond to human need and offer Christ’s transforming love, forgiveness and healing to all wounded and broken people, including those who habitually engage in various sexual sins, heterosexual and homosexual alike.

Acknowledging the high calling of the church we oppose the ordination, or recognition of the preexisting license or ordination, of any person practicing, affirming, endorsing and/or celebrating adultery, fornication, gay/lesbian/bisexual behavior, or any other practices that are contrary to God’s creation intent as defined above and will not accept, sponsor, promote or condone any similar practice including domestic or civil unions on our property or within our body.  Because of our commitment to do mission together, all persons and entities entering into membership at Hunt Baptist Church and affiliating bodies must affirm this scriptural and ethical standard.