"Addressing the human conditions of our time"
NBCA Doctrinal Statement
In virtually every denomination including Missionary Baptists there are divisive issues that have disconnected churches of the Baptist faith, and have in many ways left many believers bewildered as to who and what is biblically correct. We are in an era that holds suspect whatever appears dogmatic or peremptory. Nonetheless, the National Baptist Convention of America, Incorporated, after careful study and prayerful consideration, provide the following that objectify the proceedings and its auxiliaries.
The Baptist Belief and
Proclamation
1. The Bible
The Bible is the progressive revelation of God to man through man ending in Jesus Christ. It has God for its author, salvation as its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. It is the dominant standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious speculations should be tested. Old and New Testament Scripture are veritable witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is full and final focus of spiritual revelation.
2. The Triune
Godhead
God the Father: The Bible is His method of revealing Himself as the only living and true God, infinite in holiness and absolute in knowledge, power and presence. He is Father of sons and daughters who become His children through faith in Jesus Christ. Human history has its genesis in Him and progresses through time by virtue of His grace and providential arrangements.
God the Son: Christ as incarnate God is the begotten Son. Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Scripture makes clear His presence before creation as with God and was God. He submitted Himself to human nature in all of its complexities, associating Himself totally with humanity although without sin. His death at Calvary as man’s substitute became the Father’s provision for mankind’s salvation from sin. His resurrection justifies our redemption. He was seen of many prior to His ascension and is even now seated in an exalted position where He intervenes for those who belong to Him. He will “come again” in full authority to judge the world and to complete His Messianic mission. He is presently abiding in all of His followers as the once dead but now alive forever as Lord.
God the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third Person in the triune Godhead. He is not a thing, impersonal matter, or material substance. He is the Inspirer of the writers of the Bible and the Enable of understanding spiritual truth. He is the active agent in every area of man’s redemption, every aspect of provisions for useful service. He is the Giver of spiritual gifts and our Enabler in all things pertaining to God’s expectation of His church.
3. Humanity
Man, as the scriptures dictate, is the apex of God’s creation. Both male and female represent the human species as made in the image and likeness of Himself. Created in a state of innocence of transgression, man is given the freedom his Creator has, that of choice. Through the temptations of Satan there is the violation of God’s authority and thus the fall of man. All humanity inherits that original sin. The separation from the fellowship with the Creator is no longer possible and now under condemnation, only the grace of God can and does provide restoration through the substitutionary work of the Lord Jesus Christ. To that end, despite creed or color, all mankind is deservant of dignity and worth and Christian agape.
4. Soteriology
That which God does in mercy for sinful, finite human beings is in the Bible both redemption and justification. The most momentous of these is salvation. To that end God is called “Savior” (Ps. 68:19-20 & Luke 3:6). He is the “God of salvation”. The title reserved for God in the Old Testament is transferred to Jesus as Incarnate Son in the New Testament. He is Savior or Deliverer from sin and its consequences as well as from Satan and his power.
The preaching of Peter certifies the fact that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Salvation as a present reality, available through Jesus is liberation from the dominion of sin and Satan, freedom to love and to serve God. It is also a future hope, for we will “be saved from God’s wrath through Him” at the last judgment. Included in salvation are those salient principles of justification, sanctification, regeneration and glorification. Jesus alone is Savior, Christ, Lord. The New Birth is a work of grace through which believers become “new creatures” in Christ Jesus.
REV. DR. BARTHOLOMEW BANKS
President
