Our Beliefs

There is a lot of confusion as to what it means to be a "fundamental Bible believing Christian". The fundamentals are the very basic, core beliefs of the Christian faith.

"Fundamentalists" in Christian terms usually refers to those who uphold the "fundamentals". People do use these terms differently and some misuse the terms. Here are basic descriptions of each.

Fundamentals

  1. The infallibility and inspiration of Scripture.
  2. The virgin birth of Christ and the Deity of Christ.
  3. The substitutionary death of Jesus Christ for sinners and the blood atonement.
  4. The bodily resurrection of Christ and His visible return to earth.
  5. A judgment of the saved and lost followed by a literal heaven and a literal hell.

Fundamentalist

A Fundamentalist is a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who:

  1. Maintains an immovable allegiance to the inerrant, infallible, and verbally inspired Bible.
  2. Believes that whatever the Bible says is so.
  3. Judges all things by the Bible and is judged only by the Bible.
  4. Affirms the foundational truths of the historic Christian Faith: The doctrine of the Trinity; the incarnation, virgin birth, substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection and glorious ascension, and Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; the new birth through regeneration by the Holy Spirit; the resurrection of the saints to life eternal; the resurrection of the ungodly to final judgment and eternal death; the fellowship of the saints, who are the body of Christ.
  5. Practices fidelity to that Faith and endeavors to preach it to every creature.
  6. Exposes and separates from all ecclesiastical denial of that Faith, compromise with error, and apostasy from the Truth.
  7. Earnestly contends for the Faith once delivered.

The Scriptures

  1. The Scripture was given by inspiration of God.
    1. 2 Timothy 3:16 "16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
    2. 2 Peter 1:20-21 "20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
  2. The Bible is inerrant, eternal and absolute truth
    1. John 17:17 "17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
    2. Matthew 24:35 "35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
    3. Psalm 119:89 "89For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."
  3. The importance of the word of God
    1. Romans 10:17 "17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
    2. 2 Timothy 3:15 "15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
    3. 1 Peter 1:23 "23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
    4. Proverbs 30:5-6 "5Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
    5. Hebrews 4:12 "12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
    6. Luke 4:4 "4And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."
    7. Job 23:12 "12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."
  4. It is the basis of all we believe and the final word and authority on all matters.
    1. Deuteronomy 4:2 "2Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."
    2. Romans 3:4 "4God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

God

  1. God is spirit. John 4:24 "24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
  2. God is holy. Isaiah 6:3 "3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
    1. God the Father is Holy. John 17:11 "11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."
    2. Jesus is called "the Holy One". Psalm 16:10. Acts 13:33-39
    3. The Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 "13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
    4. All of God’s attributes comes out of his essence which is his holiness.

Trinity

  1. Oneness of God.
    1. Deuteronomy 6:4 "4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"
    2. Isaiah 46:9 "9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,"
  2. God is one God existing in three persons.
    1. Just as man is a Body, Soul and Spirit, God is the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
    2. 1 John 5:7 "7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
    3. Jesus said in John 10:30 "30I and my Father are one."
  3. The trinity can be seen working in Creation (Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1-3, 14), the incarnation, the baptism of Christ, the crucifixion, the resurrection, etc.

Father

John 6:27 "27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."

THE PARTICULAR RELATIONSHIPS OF THE FATHER

  1. All people are called the offspring of God (Ac 17:29); therefore, there is a sense in which God is the Father of all men as their Creator. This is simply a creature-Creator relationship and is in no sense a spiritual one.
  2. God is the Father of the nation Israel (Ex 4:22). Not all in Israel were redeemed, so this relationship was both spiritual (with believers) and governmental (with all in Israel, whether believers or not).
  3. God is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt 3:17).
  4. In a very special way God is the Father of all who believe in Christ (Gal 3:26).

THE PARTICULAR WORKS OF THE FATHER

Almost everything God does involves in some way or other all the Members of the Trinity. So when we speak of the particular works of the Father we are not excluding the other Persons, but simply delineating those things which seem to be the prerogative of the Father in a special way.

  1. It is the Father who was the Author of the decree or plan of God (Ps 2:7–9).
  2. The Father was related to the act of election as its Author (Eph 1:3–6).
  3. The Father sent the Son to this world (Jn 5:37).
  4. The Father is the disciplinarian of His children (Heb 12:9).

Son

  1. The Son is God manifest in the flesh.
    1. 1 Timothy 3:16 "16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
    2. Matthew 1:23 "23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
    3. John 1:10 "10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not."
  2. He is eternal (without beginning or ending).
    1. Micah 5:2 "2But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
    2. Hebrews 7:3 "3…, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."
  3. He is the way, the truth and the life.
    1. John 14:6 "6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
    2. Acts 4:10-12 "10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
  4. The good news or Gospel: 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 "1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep."
    1. Because Jesus is the very person and heart of man’s redemption, He is the target of the attacks of all that oppose and pervert the truth.
    2. He died in our place. 1 Peter 3:18 "18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"
    3. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Holy Spirit

Is the Holy Spirit a person? What constitutes the essentials of personality? Usually, three things—a person must possess intelligence, emotions, and will. A thing lacks these, but the Holy Spirit is not a thing because He has intelligence, emotions, and will.

  1. The Spirit is said to know the things of God, and that takes some intelligence (1 Corinthians 2:10–11). We also read about "the mind of the Spirit" (Romans 8:27).
  2. It is possible to grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), which is rather hard to conceive of doing to an influence or thing!
  3. It is the Spirit who distributes spiritual gifts "as he wills" (1 Co 12:11). The phrase might even be translated "as he purposes," because it shows a definite act of the will.
  4. Thus, the Spirit does possess the characteristics of a person.
  • As God, he possesses the qualities of God…His omnipresence (present everywhere), His omniscience (all knowing) and His omnipotence (all powerful).
  • We are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. (Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Sin

  1. Sin is defined as missing the mark.
    1. 1 John 5:17 "17All unrighteousness is sin:..."
    2. Romans 3:23 "23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
  2. The end result of sin for an unbeliever is eternal death in the lake of fire.
    1. Romans 6:23 "23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
    2. Revelation 20:14-15 "14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
  3. Sin in the life of the believer:
    1. Will bring God’s chastisement. (Hebrews 12:5-6)
    2. You will reap what you sow. (Galatians 6:7)
    3. Although a believer has a home reserved in heaven, sin can do much harm to the believer.
    4. James 1:15 "15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

Salvation

  1. By the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-6).
  2. Available to all. Romans 10:13 "13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
  3. Is not by our works, but only through Jesus and His work alone.
    1. Titus 3:5 "5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"
    2. Romans 4:4-5 "4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
    3. Galatians 2:16 "16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
    4. Romans 3:26-28 "26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
  4. The true believer will make his salvation public. Romans 10:11 "11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Second Coming

Rapture

  1. Before the tribulation period.
  2. Christ comes in the air to call out His saints before His great wrath is poured out on this world.
  3. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

Second Advent

  1. At the end of the great tribulation period.
  2. Christ comes back with great power and glory. He sets foot upon the earth and establishes His millennial kingdom.
  3. Revelation 19:11-21

Judgment

For the saved

  1. The judgment seat of Christ. To receive rewards.
  2. Romans 14:10-12 "10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
  3. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

For the lost

  1. The great white throne judgment.
  2. Only unbelievers appear at this judgment.
  3. Revelation 20:10-15 "10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

What We Practice

  • The church has two offices
  • The church observes two ordinances
  • The church supports missionaries by Faith Missions Giving

The Church

The church is a local congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel. Each local, visible congregation seeks to fulfill Christ’s great commission and observe the scriptural ordinances.

The church was started by Jesus and He is the foundation. Matthew 16:16-18 "16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock ("the rock" - Christ is referring to is Himself: see 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 2:20; Romans 9:33) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it ("it" is referring to the rock (Christ): Matthew 12:39-40; Ephesians 4:8-10)."

The church was started by Christ and is built on Him. The church is very important to God.

  • Ephesians 5:25 "25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"
  • Acts 20:28 "28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

On rare occasion in the scripture, the term church is used to refer to the entire body of believers.

Church government

The Hamilton Baptist Church is autonomous. This means we are self governing and free from any outside control from any kind of an organization. This is the pattern set for the church in the book of Acts.

At church business meetings, each adult member has one vote.

Two Offices In The Church

Pastor

The pastor has three titles in the scripture. They each indicate a different function of the same person. These terms are used interchangeably in the word of God.

  • Pastor – means shepherd
  • Bishop – means overseer
  • Elder - mature leader
  • 1 Timothy 3:2 "2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;"
  • Titus 1:5-7 "5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;"
  • Pastors feed, lead and care for the flock.

Deacon

The biblical qualifications for a deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13) focus primarily on character and relationships within the church, family and community. Deacons are to be persons of impeccable character and deep faith who rely on the Holy Spirit. The wife of a deacon must also meet certain criteria:

  • 1 Timothy 3:8-13 "8Likewise must thedeacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedyof filthy lucre; 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pureconscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them usethe office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even somust their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in allthings. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling theirchildren and their own houses well. 13For they that have used theoffice of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and greatboldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
  • There are no provisions for women pastors or deacons in the scriptures.
  • Acts 6:1-6 likely records the beginning of the role of deacons. They are to care for the physical needs of the congregation so that pastors can concentrate on spiritual needs. The deacons are not viewed as a governing body but as servant leaders.

Deacons are involved in various ministries, such as visiting the sick and widows, helping families in distress and providing relief to the poor.

The Two Ordinances Of The Church

Baptism

Baptism is many times referred to as "believer’s baptism". This indicates that it is for someone who is a believer (they are saved).

Who needs to be baptized and when?

  • "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest (be baptized)." Acts 8:37
  • "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:" Acts 2:41

 Conclusion: Baptism is only for a believer and only comes after salvation. There is not mention of infants being baptized in the scripture. Only those who trusted Christ as personal Savior were baptized.

 Why do I need to be baptized?

  1. Because the Lord Jesus Christ commands the believer to be baptized:

    "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Matthew 28:19
  2. Because Jesus gave us the example by being baptized himself:

    "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him." Matthew 3:13

Conclusion: We are baptized to obey the command of Christ.

 What is the correct method of baptism (according to God’s Word)?

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:" Matthew 3:16

 "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." Acts 8:38

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:3-4

Conclusion: Baptism in the word of God is by immersion (going under the water). This symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. It identifies us with Christ and gives testimony to the fact that we are saved and want to serve the Lord with our lives.

Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s supper is also referred to as communion and the Lord’s table. It was instituted by Christ at the "last supper" to help us remember what he did for us.

1 Corinthians 11:23-30 "23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."

  • The Lord’s supper is observed in remembrance of what Jesus did for us.
    • The unleavened bread represents the broken body of our Lord Jesus
    • The wine (grape juice) represents the blood of Christ, which was shed to pay for our sins.
  • This ordinance was given to the church (1 Corinthians 11:18, 20) to observe until He comes. This is also a reminder that the Lord Jesus will return and this ordinance is observed until He comes.
  • Each believer must examine himself and make sure that they examine their heart and have no known sin.
    • A time of examination is given before hand , so that the believer may examine himself and get things right with God before partaking.
    • If things are not right with God, the believer should not participate. The scripture warns that to participate unworthily will bring God’s chastisement, meaning sickness and possibly death.

Faith Promise Missions

Jesus commanded us to reach the lost of the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8). We do that through the following ways:

  1. Praying (Matthew 9:37-38; Thessalonians 3:1; Ephesians 6:18-20)
  2. Giving (2 Corinthians 8-9)
  3. Going (Mark 16:15)

Hamilton Baptist Church supports missionaries who reach the lost, disciple believers, train pastors and start churches around the world. We not only pray for them, but also give willingly of our financial resources to help support our missionaries and their ministries. The Faith Promise Mission program is one of the principle distinctions between independent and Southern Baptist church.

Faith Promise Missions is giving above the tithe. It is given cheerfully from a willingly heart. 2 Corinthians 9:7 "7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 8:9-12 "9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 10And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."

Notes: Faith promise giving comes from money we already have (are making). We make sacrifices and a personal commitment to God to do what we can to help reach the precious souls of lost men, women, boys and girls here and abroad. 1 John 3:17 "17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

Advantages of Faith Promise Missions Giving:

  • The church family gets to meet and know our missionaries personally as they come and share their work.
  • It is based on the scriptural model given in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9.
  • Christians are able to obey the command of Jesus to carry the Gospel into all the world through their local church.
  • Challenges believers to give systematically and purposefully.
  • Faith Promise giving enables the church to plan a definite missionary budget, so that regular commitments can be met, missionary families can be added and special projects can be undertaken.
  • The Faith Promise Plan invites every member, both young and old, to participate in a systematic plan of giving from childhood and throughout their entire Christian life.

The church at Philippi supported the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Philippians 4:15-18 "15Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God."

Acts 1:7-9 "7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

  • Jerusalem – reaching your local community and area
  • Judaea – reaching your state
  • Samaria – stateside missions projects
  • Uttermost part of the earth – overseas missions

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