This list does not represent the full expression of our faith, as that would encompass the entirety of Scripture, but enough to have a strong understanding of our position on fundamental doctrines.

Scriptures

We believe the Bible (the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments) is verbally inspired, inerrant in its original languages and the only authoritative Word of God. It is eternally preserved as the final authority for all matters of faith and practice.

2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21

Sovereign God

God is a person, eternally existing, as a Trinity in unity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three persons and yet, one God.

Deuteronomy 6:4; I Corinthians 8:6; I John 5:7

Son

Jesus Christ, eternally existing, is the only begotten Son of God, who became a sinless man, while never ceasing to be God, in order to redeem us. He was born of a virgin and is true God and true man.

Luke 1:30-55; John 1:1-15; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15

Sin

Man was created in the image of God but fell through sin, bringing not only physical death, but also spiritual death or eternal separation from God. All of mankind exists as a fallen race, with an inherited sinful nature, and is totally depraved, unable to save himself.

Genesis 1:26-27; 2:16; 3:16-19; Romans 3:10-23; 6:23; Revelation 21:8

Sacrifice of Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died as a substitutionary payment for the sins of the whole world. He physically arose from the dead and then ascended into Heaven.

Luke 24; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 1:20-23; I Peter 3:18

Salvation by Grace

Salvation is impossible apart from the grace (unmerited favor) of God. Salvation is obtained through the simultaneous act of repentance towards God and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ. In essence, salvation is turning from all self-effort and totally depending on the work of Christ: His shed blood on Calvary and bodily resurrection three days later to cleanse us from all sin (past, present, and future) and to reconcile us to God. Salvation is not baptism, church membership, or a prayer. It is a work of God performed in us when we believe His gospel.

Isaiah 45:22; John 3:16-18; 5:24; Romans 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-9

Security of the Believer

Salvation is a gift from God that cannot be taken away. When a person is truly born again, he cannot become un-born. Nothing can separate him from the eternal life in Christ, and he can live in full assurance of Heaven as his future home. Further, a truly regenerated person (born again) will no longer pursue the old life, but the new life he has in Christ.

John 3:5,24; 10:27-33; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:30; Philippians 2:13; 1 John 5:11-13

Service

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of baptized believers in Jesus Christ who have a credible profession of faith, and have associated for worship, fellowship, and evangelism as commanded by Christ in the Great Commission to preach the gospel to every creature. We believe that the calling of the church is to be the very presence of Christ in the midst of the world, standing as a testimony of His life and character. We believe that the testimony of Christ’s life is seen most fully in the corporate expression of His life that is the church, and that when God calls people unto life with Himself He necessarily calls them into fellowship with other believers as well.

Mark 16:15; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27; Hebrews 10:24-25

Second Coming

Jesus Christ, Himself, will soon come again in the air to catch up the saints and to reward their service; the unbelievers left behind will go through a period called the Tribulation. After which, Christ will return to the earth to set up His Kingdom of one thousand years of righteous rule. After this the unbelievers of all ages will stand at the Great White Throne to be judged and cast into the lake of fire, separated from God forever, while believers spend eternity in the fullness of joy in Heaven with the Lord.

Matthew 24:29-42; I Thessalonians 4: 16-18; Revelation 19:11-20:13

Separation

Grace teaches us that, as Christians, we have a higher purpose in life and therefore should seek a higher standard of living. We believe Christians should separate themselves from worldliness that would hinder their growth in the Christian life or damage the testimony of Christ and His church. However, believing we are called to witness to the lost in our community, we reject the extreme and dangerous position of becoming culturally isolated. We believe this type of spirit renders Christ's servants ineffective for gospel ministry and promotes the same spirit of prideful elitism Jesus charged the Pharisees with.

Matthew 10:16; 15:8-9 & 28:19-20; II Corinthians 5:14-21; 6:14-18; I Thessalonians 5:22; Titus 2:11-14

Distinctives & Disposition

Why do we use the name Baptist?

Mountain View Baptist Church is a Baptist Church because historically Baptists have been identified by a few simple, but defining Biblical distinctives. While we understand that there are differences of distinction among Christians whose fundamental doctrines are the same, we believe our Baptist distinctives to be essential and rooted in Bible doctrine. It is our desire to hold our position while holding a charitable disposition. "In essentials Unity; in nonessentials Liberty; in all things Charity!" Our distinctives are most simply explained by using the following acrostic of the name BAPTIST:

• Biblical Authority - We believe that the Bible is the final authority for all matters of faith and living.

• Autonomy (Self-Governing) of the Local Church - Our church is pastor led and congregationally self-governed outside of a denomination or fellowship.

• Priesthood of the Believer - Every believer has equal and instant access to God through Christ. This means that each believer has direct access to God’s truth and will for his life. The only mediator between God and man is Christ Jesus.

• Two Offices Within the Church - Scripture refers to only two offices of leadership in the church. Mountain View Baptist Church ascribes to the offices of Bishop (elder, pastor), and Deacon (literally, a servant). It is the responsibility of the pastor to serve the church by leading, teaching, and overseeing the church work. It is the responsibility of the deacons to serve the church family through assisting with care and the provision of special needs.

• Individual Soul Liberty - Every man and woman must believe on Christ for salvation of his/her own volition. We do not believe in any form of coercion. Further each believer is free to worship God as led by their own conscience.

• Saved, Baptized Church Membership - Membership of Mountain View Baptist Church is exclusively for those who have put their trust in Christ alone for salvation and have been baptized in water (by immersion) in a scriptural New Testament church. Members are expected to ascribe to the MVBC’s statements of faith, purpose, and position.

• Two Ordinances - We practice two ordinances at Mountain View Baptist Church-Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (communion). These ordinances are memorial in significance and have no part in a person’s salvation.

• Separation of Church & State - The state shall have no power to intervene in the free expression of religious liberty.