What We Believe

Metropolitan Baptist Church believes that the Holy Bible is the only source of truth. We therefore gladly turn to it as the source of our faith and practice as Bible believing Christians.

Here is a brief summary of our faith in a topical format – 2 Timothy 3:15-17.

DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE

We believe the Holy Scriptures, being the sixty‐six books of the Old and New Testament from Genesis to Revelation, to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The Scriptures are without error, infallible and God-breathed, and therefore are the complete and divine revelation of God. They are the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. We furthermore believe the translation of The King James Version (1611) of the Bible (from the Old Testament Masoretic Text & New Testament Textus Receptus Text) is the only authoritative and preserved Word of God in the English language. We reject modern versions including the New King James Version. The King James Version (1611) is the only Bible we will provide and use within Metropolitan Baptist Church. 

2 Samuel 23:2; Joshua 1:8; Psalms 119:105; Proverbs 30:5,6; 2 Peter 1:1921; 2 Timothy 3:1517; Psalms 12:67; 19:714; Jude v.3.

DOCTRINE OF THE TRIUNE GOD

We believe that God is one in essence and nature and yet composed of three persons in the Godhead. In the Godhead there is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; they are co-eternal and equal and execute distinct but harmonious offices.

Exodus 20:2-3; I Corinthians 8:6; Genesis 17:1; II Corinthians 3:17; 1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Triune Godhead. He is eternal God. He is one with God the Father and God the Holy Ghost. He is creator. Without giving up His deity, He was manifest in the flesh by the miracle of the virgin birth. He was begotten of the Holy Spirit. As the perfect Lamb of God, He gave Himself in death upon the cross, arose bodily and ascended into Heaven where He is now our High Priest and Advocate with the Father.

John 1:1-3, 14; Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:6-8; I Corinthians 15:1-7; Luke 24:2-8, 51; Hebrews 1:8; 4:14-16

DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

  1. The Holy Spirit – We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Triune Godhead who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He indwells and seals all who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He empowers, teaches, sanctifies and fills believers daily as they surrender to Him. John 16:8-11, 14:16, 17; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13; Acts 1:8; John 14:26; II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:18
  2. The Charismatic Movement – We do not believe the Charismatic Pentecostal movement is a scriptural movement. The gifts of tongues and healing were to confirm the truth of God’s Word which the apostles preached. Once the Scriptures were complete from Matthew to Revelation (the New Testament), the confirming signs were no longer necessary and thus ended in and of themselves. Biblical Tongues within the New Testament time were known spoken languages. This is not the tongues of today within the Charismatic Pentecostal movement. Mark 16:15-20; Luke 16:27-31; Acts 2: 4-13; I Corinthians 13:8, 14:21,22

DOCTRINE OF ANGELS

  1. Holy Angels – We believe that God created a host of angelic beings. Their ministry is to protect and to guide Christians. Psalm 148:1-5; Hebrews 1:13,14; Psalm 91:10-12; Acts 27:23, 24; Luke 16:22
  2. Satan – We believe in the personality of Satan. We believe that Satan is a created angel. He is an arch deceiver and the father of all liars. He was a chief angel who rebelled against God and he is now the unholy god of this world and is destined for eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28: 13-15; John 8:44; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10
  3. Unholy Angels – We believe that Satan led one-third of the created angels in his rebellion against God. They are called demons; they aid Satan in his efforts to oppose the work of God. Revelation 12:4; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10 

DOCTRINE OF MAN

  1. Creation – We believe the Genesis account of creation is a literal account of the direct creative acts of God. Evolution was not employed. God personally created the heaven and the earth in six 24-hour days; He formed man out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Man was created in the image and likeness of God. All of mankind are descendants of the historical Adam and Eve. Genesis 1&2; Psalm 19:1-6; John 1:3; Romans 1:20
  2. Fall – We believe when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, they brought about the ruin of the entire human race causing it to fall into sin. This brought spiritual, physical and eternal death upon all. We believe that man without faith in Jesus Christ is destined to hell. This comes as a result of his sinful rebellion against God and alignment with Satan. Genesis 3:1‐6; Romans 5:12‐19; Romans 6:23a; II Thessalonians 1:7b‐9; Revelation 20, 21:8 
  3. Family – We believe the family is the basic unit of society. God gifts children to families with the responsibility to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We believe that the family is made up of a man and a woman covenanted together for life and that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, fornication, adultery and pornography is a sinful perversion of God’s gift of marital intimacy. (Genesis 2:24; 19:5, 13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4). Genesis 2:1-25; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127 & 128; Ephesians 6:1-4.
  4. Abortion – We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion is murder. Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).
  5. Suicide and Euthanasia – We believe that God alone, the divine creator and giver of life has the right to terminate life. Every man has an appointed time with death and then He will face God, the judge. Therefore, no individual has the right to terminate his or her life nor the life of another. Any form of assisting another in death is contrary to God’s will. Exodus 20:13; Hebrews 9:27; Ecclesiastes 3; 7:17; Psalm 90:10-12
  6. Civil Government – We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the good order of human society. All that are in authority are to be prayed for and obeyed. The church and state are to be separate, each having definite and distinct spheres of responsibility. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. Matthew 18:15-17; 22:21; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 4:3132; Romans 13:1-7; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21, 22; Acts 5:29, 4:19, 20; Daniel 3:17, 18

DOCTRINE OF SIN

  1. Nature of Sin – We believe that sin is the transgression of the law, will and desire of God. Sin is disobedience and lawlessness against God’s revealed will. Man was created in innocence and by voluntary choice, he transgressed God’s law. All men are sinners by nature and by choice. Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-19, 5:12, 19; I John 3:4.
  2. Penalty of Sin – We believe that the penalty of sin is death; spiritual death, physical death and eternal death in hell. Genesis 2:17; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15

DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

  1. Meaning of Salvation – We believe the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is by the gospel we are saved from sin. The doctrine of salvation deals with God saving man from the results of sin. God saves man from the penalty of sin, giving him deliverance from hell; from the power of sin, enabling him to live a holy life and from the presence of sin one day when taken to heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 ; Romans 6-8; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:24-27
  2. Death of Jesus Christ – We believe Jesus’ death made a full and vicarious (substitutionary) payment for our sin. His death consisted of the Just One (Jesus Christ) dying for the unjust (sinners), bearing our sin in His own body on the tree. There is NO salvation without His death and the shedding of His blood. Romans 3:24, 25; Hebrews 2:14, 9:22; Isaiah 53; I Peter 1:18-21, 2:24; 1 John 1:7-9
  3. Salvation By Grace – We believe that salvation is a free gift from God, not merited in any way or by any works; therefore, it is wholly by grace. Salvation is received by the placing of one’s faith (trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ. We reject the doctrine of Calvinism that teaches God elects some to salvation and others not. We believe salvation is available to all. Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5; Romans 4:5; 10:11-13; John 3:16; Revelation 22:17
  4. Repentance – We believe that repentance is a change of mind and purpose from sin toward God. It is characterized by godly sorrow. Sin separates man from God. True repentance is inseparably related to biblical faith. Mark 1:4; Luke 24:47; Acts 5:31; 20:21; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10 
  5. Sanctification – We believe that salvation involves the act of setting apart a sinner unto God. Sanctification has to do with holiness or separation from sin unto God. We believe that God’s people should live according to biblical standards and principals that are grounded in the Word of God. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and therefore we must keep our bodies holy by abstaining from such things as alcohol, drugs, smoking, gambling, pubs, clubs, worldly entertainment and anything else that will pollute our testimony and render us powerless as children of God. Matthew 5:13-16; I Corinthians 6:11,18-19; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 15:51-54; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:10-14; II Peter 3:18; I John 3:2
  6. Security of the Saints – We believe that those who are saved are kept by the power of God unto salvation. We are sealed by the Spirit of God, making it impossible to lose salvation. Once saved always saved. John 10:28-30; I Peter 1:5; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 5:11-13

DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

  1. The Church – We believe that a church is an assembly of saved, baptized believers meeting for worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, to practice the ordinances, and to carry out the Great Commission. This assembly is independent and free to govern itself without ecclesiastical interference and is accountable directly to its Head (Jesus Christ) through His under‐shepherd, the Pastor. We reject the notion that the church is ‘invisible’. The church is a local assembly likened to a body. Each member of the body is given at least one service gift of the Spirit for the edification of the body of Christ. The church is financially supported by the tithes of God’s people and free will offerings. The missions program of the church is supported with ‘faith Promise missions giving’. Church discipline is carried out within the commands and guidelines of the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19, 20; I Corinthians 11:2; 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9; Acts 2:41, 42; Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 15; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:1-8; Ephesians 3:15
  2. Pastors and Deacons – We believe that God established the offices of the church to carry out its function effectively. The office of pastor (the words ‘bishop’, ‘elder’, ‘pastor’ are used interchangeably) designates the overseer who provides spiritual leadership to the church. The office of deacon designates men who are yielded to serving the church in ways that enable the pastor to be more effective in the ministry of the Word and praying. Philippians 1:1; Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-7; I Peter 5:1-4; Acts 6; I Timothy 3; Hebrews 13:7,17; Ephesians 4:11-12
  3. Baptism and Lord’s Supper – We believe that only two ordinances were given to the New Testament Church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water under the authority of a New Testament church, portraying the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christian baptism is the door to church membership. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a continuing memorial of the broken body and shed blood of Christ observed by the church and should be preceded by solemn self-examination. We use ‘unleavened bread’ & ‘pure grape juice’ picturing the spotless & pure body & blood of Christ that was broken and shed for our sin. Matthew 28:19, 20; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41, 42; Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 11:23-34
  4. The New Testament Baptist Church – We believe that God established one kind of Church but because of sin, divisions, and unscriptural beliefs, many different kinds of churches have been established. We believe that the historical and distinctive beliefs of the Baptists are those of the New Testament church and that we have an historic and doctrinal continuity, which stretches back to Jesus Christ. Matthew 3:1, 2, 13, 16:18; Acts 20:28-30; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Tim 3:15-16; II Timothy 4:1-5
  5. Ecclesiastical Separation – We believe that the New Testament Church is to separate from worldliness, ungodliness, worldly philosophy and music (rock music, including Christian Contemporary Music), false teaching, ecumenicalism, neo‐evangelicalism, liberalism, reformed theology, heresies and apostasy. Leviticus 11:41‐44; II Corinthians 6:14‐7:1; I Thessalonians 1:9; I Timothy 6:3‐5; Romans 16:17; II John 1:9‐11; I Jn. 2:15‐17; Titus 2:11‐13; Ephesians 5:19; James 4:4

DOCTRINE OF FUTURE THINGS

  1. Rapture – We believe Jesus Christ is coming again, bodily, personally and visibly, as He promised. We believe in the imminent, pre‐tribulation catching away (Rapture) of the saints. The dead in Christ shall be raised first and receive glorified bodies, and then the living in Christ shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with Him. John 14:1-6; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-54; Philippians 3:20, 21; Titus 2:13; 1 John 2:1-3; Revelation 3:10
  2. Tribulation and Millennium – We believe that the seven-year Tribulation Period, which follows the Rapture of the saints, will be culminated by the revelation of Christ (the Second Coming of Christ with His Saints) in power and great glory to sit upon the throne of David and to establish a literal millennial (1000 years) reign on the earth. Daniel 9:25-27; Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 1:30-33; Isaiah 9:6, 7, 11:1-9; Acts 2:29, 30; Revelation 19:11-21; 20:1-4, 6
  3. Final Events – We believe that following a 1000-year reign on earth, Satan will be loosed for a season, a final battle fought, the heaven and earth renovated by fire, the Great White Throne Judgment held and the New Jerusalem City entered by the saints of all ages. 2 Peter 3:9-14; Revelation 20:7-22:5
  4. Heaven and Hell – We believe that the saved at death go immediately to be with Christ in heaven and their works shall be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The spirits of the unsaved at death descend immediately into hell where they are kept in fiery punishment until the final day of judgment. Then, at the appointed time, their bodies shall be raised from the grave, they shall be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment and cast into the Lake of Fire, the place of final and everlasting fiery punishment. Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19‐31; Mark 9:42‐48; John 14:1‐6; 1 Corinthians 3:11‐15; II Corinthians 5:8‐10; I Peter 3:22; Revelation 20:11‐15

“Jude v.3…Earnestly contend for the faith”