WE BELIEVE

The Universal Church

We believe that the Church is the body of Christ, composed of all born-again believers, who are united by the Holy Spirit to the risen and ascended Son of God, that by the same Spirit, we are all baptized into one body; and thus being members one of another. We are responsible to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising above all sectarian prejudices and loving one another with a pure heart, fervently. All baptized believers are strongly urged to affiliate with the local church. Matt 16:16-18; Acts 2:32-47; Rom 12:5; I Cor 12:12-27; Eph 1:20-23, 4:3-10; Col 3:14-16; Heb 10:25.

The Local Church

We believe that the local church is a congregation of regenerated, single immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and friendship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His Word; that its officers are Pastors and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interferences of an hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith, and for the furtherance of the gospel; that each local church (based upon the Scriptures) is the sole judge of the measure and methods of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. Acts 2:41-43; I Cor 11-2; Eph 1:22-23, 3:24, 4:11; Acts 20:27-28; I Tim 2:17; Col 1:18.

Baptism and Communion

We believe that the only two ordinances given and entrusted to the local church were baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Christian baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water to show forth in solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to a local church membership. There is no saving grace in baptism; it is merely a symbol. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a privilege to all true believers in commemoration of our Lord’s death until He comes; and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. The New Testament pattern is believe, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, the breaking of bread. Neither is there any grace in the Lord’s Supper. Acts 2:41-42, 8:36-39; Rom 6:33-36; I Cor 11:23-28; Col 2:12; John 3:23; Matt 3:16, 28:19-20.

Separation of Church and State

We believe in separation of church and state.  We believe that civil government is a Divine appointment, for the interest and good order of society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience and coming Prince of the kings of the earth.  Ex 18:21-22; 2 Sam 23:3; Dan 3:17-18; Matt 22:21; Acts 5:20, 4:19-20, 23:5; Rom 13:17.

Christian Living

We believe that Christians should live separate from this present world in its evil ways, worldly amusements and unclean habits; that we should set our affections on things above, be careful to maintain good works, and walk worth of the vocation wherewith we have been called.  Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 6:14, 17, 7:1; Eph 4:1, 5:11; Col 3:1-2.

Marriage and Human Sexuality

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s naturally-born sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (Gen 1:26-27)

We believe that marriage as defined by God in Scripture as the joining of one naturally born man and one naturally born woman. (Gen 2:22-25; Rom 7:2; 1 Cor 7:10; Mt 19:4-6; Eph 5:22-23)

We believe that God has commanded that no sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgenderism, bestiality, incest, fornication, and adultery (as well as any other aberrant sexual practices) are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. Because of the divine command to end such practices, persons engaged in any of the aforementioned activities, or holding such beliefs, shall not be granted the privileges of marriage, ordination, or church membership. (Gen 2:24, 18:20, 19:5-7, 13; Ex 20:14; Lev 18:1-30; Dt 23:17; Rom 1:24-32; 1 Cor 5:1, 13; 6:9-18; 1 Thes 4:1-8; Heb 13:4; Jude v.7)

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Five Mile Baptist Church as a local body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to our members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Five Mile Baptist Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage and Human Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14- 16; 1 Thes 5:22)

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11)

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are neither in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Five Mile Baptist Church.

The Family

We believe God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. The family is instituted by God through marriage, the uniting of one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman in covenant commitment for life. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image. Marriage is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church; it provides the framework for intimate companionship for the married man and the woman, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. Gen 1:26-28; 2:15-25

We believe that the marriage relationship is to model the way Christ relates to His bride the church. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband, even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. While being equal with her husband, she has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. Gen 2:18

We believe that children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents. Ex 20:12, Dt 6:4-9, Josh 24:15, 1 Sam 1:26-28

Lawsuits Between Believers

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. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32; Matt. 18:15-17).