DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

This Declaration of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the
inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth,
morality and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we
believe. For purposes of faith, doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, the called Pastors
(not interim or pulpit supply pastors) and elected Deacons of Montrose Baptist Church are
the church’s interpretive authority of the Bible’s meaning and application.

We believe:

1. In the verbal and plenary inspiration of the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments, which
   constitute the inerrant Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Isa. 40:8; 1 Pet. 1:24-25a).
2. In the Trinity of the Godhead: one God eternally existing in three equal persons–Father, Son, and Holy
   Spirit (Exod. 20:2-3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11).
3. In the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and imminent, pre-
   millennial coming of Christ (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14).
4. In the personality of the Holy Spirit, by whom believers are called, regenerated, baptized into Christ,
   indwelt, sealed, and filled for service ( 1 Cor. 12:13; John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26;
   Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts
   11:16; Luke 24:49; Rom. 8:14, 16, 26, 27).
5. In the direct creation of the universe and man by God, apart from any process of evolution (Gen. 1, 2;
   Col. 1:16-17; John 1:3).
6. In the fall, total depravity and guilt of the race in Adam which for man’s salvation necessitates the
   sovereign, divinely initiated, deliverance of the sinner by the Grace of God in Christ (Gen. 3:1-6; Rom.
   3:10-19, 5:12, 19).
7. In the eternal salvation of all individuals who put their faith in Christ, whose blood was shed for the
   remission of sins. (John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 John 5:1; Acts 16:20-33; 2 Pet. 1:4; Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13; John
   3:8; Rom. 3:24; 4:5; 5:1, 9, 6:23; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9).
8. In the unity of all true believers in the Church which is the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 1:22-
   23; 3:1-6; 4:11; 5:23; Col. 1:18; Acts 15:13-18).
9. In the local church as a company of baptized believers, independent and self-governing, which should
   fellowship with other churches of like faith and order. It is the responsibility of the local church to observe
   the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, edify itself, and evangelize the world. We believe that
   the only Biblical mode of believer’s baptism is that of immersion, and that it is to be administered in the
   name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The ordinance of baptism is for believers only and it is a
   prerequisite for church membership. The officers of the New Testament church are pastors and deacons (1
   Cor. 11:2; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 8:36-39; John 3:23; Rom.6:3-5; Matt.
   3:16; Col. 2:12; 1 Cor. 11:23-28; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42).
10. In the obedience to the Biblical command to separate entirely from worldliness and ecclesiastical
    apostasy unto God. (2 Tim. 3:5; Eph. 5:11), (2 Cor. 6:14; 2 John 9-11).
11. In the personal existence of angels, demons, and Satan (Matt. 4:1-11; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10).
12. In the bodily resurrection, immortality and pre-tribulation rapture of all believers at Christ’s imminent coming (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 51-54; Phil. 3:20-21).
13. In the sovereign selection of Israel as God’s eternal covenant people, that she is now dispersed because of her rejection of Christ, and that she will be re-gathered in the holy land, and saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ (Gen. 13:14-17; Rom. 11:1-32; Ezek. 37)..
14. In the bodily resurrection and judgment of unbelievers after the millennial reign of Christ (Rev. 20:11-21).
15. In the eternal life and blessedness of all believers and the eternal existence and punishment of all
    unbelievers (Matt. 3:12; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Rom. 6:23; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25;
    Matt. 25:34-41; John 8:21; Rev. 20:14-15).
16. That all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable
    worth in all its dimensions, including the unborn babies, the aged, the physically or mentally
    challenged and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are
    therefore called to defend, protect and value all human life (Psalm 139).
17. That 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. Marriage is the
    uniting of one man and one woman in a covenant commitment. It is God’s unique gift to reveal
    the union between Christ and His Church and to provide for the man and woman in marriage the
    framework for intimate companionship, the only channel of sexual expression according to
    biblical teaching, and the means for procreation of the human race. 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 (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9;
    Proverbs 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 13:24; 22:6, 15; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9;
    Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 5:14;
    Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
18. That God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as a male or a female. These two
    distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God.
    We believe that any form of sexual immorality is sinful and offensive to God.
    We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin,
    seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
    We believe every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity
    (Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 5:16; 15:18-20; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; Romans 6:23; 10:9-10; I
    Corinthians 6:9-11; Philippians 2:14-16; I Thessalonians 5:22).

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Montrose Baptist Church
and to provide a biblical role model to the members of Montrose Baptist Church and the
community at large, it is imperative that all persons employed by Montrose Baptist Church
in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by the Statements herein.