Gretna Baptist Church - Articles of Faith

Although this is not all we believe, these are the essentials which bind us together in our faith.
 
We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Scriptures – The Word of God, consisting of the 66 books of the Bible, is the sole standard for faith and practice.  It is without error in the original manuscripts. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21) 

We believe in the Trinity of the Godhead – One living and true God, eternally existing in three persons:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  They are equal in divine perfection but execute distinct offices in the work of redemption. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:30-32)
 
We believe that the book of Genesis is literally true – Its account of creation, original sin, and the fall of man is historically true. (Exodus 20:11; Romans 5:12-21; Hebrews 11:3)
 
We believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ – Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of Mary, a virgin.  He is both true God and true man. (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-38; Philippians 2:5-11)
 
We believe in the bodily resurrection, and Priesthood of Christ – Christ now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. (Matthew 28:1-7; Acts 1:8-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-9; Hebrews 4:14-16)
 
We believe that salvation comes through faith in the sacrifice of Christ alone – Salvation is entirely the work of God and not of man. (John 1:11-13; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:4-9)
 
We believe in the eternal security of the believer – All who are truly born again can never lose their salvation, but are kept according to God’s power and promises. (John 6:39-40; 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
 
We believe in the real existence of heaven, angels, Satan, and hell. (John 14:1-6; Matthew 18:10; 25:41; Revelation 20:10, 14-15)
 
We believe in the local and the universal Church – The local church is an organized, self-governing body of immersed believers (Acts 2:41-42).  The universal church is that spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and all believers from Pentecost to the rapture are the members. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-27)
 
We believe in biblical separation – The Bible commands us to separate ourselves unto God from worldliness and ecclesiastical apostasy. (Romans 16:17; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1)