Our Beliefs

Section A. The One True and Living God

We believe in the one true and living God, full of love, grace, holiness and glory, existing eternally in three equal persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Section B. The Father

We believe in God the eternal Father, creator and sustainer of life, supremely perfect in goodness, truth, beauty, wisdom and power, from whom all things come and to whom all things owe their being, obedience and worship. (Genesis 1; Matthew 6:9; Eph. 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3; Genesis 1)

Section C. The Son

We believe in the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, who shares equal divinity with the Father. He was not created, but is very God of very God. We believe that He became fully human, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. His earthly life was sinless and obedient. By His death He has taken away the sins of the world. He rose again to eternal bodily life, ascended to heaven, continues to advocate for us, and will return again in glory to this earth. (John 1:1, 10:38, 14:9-12, 17:1-26; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:1.)

Section D. The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit of God, who shares equally the divine nature together with the Father and the Son. He has spoken through the Apostles and Prophets. He lives within each believer and unifies and empowers Christ’s Body, the Church. He is at work in all those who turn from sin, who come alive to God, who seek to live according to God’s ways, and He gives insight and comfort for growth in faith. (John 15:26, 16:7-15; Romans 8:10-14.)

Section E. The Bible, God’s Word

We believe that the 66 book Canon of Holy Scripture, the Bible, is a work that, while fully human in its context and form, is also fully a work of the Holy Spirit (inspired). It is, therefore, the Word of God. The Bible is the sufficient, trustworthy, and ultimate guide in all things that we do and believe. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21.)

Section F. Human beings and the problem of sin

We believe in the essential unity of all human beings, male and female, and of all races. We believe that both man and woman are created equal in dignity and value, and that together they reflect the image and likeness of God. Through disobedience, all human beings have become alienated from God and estranged from one another. We have fallen into sin. Every human being is in need, therefore, of the mercy and restoration of God. (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:7, 3:1-24; Romans 3:9-23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3.)

Section G. Salvation: rescue from death and the Gift of Eternal Life

We believe that salvation, i.e., rescue from our fallen human condition and all its consequences of death and separation from God, comes only through the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of a new, spiritual life. This happens only through the free grace and mercies of God. We take hold of this free gift of eternal life as we trust in the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:16; Romans 4:25, 5:10-11, 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:8.)

Section H. The Church, the People of God

The Church in not a building; it is the whole people of God, all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (the Trinity), and who are appointed and empowered by GOD to be active lights of faith, hope and love for the world.

Section I. Ordinances

We believe in and practice two ordinances, i.e., specially commanded and spiritually significant ceremonies, regularly observed in the New Testament:

Baptism

The immersion of the believer, in water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, whereby the believer follows Christ’s own example of baptism, and is identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism is the initiation into the Church and is an outward sign of an inward spiritual transformation. (Matthew 28:10-20; Acts 2:41, 8:37-38; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:13.)

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is the sign of God’s new promise (covenant) to the whole world, that sin, death, and the powers of evil have been conquered once and for all, through the forgiveness of sins, for which Christ died on the cross, and that all those who are united with Christ by faith are forever set free to live in the hope of eternal life. By practicing this supper, the Church continues to proclaim the story of salvation until Christ Himself should return. (1 Corinthians 11:23-24.)

Section J. What the future holds

We believe that Jesus Christ will return to this world personally, bodily, and with His divine glory revealed. He will raise up to life all those who have died and will judge both the living and the dead. There shall be eternal reward for the righteous and just retribution for the wicked. All creation will be restored to the Kingdom of God, and there will be peace and unity with God forever and ever. (Luke 16:19-31; John 5:28-29, 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; Revelation 7:1-8:13, 20:11-15, 21:1-27.)
Emmanuel Baptist Church Victoria BC