What We Believe

These basic doctrines make up the core of University Baptist Church's Statement of Faith.  

GOD, THE CREATOR OF ALL

He is the eternal, perfect, personal creator, sustainer and ruler of the universe. He is the only true God. He is one in His
essence but has revealed Himself to mankind as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1, 26; Exodus 3:14;
Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 19:1)

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD

He has been crucified on the cross for the sins of mankind, resurrected from the dead, ascended into heaven and
seated at the right hand of the Father. His life, teachings, death and resurrection offer the only true hope for all people.
(John 1:14; 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:7; Romans 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:20-21)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

He convicts people of sin and draws them to Jesus. He indwells the life of each believer. He guides us into truth and
seals us for eternity. He gifts each follower of Jesus to be useful in God’s hands in service to the church and world. He
empowers the people of God to face the rigors of life on earth. (John 14:5-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 12:1-11;
Ephesians 1:13-14)

THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES

The human authors of the Bible were uniquely inspired by the Spirit of God. His guidance led them to record His truth.
The Bible is authoritative for every believer and it provides the counsel of God for everyday life. (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah
40:8; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

MAN & WOMAN

Both man and woman are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Man and Woman are the crowning
achievement of God’s work of creation. In the beginning, man and woman were innocent of sin and lived in perfect
harmony with God the Creator. (Genesis 1-2, Psalm 139)

THE PROBLEM OF SIN

The perfect harmony between mankind and the Creator was broken by the act of sin. The ultimate temptation to sin
was for mankind to believe they could become like God and not die. Their rebellion led to an ultimate separation from
God. As sin entered the world through this rebellion, we all must now acknowledge that we are sinners, broken and in
need of God’s saving work. (Genesis 3, Romans 3-4)

SALVATION IS GOD’S GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

All human beings are created in the image of God. However, each person is a sinner and is separated from God. Only
through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can a person be restored into a relationship with God and receive
the gift of eternal life. (Romans 1:16-18; 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-9)

THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Jesus established the church and it exists to perform God’s will on earth. The Church is central to God’s ultimate plan of
redemption. Believers are to invest themselves in the life and work of the church. (Matthew 16:17-18; Acts 2:42; 1
Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 3:10-12)
Statement of Faith

BAPTISM IS A SIGN OF DISCIPLESHIP

Baptism is for believers only. Each believer is to be immersed in water as an act of obedience and humility. It symbolizes
the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It also is a sign of the new life each believer has discovered in Jesus. (Matthew
3:13-17; 28:18-20; Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12)
THE LORD’S SUPPER SYMBOLIZES THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS
The elements of the Lord’s Supper represent the body and blood of Jesus. This ordinance is for believers only. It also is a
celebration of the community we experience through the new covenant established by Jesus himself. (Luke 22:14-23; 1
Corinthians 11:23-26)

GOD’S DESIGN FOR FAMILY

The family is foundational to God’s plan for humanity. The gift of marriage is found at the very beginning of Scripture,
defined to be the union between one man and one woman. Marriage becomes the chief image for Christ’s relationship to
the church. Children are viewed as a precious gift from God and an essential responsibility for mothers and fathers to train
their child in the way they should go. (Genesis 2:23-25; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 5:21-32; Ephesians 6:4)

SHARING THE GOOD NEWS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH FOLLOWER OF JESUS

Believers are to share the Gospel message with those who are lost. We begin in our own communities, however, Jesus
commanded us to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. We are to join our efforts with other believers to insure all
nations hear the good news of Jesus. (Matthew 10:32; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16-17; Colossians 1:6)

THE PATH OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION

We are to be disciplined in learning spiritual truths and integrating them into our daily lives. This process leads to our
transformation and offers us a life of spiritual productivity. (John 3: 3, 7; 14:6; Romans 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18;
Colossians 3:1-10)

GIVE GENEROUSLY, SACRIFICIALLY & CHEERFULLY

As followers of Jesus, we are to give our time, talents and treasures regularly in the work of God’s kingdom. Our posture of
giving should always be sacrificial, generous and result in a spirit of cheerfulness. (Psalm 24:1-2; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew
6:1-4; Luke 16:13-14; Acts 2:42-47; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7)

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST

In God’s perfect timing and in God’s perfect way, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as Lord. His return will be the
fulfillment and final consummation of the purposes of the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11;
Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-16)