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What We Believe
The following is a summary of our doctrinal statement which is consistent with the Baptist Faith and Message of the Southern Baptist Convention.
SCRIPTURE
1) The Nature of Scripture - 2 Timothy 3:16 - The Bible is inspired by God.
God gave His Word to us through human instrumentation. The Bible is unlike any other book in that it is God's Word.
2) The Inerrancy of Scripture - Matthew 5:18 - The Bible is God's truth with no mixture of error.
3) The Authority of Scripture - The Bible is authoritative in that it is our only infallible rule of faith.
GOD
The Trinity - There is only one God, Deuteronomy 6:4, but in the unity of the Godhead, there are three distinct, co-equal, eternal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence:
1) God the Father - Eternal Father, Father of Jesus Christ, Sender of Jesus Christ.
2) God the Son - Jesus Christ, Eternally God born of the virgin Mary became a man without ceasing to be God. He lived a sinless life. He died on the cross as a substitutionary atonement for all sin of all time. He physically bodily resurrected from the dead on the third day after his burial. He appeared to many and then ascended to be with God the Father. He is seated at the right hand of the Father today making intercession for us.
3) God the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit indwells all believers and is an active participant in regeneration of believers. He guides, teaches, convicts, and intercedes in prayer. He fills or empowers believers and gives them the fruit of the Spirit.
SALVATION
Components of Salvation - Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23.
The Bible teaches that:
(a) Man is sinful and separated from God
(b) Man can do nothing to bridge the great gulf between God and man caused by man's sin
(c) Salvation is by grace which is God's unmerited favor towards man
(d) Man receives salvation through repentance of sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eternal Security - People who have been saved by God are eternally secure. John 10:28, Hebrews 13:5, John 3:16.
Works - Ephesians 2:9 - Salvation is "not a result of works lest any man should boast."
But James 2:26 says "faith without works is dead."
THE CHURCH
The Church is a group of baptized believers who have covenanted together to love, honor, and serve Jesus Christ as Lord. The mission of the church is to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20.
ORDINANCES
1) Baptism - We observe baptism as an ordinance of the church in obedience to the direct command of Jesus Christ in the Great Commission. Jesus Christ was baptized. Baptism is symbolic of death and resurrection. Baptism has no saving power.
2) Lord's Supper - Jesus commanded His disciples to "do this in remembrance of me". The elements of bread and juice are symbolic of the body and blood of our Savior.
3) Leadership - Jesus Christ is the head of the church. He has chosen leadership and servants under His leadership. Elders or pastors provide spiritual leadership for a local congregation. Deacons are the servants of the church.
OUR CHURCH COVENANT
The following covenant currently stands as our Church Covenant: Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote it's prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of and use of, destructive drugs or intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to shun pornography; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember on another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay. We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
A By-laws and Policy Committee is currently working on a revision that will include statements opposed to gambling, homosexuality, and abortion.
HOW WE MAKE DECISIONS
WBC has a congregational decision making process. The pastoral staff, church budget, financial decisions, teachers, committees, deacons, by-laws and policies are approved by congregational vote. The pastoral staff provides leadership and direction for the church family in spiritual matters. The deacon body serves the church family and assists the pastoral staff in carrying out the vision and ministry of the church family.
HOW WE RELATE TO OTHER SBC ENTITIES
Our relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC), and Tri-County Baptist Association
We voluntarily partner with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Arkansas Baptist State Convention through the Cooperative Program for the sake of missions. We also voluntarily partner with the Tri-County Baptist Association for the sake of missions and camps. Although our desire and intention is to support these entities, the SBC, ABSC, or TCBA have no authority or jurisdiction over WBC. The Wynne Baptist Church is an autonomous church which calls its own pastors, determines its own budget, ministries, and level of participation financially in SBC, ABSC, and TCBA programs and events. The WBC does support financially and otherwise the programs of these organizations with enthusiasm and spirit of partnership.
PRIVILEGES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
We count it a great privilege when anyone would visit our church. Everyone is welcome. When God leads a person into the membership of our church, we feel like a commitment is required on the part of the church and the new member. In order for membership to mean anything, commitment is necessary. You are given the privilege to vote in all business meetings to make decisions concerning the church. You are given the privilege of belonging to a church family who will love you and help you in your spiritual journey. You are given the privilege of having a church family to minister to you during your time in need. Along with these privileges come certain expectations. You are expected to attend Sunday School, Worship Services, and other events scheduled by the church. You are expected to support the church financially out of obedience to God's Word. You are expected to support the church through ministry opportunities provided through the church. You are expected to support the church through your prayers and encouragement to other members of the body. You are expected to support the ministry, the programs, and the leadership of the church.
HOW TO JOIN WBC
After digesting all of the above material, you may sense the leadership of God to become a part of our church family. There are three levels of participation at WBC:
1) Level One: A guest is welcome to all of our services and activities. Many people participate at this level. Most people who come to WBC on a regular basis move beyond this level of participation.
2) Level Two: One can become a Life Group member by simply enrolling in a Life Group class at anytime. This level of participation gives a person identification with the church.
3) Level Three: The next level of participation is church membership. One can become a member of WBC three different ways:
- By Profession of Faith - When a person realizes that they are a sinner and repents of one's sin and trusts in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they become a follower of Jesus Christ (or they are saved.) By publicly professing that Christ has changed your life, you will then want to be baptized.
- By Transfer of Letter - If you have been saved and baptized in a Baptist church of like faith and order, you can request that WBC receive you into our fellowship by Transfer of Letter.
- By Statement - If you have been saved and baptized and have been a member in good standing of a Baptist church of like faith and order, you may join WBC on Statement of your Faith and membership.
If you have questions about what we believe, please contact our church office at 870.238.3271.
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