OUR BELIEFS
 In our essential beliefs, we express unity.
“There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)
In non-essential beliefs, we express liberty.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls…So then each of us will give an account of himself to God…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” (Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22)
In all things, we express charity.
“If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I amount to nothing at all.” (1 Corinthians 13:2)
The essential beliefs that we teach and practice…
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Human beings are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme expressions of God’s creation. Although people have tremendous potential for good, all are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separated people from God. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
People have been created to exist forever. A person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with God is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with God the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He physically rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
Salvation is a gift from God to us. We can never make up for our sin through self improvement or good deeds. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins at the moment one receives Christ into their life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:13)
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that provides this security. (John 10:28-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
The Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every believer from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. Growing Christians seek to live under the Holy Spirit’s control on a daily basis. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)
The Bible is God’s word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the authority for Christian faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119; 105; Psalm 119:160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 20:5)
What is a Baptist?
Ashworth Road Baptist Church is committed to the principles that have shaped our unique Baptist heritage. These include:
• Soul Freedom–We believe in the priesthood of all believers. We affirm the freedom and responsibility of every person to relate directly to God without the imposition of creed or the control of clergy or government.
• Bible Freedom–We believe in the authority of Scripture. We believe the Bible, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, is central to the life of the individual and the church. We affirm the freedom and right of every Christian to interpret and apply Scripture under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
• Church Freedom–We believe in the autonomy of every local church. We believe Baptist churches are free, under the Lordship of Christ, to determine their membership and leadership, to order their worship and work, to ordain whomever they perceive as gifted for ministry, and to participate as they deem appropriate in the larger Body of Christ.
• Religious Freedom–We believe in freedom of religion, freedom for religion, and freedom from religion. We support the separation of church and state.
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