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Our Doctrine

Today, the word “doctrine” is often viewed as a negative. “The doctrine divides” is the objection of a generation indoctrinated with postmodern thought with its epistemological and moral relativity. Although the carnal division caused by a lack of mercy and prudence among Christians is regrettable, not having a doctrinal definition can be a spiritually fatal error. Scripture commands us to learn, know, retain, preach, and defend sound doctrine (2 Thess. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4: 6, 4:16, 6: 3-4; 2 Tim. 4: 2-3 ; Titus 2: 1), refute those who contradict it (1 Tim. 1: 3; Titus 1: 9) and break fellowship with those who deny or adulterate the main doctrines of the faith (2 Jn. 1: 9-11 ). Doctrinal clarity and depth is essential for the believer’s discernment and spiritual growth (Heb. 5: 12-14). The lack of love for theological definition in contemporary Christianity is the product of conformity to the philosophies of the world and is indicative of a lack of love for the Word of God in which such theology is contained. And it is not enough just to say that “we believe the Bible”; the same is said by other Nominations such as Unitarian’s , Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and all the sects.

It is imperative that the church of God be founded on a firm doctrinal foundation. Belief statements that contain a systematic explanation of the doctrine have a biblical basis and a long history of use in the church.

When the apostle Paul says that the church of the living God is “the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15), then quotes the words of some type of oral creed that was confessed or sung congregationally in the early church (1 Tim. 3 : 16). Confessions of faith (“creeds”) began to develop in the first century under the apostles, being useful for the instruction of believers and necessary to define the Christian faith in order to defend it from heresy. For these reasons, among others, we have adopted a historic confession as a statement of our convictions. Scripture alone is the infallible Word of God, and it is the final authority of all things. A doctrinal statement is rubbish if it does not faithfully reflect the Word of God in accordance with sound exegesis of the biblical text. We are convinced that our Confession generally contains the theological substance of the faith that was once given to the saints and relates sound doctrine with sufficient definition and clarity.

Why a Baptist Confession?

By identifying ourselves with a Baptist Confession, we are not expressing affiliation with any denomination. Rather, we have taken the term “Baptist” because somehow the great theologians and Baptist churches have historically believed in the Reformed heritage and church practice. With our brothers of the Magisterial Reformation, we affirm the Doctrines of Grace and the Five Solas; We believe that the church, as the New Covenant community bought by the blood of Christ, consists of a regenerated membership. The issue is not so much the mode of baptism, but the nature of the church. We love the church of God, and we believe that their true number consists only of those who have been born of the Spirit of God. However, we distance ourselves from the aberrant practices and erroneous doctrines of many modern Churches that have forgotten their roots and their Bibles. We abhor decisionism, Pelagianism, church psychology, and ministerial pragmatism.

Why a 17th century Confession XVII?

Ephesians 4: 9-12 says that the Lord Jesus Christ has trained and established teachers in His church. Throughout the last 2,000 years, there have been a multitude of pastors, evangelists, and theologians, who have been empowered by the Lord to teach God’s Word and formulate the church’s understanding of the faith that was once given to the saints. With such a rich and long history, one in which the Lord has been building his church without the gates of hell prevailing against it, we would be foolish if we did not consider what the great theologians of centuries past have taught. Theological novelties regarding major doctrines are really heresies. By affirming a historical Confession like the one of 1689, which lies in the tradition of historical orthodoxy, we identify with a great multitude of godly men who believed the same, including the Puritans, Reformers, Apostolic Fathers, and most importantly, the Apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

BOOK - London Baptist Confession of 1689

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Iglesia Cristiana

100 Hurricane Shoals Rd NW Suite P
Lawrenceville, GA 30046