WORD OF GOD We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21).
THE TRINITY We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1, 26; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 3; 4:24; Acts 5:3, 4; Romans 1:20; Ephesians 4:5, 6; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
GOD THE FATHER We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of all people, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
JESUS CHRIST We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13).
HOLY SPIRIT We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide.
HUMANITY/SIN We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also that spiritual death which is separation from God, and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and are guilty sinners in thought, word, and deed (Genesis 1:26,27; 3:1-24; Romans 3:25; 5:12-18; 1 John 1:8).
JUSTIFICATION We believe that the Lord Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; that He rose victorious from the grave on the third day; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood (Isaiah
53; Matthew 20:28; John 3:16; Romans 3:24-26; 5:1; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 2:2; Matthew 28:6; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:14).
REGENERATION We believe that all who come by grace through faith to accept the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God (John 3:3, 5; 1:12, 13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9).
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT We believe that Christians should live for the glory of God and the well-being of others; that their conduct should be blameless before the world; that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions; and that they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ
THE CHURCH We believe that as Christians we are to meet together regularly for worship, ordinances, growth, the encouragement of each other, and to serve and share the kingdom of God with others (Hebrews 10:24, 25; Acts 2:42,46, 47a, Ephesians 4:11-16, Matthew 5:14-16 & 28:18-20).
ORDINANCES We believe that Jesus gave two ordinances for the church to continue practicing until he returns. Those are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
THE LORD’S SUPPER We believe that those who partake of the Lord's Supper should be born-again believers, walking in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:42-46; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
BAPTISM We believe that all Christians are baptized by the Holy Spirit when they are born again. We believe that water baptism by immersion is the biblical testimony of the professed believer in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Acts 2:28-41,47; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:36-40; 10:47; 18:8; Romans 6:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other. (Acts 5:29)
CHURCH COOPERATION We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether it is the Conference or a district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis. Lake Sarah Baptist Church cooperates with Converge Worldwide (Formerly the Baptist General Conference) and with its regional affiliation Converge North Central.
LAST THINGS We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting joy of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost (John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:4-6; 11-15).
We believe in the personal and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).