Tenets of faith

Tenets of faith and doctrine

Hosanna Community Baptist Church accepts the Scriptures of the Holy Bible as the only revealed Word of God, the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity, adopts the followings Statements of Fundamental Truths and Doctrine:

Of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction, that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psalm 119:111; Romans 3:1-2)

Of the Fall of Man

We believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:27). "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7) He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors. (Gen. 1:27; 1:31; Ecc. 7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Genesis 2:16-17; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7).

Of the Salvation of Man

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by his death. Being risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting in his person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. (Eph. 2:8-9; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5; 7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16-17).

Of the Justification of Man

We believe that justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus Christ. It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other needed blessing (John 1:16; Rom. 3:20-26; 5:9; 8:1; Eph. 2:8; 3:8; Acts 13:39).

Of the Grace in Regeneration

We believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness. It is a work of God's free grace conditioned upon faith in Christ and made manifest by the fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God (John 3:3-7; 1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 5:17; Revelation 14:3; 21:27; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7)

Of Repentance and Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior (Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1; Rom. 10:9-10)

Of God's Purpose of Grace

We believe that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which he regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners. It is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man and in no way interferes with the salvation of any individual. It is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility. It encourages the use of means in the highest degree (2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:16; 1 John 4:19).

Of Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that is begun in regeneration; and that is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer (1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4)

Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel

We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that is holy, just, and good, and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribes to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin, to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church (Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15)

Of a Gospel Church

We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by his word; that its only Scripture officers are bishops, or pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles of Timothy and Titus (1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11, 6:3-7; 8:1; 11:21-23; 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:23; 3 John 9)

Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ ? preceded always by solemn self-examination (Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8)

Of the Righteousness and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and are under condemnation. This distinction between the righteous and the wicked holds in and after death, and will be made manifest at the judgment when final and everlasting awards are made to all men (Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 6:16)

Of Christian Education

We believe that Christian is the religion of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is therefore a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. An adequate system of schools is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ's people. The cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is coordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal support of the churches (Prov. 10:14; 8:10-12; Acts 7:22; Acts 13:1; Acts 17:30).

Of Social Service

We believe that every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ regnant in his own life and in human society; to oppose in the Spirit of Christ every form of greed, selfishness and vice, to provide for the orphaned, the aged, the helpless, and the sick; to seek to bring industry, government and society as whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth and brotherly love; to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and his truth. All means and methods used in social service for the amelioration of society and the establishment of righteousness among men must finally depend on the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus (Matt. 25:35-36; James 1:27; Mark 9:38-41; Eph. 5:5).

Of Stewardship

We believe that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to him. We have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in our possessions. We are therefore under obligation to serve him with our time, talents, and materials possessions: and should recognize all these as entrusted to us to use for the glory of God and helping others. Christians should cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately and liberally contribute of their means to advancing the Redeemer's cause on earth (1 Peter 4:10; 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Mal. 3:8-10)

Of Evangelism and Missions

We believe that it is the duty of every Christian man and woman, and the duty of every church of Christ to seek to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life. It is also expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods sanctioned by the gospel of Christ (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 8:30-35; 1 Cor. 9:19-27)

Of the Resurrection

We believe that the Scripture clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead. His grave was emptied of its contents. He appeared to the disciples after his resurrection in many convincing manifestations. He now exists in his glorified body at God's right hand. There will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. The bodies of the righteous will conform to the glorious spiritual body of Jesus (Matt. 28:1-6; Luke 24:1-7; Mark 16:1-17; John 20:1-10; 1 Cor. 15:1-8; John 5:28-29).

Of the Return of the Lord

We believe that the New Testament teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this earth. "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." The time of his coming is not reveled. "Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my father's only" (Matt. 24:36). It is the duty of all believers to live in readiness for his coming and by diligence in good works to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ (Acts 1:11; Matt. 24; Revelation 19:11-16; 2 Thess. 1:1-12).

Of the World to Come

We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution, that solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjusted to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness (1 Peter 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 25:31; 28:20; 13:39-43; 1 john 2:17; 2 Peter 3:3-13; Acts 24:15).