Every word in the original writings is inspired by God and is without error. It is accurate in all matters to which it speaks -- spiritual, historical, and scientific. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the foundation of the faith and practice of Central Baptist Church. It is the sole authority of our lives. (II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:21).

God exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three have distinct personalities and yet are of the same substance, one God. (Gen. 1:1; John 10:30; John 4:24; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14)

Man is created in the image and likeness of God. In Adam, all mankind fell into sin with the result that all men are sinners. Men are justly condemned to eternal judgment and can do nothing to merit salvation. (Rom. 2:2,3,5; Eph. 2:8,9; Gen. 1:27, 9:6; Rom. 5:12; 3:23; Eph. 2:1)

The eternal Son of God became incarnate in the Lord Jesus Christ, being born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. He died physically on the cross and was bodily resurrected three days later. Now, He is eternally interceding as our Advocate before the Heavenly Father.(John 1:1,14,18; 5:18; Heb. 1:1-9; 5:8; I John 5:20; I Tim. 2:5; I Cor. 15:1-5, Hebrews 9:24, Eph. 2:18, Heb. 7:25)

We believe that Salvation is a gift of God by grace to man and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Man is drawn to Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. The only means to their salvation is belief in Christ’s substitutionary death and resurrection. We are saved by faith in the Lord Jesus and never by good works. In Jesus, God offered His only Son as the one blood sacrifice for all of humankind’s sins through the ages. This sacrifice means that the price has been paid for our sins, that God will forgive us of our many failings and welcome us into a close and personal relationship with Him. Jesus conquered death and provided the way of forgiveness for sin through the power of His sacrifice and His resurrection from the dead. Jesus offers this salvation to all who will choose to follow Him regardless of the severity of past sin in his or her life. To choose the way of salvation, a person must accept that Jesus Christ was and is the unique Son of God and must choose through faith to entrust his or her life to God. It is the way that leads from death to life, from helplessness to hopefulness, from joylessness to joy. A new life is created. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) This is not referring to a new physical life but to a new spiritual one. (Acts 4:12; 13:38,39; I Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 4:4,5; 5:1; John 3:16; Eph. 2:8,9; Acts 16:31; Eph. 1:4,5; Rom. 8:29,30, 2 Peter 3:9)

All who are born of the Spirit through faith in Christ can have assurance of salvation, and are eternally secure in Christ. (Rom. 5:1; I John 5:13; John 10:27-29; 17:12; II Tim. 1:12; Eph. 4:30; John 6:37)

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. He regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all believers in Christ and empowers those yielded to God. (Matt. 28:19; John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5; I Cor. 6:19; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 2:12; 12:13; Eph. 4:30; Col. 3:14)

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of the Christ (baptism, Lord’s supper), committed to Jesus’ teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word and seeking to extend the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The New Testament church also speaks of the church as the body of Christ, which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages. (Eph. 1:22,23; 5:24-30; I Cor. 12:4-13,27)

Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities for service, i.e., “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:1-16; I Cor. 12:7,11; I Pet. 4:10; Rom. 12:1-6)

We believe that all believers should have the opportunity to hear the voice of God and be free to exercise their gifts and abilities within the Body of Christ. Opportunities to serve within the Body of Christ will only increase a believer’s faith and devotion to Jesus, plus strengthen the entire church family. We strive to disciple individuals to become servant/leaders for the Glory of Jesus alone. (Galatians 3:27-28, Colossians 3:17, Ephesians 5:21, Philippians 4:3, Mark 10:42-45, I Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:17, Romans 8:28, Luke 1:38, Acts 2:17, I John 3:16)

Christians are called to a holy life of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit. This service includes the propagation of the gospel message to the whole world. All believers are promised rewards in heaven for their faithfulness in service. (I Pet. 1:15,16; Acts 1:8; I Cor. 3:12-17; John 14:1-3)

The Bible sets forth two ordinances, the Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism. The Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated regularly in remembrance of Christ’s death on the cross and in expectation of His return. The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation.

Water Baptism is an outward testimony of a person’s belief in Christ. Immersion is the ideal means set forth in Scripture. Water Baptism does not save a person but comes after a salvation experience as an act of obedience. (Matt. 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:12,36-38; 9:18; 10:47; I Cor. 11:23-26)

We believe that at death the spirits and souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body when Christ comes for His own. Then, the reunited soul and body shall be associated with Him forever in glory. All those who rejected Jesus Christ will eternally be separated from God to endure His eternal wrath forever. (2 Corinthians 5:8; Revelations 20:11-15; 21:1-27)

We believe that all believers should seek to walk by the Spirit, separating themselves from worldly practices and witnessing by life and by word the truths of the Holy Scripture. We believe that all believers will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ and rewarded based on their faithful obedience to Him in this life. (Romans 12; Galatians 5:16, 25; 2 Corinthians 5:9-17,1 Corinthians 3:10-17)

We believe in the sanctity of marriage and it is between one man and one woman for life.