What We Believe

Statement of Faith.

Mayflower Hills Baptist Church substantially agrees with many of the ancient confessions of faith; such as the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Definition of Chalcedon, the 1689 London Baptist Confession, and also holds to the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. The doctrinal statement of Mayflower is also a Confession based on and subordinate to Scripture. While not considered infallible, this affirmation expresses our theological position regarding major Biblical doctrines, and is foundational for Christian life and worship for members of Mayflower. It also provides an anchor to protect the church against theological deviation. Members are to be in substantial agreement with this statement.

The Word of God

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, verbally 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 conduct. II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20, 21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31,32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32.

The Trinity

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; coequal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption. Genesis 1:1, 26; John 1:1,3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19,20; Ephesians 4:5,6

God the Father

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace, that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Luke 10:21,22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Psalm 145:8-9; l Corinthians 8:6; Romans 1:7; I Timothy 1:1,2; 2:5,6; I Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6.

Jesus Christ

We believe that the Son of God the second person of the Trinity in his very nature is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and that he is the eternal Word made flesh: 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; John 1:1,14; 20:28; Romans 9:5; 8:46; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:21-23; John 20:30, 31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6-8; 6:9,10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:28; I Timothy 3:16.

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal, and in all the divine attributes co-equal with the Father and the Son. We believe the Holy Spirit 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. Matthew 28:19; John 14:16,17,26; 15:26,27; John 16:9-14; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Galatians 5:22-26.

Man, Sin and Regeneration

We believe that God created man in His own image; that he sinned and thereby incurred physical, spiritual and eternal death, which is separation from God; that as a consequence, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are sinners by choice and therefore under condemnation. We believe that those who turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become new creatures, delivered from condemnation and receive eternal life. Genesis 1:26; 5:2; Genesis 3; Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Eccl. 2:11; John 3:14; 5:24; John 5:30; 7:13; 8:12; 10:26; Romans 9:22; II Thessalonians 1:9; Rev. 19:3,20; 20:10;14,15; 21:18; Psalm 51:7; Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:14; Romans 3:19; 5:19; Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9; John 3:16; John 1:13; II Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:1.

"Those who turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become new creatures, delivered from condemnation and receive eternal life."

The Church

We believe that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the church, the bride of Christ, of which Christ is the head. We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 5:19-21, 23-32; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25.

Christian Conduct

We believe that Christians are to live their lives to glorify God. We believe there can be no compromise with sin. The believer must, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, strive to be holy as God is holy and separate from sin. That he is to be separate and holy in the world without being conformed to the world, being in loyal obedience to all those moral precepts established in the Word of God. 1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 10:22-25; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 12:1-3; Hebrews 12:1-2; John 14:15,23-24; I John 2:3-6; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Col. 1:9-10.

The Ordinances

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that water baptism in the name of the triune God is for those who have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration and proclamation of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-42; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Marriage

We believe that marriage is to be between one man and one woman and that it is unlawful for any man to have more than one wife at the same time, or for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time. God ordained the institution of marriage for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind, and for marital felicity. We further acknowledge that civil law permits all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent. However, we believe Scripture prohibits believers from same sex marriages and prohibits marriage of Christians with unbelievers. Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:15; Matthew 19:5-6; 1 Corinthians 7:39; Nehemiah 13:23-27; Genesis 2:18; Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 9.

The Last Things

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal happiness of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked. Matthew 16:27; Mark 14:62; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; II Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15.