What We Believe
St. Luke Church teach and endorse the Baptist Articles of Faith. We are a Bible teaching and preaching Church above all else. As Baptist we enjoy a priceless heritage of generations who have exalted God’s Son our Savior and have proclaimed God’s inspired Word. Below are distinctives of being Baptist.
Biblical Authority
The bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptist accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture inherent authority.
2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:20-21
Autonomy of the Local Church
The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interest and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a member of any other body.
Colossians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23
Priesthood of the Believer
“Priest” is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God.” Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and man. As priest, we can study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God.
1 Peter 2:5, 9, Revelation 5:9-10
Two Ordinances
The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) Baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (2) The Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.
Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Individual Soul Liberty
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his/her will. Baptist have always opposed religious persecution. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.
Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9
Saved Baptized Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness is Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3
Two Offices
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church – pastor and deacon. The three terms – pastor, elder, bishop or overseer all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church.
1Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1
Separation of Church and State
God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government’s purposes are outline in Romans 13:1-7 and the church’s purpose in Matthew 28:19-20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government towards righteousness, which is not the same as denomination or group of churches controlling the government.
Matthew 22:25-22; Acts 15:17-29