ARTICLE 2: Articles of Faith
Section 2.1 God
(See Appendix 2.1 for Doctrinal Clarification on the Nature of God)
A. We believe that there is only one living and true God. (Deut. 6:4; Ps. 86:10; Mark 12:29; Eph. 4:6; Ps. 42:2; Ps. 84:2; Isa. 37:17; Jer. 23:36; Dan. 6:26; Acts 14:15; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 10:31; Jer. 10:10; John 17:3)
B. We believe that God is eternal and unchangeable in His nature and purpose. (Deut. 33:27; Ps. 9:7; Heb. 1:8; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8; James 1:17)
C. We believe that the eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes but without division of nature, essence, or being. There are not three gods but one God. (Matt. 28:19; John 1:1; Acts 5:3–4; John 10:30)
Section 2.2 Scripture
(See Appendix 2.2 for extended definitions and doctrinal support on the nature and authority of Scripture and for further explanation of the KJV standard)
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God. They were given by inspiration of God. They are inerrant (exempt from error) and infallible (not liable to deceive; certain). They are the only sufficient, certain, and authoritative rule for all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, and for all matters of life, godliness, and conduct. This includes, but is not limited to, doctrine, morality, and the structure and operation of the local church and its ministries. (2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:3, 1:20–21; Ps. 19:7–11; Ps. 119:140; Ps. 119:89; Prov. 30:5)
Washington Heights Baptist Church affirms the King James Version (KJV) as its standard and most trusted English translation for all official matters of doctrine, teaching, and governance.
Section 2.3 Man
(See Appendix 2.3 for contrast and clarification on the nature of sin and personal accountability)
We believe that through the disobedience of Adam, sin entered the human race, and all people inherit a sinful nature. As a result, humanity is corrupted in nature and incapable of restoring right standing with God by any effort of their own. Salvation is available by the grace of God to all who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:12–19; 1 Cor. 15:21–22; Ps. 51:5; Job 14:4; Job 15:14)
Section 2.4 Salvation
(See Appendix 2.4 for doctrinal contrast on election, regeneration, and the universality of grace)
We affirm that salvation is offered freely to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is applied by grace through faith. The Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, and sanctifies believers, enabling them to live faithfully.
Section 2.5 Good Works
(See Appendix 2.5 for clarification on the role of works in salvation)
We believe that good works are the result of genuine faith and follow as a natural outcome of a believer’s justification. They do not earn salvation but serve as visible evidence of a life transformed by God's grace. (James 2:18; 1 John 2:3–5; Eph. 2:10)
Section 2.6.1 The Second Coming
(See Appendix 2.6.1 for doctrinal clarification regarding the nature of Christ’s return)
We believe that the second coming of Christ will be a visible, bodily return to earth in power and glory, as promised in Scripture. (Matt. 25:31; John 14:3; Matt. 24:27; Titus 2:13; Rev. 19:11–21)
Section 2.6.2 The Two Phases of Christ’s Second Coming
(See Appendix 2.6.2 for doctrinal clarification regarding the premillennial and pretribulational understanding of Christ’s return)
We believe that the second coming of Christ will occur in two phases:
A. The first phase — the rapture of the church.
Christ will return in the air to gather His church. Believers, both living and dead, will be caught up to meet the Lord and be with Him forever. (1 Thess. 4:15–17; John 14:3)
B. The second phase — Christ’s return to earth.
Following a seven-year period of tribulation, Christ will return to earth with His saints. He will establish His literal, one-thousand-year reign of peace and righteousness. (Rev. 19:14; Rev. 20:2–3, 7–9)
At the end of this millennial kingdom, Satan will be released for a time to lead a final rebellion. Christ will defeat this rebellion, and Satan, along with his demons, will be cast into the lake of fire forever.
Christ will judge all people in righteousness. Believers will be judged after the rapture and receive their rewards, dwelling forever with their Savior. The final judgment will occur after the millennium for those who rejected Christ, when each person will be judged according to the record of their works. (Rev. 20:11–15)
Section 2.7 Statement on Marriage and Sexuality
(See Appendix 2.7 for doctrinal clarification and interpretive commentary on biblical marriage and sexuality)
We affirm that marriage, as defined by Scripture, is the union of one man and one woman. Sexual intimacy is reserved exclusively for the marriage covenant. All church staff, volunteers, and members are expected to uphold this biblical standard in belief and conduct. No church clergy may officiate a wedding that contradicts this definition. Amendments to this doctrine must be rooted solely in Scripture.
(See Appendix 2.1 for Doctrinal Clarification on the Nature of God)
A. We believe that there is only one living and true God. (Deut. 6:4; Ps. 86:10; Mark 12:29; Eph. 4:6; Ps. 42:2; Ps. 84:2; Isa. 37:17; Jer. 23:36; Dan. 6:26; Acts 14:15; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 10:31; Jer. 10:10; John 17:3)
B. We believe that God is eternal and unchangeable in His nature and purpose. (Deut. 33:27; Ps. 9:7; Heb. 1:8; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8; James 1:17)
C. We believe that the eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes but without division of nature, essence, or being. There are not three gods but one God. (Matt. 28:19; John 1:1; Acts 5:3–4; John 10:30)
Section 2.2 Scripture
(See Appendix 2.2 for extended definitions and doctrinal support on the nature and authority of Scripture and for further explanation of the KJV standard)
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God. They were given by inspiration of God. They are inerrant (exempt from error) and infallible (not liable to deceive; certain). They are the only sufficient, certain, and authoritative rule for all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, and for all matters of life, godliness, and conduct. This includes, but is not limited to, doctrine, morality, and the structure and operation of the local church and its ministries. (2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:3, 1:20–21; Ps. 19:7–11; Ps. 119:140; Ps. 119:89; Prov. 30:5)
Washington Heights Baptist Church affirms the King James Version (KJV) as its standard and most trusted English translation for all official matters of doctrine, teaching, and governance.
Section 2.3 Man
(See Appendix 2.3 for contrast and clarification on the nature of sin and personal accountability)
We believe that through the disobedience of Adam, sin entered the human race, and all people inherit a sinful nature. As a result, humanity is corrupted in nature and incapable of restoring right standing with God by any effort of their own. Salvation is available by the grace of God to all who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:12–19; 1 Cor. 15:21–22; Ps. 51:5; Job 14:4; Job 15:14)
Section 2.4 Salvation
(See Appendix 2.4 for doctrinal contrast on election, regeneration, and the universality of grace)
We affirm that salvation is offered freely to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is applied by grace through faith. The Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, and sanctifies believers, enabling them to live faithfully.
Section 2.5 Good Works
(See Appendix 2.5 for clarification on the role of works in salvation)
We believe that good works are the result of genuine faith and follow as a natural outcome of a believer’s justification. They do not earn salvation but serve as visible evidence of a life transformed by God's grace. (James 2:18; 1 John 2:3–5; Eph. 2:10)
Section 2.6.1 The Second Coming
(See Appendix 2.6.1 for doctrinal clarification regarding the nature of Christ’s return)
We believe that the second coming of Christ will be a visible, bodily return to earth in power and glory, as promised in Scripture. (Matt. 25:31; John 14:3; Matt. 24:27; Titus 2:13; Rev. 19:11–21)
Section 2.6.2 The Two Phases of Christ’s Second Coming
(See Appendix 2.6.2 for doctrinal clarification regarding the premillennial and pretribulational understanding of Christ’s return)
We believe that the second coming of Christ will occur in two phases:
A. The first phase — the rapture of the church.
Christ will return in the air to gather His church. Believers, both living and dead, will be caught up to meet the Lord and be with Him forever. (1 Thess. 4:15–17; John 14:3)
B. The second phase — Christ’s return to earth.
Following a seven-year period of tribulation, Christ will return to earth with His saints. He will establish His literal, one-thousand-year reign of peace and righteousness. (Rev. 19:14; Rev. 20:2–3, 7–9)
At the end of this millennial kingdom, Satan will be released for a time to lead a final rebellion. Christ will defeat this rebellion, and Satan, along with his demons, will be cast into the lake of fire forever.
Christ will judge all people in righteousness. Believers will be judged after the rapture and receive their rewards, dwelling forever with their Savior. The final judgment will occur after the millennium for those who rejected Christ, when each person will be judged according to the record of their works. (Rev. 20:11–15)
Section 2.7 Statement on Marriage and Sexuality
(See Appendix 2.7 for doctrinal clarification and interpretive commentary on biblical marriage and sexuality)
We affirm that marriage, as defined by Scripture, is the union of one man and one woman. Sexual intimacy is reserved exclusively for the marriage covenant. All church staff, volunteers, and members are expected to uphold this biblical standard in belief and conduct. No church clergy may officiate a wedding that contradicts this definition. Amendments to this doctrine must be rooted solely in Scripture.