Doctrinal Statement
Article 1 – The Scriptures
We believe the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired. It is the truth without error for its substance. Therefore, it shall remain to the end of the age the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man, the true centre of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
By “The Holy Bible”, we mean the collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which, as it is written in the King James Version, does not only contain and convey the Word of God but IS the very Word of God.
By “inspiration”, we mean the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
The King James Version will be the exclusive text for all preaching, teaching and use in the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church. (Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Proverbs 30.5-6; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:31; 24:25-27,44-45; John 5:39, 45-47; 12:48; 17:17; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Romans 3:4; 15:4; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:1 6-17; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19)
Article 2 – The True God
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God – an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honour, confidence and love. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost – equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Genesis 17:1; Exodus 20:2-3; 15:11; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 11:23; 1 Corinthians 12:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 4:6; Philippines 2:5-6; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 4:11)
Article 4 – The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a divine person equal with God the Father and God the Son and is of the same nature. He was active in the creation. In His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled. He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness’, He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony’, He is the agent in the New Birth’, He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. (Genesis 1 :13; Matthew 3:11; 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1 :35; 3:1 6; 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11, 13; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:14,16, 26-27; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 13; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1::2)
Article 5 – The Devil, or Satan
We believe Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honours, but, through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels. He is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy God of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and Jesus Christ the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power behind the present apostasy, the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness. He is destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire – a place prepared for him and his angels. (lsaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:25; 25:41; 27:39; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:34; John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11 ; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; 2 John 7; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-10; 13:13-14; 19:11; 16, 20; 20:1-3, 10)
Article 6 – The Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation. It is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively. Man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness. Man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms. AII animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” (Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26-27; 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6)
Article 7 – The Fall of Man
We believe man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:10-19; 5:12, 19; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1, 3
Article 8 – The Virgin Birth
We believe Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner – born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman; and He is both – the Son of God and God the Son. (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-20; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 15:47; 1 John 5:20)
Article 9 – The Atonement for Sin
We believe the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, Who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin. He honoured the divine law by His personal obedience, and by the shedding of His blood made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins – the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree. Having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Saviour. (Isaiah 53:4-7,11-12; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2)
Article 10 – The Grace in the New Creation
We believe in order to be saved, sinners must be born again. The new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus. It is instantaneous and not a process. In the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God. The new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension – not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. Its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (Luke 5:27; John 1 :12-13; 3:3, 6-7; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 19; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:1; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; 1 John 5:1)
Article 11 – The Freeness of Salvation
We believe in God’s saving grace. The blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept them (these blessings of salvation) by a penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel which involves him in an aggravated condemnation. (Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-18, 36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29-30; 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17)
Article 12 – Justification
We believe the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness being imputed unto us. (Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:1; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 4:1; 5:1-9; 8:1; Galatians 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38)
Article 13 – Repentance and Faith
We believe Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations and inseparable graces and are wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God. Being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and that the way of salvation is by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy, at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour. (Psalm 51:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans 10:9-11, 13)
Article 14 – The Church
We believe a local, New Testament Baptist Church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel and is established by scriptural methods. Said church is understood to be the citadel and propagator of the Divine and Eternal Grace, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word. Its officers of ordination are Pastors and Elders whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We also accept the office of Deacon as established by Scripture, the office to be developed and used according to the need of the Church.
We believe that the local, New Testament Baptist Church, was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ during His ministry. The Church did not originate but was empowered by the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.
We believe the true mission of the local church is found in the Great Commission: 1) to make individual disciples 2) to build up the local church 3) to teach and instruct as He has commanded. It is the local, New Testament Baptist Church that is in charge of the education of its members. We do not believe in the reversal of this order.
We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations. The one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit. It is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel. However, every local church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its co-operation on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church being final. (Leviticus 27:31; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41 -42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17 -28; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4, 8-11; 16:1-2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Matthew 16:18; Luke 6:12-16; 7:18-20; Acts 1:4-15)
Article 15 – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe scriptural baptism is to be administered under the authority of a local, New Testament Baptist church and is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, showing forth in a solemn and beautiful symbol of our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism is a prerequisite to the privileges of a local church relationship and to the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is observed by the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine (pure grape juice). We are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ preceded always by solemn self-examination. (Matthew 3:6; 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12)
Article 16 – The Perseverance of the Saints
We believe true believers will endure unto the end. Their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors. A special providence watches over their welfare, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation. (Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:20; 13:19-21; John 8:31-32; 10:28-29; 16:8; Romans 8:28, 35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 1:14; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 2:19)
Article 17 – The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Only those, justified through faith in the name of the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. (Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 7:13-14; 25:34; Luke 9:26; 16:25; John 8:21; 12:25; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:17; 6:16-18, 23; 7:6; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Galatians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:18; 1 John 2:7, 29; 5:19)
Article 18 – Civil Government
We believe civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society. Magistrates are to be prayed for and conscientiously honoured and obeyed (except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth). (Exodus 18:21-22; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; 23:5; Romans 13:7; Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14, 17)
Article 19 – The Resurrection and Return of Christ and Related Events
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures in their face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe Christ rose bodily “’the third day according to the Scriptures”. He ascended “to the right hand of the throne of God.” He alone is our “merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God” and ”that 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” – bodily, personally, and visibly; the “dead in Christ shall rise first”; the living saints “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” and “that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David”; and “Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet.” (Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:4-5; Matthew 24:27, 42; Matthew 28:6-7; Mark 16:6, 19; Luke 1:32; Luke 24:2, 4-6, 39, 51; John 14:3; John 20:27; Acts 1:9, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Philippians 4:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9; 8:1; 9:28; 12:2)
Article 20 – Missions
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable, and this Commission was given to the local church.
Matthew 28:18-20; “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
John 20:21, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Romans 10:13-15, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Article 21 – The Grace of Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the faith.
2 Corinthians 8:7 “Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”
We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the local church) upon the first day of the week.
1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
Under Grace we give (and do not pay) the tithe – “Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils,” – Hebrews 7:2, 4. This was four hundred years before the law and is confirmed in the New Testament. Jesus said concerning the tithe, “these ought ye to have done, Matthew 23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the local church. Leviticus 27:30, ”The tithe … is the Lord’s.” Malachi 3:10, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house) and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
In the New Testament, it was the common treasury of the local church. Acts 4:34, 35, 37, “And brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles’ feet … Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Article 22 – Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s original intent for the proper, Biblical sexual relationship. (Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)
Article 23 – Life
A. Abortion
1. We believe that human life begins at conception, and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused killing of unborn, human life. As such, abortion is murder. (Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24 and Isaiah 49:1-5; Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
2. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother are acceptable. (Proverbs 6:21)
B. Euthanasia
1. We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a sin, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God, and must be respected from conception until natural death. (Genesis 1:31, Genesis 2:1-25; Psalm 139:14-16; Acts 17:28)
2. Thus, we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. (Exodus 20:13; 23:7; Matthew 5:21)
C. Capital Punishment
1. We believe that God grants to human government the right to execute criminals, and that He commands that certain crimes to be punished by death. (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-4)
2. We believe that the primary reason for capital punishment is to punish the offender. (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-4)
Article 24 – Separation
A. We believe that God has called the saved to holy life separate from sin (1 Thessalonians 4:7) and from communion with this world in at least three areas: Personal Separation, Separation in Questionable Things, and Ecclesiastical Separation.
1. Personal Separation
a. We believe that at least three tests of true love for God are given in Scripture:
1) Willingness to obey Christ’s commands (John 14:15, 21, 23, 15:10-14)
2) Willingness to separate from all known sin (1 Thessalonians 4:7- 8; 1 John 5:2-3 compare 1 John 3:4-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16)
3) Hatred for the satanic world system (1 John 2:15-16; James 4:4)
b. We believe that this separation is to be:
1) Passive–not participating in, supporting, or taking vicarious pleasure in things which God hates and opposes. (1 Peter 2:11; Romans 1:32; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6; James 1:27)
2) Active–exposing, warning, and resisting evil by our life and influence (Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 4:11, 6:2b; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:11-13; Romans 12:21)
3) Positive–thinking on, listening to, watching, doing, and using only things that are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8; 1 Peter 2:12-15)
4) Negative–putting off evil so that we can put on good. (Ephesians 4:22-27)
c. We believe that personal separation involves at least the following areas:
1) Our speech. (Ephesians 4:31, 5:3; Colossians 4:6)
2) Our behavior. (1 Peter 2:12)
3) Our moral principles. (1 Thessalonians 4:6-7; Exodus 20:1-17)
4) Our appearance, dress, and hair length. (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 11:14-15; 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:1-6)
5) Our choice of friends. (Proverbs 13:20)
6) Our choice of counselors. (Psalm 1:1)
7) Our occupation. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
8) Our choice of things we read, see, do, and the music we listen to. (Philippians 4:8)
2. Separation in Questionable Things
a. We believe in the individual priesthood of the believer.
1) This means that God has given to every person the privilege of direct access to God. (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6)
2) This means also that every person has the right to interpret the Scriptures for himself in order to discover its facts and truths and to establish his own beliefs, convictions, and practices from this study. (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11; Galatians 5:1)
3) This does not mean that an individual has the liberty to twist, doubt, or disobey the original intent of the Scripture as God has revealed it in the Bible. We also believe that a local church and/or another believer has the liberty to disagree with and if necessary not accept into fellowship those deviating from sound doctrine and practice. (2 Peter 3:16; Matthew 5:17-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13)
4) This does not mean that our liberty in Christ extends to the point of:
(a) sin (Ephesians 5:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:8)
(b) carnal behavior (Galatians 5:13-15; 1 Peter 2:16)
(c) behavior that may tempt or weaken the faith of others (see “d.” below)
b. We believe that it is not God’s will for believers to judge one another with respect to things indifferent to God. (By “things indifferent” we mean things about which God has given no clear statement or principle in His Word, or things that He has said in His Word that make no difference to Him.) (Deuteronomy 29:29) In things indifferent the following principles apply:
1) The strong should receive the weak and not argue with them about their opinions. (Romans 14:1-3)
2) The weak should not judge the strong because things indifferent have nothing to do with our standing before God. (Romans 14:3b-12)
3) God deals with each according to his own conscience in things indifferent and God has called all believers to peace in such matters. (Romans 14:5b, 19, 22-23)
c. We believe that as believers we are called by God to limit our liberty in Christ in matters that we may not consider to be sin but could tempt others to sin or that would be considered to be sin. (1 Peter 2:16; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13; 1 Thessalonians 5:22). Several principles to govern our conduct in this area would be as follows:
1) Does it glorify the Lord? (1 Corinthians 6:20, 10:31)
2) Could it be a stumbling block to other believers? (Romans 14:13, 20-21; 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13)
3) Will it harm my body? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30)
4) Do I want to reap this later in my life and in the lives of my children? (Galatians 6:7-8)
5) Will it build and strengthen my Christian life? (1 Corinthians 10:23, 6:12)
6) Does it make me look, act, or become more like the world? (1 John 2:15-16; James 4:4)
7) Do I have doubts about whether it is right or not? (Romans 14:22-23)
8) Does it seem evil or questionable to others? (1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33)
3. Ecclesiastical Separation
a. We believe that God desires love and unity among all true believers and that this unity be based upon the doctrinal truths of His word. (John 13:34-35, 17:21-23 compare John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 13:6; Philippians 1:9-10; Deuteronomy 13:3-4)
b. We believe that God has commanded all believers to:
1) Form no spiritual unions with or be found in cooperation among unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
2) “Mark” and “avoid” those who cause divisions or teach doctrinal error regardless of their “good words and fair speeches” (Romans 16:17-20)
3) “Withdraw” from those who:
(a) Do not consent to the words and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 6:3; Titus 1:16-2:15)
(b) Teach doctrine not promoting godliness. (1 Timothy 6:3; John 9:11)
(c) Become argumentative over unimportant questions. (Titus 3:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:4)
(d) Believe that material gain is a sign of godliness and God’s approval. (1 Timothy 6:5)
4) “Rebuke sharply” those whose behavior does not conform with sound faith and doctrine appropriate for believers. (Titus 1:13-2:15; 1 Timothy 6:1-2, 5)
c. We also believe that it is unwise to work together with believers who do not hold to a firm stand of separation since compromise leads to apostasy and sin. (Exodus 34:12-14; Numbers 33:51-55; Deuteronomy 7:1-5; Judges 1:36, 2:1-23; Solomon, Asa, etc.)
d. We therefore disavow the position both of those organizations and fellowships:
1) Where unbelief and error has developed to the point where apostasy is recognizable and indisputable, and
2) Where the position of separation does not conform with that stated above since any other position constitutes an unscriptural compromise which may lead to apostasy and sin. We believe it is right to pray for those true Christians who hold this error, but we believe it is wrong to work with or cooperate with them.
e. We therefore disavow the position of the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, the National Association of Evangelicals, and any other association, fellowship or missions agency that would be in sympathy with them.
f. We stand in opposition to the Ecumenical Movement, Neo-Orthodoxy, New Evangelicalism, and cooperative evangelism programs between churches and people not of like precious faith and practice.
g. We believe in divine healing (James 5:14-15), but we believe that the modern tongues, charismatic, and healing movement violates many direct Scriptural statements and must be rejected as being contrary to sound doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:15-21; 1 Corinthians 14:27-40 especially I Corinthians 14:37; Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 18:20-22; Matthew 7:21-23)
– The Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church
Books Authored by Dr Macale
