What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of Murdale Baptist based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise.  God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom,  justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Genesis 1:1,26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 1:18-23; John 1:1-28;John 14:16-17;  Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 4:10

The Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God to reveal God and His will to man. The Bible has God as its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error. The Bible is the sole authority for Christian living.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119:105, 160; Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21

Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image to worship Him, glorify Him, and to have dominion over the earth. Sin separates man from God and man is eternally doomed unless he receives salvation in Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:3-6; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 3:10-18, 23

Because all people are separated from God by sin and are in need of forgiveness, God offers the free gift of salvation. Each person is without excuse, we are to accept His free gift, repent of sin, and place faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Exodus 6:28; Matthew 16:21-26; John 3:15-16; John 17:3; Romans 5:1; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9

We believe our true salvation, provided by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ alone, is eternally secure. It is imperishable and no man or circumstance can snatch us out of the powerful hand of God because Jesus Christ has made an everlasting covenant with us.
2 Samuel 23:5; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 10:28; John 14:6; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:4

Jesus Christ is the head of His body, the church. The body of Christ is composed of believers. The purpose of the church is to carry out His mission in the world, and is best lived out in local, autonomous churches.
Matthew 16:15-19; Acts 2:41-42,47; Romans 12:48; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:10-16; Revelation 2 & 3

Baptism by immersion follows Christ's example, symbolizing death, burial, and resurrection to new life in Christ. It serves as a testimony of faith after accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.
The Lord's supper is an act of obedience and a testimony of faith. It symbolically memorializes the death of Jesus Christ. Self examination and confession of sins should precede participation in the Lord's supper.
Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 26:26-30; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12

God calls individuals, whose lives best exemplify the Biblical qualifications of the position of pastor, ministerial staff, and deacons to lead the local body. They are selected and affirmed by the local body after prayerful consideration. Leaders are called by God to uphold church doctrine and to live lives worthy of respect. The local church is called to submit to their leadership.
Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3; Acts 6:1-8; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-22; Hebrews 13:7, 17; Titus 1:5-9