What Do We As Missionary Baptists Believe?

The Best Grove Missionary Baptist Church believes in the full gospel and entire teachings as read in the Holy Bible comprised of both old and new testaments. Our church is founded upon the following eighteen Articles of Faith which govern and compose our belief system:

  Article I - The Scriptures. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction without error and incapable of failing.

  Article II - The True God. We believe only in one true and living God and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

  Article III - The Fall of Man. We believe that man was created in holiness but by voluntary transgressions fell from that state; in consequence all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice.

  Article IV - The Way of Salvation. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace through the Jesus Christ, the Son of God; who is the way, the truth and the life.

  Article V - Justification. We believe that justification comes only through Christ Jesus who is able to pardon the believer of sin and give eternal life on principles of righteousness.

  Article VI - The Freeness of Salvation. We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel.

  Article VII - Regeneration. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again and its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life.
  Article VIII - Repentance and Faith. We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating spirit of God. Whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication of mercy.

  Article IX - God's Purpose of Grace. We believe the scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies and save sinners; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy.

  Article X - Sanctification. We believe the scriptures teach that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

 Article XI - Perseverance of Saints. We believe the scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure to the end; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

  Article XII - The Law and Gospel. We believe the scriptures teach that the law of God is eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that the inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.

  Article XIII - A Gospel Church. We believe the scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.

  Article XIV - Baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that the scriptures teach that the Christian baptism is the immersion in water of believer in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

  Article XV - The Christian Sabbath. We believe the scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day or Christian Sabbath and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes.

 Article XVI - Civil Government. We believe the scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored 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 Prince of Kings of the earth.

  Article XVII - Righteous and Wicked. We believe the scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified 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; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.

 Article XVIII - The World To Come. We believe the scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day, Christ will descend from Heaven and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.