What We Believe

These distinctives summarize important biblical convictions that shape the faith and practice of Shalom Baptist Church. They are derived from our Church Constitution, Statement of Faith, Church Covenant, and related doctrinal materials to provide an accessible overview of what characterizes our church. They are not a separately adopted statement or an additional governing document of the church. For the church's authoritative wording, refer to the Church Constitution, Statement of Faith, and Church Covenant.

• Biblical Authority & Preservation

  We believe the Holy Scriptures are the supreme and final authority for faith, doctrine, and Christian practice. Shalom Baptist Church receives the Scriptures as God's preserved Word and expressly identifies the Authorized Version / King James Bible in its church documents.

  Scripture: II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Proverbs 30:5-6

  Source: Constitution — Article 4, Section 2: Doctrine · Statement of Faith — Section 1: The Scriptures

• Salvation by Grace Through Faith

  Salvation is the free gift of God, received personally through faith in Jesus Christ and not earned through human works. The believer's salvation rests upon Christ and His finished work.

  Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; Romans 10:9; John 1:12

  Source: Statement of Faith — Section 6: The Way of Salvation

• An Independent, Self-Governing Local Church

  Shalom Baptist Church is an autonomous local church under Christ and is not subject to an outside denomination, hierarchy, political body, or ecclesiastical authority. It may voluntarily fellowship and cooperate with churches of like faith and practice while retaining its independence.

  Scripture: Matthew 18:15-18; Acts 1:23-26; I Timothy 3:15

  Source: Constitution — Article 4, Section 1: Policy · Statement of Faith — Section 21: Church Independence and Relationships

• Regenerate & Meaningful Church Membership

  Church membership is for those who give evidence of the new birth, profess faith in Christ, have been baptized by immersion, accept the church's faith and practice, and commit themselves to the responsibilities of local church life. Membership therefore involves worship, fellowship, service, accountability, care, and Christian love.

  Scripture: Acts 2:41-42; Romans 12:10; Hebrews 10:24-25; Hebrews 13:1

  Source: Constitution — Article 5: Membership · Statement of Faith — Section 16: The Church · Church Covenant

• Believer's Baptism & the Lord's Supper

  We recognize two Scriptural ordinances committed to the local church: believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper. Baptism identifies the believer with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection and is a prerequisite to church membership; the Lord's Supper commemorates Christ's death and is observed with self-examination.

  Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:23-32

  Source: Statement of Faith — Section 18: Ordinances · Constitution — Article 5: Membership

• The Priesthood of Every Believer

  Every born-again believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ without the need for a human priest. Every believer also has the privilege and responsibility to personally study the Scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

  Scripture: I Peter 2:4-9; Hebrews 4:16; II Timothy 2:15

  Source: Statement of Faith — Section 17: Believer Priests

• Biblical Pastoral Leadership & Church Offices

  Christ is the Head of the church. Scripture identifies Pastors and Deacons as the biblical officers of the local church with defined spiritual qualifications. At SBC the Pastor provides spiritual leadership and oversight, while Deacons serve and assist the Pastor and are not a separate ruling body.

  Scripture: I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Philippians 1:1; I Peter 5:1-4

  Source: Constitution — Article 6 · Statement of Faith — Section 16: The Church · Statement of Faith — Section 20: Licensing and Ordination

• The Great Commission, Evangelism & Missions

  The church exists to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and take the Gospel beyond the local congregation. SBC understands missions as a ministry of the local church in which missionaries are prepared, sent, supported, and held accountable through the sending church.

  Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Acts 13:1-3

  Source: Constitution — Article 1, Section 2: Purpose · Constitution — Article 9: Missionaries

• Discipleship & Christian Education

  The Great Commission involves both reaching the lost and teaching believers to know and obey God's Word. SBC therefore regards preaching, Sunday School, discipleship, Christian education, and Shalom Baptist Christian Academy as ministries through which biblical truth is taught.

  Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20; II Timothy 2:2; II Timothy 3:16-17

  Source: Constitution — Article 1, Section 2: Purpose · Constitution — Article 8: School Ministry

• Biblical Separation & Holy Living

  Believers are called to pursue holiness and separation from sin and worldliness while loving God and their neighbour. SBC also teaches separation from heresy and ecclesiastical apostasy in order to maintain doctrinal purity and a faithful Christian testimony.

  Scripture: Romans 16:17; Ephesians 5:11; II Corinthians 6:17; Titus 3:10; I Thessalonians 4:3

  Source: Statement of Faith — Section 11: Sanctification · Statement of Faith — Section 23: Separation from Heresy and Apostasy

• Cessation of Apostolic Sign Gifts

  The supplied doctrinal material identifies SBC's position as cessationist regarding apostolic-era sign gifts such as tongues and miraculous healing. These signs are understood in connection with the apostolic era and the authentication of the Gospel message rather than as normative continuing sign gifts of the church today.

  Scripture: I Corinthians 14; Hebrews 2:3-4; II Corinthians 12:12

  Source: Derived from supplied doctrinal and church-membership materials (not a numbered Constitution article)

• Restorative Church Discipline & Reconciliation

  Biblical church discipline protects sound doctrine, Christian testimony, and the spiritual health of the congregation, while seeking repentance, reconciliation, and restoration. Personal offenses are to be approached biblically, humbly, and with restoration as the goal.

  Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1; II Corinthians 2:1-11; Titus 3:10-11

  Source: Constitution — Article 5, Sections 4-5 · Church Covenant

• Religious Liberty & Separation of Church and State

  Civil government is to be respected, prayed for, and obeyed except where civil requirements conflict with obedience to Christ. The church should remain free from state control, and the state should not control or prefer one religious body over another.

  Scripture: Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; I Timothy 2:1-2

  Source: Constitution — Article 4, Section 1 · Statement of Faith — Section 22: Civil Government and Religious Liberty

• Biblical Marriage & Sexual Morality

  SBC understands marriage as the lifelong, monogamous union of one man and one woman and teaches that sexual intimacy belongs within that marriage covenant. Christian sexual conduct is governed by Scripture rather than changing cultural standards.

  Scripture: Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Hebrews 13:4; I Thessalonians 4:1-8

  Source: Statement of Faith — Section 24: Human Sexuality

• Biblical Stewardship, Tithes & Offerings

  Christians are stewards of what God has entrusted to them and are expected to support the work of their local church. SBC teaches the tithe as a basis for giving together with cheerful and sacrificial offerings for ministry, missions, those in need, and the work of the Gospel.

  Scripture: Proverbs 3:9-10; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-7; I John 3:17

  Source: Statement of Faith — Section 19: Tithes and Offerings · Church Covenant

• The Blessed Hope & Literal Return of Christ

  SBC believes in the personal, visible, and imminent return of Jesus Christ, including the Rapture of the Church before the Tribulation, followed by Christ's return and His literal millennial kingdom. This future hope calls believers to faithful and holy Christian living.

  Scripture: I Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 14:1-3; I Corinthians 15:51-53; Titus 2:13; Revelation 20:1-7

  Source: Statement of Faith — Section 13: The Return of Christ · Statement of Faith — Sections 14-15: Resurrection, Judgment, and the Eternal State

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