Beliefs

WE DESIRE TO BE A CHURCH THAT LOVES GOD AND LOVES PEOPLE.

God

You have a Creator and a God that can be trusted.

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1,26,27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Jesus Christ

Jesus, the Son of God, sacrificed Himself so that you could have a relationship with God.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was both fully God and fully human, lived a sinless human life, and offered himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again some day to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 8:58, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 6: 14-15; Titus 2:13)

Holy Spirit

As a Christian, the Holy Spirit works in you and through you.

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian with power for living, understanding for spiritual truths, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16: 7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25)

The Bible

The Bible is your guide for what to believe and how to live.

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without mixture of error. (2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105, 160, 2:6; Proverbs 30:5)

Human Creation

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.

People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:6; Romans 3:23

Salvation

Sin separates us from God, but God has provided a way, through Jesus Christ, for us to have a restored relationship with Him.

Salvation is God’s free gift to us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26)

Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Jesus has given the local church two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

All who have received Christ as Savior should be baptized by immersion as a symbolic testimony to their participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. Likewise, believers should regularly partake in the Lord’s Supper as a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s death and as a testimony of our fellowship with Him and our unity as the body of Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Someone does not have to be a member of Carterville Baptist Church to participate in the Lord’s Supper with us; however, they must be someone that has accepted Jesus Christ in their life and is an active participant in a Christian church. 

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