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What We Believe
Fundamentally Baptist
We are a Missionary Baptist church. We believe the Bible, we preach Christ, and we hold the historic Baptist distinctives without apology.
Baptist Distinctives
What makes a Baptist church Baptist
One faith. One Lord. One standard: the Bible.
Biblical Authority
The Bible is the final authority for all matters of faith and practice.
Autonomy of the Local Church
Each local church is self-governing and independent of any outside control or hierarchy.
Priesthood of All Believers
Every believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ, without a human mediator.
Two Ordinances
Believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper, as acts of obedience and remembrance.
Individual Soul Liberty
Every person is free to choose what he believes, and is personally responsible to God.
Saved, Baptized Membership
Church membership is for those with a credible profession of faith in Christ who have been baptized.
Two Offices
Scripture recognizes two offices in the local church: pastor and deacon.
Separation of Church and State
The state has no power to dictate the church’s faith or practice.
Statement of Faith
Articles of faith
These articles summarize what Salem believes and teaches. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, preserved by God, and the sole and final authority for faith and practice. We read and preach from the King James Version.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 12:6–7
The True God
We believe in one living and true God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7
The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, sinless in His life, who died on the cross as the substitute for sinners, rose bodily the third day, ascended into heaven, and now intercedes for His people.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 1:1, 14; Isaiah 7:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Hebrews 7:25; John 14:6
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, regenerates, indwells, and seals every believer, and guides and empowers the saints for holy living and service.
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
John 16:8; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:9
Man and Sin
We believe man was created in the image of God, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy state; so that all men are sinners by nature and by choice, and without Christ are lost.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Genesis 1:27; Genesis 3; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12
Salvation by Grace
We believe salvation is wholly of grace: the free gift of God, received through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, apart from works, baptism, or church membership. Every true believer is kept by the power of God.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8–9; Acts 20:21; John 10:27–29; Romans 10:9–13
The Local Church
We believe a New Testament church is a local, visible congregation of baptized believers, joined in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances, governed by the laws of Christ, and exercising the gifts given by His Word. Each local church is autonomous, self-governing, and free from any outside control, with Christ as its only Head.
“And he is the head of the body, the church.”
Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:41–42; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23
The Two Ordinances
We believe Christ gave His church two ordinances. Believer’s baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, picturing our death to sin and resurrection to new life; it is a testimony, not a means of salvation. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of His death, observed by baptized believers until He comes.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:3–5; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Pastors and Deacons
We believe the Scriptures give the local church two offices: pastor (also called bishop or elder) and deacon. These offices are held by men who meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.”
1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; Acts 6:1–7; 1 Peter 5:1–4
Priesthood and Soul Liberty
We believe every believer has direct access to God through the one Mediator, Jesus Christ, and that each person is personally accountable to God. No one may be compelled in matters of faith.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 4:14–16; Romans 14:12
Church and State
We believe church and state are to be separate, each serving its God-given purpose, with neither ruling over the other. We honor and pray for those in authority, and obey God rather than men where conscience requires.
“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1–7; Acts 5:29; 1 Timothy 2:1–2
The Great Commission
We believe it is the duty and privilege of every believer and every church to carry the Gospel to all the world, making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all things Christ commanded.
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14–15
Stewardship
We believe God is the owner of all things, and that believers are stewards of their time, talents, and treasure. We support the Lord’s work through tithes and offerings given cheerfully and in faith.
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.”
Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7; Proverbs 3:9
Last Things
We believe in the personal, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ; the resurrection of the just and the unjust; the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven; and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; John 14:1–3; Revelation 20:11–15; Matthew 25:46
Our Foundation
“In accordance with the doctrines of the Baptist Church”
Since 1938 our charter has bound Salem to Baptist doctrine and order. These articles are not new; they are the faith our founders preached and our congregation has kept.