From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have laid out doctrine (beliefs) in brief, definitive statements. As those who know God, we believe it necessary to set forth in a concise fashion the essential truths of our church as guided by Scripture. Our Confession of Faith summarizes essential Christian beliefs, shows unity in Christ, and guards the church from error.

All who join Cedar Heights Baptist Church are required to affirm the Doctrinal Statement. Our Doctrinal Statement firmly roots our faith in historic evangelical Christianity, professing believer's baptism, and congregational polity. Once we as members agree to the Confession of Faith, we are responsible for believing and living in accordance with it.

Doctrinal Statement

THE WORD OF GOD

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired [all the words and the very words are inspired], without error in the original manuscripts, and written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

Matthew 5:18 ; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ; 2 Peter 1:17-21

THE UNITY OF GOD

We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; each equal in every divine perfection, existing eternally, and executing distinct but harmonious offices.

Genesis 1:26 ; Deuteronomy 6:4 ; Matthew 28:19 ; 1 Corinthians 8:6 ;

2 Corinthians 13:14

GOD THE FATHER

We believe in God the Father, who is an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 1:5 ; Matthew 7:11 ; 23:9 ; John 4:24 ; 1 Timothy 1:1-2 ; 2:5-6 ; Revelation 1:6

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. Being fully God and fully man He revealed God through His sinless life, miracles, and teachings. He died a substitutionary atoning death, was buried, was bodily resurrected, and ascended into heaven, where He continually intercedes for His people, and will personally and visibly return to earth.

Matthew 1:18-25 , 20:28 ; John 1:1-2 , 14; 20:30-31 ; Acts 1:11 ; Romans 9:5 ;

1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21 ; Ephesians 1:4 ; Hebrews 7:25 ; 9:28 ;

1 Peter 2:21-23

We believe in the Holy Spirit who was sent from the Father and Son and convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.  He draws, regenerates, sanctifies, empowers, indwells, seals, and keeps until the day of redemption every believer in Jesus Christ.  He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. 

John 6:39 , 44 ; 14:16-17, 26 ; 15:26-27 ; 16:8-14 ; Acts 5:3-4 ; Romans 8:9 ; 1 Corinthians 3:16 ; 6:19 ; Galatians 5:22-26 ; Ephesians 1:13-14 ; Philippians 1:6

ANGELS

We believe God created an order of spiritual beings called angels to serve Him and do His will. The holy angels are obedient spirits ministering to the heirs of salvation and glorifying God. Certain angels through deliberate choice revolted and fell from their exalted position. These are called demons, Satan being their chief. They now tempt individuals to rebel against God. The scope of Satan's power is subject to God's will. Their destiny, to be cast into the lake of fire, has been sealed by Christ's victory over sin and death.

Job 1:6-12 ; Psalm 148:1-5 ; Matthew 25:41; Ephesians 6:10-12 ; Colossians 1:16 ;

1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 1:6-7 ; 13-14 ; 2:14 ; 1 Peter 5:8 ; Revelation 2:10 ; 12:7-9 ; 20:10 , 14

HUMANITY

We believe that humanity is sacred in God's eyes and was uniquely created by Him, in His image and for His glory, to exercise dominion over the earth and to enjoy a relationship with Him forever. Every human being is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life. After sin entered the world, humans still possess the image of God, though tainted by sin. God's will for humanity is that they love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love their neighbors as themselves.

Genesis 1:26-31 ; 9:6 ; Jeremiah 1:5 ; Matthew 22:37-39

THE REBELLION OF MAN

We believe that sin is any action or attitude that is contrary to the nature of God resulting in alienation from God. Sin entered the world when Adam, representing humanity, disobeyed God. As a result of the sin of Adam, the whole human race is separated from a relationship with God, spiritually dead, and under just condemnation. Being sinful by nature and choice and utterly unable to remedy its lost condition, humanity is in need of salvation.

Genesis 3 ; Psalm 51:5 ; Romans 3:23 ; 5:12-19 ; 6:23 ; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 ; Ephesians 2:1-5 ; James 4:17

SALVATION

We believe that salvation is a gift of God, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. In order to be saved, we are called to confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead. The salvation of each believer is based upon the sovereign choice and loving will of God, was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, and is received by faith apart from any human merit, work, or ritual. As a result, the progressive sanctifying work of God leads to a newness of life that is evidenced by righteous living and good works. The consummation of salvation is that those who have received God's gift of salvation in Jesus Christ will be resurrected and glorified.

John 3:3-8, 16-17 ; Acts 4:12; 15:11 ; Ephesians 1:4-14 ; 2:8-9 ; Romans 3:21-28 ; 6:23; 10:9-17 ; 1 Corinthians 15:50-55 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 ; Galatians 2:16 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 ; 1 John 5:11-12

THE CHURCH AND ITS ORDINANCES

We believe that the universal church is a living spiritual body of which Jesus Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members.

We believe that the local church consists of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, who are baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.

Jesus Christ has committed two offices to the local church, which are elders and deacons.

Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, which are baptism and the Lord's Supper. These should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We baptize professing believers by immersion into water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ for the commemoration of His death.

Matthew 28:18-20 ; Mark 1:9 , Acts 1:8 ; 2:38-39, 42 ; Romans 6:3-5 ; Ephesians 2:19-22 ; 4:1-16 ; 5:19-21 ; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ; 12:12-31 ; 1 Timothy 3:1-13 ; Titus 1:5-9 ; Hebrews 10:23-25

THE FUTURE OR END TIMES

We believe God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring all earthly things (the Church, Israel, the Tribulation, and the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ) to their appropriate completion and establish the new heaven and new earth. Jesus Christ will return to the earth suddenly, personally, and visibly in glory according to His promise. The dead will be raised, and Jesus Christ will judge mankind in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to the everlasting punishment prepared for the devil and his angels. The righteous, in their resurrected and glorified bodies, will receive their reward and dwell forever with the Lord.

Matthew 24:36, 44, 50 ; 25:13 ; 41-46 ; John 5:28-29 ; 14:1-3 ; 2 Corinthians 5:10 ; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:7; 20:10-15; 21; 22:3-5