The Holy Scriptures.

We believe in the Bible as the verbally (every word) and plenary (complete) inspired Word of God as contained in the original manuscripts; that all portions of Scripture are equally inspired and contain no contradictions (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20,21).  

We believe the Canon, the sixty-six books of the Bible is complete. 

We further believe that God has supernaturally and providentially preserved His inspired Word for every generation (Ps. 12:6-7).

          A.  By inspiration we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of God as they were moved by the Holy Ghost in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be. This was a one-time event in which God, once for all, delivered His truth to the church (Jude, v.3). Inspiration means “God Breathed”.

          B.  By providential preservation we mean that God, through the ages, has, in His divine presence, preserved the very words He inspired.  We further believe that the Hebrew Old Testament text, as found in the Traditional Masoretic Text, and the  Greek New Testament text, as found in the Textus Receptus, are the true texts of Scripture and therefore are the complete, preserved, inerrant, infallible Word of God.

We therefore believe that the King James Version is an accurate and faithful translation of the original manuscripts and constitutes the preserved, inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God for the English-speaking people of the world and therefore, is our sole and final authority for faith and practice. 

The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. 

The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by Mt Ogden Baptist Church
(Ps. 119:160; Prov. 30:5-6; Matt. 5:18; Jn. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:20-25; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)

We believe that the Scriptures, interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to his purpose. Three of these dispensations – the law, the church, and the kingdom – are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture. We reject all forms of hyperdispensationalism and ultradispensationalsim. (Gen. 1:28; Rom. 4:1-25; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-25, 27; II Tim. 3:16-17; Rev. 20:2-6)

The Godhead.  We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each being co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, coequal in power and glory, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in every divine work, which includes, but is not limited, to the work of redemption.  (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Cor. 13:14)

The Person and Work of the Heavenly Father.  We believe that God the Father is Father only to those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; that He is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power; that he concerns Himself in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer; that He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent; and that He is the object of our worship and praise. (Gen. 17:1, Ps. 65:2, Ps. 90:2, Ps. 139:1-24, Ps. 147:5, Isa. 6:3, Mal. 3:6, Matt. 5:45, Matt. 6:24-34, 1 John 4:8, 16)

The Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men.  (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; Jn. 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption by shedding his precious blood and dying on the cross as a representative, vicarious sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by his literal, physical resurrection from the dead.  (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:3-5)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.  (Acts 1:9; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 Jn. 2:1-2)

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.  We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption.  (Jn. 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14)

We believe the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit.  (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 Jn. 2:20, 27)

We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer.  God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry.  (Rom. 12;3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12)

We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, and the gift of healing, were temporary.  Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, and that the ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing.  (1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22)

The Total Depravity of Man.  We believe that man is created in the image and likeness of God. We believe through Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God.  Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition; but possesses the free will to accept or reject God’s call to salvation.  (Gen.1:26-27; Jn. 3:14-21; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23 10:8-17; I Cor. 11:7; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19; James 3:9)

Salvation.  We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace, and received by repentance toward God and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins; and that it is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  We reject all points and tenets of Calvinism.  (Jn. 1:12; 3:14-17;  Rom. 10:8-17; Eph. 1:7; 2:1-22; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Jn. 1:9)

The Believer.  We believe that all the saved have eternal life, and are kept by God’s power and not their works, and are thus secure in Christ forever.  (Jn. 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1, 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5)

We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.  (Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)

We believe that each believer can come directly to God through Christ Jesus without any other human or saintly intervention.  (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 2:5-10; 1 John 1:9)

The Church.

We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again and scripturally baptized persons.  (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27)

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures.  (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)

We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control.  (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4)

We believe there are only two Scriptural ordinances for the NT local church: Water Immersion and the Lord’s Table. They are purely symbolical, not sacramental

          A.  We believe that Biblical Baptism is the single immersion of the believer in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; that it pictorially sets forth the essential facts of redemption: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that it gives testimony to the change that has occurred in the believer’s life: death to sin and resurrection to walk in the newness of life. Baptism follows salvation; therefore, it is not a prerequisite for salvation. It is simply, an act of obedience. There is no saving power in baptism. (Matt.28:18-20; Rom. 6:4-6)

           B.  We believe that the Lord’s Table is a memorial which shows His death until He comes again, that the bread and the cup are only symbols of His broken body and shed blood, and that our observance of it, is pictorial of the believer’s fellowship with Christ and His body, the local church, after a time of searching and self-judgment. (Matt 26:26-30; 1 Cor. 10:16-21; 11:17-34)

We believe only local, New Testament churches have the authority to administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:18; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)

We believe only a man, biologically born and remaining a male, is qualified to hold the office of pastor or deacon.

Separation.  We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord.  God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations; and to refrain from all inappropriate and ungodly speech, from all immodest, inappropriate and immoderate appearances. (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; 2 Jn. 9-11; Lev. 19:28; 1 Cor. 6:19-20)

The Second Advent of Christ.  We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ, who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation period.  At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with his saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which, was promised to the nation of Israel.  (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; I Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; Tit. 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6)

The Eternal State.  We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment.  (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13)

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord.  (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 2:5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6)

We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with the spirit, soul, and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment.  (Matt. 25:41-46; Mk 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)

The Personality of Satan. We believe that Satan is a fallen angel. He was created in unconfirmed holiness but sinned and became the arch enemy of God and His creation. He is the author of sin and the instigator of the Fall of Man. He is the chief adversary of God’s children. He seeks to keep man from the Lord, and when he cannot succeed in this, he seeks to weaken the testimony of Christians. He has at his command a great host of fallen angels and demons to carry out his purposes. He is not omnipotent and can be overcome by the power of God. His doom is sealed in the Lake of Fire forever and forever. (Eze. 28:12-19; Isa. 14:12-14; Rev. 12:10; Rev. 20:10.)

Creation.

We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods, and that the theory of evolution, Theistic evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory are unscientific and unbiblical theories of origin. We believe that observable science, that is correctly understood and applied, is never in conflict with God’s word. (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11; John 1: 1-3)

Civil Government.  We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions:  1) the home,  2) the church,  3) the state.  Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by his Word.  God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other.  The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.  (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; I Peter 2:13-14)

We believe that every individual should have the right to worship God in accord with his own understanding of the Scripture and without coercion, as far as it does not infringe upon the God-given rights of others.   (John 21:22; Rom. 14:5-12, 21; Acts 15:39; Acts 4:1-7, 13-23, 33; Acts 17:10-12; Acts 5:12-34, 38-42)

Human Sexuality.

We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man, biologically born and remaining a male; and one woman, biologically born and remaining a female in an exclusive covenant commitment for their joint lifetime. Accordingly, we believe the church, its pastors, staff, and members are prohibited from participating in same sex unions, same sex marriages, polygamous unions, polygamous marriages; marriage to another person, while a previously wedded spouse is still alive, or any other union or marriage contrary to the Holy Scriptures, this church’s Statement of Faith, and Constitution and Bylaws. Neither shall the Mt Ogden Baptist Church’s property or resources be used for such purposes. We believe marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman before God (Mal. 2:14).  As such, the ceremony is an act of worship of the Creator for the blessing of marriage (Prov. 18:22; 19:14). Weddings should rightfully be referred to as worship services. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)

We believe that God has commanded that no sexual activity including verbal, visual, or physical stimulus should be engaged in outside of a marriage.  We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, pedophilia, adultery, pornography, transvestitism, deviant gender identity, or any other deviant sexual behavior are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that premarital cohabitation, prenuptial agreements, and common law marriage are all violations of God’s design for marriage and are thus sinful practices. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery, medication, or appearance.  (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

Family Relationships.  We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home, and the church.  The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church.  (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.  The husband is to love the wife as Christ loved the church.  The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband, in all things, as the church is commanded to submit to the headship of Christ.  Children are an heritage from the Lord and are commanded by the Scriptures to honor and obey their parents.  Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual, and moral values; and training them, through consistent lifestyle example, and appropriate discipline.  (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7) 

Divorce and Remarriage. We believe that God hates divorce, and intends marriage between a man, biologically born and remaining a male; and a woman, biologically born and remaining a female, to last until one of the spouses dies. We believe that marriage to another person, while the previous spouse is still living, is regarded in the Scripture as adultery. We believe that a divorced man or a man married to a divorced spouse is not eligible to hold the office of pastor or deacon. (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 5:32; Matt. 19:3-9; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Cor. 7:1-11; I Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)

Abortion.  We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living, human being.  Abortion (the elective man made death, ejection or removal of the unborn child from the womb) constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life.  Abortion is murder by any means, whether surgical, chemical, physical injury, or deliberate conduct for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy.  We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancy due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selections, birth population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable.  (Ex. 21:22-25; Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

Euthanasia.  The direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention.  Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death.  Thus we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God.  Discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be a legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment (Exodus 20:13, 23:7; Matthew 5:21; Acts 17:28).

Love.  We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, and those who oppose us.  We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly.  God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict, or obtaining personal justice.  Although, God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in sinful actions.  (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18)

Lawsuits Between Believers. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christian members, or against local church bodies themselves, to resolve personal disputes. We believe the local church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company, as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (I Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32)

Missions.  We believe that God has given the local church a commission to preach the gospel to every individual in the world, to baptize believers, to establish churches, and teach converts the whole counsel of God; so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, every believer has been given the responsibility to exercise their spiritual gifts and utilize every scriptural method to strengthen their local church and to reach the world with the gospel. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20) The method of missions support is through Grace Giving, according to 2 Cor. chapters 8-9.

Giving. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe (10% of gross income) as a basis for giving; but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully for the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that any person making a financial contribution to the church relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been given. (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17)