II. Articles of Faith

The Scriptures

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us; and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

God

There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.

The Trinity

God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being. The eternal triune God has always, and will always, exist as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Providence

God, for eternity decrees of or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin in such a way that would compromise his character or holiness nor to destroy the responsibility of his image bearing creatures, humanity.

Election

Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.

The Fall of Man

God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation. Man, thus, in his whole person is radically depraved, though not being as bad as one could be, yet entirely dependent upon the grace of God to have any hope of or experience of salvation and freedom from his guilt and the condemnation of his sin.

The Mediator

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed Mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people. His death on the cross is the only means of propitiation provided by God. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.

Regeneration

Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who

revives the dead in trespasses and sins, enlightening their minds spiritually

and savingly to understand the Word of God, love God and his Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and special grace alone.

Repentance

Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a human being, by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbles himself for it, with Godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk with God so as to please Him in all things.

Faith

Saving faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification, Sanctification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness.

Justification

Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sins, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith.

Sanctification

Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God's word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.

Perseverance of the Saints

Those whom God has accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

The Church

The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples, and in Him is, invested supremely all power for its government. According to His commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into particular societies or churches; and to each of these churches He has given needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which He has appointed. The regular officers of a Church are Overseers and Deacons. These Overseers and Deacons have different administrative roles given within the local body for the purpose of building up the body of Christ in faith and evangelizing and serving the community in kindness and love.

Baptism

Baptism is the first of two ordinances of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. It is a prerequisite to church fellowship, and to participation in the Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is the second of two ordinances of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and fruit of the vine, and to be by His churches till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate His death, to Confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be bond, pledge and renewal of their communion with Him, and of their church fellowship.

The Lord's Day

The Lord's Day is a Christian day of worship for regular observance, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, resting from worldly employments and amusements. This is not a legal day equivalent with the Old Covenant Sabbath, which was Saturday, the last day of the week. It is the Christian day of worship, traditionally held on the first day of the week, Sunday, to commemorate the Resurrection of Christ. It does not in any way have the bearing of the Old Covenant Levitical command of keeping the Sabbath. The Sabbath rest has thus been fulfilled in communion with the resurrected Christ.

Liberty of Conscience

God alone is Lord of the conscience. The conscience, in all matters of faith and duty, is subject to the authority of God alone, and entirely free from all subjection to the traditions and commandments of men. To believe any doctrine, or obey any commandment, contrary to, or outside, the Word of God, out of submission to human authority, is to betray true liberty of conscience. Authorities in our lives, being ordained by God, should be obeyed, for conscience’s sake, so long as doing so would not be contrary to the Word of God.

The Resurrection

The physical body of man after death return to dust, but his spirit returns

immediately to God — the righteous to rest with Him, the wicked, to be reserved under

darkness to the judgment. At the last day, both the just and the unjust will be raised with an eternal body which is imperishable to stand before the Throne of Christ.

Judgment

God has appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when everyone shall receive according to his deeds: the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment and separated from God; the righteous, into everlasting life with God.

Sardis Baptist Church is committed to believing and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are committed to obeying the command of Christ to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that Christ commands (Matt 28: 18-20).

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the professional of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

For the Advancement of This Church

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinance, discipline, and doctrines.

As Christian Stewards

To proportionately contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

Alone and at Home

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to educate our children religiously; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances. To abstain from inebriation or use of illegal drugs.

Before the World

To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from inebriation or any other illegal drugs.

Toward One Another

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and, mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay.

When We Move

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.

Church membership is very important for Sardis Baptist Church. We understand that God has ordained the church to be the “pillar and buttress of truth” (1 Tim 3:15). Membership is given to those who repent and believe the gospel and are baptized. For those transferring from another church, Sardis requests a letter of transfer affirming that they are in good standing and not under any church discipline for unrepentant sin. Furthermore, Christians are called to live in community among other believers. The local church is the place where the ordinances of God (baptism, communion, preaching) are regularly practiced for the edification of believers. Members of Sardis are encouraged and expected to regularly attend so that they may be protected from the schemes of the devil, grow in grace, and exercise their gifts among the body. For more information regarding joining Sardis, please contact one of the pastors.

At Sardis, we are committed to expository preaching. Our sermons will walk through Scripture, verse by verse, book by book until we preach through the entire canon of Scripture and then we will start again. For we are convinced that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17).

Elders

At Sardis, we hold to a plurality of leadership. The terms “elder”, “overseer”, and “pastor” are synonyous. Elders, overseers, or pastors exercise oversight with equal authority. However, each pastor serves in specific roles administering oversight over the body of Christ. The role of overseer, elder, or pastor is exclusively reserved for men (1 Tim 2:12) and they must meet the qualification listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus. Pastors are men who serve “as those keeping watch over souls, as those who will have to give an account” (Heb 13:17). For more information or questions, contact one of the pastors.

Deacons

At Sardis, those who serve as deacons likewise must meet the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus. They must also be tested first. The office of deacon is for those who wish to serve the church meeting the practical and spiritual needs of the body. Their role is essential for the health of the church and ensuring that the preaching of the word goes forth uninhibited. For more information regarding deacons, scontact one of the pastors.