Swartz FBC is a Southern Baptist church and, as such, ascribes to the statement of faith
that is known as "The
Baptist Faith and Message". In the preamble to the 2000 document the committee
reported that "It is the purpose of this statement of faith and message to set forth
certain teachings which we believe. " Below are the major divisions of that document.
You may get more information about any division by clicking on the "[read more]"
link (will open a pop-up window with the complete text of that division).
The Scriptures - The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's
revelation of Himself to man. [read
more]
God - There is one and only one living and true God. The eternal triune God
reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes,
but without division of nature, essence, or being. [read more]
Man - Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. [read more]
Salvation - Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered
freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained
eternal redemption for the believer. [read
more]
God's Purpose of Grace - Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to
which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. [read
more]
The Church - A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous
local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and
fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws,
exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to
extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. [read
more]
Baptism and the Lord's Supper - Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer
in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. [read
more]
The Lord's Day - The first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian
institution for regular observance. [read
more]
The Kingdom - The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the
universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. [read
more]
Last Things - God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to
its appropriate end. [read
more]
Evangelism and Missions - It is the duty and privilege of every follower of
Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all
nations. [read
more]
Education - Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. [read
more]
Stewardship - God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all
that we have and are we owe to Him. [read
more]
Cooperation - Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such
associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the
Kingdom of God. [read
more]
The Christian and the Social Order - All Christians are under obligation to seek
to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. [read
more]
Peace and War - It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on
principles of righteousness. [read
more]
Religious Liberty - God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free
from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained
in it. [read
more]
The Family - God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of
human society. [read
more]