I. Soteriology (The Doctrine of Salvation):

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Salvation is the most essential doctrine to why the church exists. We believe that all men are in need of salvation from their sin and from the wrath of God in Hell. As such, The Lord has offered salvation as a free gift to all men who would, after hearing the gospel taught or preached to them, that they would repent of their sin and of relying on their good works, and place their faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is offered to all men without exception. We reject reformed theology and the heresies put forward by John Calvin. Salvation is a free gift to all who would believe in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-21; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8-9; 10:9-17; Acts 16:30-34;Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

II. Baptism:

 

The word Baptize is transliterated from the Greek Baptizdo, which means “to fully whelm or submerge”. As such, the practice of baptizing a new convert must be done in a place where he or she can be fully submerged under water, picturing the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is one of only two ordinances given by Jesus Christ to the Local New Testament church and is to be done under the church's authority by an ordained Pastor or Deacon. Baptism is for newly saved converts, people who have trusted Jesus Christ. It is the first step of obedience to the new believer, and it is the second part of the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His church. (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6; Acts 2: 41; 8:36-39; 19:2-5).

 

III. The Lord’s Supper:

 

Commonly referred to as the communion table, this is the second ordinance Jesus gave to the church. We believe that this ordinance does not involve transubstantiation as the Catholic institution suggests. This table was only meant to point to remembering Jesus’ sacrifice, which that same night during His last supper, He was taken prisoner and betrayed by Judas Iscariot. The wine is to picture the blood of Jesus Christ. It is not alcoholic wine since alcohol is corrupted and Jesus had no corruption in His blood. The bread is a picture of His body that was broken for us. The striped Matza bread is the best picture of this. We are to keep this ordinance in the church from time to time as the Pastor directs, until Jesus comes back. (Matthew 26:25-30; Mark14:21-26; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

 

Eagle River Baptist church practices close communion, meaning those who are members in good standing of like precious faith may partake in the Lord’s Table with the church. Only Those who are saved and baptized may partake in the Lord’s Table with the church. Only members in good standing may partake (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

 

IV. The Rapture:

 

We believe the in the Pre-tribulation doctrine of the rapture. The word rapture is a coined term used to describe the catching away of all who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior. The rapture does not depend on someone keeping good works. Because Salvation is by grace through faith, then the rapture also must be. (1 Thessalonians 1:13-18; 5:1-11; 1Corinthians 15:50-58).

 

V. The Bible:

 

We stand on the King James Version AV 1611 as the inspired, inerrant, uncorrupted, and perfectly preserved word of God. We do not adhere to any of the modern versions of the Bible, nor any foreign language Bible that is not translated from Received Text of Antioch, Syria. At no time shall any teacher or professor use a modern new age version of the Bible, except to point out where it falls short in comparison to the King James Bible. We believe the Bible is God’s Holy Word given to mankind so that we might know how both to fear Him and to be saved. We believe that the Bible was not only inspired in it’s original autographs, but that they are still inspired by God in the copies we have today. (Psalms 119:89; 138:2; 12:6-7; Job 23:12; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Proverbs 30:5-6; Luke 4:4; Deuteronomy 12:32; 4:2;17:14-20; Revelation 22:18-19; Matthew 5:18; Jeremiah 36; Isaiah 40:8; John 5:39; Hebrews 4:12).

 

VI. Heaven and Hell:

 

We believe in a literal Heaven and Hell. Those who die in the faith of Jesus Christ will, upon death or the rapture, immediately wake up in the presence of our Lord to one day be judged according to all they have done for Christ, in Christ and through Christ. They will worship the Lord for all eternity in His heavenly, holy Temple. They will be given a new name and a new home in that great city New Jerusalem. Heaven is only for the saved, born again child of God.

 

Hell is for those who have rejected the love and grace of God and have accepted the justice of God. They have rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice on the cross. They seek to meet with God on their own terms and in their own self-righteousness. Their judgment will be that of sin, not of good deeds. They will be separated from God for all eternity. Hell is currently located in the heart of the earth. It will one day be moved to the Lake of Fire and into outer darkness when the last enemy Death will be destroyed. (Revelation 20-22; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 13:1-5; Mark 9:42-48; John 14:1-3, 6; 3:1-8, 16-18).

 

VII. The Creation:

 

We believe in the literal account of the creation as found in the King James Bible. We reject the false science of evolution and any modern philosophies which spring from that. We believe that God, through His creative power, not only gives to each person life when they are born, but He uses that same power to create in us a clean heart and make us new creatures the moment we trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1-2; 1:1-3; Revelation 4:11; Psalms 139:13-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalms 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26)

 

VIII. Signs and Wonders:

 

We believe that God has allowed signs and wonders from time to time throughout history to make His glory known and to show the heathen that He is God. These signs and wonders were wrought by Christ and His Apostles during the early days of the church’s inception. Their purpose was to convince the Jewish nation to believe in the authenticity of the gospel message (Mark 16:14-20; 1 Corinthians 1:22; 14:22). These were known as “The signs of the Apostles” (Acts 5:12; 2 Corinthians 12:12). However, once the last of the Apostles died off, then went the need for the Apostolic gifts (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). There were only ever to be twelve Apostles (Revelation 21:14). We believe the Apostolic age has past, and once it did, men were to rely solely on the perfect and complete Word of God to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 20:27-31; Matthew 16:4; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6).

 

IX. Angels and Devils, and other supernaturally created beings:

 

We believe that God created supernatural creatures so wonderful that they are hard to describe or fathom. God created the angels in the beginning, and they rejoiced to see God creating all things in this universe. There are Angels, Cherubs, and Seraphs. Lucifer was at one time God’s anointed Cherub that covered the altar. He rebelled against God’s authority, desiring to be worshiped above God, and was cast down to this earth. He drew a third part of the angels of heaven with him. After Satan was cursed in the garden, certain devils were cast into hell fire and judgment, and others were left upon this earth. They seek to corrupt mankind, delude people’s minds from believing the truth of the Gospel, and destroy people’s lives to the point of death. God has given mankind angels to minister, and has allowed devils to roam about this earth until their judgment is carried out. (Job 38:4-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Revelation 12:3-9; Matthew 8:28-32; 4:1-11; 26:53; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-18; Job1:6-12).

 

X. The Local New Testament Church:

 

The word Church is derived from two Greek Words. First, from the word “Ekklesia” meaning, “A called out assembly”, and second, for context, the word “Kuriakon” meaning, “Belonging to the Lord”. Thus, the local church is “A called out assembly belonging to the Lord.” As such, not every place that calls itself a church is a church. Although a building is necessary to facilitate the teaching and the preaching of the gospel, to baptize new converts and to hold the Lord’s supper, yet the building is only a church when the people meet there. The people are the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:25).

 

The New Testament Church started at the death, burial and the resurrection of Christ, and it was empowered on the day of Pentecost to carry out the Great Commission. (Hebrews 9; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20). It is God’s will that believers assemble with one another and not to forsake these assemblies (Hebrews 10:25). The church is a place of public worship where believers gather together, the Word of God is preached and taught, fellowships are made, Baptisms happen, and the Lord’s Table is kept (Acts 2:38-47; 1 Timothy 3:15).

 

XI. The Offices of Pastor and Deacon:

 

There are only two offices God ordained in the Local New Testament Church, the Pastor and the Deacon. Both of these offices have the same requirements and job qualifications. These prerequisites are Character traits found in 1Timothy 3:1-16. Within the confines of Eagle River Baptist Church’s practice, the Pastor and Deacons will be elected officials, as it was done in the early days of the church. Pastors and Deacons should be ordained through prayer and fasting as also it was shown in the early days of the New Testament Church’s practice. (Acts 6:1-8; 14:23). This office is only a men’s role. Women are not permitted to exercise these offices (1 Timothy 2:11-15).

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XII. Sexual Moral Conduct:

 

We believe Marriage is a God ordained institution only to be enjoyed between one man and one woman for life (Mark 10:2-9). Any form of sexual activity outside of this is considered fornication, adultery, and idolatry, works of the flesh drawn up from a carnally thinking and corrupt mind, and therefore not pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:4; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 8:5-9; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-11; 7:2). This may include the use of pornography (Matthew 5:27-28). At no time in history or in this age, or in the ages to come, does God accept the practice of sodomy (Romans 1:21-32; Jude 1:7-8; Genesis 13:13; 2 Peter 2:6; Leviticus 20). Sexual activity is only to be enjoyed in the bonds of marriage for the purpose of having children and the expression of one spouse’s love toward the other (Genesis 9:1, 7; 28:3; 35:11; Song of Solomon 1:2; Proverbs 5:19-20).

 

XIII Separation:

 

We believe in the purity of the church body. It is the Lord’s will that all members of the church actively strive to be separate from the world. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. We are to love the people of the world without loving the things of the world. We are taught to separate ourselves from a worldly mindset and seek to please God in a manner that is commensurate with holiness. (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalms 29:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 5:27; Colossians 3:1-3).

 

XVI. Abortion and Euthanasia:

 

We believe that all human life is precious. We believe that a man or woman has a right to life. Death and life are rights only reserved for God, and therefore it is the position of this church that we cannot condone the taking of any human life for any reason. Killing a human baby, whether in the womb or not, is shedding innocent blood in the sight of God. It is murder and an abomination. A man or woman must have every breath of life afforded to them by God or it is considered murder, even if that murder is legal in the eyes of mankind. (Acts 17:24-30; 2 Kings24:4; Psalms 106:38; Joel 3:19; Psalms 139:13-16).

 

XV. Disputes and Resolutions:

 

We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the 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. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Matthew 18:15-35; Ephesians 4:27-32;1 Timothy 5:19-20).

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