What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of 2nd Chance Baptist Church, based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise.  God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom,  justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created without sin and appointed as caretakers of the rest of God's creations. When they chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time.

God has revealed himself to us through Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God. He is co-equal with God the Father while being completely human. He came to reconcile us with God. Jesus lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. He arose from the dead after three days, and now sits at the Father's right hand as the only mediator between God and mankind. One day he will return as King of Kings.

Mankind is restored to fellowship with God by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. Salvation is a gift of Grace, and not to be earned. Saving faith is evidenced in the believer's life by repentance of sin and a desire to obey God.  Salvation is found in Christ alone.

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is God's recorded revelation to mankind. It was written by human authors under supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is complete, inerrant, and the standard for Truth on all matters that it addresses. The Bible is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice.

The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. In practice, the Church is a local assembly of believers that have covenanted together to carry out the Great Commission. The uniqueness of each member strengthens the body, as the unity of the body supports each member. Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the Church.