What We Believe

Authority and Sufficiency: We believe the Holy Bible, encompassing both the Old and New Testaments as originally written, is of the utmost authority and sufficiency. Believing it to be verbally inspired and plenarily given, it is the product of men who were moved by the Holy Spirit, rendering it infallible and inerrant. As the ultimate authority, it is sufficient and complete, requiring no addition or amendment. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-25; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Matthew 5:18)

Standard of Truth and Unity: We believe the Bible stands as the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard against which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions are to be measured. Its timeless teachings are universally applicable to all aspects of life, serving as the definitive guide for faith and practice. (Psalm 119:105; John 17:17; James 1:22)

Interpretation and Dispensations: We believe that a natural, literal interpretation of the Scripture reveals distinct dispensations or divine administrative orders throughout history. These are different ways in which God manages humanity, dealing differently with people in various times according to His sovereign will. Notably, the three primary dispensations — the Age of the Law, the Age of the Church, and the Age of the Kingdom — are each specifically detailed and unfolded within the Scriptures. (Ephesians 3:2-5; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:17)

During our services, Arlington Baptist Church maintains unanimity by using the King James Version (KJV) for all teaching and preaching activities.

We believe in the one true God, eternally existing in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, sharing in every divine perfection, yet executing distinct and harmonious roles. The Father decrees redemption, the Son secures it through His life, death, and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit applies it by imparting new life, sanctifying, and empowering believers. The concept of one God is declared in Deuteronomy 6:4, while the distinct personhoods within God — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — are affirmed in Matthew 28:19. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 14:7-12; John 16:7; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. As fully God and fully man, He lived a sinless life, revealing God’s character and fulfilling the divine plan of redemption for sinful humanity. Through His sacrificial death on the cross and His bodily resurrection, He made atonement for our sin and secured our eternal salvation. After ascending to Heaven, He now sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate. (John 1:1,14; Luke 1:35; Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:14, 10:12; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34)

We believe in our blessed hope in His imminent return, known as the Rapture, where Christ will meet believers in the air. This event signifies the gathering of the Church and is distinct from His visible second coming. Following the Rapture, a period known as the Tribulation will occur on earth. At the end of this period, Christ will return visibly to establish His millennial reign, a period of peace and righteousness, where He will reign as King with His saints on earth. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:4-6)

We believe after the millennial reign, the Great White Throne Judgment will take place, and a new heaven and new earth are established. In this new creation, all of God’s redeemed will dwell with the triune God in eternal glory, free from sin, suffering, and death. (Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-4; Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:3-5)

We believe the Holy Spirit is a person, equal with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, transforms new believers, baptizes all believers into the body of Christ, seals the believer, and assists the believer in understanding Scripture. We believe that certain spiritual gifts, such as apostleship, prophecy, and speaking in tongues, were specific to the early Church’s formative period and are not expected in the present day. These gifts served a temporary purpose during the infancy of the Church. We also believe that the Holy Spirit consistently bears witness to Jesus Christ and does not lead anyone in a way that contradicts the teachings of the Bible. (John 3:8; 14:16; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; Acts 5:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13; 13:8-11; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18).

We believe the Genesis account of creation faithfully narrates God’s direct and sovereign act over six literal days, each consisting of twenty-four hours. Orchestrated by the triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — this divine work brought forth the heavens and the earth. God’s creative acts were immediate and comprehensive, reflecting His omnipotent and omniscient nature. Consequently, we reject the theory of evolution, the Day-Age Theory, Theistic evolution, and the Gap theory, affirming that all aspects of creation, visible and invisible, were intentionally and uniquely crafted by God’s command. (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 33:6-9; John 1:1-3; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Nehemiah 9:6; Job 38:4-7)

We believe the existence and distinct personality of Satan, known as the Devil. Created as an angelic being by God, he succumbed to pride and rebellion, transforming into an adversary against his Creator and all creation. As the malevolent ruler of this world’s darkness, he orchestrates the forces of evil and moral decay. However, his destiny is irrevocably set toward eternal damnation in the lake of fire ensuring the ultimate justice and the triumph of God’s righteousness. (Ezekiel 28:12-15; Isaiah 14:12-15; John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 12:9; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10)

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but in Adam’s sin, humanity fell and incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. As a result, all mankind has inherited a sinful nature, becoming willful sinners with the first expression of personal choice, and are totally unable to regain their former position. Consequently, humanity faces just condemnation without excuse before God, as we are inherently sinful and have deviated from our created purpose and holiness (Genesis 1:26; 3:1-24; Romans 1:20; 3:23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-6, 12).

Salvation as a Gift of God: We believe that salvation is a divine gift from God, bestowed through grace and accepted through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary, where His blood was shed, provides forgiveness of sins. This salvation is exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ and, being a gift, cannot be attained by any form of personal works. All who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are reborn and become children of God (Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9; John 1:12; 3:5-7).

Regeneration: We believe the Scriptures declare that regeneration, or the new birth (being “born again”), is a transformation of the soul brought about by the Holy Spirit. This change imparts a new nature and spiritual life previously absent, making the individual a new creation in Christ Jesus. (John 3:3-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:23; Titus 3:5).

Eternal Security of the Believer: We believe in the eternal security of every believer from the moment of regeneration. This perpetual security is assured by the gift of eternal life, the protective power of God, the Holy Spirit’s sealing ministry, and Christ’s intercessory work. Thus, the believer’s salvation is secure for eternity (John 5:24; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 29-30, 38-39; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25).

Repentance – A Change Towards Holiness: We believe that repentance is a vital element of salvation, a change of mind and heart that leads away from sin and towards holiness. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, it involves a recognition of and remorse for sin, resulting in a reorientation of life to follow Christ. This godly sorrow for sin is inseparably linked to genuine faith and leads to spiritual transformation (Luke 13:1-3; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 20:21).

Justification – God’s Declaration of Righteousness: We believe that justification is the divine act of God declaring sinners righteous solely through faith in Christ Jesus. It involves the pardon of sin and the imputation of God’s righteousness, not by our works but through the redemptive power of Jesus’ sacrifice. This act is the judicial response of God to our faith, positioning us in just standing before Him (Acts 13:39; Romans 5:9; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

Adoption – The Privilege of Sonship: We believe that adoption is a gracious act of God whereby believers are received into the family of God as mature sons and daughters, for Christ’s sake. This status, distinct from regeneration, bestows the full rights and inheritance of children of God, promising a future of complete glorification with Him. As adopted children, we are assured of our place in God’s family and a relationship with Him that is permanent and intimate (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:1; 1 John 3:1-2).

Immediate, Positional Sanctification: We believe that immediate, positional sanctification is the divine act wherein believers are eternally set apart as God’s own at the time of salvation. This act of redemption places them within God’s family as His children and co-heirs with Jesus Christ, signifying a permanent spiritual status (1 John 3:1; Romans 8:14-17; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Hebrews 10:10-14).

Progressive Sanctification: We believe that progressive sanctification is the ongoing process by which believers are made partakers of God’s holiness. Initiated at salvation, this process advances as believers yield to the Holy Spirit. It is fostered in the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit’s presence and power, engagement with God’s Word, self-examination, vigilance, and prayer (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; Proverbs 4:18; 1 John 2:29; Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 6:18; John 17:17).

Ultimate Sanctification: We believe that ultimate sanctification will be realized by every believer in the Lord’s presence. This final state includes a complete and whole existence, with soul and spirit united in a resurrected body, entirely free from the influence or effects of sin and rebellion (1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:52-54; Ephesians 4:30; 5:27; Philippians 3:20-21).

We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation immediately enter the Lord’s presence upon death. There, they experience conscious bliss in heaven until the resurrection of the body at Christ’s meeting in the air (rapture). At that time, the soul and uncorrupted body will reunite and be in eternal glory with Him. Conversely, the souls of unbelievers remain in conscious misery after death in hell until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the end of the millennium reign. Then, their souls and bodies will reunite and be cast into the lake of fire, away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15; 14:9-14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The Local Church: We believe the Church, as the Body of Christ established on Pentecost, consists solely of born-again and baptized believers. It manifests globally yet operates through local congregations governed by their own members under Christ’s lordship and pastoral leadership. These local churches faithfully adhere to Christ’s ordinances, uphold His teachings, and independently practice ministries, maintaining independence from external authority. While local churches may cooperate for common goals, each maintains ultimate authority over its decisions, reflecting the absolute supremacy of Christ as the only Head of the Church. The local church, as a congregation of believers, is committed to the mission of witnessing Christ faithfully. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 20:28-32; Titus 1:5-11; Ephesians 5:23; Eph. 3:1-6; 1 Cor. 12:12,13; Acts 2:41,42; 1 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22,23; 4:11; Acts 20:17-28; 1Tim. 3:1-7; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23,24; Acts 15:13-18)

Ordinances of the Church: We believe there are two ordinances the church is to observe.

1. Baptism: We believe the mode of baptism is immersion in water and is reserved for those who profess their belief in Jesus Christ. It is carried out in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that baptism is an act of obedience and a public declaration of faith, following Christ’s command. It is not a means of salvation, nor does it contribute to one’s salvation. Baptism symbolizes the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 8:36-37)
2. The Lord’s Supper: We believe the Lord’s Supper (also known as communion), is a solemn act of remembrance, not a conduit for salvation. It symbolizes the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion. This observance is an expression of shared faith and fellowship. In alignment with these principles, our church practices “close” communion where this observance is shared among our church members and like-minded believers.
   1. 1. A Memorial of Christ’s Sacrifice: The Lord’s Supper is a commemorative act, remembering the death of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. It is not a sacrament that imparts saving grace but a symbolic act of obedience and remembrance.
      2. Self-Examination and Reconciliation: Prior to participating in the Lord’s Supper, believers are encouraged to engage in self-examination and to reconcile any differences with others, ensuring they partake in a worthy manner.

(1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Luke 22:19-20; Matthew 26:26-28; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Matthew 5:23-24; John 6:53-58)

We believe the Biblical doctrine of separation, which is defined in three distinct aspects: First, the local church must remain separate from any affiliation or fellowship with groups or individuals who contradict the core truths of the faith as originally given to the saints. Second, every individual believer is called to distance themselves from worldly practices that could dishonor the Savior. Third, there is a clear distinction and separation between the church and the state. (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11; 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1)

We believe that missions are the heart of fulfilling the Great Commission, as commanded by Christ, to make disciples of all nations. This involves proclaiming the Gospel, establishing churches, and promoting Christian discipleship globally. Our commitment to missions is a direct response to the Biblical mandate, embodying our dedication to spreading God’s message of salvation to every corner of the earth. It encompasses supporting, sending, and being actively involved in missionary endeavors, understanding the critical role of the church in extending God’s kingdom. Our engagement in missions is not only an act of obedience but a privilege to partake in God’s redemptive work through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14-15)

We believe the only legitimate sexual relationship, before God and man, is that of one biological male and one biological female who have been joined together in holy matrimony. We believe that all sexual activity outside that of a married man and woman is sin and condemned by the Word of God. We believe that a Biblical marriage requires Christians to only marry other Christians. We also believe in the sanctity and endurance of marriage as God’s perfect will, intended to last between a man and a woman until separated by death. While divorced and remarried individuals may serve in various church capacities and be greatly used by God, they are not to be considered for the offices of pastor and deacon.  (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:22-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:26-32; Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 7:39)

We believe in the spiritual equality of men and women before God yet recognize that God has ordained distinct and separate functions for each in the home and the church. Furthermore, we uphold the family as the foundational institution of human society, as ordained by God. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church, and the wife is to submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ. Children are considered a heritage from the Lord, and parents bear the responsibility of teaching them spiritual and moral values, leading by example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalms 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; I Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; I Peter 3:1-7; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; I Timothy 2:8-15, 3:2, 4-5, 12; Titus 1:6; Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3)

We believe that human life is sacred from conception, with the unborn child recognized as a living being created in the image of God. Abortion constitutes the unjustified and unexcused taking of this innocent life and is regarded as murder in any circumstance. Our stance is rooted in the belief that all human life, at every stage and condition from conception through natural death, is invaluable and worthy of protection and respect. This belief encompasses preborn babies, the aged, and the physically or mentally challenged, asserting a divine mandate to defend, protect, and value all human life as crafted by God (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24, 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

We believe that racial equality is fundamental. Every individual, regardless of race or ethnicity, is equal in the eyes of God and deserves equal respect and love. As such, any form of racial prejudice stands in direct opposition to the values taught in the Bible. We are committed to upholding these principles within our church and actively practicing them through our community outreach, demonstrating the unity and love of Christ towards all. (Galatians 3:28; Acts 10:34-35; Colossians 3:11)