The Scriptures
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13), that all Scripture was given by inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16) and was written by men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). The Bible, which contains the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is, therefore, without error (Psa. 19:7–9; John 17:17) and is our final authority in matters of faith and conduct (Isa. 8:20; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; Psa. 19:11).
God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit who are one in essence and distinct in personhood (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 3:16-17, 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).
The Father
We believe in God the Father, perfect in holiness (Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet.1:15–16), infinite in wisdom (Rom. 11:33), measureless in power (Jer. 32:17; Eph. 1:19–20). We believe that He saves from the power, penalty, and guilt of sin for all who come to Him by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8–9; John 3:16–18; Rom. 8:1–2). We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men (Matt. 10:29–31; 1 Pet. 5:7) and that He hears and answers the prayers of His children (Matt. 7:7–11; 1 John 5:14–15).
The Son
We believe in both the full humanity and deity of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:6–8); that He was born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23) and sinless in His life (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22). We believe that His substitutionary death, by the shedding of His blood, provides atonement for the sinner (Isa. 53:4–6; Rom. 5:8–9; 1 Pet. 2:24). We believe in His bodily resurrection (Luke 24:39; 1 Cor. 15:3–4), His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9–11), and His perpetual intercession for His people (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 1 Tim. 2:5).
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who was sent by the Father (Gal. 4:6) and the Son (John 15:26; 16:7) to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8–11). The Holy Spirit regenerates (John 3:5–6; Titus 3:5), indwells (1 Cor. 6:19), teaches (John 14:26), empowers believers for service and godly living (Acts 1:8; Gal. 5:16–25), and comforts those who receive Jesus Christ (John 14:16–17).
Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26–27); that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1–3). We believe that all human beings are sinners by both nature and choice (Psa. 51:5; Rom. 3:23; Rom.5:12).
Salvation
We believe that Jesus Christ died a sacrificial death for our sins according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3–4; Isa. 53:5), that salvation is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8–9) and that all who approach Jesus Christ through repentance and faith will inherit everlasting life (Mark 1:15; John 3:16; Acts 20:21). At salvation, the recipient is regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5; John 3:5–6), justified (Rom. 5:1), adopted into the family of God (Rom. 8:15–17; Gal. 4:4–7), and is eternally secure in Christ (John 10:27–29; Rom.8:38–39). At the time of salvation, the regenerated person begins the process of sanctification (1 Thes. 4:3; 2 Cor. 3:18) and awaits final glorification at the return of Christ (Rom. 8:30; Phil. 3:20–21).
The Church
The Body of Christ
We believe that the church, which is the body and bride of Christ (Eph. 1:22–23; Eph. 5:25–27; Rev.19:7–8), is a spiritual organism of which all regenerated persons are members (1 Cor. 12:12–13).
The Local Assembly of Christ
We believe that the local church is a company of believers, baptized on a credible confession of faith (Acts 2:41; Acts 8:36–38), and assembled for worship, work, and fellowship (Acts 2:42; Heb.10:24–25).
Ordinances of the Church
We believe that the ordinances given to the church are two: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 28:19–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–26). Baptism is by immersion of believers, thus portraying the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3–4; Col. 2:12). The Lord’s Supper is the partaking of the bread and the cup by the believer as a continuing memorial of the broken body and shed blood of Christ (1 Cor. 11:23–26).
Autonomy
Heritage Baptist Church of Prattville, Alabama, shall be and remain independent and autonomous (Acts 13:1–3; Acts 14:23). It shall remain free from interference by ecclesiastical or political authority (Matt. 22:21; Acts 5:29).
Spiritual Beings
Satan
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan (Job 1:6–7; Matt. 4:1–11; Luke 22:31; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:10). He was created by God as a perfect being, but rebelled against God and became the enemy of God and man (Isa. 14:12–15; Ezek. 28:12–17).
Angels/Demons
We believe that angels and demons are spirit beings (Heb. 1:14; Luke 8:30–31). Angels were created by God as heavenly hosts (Psa. 148:2,5), but some, through choice, are now the hosts of Satan and will share in Satan’s ultimate doom (Rev. 12:7–9; Matt. 25:41). The angels of heaven are ministering spirits who glorify and serve God and also minister to His people (Heb. 1:14; Isa. 6:1–3).
Future Events
Future Events
We believe in the pre-tribulational rapture of the church as well as the premillennial return of Jesus Christ to the earth at His second coming (1 Thes. 4:13–18; Rev. 19:11–16). The rapture (1 Thes. 4:13–18) is imminent (Titus 2:13; Jam. 5:8) and there are no prophecies yet unfulfilled that must precede it. This event is to be followed by a seven-year tribulation period (Dan. 9:24–27; Matt. 24:21) and finally, by the second coming of Christ to the earth to establish the millennial kingdom (Rev. 20:1–6). Following the millennial period, Christ will inaugurate the eternal state where He will dwell among His people in the New Jerusalem on the new earth (Rev. 21:1–3).
Judgment and Eternity
We believe that all humans are created to exist forever and that prior to the inauguration of the eternal state Christ will judge all men in righteousness. Those who have been reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ will enter His presence and blessing where they will remain forever (Matt. 25:34; Rev. 22:3-5). Those who reject Christ in this life and die without being reconciled through Christ will spend eternity separated from God in the place of eternal punishment prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10-15).
The Christian Life
We believe that a Christian is a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) and that he/she should live a godly, consecrated life (Rom. 12:1–2; 1 Pet. 1:15–16). We believe that he/she should separate himself/herself from worldly behavior and lusts (1 John 2:15; Rom. 12:2); that it is the responsibility and privilege of all believers to invest in the reading and study of God’s Word (2 Tim. 2:15; Psa.1:2), to witness by life and word (Matt. 5:16; Acts 1:8) to the truths of Scripture and to seek to proclaim the Gospel in all the world (Matt. 28:19–20), to remember the work of the Lord in prayer (Col. 4:2; 1 Thes. 5:17), to be involved in the work of the Lord through the willing use of Spiritual gifts (1 Pet. 4:10–11; 1 Cor. 12:4–7) and the investment of time, and to support the work with their means as the Lord has prospered them (2 Cor. 9:6–8; 1 Cor. 16:2).
Missions
We believe that God’s love has been extended to sinners for their salvation (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8) and that He has commanded us, His people, to publish this good news throughout the world (Matt. 28:19–20; Acts 1:8). Therefore, we have an obligation to give prayer and material support to the work of missions both at home and abroad (Phil. 4:15–18; 3 John 5–8) as well as to commission and send our own members who are called of God to go (Acts 13:2–3; Rom. 10:14–15).
Gender Identity, Marriage, and Human Sexuality
We believe God established a permanent pattern for gender, family, and sexuality at creation and reaffirmed it throughout all of Scripture (Gen. 1:27–28; Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4–6; Rom. 1:26–27). God created humanity, biologically male and female, for one another (Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:18, 21–23). There are two distinct, God-given gender identities – male and female – rooted in these two biological sexes that are not interchangeable (Gen. 1:27; Deut. 22:5; Matt. 19:4). They come together to form the foundational relationship (marriage) of society’s foundational institution (the family) (Gen.2:24; Eph. 5:31). God designed marriage to be a lifelong covenant between one biological man and one biological woman that serves His purposes in the world and reflects His relationship with His people (Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:14–16; Matt. 19:5–6; Eph. 5:25–32). Therefore, all sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage is sinful because it falls short of God’s plan for flourishing human relationships (Ex.20:14; 1 Cor. 6:9–10, 18; Heb. 13:4; Rom. 1:24–27). Sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed exclusively within marriage as defined by God (Prov. 5:18–19; Sos. 4:9–5:1; 1 Cor. 7:2–5; Heb.13:4).