"You can have all of your doctrines right - yet still not have the presence of God."
- Leonard Ravenhill
The following are the core beliefs of Long Island Baptist based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. We desire that all of our teaching and ministry be rooted in and flow out of the Scripture.
God
We believe in one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). This one God exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). These three are equal in power and essence (John 10:30; Acts 5:3–4, I John 5:7). God is perfect in holiness (Isaiah 6:3), unparalleled in power (Job 42:2), and alone worthy of worship and adoration (Revelation 4:11). He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and everything was created by His will and for His glory (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16–17). Although God is Spirit (John 4:24), He has personality, revealed by His intellect (Romans 11:33–34), His will (Ephesians 1:11), and His emotions (Ephesians 4:30).
God the Father
We believe the Father is the eternal source and planner of all things (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9). In His love and sovereignty, He purposed redemption for mankind through the sending of His Son (John 3:16; Galatians 4:4–5). The Father exercises providential care over His creation (Matthew 6:26, 30–32) and governs all things according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
God the Son – Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God (John 1:1–2, 14; Hebrews 13:8). He existed with the Father from eternity past. In His incarnation, Jesus Christ took on flesh and became wholly man while remaining wholly God (Philippians 2:6–8; Colossians 2:9). In the fullness of time, He was born of a virgin after being conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:34–35; Matthew 1:23). He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15) and willingly suffered the substitutionary death of the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). He rose bodily from the grave (Luke 24:6–7; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4) and ascended into heaven, where He now serves as the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25). We believe that “this same Jesus” will return bodily, first in the clouds to receive His own (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17), and then to earth to reign in power and glory (Revelation 19:11–16; 20:4).
God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, equal with the Father and the Son (Acts 5:3–4; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11). He is the Comforter sent to indwell and guide the children of God (John 14:16–17, 26). He glorifies Christ (John 16:13–14), illuminates the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:12–14), convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8), and seals believers until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13–14). The Spirit was also present and active in creation (Genesis 1:2) and throughout the Old Testament as the “Spirit of God,” revealing His divine attributes
God the Father
We believe the Father is the eternal source and planner of all things (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9). In His love and sovereignty, He purposed redemption for mankind through the sending of His Son (John 3:16; Galatians 4:4–5). The Father exercises providential care over His creation (Matthew 6:26, 30–32) and governs all things according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
God the Son – Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God (John 1:1–2, 14; Hebrews 13:8). He existed with the Father from eternity past. In His incarnation, Jesus Christ took on flesh and became wholly man while remaining wholly God (Philippians 2:6–8; Colossians 2:9). In the fullness of time, He was born of a virgin after being conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:34–35; Matthew 1:23). He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15) and willingly suffered the substitutionary death of the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). He rose bodily from the grave (Luke 24:6–7; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4) and ascended into heaven, where He now serves as the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25). We believe that “this same Jesus” will return bodily, first in the clouds to receive His own (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17), and then to earth to reign in power and glory (Revelation 19:11–16; 20:4).
God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, equal with the Father and the Son (Acts 5:3–4; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11). He is the Comforter sent to indwell and guide the children of God (John 14:16–17, 26). He glorifies Christ (John 16:13–14), illuminates the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:12–14), convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8), and seals believers until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13–14). The Spirit was also present and active in creation (Genesis 1:2) and throughout the Old Testament as the “Spirit of God,” revealing His divine attributes
Salvation
We believe that salvation is wholly a work of Christ. He is the One who saves (Matthew 1:21), the One who justifies (Romans 3:24; 5:9), and the One who sanctifies (Hebrews 10:10; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Man has no part in saving himself, for it is Christ alone who brings redemption.
We believe that salvation is made possible through the gospel of Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). By His shed blood we have the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), by His death He bore our sins (1 Peter 2:24), and by His resurrection He gained victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:55–57). This finished work gives Him the authority and the right to forgive sins (Mark 2:10), to remove them from us (Psalm 103:12; John 1:29), and to make us the sons of God (John 1:12; Galatians 4:4–5).
We believe that the individual is born again when he recognizes his sin and turns to God to save him from it. We believe that one turns to God by choosing to believe that Jesus is who He says He is, both Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9), and to believe that Christ accomplished this needed work for one’s sins (Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:10). This repentant faith shows our recognition of our need, of our God, and of His work. It personalizes His salvation to us. Scripture says we demonstrate this belief by calling upon the Lord: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). This calling is not a work of man but a humble cry to God, trusting Him to do the saving work He has promised to do.
We believe that salvation is made possible through the gospel of Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). By His shed blood we have the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), by His death He bore our sins (1 Peter 2:24), and by His resurrection He gained victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:55–57). This finished work gives Him the authority and the right to forgive sins (Mark 2:10), to remove them from us (Psalm 103:12; John 1:29), and to make us the sons of God (John 1:12; Galatians 4:4–5).
We believe that the individual is born again when he recognizes his sin and turns to God to save him from it. We believe that one turns to God by choosing to believe that Jesus is who He says He is, both Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9), and to believe that Christ accomplished this needed work for one’s sins (Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:10). This repentant faith shows our recognition of our need, of our God, and of His work. It personalizes His salvation to us. Scripture says we demonstrate this belief by calling upon the Lord: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). This calling is not a work of man but a humble cry to God, trusting Him to do the saving work He has promised to do.
The Church
We believe that the New Testament church was established by Jesus Christ Himself during His earthly ministry (Mark 3:13–14). We believe in the perpetuity of His church. We believe that there have been true New Testament churches from when He established His first church until now, and that they will remain on the earth until Christ returns (Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 3:21).
We believe the New Testament church is a local, visible assembly of baptized believers who are covenanted together to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20); to observe the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26); and to maintain holiness and discipline within the body (1 Corinthians 5:6–7).
We believe that the only two Scriptural offices in the church are the Pastor and the Deacon (Philippians 1:1). The qualifications, duties, and responsibilities of both are clearly laid out in the epistles to Timothy and Titus (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9). The pastor, also called bishop or elder in Scripture, is not the head of the church but the undershepherd, tasked with feeding, leading, and watching over the flock through the ministry of the Word (John 21:15–17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–4). The deacons are servants of the church, assisting in the practical needs of the congregation so that the pastors may devote themselves fully to prayer and to the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1–4).
We believe that each local church is autonomous and free from outside control, recognizing Christ alone as its Head (Colossians 1:18) and the Word of God alone as its final authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), God’s chosen instrument to uphold, protect, and proclaim His truth in this world. God Himself sets the members in the body as it pleases Him (1 Corinthians 12:18), and the believer’s first step of obedience after salvation is baptism, which is the answer of a good conscience toward God (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Peter 3:21). By baptism the believer is added to the local church, where they are to live out their faith in fellowship, accountability, and service to Christ and His people.(Acts 2:41; Romans 6:3-4)
We believe the New Testament church is a local, visible assembly of baptized believers who are covenanted together to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20); to observe the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26); and to maintain holiness and discipline within the body (1 Corinthians 5:6–7).
We believe that the only two Scriptural offices in the church are the Pastor and the Deacon (Philippians 1:1). The qualifications, duties, and responsibilities of both are clearly laid out in the epistles to Timothy and Titus (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9). The pastor, also called bishop or elder in Scripture, is not the head of the church but the undershepherd, tasked with feeding, leading, and watching over the flock through the ministry of the Word (John 21:15–17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–4). The deacons are servants of the church, assisting in the practical needs of the congregation so that the pastors may devote themselves fully to prayer and to the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1–4).
We believe that each local church is autonomous and free from outside control, recognizing Christ alone as its Head (Colossians 1:18) and the Word of God alone as its final authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), God’s chosen instrument to uphold, protect, and proclaim His truth in this world. God Himself sets the members in the body as it pleases Him (1 Corinthians 12:18), and the believer’s first step of obedience after salvation is baptism, which is the answer of a good conscience toward God (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Peter 3:21). By baptism the believer is added to the local church, where they are to live out their faith in fellowship, accountability, and service to Christ and His people.(Acts 2:41; Romans 6:3-4)
The Scriptures
We believe that the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the very Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21). It was given by inspiration of God, through holy men moved by the Holy Ghost, and is therefore inerrant, infallible, and fully authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe that God has preserved His Word for every generation (Psalm 12:6–7; Matthew 24:35), and that the inspired Word of God is found today in the Hebrew Masoretic Text of the Old Testament and the Greek Textus Receptus of the New Testament. We believe that the King James Version of the Bible is faithful and accurate in its translation of these texts, and therefore hold it to be the preserved Word of God for English-speaking people.
We believe the Scriptures are complete and sufficient, containing all that is necessary for salvation, doctrine, and godly living (John 20:31; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Peter 1:3). No additional revelation, tradition, or writing of man is equal to or above the authority of the Bible (Proverbs 30:5–6; Revelation 22:18–19). We believe that the Word of God is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), and that it works effectually in those who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
We believe that God has preserved His Word for every generation (Psalm 12:6–7; Matthew 24:35), and that the inspired Word of God is found today in the Hebrew Masoretic Text of the Old Testament and the Greek Textus Receptus of the New Testament. We believe that the King James Version of the Bible is faithful and accurate in its translation of these texts, and therefore hold it to be the preserved Word of God for English-speaking people.
We believe the Scriptures are complete and sufficient, containing all that is necessary for salvation, doctrine, and godly living (John 20:31; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 2 Peter 1:3). No additional revelation, tradition, or writing of man is equal to or above the authority of the Bible (Proverbs 30:5–6; Revelation 22:18–19). We believe that the Word of God is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), and that it works effectually in those who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
End Times
We believe in the pre-millennial, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the blessed hope of all believers (Titus 2:13; Acts 1:11). We believe there will be a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on this earth, in fulfillment of God’s promises (Revelation 20:1–6).
We believe that when a believer dies, he is absent from the body and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23). At the coming of Christ, the spirit, soul, and body of each believer will be reunited and glorified to live forever with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–53).
We believe that the souls of unbelievers, upon death, enter immediately into hell (Luke 16:22–23), awaiting their resurrection when, with body and soul reunited, they will stand before the Great White Throne judgment and be cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer everlasting punishment (Revelation 20:11–15; Matthew 25:46).
We believe that the proper focus of the end times is not speculation over dates or events, but the eager looking for Christ’s return. Because of this hope, We must be busy about our Lord’s work in reaching the world with the gospel (Matthew 24:42–44; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 15:58).
We believe that when a believer dies, he is absent from the body and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23). At the coming of Christ, the spirit, soul, and body of each believer will be reunited and glorified to live forever with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–53).
We believe that the souls of unbelievers, upon death, enter immediately into hell (Luke 16:22–23), awaiting their resurrection when, with body and soul reunited, they will stand before the Great White Throne judgment and be cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer everlasting punishment (Revelation 20:11–15; Matthew 25:46).
We believe that the proper focus of the end times is not speculation over dates or events, but the eager looking for Christ’s return. Because of this hope, We must be busy about our Lord’s work in reaching the world with the gospel (Matthew 24:42–44; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 15:58).