We have been established under the written law of the State of Washington and in compliance with applicable federal law, as a church. We have been scripturally established under the rule of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the lineage of our heritage, as a Baptist church. We hold tight to our Baptist name; not a name we sought as an umbrella of denomination, but a name of identification, a name given to us through the decades and centuries of persecution as God established and advanced His Church on this earth. This local congregation will be a totally self-governed church, standing autonomous, with Jesus Christ as the head, led of the Holy Ghost under the direction of the pastor. We will operate according to Biblical doctrine as interpreted by the pastor, and the New Testament Covenant of Grace that ushered in the Church Age. We will maintain fellowship and partnerships with like-minded churches of the same faith to promote the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. We reject all forms of ecumenicalism and will not contribute in any way to any liberal organizations. The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith. 1. The Holy Scriptures We believe the Old and New Testament Scriptures are the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed and are, therefore, the final authority for faith and life. We believe the Word of God had been divinely preserved without contradiction or error; Therefore, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the pastor. The 1611 King James Version Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church for preaching, teaching, exhorting, and other ministries performed by Cascade Baptist Church; and will be the only one used for matters of church discipline, publication, and all matters of interpretation. References, 2 Timothy 3:16-1/ 2 Peter 1:20-21/ Matthew 24:35/ John12:48/ Psalm 12:6-7/ Psalm 19:7-10/ Psalm 138:2 2. Dispensationalism We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life that define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations—the law, the church, and the kingdom—are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture. References, Genesis 1:28/ 1 Corinthians 9:17/ 2 Corinthians 3:9-18/ Galatians 3:13-25/ Ephesians 1:10/ Ephesians 3:2-10/ Colossians 1:24-25, 27/ Revelation 20-22 3. God There is one and only one true and living God, an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being; the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections, to whom we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. References, Genesis 1:1/ Deuteronomy 6:4-7/ Mark12:29-30/ John 1:1-4/ John 14:26/ I Corinthians 8:4-6/ II Corinthians 13:14 • The Person and Work of Christ (1) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. References, Isaiah 7:14/ Isaiah 9:6/ Luke 1:35/ John 1:1-5/ John 1:9-14/ 2 Corinthians 5:19-21/ Galatians 4:4-5/ Philippians 2:5-8 (2) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. References, Matthew 27:50-51/ Matthew 28: 6-10/ Mark 15: 33-38/ Mark 16: 1-13/ Luke 23: 43-46/ Luke 24: 1-32/ John 19:28-30/ John 20: 1-22/ Acts 2:18-36/ Romans 3:24-25/ Romans 5: 8-11/ Ephesians 1:7/ 1 Peter 2:24/ 1 Peter 1:3-5 (3) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. References, Acts 1:9-10/ Romans 8:34/ Hebrews 7:25/ Hebrews 9:24/ 1 John 2:1-2 • The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit • We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. References, John 16:8-11/ Romans 8:9/ 1 Corinthians 12:12-14/ 2 Corinthians 3:6/ Ephesians 1:13-14 • We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. References, Ephesians 1:17-18/ 5:18/ 1 John 2:20, 27 • We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the church to do the work of the ministry. References, Romans 12:3-8/ 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 & 28/ Ephesians 4:7-12 • We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. Ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, although God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. References, 1 Corinthians 1:22/ 1 Corinthians 13:8/ 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 4. The Depravity of Man. We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. References, Genesis 1:26-27/ Genesis 3:6-7/ Romans 3:10-23/ Romans 5:12/ Romans 6:23/ Ephesians 2:1-3/ Ephesians 4:17-19 5. Salvation. We believe salvation of sinners is totally of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Salvation is the gift of God to all of mankind because He so loved the world, He gave his only begotten Son. Salvation is made possible because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who took on our nature, yet without sin; honored the Divine Law of God in its entirety by his personal obedience; made atonement for our sins by His death, burial, resurrection and ascension to God the father, where He is now enthroned. There He reigns and intercedes for fallen man through the work of the Holy Ghost. Salvation is the forgiveness of our sins by the good grace and tender mercy of God through the measure of faith also given of God; our only part in the work of salvation to accept or deny the only truly free gift ever made available to mankind. References, John 1:1-17/ John 3:16/ John 10:9/ John 19:30/ Romans 5:1-21/ Romans 10:9-13/ Galatians 2:20/ Galatians 2:16/ Ephesians 1:7-10/ Ephesians 2:8-9/ Colossians 1:20-22/ 1 Peter 1:18-19 6. Eternal Security, Regeneration, Justification and Assurance of Born Again Believers We believe once a person is saved they are always saved. Upon the reception of Jesus Christ as personal Savior the believer is baptized and sealed through the work of God the Holy Ghost. At the reception of salvation, the Christian is given a new heart and his never dying soul, the inner man is made whole and new and awaits the redemption of the body; all real believers endure to the end. The believer is kept by God’s power and rest secure in Jesus Christ forever. God is eternal and perfect in His works, thereby allowing those that call upon His name, and receive His salvation, to rest assured in a finished work. We believe it is the born-again believer’s privilege to rejoice in the assurance of salvation through the testimony of God’s word. The born-again believer has received justification in forgiveness, life, liberty and promise by God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit’s eternal work. References, Matthew 3:11/ John 3:16/ John 4:14/ John 6:37-40/ John 10:27-30/ John 10:10/ John 14:16/ John 15:16/ Romans 3:30/ Romans 5:1/ Romans 8:1/ Romans 8:23/ Romans 8:37-39/ 1 Corinthians 1:7-8/ 1 Corinthians 6:11/ 2 Corinthians 5:21/ Ephesians 2:14/ Ephesians 4:30/ Colossians 1:20/ Colossians 3:10/ Titus 3:5/ 1 Peter 1:23 7. Sanctification and Separation Sanctification is the process by which the regenerate gradually becomes more and more like Christ through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within their hearts. It continues through the earthly life, being made complete at the death or translation of this earthly body. Through the believer’s life it is accomplished by the use of all the ordinary means of grace and particularly by the Word of God. In sanctification, we believe there is a spiritually motivated desire to separate from the things of this world. The believer will want to live and maintain a godly testimony in such a way that their lives do not bring reproach upon their Savior, and will strive to do so. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, and to refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances, piercings, and bodily markings. We stand against any and all worldly philosophies that seek to destroy or undermine the truth of Biblical Christianity. References, John 14:26/ John 15:19/ John 16:8-12/ John 17:17/ Ephesians 3:16/ Romans 6:5-6/ Romans 12:1-21/ 2 Corinthians 6:14-18/ 1 John 2:15-17/ 2 John 9-11 8. The Church. • We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again believers. References, 1 Corinthians 12:12/ 2 Corinthians 11:2/ Ephesians 1:22-23/ Ephesians 5:25-27 • We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or controls, and any affiliations, societies, organizations, associations, or agencies this church affiliates with to further the objectives stated in the Introduction to the Statement of Faith are not authoritative in matters of church practice or belief. References, Matthew 16:1/ Matthew 18:15-18/ Acts 14:27/ Romans 1:7/ 1 Corinthians 1:2/ 2 Corinthians 1:1/ Galatians 1:2/ Ephesians 1:1/ Philippians 1:1/ Colossians 1:2/ 1 Thessalonians 1:1/ 2 Thessalonians 1:1/ 1 Timothy 3:1-13/ Titus 1:5-11/ Philemon 1:2/ Acts 13: 1-4/ Acts 15:19-31/ Acts20:28/ Romans 16:1 & 4/ 1 Corinthians 3:9&16/ 1 Peter 5:1-4 (C) We recognize water baptism upon salvation, by immersion and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age. References, Matthew 28:19-20/ Acts 2:41-42/ Acts 8:36-38/ 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 9. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ, Who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom, which was promised to the nation of Israel. Psalm 89:3-4/ Daniel 2:31-45/ 1 Corinthians 15:51-58/ 1 Thessalonians 1:10/ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18/ Titus 2:13/ Revelation 3:10/ Revelation 19:11-16/ Revelation 20:1-6 10. The Eternal State. • We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. References, Matthew 25:46/ John 5:28-29/ John 11:25-26/ Revelation 20:5-6/ Revelation 20: 12-13 • We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, in a literal heaven, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. References, Luke 23:43/ 2 Corinthians 5:8/ Philippians 1:23/ Philippians 3:21/ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17/ Revelation 20:4-6 • We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment in a literal hell until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment. References, Matthew 25:41-46/ Mark 9:43-48/ Luke 16:19-26/ 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9/ Jude 6-7/ Revelation 20:11-15 11. Satan. We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. References, Job 1:6-7/ Isaiah 14:12-17/ Matthew 4:2-11/ Matthew 4: 25:41/ Revelation 20:10 12. Creation. We believe that the Genesis account of creation is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of God’s creation of the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. References Genesis 1-2/ Exodus 20:11 13. Civil Government. We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. We believe that we must obey the state unless it requires us to act contrary to our faith at which time we must obey God rather than the state. References, Daniel 3:1-30/ Matthew 22:15-22/ Acts 5:29/ Romans. 13:1-7/ Ephesians 5:22-24/ Titus 3:1-2/ Hebrews 13:17/ 1 Peter 2:13-14 14. Human Sexuality. • We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. References, Genesis 2:24/ Genesis 19:5-13/ Genesis 26:8-9/ Leviticus 18:1-30/ Romans 1: 26-29/ 1 Corinthians 5:1/ 1 Corinthians 6:9/ 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8/ Hebrews 13:4 • We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman for life. References, Genesis 2:24/ Romans 7:2/ 1 Corinthians 7:10/ Ephesians 5:22-23 15. Family Relationships. • We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual and physical functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the spiritual and physical leader of the home, providing according to his full ability all provisions in spiritual needs and matters as well as physical needs and matters. The wife is to be in subjection to her husband, providing according to her full ability, for her husband and home within her means and scriptural instruction given to her. The relationship between the husband and wife is not one of superiority and inferiority, supremacy and subserviency but one of design and instruction, therefore ability and growth. References, Genesis 1:27/ Genesis 2:18, 21-25/ Genesis 3:6,16-20/ 1 Corinthians 7:1-16/ Galatians 3:28/ Ephesians 5:22-31/ Colossians 3:18/ 1 Timothy 2:9-15/ 1 Timothy 5:8/ 1 Titus 2:1-5/ 1 Peter 3: 1,5 & 7 • We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible raising their children in the love and admonition of the Lord, teaching them spiritual and moral values through consistent lifestyle, example, and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. References, Genesis 1:26-28/ Exodus 20:12/ Deuteronomy 6:4-9/ Psalm 127:3-5/ Proverbs 1:8/ Proverbs 4:1/ Proverbs 19:18/ Proverbs 22:6/ Proverbs 22:15/ Proverbs 23:13-14/ Mark 10:13-16/ Ephesians 6:1-4/ Colossians 3:20-21/ 2 Timothy 5:8 • We believe that marriage is intended to last until death of the spouse and God disapproves of divorce, but has allowed for it on grounds of adultery or an unbelieving spouse leaving the union, therefore relieving the other of their oath. Although divorced and remarried persons may be greatly used of God and hold positions in the church, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. References, Matthew 19: 3-12/ Romans 7:1-3/ 1 Corinthians 7:10-16/ 1 Timothy 3:2 & 12/ Titus 1:6 16. Abortion and Euthanasia. • We believe that God is the author and giver of life, and human life begins at conception; and the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching or ideals that justifies abortions due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. References, Genesis 1:26-28/ Job 3:16/ Psalm 51:5/ Psalm 139:14-16/Isaiah 44:24/ Isaiah 49:1 & 5/ Jeremiah 1:5/ Jeremiah 20:15-18/ Matthew 18: 4-6/ Luke 1:44 • We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death. Therefore, we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. The term euthanasia does not apply to discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome; refusal of over-zealous treatment is legitimate: or, where human life is being maintained by methods of unnatural means, that if those methods are discontinued, death will naturally occur. References, Genesis 1:26-28/ Genesis 2:7/ Exodus 20:13/ Exodus 23:7/ Lamentations 3:22/ Matt. 5:21/ Acts 17:28/ Romans 14:7-8 17. Lawsuits Between Believers. 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. References, Matthew 18:15-17/ 1 Corinthians 6:1-8/ Ephesians 4:31-32 18. Missions, Evangelism, and Giving • We believe God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and it is the duty of every church member to seek to further the Kingdom of Christ to the ends of the earth. The new birth of a man’s soul and spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of a new love for others. Our commission rest not only in commandment, but a sincere desire for others to have what has been imparted to us. It is God’s desire that all men come to repentance and know Him as the regenerate knows Him, and God uses mankind to reach mankind. It is the duty of every child of God to seek continually to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other means sanctioned in the gospel of Christ. References, Matthew 28:19-20/ Mark 16:15/ Luke 24:46-48/ John 20:21/ Acts 1;8/ 2 Corinthians 5:20 • We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to financially support his local church. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of his tithe or offering once the gift has been made. References, Genesis 14:20/ Proverbs 3:9-10/ Acts 4:34-37/ 1 Corinthians 16:2 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Galatians 6:6/ Ephesians 4:28/ 1 Timothy 5:17-18/ 1 John 3:17 19. Education. Christianity is the religion of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is therefore a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens up all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge of the Word of God. An adequate system of learning should, within the church’s means and operations ever be present for Christ’ people to continue their Christian education. The cause for education in the church is coordinate and champion for the church’s health, commission and general benevolence. References, Psalm 119/ Proverbs1:1-5/ Proverbs 4:1-10/ Proverbs 8:1-36/ Proverbs 14:15/ John 1:14/ Romans 6:4/ 1 Corinthians 3:2/ 1 Corinthians 14:20/ Philippians 2:12-13/ Hebrews 5:12-13/ 1 Peter 1:23 20. Conclusion, Authority of Statement of Faith The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith.