ARTICLES OF FAITH 

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST CHURCH 

I. OF THE SCRIPTURE 

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth 

without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the 

age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian 

union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be 

tried. 

(Explanatory) 

 1. By The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, 

which, as originally written, does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very 

Word of God. 

2. By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they 

were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and 

verbally inspired and are free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be 

inspired. 

II Tim. 3:16-17; I Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psa. 119:160; Psa. 119:105; Psa. 119:130; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45; Psa. 119:89; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; I Pet. 1:2-3; Rev. 22:19; John 12:48; Isa. 8:20; Eph. 6:17; Rom. 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psa. 19:7-11; John 5:45-47; John 5:39. 

II. OF THE TRUE GOD 

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God; an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the 

maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of 

all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: 

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct 

but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. 

Ex. 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; Psa. 83:18; Psa. 90:2; Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11; I Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6. 

III. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father, and God the Son, and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. 

John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; II Thess. 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; John 14:26; Rom. 8:14; Rom. 8:16; I Thess. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:26-27. 

IV. OF THE DEVIL OR SATAN 

We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and 

ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the 

malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the anti-Christ, and the author of all the powers of darkness - destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. 

Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4; Eph. 2:2; John 14:30; I Thess. 3:5; 

Matt. 4:1-3; I Pet. 5:8; I John 3:8; Matt. 13:25, 37, 39; Luke 22:3-4; Rev. 12:10; I Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4:3; I John 7; I John 2:22; Rev. 13:13-14; I Thess. 2:8-11; Rev. 19:11, 16, 20; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev. 20:1-3; Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41. 

V. OF THE CREATION 

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not 

allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His 

own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of 

species or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all 

animal and vegetable life were made directly, and God's established law was that they should 

bring forth only "after their kind’. 

Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; John 1:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6; Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:21-23; Gen. 1:11; Gen. 1:24. 

VI. OF THE FALL OF MAN 

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary 

transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are 

now sinners, not by constraint but of choice; and therefore, under just condemnation without 

defense or excuse. 

Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 3:10-19; Eph. 2:1,3; Rom. 1:18; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:32; Rom. 1:20; Rom. 1:28; Gal. 3:22. 

VII. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH 

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of 

Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman; and that he is both 

the Son of God and God the Son. 

Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psa. 2:7; Gal. 4:4; I John 5:20; I Cor. 15:47. 

VIII. OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN 

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of 

the Son of God, who, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet 

without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and 

vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by 

His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just 

dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having 

risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the 

most tender sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a 

compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. 

Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24-25; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; Il Cor. 5:21; John 10:18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 2:24; I Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53:11-12; Heb. 12:2; I Cor. 15:20; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:2. 

IX. OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION 

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new 

creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one 

dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the 

free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, 

not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of 

the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the 

gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of 

life. 

John 3:3; II Cor. 5:17; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:30-33; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; I Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 3:8; John 1:12-13; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:9. 

X. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION 

We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the 

gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient 

faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but their own 

inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an 

aggravated condemnation. 

I Thess. 1:4; Col. 3:12; I Pet. 1:2; Tit. 1:1; Rom. 8:29-30; Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1, 6-7; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6:37; Acts 2:38; John 3:15-16; I Tim. 1:15; I Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5; John 5:40; John 3:18; John 3:36. 

XI. OF JUSTIFICATION 

We believe that the great gospel blessings which Christ secures to such as believe in Him 

includes Justification, the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; 

that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but 

solely through faith in the Redeemer's shed blood, His righteousness imputed unto us. 

Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 1:17; Tit. 3:5-7; Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:1-8; Heb. 10:38. 

XII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH 

We believe that repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, 

wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted by our 

guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with 

unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving 

the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. 

Acts 20:20; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:7; Isa. 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Rom. 10:9-11. 

XIII. OF THE CHURCH 

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a 

covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by 

His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that the 

officers are pastors or elders and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly 

defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great 

Commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the church; Third, to teach 

and instruct, as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that 

the local church has the absolute right to self-government, free from the interference of any 

hierarchy of individuals or organizations, and that the one and only Superintendent is Christ 

through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in 

contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and 

only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of 

policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. 

Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:4; 8:11; Acts. 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; 

Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim. 3:1-13; Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; I Pet. 5:1-4; 

Acts 15:22; Jude 3-4; II Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 16:1; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32; I Cor. 16:2; 

I Cor. 6:1-3; I Cor. 5:11-13. 

XIV. OF THE ORDINANCES 

 - OF BAPTISM 

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a born-again believer, in the 

name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to show forth in solemn and beautiful emblem 

that faith in the crucified, buried, risen, and coming Savior, with its effect in their death to sin 

and resurrection to a new life; and that it is a prerequisite for proper church relationship and a 

God-blessed life. 

Acts. 8:36-39; Matt. 3:16; Col. 2:12; Matt. 3:6; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; John 2:23; Rom. 6:3-5. 

 - OF THE LORD'S SUPPER 

We believe the Lord's Supper to be an ordinance of the church in which born again believers, 

by the sacred use of bread and wine (grape juice), are to commemorate together the dying love of 

Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination. 

I Cor. 10:16; Mark 14:22-24; I Cor. 11:23-28; Luke 22:19-20; Matt. 26:26-28; Acts. 2:42. 

XV. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS 

We believe that such only are real believers who have experienced the new birth and have the 

witness of the Spirit and that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which 

distinguishes them from superficial professions; that a special Providence watches over their 

welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation. 

John 8:31-32; Col. 1:21-23; I John 2:19; Matt. 13:19-21; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30; Psa. 121:3; 

Heb. 1:14; I Pet. 1:15; Phil. 1:6; John 10:28-29; John 16:8; Rom. 8: 35-39. 

XVI. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED 

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; 

that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the 

Spirit of God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and 

unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both 

in and after death, in everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of 

the lost. 

Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; Prov. 11:31; I Pet. 4:18; Rom. 1:17; I Cor. 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; Rom. 6:16; I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; Rom. 7:6; Rom. 6:23; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matt. 25:34; John 8:21; Luke 9:26; John 12:25; Matt. 7:13-14. 

XVII. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT 

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of 

human society; those magistrates are to be prayed for, consciously honored and obeyed; except 

only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the 

conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth. 

Rom. 13:1-7; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Tit. 3:1; I Pet. 2:3-14; I Pet. 2:17; Acts 5:29; Acts 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17-18; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:10; Phil. 2:10-11; Psa. 72:11. 

XVIII. OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND 

RELATED EVENTS 

We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. 

Of the resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "the third day according to the scriptures;" 

that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God;" that he alone is our "merciful and 

faithful high priest in things pertaining to God;" that "this same Jesus which was taken up from 

you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" - bodily, 

personally, and visibly; that "the dead in Christ shall rise first;" that the living saints "shall all be 

changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;' that "the Lord God shall give 

unto Him the throne of His father David;" and that Christ shall reign a thousand years in 

righteousness "until He hath put all enemies under His feet.” 

Matt. 28: 6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2; Acts 1:9; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5:9-10; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:15; Matt. 24:27; Matt. 25:13; James 5:8; Matt. 24:42; Heb. 9:23; I Thess. 4:16; I Cor. 15:42-44; I Cor. 15:52; I Cor. 15:51-53; I Thess. 4:17; Phil. 3:20-21; Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 32:1; Isa. 11:4-5; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4: Rev. 20:6. 

XIX. OF HUMAN SEXUALITY 

1. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in 

outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any forms of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, incest, polygamy, 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. 

Gen. 2:24; 19:5; 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4. 

2. We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. 

Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23. 

XX. OF ABORTION 

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human 

being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn life. Abortion is murder. 

We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, or the mental well-being 

of the mother are acceptable. 

Job 3:16; Psa. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 4:24; 49:1; Jer. 1:5;20:15-18; Luke 1:44.