Our Church Constitution stipulates clearly our commitment to historic Baptist principles, which results in a congregation with a broad spectrum of theological perspectives but united in the following beliefs.

 

This Body, founded on the principles of Baptist faith and composed of persons who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, in the authority of the Holy Scriptures, in the priesthood of the believer, in the competency of the soul in matters of religion, in the autonomy of the local church, in believer’s baptism, in religious liberty and in the separation of church and state, shall be known as Hayes Barton Baptist Church. (Article I, Section 1)

 

Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour

We believe in Jesus Christ as the incarnate Son of God, who by the Holy Spirit was born of the virgin Mary, through whom we have deliverance from sin and death and the promise of eternal life.

 

Authority of the Holy Scriptures

We believe in the scriptures as contained in the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God, the sufficient rule both of faith and practice.

 

Priesthood of the Believer

We believe in the freedom and right of every Christian to interpret and apply scripture under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We affirm the freedom and responsibility of every person to relate directly to God without the imposition of creed, the control of clergy or the interference of government.

 

Competency of the Soul in Matters of Religion

We believe that every person stands as a competent individual before God and is responsible to determine what his or her conscience dictates is right. 

 

Autonomy of the Local Church

We believe that Baptist churches are free, under the Lordship of Christ and guidance of the Holy Spirit, to determine their membership and leadership, to order their worship and work, to ordain whomever they perceive as gifted for ministry and to participate, as they deem appropriate, in the larger Body of Christ.

 

Believer’s Baptism

We believe that baptism by immersion is the New Testament model and that it is to be administered upon a person’s profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.              

 

Religious Liberty

We believe in religious freedom for all people, regardless of creed.

 

Separation of Church and State

We believe religious liberty is best protected when church and state are institutionally separated and neither tries to perform or interfere with the essential mission and work of the other.

The Diaconate was made aware of a recent situation where political materials were distributed within the Church which concerned members of our congregation. On April 10, 2012, following careful deliberation, the Diaconate unanimously directed that the following statement be published in HBBC publications and on HBBC’s website to ensure HBBC’s steadfast commitment to the principle of Separation of Church and State.

Separation of Church and State is a bedrock belief of Baptists and a foundational principle of HBBC, specifically referenced in our Church Constitution. We encourage our members to embrace their rights as citizens of the United States to vote with understanding and conviction. We also encourage all members and attendees of HBBC to embrace our responsibility as stewards of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to ensure that His Church shall remain a sanctuary for worship and Christian fellowship.

To preserve the foundational purpose and principle of Separation of Church and State, to assure the continued enjoyment of HBBC’s steadfast commitment to this principle, to ensure maintenance of the continued expectations of HBBC members and attendees, and to avoid false inferences or conclusions that HBBC is involved in or supports any particular partisan political or civil policy or law, HBBC restates and reaffirms that:

(1) There shall be no distribution of political or partisan materials or political activity advocating any view, position or vote regarding any civil law election, vote, policy or law at HBBC; and

(2) As a matter of courtesy, mutual respect and information, the Chairman of the Diaconate, the Pastor, or other Ministers shall be informed before any general distribution of materials, hard copy or electronic, not produced by HBBC or requested by HBBC, regardless of content.

HBBC is the House of God. Please join us in the peaceful worship and fulfilling service of the Lord where our focus is to Love God, Make Disciples of Christ, and Build Up the Church.

Respectfully,

Greg Owen
Chairman of the Diaconate