Emmanuel upholds the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Definition of Chalcedon, and the Athanasian Creed as summaries of essential Christian beliefs and the theological basis of our articles of faith. Further, we generally uphold the 1689 London Confession of Faith. This confession of faith gives a concise statement of biblical doctrine. In no way is it equal to the infallible authority of the Word of God. Nevertheless, it is an assistance to us in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness. In this Confession the members of our church will have a body of divinity in small compass and by means of Scriptural proofs will be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them (I Peter 3:15).

Granted, we do not subscribe to strict sabbatarianism. Further, we recognize each household’s freedom in discerning baptismal practice.

We also adopt the following positions on controversial issues in our time:

A. SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE – We believe in the sanctity of human life traceable to the “breath of life” breathed into Adam in the Garden of Eden. We believe that life begins at conception and that abortion and euthanasia are therefore the unscrupulous ending of human life forbidden by God in the scriptures. We further believe there is a significant distinction to be made between the sacredness of human life created in the “image of God” and animal life instituted by God for man’s welfare. The image of God in man also implies a dignity to all human life regardless of age or ability. Thus, we are categorically opposed to abortion and euthanasia. (Job 1:21, 12:10, & 27:3; Genesis 1:26-28 & 2:7; Ruth 4:13; Proverbs 6:17b; 2Kings 8:12)

B. MARRIAGE –We believe in the holy covenant of marriage. After creating male and female, God created marriage for them (Gen. 2:18-25). Marriage is a covenant in which a man and woman leave their parents and form a lifelong monogamous bond for the purposes of: picturing the relationship of Christ and His Church (Eph. 5:22-33), companionship (Gen 2:20), procreation (Gen 1:28; Mal. 2:15), pleasure (Prov. 5:18-20; Heb. 13:4), and a deterrent from temptation (I Cor. 7:2, 9). Thus, marriage is a permanent covenant broken only by death and specific scriptural exceptions such as unrepentant adultery, Mt 19:9. Furthermore, all expressions of sexuality outside of the bonds of marriage are deemed sinful sexual immorality. These include, but are not limited, to acts and lifestyles such as homosexuality, bestiality, prostitution, polygamy, polyandry, and polyamory. (Hebrews 13:4; Genesis 1:28 & 2:18; Matthew 19:1-6; Romans 1:26-28) We further believe that those practicing such acts should be treated with love, respect and presented the life changing news of the Gospel. Church membership is available to all those who repent of their sin and believe the Gospel 1 Cor. 6:11.

C. GENDER ROLES- We believe that God deliberately created the equal yet distinct genders of male and female. Both genders, as image- bearers of God, share equal personhood and worth, with equal access to God (I Cor. 11:11-12; Gal. 3:27-28; I Pet. 3:7). The New Testament intensifies the equality between genders with equal baptism (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:41) and reception of spiritual gifts (Acts 2:17-18; I Cor. 12:7; I Pet. 4:10). We believe that though equal in person and worth, God created complimentary (complimentarian) roles for each gender functionally (Gen. 2:18; I Cor. 11:9; Eph. 5:22-28). We believe that one’s gender is chosen by God and is part of one’s personhood, thus we oppose the transgender lifestyle.

D. RACE RELATIONS– We believe the entire human race, as created by God, finds its ancestry in Adam and Eve and share a common blood, genetic source, and continue to be image bearers of God. Common ancestry renders all humans members of the same Adamic Race. This human brotherhood denounces all forms of racism as denials of an individual’s oneness in Adam. Furthermore, racism and segregation among believers is a denial of our oneness in Christ and in Christ’s Church.

As a Southern Baptist Church, we are in general agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message.