Basic Doctrine of Highpoint
1. The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, preserved without error in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme standard for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21). Psalms 12:6-7 states that God will preserve his Words for all generations. He states that these are pure words that will be preserved; showing us that these are not man’s words that are preserved but his own. We use the KJV Bible in all our services. Ps. 33:11, Ps 117:2, Rev 22:18-19.
2. God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each is co-equal, co-eternal, and possesses all the attributes of deity (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30, 2 Corinthians 13:14).
3. Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully God and fully man. Born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, rose bodily from the grave on the third day, and ascended to the right hand of the Father. He will return personally and visibly to judge the living and the dead (John 1:1, 14, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
4. The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, regenerates sinners, indwells believers, and empowers them to live godly lives. The Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and glorifies Jesus Christ (John 16:8-11, Titus 3:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
5. Humanity and Sin
We believe humanity was created in the image of God but fell into sin through Adam’s disobedience. All people are now sinners by nature and choice, separated from God, and in need of salvation. Without Christ, humanity is lost and under God’s condemnation (Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 3:23, 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-3).
6. Salvation
We believe salvation is a gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, and is fully accomplished by the finished work of Christ on the cross. Believers are justified, adopted into God’s family, and kept secure in Christ forever (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, John 10:28-29).
7. The Church
We believe the church is the body of Christ, comprised of all true believers. A local church is a congregation of baptized believers who gather for worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, and the observance of the ordinances. The church’s mission is to spread the gospel, make disciples, and glorify God (Acts 2:41-42, Ephesians 1:22-23, Matthew 28:19-20).
8. Ordinances
We believe in two ordinances: baptism by immersion (after salvation) in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, symbolizing the believer’s death, burial, and resurrection with Christ; and the Lord’s Supper, a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice, observed by believers in fellowship with the church (Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
9. The Last Things
We believe in the imminent, personal return of Jesus Christ for His church (the Rapture), followed by the Great Tribulation and Christ’s Millennial Kingdom. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to eternal condemnation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 20:1-15, John 5:28-29).
10. Separation
We believe in personal and ecclesiastical separation from apostasy, false teachings, and ungodly practices. Believers are called to live holy and separated lives, being in the world but not of it (2 Corinthians 6:14-17, Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15-17).
11. Religious Liberty
We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from external control, and the responsibility to govern itself according to the teachings of the New Testament under Christ as the head of the church (Colossians 1:18, Matthew 18:15-17).
12. The Family
We believe in the biblical definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman, established by God as the foundation of the family. The family is God’s primary institution for the nurturing of love, training of children, and reflection of God’s love (Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:22-33, 6:1-4).
13. Satan
We believe Satan is a real, personal being, a fallen angel who rebelled against God and now works as the adversary of God and humanity. He is the instigator of sin, the enemy of believers, and is actively working in the world to oppose the purposes of God. However, Satan’s power is limited by God, and he will ultimately be judged and cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-17, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 20:10).
14. Hell
We believe in a literal hell, a place of eternal, conscious punishment for the unsaved. Those who die without Christ will be judged and condemned to hell, separated from God forever. Hell is a place of torment, originally prepared for the devil and his angels, and is the final destiny of all who reject the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:41, Mark 9:43-48, Luke 16:19-31, Revelation 20:11-15).
15. Rejection of Calvinism
We reject the theological system commonly known as Calvinism, including the doctrines of unconditional election, limited atonement, and irresistible grace. We believe that salvation is offered freely to all through Jesus Christ and that God desires all people to be saved. We affirm that each individual has the free will to accept or reject the gospel, and that Christ’s atoning sacrifice was made for all humanity, though only those who believe will be saved (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 2:2).
16. Eternal Security of the Believer
We believe in the eternal security of the believer, also known as “once saved, always saved.” When a person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they are born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, kept by the power of God, and secure in Christ forever. Salvation is not based on our efforts, but on the finished work of Christ, and no one can separate a true believer from the love of God (John 10:28-29, Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 Peter 1:5).
1. Rejection of the Ecumenical Movement
We reject the Ecumenical Movement, which seeks to unify all Christian denominations and often compromises doctrinal truth for the sake of unity. While we affirm our love and respect for all believers in Christ, we hold that true unity is based on sound doctrine and the clear teachings of Scripture. We believe in separation from doctrinal error, apostasy, and any movement that undermines the authority of the Bible or the essential truths of the Christian faith (2 Corinthians 6:14-17, Jude 1:3, 1 Timothy 6:3-5).
B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S.
B – Biblical Authority The Bible is the ultimate authority for all matters of faith and practice.
A – Autonomy of the Local Church Each local church is independent and self-governing.
P – Priesthood of All Believers: Direct Access to God
T – Two Ordinances: Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper.
I – Individual Soul Liberty Every person has the freedom and responsibility to choose their own beliefs.
S – Saved, Baptized Church Membership
T – Two Offices two church offices: pastor (also referred to as elder or bishop) and deacons
S – Separation of Church and State: There’s a clear distinction between church and government.
