What We Believe
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Our Faith Is Grounded in Scripture
At Hillview Baptist Church, we believe the Bible is the inspired, sufficient, authoritative, and trustworthy Word of God. Scripture is our final authority for faith, worship, doctrine, and Christian living.
As a Reformed Baptist church, we affirm the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 as a faithful summary of what we believe Scripture teaches. The Confession serves Scripture; it does not replace it.
01 — GOD: One God, Three Persons
We believe in one living and true God, eternal, sovereign, holy, unchanging, and perfect in all His attributes. He exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons who are one God.
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
— Romans 11:36
02 — JESUS CHRIST: Our Mediator and Redeemer
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life, died as a substitute for sinners, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and reigns at the Father's right hand. He is the only Mediator between God and humanity and will return to judge the living and the dead.
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5
03 — THE HOLY SPIRIT: God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God and the third person of the Trinity. He gives spiritual life, brings sinners to repentance and faith, unites believers to Christ, indwells and sanctifies them, illuminates Scripture, and equips the Church for service and mission.
04 — THE BIBLE: God's Inspired and Sufficient Word
We believe the Holy Scriptures are the inspired Word of God, sufficient, trustworthy, and authoritative for faith and life. Scripture contains everything necessary for God's glory, salvation, faith, and obedience.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16
05 — SALVATION: Saved by Grace Through Faith in Christ
We believe all people are sinners and unable to save themselves. Salvation is entirely by God's grace, accomplished through the finished work of Jesus Christ.
We believe sinners are justified by faith alone, through Christ alone, and that genuine faith produces good works. Those truly united to Christ will persevere because God preserves His people.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith... it is the gift of God.”
— Ephesians 2:8
06 — THE CHURCH: Christ's People, Gathered as His Church
We believe Jesus Christ is the Head and Lord of His Church. The local church is a visible gathering of believers committed to worship, biblical preaching, prayer, fellowship, discipleship, service, evangelism, and mutual care.
The Church exists for the glory of God and the advancement of the gospel.
07 — BAPTISM: A Public Identification With Christ
We believe baptism is an ordinance commanded by Christ for those who personally repent and believe in Him. Therefore, we practice believer's baptism by immersion.
Baptism does not save; it is an act of obedience and a public testimony of a believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection.
08 — THE LORD'S SUPPER: Remembering Christ Until He Comes
We believe the Lord's Supper is an ordinance instituted by Christ. Through it, believers remember and proclaim Christ's death, express communion with Him and one another, and look forward to His return.
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:26
09 — CHURCH GOVERNANCE: Christ Rules His Church Through His Word
We believe Christ alone is the Head of the Church, and local churches are to be governed according to Scripture.
We recognize Elders who shepherd, teach, oversee, and protect the congregation, and Deacons who serve the practical needs of the church.
Church leadership is fundamentally servant-hearted shepherding under the authority of Christ and His Word.
10 — THE 1689 LONDON BAPTIST CONFESSION
A Faithful Summary of Biblical Doctrine
Hillview Baptist Church identifies with the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, a comprehensive summary of Reformed Baptist doctrine covering God, Scripture, creation, sin, salvation, Christ, the Church, ordinances, Christian living, and the final judgment.
Scripture Above Confession
While we gladly affirm the 1689 Confession, Scripture remains our ultimate authority. The Confession is neither inspired nor infallible; it is a historic summary of doctrines we believe are taught in God's Word.
Scripture is our final authority.
Christ is our Lord.
The gospel is our message.
The Church is our family.
God's glory is our goal.
OUR CONFESSION
What We Believe Shapes How We Live
Our doctrine shapes how we worship God, follow Christ, pursue holiness, and love and serve one another.
At Hillview Baptist Church, we desire to believe the truth, live the truth, proclaim the truth, and love others with the truth of the gospel.
“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
— Ephesians 3:21
Soli Deo Gloria
To God Alone Be the Glory.
