This confession of faith reflects the consensus of the faculty and administration of Wayland Baptist Theological Seminary; it is not a creed or instrument of doctrinal conformity but an expression of general doctrinal agreement.

 

God
We confess that God is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. God is the creator of all things viable and invisible. God has been revealed to us as YHWH (Yahweh).

 

Jesus Christ
We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the begotten Son of the living God. Jesus alone is Lord of all creation; he is the full revelation of God and the only mediator between God and humanity; and the baptizer with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the great head of the church and has been given authority by God over all things. 

 

The Holy Spirit

We confess that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in and that the Spirit is an abiding helper, and guide. The Holy Spirit empowers the church for diverse ministries and the mission of spreading the gospel. We confess that the Holy Spirit indiscriminately bestows gifts upon persons for the Spirit alone is the infallible interpreter of the Scriptures.

 

The Trinity
We confess that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: revealed as God the Father, the Word or the Son, and Holy Spirit; creator and sustainer, the One whose Kingdom has no end.

 

The Virgin Mary

We confess that Mary is the Virgin mother of our Lord Jesus the Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit, God from God. That Mary is highly favored and served God and humanity through her willingness to submit to the unreasonable will of God. Mary was the wife of Joseph and birthed other children naturally through her union with Joseph the guardian of our Lord Jesus the Christ.

 

Scriptures
We confess that the Scriptures are the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written by men and women of old under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

 

Regeneration
We confess that Jesus came to save all people from senselessness and sin; those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

 

The Church
We confess the universal church is a living spiritual body of which Christ is the exalted head and all regenerated persons are members. The primary purpose of local church membership is to bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

The Ordinances
We confess that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ for the commemoration of His death. These two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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The Universal Priesthood

We confess the universal priesthood of every believer and the priesthood of all believers; and that all the baptized hold the priesthood; and are called by God to minister the good news of all that God has done through Jesus Christ. This priesthood is bestowed upon every believer by the Holy Spirit and it is irrevocable.

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Soul Competency

We confess that soul competency which Baptists emphasize is not a mere human characteristic, but a gift from God. In creation, God gave to persons the freedom to make choices. We confess that we are responsible for our choices. God sets forth the consequences of good and bad decisions.

 

Religious Liberty
We confess that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; valuing freedom for religion, from religion, and of religion, to the end of preserving the separation of Church and State.

 

Church Cooperation

We confess that the local church is an autonomous fellowship of baptized believers gathered to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ and that by cooperating with churches of like faith; the witness of the gospel can reach and impact for the reign of God’s realm on earth.  Local churches voluntarily affiliate with national bodies, regional, state, and district organizations. Such an organizations exist and function by the will of the local autonomous churches.

 

Eternal Security

We confess that salvation is not only a gift from God but is sustained by God as well. Salvation is wholly of the Lord, apart from the works of humans. The Holy Spirit permanently indwells the believer and seals them in salvation for all eternity. Therefore, the believer shall be kept by the power of God through faith.

 

The Last Things
We confess that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth, the dead will be raised imperishable, incorruptible and immortal to everlasting life. Christ will judge all people and nations, consign Satan and his followers to eternal separation from God for all eternity; and those who believe in him by faith from every reach of his realm together in one place to greet him and reign with him forever.