Helping People become Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus Christ

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Monte Vista Baptist Church
1735 Old Niles Ferry Rd
Maryville, TN 37803-5505
(865) 982-6070
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Belief Statement

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Our Core Values

Based on person experiences and unique personalities, each of us has slightly different values regarding how we serve Christ. There are certain basic values we hold in common that do unify our efforts. These may be divided among two core beliefs based on the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40):

Loving God

Loving People

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Our Beliefs

In Essential Beliefs – We Have Unity

“There is one body, one spirit, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father of us all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6

In Non-Essential Beliefs – We Have Liberty

Accept him whose faith is weak without passing judgment on disputable matters. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Each of us will give an account of himself to God. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God."

Romans 14:1,4,12,22

In All Beliefs – We Show Love

“If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and I have the faith to move mountains – but I have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”

I Corinthians 13:2 (Ph)

Our Essential Beliefs

About God:

GOD THE FATHER

There is one and only one living and true God. He is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, eternally existing in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of the deity. He is all powerful, all loving, and all wise.

Genesis1; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

GOD THE SON – JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. He was united forever with a true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He perfectly revealed and did the will of God. He lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1; John 1:1-5; 14:5-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is do-equal with the Father and the son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the believer with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in leading a life of Christ-like character. He gives every believer a spiritual gift for the upbuilding of the body. As Christians, we seek to live under his control daily and bear fruit to the glory of the Father.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18; Galatians 5:15

ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of the human authors. The Scriptures are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. There are no other writings similarly inspired by God.

2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

ABOUT HUMANITY

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. We are the supreme objects of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates us from God. Only the grace of God can bring us into fellowship with him and enable us to fulfill his holy purposes.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1-2; Romans 3:23

ABOUT SALVATION

The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call all people into intimate relationship with himself. Created to have fellowship with God, humanity defied God, choosing to go their own way, alienating the relationship God intended to have with his creation. Salvation is a work of God’s free grace. It is not the result of our self-improvement or good works. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we experience salvation. All true believers endure to the end. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, which give us this security.

ABOUT ETERNITY

Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For all people there will be a resurrection into the spiritual world and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. Unbelievers will eternally be separated from God for their own rejection of God. Believers will be in eternal union with God for their faith.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:3-5

ABOUT THE CHURCH

All believers become members of Christ’s body, the Church. There is one Church universal, comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. The Scriptures command believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, the teaching of the Word, the observance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, fellowship, ministry, and outreach to the world. Wherever God’s people meet regularly, there is the local expression of the church. Members are to work together in love and unity for the purpose of glorifying God.

Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; I Corinthians 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:22-32

Our Baptist Principles

  • Competency of the soul
  • Authority of the Bible
  • Priesthood of the Believer
  • Autonomy of the local church
  • Separation of Church and State