© 2010, Providence Primitive Baptist Church. All rights reserved.
There are five foundational truths that we believe the church of God should have as non-negotiable pillars fastened on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ:
1. The absolute authority and inerrancy of the Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16)
2. A high view of the Godhead as a Trinity that includes God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (1 John 5:7)
3. Sound Doctrine that exalts the sovereignty of God and salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8)
4. Personal holiness in the lives of all baptized believers. (Ephesians 4:7)
5. We are all under God’s order of authority as citizens, families, and members of the Body of Christ. (Hebrews 13:17)
We hold firmly to the DOCTRINES OF GRACE. These can most readily be remembered by using the acrostic TULIP:
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TOTAL DEPRAVITY: All men are sinners by nature, and are dead to spiritual things. Apart from God they are unable to do good or to seek Him. They are not only passively overcome by sin, but actively and willingly engage their strength, ability and gifts in its pursuit. (Ephesians 2:1, Romans 3:9-11) |
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UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION: Election is God’s eternal choice of certain definite individuals unto salvation. This choice was not based on any seen or foreseen merit in these individuals, but was motivated solely by His sovereign love. (Ephesians 1:4, Romans 9:11-16) |
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LIMITED ATONEMENT (a.k.a. Particular Redemption): The benefit of Christ’s atoning death accrues to all of the elect, and to only the elect. His redemptive work did not make salvation a possibility, but was alone sufficient to secure the salvation of all those loved and elected by the Father. (John 17:2, Acts 13:48) |
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IRRESISTIBLE GRACE: All of the elect will be quickened, or born again. This infallible, irresistible operation of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the elect turns them from the power of Satan unto God. God doesn’t try to save men. He doesn’t plead with them. He saves them! What He purposes, He does. Nothing can stand in the way. (John 6:37) |
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PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS: Through God’s preserving grace, the indwelling Holy Spirit powerfully enables and equips each of the elect to persevere through faith, growing in grace. Though they may stumble along the way, God’s elect will never finally be lost, for they are kept by the power of God. All those loved by God before the foundation of the world will thus eternally delight in His presence. (Romans 8:35-39, 1 Peter 1:3-5) |