OUR BELIEFS

The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks the all important question, a question that everyone asks themselves at some point or other in their life - the all-important question, a question we all ponder - what is the chief end of man? The answer is simple, yet profound: to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.

In short, this is why we exist, why God created us, and the purpose for which we strive as His people. In order to both glorify God, and enjoy Him forever, we must first believe rightly about who God is, His activity in the world, and our place in it. This is first revealed to us in God’s Holy Word - the Bible.

We believe the Bible is God’s true and faithful Word without error.

At Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, ministries are how we live out our faith together. They are the hands and feet of the church — the way we serve God by serving one another and our community. Every ministry gives us an opportunity to grow spiritually, build lasting relationships, and make a real difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s teaching our children about Jesus, supporting families through life’s ups and downs, or lifting our voices in worship, each ministry reflects our shared calling to love God and love others. This was Paul’s vision for the church in Ephesians 4:11-16, where everyone graciously uses their gifts “for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ….”

We believe in one God, who is both the Creator and Sustainer of the world and everything in it

He is eternal in relation to time, infinite in relation to his glory and perfections; all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. This one God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in divine nature and attributes, distinct in their relation to one another and in their role in salvation. In perfect love and unity of purpose, we believe that God the Father administers our salvation, God the Son accomplishes our salvation, and God the Holy Spirit applies our salvation.

God the Holy Spirit: Often mistaken for a force, the Holy Spirit is actually the third person of the Trinity. His role in the world is to convict people of sin, righteousness, and judgement. Moreover, for those the Father has chosen, He illuminates their eyes to see and believe the truth of the gospel, whereby He then brings a person into the body of Christ. He is the sign and seal of the believers current and final redemption. Sent by Jesus, He cultivates in God’s people Christlikeness, comforts us in suffering, and confers to us spiritual gifts for the edification and maturation of the church.

God the Son: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Heb. 1:3). Though always existing in perfect divinity, He humbles himself to take on full humanity, to endure the cross, and to die for our sins, wherein the Father “made him to be sin for us, [though] he knew no sin; that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21). In perfect love and justice, God raised Jesus from the dead, seated Him at His right hand, making Him Lord and Judge over all creation, as He is today and forever will be.

God the Father: While fatherly in his attitude towards all mankind, as he “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good” (Matt. 5:44), and providentially guiding all of human history according to His perfect purposes, God is truly and eternally the adopting Father of those who come to Him by faith in His Son, whereby we become His children, and are gifted His Spirit to call on him as our “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 3:26).

We believe that all humanity is created in the image of God for the glory of God

This is true for humanity, regardless of age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Therefore, everyone has value and dignity in the sight of God. Nonetheless, all humanity has “sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Insisting to live life on our own terms, we have all “like sheep gone astray” (Is. 53:6). The painful result of our sin is death, condemnation, and an eternity separated from God (Rom. 5:12, 18).

We believe in the good news of Jesus Christ, our salvation.

On account of God’s abundant grace alone, whereby he regenerates our hearts, making us “alive together with Christ” (Eph. 2:5-6), we can now, through faith in Jesus, be justified in the sight of God. In Him, “there is therefore now no condemnation” (Rom. 8:1). This sets us on the path of sanctification, whereby we are made increasingly holy and Christlike by the grace of God and the power of His Holy Spirit. This path ends in our glorification, wherein God “finishes the good work he began in us,” (Phil. 1:16) and we see Christ face to face.

We believe that the church is a people, specifically God’s chosen people.

All believers are called to be a part of a local gathering of believers. It is amongst a people that we gather to worship and glorify God through the preaching of the Word and the practice of the ordinances (i.e. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper). As we live life together, we use the gifts that God has given us to build each other up and help each other follow Christ more faithfully. Moreover, God uses local churches to advance His mission of making disciples starting in our communities and going to the ends of the earth. The church is a family, not a building; it’s a family of Christ followers learning, serving, and growing together. When one hurts, we all hurt. When one rejoices, we all rejoice.

Maybe you’re on this page because you’ve been exploring what faith means, or perhaps returning after a long time away. You don’t have to have it all figured out. We’re here to walk with you — to listen, learn, and grow together in Christ.

If you have any questions about our beliefs, we would love to talk with you further. Feel free to worship with us on Sunday morning, or if you’re not comfortable with that just yet, join Pastor Dylan for an informal cup of coffee.