All content © copyright Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry Street, Niles, MI
49120 (269) 683-
21. Civil Government and Religious Liberty
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that all civil authorities are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in the things opposed by the Word of God which reveals the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. That church and state should be separate, the state owing the church protection and full freedom. No ecclesiastical group or denomination should be preferred above another by the state. The state should not impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal.
22. Heresy and Apostasy
We believe in total and complete separation as taught in the Word of God, from all heresy and ecclesiastical apostasy. We believe the Scripture teaches that we are to:
Try them, I John 4:1. Mark them, Rom. 16:17. Rebuke them, Titus 1:13. Have no fellowship, Eph. 5:11. Withdraw ourselves, II Thes. 3:6. Receive them not, II John 10,11. Have no company with them, II Thes. 3:14. Reject them, Titus 3:10. Separate ourselves, II Cor. 6:17.
23. Missions
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches, not individuals.
Mat. 28:18-
24. Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the doctrines of the faith. II Cor. 8:7
We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week. I Cor. 16:2
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church. Jesus said concerning the tithe "these ye ought to have done". Mat. 23:23.
"Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils" Heb.7:2,4, this was four hundred years before the law.
Lev. 27:30. "The tithe ... is the Lord's".
Mal.3:10. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
About the Bible: We believe that the Bible is God's Word. As such, it is true without any mixture of error and is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
About God: We believe that there is one living and true God Who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and Who is worthy of all possible honor, worship, and praise. As Creator, Redeemer, and Ruler of heaven and earth. He is expressively glorious in holiness and love.
About Jesus Christ: We believe in the full humanity and deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, death on the cross for our sins, bodily resurrection and ascension, present ministry of intercession of believers, and His personal and visible return in power and glory.
About the Holy Spirit: We believe in the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit Who regenerates unbelievers, the evidence of which is repentance, faith, newness of life. We believe He indwells believers, enabling them to live a godly life, transforming them to the likeness of Christ, and keeping them by power of God until the day of Jesus Christ.
About Man: We believe that man was created in the image of God and was intended to have fellowship with God. However, since Adam, all men are sinners by nature and by choice, and are under the just condemnation of the Holy and Righteous God.
About Salvation: We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ
alone, Who is the only and all-
About the Church: We believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, is a group of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. The two ordinances of the Church that we observe are Baptism by immersion in water and the Lord's Supper, a provision of bread and fruit of the vine representing the body and blood of Christ.
