What We Believe
Doctrinal Statements
Sweethaven holds to a Baptistic standard, which includes (but is not limited to) the following:
The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God. He is an infinite, intelligent, perfect spirit and personal Being. He is the Creator, Preserver, and Supreme Ruler of the Universe, inexpressibly glorious in holiness and all other perfections, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. I John 4:24; Exodus 15:11;
Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Ephesians 2:18
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written inerrant in its original languages by men divinely inspired, and it is perfect reassurance of heavenly instruction, that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. II Timothy 3:16, 17; I Peter 1:10-12; Proverbs 30:5, 6
Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, Who by appointment by the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature; that being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, yet without sin, He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sin; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and that He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour.
The Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its true mission is found in the Great Commission and that for it to exhibit the success of the church in Acts 1, the people must be in "one accord," dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit.
Man
We believe that man was created under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation of eternal ruin without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:27; Genesis 1:31; Genesis 3:6-24
Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:20
Romans 5:19
Baptism & The Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life.
We believe that the Lord's Supper, in which the believers of a Gospel church commemorate together the dying love of Christ, is to be preceded always with solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; John 3:22-23; Matthew 29:19
Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:26; Romans 6:4