Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
What is the foundation of our faith? Our faith is established on Scripture. Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone as the supreme authority for faith matters - was a foundational doctrinal principle of the Protestant Reformation in counter balance to the prevailing Catholic reliance on tradition. Some would hold to Prima Scriptura, Scripture is primary but understood by tradition and reason. Other denominations would add experience. Humanists would exclude Scripture, with their primary tenet being reason.
As Baptists we recognize the Bible as the authority for our faith – as understood through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. We seek God’s guidance in reading and interpreting Holy Scripture. We recognize the roles of traditional Christian interpretations, rational thinking and our own personal faith experiences.
We read the Bible – not as a source of history or science – but as a part of our faith journey. We read the Bible to learn the story of how God was present in the lives of the Hebrew people. We read the Bible to learn the teachings of Jesus and the struggles of the early Christian Church. We read the Bible as a source of hope and as a guide for daily living. We read the Bible with hearts open to the voice of God’s Holy Spirit. As we read the Bible – as part of worship or in your own daily devotional time – let us hear what the Spirit is saying. Let us be still and know God.
Pastor Joyce
the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
What is the foundation of our faith? Our faith is established on Scripture. Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone as the supreme authority for faith matters - was a foundational doctrinal principle of the Protestant Reformation in counter balance to the prevailing Catholic reliance on tradition. Some would hold to Prima Scriptura, Scripture is primary but understood by tradition and reason. Other denominations would add experience. Humanists would exclude Scripture, with their primary tenet being reason.
As Baptists we recognize the Bible as the authority for our faith – as understood through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. We seek God’s guidance in reading and interpreting Holy Scripture. We recognize the roles of traditional Christian interpretations, rational thinking and our own personal faith experiences.
We read the Bible – not as a source of history or science – but as a part of our faith journey. We read the Bible to learn the story of how God was present in the lives of the Hebrew people. We read the Bible to learn the teachings of Jesus and the struggles of the early Christian Church. We read the Bible as a source of hope and as a guide for daily living. We read the Bible with hearts open to the voice of God’s Holy Spirit. As we read the Bible – as part of worship or in your own daily devotional time – let us hear what the Spirit is saying. Let us be still and know God.
Pastor Joyce