What We Believe

Articles of Faith

Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church

1. Of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and it is a perfect treasure of Heavenly instruction; that it

has God for it’s author, salvation for it’s end, and truth without any mixture of error for it’s matter; that it reveals the

principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian

union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

Verses: 2 Tim. 3:15-17, Prov. 30:5-6, Rom. 2:12, Phil. 3:16, 1 John 4:1

2. Of the True God

We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the

Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, 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 officers in the great work of redemption.

Verses: John 4:14, John 5:17, John 14:23, John 15:26, John 17:5, John 17:10, Ps. 83:18, Ps. 147:5, Heb. 3:4, Rom. 1:20, Jer.

2:12-13, Jer. 10:10, Ex. 15:11, Isa. 6:3, 1 Pet. 1:15-16, Rev. 1:4-5, Rev. 4:6-8, Rev. 4:11, Mark 12:30, Matt. 10:37, Matt. 28:19, 1

Cor. 2:10-11, 1 Cor. 12:4-6, 1 John 5:7, 1 John 10:30, Acts 5:3-4, Phil. 2:5-6, Eph. 2:18, 2 Cor. 13:14,

3. Of the Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in holiness, 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 choice; being by nature utterly void

of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin,

without defense or excuse.

Verses: Gen. 1:27, Gen. 1:31, Ecc. 7:29, Acts 15:26, Gen. 2:16, Gen. 3:6-24, Rom. 5:12, Rom. 5:15-19, John 3:6, Ps. 51:5,

Rom. 8:7, Isa. 53:6, Gen. 6:12, Rom. 3:9-19, Eph. 2:1-3, Rom. 1:18-32, Rom. 2:1-16, Gal. 3:10, Matt. 20:15, Ezek. 18:19-20,

Gal. 3:22

4. Of the Way of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the Mediatorial office of the Son of God; who by the

appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal

obedience; and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in

Heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to

be a suitable, compassionate, and all sufficient Savior.

Verses: Eph. 2:5, Matt. 18:11, Matt. 20:28, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 4:10, 1 Cor. 3:5-7, 1 Cor. 15:1-3, Acts 15:11, John 1:1-14, John

3:16, Heb. 9:13-15, Heb. 1:8, Heb. 4:14, Heb. 12:24, Heb. 7:25-26, Heb. 2:18, Heb. 2:14, Phil. 2:6-9, 2 Cor. 5:21, Isa. 42:21, Isa.

53:4-5, Gal 4:4-5, Rom. 3:21-26, Rom. 4:25, Col. 3:1-4, Col 2:9, Ps. 89:19, Ps. 45

5. Of Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification

includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in

consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemers’ blood, by virtue

of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and

favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

Verses: John 1:16, Eph. 3:8, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:39, Isa. 3:11-12, Rom. 3:24-26, Rom. 4:4-5, Rom. 4:23-25, Rom. 5:1-3, Rom.

5:9, Rom. 5:11, Rom. 5:17, Rom. 5:19, Rom. 5:21, Rom. 6:23, Rom. 8:1, Zech. 13:1, Matt. 6:33, Matt. 9:6, Titus 3:5-6, 1 Peter

3:7, 1 John 2:12, 1 John 2:25, Phil. 3:7-9, 1 Cor. 1:30-31, 1 Tim. 4:8

6. Of the Freeness of Salvation

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept it by a

cordial, penitent and obedient faith, and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on Earth but his own

inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

Verses: Isa. 55:1, Rev. 22:17, Luke 14:17, Luke 19:27, Rom. 1:15-17, Rom. 9:32, Rom. 16:26, Mark 1:15, John 3:19, John 5:40,

Matt. 11:20, Matt. 23:37, Pro. 1:24, Acts 13:46, 2 Thes. 1:8

7. Of Grace in Regeneration

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy

disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in

connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the

holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.

Verses: John 1:13, John 3:3, John 3:6-8, 1 Cor. 1:14, 1 Cor. 1:30, Rev. 8:7-9, Rev. 21:27, 2 Cor. 5:17, Ezek. 36:26, Due. 30:6,

Rom. 2:28-29, Rom. 5:5, Rom. 8:9, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:18, James 1:16-18, Phil. 2:13, 1 Peter 1:22-25,

Eph. 3:14-21, Eph. 4:20-24, Eph. 5:9, Col. 3:9-11, Gal. 5:15-23, Matt. 3:8-10, Matt. 7:20

8. Of Repentance and Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating

spirit of God, whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we

turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord

Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.

Verses: Mark 1:15, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 3:22-23, Acts 11:18, Acts 16:30-31, Eph. 2:8, 1 John 5:1, John 16:8, Luke 15:18-21,

Luke 18:13, James 4:7-10, 2 Cor. 7:11, Rom. 10:9-13, Ps. 2:6, Ps. 51, Heb. 1:8, Heb. 4:14, Heb. 8:5, 2 Tim. 1:12

9. Of God’s Purpose of Grace

We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves

sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end;

that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly

excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it

encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel,

that it is the foundation of Christian assurance, and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and desires the

utmost diligence.

Verses: 2 Tim. 1:8-9, Eph. 1:3-14, Eph. 1:16, 1 Peter 1:1-2, 1Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 5:10, Rom. 3:27, Rom. 4:16, Rom. 8:28-30,

Rom. 11:5-6, Rom. 11:29, Rom. 11:32-36, John 6:37-40, John 10:16, John 15:16, 1 John 4:19, Hos. 12:9, 2 Thess. 2:13-14, Acts

1:24, Acts 13:48, Acts 15:14, Matt. 20:16, Ex. 33:19, 1 Cor. 1:26-31, 1 Cor. 3:5-7, 1 Cor. 4:7, 1 Cor. 9:22, 1 Cor. 15:10, Col.

3:12, 1 Thess. 1:4-10, 1 Thess. 2:12-13, Luke 18:7, Tim 2:10, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Isa. 42:16, Phil. 3:12, Heb. 6:11

10. Of Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness;

that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence

and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means – especially the Word of

God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

Verses: 1 Thess. 4:3, 1 Thess. 5:23, 2 Cor. 3:18, 2 Cor. 7:1, 2 Cor. 13:5, 2 Cor. 13:9, Phil. 1:9-11, Phil. 2:12-13, Phil. 3:12-16,

John 2:29, John 3:6, Rom. 8:5, Eph. 1:4, Eph. 1:13-14, Eph. 4:11-12, Eph. 4:30, Eph. 6:18, Pro. 4:18, Heb. 6:1, 1 Peter 2:2, 2

Peter 1:5-8, 2 Peter 3:18, Luke 9:23, Luke 11:35, Matt. 26:41

11. Of the Perseverance of Saints

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand

mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they

are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

Verses: John 6:66-69, John 8:31, John 13:18, Matt. 6:30-33, Matt. 13:20-21, 1 John 2:19, 1 John 2:27-28, 1 John 3:9, 1 John

4:4, 1 John 5:18, Job 17:9, Rom. 8:28, Jer. 32-40, Ps. 91:11-12, Ps. 121:3, Phil 1:6, Phil. 2:12-13, Jude 24:25, Heb. 1:14, Heb.

13:5, 2 Kings 6:16

12. Of the Harmony of The Law and The Gospel

We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of this moral government; that it is holy, just, and good;

and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men t fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin; to

deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law is one great end of

the gospel and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.

Verses: Rom. 3:20, Rom. 3:31, Rom. 4:15, Rom. 7:7, Rom. 7:12, Rom. 8:2-4, Rom. 8:7-8, Rom. 10:4, Rom. 14:22, Matt. 5:17,

Matt. 6:17-18, Luke 16:17, Gal. 3:21, Ps. 119, Josh. 24:19, Jer. 13:23, John 5:44, John 6:44, 1 Tim. 1:5, Heb. 8:10, Heb. 12:14,

Jude 20:21, 1 Cor. 12:28

13. Of a Gospel Church

We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated bu covenant in the faith and

fellowship of the gospel; ovserving the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and

privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose

qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistle to Timothy and Titus.

Verses: 1 Cor. 1:1, 1 Cor. 4:11, 1 Cor. 4:17, 1 Cor. 5:6, 1 Cor. 5:12-13, 1 Cor. 11:2, 1 Cor. 11:23, 1 Cor. 12:14, 1 Cor. 14:12 1

Cor. 14:23, Matt. 18:15-20, Matt. 28:20, Acts 2:41-42, Acts 2:47, Acts 5:11, Acts 8:1, Acts 11:31, Acts 14:23, Acts 15:22, 3 John

9, 1 Tim. 3-5, 2 Cor. 2:7, 2 Cor. 8:5, 1 Thess. 3:6, 1 Thess. 4:2, Rom. 1:17-20, John 14:15, John 14:21, John 15:12, 1 John 4:21,

2 John 6, Gal. 6:2, Eph. 4:7, Phil. 1:1, Phil. 1:27, Titus 1

14. Of Baptism and The Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and Son, and 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; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s

Supper in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love

of Christ; receded always by solemn self-examination.

Verses: Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41-42, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:36-39, Acts 10:47-48, Acts 12:16, Acts 16:32-34, Acts 18:8, Matt. 3:5-6,

Matt. 26:26-29, Matt. 28:19-20, John 3:22-23, John 4:12, John 6:26-71, Mark 14:22-25, Mark 16:16, Gal.3:26-28, Rom. 6:4, Col.

2:12, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Cor. 5:1-8, 1 Cor. 10:3-32, 1 Cor. 11:17-32

15. Of the Christian Sabbath

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day or Christian Sabbath; and it is to be kept sacred to religious

purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both

private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.

Verses: Acts 11:26, Acts 13:44, Acts 17:2-3, Acts 20:7, Gen. 2:3, Mark 2:27, John 20:19, 1 Cor. 16:1-2, Ex. 20:8, Ex. 46:3, Rev.

1:10, Ps. 26:8, Ps. 87:3, Ps. 118:15, Ps. 118:24, Isa. 56:2-8, Isa. 58:13-14, Heb. 4:3-11, Heb. 10:24-25, Lev. 19:20, Luke 4:16

16. Of Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that

magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord

Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the Earth.

Verses: Rom. 13:1-7, Rom. 14:4, Rom. 14:9-13, Deu. 16:18, 2 Sam. 23:3, Ex. 18:23, Jer. 30:21, Matt. 10:28, Matt. 22:21, Matt.

23:10, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13, 1 Tim. 2:1-8, Acts 4:18-20, Acts 5:29, Dan. 3:15-18, Dan. 6:7-10, Rev. 19:16, Ps. 2, Ps. 72:11

17. Of the Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith

are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all

such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among

men both in and after death.

Verses: Mal. 3:18, Pro. 10:24, Pro. 11:31, Pro. 12:26, Pro. 14:32, Isa. 5:20, Isa. 55:6-7, Isa. 57:21, Gen. 18:23, Jer. 15:19, Acts

10:34-35, Rom. 1:17, Rom. 6:16, Rom. 6:18-22, Rom. 7:6, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 3:7, 1 John 5:19, 1 Cor. 11:32, 1 Peter 4:17-18,

Gal. 3:10, John 3:36, John 8:21-24, John 12:25-26, Ps.10:4, Luke 9:23-26, Luke 12:4-5, Luke 16:25, Ecc. 3:17, Matt. 13-14

18. Of the World to Come

We believe that the end of this world is approaching; that at the Last Day, Christ will descend from Heaven and raise the dead

from the grave to the final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to

endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in Heaven

or Hell, on principles of righteousness.

Verses: 1 Peter 4:7, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, 1 Cor. 7:29-31, 1 Cor. 15:12-59, Heb. 1:10-13, Heb 9:28, Matt. 13:37-43, Matt. 13:49, Matt.

24:30-31, Matt. 24:35, Matt. 25:31-41, Matt. 28:20, 1 John 2:17, 2 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 3:3-13, Acts 1:11, Acts 3:21, Acts 4:15, Acts

10:42, Rev. 1:7, Rev. 22:11, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Thess. 5:1-11, Luke 14:14, Dan. 12:2, John 4:36, John 5:28-29, John 6:40, John

11:25-26, 2 Tim. 1:10, Mark 9:43-48, Jude 7, Phil. 3:19, Rom. 3:5-6, Rom. 6:22, 2 Cor. 4:18, 2 Cor. 5:20-22