Our Beliefs

Hazelwood Baptist Church operates on the basic doctrines of Christianity.

In these essentials of the Christian faith, HBC is united.

Below are brief statements about each of these basic core beliefs. We believe that it is in these doctrines that historical Christian faith soundly and unequivocally rests and that the Christian faith claims to be, and is, different from all other world-religions.

GOD
We believe that there is one true God who is the author and creator of the universe. He is all-powerful, all knowing, all loving and eternal. He has the ultimate authority in heaven and on earth. He is revealed to man through both His creation (nature) and His Son Jesus Christ. God exists in three forms or manifestations: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate (in the flesh) who came to mankind to offer the only solution to sin - - a holy sacrifice. We believe that He is who He said He was, the only remedy for man’s sin, and the one and only Son of God. His sacrificial death on the cross allows man to be reconciled with God, and opens the door for man to receive eternal life and forgiveness of sins through faith in His name.

THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ results in a full and meaningful life of holiness and obedience, attained by believers as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. He was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to apply to mankind the saving work of Christ. He initiates in the mind of sinners a recognition of their need of a Savior; and, because of their faith he makes them new spiritually. At the point of salvation, He permanently indwells every believer providing assurance, strength and wisdom. He also uniquely endows each believer with gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scripture. His power and control are activated by faith, making it possible for believers to lead a life of Christ-like character and to bear fruit that draws glory and attention to God the Father.

THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative word of God revealed to man through divine inspiration in the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments. The Bible is God’s book about Himself, given so that we might know Him. It is both historically accurate and significant in the lives of Christians who adhere to its teachings.

SALVATION
We believe that salvation (the forgiveness of sins) is not linked to church membership, works, good deeds, heritage, or genealogy, but rather to Jesus Christ alone. Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross and sacrifice for the sins of mankind makes possible a relationship with Him. We are "saved" when we acknowledge our sins and shortcomings and place our personal trust in Christ who made up the difference through His death and resurrection. Once this has happened, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ or change our standing before God; we are eternally His.

CHRISTIANITY
We believe that becoming a Christian begins with establishing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus offers forgiveness of sin, a purpose-filled and abundant life, and eternal life to all those who sincerely seek Him and embrace His claims as Lord and God. This can be done anywhere, anytime without the need for a pastor. Any person wishing to become a Christian may do so by submitting his/her life to God and accepting His forgiveness. Jesus suffered once for all on the cross so that we might be made sinless in the eyes of God. We further believe that after a person becomes a Christian that there should be evidence of life-change: visible signs that a person has embraced the claims of Christ and is living for Him.

THE CHURCH
We believe that God has established His Church in the world to reflect who He is and bring glory to Himself. This happens as the truth about His Son is revealed, and as the church impacts the culture for Christ’s sake. The church exists in two forms: the universal church and the local church. The universal church comprises believers from all over the world throughout all ages. The local church consists of those people who geographically assemble on a regular basis for the purpose of teaching, worshipping, reaching others, ministering, and fellowshipping. Our unique church is one of many that unites with others around the world to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ.

HUMAN DESTINY
We believe that the souls of men and women will live eternally. The death of the body is not the final end to life, but just the end to one’s physical presence here on earth as we know it. The soul will live on in either fellowship with God or in a place absent of God. We believe that a person’s spiritual status cannot change after physical death. Those who die without being reconciled to God will have no other opportunity to do so. In the same way, those having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ are sealed in His love and will live in fellowship with Him forever.

SIN
The Bible defines sin as missing the mark, or falling short of God’s holiness. It also says that everyone has sinned. Sin results in a man’s separation from God. The only remedy for sin is a renewed life based on faith in Jesus Christ.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What about Baptism?

"And as many as received his word were baptized . . . ." Acts 2:41

We believe that the Scriptures teach that baptism is an indication, not a source, of faith and salvation in a believer’s life. Baptism, according to the New Testament, is an identifying marker accepted by believers as a means of public repentance and alignment with Jesus. It is not an agent of saving grace to those who are baptized.

What about Baby Dedications?

"For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:27-28

At HBC, we believe in the power and appreciate the beauty of dedicating babies to God through prayerfully planned and orchestrated events. Theologically, we do not believe that babies need to be nor should be baptized. The Scriptures indicate that they are under God’s grace until they are old enough to fully understand the implications of the Gospel. Baby Dedications are an incredibly effective means of communicating the parents’ desire to raise a believing child who is fully committed to Christ and the church’s role in supporting them in doing so.

What is New Testament Giving?

“But just as you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-- see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7

The Apostle Paul challenged the church in Corinth to excel in giving. He taught that giving was evidence of God’s grace in a believer’s life, as all that any of us has comes from God.

At HBC, we are striving to excel in the spiritual discipline of giving. We encourage HBC participants to pray and ask God how much of their regular income they should give to HBC for the purpose of Kingdom building. Under the grace and leadership of God’s Spirit, knowing that all we have belongs to God and that we are accountable for how we manage it, we trust every HBC participant to determine how much they should be giving. A good starting point is the10% figure commanded in the Old Testament. To receive an information sheet on the biblical principles of New Testament Giving, please contact the HBC office.

We'd love to hear from you -- Please feel free to ask us any questions you have about becoming a Christian, or tell us about your decision to follow Jesus Christ. Please let us know how we can serve you by sending us an e-mail to office@hazelwoodbaptist.com.