We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Eastport Baptist Church as a local body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to this fellowship’s members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Eastport Baptist Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this statement of our life in the world. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We believe that every person must be accorded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the beliefs of Eastport Baptist Church.

 

1) Civil Government

We believe that God has created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: the home, the church and the civil government. Each person is subject to these authorities except when they command us to violate God’s Word. We believe that God has given each specific responsibility with the understanding that those institutions do not have the right to infringe upon the other.

 

 

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male and female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman for life. We believe that all other kinds of relationships outside of this is a perversion of God’s standard. We believe God’s standard for sexuality is only for those who are married to each other. All other sexual activity outside of marriage is sinful and outside of God’s will for mankind. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but have distinct and separate spiritual functions in the home and church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are called to be the leaders of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.

 

We wholeheartedly affirm the 2016 Nashville Statement on Human Sexuality.

 

 

We believe that God intends for marriage to be a covenant relationship and is to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and/or remarriage is regarded as adultery except for grounds of adultery or abandonment. Accordingly, divorced, or divorced and remarried people may serve in any position of ministry in the church except as a elder, deacon, or deaconess.

 

 

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion is murder in the eyes of God and is not acceptable for any reason except the threat of the life of the mother.

 

 

We believe that the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between believers. Accordingly, we believe that Christians ought not to bring civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.

 

 

We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is responsible to support his local church financially. We believe that every Christian should be encouraged to give cheerfully and sacrificially for the relief of those in need, the support of the local church, and the spread of the gospel to every people group. We give our gifts to the church for these purposes. Gifts may also be given for specific purposes stated at the time the gift is given. While the church should make an effort to honor such designated purposes, the right to redirect the use of the gift rests with the church, not the giver.