DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
WEST HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

We, the West Hill Baptist Church of Akron, Ohio, endeavor to set forth here our distinctive beliefs and doctrines.  We are made humble believing the Bible to be the infallible Word of God, accepting it as our authority and guide.  We teach everything that the Bible teaches.  We continue to stand firm in the old-time, New Testament faith even in the midst of the treacherous modernism that is creeping into Christendom today.

DECLARATIONS OF FAITH

I.    THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

A.    We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired by God, and that it is the only infallible rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Samuel 23:2; Acts 1:16; Acts 3:20-21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psalm 119:111; Rom. 3:1-2).
B.    We believe the Bible is the truth of God in its entirety.  (Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17;  Rom. 3:4; Rev. 22:18-19).

II.    THE TRUE GOD

A.    We believe that there is only one living and true God, infinite in all of His attributes (John 4:24; Psalm 147:5; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10).
B.    We believe that in the mystery of the Trinity, there are three persons: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 2 Cor. 13:14; 2 John 5:7).

III.    THE FALL OF MAN

A.    We believe that man was created holy (Gen. 1:27; Gen. 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 17:26-29) but, willfully violating the law of his Maker, he fell from that state (Gen. 2:16-17; Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12).
B.    We believe all mankind became sinners (Psalm 51:6; Rom. 5:15-19; Rom. 8:7; John 3:6) not by constraint, but by choice (Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18).
C.    We believe that man as such, is without exception, justly exposed to everlasting condemnation (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18; Rom. 1:32; Rom. 2:1-16; Galatians 3:10; Matt. 20:15).

IV.    THE WAY OF SALVATION

A.    We believe that the only way of escape from this condemnation is through the substitutionary atonement of the Son of God (John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14, Heb. 12:24), who through the Virgin Birth took to himself a human nature (Matt. 1:20-23; Luke 1:26-35; Luke 2:1-7; John 1:14), yet without sin (Heb. 4:15), and by His sufferings, death, and resurrection made full satisfaction to the justice of God for the sin of man (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; Rom. 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 1 John 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Heb. 9:13-14).
B.    We believe that salvation is by grace apart from works or merit (Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:6-7; Rom. 5:20-21; Titus 2:10; Titus 3:5-7).
C.    We believe that salvation comes by faith (Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 2:16; Rom. 3:28; Rom. 4:3; Rom. 4:18; Gal. 2:20-21; Rom. 5:19; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 1:5), which includes repentance (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3; Matt. 3:2; Acts 2:28; Matt. 4:17; Mark 6:12).
D.    We believe that salvation can be received by WHOSOEVER will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 22:17; Rev. 3:20; Rom. 10:13; John 3:16; John 1:12).

V.    THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER

A.    God promises and gives eternal life (John 3:16; John 3:18; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:47).
B.    The believer has everlasting life (John 5:24; John 3:18; John 3:36; John 6:47; John 10:27, John 10:30).
C.    Christians do not keep themselves (1 Pet. 1:3-6; Jude 24-25; John 10:28).
D.    The Christian is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
E.    The believer can never lose his salvation (John 10:27-36).
F.    Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39).
G.    When a Christian sins, God chastises him and keeps him (Heb. 12:5-11; Psalm 89:30-36).
H.    The sins of Christians are not charged to them (Rom. 4:7-8; Rom. 8:1).

VI.    REGENERATION BY GRACE

In order to be saved, we must be regenerated or born again (1 John 3:7; Titus 3:5).

VII.    THE GOSPEL CHURCH

A.    We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 1 Cor. 4:17; 1 Cor. 14:23);
B.    Associated by covenant in the faith of fellowship of the Gospel (Acts 2:41-42; Acts 2:47; 2 Cor. 8:5; 1 Cor. 5:12);
C.    Observing the ordinances of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thessalonians. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26);
D.    And governed by His laws (Matt. 28:19-20; John 14:15; John 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thessalonians. 4:2).