Find & Follow Jesus...
Anyone is welcome to come to Midlothian Baptist Church, no matter what they may have done in life! We are all sinners on a spiritual journey. In that journey, it is our hope that people will find Jesus to be who He said He is, and that He offers the invitation to Follow Him: To know what He knows, and do what He does. Living a life of character, not perfection, and serving a world in need of compassion and hope while exemplifying the life of Jesus Christ, our Savior. So when you come, be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who wants to change us into the image of Christ.
Our Mission
Preaching the Gospel
To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as near and as far, as often and as truly as is possible by the grace of God, that by every honest means as a Church, we shall strive to leave no stone unturned to bring the people to the Gospel and the Gospel to the people both far and near.
Supporting Missions
To support mission work at home and abroad.
Baptizing
To baptize by immersion all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and give satisfactory evidence that such is really true, and upon such an act become members of the greater church body.
Teaching
To teach, exhort, and admonish all believers until they are provoked into holy living and personal soul winning.
Training
To assist the parent in the training of the child through congregational worship, the preaching of the Word of God, and other programs and events in accordance with Acts 5:42.
We believe in the Greatest Commandment: to love God supremely and to love others sacrificially.
Scripture References: Matt 22:35-40; John 13:34, 35; 15:12, I John 4:7-21; 5:1-3, Rev. 2:2-5
We believe that the Bible, the 39 books of the Old Testament, and 27 books of the New Testament is the inspired Word of God, and are the believer’s final authority of faith and practice.
Scripture References: Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We believe there is one God, who is existent in three different, yet equal persons.
Scripture References: Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7
1. God the Father - Matthew 6:9; John 1:12
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17.
2. God the Son - Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God - John 1:14
Jesus Christ, the Divine Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus lived a perfect life while being fully human and fully God. He followed and obeyed the will of God the Father in all of His pursuits. In His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. His return will be prior to the tribulation spoken of in Daniel and in Revelation, at which time He will gather the righteous from history past as well as time present, to Eternal Heaven. Jesus Christ will rule over the Millennial kingdom, which will be followed by the resurrection of the unrighteous unto eternal punishment in the lake of fire and that the righteous shall enter into the heaven age.
Scripture References: Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; John 14:1-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; 1Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19; 20:4-15.
3. God the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God - John 14:29
He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination, He enables men to understand the truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.
We believe that God created everything in the literal, six-day creation.
Scripture References: Genesis 1; Exodus 20:11
1. In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.
Scripture References: John 1:2, 3; Heb. 1:2; Job 26:13; Rom. 1:20; Col. 1:16; Gen. 1:31
2. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasoning and immortal souls, rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they were created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.
Scripture References: Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:7; Eccles. 7:29; Gen. 1;26; Rom. 2:14, 15; Gen. 3:6
We believe that Satan is the enemy of God and His children.
Scripture References: Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9.
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as Almighty God, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness – destined however to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as Almighty God, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness – destined however to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Scripture References: Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Eph. 2:2; John 14:30; I Thess. 3:5; Matt. 4:1-3; I Peter.5:8; I John 3:8; Matt. 13:39; Luke 22:3-4; Rev. 12:10; II Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4:3; II John7; I John 2:22; Rev. 13:13-14; II Thess. 2:8-11; Rev. 19:11,16, 20; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev. 20:1-3, 10; Matt. 25:41
We believe that all people are born sinners, and can be redeemed forever through repentance toward God and faith in Christ.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:26; 3:6-24; Luke 13:3-5; John 3:16-18, 36; John 10:27-30; Acts 20:21; Romans 5:12,19; Romans 6:23; Romans 8: 35-39; Ephesians 2:8,9.
We believe that God deals with believers as His children, in that He chastises the disobedient, and that He rewards the obedient.
Scripture References: Matt.16:27; 25:14-23; John 1:12; Hebrews 12:5-11; 2 John 8; Revelation 22:12
We believe that the church is a local independent assembly of baptised believers, gathered to worship, pray, learn, and proclaim the Gospel.
Scripture References: Acts 2:42-45; I Peter 2:13-15
- We believe that there are two ordinances in the local church that illustrate the saving work of Christ, baptism and the Lord’s Table.
- Scripture Reference: Matthew 28:19,20
- We believe that there are two offices in the local church, pastor and deacon.
- Scripture Reference: I Timothy 3:1-13
- We believe that every believer in the local church is given a gift by the Holy Spirit, to minister to others within a local church.
- Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 12-14
We believe in freedom of worship without interference from the government and affirm our belief in civil obedience, unless the laws and regulations of civil government run contrary to the Holy Scriptures.
Scripture References: Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15
Man and Woman
The Bible is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living (2 Timothy 3:16), and it is our primary and final source of authority. Therefore, we believe God created human beings as male and female, which were not identical nor interchangeable (Genesis 1:27; 2:18–22). The complementary, relational nature of the human race as “male and female” reflects the created order given by God when He created human beings “in His image.”
Scripture References: Genesis 1:26–28; 2:20; 5:1, 3; 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9; cf. Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:23–24; Colossians 3:10
Scripture References: Genesis 1:26–28; 2:20; 5:1, 3; 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9; cf. Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:23–24; Colossians 3:10
Sin, Salvation, and Sanctification
All of human existence has been deeply damaged by the fall into sin (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). This damage extends to the mind, will, and affections of all. We are all sinners, broken in some measure by the fall (Romans 3:23). God’s plan is for us to walk in holiness (Romans 3:22; Colossians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7). We are connected to God in only one way—by accepting the forgiveness and reconciliation God offers us through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection (Romans 5:6–11; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3–5). Because of our relationship with God, we will desire to repent of our sins and live holy lives, pleasing to Him (Ephesians 5:8–10). We will also hope for unburdened relationships with all those around us. As we become more like Christ, this becomes possible in our lives (Romans 12:3–5).
Relationships with Others
We believe every person is to be treated with compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28–31; Luke 6:31; Colossians 4:5–6). Our approach to others should be filled with grace and incorporate both truth and compassion. Truth speaks to the content of our message, and compassion addresses the manner in which it is conveyed (1 Peter 3:15). Christians who attempt to follow biblical mandates are not immune from sin, for “all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23). We must always be mindful of this and humbly relate to others, accepting that we all are fallen creatures. 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 Midlothian Baptist Church.
Marriage and Sexuality
Marriage reflects Christ’s relationship with His bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:22–32). It is defined from the beginning of Scripture as uniting one man and one woman in a lifetime commitment to each other and provides for intimate companionship, pure sexual expression, and procreation. Jesus reaffirmed this definition of marriage as God’s design (Matthew 19:4–5). God designed sexual intimacy for a marriage relationship and does not endorse or condone it in any other context. Sex outside of a marriage relationship is sinful and dishonors God (Genesis 1:27, 2:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8; Hebrews 13:4; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–20). Sexual sin is not, however, unforgivable, and the same redemption through Christ, available to all sinners, is available to those committing sexual sin. Additionally, temptation, including sexual attractions, is not sin. Sin is yielding to temptation in thought, word, or deed.
Due to the effects of sin and human brokenness in this world, one’s experience of their sex and gender is not always as God originally designed. It is our desire to come alongside as a loving and accepting community, supporting anyone experiencing a gender identity discordant with their birth sex. However, recognizing that our sex as male and female is designed and ordered by God, we do not agree with any attempt to alter one’s birth sex through medical intervention on the basis that it dishonors God’s design (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:18–22; Romans 12:1–2). This does not apply to intersex individuals born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.
Due to the effects of sin and human brokenness in this world, one’s experience of their sex and gender is not always as God originally designed. It is our desire to come alongside as a loving and accepting community, supporting anyone experiencing a gender identity discordant with their birth sex. However, recognizing that our sex as male and female is designed and ordered by God, we do not agree with any attempt to alter one’s birth sex through medical intervention on the basis that it dishonors God’s design (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:18–22; Romans 12:1–2). This does not apply to intersex individuals born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.
Sanctity of Life
We believe all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life begins at conception and is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally impaired, challenged or handicapped, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life (Psalm 139:13–16).