These are the fundamental beliefs of Baleville Congregational Christian Church.

The Scriptures
We believe that the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). It is our sole authority for faith, and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Godhead (Trinity)
We believe in one God existing in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). They are each worthy of precisely the same honor, confidence, and obedience. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; 1 Peter 1:2)

The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (John 14:9). He was fully human, but without a sinful nature (Luke 1:35; 1 Peter 1:19; 3:18) by virtue of His virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-25). We believe that Jesus Christ saved us through His finished work on the cross as our substitutionary sacrifice. We believe in His literal resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24-25), His ascension into heaven, and His continuing ministry as our High Priest and Advocate (Hebrews 9:24).

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is given at the point of salvation, indwelling believers for godly living and is the seal of their promised inheritance. (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14). We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

The Devil or Satan
We believe that Satan was created by God as a good angel, but through proud rebellion against his Creator became the evil enemy of God. As the god of this world and adversary of all of God’s people, he assaults Christians with temptations and trials to turn them away from faithfulness to God. He is destined to eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10)

The Fall of Man
We believe the Bible teaches that God created man in His own image, without sin, according to a literal 6-day interpretation of Genesis 1:1-28. All mankind is descended from Adam and Eve—the first parents of the human race.  

However, through Adam’s willful disobedience, death entered the world and mankind inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God. We are therefore sinners by nature and by conduct, under His just condemnation without defense or excuse. Man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. 

Salvation (Free Gift of God)
We believe man’s sinful state separates him from God (Romans 8:7-8) and is a barrier for him to enter heaven (Luke 13:2-3). However, Jesus Christ paid for ALL the sins of the past and future by making a “once-for-all” sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 10:12). His atonement was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place; He bore our sin in His own body on the cross—the just dying for the unjust.  

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) in the finished and completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Colossians 1:20-22). All who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ are brought from death into life, adopted into God’s family, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and are eternally secure. 

The Church
We believe that the Church is a spiritual body, made up of all believers in Christ who are committed to one another for the ministry of the Word, the edification of fellow believers, and the observance of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  We enjoy the right of self–government under the laws of Jesus Christ.  A local church congregation is organized under Jesus Christ as the Head with scripturally qualified elders and deacons, and spiritually gifted members.

Sexual Sin
We believe the Bible condemns any form of sexual immorality such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, transgenderism, pornography, or any other distortion of God’s design for sexuality is sinful and offensive to God. (Romans 1:18-32; Genesis 1:27-28, 2:24; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; Hebrews 13:4)  

Marriage and Family
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one naturally-born man and one naturally-born woman. (Matthew 19:4-6). 

We believe that God instituted the family for the well-being of mankind and designed it to be a unit of order and blessing. The husband is to be the head of the home and, together with his wife, has the responsibility to bring up their children in the caring guidance, counsel, and discipline of the Lord.  (Ephesians 5:21-6:4) 

Sanctity of Human Life (Abortion & Euthanasia)
We believe in the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every individual possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love. (Genesis 1:27)

The Return of Christ
We believe that God will bring all things to their appropriate end for his glory at the right time. Jesus Christ will return, visibly and bodily as He promised. The dead will be raised, and every account settled. For those in Christ, the reward will be eternal life in the new heavens and new earth. But eternal conscious punishment in hell will be the just sentence for all those who reject God’s gracious offer of salvation.