Lake Chapala Baptist Church - Ajijic

Overview

We believe that it is crucial to the spiritual health and public witness of our fellowship that we express and esteem the glorious truths that God has graciously revealed to us in the Bible. These doctrinal truths are an anchor to the church, in the midst of widespread uncertainty and it equips the people of God to confront religious anti-christs and false prophets as well as the secularist society of our day.

We believe that it is for the best that our biblical mandate is not to accept the lowest common denominator of doctrine around which all can gather, but to elevate the fullness of biblical truth and to teach and hold fast to the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

We believe that the Bible speaks clearly on the essential concepts of the Christian faith and that it is our responsibility to proclaim “the good doctrine” to “guard the good deposit” (2 Timothy 1:14) entrusted to us. That is why we undertake to define as clearly as possible what we believe to be the foundational principles of the Scriptures. We attempt to avoid becoming arrogant in what we believe and in thrusting divisive dogmatism and secondary issues to the forefront (1 Timothy 4:6).

We do not believe that every article in this statement of faith is of equal importance. Some are considerably more essential than others. Thus we do not believe that every doctrine stated below must be believed in order for someone to be saved.

It should also be understood that this statement of faith is not an absolute for people who attend Lake Chapala Baptist Church.  Disagreement with any particular assertion does not disqualify a person from being actively engaged in the ministries of this local body of believers.  We welcome and embrace all who believe in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ, whether or not they can affirm every article of faith in this statement. We welcome and embrace all who are still searching for spiritual truth and have not yet acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

The purpose of a declaration of doctrinal beliefs is to make known where Lake Chapala Baptist Church stands on issues of importance to our Christian faith and life. These are the biblical and theological truths and boundaries that will be honoured by those who teach and preach at Lake Chapala Baptist Church, whether on the Lord’s Day services, at our corporate meetings, in small group meetings, children’s ministry, formal classroom settings, or any other expression of life and training.  Whereas we recognize that differences of opinion and interpretation may exist among the people of this local church, and that robust, yet humble, discussion and debate on these matters is spiritually healthy, nothing contrary to this statement of faith will be either publicly or privately taught or promoted.

We do not claim perfect knowledge for this statement of faith. God’s Word alone is inerrant and infallible, not our interpretations of it. Thus we will always be open to correction from Scripture and will refine this statement as the Spirit teaches and guides us.

Our hope and prayer is that we will know how “to contend [without being contentious] for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), and that by faithfully and humbly holding fast to the word of truth we will both honour the Lord Jesus Christ and be a rich and encouraging blessing to his bride, the church.