Our Beliefs

Mount Moriah Baptist Church (MMBC) believes that the Bible is completely true, free of error or contradiction, and is the all sufficient guide to mankind in matters pertaining to life and godliness. In the 66 books of the Holy Bible, God has given His final words to mankind on earth until He returns at the last day. Being the very words of God, the Bible is our final authority in moral and spiritual matters. Thus, to the degree of understanding of His Word that God grants us, MMBC strives to be faithful to God’s Word in all that we do as we live and worship Almighty God.

MMBC is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and Piedmont Baptist Association (PBA). The belief statement of the SBC and PBA is the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (BF&M 2000) and MMBC has adopted it as our belief statement. The BF&M 2000 is thoroughly grounded in Scripture and was carefully written (originally in 1925) to allow for some doctrinal differences based on differing interpretations of certain Scriptures that have been debated by Christians for centuries. MMBC is best described as “historic” Southern Baptist because we hold to the same beliefs as held by the founders of the SBC in the second half of 19thand early 20th century. The originators and early congregations of the SBC firmly believed that God is completely sovereign in salvation. This is not to suggest that we have attempted to turn back the clock, but rather, we simply believe that they held to eternal Scriptural truths valid in any century. There are many SBC churches that still hold to the following historic Southern Baptist distinctives, which are according to the Scriptures,

  • that God has foreordained (not just foreseen) who is to be saved,
  • that He sends His Spirit to regenerate their hearts and draw them to Himself,
  • that Christ has redeemed them in particular by His standing in their stead and taking the punishment for their sins on the cross,
  • that He uses His Word and His witnesses to effect their conversion made obvious in their lives by their repentance and faith in Him, and
  • that He keeps them eternally secure until the day of redemption.

We believe, as did the SBC founders, that this interpretation of the Scriptures in regard to salvation is the correct interpretation and gives all glory to God for the salvation of souls. Rather than being a discouragement to evangelism, as some Christians might suggest, MMBC’s belief that God has foreordained the salvation of people from all tribes and nations and is calling them to Himself fills us with evangelistic missionary zeal because our success in those endeavors is secured in God’s purpose to save. We see it as our privilege, our responsibility, and our joy to participate in God’s gracious saving purpose. While MMBC stands with the historic Southern Baptists in our understanding of salvation, we continually cooperate with other Southern Baptists and other conservative protestant denominations. Furthermore, holding to all of the above historic Southern Baptist distinctives is not essential to having fellowship with or becoming a member of MMBC. Most importantly, in keeping the greatest commandment, we show the love of Christ to whoever comes through our doors, whether believer or unbeliever. As much as it depends on us, MMBC lives at peace with all men.