Often when people ask what we believe, they have a particular doctrine or doctrines with which they are concerned.
The following are a list of doctrines about which people often wonder or that may be distinctive to us as a church:
Believer’s Baptism by Immersion.
We practice believer’s baptism. Following the pattern of Scripture, we reserve baptism for those who have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and who show evidence of Christian conversion. (Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 36-38; 16:31-34)
We believe baptism is symbolic. Baptism is not necessary for salvation but is an act of obedience that follows conversion. Baptism is a symbolic pledge of a person’s faith and allegiance to Christ and is an “initiatory ordinance” into the church. It is a symbol both of the burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as well as of the regeneration of the believer as he is “buried with Christ” and walk in “newness of life.” (Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21; Col 2:12)
We believe baptism is by immersion. Immersion is both the only mode supported in scripture and the only mode in which the symbolism of the death, burial and resurrection is maintained.
Congregational Church Government
At Harvest, we recognize Christ as the head of the church and seek his wisdom and dependent on Him in all that we do. As a body, we are Pastor-led, team-driven, and congregation-approved. For more information on process by which Harvest governs itself, see our constitution. Harvest is an autonomous congregation. While we affiliate with the Southern Baptists nationally, regionally, and locally, those associations are voluntary and we are not governed by any outside body.
Priesthood of All Believers
We affirm the priesthood of all believers. Every true believer, whether a layperson or ordained minister, has the same right to communicate with God, interpret Scripture, and minister in the name of Jesus Christ. The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers is primarily a matter of responsibility and servanthood, not privilege and license. It does not mean that all views are equally valid, that you are free to believe anything you want or that the pastor has no unique leadership role. The doctrine does recognize, however, that true Christians have been granted access to a relationship with God apart from a pastor or priest – our only mediator is Christ himself; that every believer has unique gifts that are to be used in ministry in the church; and that the Holy Spirit is available to guide every believer in understanding the truth of God’s word.
The Lord’s Return
We believe that Jesus Christ will return again in glory to judge the living and the dead. We long for his second coming. As a church body, we do not take a position on the order end times events or enforce a particular eschatological system as the only valid interpretation. We do, however, reject any interpretation which denies the second coming or that states that it has already occurred.
Cooperation
At Harvest, we are a “Kingdom-minded” church. That is, we understand that focus must not be merely on personal success or the success of our particular church, but rather on the advance of God’s kingdom. God wants churches to grow, but as part of the bigger grander vision of expanding his great kingdom. For this reason, Harvest Baptist Fellowship is decidedly “kingdom-focused” and has an “Acts 1:8” mentality—reaching the local community and partnering with others to take the gospel around the world. Harvest partners with Southern Baptists and other Great Commission Christians in reaching our community and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Bible
The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority and sufficient for all life and godliness. Currently, Harvest neither endorses nor uses exclusively any one English version of the Bible. We affirm the benefits of modern conservative scholarship and are comfortable with many of the modern translations.
For more information about our beliefs, feel free to email us or speak to one of our pastors when you visit. For our formal statement of faith, you can find the Baptist Faith and Message (2000) here.
