Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole person, and is freely available to all who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
A. Regeneration
We believe regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.
We believe repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.
We believe repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.
B. Justification
We believe justification is God’s gracious and full declaration of our justness, upon principles of His righteousness, of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.
C. Sanctification
We believe sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to the purposes of God, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.
D. Glorification
We believe glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Christian Baptism and The Lord's Supper
Baptism
Believer's baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to their faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
Church Membership
Church membership is a formal relationship between a local body of believers and a Christian. It is a declaration by the local body of believers affirming citizenship of Heaven. While no church has authority to declare people as righteous before God, church membership functions as an affirmation saying, "This person lives out the Christ they profess."
Is Church Membership Biblical?
One of the more popular objections to church membership is the idea that it is not biblical. While church membership is not specifically stated in Scripture, the idea of a Christian not belonging to a local body of believers would be foreign to the First Century Churches. Christians gather together to build each other up, encourage one another, mourn together, hold each other accountable, and worship together. That is why the author of Hebrews states, "Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25). While we will not find the words "Church membership" in the Bible, church membership is vital to the spiritual well-being of believers.
Why is Church Membership Important?
Church membership allows for believers to be held accountable and to hold others accountable. By joining a local body of believers in a formal relationship it opens the door to having other Christians help us walk through life together. The Christian life cannot be one of isolation. Jesus states in John 13:35, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which are evidence of the Spirit dwelling inside of believers, are not easily practiced in isolation. Christians have always been called together to be the body of Christ.
How Do I Become a Church Member?
Church membership begins with making a decision to follow Christ. One cannot be united to a local body of believers if they have yet to unite with Christ. If you have more questions about following Christ, we would love to talk to you, just let us know. While no church has final authority on who is saved and who is not; by joining Ascension Baptist, we communicate, to the best of our knowledge, that you are a child of God.
By Profession of Faith and Baptism
If you have made a profession of faith and trusted Jesus to be your Savior and Lord, we would love to be able to talk to you. We believe the next step for new believers is obedience to Christ by following Him in Baptism.
By Statement of Faith
If you have previously made a profession of faith and been obedient to Christ in Scriptural Baptism but have never joined a church or been a member of a church of another denomination, we still welcome you here to Ascension Baptist.
By Letter from a Southern Baptist Church
If you are moving your membership from another Southern Baptist Church this is accomplished by a request of letter by our church. Don't worry though, you do not have to physically bring a letter with you, we will take care of that.
By Profession of Faith and Baptism
If you have made a profession of faith and trusted Jesus to be your Savior and Lord, we would love to be able to talk to you. We believe the next step for new believers is obedience to Christ by following Him in Baptism.
By Statement of Faith
If you have previously made a profession of faith and been obedient to Christ in Scriptural Baptism but have never joined a church or been a member of a church of another denomination, we still welcome you here to Ascension Baptist.
By Letter from a Southern Baptist Church
If you are moving your membership from another Southern Baptist Church this is accomplished by a request of letter by our church. Don't worry though, you do not have to physically bring a letter with you, we will take care of that.