Charity Baptist Church is a local, Independent, Fundamental, Soul-Winning, New Testament Baptist Church in Killeen, Texas. Located just down the road from the largest military installation in the free world - Fort Hood. At Charity Baptist Church, our number one desire is to serve God simply because we love God. Pastor Henry Strickland
Our core beliefs that we hold true are:
The Holy Bible
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, are the plenary, verbal, infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God (Deut 8:3; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Galatians 1:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1; 2 Peter 1:20-21). That is to say that every word, from Genesis to Revelation, is God-breathed and it is without error. It will not, nor can it fail. God also promises that His Word shall be preserved from eternity past to eternity future (Psalm 12:6-7, Psalm 33:11, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 111:7-8, Psalm 117:2, Psalm 119:89, 152, 160; Isaiah 40:8, Isaiah 55:11, Matthew 5:18, Matthew 24:35; Luke 16:17; 1 Peter 1:23, 25; Rev 22:18-19). We believe that the Authorized King James Bible (1611 AD) is God’s Preserved Word for the English-speaking people. We believe that the Word of God is the sole authority for faith and practice and that no human is above the Word of God.
God
We believe in one true living God (1 Corinthians 8:4; Ephesians 4:5-6; 1 Thess 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5), one in essence (Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 44:8, Isaiah 45:21), three in distinct personality [the Trinity] (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Genesis 11:7; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19; John 14:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 1 John 5:7); the only infinite and eternal God (Genesis 21:33; Deut 33:27; Isaiah 40:28; Romans 16:26; Rev 21:6, Rev 22:13).
God the Father (1 Cor 8:6; 1 Peter 1:2) is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-2; Colossians 1:16; Rev 4:11). He is perfect in holiness (Psalm 99:9, Psalm 145:17; Isaiah 6:1-3; Rev 4:8); infinite in wisdom and understanding (Psalm 147:5b; Romans 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 25); rich in grace and mercy (2 Chronicles 30:9b; Titus 2:11); supreme in love (1 John 4:8,16); measureless in power (Jeremiah 32:17; Psalm 147:5a; Rev 19:6); and all present (Psalm 139:7-12). We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of all mankind, that He hears and answers prayers, and that He saves from sin and eternal damnation all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 5:29; Romans 10:13).
God the Son (Hebrews 1:8), Jesus Christ, preexistent with the Father and was the Word by which all things were created (John 1:1-4, John 1:14; Colossians 1:16); God's only begotten Son (John 3:16,18; 1 John 4:9). He was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:31,34); born of the Virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,34); lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15); was humble and ever obedient unto the Father (John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:8); and by His own death (the shedding of His own blood) on the cross, he gave eternal redemption for sin unto the whole world (Romans 5:8-11; Hebrews 9:11-12, Hebrews 9:14,22,). We believe that He arose bodily on the third day (Matthew 28:5-6, Matthew 28:10; Mark 16:6,9,19; Luke 24:5-7, Luke 24:36-39; John 20:11-18; 1 Corinthians 15:4); ascended into Heaven on the fortieth day (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:3, Acts 1:9-10); that He is the only mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 12:24); and making intercession for His own (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). We look for His imminent personal, visible, pretribulational, premillennial return to the earth according to His promises (1 Thess 4:13-17); that is our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13).
God the Holy Spirit a Person, co-equal with the Father and Son, in all His attributes (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 John 5:7). He was sent by the Lord Jesus Christ from God the Father (John 15:26) to reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-11); to regenerate all who put their faith and trust in Christ as their personal Saviour (Titus 3:5); to indwell (1 Corinthians 3:16); guide in all truth (John 16:13); and teach them the things of God (John 14:26, John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13). He empowers the believer to live in victory over sin, self, Satan, and the world (Ephesians 1:13-14). He helps us in our infirmities and intercedes for us according to the will of God the Father (Matthew 8:17; Romans 8:26-27).
Creation
God created the heavens and the earth and all that is therein, visible and invisible in six literal, 24-hour days as it is written in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 (Genesis 1:1, Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:11; Deut 4:32; Psalm 33:6,9, Psalm 148:5; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6).
Man
Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:7,18, Genesis 2:21-23) but because of Adam's transgression (disobedience) the entire human race fell (Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:9-11; Romans 5:19). Because of this, all men are totally depraved and without Christ, spiritually dead, and lost. All men everywhere are sinners, both by nature and by choice (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3; Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23). To die in this condition is to be damned forever and eternally separated from God in Hell (Mark 16:16b; Romans 13:2; 2 Thess 2:12).
Sin
Sin originated with the devil (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:12-14, Ezekiel 24:15-19). Sin is the transgression (breaking) of God’s law (1 John 3:4); coming short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23); rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:2); unbelief, making God a liar (1 John 5:10); going ones own way, planning ones life according to ones own will, failing to seek the will of God (Isaiah 53:6), and all unrighteousness (1 John 5:17). Sin entered into the world by one man, Adam (Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12). The result of sin is death (Romans 6:23), spiritual (Genesis 3:8; Isaiah 59:2), physical (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 26; Hebrews 9:27), and eternal (Luke 16:19-26, Luke 16:27-31; John 8:24; Revelation 20:14-15).
Satan
We believe in a literal devil (Satan) (Job 1:6-9; Job 1:10-12; Matthew 4:1-6, Matthew 4:7-11; Revelation 20:2) who is a liar (John 8:44), presumptuous, proud (Isaiah 14:12-14), powerful (Revelation 12:9), wicked (Matthew 13:19; Ephesians 6:11-12; 2 Thess 2:8), malignant, subtle (Genesis 3:1), deceitful (Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:10), religious, and fierce. He was cast out of Heaven (Isaiah 14:12; Luke 10:18) and is now the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), prince of this world, and world system (John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4). He caused the fall of man (Genesis 3:1,14); is his constant adversary (1 Peter 5:8); and seeks to beguile (Genesis 3:13), tempt (1 Thess 3:5), accuse (Revelation 12:10), and devour him (1 Peter 5:8). He is the archenemy of God (Matthew 13:28,39), hater of Christ, and for this he perverts the Scriptures (Genesis 3:1; Luke 4:9-11), opposes the work of God, hinders the Gospel, and works lying miracles (wonders). He has already been judged and one day will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).
Salvation
Salvation is in Jesus Christ alone (John 3:16-18, John 3:36, John 14:6; Acts 2:38,41, Acts 4:10,12). It is offered freely to all (Romans 10:13), and is obtained by repenting of one’s sins (Luke 13:3,5), and receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour by faith in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 10:9-10). Salvation is solely by God’s grace through faith alone, is a free gift, and is not merited by works (Ephesians 2:8-9); it results in God’s forgiveness for all our sins (Psalm 103:12; 1 John 1:9). It is made possible by the blood of Christ willingly shed on the cross for all mankind (Romans 3:25; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Salvation imparts eternal life and one can never be lost again (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39). The instrument of salvation is the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23), and is the agent of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Click HERE to learn more.
Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell are literal places, prepared by God as the only eternal abodes according to the Scriptures. All those who have been saved, or born-again (click HERE to learn how), shall live eternally with God in Heaven (John 14:1-3, John 14:23). All those that have rejected Jesus Christ shall suffer torment in the lake of fire forever, eternally separated from God (Luke 16:24; Revelation 20:12-15).
Church
The New Testament Church (assembly) was started personally by the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry (Matthew 16:16-19; 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6) and continues to this present day. Jesus Christ is the head of the church ( Ephesians 5:23). We believe Christians should zealously participate in all scheduled worship services and activities organized by the church (Hebrews 10:25). The church’s sole purpose is to obey His word. The church that Christ formed was both local and visible (Matthew 18:17; Acts 2:47). The church is made up of born-again, baptized believers, who are organized to carry out the work of God (Acts 2:41-42). The church is the pillar and ground of the truth ( 1 Timothy 3:15). The purpose of the church is to carry out the Great Commission; that is, spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth ( Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Each local church is to be independent, autonomous, and free from political authority or ecclesiastical hierarchy. The church has two ordinances - Baptism and the Lord’s Supper:
Baptism is only for the believer and consists of immersion in water (John 3:23; Acts 8:36-39) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is a public testimony of the believer’s birth in the body of Christ and is an act of obedience to Christ's command (John 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:17). It symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12). As Christ died and was buried, we also died to our old nature. As Christ arose from the dead, even so we are to walk in the newness of life (1 Peter 3:21).
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the suffering and the death of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 22:17-20). It was instituted by Jesus the night he was betrayed. The Lord’s Supper consists of unleavened bread (Matthew 26:17,26; Mark 14:12,22; Luke 22:7,19) and the fruit of the vine (unfermented grape juice) (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18). The fruit of the vine is non-alcoholic, unfermented grape juice. The unleavened bread and grape juice does not become His body and blood, neither do they contain His body and blood; they are symbols of His broken body and shed blood and are to be a continual reminder of His sacrifice until His promised return (Exodus 12:15; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, 1 Corinthians 11:24-26). This church body practices “close” communion. That is, communion is for those who have trusted Christ as their Saviour according to the scriptures (see "Salvation", above). Each individual is responsible to examine himself whether or not he is worthy to participate (1 Corinthians 11:27-28).
Separation
Separation is the withdrawal from doctrinal and practical error motivated by a love for the holiness of God. There are two basic areas of separation - moral and ecclesiastical separation:
Moral separation - also known as personal separation, is the avoidance of sin and worldliness in ones life. God commanded to put sin out of ones life and to avoid fellowship with the evil things of the world (Proverbs 4:14, Proverbs 24:1; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Thess 4:1-7, 1 Thess 5:22). Examples of things to avoid are backbiting, tattling, foolish talk, lying, bitterness, malice, ingratitude, jealousy, pride, covetousness, handling and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages, drugs (except for medical purposes), tobacco, immodesty, dancing, mixed swimming, the lodge, worldly movies and videos, television, worldly music (rap, rock, country, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)), gambling and any other sins of the flesh or spirit (Psalm 101:1-3, Psalm 141:4; 1 Thess 5:22; 1 John 2:15-16). Christians are to separate from all evil (Ephesians 5:3-8), and be separated unto all righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:9).
Ecclesiastical separation is the withdrawal from theological systems, organizations, or individuals that hold incorrect doctrine or religious practice. God commanded to mark and avoid those who teach false doctrine (Romans 16:17-18) and to separate from the apostate last-days Christianity (2 Timothy 3:5). Sound apostolic doctrine is to be preserved by the churches while false doctrine is to be avoided (1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 John 9-11; Revelation 18:4). God also commands to separate from those who give evidence of having been born again, and yet refuse to follow the teachings of the Apostles in matters of practice and Christian living (Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 2 Thess 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:5). Christians are to separate from any brother who walks disorderly and who refuses to obey the teachings in Scripture. Scripture does not arrange any of the doctrines in order of importance. They are all important and are to be obeyed (Acts 2:42).
The Great Commission
All believers are commanded by Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8); therefore, every believer is responsible and accountable (Ezekiel 3:18-21) to fulfill the Great Commission. This involves two major tasks: evangelism and discipleship. The Gospel is to be proclaimed to every creature (