Pastor Alex M Perednia... 44 Parliff Rd; Middlebury Center, PA 16935; (570) 376-2034 pastoralexp@gmail.com
Middlebury Baptist Church

While we have your attention, can you answer a simple question?

HOW DO YOU SPELL YOUR RELIGION?

Many people spell their religion as a two-letter word.......

D---O

They think religion is about striving to do enough to please God. So, they go to church, offer their prayers, and give their money because they think they can earn God's favor by what they do.

But, at the Middlebury Baptist Church, we spell our religion as a four-letter word.....

D---O---N---E!

We believe that God has DONE for us everything that is necessary for us to have a great relationship with Him! Yes, Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and lived the perfect life you could never live.  He died on the Cross, bearing in his body the punishment that your sins and mine deserve.    So, when we say the Gospel is a four-letter word-- D-O-N-E...-- the only thing left for us is to respond in FAITH... to put our trust in what Christ has already done for us.  Will you REPENT and tell God you're sorry for your sins and pray to receive Christ as your Savior and Lord?  If you have done this, please let us know.


STATEMENT OF FAITH

We stand with the American Baptist Evangelicals in calling our churches to stand firm for Biblical authority and proudly affirm the American Baptist  Evangelicals Statement of Faith...

Preamble

American Baptist Evangelicals, in accordance with the historic Baptist tradition, hold to  believers Baptism by Immersion, Liberty of Conscience, the Separation of Church and State, and the Priesthood of the Believer. We also affirm the following distinctives;

The Authority of Scripture

The Bible is the inspired, authoritative and infallible Word of God and is our sole rule of faith and practice. It is the standard by which all human conduct and creeds should be tried.

The Trinity

There is only one true and living God who is manifested in three eternal and coequal persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God possesses holiness, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, love, mercy, and all other perfections. All humankind owes to Him supreme faith and obedience.

Humankind

Humankind has been created in the image of God but through Adam’s fall is now sinful, lost and condemned. By deliberate choice all participate in sin, which is open rebellion to God’s law. Notwithstanding the fall, all human life through creation has value and dignity.

Justification by Faith

Human beings can be forgiven of sin and justified solely through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ who died for sinners and rose again from the dead. Only by repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ the Lord can acceptance with God be attained.

Regeneration

Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit by which the believer receives a new nature from God. Christian growth or sanctification is the continuation of the new life principle which begins in the new birth.

The Church

The church in its widest sense includes all believers of all ages. The church is manifested visibly in the local body of baptized believers who covenant together to worship, observe the ordinances, and evangelize.

Human Destiny

Jesus Christ will eventually return visibly at which time He will raise the dead and judge all people. Believers will enjoy an eternal state of blessedness in heaven while unbelievers will experience eternal separation form God in hell.

Evangelism and Social Concern

The church has been called to preach the gospel so that individual people can receive salvation. Also the church is to become involved in the improvement of society by advocating Biblical principles which militate against poverty, racism, violence, and all forms of in justice against humankind.

Human Sexuality

God’s design is that man and woman either be joined together in a perpetual monogamous relationship or live in a single state. The practice of extra-marital sex, adultery or homosexuality is inconsistent with biblical teaching.



FAMILY LIFE AFFIRMATIONS

Our members affirm and strive through God's strength to live by the following moral standards amd values.

A Caring Community: As a loving Christian community, we aspire to honor Jesus Christ in our lives—in thought and deed.  We acknowledge that owing to our fallen human nature, we are all sinners in need of salvation. We affirm the Gospel message of forgiveness and reconciliation available to all people who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides the only basis for salvation and victorious living. God calls us to holiness as individuals and as a community.  (Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 14-17; 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2:9-12)

Sexuality: We affirm that sexual intimacy is a gift of God to be enjoyed responsibly within marriage—one man, and one woman for life. We believe that the Bible teaches that sexual intimacy outside of marriage-- premarital sex, adultery, homosexuality, and deviant forms of sexual expression-- are condemned in scripture as sinful.  None of these should be considered the “unpardonable sin” and we affirm that hope and freedom is available to all that repent and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Genesis 2:20-25; Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-13, 18-20; Ephesians 5:3-7; Romans 6:5-14, 8:1)

Sanctity of Life: We affirm that humanity is created in God’s image and likeness from the moment of conception.  We believe that life is a sacred gift from God and we denounce abortion-on-demand, assisted suicide and all forms of exploitation of human life. We grieve with those who find themselves in difficult circumstances, leading them to seek such measures.  We encourage those facing difficult decisions or experiencing the guilt and shame of past actions to seek guidance and support within the Christian community.  As a loving Christian community, we strive to provide encouragement through the healing and forgiveness available in Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:27-28; Exodus 20:13; Galatians 6:1-10; Philippians 2:3-4)

Quality of Life: We affirm that God created us to enjoy life in all its fullness.  Within the boundaries of Christ-like living, we believe that God grants freedom of conscience in certain matters.   This personal freedom should always be conducted in a way that does not ignore clear biblical prohibitions, offend others or compromise our Christian witness in the community. Regrettably some of our choices lead not to freedom, but addiction, abuse and even death.  Addictions or compulsions are harmful to stable family life and dangerous to the soul.  We encourage those caught in bondage to seek help and to know that God is able to deliver them. (Romans 14-15:4; 1 Corinthians 6:12,13; 8:1-13; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Ephesians 5:17; Proverbs 20:1)

Adopted by congregational vote Oct 1, 2000.


EVERY CHILD SAFE:    On January 31, 2005, the church voted to approve guidelines to create and maintain a safer environment for our children and workers. (adobe reader required, then click here:)  http://www.geocities.com/middleburybaptist/Every_Child_Safe.pdf




Progress