I. Values of the Association
As an Association we affirm these doctrinal truths:
- There is one God who is Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent (Genesis 1:1)
He is the sole Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of mankind (Psalm 139:7-16) - Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God (John 3:16)
By His nature He is fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5-11)
He was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life (Isaiah 7:14, 53:6; Hebrews 4:15) - Jesus Christ is the One and Only Savior of the world (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9) - The Bible is given by the Divine inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16)
It is sufficient in all matters of faith and practice (2 Peter 1:3)
Its message is perfect for each generation (2 Peter 1:19-21) - A saving faith in Christ binds us together (Romans 10:9-13)
We believe in the Lordship of Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6)
We hold to believer’s baptism by immersion (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:18-20)
We believe that faith without works is a dead faith(James 2:17) - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:12-14)
These doctrinal truths bind us together as an Association to promote these values:
- Love for the lost and love for fellow believers in Christ
- Ministry that meets the spiritual, social, and physical needs of people within and beyond our Association
- A spirit of cooperation as the best means of reaching the lost and ministering to the needs of others to the glory of God
II. Mission of the Association
The mission of the Petersburg Baptist Association is to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) in the spirit of the Great Commandment (Mark 12:28-31), and to support each church in its unique calling and context.
As an Association we can accomplish our mission through:
- Encouraging and mentoring the church to engage in missions
- Working together in a cooperative missions effort
- Faithful stewardship of our resources to support a cooperative missions effort
- Beginning and sustaining a church planting movement
- Encouragement in the sharing of the Gospel
III. Vision of the Association
The vision of the Petersburg Baptist Association is to fulfill our mission by promoting the life and work of Jesus Christ through the proclamation of the Gospel, so that all may hear, understand and respond to its message in the context of their own culture and in their own heart language.