Faith That Thinks / This Is M – Statement of Beliefs
Preamble
Faith That Thinks / This Is M affirms the historic Christian faith as revealed in Scripture and summarized in the teachings of the church throughout history. Our doctrinal commitments align with the central theological convictions reflected in the Baptist Faith and Message (1963) while emphasizing the biblical teaching that the gospel restores the partnership of men and women within the people of God.
We believe that the ultimate authority for faith and life belongs to Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, who reveals the Father and rules over His church.
† Matthew 28:18
† Colossians 1:15–18
‡ Hebrews 1:1–3
Revelation: Christ the Word and Scripture the Witness
Jesus Christ is the eternal Word of God, through whom all things were created and through whom God has revealed Himself fully.
† John 1:1
† John 1:14
Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God, and Scripture testifies faithfully to His person and mission.
† 2 Timothy 3:16–17
† 2 Peter 1:20–21
‡ Luke 24:27
The written Word witnesses to Christ; worship belongs to the living Christ, not to Scripture itself.
† Revelation 19:10
‡ John 5:39–40
The Triune God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons share one divine essence, co-equal in power, glory, and authority.
† Deuteronomy 6:4
† Matthew 28:19
† 2 Corinthians 13:14
We reject any permanent, ontological hierarchy within the Godhead. Functional submission of the Son occurs only within the mission of redemption, not in nature or being.
† John 10:30
‡ Philippians 2:6–11
God the Father
God the Father is the eternal Creator and sovereign ruler of all things. He reigns with providential care over His universe, His creation, and the course of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all-powerful, all-wise, and perfectly loving.
God is Father in truth to those who become His children through faith in Jesus Christ, and He demonstrates fatherly care toward all humanity as the Creator and sustainer of life.
As Creator, He brought the universe into existence and sustains it by His will. As sovereign Lord, He governs history and the affairs of humanity according to His righteous purposes. As Father, He receives all who come to Him through Christ and grants them adoption into His family.
† Genesis 1:1
† Deuteronomy 6:4
† Matthew 6:9
† Matthew 28:19
† John 4:24
† Romans 8:14–15
† Galatians 4:6
† Ephesians 4:6
‡ Isaiah 64:8
‡ Psalm 19:1–3
‡ Acts 1:7
‡ Hebrews 12:9
‡ 1 Peter 1:17
God the Son
Jesus Christ is the eternal, only begotten Son of God and the second Person of the Trinity. He is fully God and fully man. In the incarnation He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, taking on human nature while remaining without sin.
Jesus perfectly revealed the character and will of God. Through His life of perfect obedience He fulfilled the divine law. Through His death on the cross He provided redemption for humanity as a substitutionary sacrifice for sin. He was physically raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples, confirming His victory over sin and death.
Christ ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for believers as the one Mediator between God and humanity. In His person the reconciliation between God and mankind is accomplished.
He will return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead and to consummate His redemptive mission. Through the Holy Spirit He dwells in all believers as the living and present Lord.
† John 1:1–14
† Matthew 1:18–23
† Isaiah 53:4–6
† Romans 3:23–26
† 1 Corinthians 15:3–8
† Philippians 2:5–11
† Colossians 2:9
† 1 Timothy 2:5–6
† Hebrews 1:1–3
‡ John 10:30
‡ John 11:25–27
‡ Acts 1:9
‡ Romans 8:34
‡ Colossians 1:15–22
‡ Revelation 19:16
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and the third Person of the Trinity. He inspired the prophets and apostles to write the Scriptures and continues to illuminate the truth of God’s Word to believers.
The Holy Spirit exalts Christ and convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. He calls people to faith in the Savior and effects regeneration in those who believe.
The Spirit indwells every believer, cultivating Christian character and empowering them for holy living. He distributes spiritual gifts for the building up of the church and enables believers to worship, evangelize, and serve God faithfully.
He seals believers as God’s own possession and is the assurance of their final redemption. Through His ongoing work He transforms believers into the likeness of Christ.
† John 14:16–17
† John 16:7–14
† Acts 1:8
† Acts 2:1–4
† Romans 8:14–16
† 1 Corinthians 12:4–11
† Ephesians 1:13–14
† Ephesians 5:18
‡ Genesis 1:2
‡ Joel 2:28–29
‡ 2 Peter 1:21
‡ 1 Corinthians 3:16
‡ Romans 8:26–27
‡ 1 John 4:13
Creation and the Image of God
God created humanity in His image as male and female, both sharing equal dignity, responsibility, and stewardship.
† Genesis 1:27
† Genesis 1:28
‡ Psalm 8:4–8
Humanity’s equality in creation reflects God’s design and purpose for partnership, not domination.
The Fall and Redemption: The Restoration of Partnership
The Fall
Through Adam’s sin, humanity became alienated from God, and relationships were distorted.
† Genesis 3:16
‡ Romans 5:12
Redemption
Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection restore believers into unity, equality, and co-heirship.
† Galatians 3:28
† Romans 8:17
Redemption begins the restoration of partnership between men and women within the people of God and in marriage.
Salvation and Adoption
Salvation is the gracious work of God accomplished through Jesus Christ.
† Ephesians 2:8–9
† Romans 3:23–24
Through faith in Christ, believers are adopted as sons of God, fully heirs of His power and authority—women included as full co-heirs.
† Galatians 3:26
† Romans 8:17
The Sufficiency of Christ and the Ongoing Work of the Holy Spirit
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are fully sufficient for salvation, justification, and sanctification. No additional work, human mediation, or ritual can supplement His saving work.
† 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
† Romans 5:9–10
† Colossians 2:10
The Holy Spirit continues to work within every believer, regenerating, sanctifying, and empowering them for obedience and service.
† John 16:7–15
† Romans 8:9–11
† 1 Corinthians 12:4–11
Any teaching that places the burden of spiritual growth or redemptive mediation on human beings, including husbands, elders, or church leaders, misrepresents Christ’s sufficiency and is unbiblical.
† John 14:26
† 1 Corinthians 3:5–7
‡ Ephesians 4:11–13
Equality of Believers
All believers share in the mission and gifts of the Spirit. No believer possesses greater spiritual authority by virtue of sex, ethnicity, people group, or social status.
† Galatians 3:28
† Acts 2:17–18
‡ 1 Corinthians 12:13
Authority and Spiritual Gifts in the Church
The Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.
† 1 Corinthians 12:4–11
† Romans 12:4–8
Authority in the church arises from Christ and the Spirit, not from gender or social hierarchy.
‡ Ephesians 4:11–13
† 1 Peter 4:10–11
Biblical Authority Is Christ’s Authority
All authority belongs to Christ. Church leadership is defined by service and faithfulness, not domination.
† Matthew 28:18
† Ephesians 1:22–23
† Matthew 20:25–28
† 1 Peter 5:2–3
Marriage and Headship
Marriage is a bi-lateral covenant between one man and one woman, with the husband called to love, protect, nourish, and cherish his wife, reflecting Christ’s care for the church.
† Genesis 2:24
† Matthew 19:4–6
† Ephesians 5:23–25
† Ephesians 5:28–29
Scripture describes the husband as the head of the wife.
† Ephesians 5:23
However, the nature of this headship is defined by Christ’s sacrificial love for the church.
† Ephesians 5:25
The husband therefore bears responsibility to protect, nourish, and cherish his wife, reflecting Christ’s care for the church.
† Ephesians 5:28–29
Headship reflects responsibility, not authority. Mutual submission among believers applies in marriage as it also exists within the broader command of mutual submission among believers..
† Ephesians 5:21
Clarification on the Responsibilities of Husbands in Marriage
Scripture teaches that the husband bears a responsibility within marriage to love, protect, nourish, and cherish his wife, reflecting the sacrificial care that Christ shows toward the church.
† Ephesians 5:23–29
† Colossians 3:19
‡ 1 Peter 3:7
The language of headship in Scripture must therefore be understood within this framework of sacrificial responsibility and loving care, rather than as a grant of spiritual authority over the wife’s relationship with God.
Nowhere in Scripture is the husband commanded to function as the spiritual mediator or spiritual authority responsible for the personal spiritual growth of his wife. The New Testament consistently teaches that Christ alone is the head of the church and the source of spiritual life for every believer.
† Ephesians 1:22–23
† Colossians 1:18
† John 15:4–5
Spiritual growth within the body of Christ is the shared responsibility of the entire community of believers, who are called to encourage, teach, and build one another up in faith.
† Ephesians 4:15–16
† Hebrews 10:24–25
† Colossians 3:16
For this reason, Scripture does not assign husbands the role of spiritual overseer or spiritual authority over their wives, but instead calls all believers to mutual participation in the growth and strengthening of the body of Christ.
‡ Romans 12:4–5
‡ 1 Corinthians 12:12–13
Both husbands and wives remain fallen human beings undergoing the process of sanctification, continually being transformed into the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
† Romans 7:18–25
† 2 Corinthians 3:18
† Philippians 1:6
Because all believers remain in need of sanctification, no individual believer is capable of fulfilling the role of ultimate spiritual authority or mediator for another. Only Christ perfectly fulfills this role as the mediator between God and humanity.
† 1 Timothy 2:5
† Hebrews 7:25
Placing upon husbands the responsibility to serve as the spiritual authority responsible for their wives’ spiritual growth imposes a burden that Scripture does not command and that no fallen human being is equipped to carry.
Instead, Christ Himself continues to shepherd and sustain His people. Having ascended to the right hand of the Father, He intercedes on behalf of believers and sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within them and guide them into truth.
† Romans 8:34
† John 16:13
† John 14:26
Within marriage, the husband’s calling therefore reflects Christ’s earthly care and provision rather than His unique role as mediator or redeemer. Husbands are called to love sacrificially, provide faithfully, and care for their wives in ways that promote flourishing and peace within the household.
† Ephesians 5:25–29
‡ 1 Timothy 5:8
Christ alone remains the true shepherd, mediator, and spiritual head of every believer.
† John 10:14
† Hebrews 13:20
Clarification Regarding the “Priest of the Home” Concept
In some theological traditions, husbands are described as the “priest” or primary spiritual authority of the household.” While this language is often intended to encourage men toward greater spiritual responsibility, Scripture does not describe husbands in this way.
Under the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, the role of priesthood is fulfilled perfectly and permanently in Christ Himself.
† Hebrews 4:14–16
† Hebrews 7:23–27
Through His priesthood, believers have direct access to God without the mediation of any human intermediary.
† Hebrews 10:19–22
Because of Christ’s work, the New Testament describes the entire community of believers as sharing together in a royal priesthood.
† 1 Peter 2:9
‡ Revelation 1:6
This priesthood is not restricted to a particular gender, office, or social position, but belongs equally to all who belong to Christ.
‡ Galatians 3:28
For this reason, the New Testament does not establish husbands as priests over their wives or families. Instead, all believers are invited to approach God directly through Christ and to participate together in the spiritual life of the church.
Within the household of faith, husbands and wives therefore stand side by side before God, each responsible for their own obedience, faith, and spiritual growth, while encouraging one another in love and good works.
† Hebrews 10:24–25
‡ Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Christ alone remains the true High Priest, mediator, and shepherd of the people of God.
† Hebrews 8:1–2
† 1 Timothy 2:5
† John 10:11
Limits of Husbandly Authority
Husbands are not spiritually responsible for their wives’ spiritual growth; such a burden is unbiblical and beyond human capability.
† Ephesians 1:22–23
† Colossians 1:18
† John 15:4–5
† 1 Timothy 2:5
Scripture warns against heavy, unlifted burdens:
† Matthew 23:4
† Luke 11:46
† Acts 15:28
† Galatians 6:2–5
† Matthew 11:28–30
Christ alone shepherds the spiritual life of all believers.
† Romans 8:34
† John 16:13
† John 14:26
The Priesthood of All Believers
All believers share in the royal priesthood, with direct access to God through Christ.
† Hebrews 4:14–16
† Hebrews 7:23–27
† Hebrews 10:19–22
† 1 Peter 2:9
‡ Revelation 1:6
‡ Galatians 3:28
No believer exercises permanent spiritual authority over another; all authority is Christ’s.
Equally Yoked Partnership
Believers are called to be equally yoked, working together under Christ’s direction.
† 2 Corinthians 6:14
‡ Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
† Matthew 11:28–30
Harmony and cooperation are required for the spiritual and relational health of marriages as well as other types of Christian unions.
Human Sexuality and Marriage
God’s design is one man and one woman in bi-lateral covenantal marriage. Same-sex marriage or sexual relationships outside this covenant are not supported by Scripture.
† Genesis 1:27
† Genesis 2:24
† Matthew 19:4–6
† Romans 1:26–27
† 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
† John 3:16–17
‡ Romans 5:8
The Church and Its Mission
The church is the body of Christ, called to proclaim the gospel, disciple believers, and reflect Christ’s character.
† Ephesians 1:22–23
† Matthew 28:18–20
‡ Acts 2:42–47
Hermeneutical Principles for Interpreting Difficult Passages About Women
Christ-centered interpretation — all passages understood in light of Jesus.
† John 1:1–14
† Luke 24:27
‡ Colossians 2:9Cultural context — consider original historical, social, and linguistic context.
† 1 Corinthians 11:16
‡ 1 Timothy 1:3Consistency with Scripture — align with equality in Christ, gifts of the Spirit, and mutual responsibility.
† Galatians 3:28
† Romans 8:17
† 1 Corinthians 12:4–11
† Ephesians 4:15–16
‡ Colossians 3:16Distinguish principle vs. cultural application — eternal principle vs. contextual instructions.
‡ 1 Corinthians 11:5–16
‡ 1 Timothy 2:11–12Avoid unbiblical burdens — Scripture forbids imposing what God has not commanded.
† Matthew 23:4
† Luke 11:46
† Acts 15:28
† Galatians 6:2–5
† Matthew 11:28–30Linguistic/semantic analysis — interpret terms like kephalē in context.
† Ephesians 5:23
‡ 1 Corinthians 11:3Historical precedent — women in early church served in teaching and prophecy.
† Romans 16:1–7
‡ Acts 21:9Christ alone is the head — all spiritual authority flows from Him.
† Matthew 28:18
† Ephesians 1:22–23
† 1 Corinthians 12:4–11
Final Affirmation
The gospel of Jesus Christ restores humanity into a renewed community in which men and women serve together as sons and co-heirs of God, empowered by the Spirit and united under the lordship of Christ.
† Romans 8:17
† Galatians 3:26–29
‡ Ephesians 4:15–16
† denotes explicit scripture references
‡ denotes implicit scripture references