The Anchor Missionary Baptist Church Declaration of Faith

On February 8, 2009, the members of The Anchor Missionary Baptist Mission (The Anchor) moved to request letters of good standing from our mother, Victory Missionary Baptist Church, in Hendersonville Tennessee for the purpose of organizing into a local, independent body in Anchorage, Alaska on August 8, 2009.  On the occasion of this organization, we believe it to be appropriate to prepare a Declaration of Faith defining our common beliefs.

Baptists and other true churches throughout time have been a people of confessions and declarations as they have defined and defended their beliefs to each generation.  Each new age brings new issues and challenges to the truth which we must be ready to spiritually confront.

This Declaration of Faith is the result of the careful study and prayer of The Anchor in consultation with brethren of like faith and order.  It is based upon the eighteen articles of the New Hampshire Confession of Faith, which are commonly adopted among our sister churches.  Our revisions seek to improve the clarity and accuracy of the doctrinal statements.  Our additions are aimed at confronting the issues of our day.

This declaration is not a test of fellowship with other churches of like faith and order.  It is neither the full sum of scriptural truths, nor does it in any way replace the Word of God.  It is a manmade document, and therefore subject to our flaws.  The Lord’s New Testament Church is, however, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).  It is in this spirit that we set forth this declaration of important doctrines most commonly believed, taught, and practiced among our membership.  This declaration is a statement by The Anchor to our community of our stance on important issues of our day that defines and distinguishes us as an independent body of Christ.  We updated this declaration on November 8, 2015 to further clarify our stance on the issues of gender, marriage, and sexuality in a morally shifting culture.

We adopt this declaration of faith upon our organization.  We pray that it will be a blessing and foundation for future generations.  We also pray that as new challenges arise and as this body matures, appropriate revisions and additions are made that will further strengthen our stand for God until our Savior comes to take His bride.

As one body in Christ, The Anchor Missionary Baptist Church, we believe and proclaim the following doctrines.

1.) OF THE SCRIPTURES

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of divine instruction.1  It has God for its author, salvation for its end,2 and truth without any mixture of error for its matter.  Therefore, every word of Scripture as originally recorded is totally true and trustworthy.3  It reveals the principles by which God judges us;4 and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union,5 and the supreme and sufficient standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.6

  1. 2 Samuel 23:2; Psalms 119:11; Luke 16:29-31; John 10:35; Acts 1:16, 3:21; Romans 3:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21
  2. Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39; Acts 11:14; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:15; I Peter 1:10-12
  3. Proverbs 30:5-6; Matthew 5:17-18; John 17:17; Romans 3:4; Revelation 22:18-19
  4. Luke 10:10-16; John 12:47-48; Romans 2:12; I Corinthians 4:3-4, 12:47-48; Hebrews 4:12
  5. I Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3-6; Philippians 2:1-2, 3:16; I Peter 4:11
  6. Psalms 119:59-60; Isaiah 8:20; Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 8:5; Ephesians 6:17; Philippians 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 5:20-22; I John 4:1,6; Jude 3-5

2.) OF THE TRUE GOD

There is only one living and true God, an eternal, omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (all-present), and omniscient (all-knowing) Spirit, whose knowledge includes all things past, present, and future.1 His name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth.2 He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness,3 and worthy of all possible honor, confidence (trust), and love.4 In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.5  They are equal in every divine perfection,6 and execute distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.7

  1. Psalms 139:1-12, 147:5; Isaiah 40:13-14, 45:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Mark 12:29; Luke 1:37; John 4:24; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 4:13
  2. Exodus 3:13-15; 2 Chronicles 20:6; Psalm 83:18; Hebrews 3:4
  3. Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:6-8
  4. Psalms 18:2; Jeremiah 2:12-13; Matthew 10:37; Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11
  5. Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; I Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; I John 5:7
  6. John 5:17-18, 10:30, 14:7-11,23, 17:5,10; Acts 5:3-4; I Corinthians 2:10-11; Philippians 2:5-6
  7. 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; Revelation 1:4-6

3.) OF THE FALL OF MAN

Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker.1  By voluntary transgression he fell from that holy and perfect state;2 the consequence of which is all mankind are now sinners3 wholly by choice,4 and are by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, being positively inclined to evil.  Mankind is therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin,5 without defense or excuse.6  Infants and young children, though sinners, are protected by God from condemnation until He reveals their sin to them by His Spirit, thus making them accountable before God, and eligible for salvation.7

  1. Genesis 1:27,31, 2:16-17; Ecclesiastes 7:29
  2. Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12
  3. Psalms 51:5; John 3:3-7; Romans 3:23, 5:15-19, 8:6-8
  4. Genesis 6:5,12; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:9-18
  5. Romans 1:18,32, 2:1-16; Galatians 3:10; Ephesians 2:1-3
  6. Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:20, 3:19-20; Galatians 3:22
  7. 2 Samuel 12:22-23; Matthew 19:14; Romans 7:7-11

4.) OF SALVATION

The salvation of a lost sinner, restoring their relationship to the Holy God, is the great mystery of the gospel.  It involves each person of the Godhead and the full capacity of God’s wisdom and love.  Salvation, like a diamond, is brilliant and multi-faceted.  The following sub-articles are but a few of the important and timeless truths regarding God’s provision of salvation to mankind.

The Way of Salvation

A) OF SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST ALONE

The salvation of sinners is wholly of grace,1 through the mediatory office of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.2 Jesus, by the appointment of the Father, voluntarily took upon Him our nature, yet without sin.3  He honored the divine law by His personal obedience.4  By His death, He made a full atonement for our sins.5  Having risen from the dead, He has demonstrated His power to save us.6  He is now enthroned in heaven interceding on our behalf.7  Uniting in His wonderful person tender sympathies with Divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Saviour.8  Therefore, salvation and a right relationship with God the Father can only be obtained through Jesus Christ, His Son.9

  1. Ephesians 2:4-9; Matthew 18:11; 1 John 4:10; I Corinthians 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; Romans 6:23
  2. John 3:16; 1:1-14; Hebrews 4:14-16, 12:24; I Timothy 2:5
  3. Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:9, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 5:30, 10:17-18; I Peter 2:21-23
  4. Isaiah 42:21; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 3:21; Matthew 5:17-18
  5. Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:21-26, 4:25; I John 2:2, 4:10; I Corinthians 15:1-3; Hebrews 9:13-15
  6. Romans 1:16; I Corinthians 15:3-8, 16-21; Acts 17:31
  7. Hebrews 1:3,8, 7:25, 8:1; Colossians 3:1-4; Romans 8:27; Isaiah 53:12
  8. Hebrews 2:17-18, 7:25-27; Colossians 2:9; Psalms 89:18-19
  9. John 3:36, 14:6; Acts 4:12; I Timothy 2:5; I John 5:11-12

The Availability of Salvation

B) OF THE GIFT OF SALVATION

Salvation is a gift of God offered free to all by the gospel.1  It is neither dependent on, nor earned by, any works which man can perform.2  It is therefore the immediate duty of all to heed the gospel through sincere repentance toward God and obedient faith in Christ Jesus, and thereby receive the blessing of salvation.3  Nothing prevents salvation of even the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel,4 which rejection results in eternal condemnation.5 

  1. Isaiah 55:1; John 3:16; Titus 2:11; Revelation 22:17
  2. Matthew 19:25-26; Romans 4:4-5, 9:31-32; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
  3. Ecclesiastes 12:13; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-39, 20:21; Romans 1:15-17, 16:25-26; 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Timothy 3:15
  4. Proverbs 1:24; Matthew 23:37; John 5:40; Acts 13:45-46
  5. Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 19:27; John 3:18-19; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9

What Must I Do to Be Saved?

C) OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

Repentance and Faith are inseparable sacred duties, accomplished in our souls by the Spirit of God.1  Thereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and the way of salvation by Christ,2 we turn to God with heartfelt sorrow, confession, and supplication for mercy.3  At the same time we fully place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and rely on Him alone as our only and all-sufficient Savior.4

  1. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18, 17:29-30; Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:8; I John 5:1
  2. John 3:17-18, 16:8; Acts 2:37-38, 16:29-31
  3. Leviticus 5:5; Psalms 34:18, 51:1-19; Luke 15:18-21, 18:13-14,; Romans 10:12-13; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11; James 4:7-10
  4. John 6:44-47; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-11; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25

Aspects of Salvation

D) OF JUSTIFICATION

The great gospel blessing which Christ1 secures to such as believe in Him is justification.2  Justification includes the pardon of sin,3 and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness.4  It is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood;5 by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God.6  Justification brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.7

  1. John 1:16-17; Ephesians 3:8
  2. Isaiah 3:11-12; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 8:1-2
  3. Zechariah 13:1; Matthew 9:2-6; Acts 10:42-43; Romans 5:9
  4. Romans 5:15-21; Titus 3:5-7; I John 2:25
  5. Romans 4:4-5, 5:21, 6:23; Philippians 3:7-9
  6. Romans 3:24-28, 4:22-25, 5:19; 1 John 2:12
  7. Matthew 6:30-33; Romans 5:1-2,11; I Corinthians 1:30-31; I Timothy 4:8

E) OF GRACE IN REGENERATION

Regeneration, also known as the new birth or salvation, is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which man is made a new creature in Christ Jesus.1  It is instantaneous and accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the gospel message.2

  1. Ezekiel 36:26; John 3:3-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:9-10; Titus 3:5; I John 4:7
  2. Mark 10:26-27; John 1:12-13, 5:24; Acts 11:18; I Corinthians 4:15; Galatians 3:26; Philippians 2:13; James 1:16-18

F) OF GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE IN ELECTION

Election is the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose of grace to have a people unto Himself.1  Through election God graciously calls, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies men.2  It is perfectly consistent with man’s ability to reject or receive the gospel when enlightened by the Spirit of God, and it encompasses all the means in connection with the end.3  It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable.4  It utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy.5  Evangelism is ordained by God to invite mankind to enjoy the benefits of election.6

  1. Jeremiah 31:31-34; Titus 2:11-14; I Peter 2:9-10
  2. John 15:16; Romans 8:28-31, 11:5-6; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Timothy 1:8-9; I Peter 1:1-2
  3. Matthew 20:1-16; John 10:16; Acts 13:44-48, 15:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Hebrews 6:4-8
  4. Exodus 33:18-19; Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 8:31-39, 9:23-24, 11:28-36; Ephesians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:9; James 1:17-18
  5. Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Romans 3:27-28; 4:16; I Corinthians 1:26-31, 3:5-7, 4:7, 15:10; Ephesians 1:16; Colossians 3:12-15; I Thessalonians 2:12-13; I Peter 5:10
  6. John 6:37-40; I Corinthians 1:21, 9:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:10; 2 Peter 1:10

How Will I Know If I Am Saved?

G) OF THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Saved individuals will receive divine assurance confirming their salvation.1  Salvation is an experience in which a burdened sinner finds peace with God through Jesus Christ.2  The indwelling Spirit of God will continue thereafter to bear witness of conversion with the believer through His comfort, instruction, guidance, and correction.3  All true believers will endure in their faith in Christ to the end of their mortal life, their persevering attachment to Christ distinguishing them from false converts.4  Good works from a purified heart are also the proper evidence of salvation, and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through obedience to the Word of God.5

  1. I Thessalonians 1:4-10; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Peter 1:5-11; I John 5:9-10
  2. Psalm 116:1-9; Matthew 11:28-30; John 1:47-51, 3:7-8; Romans 5:1; I John 3:19-21
  3. John 14:26; Romans 8:16; Galatians 5:18; Hebrews 12:7-8
  4. Job 17:9, 19:25; Matthew 13:20-21; John 6:64-69, 8:31; I John 2:19, 2:27-28
  5. Matthew 7:17-20; John 4:23-24; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:16-17; 2 Timothy 2:19

Can I Lose My Salvation?

H) OF THE ETERNAL NATURE OF OUR SALVATION

All who are saved by God’s grace are kept by God’s faithfulness and power and are therefore secure in Christ forever.1  It is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the eternal nature of their salvation.2  God’s Word, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for sinful living.3

  1. Lamentations 3:22-23; John 5:24, 6:35-40, 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10, 8:1,31-39; I Corinthians 1:4‑8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:23-25
  2. Romans 5:1-2; I Thessalonians 4:17-18; Hebrews 13:5-6; I Peter 1:3-6; Jude 24
  3. Romans 6:15-22; I Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 5:13,25-26; I Peter 2:13-16

5) OF SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness.1  It is a progressive work,2 begun in regeneration.3  It is carried on in the hearts and lives of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means – especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.4

  1. 2 Corinthians 7:1, 13:9; Ephesians 1:4; I Thessalonians 4:3-4, 5:23-24; I Peter 1:14-16
  2. Proverbs 4:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-16; Hebrews 6:1; 2 Peter 1:5-8
  3. John 3:6; Romans 8:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 1:6; I John 2:29
  4. Matthew 26:41; Luke 9:23, 11:34-36; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 4:11-12,30, 6:17-18; Philippians 2:12-13; I Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18

6) OF FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

God desires holiness and purity in the life of every believer,1 God has, however, made provision for our sin through Christ, and stands ready to forgive the truly repentant believer, restoring us to full fellowship with Him and with other believers within the church.2  Some sins, even though repented of, disqualify us from specific ministry roles within the church, but do not limit our ability to serve God in other capacities within the church, or God’s ability to bless our labors for Him.3

  1. Matthew 5:48; I Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 3:12-14; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Titus 2:11-14; I Peter 1:13-16
  2. Psalm 51:16-17; Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 18:15-17; I Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 2:4-11; I John 1:6-2:2
  3. Isaiah 61:1-3; Hosea 14:1-7; I Corinthians 3:6-7; I Timothy 3:1-14, 5:3-10; Titus 1:5-11; Acts 15:36-41; 2 Timothy 4:11

7) OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL

The Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government.1  Like God, His Law is holy, just, and good.2  The inability of fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin.3  The Lord’s churches are charged with proclaiming the Gospel, which delivers men from sin through Christ our Mediator and enables them to sincerely obey God’s Holy Law.4

  1. Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 16:17; Romans 3:19-20,31
  2. Psalms 119:137-142; Romans 7:7,12,14,22; Galatians 3:21
  3. Joshua 24:19; Jeremiah 13:23; John 5:44, 6:44; Romans 8:7-8
  4. Mark 16:14-16; Romans 8:2-4, 10:4; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; I Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 8:10, 12:14; Jude 20-21

8) OF A GOSPEL CHURCH

A visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers1 (of whom we are), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel,2 maintaining the purity and sanctity of the body through loving discipline.3  We are governed by His laws,4 and exercise the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in us by His Word.5  Our only scripturally-described officers are men ordained as Pastors and Deacons,6 whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

  1. Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11, 8:1, 11:29-30; I Corinthians 1:1-10, 4:17, 14:23; 3 John 9; Ephesians 1:22-23
  2. Acts 2:41-42,47; I Corinthians 5:12-13; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
  3. Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 16:17-20; I Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; I John 1:7, 3:11,23-24
  4. Matthew 28:20; John 14:15,21, 15:12; Galatians 6:2; I Thessalonians 4.2; I John 4:21; 2 John 6; all the Epistles
  5. I Corinthians 12:14, 14:12; Ephesians 4:7; Philippians 1:27
  6. Acts 14:23, 15:22; Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3; Titus 1

9) OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

Christian baptism is the immersion of a repentant believer in water,1 by the authority of the Lord’s church, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.2 It is a solemn and beautiful act showing our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ Jesus.3 It is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper.4 The Lord’s Supper commemorates the dying love of Christ and begins with solemn self-examination by each member,5 followed by the partaking of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, which represent the Lord’s body and blood.6 

  1. Matthew 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; Acts 8:12,35-38, 16:32-34
  2. Matthew 28:18-19; Acts 2:38, 10:47-48, 19:4-5, 22:16
  3. Romans 6:4-11; Galatians 3:27-28; Colossians 2:12-13; I Peter 3:20-21
  4. Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 9:17-18,26-28; I Corinthians 10:17, 11:33-34, 12:13
  5. Matthew 26:20-25; I Corinthians 5:6-8, 11:28-32
  6. Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-26

10) OF THE LORD’S DAY

We observe the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day1 in remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ2 and as being consistent with New Testament practices.3  We celebrate the Lord’s Day by refraining from unnecessary labor and distractions,4 and by devout participation in worship, both public5 and private.6

  1. Romans 14:4-6; Colossians 2:16-17
  2. Matthew 28:1-6; Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-3,6; John 20:1-2
  3. John 20:19; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2
  4. Isaiah 56:2-8, 58:13-14; Matthew 6:31-34; Mark 2:23-27
  5. Leviticus 19:30; Psalms 26:8, 87:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 11:26, 17:2-3; Hebrews 10:24-25
  6. Matthew 6:6,17-18; Revelation 1:10

11) OF CREATION

By faith, we believe in the literal, six-day Genesis account of creation, and that the Universe with all plant and animal life was spoken into existence by the Word of God.1  The reproduction of all plant and animal life is governed by God’s decree that they bring forth only “after their kind.”2  Man was created directly by God, in His image, after His likeness, and is therefore unique among all creation.3  Man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms.4

  1. Genesis 1:1,5,8,13,19,23,31, 2:1-2; Exodus 20:11; John 1:3; Hebrews 11:1-3
  2. Genesis 1:11-12,21-22,24-25; I Corinthians 15:38-39
  3. Genesis 1:26-27, 2:21-23, 5:1-2; Acts 17:24-29; James 3:9
  4. Genesis 2:3, 3:17-19, 6:5-7; I Timothy 6:20; 2 Peter 3:3-7

12) OF THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

Human life from conception is created by God in His image and is sacred.1  As God alone confers life, God alone must decide when it is to be ended.2  God has invested authority in civil governments to exercise judgment on evildoers, including capital punishment.3  As individuals, we are responsible to care for and preserve our physical life and that of other human beings.4  This includes the preservation of unborn human life5 and the lives of the aged, mentally incompetent, terminally ill, and otherwise handicapped individuals.6

  1. Genesis 1:27; Psalms 139:13-17; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41-44; Galatians 1:15
  2. Job 14:1-5; Psalm 31:14-15; Ecclesiastes 8:8; John 19:10-11; Acts 17:26
  3. Genesis 9:6; Ezra 7:26; Romans 13:1-6; Galatians 6:7-8; I Peter 2:13-14
  4. Matthew 22:39; Romans 13:9-10; I Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 5:29; I Timothy 4:7-8
  5. Exodus 21:22-25; Psalm 127:3-5; Isaiah 49:1-5
  6. Proverbs 31:6-7; Matthew 19:18; Acts 1:18-20; I Timothy 5:4,8

13) OF GENDER, MARRIAGE, AND SEXUALITY

God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female.1  These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God.2  Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of God’s sovereign choice of the manner in which the individual is called to reflect God’s image.3

God instituted marriage and designed it to be a lifetime covenant relationship uniting one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union.4  No other definition of marriage is ordained or endorsed by God in Scripture.  God provides the gift of sexual intimacy to be enjoyed within the confines of this institution of marriage and prohibits any form of sexual activity outside of marriage.5

Any form of sexual immorality (including but not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, pedophilia, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God.6

God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.7

Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity.8  Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scriptures nor the doctrines of The Anchor.9

  1. Job 31:15; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5
  2. Genesis 1:26-27, 5:1-2
  3. Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
  4. Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-25; Matthew 5:31-32; Mark 10:6-9
  5. Proverbs 5:15-23; I Corinthians 6:18, 7:1-5; Hebrews 13:4
  6. Leviticus 18:1-24; Job 31:1; Matthew 5:27-30, 15:18-20; Romans 1:18-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20
  7. Isaiah 1:18, 55:7; Matthew 12:31; Acts 3:19-21, 13:38-39; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 John 1:5-10
  8. Matthew 9:10-13; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31-36, 10:25-37
  9. Matthew 26:49-53; Romans 12:17-21; Hebrews 12:14

14) OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT

Civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society.1  Leaders are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed;2 except in matters opposed to the revealed will of our Lord Jesus Christ,3 who is the true Lord of the conscience and the King of kings of the earth.4

  1. Exodus 18:19-23; Deuteronomy 16:18; 2 Samuel 23:3; Jeremiah 30:21; John 19:10-11; Romans 13:1-7
  2. Matthew 22:21; I Timothy 2:1-8; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-15
  3. Daniel 3:15-18, 6:7-10; Matthew 10:28; Acts 4:18-20, 5:29
  4. Psalms 72:11; Matthew 23:8-10; Romans 14:4,9-13; Revelation 19:16

15) OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

There is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked.1  Those who are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem.2  All who continue in rebellion and unbelief are wicked in His sight, and under the curse.3  The condition in which an individual dies, either righteous or wicked, is unalterable after death.4

  1. Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:20; Jeremiah 15:19; Malachi 3:18; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 6:16
  2. Proverbs 11:31; Romans 1:17, 5:1-2, 6:18,22, 7:6; 1 Corinthians 11:32; 1 Peter 4:17-18; 1 John 2:29, 3:7 
  3. Psalms 10:4, 14:1; Isaiah 55:6-7, 57:21; John 3:36; Galatians 3:10; 1 John 5:19
  4. Proverbs 10:24, 14:32; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 9:23-26, 12:4-5, 16:25-26; John 8:21-24, 12:25-26; Romans 6:23

16) OF THE WORLD TO COME

The end of the world is quickly approaching.1  Christ will descend from heaven,2 and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution.3  A solemn separation will take place.4  The wicked will be judged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy.5  God’s judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of God’s righteousness.6

  1. Matthew 13:38-40, 24:35, 28:20; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:3-13; 1 John 2:17
  2. Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 5:1-11; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:7
  3. Daniel 12:2; Luke 14:14; John 5:28-29, 6:39-40, 11:25-26; Acts 10:42, 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; Revelation 11:18
  4. Matthew 13: 37-43,49, 24:30-31, 25:31-33 
  5. Matthew 25:35-41; Mark 9:43-48; John 4:36; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 2 Peter 2:9; Jude 7; Revelation 20:11-15
  6. Acts 17:31; Romans 2:2-16, 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12; Hebrews 6:1-2; 1 John 2:28-29, 4:17