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Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
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Doctrinal Foundation • 9 Foundational Articles

What We Believe

Pleasant Valley Baptist Church is an independent, Bible-believing Baptist church anchored in the timeless, unchanging truths of God’s inspired Word.

King James Bible
Preserved Scripture
Grace Through Faith
Apart from Works
Autonomous Church
Christ Alone as Head
The Blessed Hope
Pre-Millennial Return
Browse Sections:
01
SOLE AUTHORITY & PRESERVATION

The Holy Scriptures

God & His Word
Core Biblical Summary:

“Supernaturally inspired by God without error, and preserved for English-speaking believers in the King James Bible.”

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. We believe God has promised to preserve His words to all generations, and we hold and preach the King James Bible as God’s preserved Word for the English-speaking people.
Scripture References & Cross-References:
2 Timothy 3:16-172 Peter 1:19-21Psalm 12:6-7Proverbs 30:5-6
02
THE ETERNAL GODHEAD

The True God & The Holy Trinity

God & His Word
Core Biblical Summary:

“One living and true God, maker of heaven and earth, eternally existing in three distinct co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Scripture References & Cross-References:
Exodus 20:2-3Matthew 28:191 John 5:7Genesis 1:1John 10:30
03
THE SAVIOUR & RISEN LORD

Jesus Christ & His Substitutionary Atonement

Christ & Redemption
Core Biblical Summary:

“Miraculously virgin-born, sinless in life, dying as our voluntary substitute on the cross, and bodily resurrected on the third day.”

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin; that He is both fully God and fully man; that He lived a sinless life; that He died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a voluntary and substitutionary sacrifice; and that He arose bodily from the grave on the third day and ascended into heaven where He ever liveth to make intercession for us as our High Priest and Advocate.
Scripture References & Cross-References:
John 1:1-14Isaiah 7:141 Corinthians 15:3-4Hebrews 9:12Romans 5:8
04
MAN’S UNIVERSAL NEED

The Fall of Man

Christ & Redemption
Core Biblical Summary:

“Created in innocence, mankind fell by willful transgression into sin, rendering all humanity condemned and in need of God’s grace.”

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Scripture References & Cross-References:
Genesis 3:1-6Romans 3:10-23Romans 5:12, 19Galatians 3:22
Essential Gospel Doctrine • The Free Gift of Grace
05
WHOLLY OF GRACE • FAITH ALONE

Salvation by Grace Through Faith

Christ & Redemption
Core Biblical Summary:

“Salvation is a free gift received solely through personal repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, apart from human works or church rituals.”

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the finished shed blood and mediator offices of the Son of God; that salvation is received through personal repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, completely apart from human good works, church sacraments, baptism, or personal merit. The moment a sinner believes, they are justified, forgiven, declared righteous, and adopted into God’s family.
Scripture References & Cross-References:
Ephesians 2:8-9John 3:16Acts 16:31Romans 10:9-10Titus 3:5
06
KEPT FOREVER BY GOD’S POWER

Eternal Security of the Believer

Christ & Redemption
Core Biblical Summary:

“All who are born again are kept eternally secure by the power of God, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and will never perish.”

We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. True believers possess eternal life as a present possession, cannot lose their salvation, and will never perish; for our life is hid with Christ in God, and nothing can pluck us out of the Father’s hand.
Scripture References & Cross-References:
John 10:28-29Romans 8:35-39Philippians 1:6Ephesians 1:13-141 Peter 1:5
07
THE AUTONOMOUS ASSEMBLY

The Local New Testament Church

The Assembly & Eternity
Core Biblical Summary:

“A self-governing congregation of immersed believers joined by covenant to worship, disciple, observe the ordinances, and evangelize the world.”

We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; and that its scriptural officers are pastors (elders, bishops) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Scripture References & Cross-References:
Matthew 28:19-20Acts 2:41-421 Corinthians 12:12-131 Timothy 3:15
08
BAPTISM & THE LORD’S SUPPER

The Biblical Ordinances

The Assembly & Eternity
Core Biblical Summary:

“Water baptism by immersion symbolizing Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and the Lord’s Supper observed in remembrance of Him.”

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of His death until He comes, preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Scripture References & Cross-References:
Matthew 3:16Acts 8:36-39Romans 6:3-51 Corinthians 11:23-28
09
THE BLESSED HOPE

The Return of Christ & Things to Come

The Assembly & Eternity
Core Biblical Summary:

“The personal, imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air for His saints, followed by His bodily millennial reign upon the earth.”

We believe in the personal, imminent, pre-tribulational return of our Lord Jesus Christ in the air for His saints, commonly known as the Rapture. Following the seven-year Tribulation on earth, Christ will return bodily with His saints in glory to conquer His foes and establish His literal thousand-year millennial kingdom on the earth, followed by eternal bliss for the righteous and everlasting conscious punishment for the lost.
Scripture References & Cross-References:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18Titus 2:13Revelation 20:1-6Acts 1:11
Historic Baptist Heritage

The B.A.P.T.I.S.T. Distinctives

Throughout history, independent Baptists have stood firmly on eight foundational distinctives drawn directly from the New Testament.

B
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Biblical Authority

The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice. We look to Scripture alone, not church traditions or human councils.

A
Colossians 1:18

Autonomy of the Local Church

Every local congregation is self-governing under the headship of Jesus Christ, free from outside ecclesiastical hierarchy.

P
1 Peter 2:9

Priesthood of All Believers

Every believer has direct personal access to God through our one High Priest, Jesus Christ, without need of human mediators.

T
1 Corinthians 11:24

Two Ordinances

We practice Believer’s Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper as memorial ordinances of Christ’s finished work.

I
Romans 14:12

Individual Soul Liberty

Every soul is personally accountable to God and must be free to seek and follow Him without state or religious coercion.

S
Acts 2:41

Saved, Baptized Membership

Church membership is reserved exclusively for those who have made a credible profession of faith and scriptural baptism.

T
1 Timothy 3:1-13

Two Scriptural Offices

The New Testament establishes only two church offices: Pastors (shepherds/elders) and Deacons (servants of the body).

S
Matthew 22:21

Separation of Church & State

God ordained both government and the church with distinct roles. Government should not control religion, nor church rule the state.

Have Questions About What the Bible Teaches?

Whether you are exploring the Christian faith, seeking biblical answers about salvation and baptism, or looking for a church home anchored in God’s Word, Pastor Gabe Ruhl and our pastoral team are here to help.