Purpose Statement Leading people to personal faith and continual growth in the Lord Jesus Christ.   Vision Statement We will accomplish our purpose by:  loving and worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ; sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with southwest Oklahoma and the world; teaching and studying the Bible to equip believers; gathering together to encourage faith in Jesus Christ; and meeting the needs of others, especially fellow believers.   Essential Beliefs of Martha Road Baptist Church   God God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.  He eternally exists in three persons, which we call the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  These three are God.  (Genesis 1:1-3; Psalms 90:2; II Corinthians 13:14)   Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and Jesus Christ is God.  During His incarnation, Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by shedding His blood and by dying on a cross.  He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.  (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22, 23; John 1:1-5; 8:24; Philippines 2:9-11; Hebrews 4:14-15; 9:22; I Peter 1:17-20; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:1-4; I Timothy 6:13-16)   Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.  He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  Upon salvation, the Holy Spirit gives every believer a spiritual gift.  The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with understanding of spiritual truth, with guidance in doing what is right, and with power for righteous living.  As Christians, we seek to daily live under His control.  (II Corinthians 3:17; John 4:24; 16:7-14; 14:16-17; Ephesians 1:13-14; I Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8; Galatians 5:16, 25; Acts 1:8)   Bible The Bible is God’s word to us.  Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible.  Because it was inspired by God, it is truth without error.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs, conduct, and living.  (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)   Man People are made in the image of God, and they are the crown of God’s creation.  Man and woman were created without sin and given freedom of choice.  By their choice, they sinned against God and brought sin, a condition of the heart, into the human race.  Sin separates people from God, causes many problems in life, and leads to death.  (Genesis 1:26; 2:7; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 5:12; 3:23; 6:23)   Salvation Because of God’s love and grace, He offers salvation as a free gift to mankind, but each must accept it.  No one can ever make up for sin by self-improvement, by good works, or by the practice of religion.  Only by accepting Jesus Christ as God’s means of forgiveness can anyone be in relationship with God and be saved from sin’s penalty.  When a person turns to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith and trusts Him as personal Savior, that person is saved.  He is born again.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ by faith.  (Romans 5:8; 10:9-10; John 1:12; Galatians 3:26; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1-2; John 3:3; Titus 3:4-5)   Eternal Security Because God declares one’s faith in Jesus Christ results in eternal life, genuine salvation cannot be “lost.”  It is not maintained by the self-effort of a Christian.  It is a gift that is maintained by God Himself.  Thus, a true believer is eternally secure in Christ Jesus, his Savior.  (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; I Peter 1:3-5; I John 5:13)   Heaven and Hell Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. People were created to exist forever.  Believing in Jesus Christ with your heart results in forgiveness, salvation, and eternity with God in heaven. Unbelief results in separation from God in hell. God desires all mankind to be saved.  Hell was not created for mankind; it was created for Satan and the demons. (John 3:16-18; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15; II Peter 3:9; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10)   We adhere to “The Baptist Faith and Message,” which expounds these topics, supplies additional Scripture references, and provides additional topics.  Copies are available for you.   Expected Kingdom Results   1.  We will see God’s kingdom grow and advance. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8, NIV)   2.  We will see lives changed through spiritual transformation. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (II Corinthians 3:18, NIV)   3.  We will see our world changed through ministry expansion. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf:  Be reconciled to God.  (II Corinthians 5:20, NIV)   4.  We will see the church body grow numerically. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day …   And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41, 47, NIV)