HOLY SCRIPTURES 

        We believe that the Bible is God’s Word, inerrant in the original documents, that it was written by men divinely inspired and that it is the supreme, infallible authority in all matters of faith and conduct (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21.)

THE TRINITY

        We believe in the Trinity, i.e., one God existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but One in essence and all having the same attributes and perfections. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4, Is. 45:22; Matt. 3:17, 28:19.)

        1.    We believe in God the Father, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power, the Creator of the universe and of all things.  We rejoice that He concerns Himself merci-fully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Jer. 33:3; Rom. 6:23; 10:13.)

        2.    We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit, of Virgin Birth, sinless in His life, making atonement for the sins of the world by His death and shed blood on Calvary’s cross.  We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension and visible, personal return to the world according to His promise. (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; II Cor. 5:21; I Pet. 1:18-19; 2:24; John 20:24-29; Acts 1:9-11; John 14:3; Titus 2:13-14.)

        3.    We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from God to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; and to regenerate, sanctify and comfort all those who believe in Jesus Christ. (John 14:16-17; John 16:7-14; Rom. 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13-14.

SIN, SALVATION AND ETERNITY

        We believe that all men by nature and by choice are sinners (Rom. 3:23), but that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).  We believe, therefore, that those who receive Christ as Lord and Savior will rejoice forever in God’s presence (II Cor. 5:8), and those who refuse to receive  Christ as Savior and Lord will be forever separated from God. (Rev. 20:11-15). Those who receive Christ as Savior are kept by His power eternally.  (John 10:27-28; Rom. 8:38-39).  The punishment of unbelievers and the rewards of the righteous are both everlasting and conscious.

THE CHURCH AND ORDINANCES

        We believe in the church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and of which all regenerated people are members. We believe that a local church is a company of believers in Jesus Christ, immersed on a credible confession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship.  (Rom. 12:5; Col. 1:14-18).  We believe that to those local churches were committed, for perpetual observance, the ordinances of Baptism (Matt. 28:19), and the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-30).

        1.    Baptism by immersion is a public confession of Christ as Savior and Lord; it is the symbol of one’s union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. (Rom. 6:3-6).

        2.    The Lord’s Supper should be observed by all believers and symbolizes the death of Christ for the remission of sins and our continual dependence upon Him for our sustenance. The Lord’s Table is open to all believers who are in right relationship with God.  (I Cor. 11:23-28).

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

        We believe in separation from the world unto Christ.  Since our Christian citizenship is in heaven, as the children of God we should walk in separation from this present evil world, having no fellowship with its evil ways, (II Cor. 6:14-18), but are to be salt and light [in the world but not of the world].  (Matt. 5:14, 16).

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CHURCH AUTONOMY

        We believe that every human being is responsible to God alone in matters of faith (Rom. 14:12), and that this church is autonomous and free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that church and state must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from the dictation of the other.  (Matt. 22:21; Acts 4:19, Acts 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7).  We believe in the independence of the local church and also our interdependence in the body of Christ.

Our Association

Ponderosa is associated with the Southwestern Conservative Baptist Association.  Conservative Baptist Churches are independent churches that associate together for mutual encouragement and dynamic mission.