SMBC DISTINCTIVES
We Are Reformed
We are descendants of the Protestant Reformation. Our church follows the lineage of the English Puritans and the Scottish Covenanters and especially the Particular Baptists of the English Reformation. We are a confessional church and hold to the Five Solas of the Reformation as well as the Doctrines of Grace as more particularly articulated in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith.
We Are Baptist
The Reformed Baptist confession of faith agrees almost completely with other reformed confessions like the Westminster Confession of Faith, with a couple exceptions.
The two primary distinctives involve the administration of the ordinance of baptism and church government.
Baptists believe that baptism is by immersion in water for those who repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe individuals are baptized into Christ, and therefore into His body, which is manifested in membership in a local church (Rom 6:3-5, Mark 16:16, Matt 3:16).
Baptists also believe that the local church is to be governed congregationally, under the leadership of elders and deacons. The male heads of household in the church govern by vote regarding the officers and members of the church (Acts 20: 17,28, Matt 18:17-18, 1 Cor 5:4-13, 2 Cor 2:6-8).
We Are Expositional
Jesus said that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).
We believe that preaching ought to be the bold proclamation of the Word of God. We do this by regularly preaching through books of the Bible. We seek to understand, declare, and apply all of God's Word to our lives and the world. (2 Tim 2:15, Philippians 4:9, James 1:22).
We Are Postmillenial (Optimistic Eschatalogically)
Jesus has established His kingdom on this earth in His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension (Mark 1:15).
The age of the church is the millennium, an age in which Jesus reigns at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19), putting His enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25). This age is one in which the Great Commission will be successful in seeing the nations converted to Jesus in repentance and faith.
We believe that the gospel, as it bears fruit in individual hearts, will transform families, cultures, and nations as they seek to serve Christ. The nations will one day flow to Jesus (Isaiah 2:2), and the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14).
We Are Congregational Psalm Singing
God commands us in the book of Ephesians: "But be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19). We believe that singing Psalms should be a regular part of the worship of the people of God, the book of Psalms being the songbook of the Bible. Singing psalms and lyrically rich, biblical hymns helps us to align our hearts with God's will, and to praise that which God declares to be praiseworthy.
Furthermore, we believe it is important to sing such Psalms and Hymns that are suitable for every voice. It is vital that men sing and sing heartily. As such we sing congregationally, often in 4-part harmonies, so that the voices of the congregation are the primary instrument of musical worship.
We Are FAMILY iNTEGRATED
In light of Romans 1:16 & 10:14 we believe it is integral for entire families to worship together, sitting under the same instruction. We stress the importance of doctrinal unity and encourage fathers to take responsibility in family discipleship. We do not offer age-based ministries, and we gladly welcome children in service.
Other Notable SMBC Convictions
Bible Translation: SMBC utilizes the traditional (ecclesiastical) text taking seriously the 1689* which asserts that the Greek and Hebrew manuscripts were “kept pure through the ages.” As such we prefer to use Textus Receptus based translations such as the KJV.
We are not “KJV-Onlyists.” If you would like a more thorough explanation, please see a pastor.
*The 1689 utilizes the TR.
Biblically Patriarchal: Patriarchy means ‘Father rule’. As such we believe that God made men and women as men and women body and soul and therefore has given them certain roles, desires, and abilities that go along with that nature. As God has given us these roles, we believe that our faith and practice should reflect the male and female natures, primarily men as Heads of Households and Women as Helpers in life and family. We believe this applies to all areas of life, meaning work, home and Church.
(Also, you will likely notice that many of the women of SMBC cover their heads. While this position is held by Pastor Gabe, SMBC does not divide over the means of obedience to 1 Cor. 11, and leaves the practice to the discretion of each member household.)
*See our position paper for further analysis
Common Cup Practice: SMBC utilizes a single loaf and cup which is rooted in biblical and historical precedent, as highlighted by the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession, which emphasizes the significance of Communion as a memorial of Christ's sacrifice and a symbol of unity with Him and among believers. Exegetical analysis of Scripture, such as the Last Supper accounts in the Gospels and Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians, supports the use of a singular cup. Historically, the Common Cup was predominant until recent innovations. While other forms may be permissible, SMBC believes the Common Cup best represents the theological symbolism of Communion, emphasizing oneness with Christ and the Church, and should be maintained despite modern objections regarding practicality and cleanliness. Please see a Pastor if you have any concerns or may need accommodation.
*See our position paper for further analysis
Position Paper: Communion and the Common Cup Practice - Stone Mountain Baptist Church
Equal Protection/Equal Justice: SMBC holds generally to the abolitionist position with regards to ending the human sacrifice and destruction of our littlest neighbors in the womb. God does not regulate murder but rather demands justice and only justice. We cannot contend for halfway measures and should instead seek to support law that grants equal protection and justice to all humans, regardless of size, location, or level of development.
*See our position paper for further analysis