Heritage Distinctives

WE WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

The first and most important element of worshiping God is that it be Scriptural. We believe the Bible should regulate each part of our devotion and activity during worship, whether public or private. God has revealed in His Word how He is pleased to be worshipped. For this reason, we do not put forth drama, puppets, movie clips, or entertainment-based music, as is the current trend in many churches today. The “acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by Himself, and so limited by His own revealed will, that He may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men…or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures” (1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, ch. 22, para. 1).

Our goal each Lord’s Day is to worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). We believe that worship is primarily for believers who come together in the bond of love to corporately praise and adore the Lord who bought them and to receive instruction from the Word. Unbelievers are welcome to attend and will hear the Gospel of Christ preached and be encouraged to seek the Lord.

The basic elements of our worship include the observation of the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of each month (1 Cor. 11:26), the public reading of Scripture (1 Tim. 4:13), prayer (Eph. 6:18), the congregational singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19), along with the preaching and teaching of the Word.

From what we see week to week, there are many who are refreshed in worship. We believe that is due, in part, to our simple, biblical approach. We invite you to come worship the Lord with us.

WE STRIVE TO BE BIBLICAL

Heritage Baptist Church allows Scripture to regulate, not only our worship, but the way we organize and direct church life. For instance, our church government does not resemble most other Baptist churches where a majority rules. We believe the Bible clearly models a plurality of pastors overseeing the church body. It is the pastors’ responsibility to be on guard for the flock (Acts 20:28), to shepherd the flock of God with eagerness and to be a good example, and not do it for sordid gain (1 Peter 5:2). In response, the members of the church are to do as it says in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

In the same way wives are to lovingly submit to their husbands (Eph. 5:21) and husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25), so is the relationship between pastors and the members of the flock. Responsibility and leadership provided by the elders, loving support and encouragement provided by the members.

WE HOLD TO THE DOCTRINES OF GOD’S SOVEREIGN GRACE

Scripture clearly teaches that man is so utterly depraved in his sin that he will not seek God of his own will (Romans 3:9-18, Matthew 19:25-26). It is also perfectly clear that if a man has faith in Christ, it is only because God has had mercy on him, regenerated his heart, and given him faith (Ephesians 2:1-10, John 10:25-30, Acts 13:48). For this reason, Heritage Baptist Church embraces the doctrines of Grace and rejects the idea that it is within man’s ability to be converted of his own natural will. Praise God for calling us out of darkness and into His glorious light!

Heritage Baptist is faithful to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in evangelism and in our services, for it is the ordained means by which God will convert sinners to Himself (Romans 10:14-15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21) and give all the glory to God alone.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:17