Baptist Distinctives

Biblical authority 
     (Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Autonomy of the local church 
     (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3)

Priesthood of all believers 
     (1 Peter 2:5-9; 1 Timothy 5)

Two ordinances (believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper)
     (Acts 2:41–47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)

Individual soul liberty 
     (Romans 14:5–12)

Saved church membership 
     (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23–32; Colossians 1:18)

Two offices of the church (pastor and deacon)
     (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1–2)

Separation of Church and State 
     (Matthew 22:15–22)

We Believe the Bible Teaches:

In the inspiration and the infallibility of the Bible,
In the Trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
In the deity and virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,
In the sinful, human nature of man,
In the forgiveness of sins only by the blood of Christ,
In salvation by grace through faith,
In the convicting, comforting, and guiding power of the Holy Spirit,
In the imminent, pretribulational return of Christ,
In the new birth, which is manifested by living in obedience to the Word of God,
Finally, that God gives us His strength through the Holy Spirit, to enable us to live a pure and abundant life as Christians.
  • ​The local church is God’s plan for this age.​
  • Membership in the church is reserved for believers.
  • The Bible is God’s Word and the sole authority for the church.
  • The truth about salvation from sin is found only in the Bible.
  • Sin separates every man from the one and only God and eternal life.
  • The penalty for sin is eternal damnation in a place called hell.
  • Jesus Christ died a substitutionary death for all mankind.
  • Salvation from sin is found only in Jesus Christ, by faith.
  • Every individual must call upon Jesus for their personal salvation.
  • Every believer should be baptized and join a local Bible-preaching church.
  • A believer’s life should be characterized by growing and changing to be like Christ.  ​
Mountain Shadows Baptist Church exists to bring the Gospel to the lost, to provide a church home for believers, and to help each believer become an obedient disciple.