Mission
The mission of Washington Heights Baptist Church is to glorify God and live as a family of Christian believers devoted to Christ's mission of salvation in our community and worldwide with a growing love for God, the Bible, and our neighbors everywhere.
Core Beliefs
1. Authority of Scripture
We believe the Bible is the fully inspired Word of God, written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is completely true and the final authority for faith and life.
Key Scriptures:
2 Timothy 3:16–17 • 2 Peter 1:20–21 • Psalm 119:160
Key Scriptures:
2 Timothy 3:16–17 • 2 Peter 1:20–21 • Psalm 119:160
2. Nature of God
The One True God
We believe there is one living and true God who eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the Creator and Ruler of all things and worthy of all worship.
Key Scriptures:
Deuteronomy 6:4 • Matthew 28:19 • John 4:24
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and the Son. He convicts of sin, brings new life, and empowers believers to live for Christ.
Key Scriptures:
John 14:16–17 • John 16:8–13 • Romans 8:11
We believe there is one living and true God who eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the Creator and Ruler of all things and worthy of all worship.
Key Scriptures:
Deuteronomy 6:4 • Matthew 28:19 • John 4:24
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and the Son. He convicts of sin, brings new life, and empowers believers to live for Christ.
Key Scriptures:
John 14:16–17 • John 16:8–13 • Romans 8:11
3. Creation, Humanity, and Sin
Creation
We believe God created the heavens and the earth according to His will and for His glory. Scripture is our final authority regarding creation, and unity within the church is essential.
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 1:1 • Colossians 1:16 • Hebrews 11:3
The Fall of Man
We believe humanity was created innocent but fell into sin through disobedience to God. As a result, all people are sinners in need of salvation.
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 3:1–7 • Romans 3:23 • Romans 5:12
Satan
We believe Satan is a real personal being who opposes God and deceives humanity. His defeat is certain through the power and victory of Jesus Christ.
Key Scriptures:
Job 1:6–7 • John 8:44 • Revelation 20:10
We believe God created the heavens and the earth according to His will and for His glory. Scripture is our final authority regarding creation, and unity within the church is essential.
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 1:1 • Colossians 1:16 • Hebrews 11:3
The Fall of Man
We believe humanity was created innocent but fell into sin through disobedience to God. As a result, all people are sinners in need of salvation.
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 3:1–7 • Romans 3:23 • Romans 5:12
Satan
We believe Satan is a real personal being who opposes God and deceives humanity. His defeat is certain through the power and victory of Jesus Christ.
Key Scriptures:
Job 1:6–7 • John 8:44 • Revelation 20:10
4. The Person and Work of Christ
The Virgin Birth
We believe Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully man.
Key Scriptures:
Isaiah 7:14 • Matthew 1:18–23 • Luke 1:34–35
The Atonement for Sin
We believe Jesus Christ died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Through His death and resurrection, salvation is made available to all who believe.
Key Scriptures:
Romans 5:8 • 1 Peter 2:24 • 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
We believe Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully man.
Key Scriptures:
Isaiah 7:14 • Matthew 1:18–23 • Luke 1:34–35
The Atonement for Sin
We believe Jesus Christ died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Through His death and resurrection, salvation is made available to all who believe.
Key Scriptures:
Romans 5:8 • 1 Peter 2:24 • 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
5. Salvation and the Christian Life
The New Birth
We believe salvation requires a spiritual rebirth accomplished by the Holy Spirit. This new life results in a transformed heart and obedience to Christ.
Key Scriptures:
John 3:3–6 • 2 Corinthians 5:17 • Titus 3:5
The Freeness of Salvation
We believe salvation is offered freely by God’s grace to all people. Anyone who repents and places faith in Jesus Christ may be saved.
Key Scriptures:
Ephesians 2:8–9 • Romans 6:23 • Revelation 22:17
Justification
We believe believers are declared righteous before God through faith in Christ alone. This righteousness is based on Christ’s work, not human effort.
Key Scriptures:
Romans 5:1 • Galatians 2:16 • Philippians 3:9
Repentance and Faith
We believe repentance and faith are essential responses to the Gospel. Through repentance we turn from sin, and through faith we trust in Christ alone for salvation.
Key Scriptures:
Mark 1:15 • Acts 20:21 • Romans 10:9–10
Perseverance of the Saints
We believe all true believers are kept by God’s power and will persevere in faith until the end. Our security rests in God’s faithfulness, not our own strength.
Key Scriptures:
John 10:27–29 • Philippians 1:6 • Jude 24
We believe salvation requires a spiritual rebirth accomplished by the Holy Spirit. This new life results in a transformed heart and obedience to Christ.
Key Scriptures:
John 3:3–6 • 2 Corinthians 5:17 • Titus 3:5
The Freeness of Salvation
We believe salvation is offered freely by God’s grace to all people. Anyone who repents and places faith in Jesus Christ may be saved.
Key Scriptures:
Ephesians 2:8–9 • Romans 6:23 • Revelation 22:17
Justification
We believe believers are declared righteous before God through faith in Christ alone. This righteousness is based on Christ’s work, not human effort.
Key Scriptures:
Romans 5:1 • Galatians 2:16 • Philippians 3:9
Repentance and Faith
We believe repentance and faith are essential responses to the Gospel. Through repentance we turn from sin, and through faith we trust in Christ alone for salvation.
Key Scriptures:
Mark 1:15 • Acts 20:21 • Romans 10:9–10
Perseverance of the Saints
We believe all true believers are kept by God’s power and will persevere in faith until the end. Our security rests in God’s faithfulness, not our own strength.
Key Scriptures:
John 10:27–29 • Philippians 1:6 • Jude 24
6. The Church and Its Ordinances
The Local Church
We believe a local church is a body of baptized believers united for worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission. Christ alone is the head of the church.
Key Scriptures:
Acts 2:41–42 • Ephesians 1:22–23 • Hebrews 10:24–25
The True Church
We believe the universal Church is made up of all redeemed believers in Christ. It exists to glorify God and proclaim the Gospel to the world.
Key Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 12:12–13 • Colossians 1:18 • Matthew 16:18
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe baptism is the immersion of a believer as a public testimony of faith. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 28:19–20 • Romans 6:3–4 • 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
We believe a local church is a body of baptized believers united for worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission. Christ alone is the head of the church.
Key Scriptures:
Acts 2:41–42 • Ephesians 1:22–23 • Hebrews 10:24–25
The True Church
We believe the universal Church is made up of all redeemed believers in Christ. It exists to glorify God and proclaim the Gospel to the world.
Key Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 12:12–13 • Colossians 1:18 • Matthew 16:18
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe baptism is the immersion of a believer as a public testimony of faith. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 28:19–20 • Romans 6:3–4 • 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
7. Last Things (Eternity & the Return of Christ)
The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe there is an eternal distinction between the saved and the lost. Those who trust Christ receive eternal life, while those who reject Him face eternal judgment.
Key Scriptures:
John 5:28–29 • Matthew 25:46 • Revelation 20:12–15
The Return of Christ
We believe Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return. His return will fulfill God’s promises and establish His righteous reign.
Key Scriptures:
John 14:1–3 • 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 • Revelation 19:11–16
We believe there is an eternal distinction between the saved and the lost. Those who trust Christ receive eternal life, while those who reject Him face eternal judgment.
Key Scriptures:
John 5:28–29 • Matthew 25:46 • Revelation 20:12–15
The Return of Christ
We believe Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return. His return will fulfill God’s promises and establish His righteous reign.
Key Scriptures:
John 14:1–3 • 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 • Revelation 19:11–16
8. Christian Responsibility & Civil Government
Civil Government
We believe civil government is ordained by God for the good of society. Christians are called to obey governing authorities unless doing so would violate God’s Word.
Key Scriptures:
Romans 13:1–7 • 1 Peter 2:13–17 • Matthew 22:21
Human Sexuality, Gender, and Marriage
We affirm the beliefs listed in the Nashville Statement
We believe civil government is ordained by God for the good of society. Christians are called to obey governing authorities unless doing so would violate God’s Word.
Key Scriptures:
Romans 13:1–7 • 1 Peter 2:13–17 • Matthew 22:21
Human Sexuality, Gender, and Marriage
We affirm the beliefs listed in the Nashville Statement