Smyrna Bible Baptist Church of Milan

We believe in one Holy, triune God existing - from eternity past till eternity future- in three persons: The Father, The Son(Jesus Christ), and The Holy Spirit; each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes; executing distinct but harmonious offices. In the plan of salvation we believe that the Father is the Planner, the Son is the Accomplisher, and the Holy Spirit is the Applier of salvation to believers. The Father is the Source, the Son is the Means, and the Holy Spirit is the Effector of salvation—it is He who convicts, convinces, and converts. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 5:7)

We believe the Bible is the Holy, Infallible, Preserved and Perfect Word of God. We believe that it is the only and absolute authority when it comes to doctrines, and rules in conduct of living. We believe that through the Bible, God communicate and make Himself known to the believer. We believe that the King James Bible is the best available version for English-speaking people as the modern english versions contains corruptions and doctrinal errors. (Psalms 12:6-7, 2Timothy 3:16-17)

We believe the sinful nature of mankind, beginning with the fall of Adam & Eve from the garden of Eden. We believe that because of sin men can’t be saved by their own works; thus we believe that Salvation is a free gift of God, given with love, by grace to anyone that sincerely repent of their sins and believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that once saved, a believer cannot lose their salvation and is eternally secured to Heaven. (John 3:16, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9)

We believe in two scriptural uses of the word “church”. It is the body of Christ consisting of all saved Christians and the local congregation of saved and baptized Christians. We believe Jesus is the founder of the Church. We believe that the leadership positions in the church is appointed to men. We also believe there are two ordinances in the Church: The Baptism of the Believer and the Lord Supper neither of which have any dealing with salvation but are made by the believer as an act of obedience to God and remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. (Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:20-34; Matthew 3:16, 28:19; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; John 18:36)

We believe the scriptures should be rightly divided in order to define mankind’s responsibilities in successive ages towards God. We believe proper dispensationalism result from a historical-grammatical approach and literal interpretation of the Bible. We reject any “anti-dispensational” or “revised dispensational” view that teaches bondage to the Mosaic law and Sabbath, the church replaces Israel, and the church will endure through the Tribulation.(2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 3:16, 18).

We believe in the responsability of each and every believer to witness to souls everywhere and fulfill the Great Commission imparted to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. This includes but not limited to supporting missions, visitations, and tracts giving. When we go soul-winning, it is actually the Holy Spirit who wins the person to Christ because He is the one who convicts, convinces and converts. We do not believe in emotional persuasion or power of suggestion. We believe wholly in the Scriptural mandate to go and not be “ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth,” and leave to the Holy Spirit the work of salvation (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Romans 1:16)