There are many doctrines which all evangelical Christians have in common. We all believe in salvation by the grace of God through faith (belief) in His Son, Jesus Christ, who died an atoning (as a substitution) death for our sins, and was raised from death by the power of God as shall be raised all of those who profess faith in Him. We believe that we are sustained in that faith and salvation by the indwelling (coming to live in us) of His Holy Spirit. We believe in the Trinity, or that God is one, yet known to us in three persons -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

There are also doctrines which Baptists have in common. Those are:

BELIEVER'S BAPTISM BY IMMERSION -- We witness to our personal faith by following the example of Jesus and being baptized by immersion in water. This form enables us to best portray our participation in Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5 being "buried" under the water and "raised" up out of the water.) We do not baptize children who are too young to profess their own faith, rather we dedicate ourselves to raise them within the community of faith, so that when they are old enough they may themselves become believers.

THE LORD'S SUPPER -- Baptism and The Lord's Supper are the two ordinances of the church. Through these ordinances, we profess and witness our faith, and it is renewed. At College Park Baptist Church, once per quarter, while we are together in worship, we remember Jesus' death and last meal with his followers by sharing the Lord's Supper. Through the symbols of the bread and the cup, as his body broken and his blood shed for us, we not only remember, but are spiritually nourished and renewed.

PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS -- We believe that each one of us -- laity and clergy alike -- have access to the Godhead through Jesus Christ, and need no earthly priest to intervene on our behalf. We believe that the Holy Spirit living within each believer interprets for that believer God's will for his life.

AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES -- We believe that the Bible is divinely inspired (it is God's Word), and is the sole authority for faith and practice (what we believe and how we live our lives.)

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE -- Our Baptist ancestors were persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, exiled, and even killed for this belief. In many countries there were and are today state religions. Baptists were prominent in the creation of the USA and a grand experiment in freedom of religion. It is important to us that we be free from governmental coercion. This means that despite our disagreement with what others believe, they too must be free to believe and practice their religions (or lack thereof). NO ONE IS FREE, UNLESS ALL ARE FREE!