There is a one-word definition for what it means to be a Baptist.  That word is Freedom!

We believe in a Free Bible written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit of God (2 Timothy 3:10-17).  We believe that just as the writers were led by the Holy Spirit to write down the message from God, we are free to read and be led by the Holy Spirit to interpret the Bible.  It was freely given by God to be freely read by anyone iterested in knowing more about faith, hope, mercy and love.  It is God's love letter to humanity!

We believe in Soul Freedom.  As the crowning work of God in creation, God made us free so that we might be able to freely choose a relationship with Him (John 3:16).  The New Testament Church had two ordinances:  baptistm and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41-42).  Both are symbolic, not sacramental, in meaning.  These are the two ordinances of Heritage Baptist Church.

We believe in a Free Church.  We are an autonomous body of believers who work in voluntary cooperation with other Great Commission Christians to carry out the mission of the church (Matthew 28:16-20).  There are no denominational structures to which we must pay our allegiance, but we do cooperate with others to carrry out the work of missions in our world.

We believe in Religious Freedom.  We believe that everyone has the right to worship God.  We may not always agree with others in what they believe about God, but we respect their right to believe.  We believe that government should not be an impediment to the worship of God, neither should government instruct people in matters of religion and worship.  Thus we believe in the civil corollary to religious freedom, separation of Church and State.  (Gen. 1:27,  John 8:36, Acts 4:18-20; 5:29, Rom. 6:6-18; 8:1-2; 8:5-9; 10:9, 2 Cor. 3:17, Gal. 5:13-16, 1 Tim. 2:1-6)