Baptist Articles of Faith

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

01/08/2026

✝️ Two Davids: Michelangelo’s Hero and the Bible’s Servant of God

Few figures in history have captured the imagination of humanity like David. One stands in marble, admired by millions in Florence. The other stands in Scripture, remembered as the shepherd who became king. Although both represent the same historical person, Michelangelo’s David and the biblical David communicate remarkably different messages about humanity, strength, and the source of victory.

Michelangelo’s masterpiece is one of the greatest achievements of Renaissance art. It celebrates the beauty, dignity, and potential of man. The biblical account, however, presents David not as a monument to human greatness but as a testimony to God’s greatness. The contrast between these two portrayals reflects two very different worldviews: one that exalts human capability and one that exalts God’s sovereignty.

💟 Michelangelo’s David: The Triumph of Human Potential

Completed in 1504 during the Renaissance, Michelangelo’s David depicts the young shepherd before his battle with Goliath. Unlike earlier artists who portrayed David after his victory, Michelangelo captures him in a moment of intense concentration and confidence.

The statue embodies Renaissance Humanism, a movement that emphasized the worth, beauty, and intellectual capacity of mankind. David’s body is idealized—perfectly proportioned, muscular, and majestic. He appears fearless, self-confident, and completely capable of overcoming his enemy through his own strength and determination.

Every detail points toward human excellence:

* The perfect anatomy celebrates the human body.
* The calm expression emphasizes self-mastery.
* The enlarged hands symbolize power and action.
* His towering height projects dominance and superiority.

To Renaissance observers, David became the symbol of what humanity could accomplish through courage, reason, and inner strength.

💟 The Biblical David: The Triumph of God’s Power

The Bible presents an entirely different emphasis.

David was indeed courageous, but his confidence did not rest in himself. It rested completely in the Lord.

When King Saul offered David his armor, David refused because he had never tested it (1 Samuel 17:38–39). Instead, he approached Goliath with only a sling, five smooth stones, and absolute trust in God.

David declared:

“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts…” (1 Samuel 17:45, KJV)

He continued:

“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S…” (1 Samuel 17:47, KJV)

These statements reveal the heart of the biblical narrative. David never intended people to admire his courage more than they admired God’s power.

💟 Human Supremacy versus Divine Supremacy

The most significant difference between the two portrayals lies in where each places ultimate glory.

Michelangelo’s David directs the viewer’s admiration toward man. His flawless physique, confident posture, and commanding presence celebrate human achievement. The sculpture invites us to marvel at the greatness of humanity.

The Bible directs our attention away from David and toward God. David repeatedly minimized himself and magnified the Lord. His victory was not the triumph of superior skill or physical perfection but of faith in the living God.

The Renaissance worldview often celebrated man as the measure of greatness.

The biblical worldview teaches:

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory…” (Psalm 115:1, KJV)

The difference could not be more profound.

💟 The Irony of Appearance

Michelangelo portrays David as physically imposing.

Yet the Bible deliberately tells us that Goliath was the giant while David was simply a youth.

The emphasis is not on David’s physique but on God’s ability to use the weak to defeat the strong.

This principle appears throughout Scripture:

“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV)

The marble statue glorifies outward perfection.

Scripture glorifies inward faith.

💟 A Difference in Heroism

Michelangelo’s David appears as an independent hero.

The biblical David is a dependent servant.

His confidence comes from years of experiencing God’s faithfulness while protecting sheep from lions and bears (1 Samuel 17:34–37). David did not believe in himself because of personal greatness; he believed God would remain faithful because God had always been faithful.

This distinction changes the entire meaning of the story.

In Renaissance art, David demonstrates what man can achieve.

In Scripture, David demonstrates what God can accomplish through a person who trusts Him.

Appreciating the Art without Adopting the Philosophy

Michelangelo’s David deserves admiration as one of history’s greatest artistic accomplishments. Its technical brilliance, anatomical precision, and expressive realism remain extraordinary achievements of sculpture.

However, Christians should distinguish artistic excellence from theological truth.

The statue reflects many of the ideals of Renaissance Humanism, whereas the Bible consistently teaches that true greatness belongs to God alone.

Art may inspire admiration.

Scripture calls for worship.

Those are not the same.

💟 Conclusion

Michelangelo and the Bible present two visions of David.

One stands in marble as the ideal man, celebrating human strength, beauty, and confidence.

The other stands in Scripture as a humble shepherd whose victory came through faith in the Lord.

Michelangelo’s David reminds us of humanity’s artistic and intellectual aspirations.

The biblical David reminds us that “the battle is the LORD’S.”

Ultimately, the greatest lesson from David’s life is not that man is supreme, but that God is. Human strength may impress the eye, but faith in God secures the victory. As the Apostle Paul later wrote:

“But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31, KJV)

That is the enduring message of the biblical David, a message far different from the silent testimony of marble.

26/07/2026

🛐 Exorcism: What Does the Bible Really Teach?

The Rise of Exorcism Ministries

The recent establishment of an exorcism center by Catholic priests in the Philippines has once again drawn public attention to the subject of demonic possession and spiritual warfare. Reports of people seeking deliverance from evil spirits often stir curiosity, fear, and debate. While many applaud such efforts as a response to spiritual needs, Christians should not base their beliefs on religious tradition or sensational stories. Our authority must always be the Word of God.

The Bible clearly teaches that demons are real, Satan is real, and demonic possession is a reality. However, it also teaches us how God has dealt with demonic powers throughout history and what believers should understand about exorcism today.

✝️ Demons Are Real

Scripture leaves no doubt that Satan commands a host of fallen angels who oppose God and seek to deceive humanity.

Jesus Himself encountered numerous demon-possessed individuals during His earthly ministry. Among them were:

* The man possessed by a legion of demons (Mark 5:1–20).
* The mute man possessed by a devil (Matthew 9:32–33).
* The boy tormented by an unclean spirit (Mark 9:17–29).
* Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus cast out seven devils (Luke 8:2).

These accounts demonstrate that demonic possession was a genuine reality, not merely a psychological condition.

✝️ Christ’s Authority Over Demons

One of the clearest demonstrations of Jesus’ divine authority was His power over evil spirits.

“And they were all amazed… saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.” (Luke 4:36, KJV)

No demon could resist the command of Christ. They recognized His authority and obeyed Him immediately.

His miracles authenticated His identity as the promised Messiah and confirmed that the kingdom of God had come.

✝️ The Apostles Were Given Temporary Authority

Jesus also gave His twelve apostles authority over demons.

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils…” (Luke 9:1)

Later, seventy disciples were also sent with similar authority (Luke 10:17–20).

This authority was connected to the apostolic ministry during the foundational period of the New Testament church. Like the gift of miracles and healing, these miraculous signs authenticated God’s messengers before the completion of Scripture (Hebrews 2:3–4).

The New Testament never teaches that this miraculous authority would become a permanent office or ministry passed down through every generation.

✝️ There Is No New Testament Command to Establish Exorcism Ministries

One of the striking observations in the New Testament is that after the establishment of local churches, the apostles never instructed pastors to perform exorcisms as a regular ministry.

The qualifications for pastors in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 say nothing about becoming exorcists.

The pastoral epistles contain detailed instructions regarding church leadership, preaching, discipleship, discipline, and sound doctrine—but none about creating exorcism centers or appointing official exorcists.

This silence is significant.

✝️ The Believer’s Protection

The Bible gives Christians assurance that those who belong to Christ are secure in Him.

“Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

The Holy Spirit permanently indwells every believer (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Because the believer is the temple of the Holy Ghost, Scripture gives no example of a genuinely saved person being demon-possessed.

Christians may be tempted, oppressed, or deceived if they neglect God’s Word, but the New Testament never describes believers as being inhabited by demons.

✝️ Spiritual Warfare Is Not About Performing Exorcisms

The New Testament shifts the believer’s focus from casting out demons to resisting the devil.

James writes:

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Likewise, Paul instructs believers to put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10–18), emphasizing truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer.

Notice that the armor of God contains no ritual for exorcism.

Instead, victory comes through faithful obedience to Christ.

✝️ Can Demons Still Possess Unbelievers Today?

The Bible gives no reason to believe that Satan has ceased his work.

Unbelievers remain under the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13) and may still be subject to demonic influence or even possession according to God’s sovereign allowance.

However, Christians should exercise caution before labeling every unusual behavior as demon possession. Mental illness, emotional trauma, neurological disorders, and other medical conditions should not automatically be attributed to demonic activity.

The Bible calls us to exercise discernment rather than superstition.

✝️ The Greatest Deliverance

The greatest need of every person is not merely freedom from demons but freedom from sin.

A demon can be cast out, yet a person who rejects Christ remains spiritually lost.

Jesus warned that an unclean spirit may leave a person only to return with even greater force if the person’s life remains spiritually empty (Matthew 12:43–45).

True deliverance comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.

When a sinner trusts Christ, he is forgiven, justified, adopted into God’s family, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.

That is the greatest deliverance anyone can ever experience.

✝️ Conclusion

The Bible clearly affirms the reality of Satan and demons. Jesus and His apostles cast out demons as a demonstration of divine authority during the apostolic age. However, the New Testament does not establish an ongoing office of “exorcist” or instruct churches to create exorcism ministries as part of normal church practice.

Rather than seeking dramatic rituals, believers are called to preach the gospel, make disciples, stand firm in God’s truth, resist the devil, and trust in the victory Christ has already won at the cross.

The power of the gospel is greater than the power of any demon, for it not only delivers people from the kingdom of darkness—it brings them into the glorious kingdom of Jesus Christ.

25/07/2026

🛐 Man’s Pride in Trying to Earn Salvation

One of the deepest tendencies of the human heart is the desire to earn acceptance with God. We naturally think in terms of work, merit, and reward. If we study hard, we expect good grades. If we work hard, we expect a salary. If we do good, we think we deserve blessing. Sadly, many people carry that same mindset into salvation.
Yet the Bible teaches the opposite.

💟 The Problem of Human Pride

Pride says:
“I’m not as bad as others.”
“I’ve done many good things.”
“I go to church.”
“I give to the poor.”
“I try my best.”

But salvation is not a reward for the best people. It is a gift for guilty sinners.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Notice the phrase “lest any man should boast.” God designed salvation in such a way that no one can stand before Him and say, “I earned this.”

💟 Why Good Works Cannot Save

Imagine a man who commits a serious crime but then spends the rest of his life doing good deeds. His good deeds do not erase his guilt. In the same way, our sins against a holy God cannot be cancelled by our efforts.

Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…”

Even our best works are stained by sin, selfish motives, and imperfection.

💟 The Pharisee and the Publican

Jesus gave a powerful example in Luke 18:9–14.

The Pharisee prayed:
“I fast.”
“I give tithes.”
“I am not as other men are.”

The publican simply cried:
“God be merciful to me a sinner.”

Jesus said the publican went home justified, not the proud Pharisee.

The difference was not morality; it was humility.

💟 Christ Did What We Could Never Do

If salvation could be earned, then the cross would be unnecessary.

Galatians 2:21
“…for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

Jesus lived the perfect life we could not live and died the death we deserved. Salvation is received by faith in Christ alone, not by adding our own merits to His finished work.

When Jesus cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He declared that the payment for sin was complete.

💟 The Danger of Religious Pride

Religious people are often in the greatest danger because they trust in their religion instead of Christ.

- Church attendance is good.
- Baptism is important.
- Giving is commendable.
- Serving God is wonderful.

But none of these can remove sin. They are the fruit of salvation, not the root of salvation.

💟 A Heart Check

Ask yourself honestly:

• Am I trusting in Jesus, or in my own goodness?

• If I stood before God today, would I point to Christ or to my works?

• Do I believe salvation is a gift, or something I must deserve?

The gospel humbles us. It tells us that we are worse than we thought, yet more loved than we imagined.

22/07/2026

🛐 Do You Go to Church Because You Love To, or Because You Have To?

Many people attend church every Sunday, but attendance alone does not reveal the condition of the heart. Two people may sit in the same pew, sing the same hymns, and listen to the same sermon, yet their reasons for being there can be completely different.

One person comes because it is a weekly obligation. It is simply part of the routine. They attend because of family expectations, church culture, guilt, or fear of what others might think if they stay home.

Another person comes because they genuinely desire to worship God. They long to hear His Word, fellowship with fellow believers, and express their gratitude for His grace. Their presence is motivated by love, not by pressure.

There is a world of difference between the two.

God has never been interested in empty religious rituals. Throughout Scripture, He repeatedly reminded His people that He desires hearts devoted to Him rather than outward acts performed without sincere affection.

Jesus rebuked those whose worship was merely external:

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” (Matthew 15:8, KJV)

The Christian life is not built upon obligation but upon a relationship with Christ. We do not gather for worship in order to earn God’s favor. We gather because we have already received His grace through Jesus Christ.

Our love for God is a response to His love for us.

“We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19, KJV)

When love becomes the motivation, church attendance changes. Worship is no longer a burden but a privilege. Prayer becomes a conversation rather than a duty. Serving others becomes an act of gratitude rather than an assignment.

This does not mean we will always feel excited every Sunday. There will be days when we are tired, discouraged, or carrying heavy burdens. Faithfulness still matters. Yet even on those difficult days, our desire is to meet with the God we love and not merely to fulfill a religious requirement.

So ask yourself an honest question:

If no one knew whether you attended church, would you still go?

Your answer may reveal whether your worship is driven by obligation or by love.

May we never lose the joy of gathering with God’s people. May our worship flow from hearts that have been transformed by the gospel, remembering that Christ first loved us and gave Himself for us.

Real worship is not measured simply by showing up—it is measured by a heart that delights in God.

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” — Psalm 122:1 (KJV)