Beliefs
The Bible
We believe the Bible to be inspired, infallible revelation of God completely without error. We believe that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (1 Peter 1:21), that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We believe that the Bible is the final and absolute authority in all maters of faith and practice. We use as our authority The Authorized Version of The King James Bible.
God
We believe in one God, eternal, self existent, immutable; and one god of one nature, one essence, one substance, yet manifesting himself to man in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The father says “I”, The son says “I”, and The spirit also in every sense a person. Yet these three are one, and we ascribe to them the adoration, worship, confidence, and titles. They are equal and they are one God. God is the creator of the physical universe, angels, and man without any evolutionary process. God created man in his own image and not from previously existing forms of life. (John1:27-33, Matthew 28:19, 2Corinthians 13:14, John 14:16, Ephesians 2:18, 1Peter 1:22, Genesis 1&2)
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ as the one and only savior (John1:1). We believe that he was born of the virgin Mary without the agency of a human father (Luke 1:31-35), that he was sinless in His life (Hebrews 4:15); that he died for our sins according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3); that, for all who believe, The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin (1John 1:7). We believe that He rose bodily from the grave; that he ascended to The right hand of The Father, there to make intercession for his own; and that He will personally and visibly return to this earth in power and glory (Luke 24:6-7, Acts 1:11, Romans 8:34, 1Corinthians 15:24-28).
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the father “…to guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16: 13-14). The person of the Holy Spirit is there to regenerate, sanctify, and seal forever all who have been “born again” through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14). We do not believe nor adhere to the teachings and practices of the modern day charismatic movement.
Salvation
We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice (Ephesians 2:3, Romans 3:23) and have thereby earned both physical and spiritual death (Genesis 2:17, Romans 6:21,23). We believe that all who trust, who put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and who accept His atoning work upon the cross, will be saved forever (John 3:36), will be given glorified bodies (1John 3:2), and will live with their Savior forever (1Thessalonians 4:17). We believe that all who reject the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, will be eternally lost, separated forever from the God of Glory (Revelation 20:15)
History
Maranatha Baptist Church is a warm, friendly, family-oriented church. It is not a social club or religious entertainment center. It is a church that preaches and teaches the old-time religion, sings the old-fashioned hymns of the faith, and uses only the King James Bible. Maranatha Baptist Church was started as South Austin Baptist Church in a washateria in October of 1957 by Rev. Lloyd Taylor. Soon moved to 517 E. Oltorf where they built a five room building that some people thought was a motel. Soon they added another building with a sanctuary and additional Sunday school rooms. Rev. Pat Everitt became pastor in September 1963. The new sanctuary was built in 1965. Rev Jerry Kral was pastor from December 1976 until April 1977. God then sent Rev. Bill Sparks as pastor in June of 1977. On September of 1984 Rev. Kenneth Walker became our pastor. We then moved to 7915 Manchaca. Rev Arthur Escobar became our pastor in November 1990. In 1996 the property on Manchaca was sold and property at Gobi and W. Stassney was bought. On January 18, 1998 we changed the name of the church to Maranatha Baptist Church. Then meeting at 8210 S. 1st Street in Christ, Community Christian School in September 2002 Rev. Chad Hart became pastor. In 2005 the property was purchased. God has blessed all these 49 years. He has always been our Leader.
