"Holding forth the Word of Life" Philippians 2:16
Beliefs
Doctrinal Statement
Bible doctrine is a vital part of the education at Pear Park. The following is a list of key Bible doctrines which we teach:
1. The divine inspiration and authority of the Scriptures. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is all of the revealed Word of God.
2. The deity and humanity, virgin birth and sinless life, substitutional death and bodily resurrection, ascension and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. The sovereignty of God, total depravity of all men and the necessity of regeneration.
4. The doctrine of the Trinity as historically and scripturally maintained.
5. Salvation of the soul by faith alone in Jesus Christ, and that the soul thus saved is eternally secure.
6. The local church as an autonomous body, separate from the world.
7. The Rapture of the church and resurrection of the bodies of all Christians in concurrence with the Rapture.
8. The premillennial coming of Christ to the earth to rule and reign for one thousand years.
9. A heaven of eternal duration for the saved, and eternal punishment in the lake of fire for the lost.
10. By the word of God, the universe and all that it contains was created in six literal days.
11. The separation of the Christian from all worldly practices, in wholehearted devotion to the cause of Christ.
12. Separation from liberalism, neo-evangelicalism and all forms of apostasy, heresy, and compromise with unbelief.
13. We teach against the errors of ecumenicism, liberalism, neoevangelicalism, and the charismatic movement.
Philosophy
1. Pear Park Baptist School is a ministry of Pear Park Baptist Church, and exists for the glory of God (Ephesians 3:21).
2. The primary objective of Christian education is conformity to the image of Christ (II Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:27-28).
3. Every believer is to be a servant of Christ. Our purpose is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, through the gifts given to the church (Ephesians 4:11-13).
4. The school is a ministry of Pear Park Baptist Church. The intent for such a ministry is to build upon the foundation laid by regular attendance in a Bible-believing church (Acts 2:41-42, 11:26; Hebrews 10:25).
5. The Bible is the means by which children are "made wise unto salvation" and "furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:15-17).
6. Pear Park Baptist School is established in contrast to public education and other forms of religious education because we believe the following: (A) We seek the blessing which comes on those who do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. (B) We are to beware of philosophy which is not Christ-centered. (C) We are seeking to bring the thoughts of young people to the obedience of Christ (Psalm 1:1-3; Colossians 2:8; II Corinthians 10:4, 5).
7. The Christian school should operate decently and in order so that a clear Christlike testimony is maintained (I Corinthians 14:40; I Thessalonians 4:11-12).
Elements of Christian Education
As a ministry, it is our purpose to provide a Christian atmosphere in which young people can be equipped to live for the Lord. In order to accomplish this, we believe several elements are necessary:
1. Teachers who are mature believers, living for God and actively ministering in the local church. Teachers, by godly example, can help the parents in pointing children to Christ.
2. Sound Bible-based curriculum.
3. A school environment that is separated from worldliness. I John 2:16-17 aptly describes worldliness as the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and pride of life. Rock music, profanity, Hollywood, immodesty, teen and pre-teen boyfriend/girlfriend relationships, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, only serve to degenerate our young people, and sidetrack them from God’s will for their lives.
4. A school environment in which the teachers and staff genuinely care for the students, and want to see God’s best for them.
5. Parents who desire to see Christlikeness, and a love for the Lord in their children. Parents who believe it is vital to set a godly example for their children and that are unified and supportive in the Lord’s work are the most important factor in producing godly young people.