WHO WE ARE
Statement of faith
Baptist Distinctives
Colonial Hills is a traditional,
independent, fundamental Baptist church. The name Baptist was born
during times of persecution. The Baptist people were first called
Anabaptists, which means rebaptizers! These people were persecuted for
refusing baptism for their infants. They believed instead that the Bible
teaches only believers are to be baptized (Acts 2:41, 8:36-38). Along
with believers’ baptism, the Baptist church has traditionally been known
for the following distinctives that Colonial Hills Baptist Church holds
dear:
B – Biblical Authority for Faith and Practice (II Tim. 3:15-16). We reject the authority of tradition and church counsels. We stand on the authority of God’s Word alone (Is. 8:20). A – The Autonomy of the Local Church. The church, as a congregation, is responsible for all decisions pertaining to church officers (Acts 6:1-5), dispersement of funds (I Cor. 16:1-3), doctrinal statements (Acts 15), commission of missionaries (Acts 13), and discipline of its members (Matt. 18: 15-17; I Cor. 5). As an autonomous local Baptist congregation, Colonial Hills Baptist Church is a self-governing congregational assembly not aligned with any denomination or obligated to its oversight. P – The Individual Priesthood of the Believer (I Peter 2:5, 9). The New Testament declares that every born-again believer can access the very throne of God through “one Mediator, the man Christ Jesus” (I Tim. 2:5). Each professing believer is a practicing priest who represents God to man and man to God. T – Two Biblical Ordinances. 1.) Believer’s Baptism (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; 8:36-38) by immersion, and 2.) The Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11:23-26) as an ongoing remembrance of the sacrifice of the Savior for our sins. I – Individual Soul Liberty (II Tim. 2:15). Every believer will one day give account for his or her own decisions and actions before the Judgment Seat of Christ (II Cor. 5:10). Therefore we must respect every believer’s right to read, interpret, and practice what is taught in Scripture as he or she lives and walks in the liberties enjoyed through Christ. S – Saved Church Membership (Acts 2:41f). Every member of Colonial Hills Baptist Church must profess Christ as personal Savior (Rom. 10:13). T – Two Church Offices: the pastor and the deacon (I Tim. 3; Phil. 1:1). We believe that the words pastor, elder, and bishop refer to the same office (I Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 20:17, 28-30). We refer to our elders as pastors, believing that the word pastor is a term of endearment and relationship (Acts 20:28-30), elder a term of respect and authority, and bishop one of administrative position (I Tim. 3:1). Deacons are to be spiritual men who strive to meet the needs of others. They serve under the oversight of the pastors and are elected by the congregation (Acts 6:1-7). S – Separation of Church and State (Matt. 22:21). Having been persecuted by state churches in England, Switzerland, France, and the American Colonies, the Baptist people advocated the separation of the church from the state. Americans enjoy the freedom of religion because colonial American Baptists demonstrated for religious freedom in Rhode Island and Virginia and finally secured it through the 1st amendment to our constitution. Colonial Hills Baptist Church is pleased to be known as a traditional, historic, balanced, Bible-based, evangelistically-fervent, family-friendly Baptist church. connecting to our core
connecting to our covenant
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our heritage
In 1957 God stirred the hearts of a small group of people to help establish a church on the northeast side of Indianapolis. Led by a young pastor, Wendell Heller, they formulated their statement of faith, found an old church building, and organized church services. Their goals were to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the surrounding community and to exalt His name. As they prayed for and shared the gospel with neighbors and friends, the congregation grew. In 1958 they tore down the old church and built a new one in its place. A few years later they added a larger sanctuary to accommodate their growing numbers. In the 1960s and 1970s their opportunities to reach the community multiplied. A youth program, children's Bible school, radio broadcasts, a prison ministry, a counseling ministry-all helped them to proclaim the redeeming power of Jesus Christ. In 1976 Colonial Christian School began and additional property was purchased across the street from the church. Then in 1985 the congregation dedicated a new sanctuary on this property. In 1989 Colonial Hills Baptist Church changed leadership. Dr. Heller began an itinerant ministry to other churches and foreign mission fields, and Dr. Bob Taylor was called to be the senior pastor. Under his teaching, the congregation continued to grow in understanding of and obedience to God's Word. In August of 2009, Dr. Taylor retired after twenty years of ministry, and Dr. Charles Phelps became the senior pastor. For over fifty years, Colonial Hills Baptist Church has enjoyed and testified of the abundant riches of God's grace.
