Shiloh Baptist Church, located in the heart of Salem, VA is a church committed to the teaching and
learning of God’s word. Our congregation is committed to discipleship and growing in the Word of God.
We are a church who believes in praising and worshiping the Lord in spirit and in truth. We believe in
the power of prayer and we are committed to making Shiloh a house of prayer. And finally, we are
committing to walking out our faith in service to others and we are committed to walking worthy of the
vocation in that we are called.

A. The saving of souls

B. The preaching and teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ;

C. The promotion and furtherance of the spiritual welfare of its members and others in attendance upon its ministry;

D. The extension of the kingdom of God at home and abroad

E. The adherence to the full obedience of the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of
heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture
of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and
shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by
which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
I Timothy 3:16-17; Proverbs 30:5-6; 2 Peter 1:21; Romans 1:16; 2:12; Philippians 3:16

THE TRUE GOD

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite,
intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker of the Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth;
inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity
of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine
perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
John 4:24; John 10:30: Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; Psalm 147:5; Exodus 15:11

THE FALL OF MAN

We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by
voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are
now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the
law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without
defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:27; 3:6, 24; Romans 5:19; Ephesians 2:1-3

THE WAY OF SALVATION

We believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the
mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our
nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full
atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in
his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a
suitable, a compassionate, and a all-sufficient Savior.
Ephesians 2:8; John 3:16; Philippians 2:6-7; Isaiah 42:2; 53:4-5; Hebrews 7:25

JUSTIFICATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in
him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on
principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which
we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect
righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state f most blessed peace and favor
with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
John 1:16: Acts 13:39; Romans 5:11-21

THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe that the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation is made free to all by the Gospel;
that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that
nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and
voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Isaiah 55:1; Romans 16; John 33:16-19; 5:40; Revelation 22:17

REGENERATION

We believe that the Scriptures teach than in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born
again; that regeneration consist in giving a holy disposition to the mind that it is effected in a manner
above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to
secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of
repentance and faith, and newness of life.
John 3:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:22-25; Ephesians 5:9

REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable
graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; and whereby being deeply convinced of
our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned
contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus
Christ as our prophet, priest, and king, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.

Mark 1:15; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:9; Luke 18:13; John 16:8

GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE

We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he
graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency
of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of
God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes
boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy;
that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all
who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it
with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
Exodus 33:18; 2 Timothy 1:8-9; 2:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Corinthians 4:7

SANCTIFICATION

We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God
we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and
that it is carried on in the heart of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and
Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination,
self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 John 2:29; Philippians 2:12-13

PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS

We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are believers as endure to the end; that their persevering
attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a
special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation.
John 8:31; 1 John 2:19; Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:16

THE LAW AND GOSPEL

We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral
government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to
fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them
through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the Holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the
Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
Romans 3:31; 7:12; 8:2-4

A GOSPEL CHURCH

We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers,
associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinance of Christ,
governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that
its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties
are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
1Corinthians 1:1-13; 11:12; Acts 2:41; Matthew 16:18; 28:20

BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the
name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem,
our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to
a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which
the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the
dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH

We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath,
and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations,
by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that
rest remaineth for the people of God.
Exodus 20:8; Acts 20:7; Matthew 22:21; Hebrews 10:24-25; Isaiah 58: 13-14

CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good
order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed;
except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience,
and the Prince of the Kings of the earth.
Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:21; 23:10; Acts 5:29

RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous
and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justi8fied in the name of the Lord Jesus, and
sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue
impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among
men both and in and after death.
Malachi 3:18; Romans 1:17; Proverbs 14:32; 1 John 5:19

THE WORLD TO COME

We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the Last Day, Christ will
descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that a solemn separation
will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to
endless joy; and this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of
righteousness.
1 Peter 4:7; Acts 1:22; 24:25; Matthew 25:31-46; 13:49

The church covenant is a voluntary agreement by members of a Baptist church whereby they promise to conduct their lives in such a way as to glorify God and promote the ongoing of His church.  Every member should study it carefully, refer to it often, and seek to live by it.  It clearly outlines the obligations of church membership.  The form of covenant in wide use in Baptist churches is as follows:

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ, as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God and Angels, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

• • Dr. Benjamin F. Fox, a native of Greensboro, NC and a group of 125 faithful Christians
    established Shiloh Baptist Church in 1896 in Salem, VA.
  • Shiloh Baptist Church has been served by 10 ministers during its history, namely: Dr. B. F. Fox;
    Dr. C. E. Miller; Rev. J. E. Reed; Rev. R. W. Ashburn; Rev. D. A. Jackson; Rev. H. M. Stevens; Rev.
    W. M. Scott; Rev. T. E. Parker; Dr. Enos H. Glaspie, Pastor Emeritus, and presently, Rev. Adrian E.
    Dowell.
  • Dr. Enos H. Glaspie accepted the call to pastor the Shiloh Baptist Church on Palm Sunday in April
    1952. During his forty years of devoted service, the church continued its great expansion in
    spiritual well being.
  • A new church building was erected on South Market Street in 1972. Shiloh was blessed to pay
    the debt and in celebrated with a double mortgage burning of the church and parking lot
    indebtedness in 1985.
  • Rev. Adrian E. Dowell was offered the pastorate of Shiloh Baptist Church on September 12,
    1993. He accepted 5 days later, beginning his duties on January 2, 1994. A sanctuary full of
    members and well-wishers witnessed his formal installation service on January 9, 1994.
  • In the fall of 2000, the members of Shiloh voted to proceed with the purchase of neighboring
    property for future expansion and the land acquisition campaign began in the spring of 2001. In
    May of 2001 Shiloh signed a five year note to purchase the neighboring property and was
    greatly blessed by the Lord to pay off the indebtedness in a period of nine months.
  • R. L. Price Construction Company was selected as the contractor for the new worship facility in
    January 2006. After accepting Valley Bank of Roanoke, Virginia loan package, the ground
    breaking for the new multi-million dollar building project was held on Sunday, November 5,
    2006 with designated church officials and officers as well as invited guest performing the
    service.
  • Prior to occupying the new sanctuary, a week long service (March 9 – 15, 2008) was held for
    Thanksgiving and Consecration. The first official worship service was held on Palm Sunday,
    March 16, 2008, when the Combined Choir, Ministers, Deacons, Deaconess, Trustees,
    Missionaries, First Lady Dowell and First Lady Emeritus Glaspie marched from the E. H. Glaspie
    Fellowship Hall with palms in hand while singing “We are Marching to Zion” where a jubilant
    congregation was assembled.