Philosophy
Emmanuel Baptist Christian Academy's philosophy is based upon the Word of God. The primary objective and purpose of the school is to train the student in the way of life presented in the Scriptures while giving him a good general education.
Since the primary reason for the existence of the school is a spiritual ministry, efforts are made to bring all students to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ so that the teaching of spiritual truths may have a firm foundation. This is followed by instruction in right thinking, good conduct, and clean living in the light of the principles of God's Word.
The academic program, through the traditional approach, is developed to provide students with the best possible program of studies. We emphasize the mastery of fundamental blocks of material necessary for satisfactory achievement and stress the acquisition of facts and concepts in the various areas of study, leading to the development and exercise of the powers of reasoning. Methods of teaching proven to be effective are utilized with a constant search for better methods. Realizing the difference in innate ability, we encourage and expect each student to do his best. We believe the traditional system of education educates the mind and builds character. It encourages competition and teaches the value of living under a free enterprise system of government.
Character training is an important element in Emmanuel Baptist Christian Academy. We believe that the heart of character training is obedience (deciding to do right), which will eventually cultivate an inner self-discipline, and is essential to the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being of the student. The teacher is the authority in the classroom. Discipline is administered firmly but fairly. To obey, to do right, to love God and country, and to always measure one's attitudes against the principles laid out in the Scriptures, are characteristics we strive to instill in each student, thus equipping him for his role in God's plan for his life and for his proper place in society.
Emmanuel Baptist Christian Academy holds that the Bible is the infallible, divine Word of God and that salvation by faith in Christ is the initial step in the Christian life. Spiritual growth into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29),
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
which is the work of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18),
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
begins with the initial act of saving faith and continues throughout life. The Holy Spirit makes the Christian conscious of the Biblical demands for a holy life which fulfills both God's moral law and high law of love (Matt. 22:37-39; Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 5:14).
Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Romans 13:8-10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
The result is a life consecrated unto God and separated from the world.
Emmanuel Baptist Christian Academy must, therefore, provide an environment conducive to the spiritual growth and development of young people who are not yet mature Christians. A standard of conduct based on the following Biblical commands is necessary to provide such an environment. All of a Christian's activities must be subordinated to the glory of God Who indwells us (1 Cor. 8:9, 12-13; 10:32).
1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1 Corinthians 8:12-13 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
The Christian should endeavor to avoid practices which decrease his sensitivity to the spiritual needs of the world and endanger his physical, mental, or spiritual well-being (1 Cor 9:27).
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
In an atmosphere of definite and positive Christian standards of conduct, good scholastic planning, and genuine personal interest between faculty and student, there is a good opportunity for development of strong Christian character.
EBCA has some distinctives that enable it to offer in the area of a Christian education specifics not afforded by other schools which might be larger or have a different governing body. Presently, the authoritative administrative head is our pastor. The deacon board also serves as our school board.
Behind every daily lesson, weekly plan, or yearly goal should be the Word of God. This can only be done by the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:2),
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
and allowing the mind of Christ to have control (Phil. 2:5).
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
When we educate a young person, we are dealing with every aspect of his being: we educate spiritually, mentally, emotionally, socially, and physically. We need to consistently review these goals in light of our subject. We need to recognize the ultimate and only source of Truth as God's Word. Our object is to teach God as Creator and Sustainer of all that is. We need to repudiate all humanistic goals and philosophies whose object is to deny God and elevate man. Thus, each teacher needs to be born-again, dedicated to doing God's will and growing spiritually. We need to discern the things of God (I Cor. 2:14-16).
I Corinthians 2:14-16 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Our church and school staff need to be one in desire and goals.
Our goals center around training each student:
- Spiritually - "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly."
- Mentally - "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."
- Emotionally - "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might . . . God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind . . ."
- Socially - "No man liveth to himself, but let each prefer others better than themselves."
- Physically - "Present your bodies a living sacrifice . . . unto God."