1. Word of God
We believe the Old and New Testament Scriptures are verbally (every word) and plenary (completely) inspired of God and without error. That every word of the original autographs was given to the prophets and apostles by inspiration of God through the work of the Holy Spirit, in such manner as to say that the words came from the mouth of God. Ex. 20:1; Is. 59:21; Jeremiah 30:2; Jojn 17:8; Acts 28:25; Galatians 1:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1; 2 Peter 1:21; 3:2; Revelation 1:1 We believe that the doctrine of inspiration is irrelevant without the doctrine of divine preservation. Thus we believe that God’s Word has been perfectly and divinely preserved in the King James version. We believe it (the AV1611) is the preserved inspired Word of God in the English language and is the only English translation we will use in the ministry of FBBC. Finally that the Word of God is eternally existent. Exodus 24:3; Deuteronomy 6:6,7; 18:18; 27:3,4; 29:29; Joshua 3:9; 8:32-35; Job 22:22; 23:12; Psalms 12:6,7; 78:1; 119:89, 103, 130, 140; Proverbs 22:21; 30:5,6; Matthew 4:4; John 6:63; 17:8; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 22:18,19; Mark 7:9.13; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; Hebrews 11:3; 1 Peter 1:23-25
2. Doctrine of God
We believe that God is one God, existing eternally in three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that they are co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and have the same attributes and perfections. (Deut. 6: 4; II Cor. 13: 14; Romans 1: 20; Acts 17: 29; Col. 2: 9 1 Jn 5:7)
God the Father
We believe that God the Father is perfectly holy, omniscient, and omnipotent, and concerns himself mercifully in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from hell all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ in simple faith and repentance. (Lev. 11:44; 1 Sam. 2:3; Ps. 62:11; Ps. 14:2; I Tim. 2:2-4)
God the Son
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is absolute deity, has eternally existed as God, and is totally equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 14; 20:28; Philippians 2:6; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20. He is the creator and sustainer of all creation; that he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born miraculously of the virgin Mary; that He is God manifest in the flesh, very God and very man. Matthew 1:23; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16 He lived a sinless life, provided an atonement for the remission of sins by His vicarious death on the cross through the shedding of His blood, literally and physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and ever stands to make intersession for us as our High Priest. Is. 53:5-7; Matthew 20:28; John 1:29; Galatians 3:13
God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person and not simply a spiritual influence. He is equal to the Father and the Son, with the same substance and nature. He is the divine agent of affectivity in creation, revelation, inspiration, and illumination. Gen. 1:2,3; Job 33:4; Psalm 33:6; 104:30; John 16:13-15; Luke 2:25,26; John 16:15; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14; Jeremiah 36:2; Acts 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; John 16:14,15; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14; Ephesians 1:17 He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; bears witness to the Truth, is the Agent of salvation through regeneration, and baptizes all true believers into the body of Christ upon their salvation. He indwells, fills, sanctifies, seals, secures, endues, empowers, guides, teaches, anoints, calls to service, helps and intercedes for believers. Every Christian has the privilege and obligation to be filled (controlled) by the Spirit. John 16:8-11; John 1:12; John 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 4:4,5; John 7:37-39; 14:17; Romans 8:8-10; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 1 John 3:24; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30; Luke 1:15; Acts 4:8, 31; 6:3,5; 9:17; 11:24; Ephesians 5:18; Acts 1:8; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Peter 1:2, Luke 4:18; 1 John 2:20,27; Luke 12:12, John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Acts 8:27-29; 13:4; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16,25; Acts 13:2-4; 20:28; Romans 8:26,27
3. Doctrine of Creation
We believe the Genesis account of creation as being neither allegory nor myth but a literal, historical account of the direct and immediate creative acts of God without evolutionary process and begun and completed in six literal 24 hour days. We believe that man (spirit, soul and body) was created in the image of God by a direct work of God. (Gen. 1:1-5; 27,28; Matt. 19:4; I Thess. 5:23 )
4. Doctrine of Man
We believe that man was created by God in His image, sinless and innocent, but that by disobedience to his creator he fell from his high and innocent state, and as a result, the whole human race was placed under condemnation and death, and also incurred both physical and spiritual death; that all men through choice and an inherited evil nature are totally depraved, and if not saved after the age of accountability will endure eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Gen. 1:26-28; 3:6,7; Ro. 5:12; 6:23)
5. Doctrine of Sin
We believe that sin is the transgression of the law of God. We believe in the universality of sin: that it separates man from God; that there is no remission of sin apart from the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God and man’s repentance. (Mt. 26:28; Ro. 3:23, 25; He. 9:22)
6. Doctrine of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, a free gift of God in the Person of Jesus Christ: that salvation is received individually by a repentance from sin and a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: that 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. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by the shedding of blood in death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins. He is in every way our all sufficient saviour. (John 1:17; Acts 15:11; Romans 4:16; 5:15-17; Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 5:15-18; 6:23; Romans 4:4,5)
Regeneration
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is not a process; that in the new birth through the Holy Spirit the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God: that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and newness of life. (Jn. 3:7; Eph. 2:8,9; Titus 3:5)
Justification
We believe that justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares us to be righteous through faith in Christ Jesus; that justification includes the pardon of sin and the imputation of God’s righteousness; that it is bestowed, not by any work which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood sacrifice. (Ro. 3:24; 5:1,9; Gal. 3:11)
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is an act, performed at the new birth, and a process whereby God sets apart all believers unto holiness. He then conforms them to the image of Christ, completing the process of sanctification at the return of Christ for his saints. (Ro. 8:29)
Two Natures
We believe that man is born with a sinful nature and at the time of his new birth he receives a righteous nature. These two natures are in constant conflict within the believer. The new nature will be victorious when we yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (Ps. 51:5; Rom 3:9-12, 23; Rom. 7:14-25; Gal. 5:17; 2 Cor. 5:17)
Glorification
We believe that when Christ comes for the Church, all believers will be changed in the twinkling of an eye and will become like Christ at His appearing, that our corruptible bodies will become incorruptible and our mortal bodies made immortal. (1 Cor. 15:51; Phil. 3:20; 1 Jn. 3:2)
7. Doctrine of the Church
We believe that the church exists in two aspects:
Organism
We believe that the church as an organism is the body of the bride of Christ, His fullness composed of all the redeemed. We believe that Christ gave Himself for the Church: that He is the only true head. (Romans 12:5; I Corinthians 12:12-24, 25-27; Ephesians 1:22,12; 4:4; Colossians 1:24)
Organization
We believe that the establishment and continuation of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. We believe that the church as an organization is an assembly of baptized believers, voluntarily associated by covenant in faith for fellowship, worship, and service; that its mission is the spreading of the gospel to all men and to earnestly contend for the faith. We believe that its officers are pastor and deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in Scriptures. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government free from the interference of an hierarchy of individuals or organization, religious or governmental; and that its only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for furtherance of the gospel; and that each local church is sole judge of the measure and methods of such cooperation. On all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
8. Doctrine of Church Ordinances
We believe there are two Christian ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s supper. Both ordinances are symbolic and not sacramental.
Baptism
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that it sets forth in picture the essential facts in redemption—the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that it gives testimony to what has taken place in the heart of the believer---death to sin and resurrection to walk in newness of life. Baptism after salvation is an act of obedience and is a prerequisite for local church membership.
Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the Lord’s death to be observed till He comes; that the elements—the bread and the fruit of the vine—are symbols of His broken body and shed blood, and that our observance of it is a pictorial testimony of the believer’s fellowship with the Crucified Saviour and should be preceded by solemn heart-searching and self judgment. Although we believe the taking of the Lord’s Supper and communion around the Lord’s table is primarily given to and intended to be practiced as an ordinance by each local assembly of believers, we would not forbid a believer who is a member of another church of like faith and practice from participating in the Lord’s Supper, if so led by the Holy Spirit.
9. Doctrine of Satan
We believe in the personality of Satan, the fallen angel Lucifer, the Devil; that he is the author of sin, and the cause of man’s temptation and ultimate fall. We believe that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; that his final doom along with his hosts shall be eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. (Is. 14:12-23; Ez. 28:1-19; Rev. 20:10)
We further believe regarding Satan that:
o he was originally created a holy and perfect being, but through pride and ambition rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:13,14; Ezekeil 28:13-17; I Timothy 3:6), thus becoming: Utterly depraved in character (John 8:44).
o he is the great adversary of God and His people (Matthew 4:1-11; Revelation 12:10).
o he is the Leader of all other evil angels and spirits (Matthew 12:24-26; 25:41).
o he is the deceiver and god of this present world (II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9).
o his powers are supernaturally great (Luke 4:6; II Corinthians 4:3; Ephesians 6:12; II Thessalonians 2:9), but strictly limited by the permissive will of God (Job 1:12; Luke 22:31,32).
o he was defeated and judged at the cross, and therefore his final doom is certain (John 12:31,32; 16:11; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10).
o we are to resist and overcome him only in the armor of God and by the blood of the Lamb (Ephesians 6:1-18; Revelation 12:11; Zechariah 3:2).
10. Doctrine of Spirit Beings
We believe that angels and demons are spirit beings. Angels were created as heavenly hosts, but some, through choice, are now the hosts of Satan and will share in his ultimate doom. The angels of heaven, ministering spirits, are sinless and pure and are forever seeking to praise God in their ministries for him and His people. Their ministries, ranks, and orders differ, and their strength, appearance, and travel, etc. are not bound by natural, physical or human laws. They are immortal and do not marry. Their abode is heaven.
11. Doctrine of Future Events
We believe that God has disclosed the general order of future events in His Word. We believe that sin will wax worse until the imminent return of Christ for His saints. This will be followed by a seven-year period of tribulation upon the earth with the judgment seat of Christ and the marriage feast of the Lamb of the Lord and His Church taking place in Heaven. Then the Lord will return to earth with His saints to put down the forces of evil and to cast Satan bound into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. The Lord will at that time set up His millennial Kingdom of righteousness on earth. We believe that at the conclusion of this period, Satan will be loosed for a short while and deceive the hearts of many. The Lord will then bring forth the final and everlasting judgment for Satan and the wicked. The righteous will enter their eternal state of bliss.
Specifically we believe:
The Future Life, Bodily Resurrection, and Eternal Judgment:
o That at death (in this dispensation), the souls of the saved go immediately to be with Christ in heaven (II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-23) where they abide in joyful fellowship with Him until the pre-tribulation rapture, when their bodies shall be raised from the grave and changed into the likeness of His own glorious body (I Corinthians 15:35-38; Philippians 3:20, 21; I John 3:2), at which time their works shall be brought before the judgment seat of Christ for the determination of rewards, a judgment which may issue in the loss of rewards but not the loss of salvation (I Corinthians 3:8-15), which has been eternally secure for all believers by the blood atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ for all sin.
o That the souls of the unsaved at death descend immediately into hell where they are kept under punishment until the final day of judgment of all unsaved dead before the Great White Throne (Luke 16:19-31; II Peter 2:9) at which time their bodies shall be raised from the grave, they shall be judged according to their works, and cast into the lake of fire for everlasting punishment with the devil and his angels (Mark 9:43-48; Jude 13; Revelation 20:11-15)
The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, which takes place in two parts:
o That the first part is the rapture, the coming of the Lord "for" His saints.
o That the period of time preceding the rapture will be characterized by general apostasy within the church (II Thessalonians 2:1-3)
o That while no one knows the day and hour of the rapture, (Matthew 24:36-42; Acts 1:7), true believers may know the "times and seasons," (Luke 21:29-33; I Thessalonians 5:1-8). It could take place anytime. When it does occur, it takes place in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (Matthew 24:44; I Corinthians 15:52).
o That when He comes, He will first by resurrection and translation remove from the earth His waiting church (I Thessalonians 4:16-18) who will be caught up to meet Him in the air. "So shall they ever be with the Lord." He will not set foot on earth at that time.
o That the dead in Christ shall rise first and then they which are alive and remain. As they are caught up to be with the Lord, they will receive their glorified bodies which are conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. So shall they ever be with the Lord. (Romans 8:29; I Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:20, 21; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; I John 3:2)
o That shortly after the rapture, a seven-year period of time will begin variously known as "the tribulation", "time of Jacob's trouble" and "Daniel's seventieth week," during which time God's wrath will be poured out in righteous judgment upon the unbelieving world as in no other time in history. No born-again believer will enter this period of the great tribulation. (Jeremiah 30:6, 7; Daniel 9:24-27; 12:1; Matthew 24:21, 29)
o That the second part of Christ's second coming is His revelation and glorious return "with" His saints at the end of the great tribulation. He will then destroy the armies of the antichrist at the battle of Armageddon (Joel 3:11-14; Titus 2:11-13; Jude 14; Revelation 16:13-16; 19:11-14).
o That the Lord Jesus Christ will descend "in like manner" as the disciples "beheld Him going into heaven." (Acts 1:11). "And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives" (Zechariah 14:4, 5, 9; Revelation 1:7). At this time, the whole house of Israel will be restored to the land given to Abraham in (Genesis 12, 13 and 15).
o That at His coming, He will establish His glorious and literal kingdom of heaven on earth and execute the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46). He will rule and reign for a thousand years during which Satan will be bound in the pit. The Lord will rule with a rod of iron as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in perfect peace (Isaiah 9:7; Hosea 2:18; Micah 4:3; Revelation 20:1-7). At the close of His thousand year reign, the Lord Jesus Christ will raise the unsaved dead and call them before the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:5, 11-15). Finally, as the Son of David, He will deliver up His Messianic Kingdom to God the Father (I Corinthians 15:24-28) in order that as the Eternal Son, He may reign with the Father in the New Heaven and the New Earth throughout the dispensation of the fullness of times (Luke 1:32, 33; Ephesians 1:10; II Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1; 22:5).
12. Doctrine of Missions
We believe that God’s love has been extended to sinners for their salvation and that He has commissioned us, His people, to publish this good news throughout the world, giving opportunity for others to become His disciples; that we are to be diligent and zealous in our evangelistic efforts both personally and as a church, also giving prayer and material support to faithful missions endeavors around the world (Acts 13:1-3)
13. Doctrine of Stewardship
We believe that stewardship is the active recognition of the Lordship of Christ over all believers, and that it is our joyous privilege to give back to the Lord our tithes and offerings of money, our talents and time.
14. Doctrine of Security
We believe that all the redeemed once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word; which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for the flesh. We believe the Bible teaches the following in this regard:
o True believers never perish (John 3:15,16).
o Neither shall any man pluck them out of the Father's hand (John 10:28,29).
o They are "kept by the power of God" (I Peter 1:5)
o Sealed until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).
o Delivered from all condemnation (John 3:18; 5:24).
15. Doctrine of Separation
We believe that we are mandated by God in the Scriptures to separate ourselves unto Christ and, as much as is possible, from any participation in, or endorsement of, sin; from ecclesiastical organizations and religious personalities that deny the faith or compromise its message and from brethren that walk disorderly or who unrepentantly continue to sin or engage in the aforementioned compromise of the faith. Believers are not to enter marriage partnerships, or other bonds with unbelievers, which create an unequal yoke. We, therefore, urge every member of First Bible Baptist Church to abstain from every questionable thing, keeping him/herself from even the appearance of evil in religion, dress, conversation, amusement, business, habit, etc. according to the teachings of God’s Word.
With regard to separation we also believe that all true believers should be separated:
o From all worldly amusements and unclean habits which defile mind and body (Luke 8:14; Ephesians 5:3-11; Colossians 3:17; I Thessalonians 5:22; I Timothy 5:6; I Peter 2:11).
o From unbelievers (II Corinthians 6:14-18) in spiritual matters.
o From modernists, liberals and false teachers (Matthew 5:19; 15:9; I Timothy 1:7; 4:2; 6:3; II Timothy 3:5; 4:3; Titus 1:11; II Peter 2:1).
o From the world itself. While we are in this world, we are not to be of this world and are to have "no fellowship with its evil ways." (Romans 12:2; II Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:11; Philippians 3:18,19).
o That Christians caught up in the things of the world can be the enemies of God (James 4:4) and can be guilty of spiritual adultery (James 4:4).
o That the believer's proper position should be crucified unto the world and the world crucified to him (Galatians 6:14), not conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2).
o That the believer can expect to be hated by the world (John 17:14) and persecuted by them when he separates himself from the world.
o True separation from the world is also separation unto God and is exemplified by a love for, and a desire to know more about the word of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, a fear of God, obedience to the word of God and an earnest expectation for the second coming of Jesus Christ to deliver us from this present evil world.
o That the church and the state should be separate. That neither has the authority to govern the other. That civil government is of divine appointment; that rulers are to be prayed for, honoured and obeyed, except only in those things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ as found in the word of God. All members waive any right to bring before civil court any matter of church relations and business, assenting to the authority of the church in all such matters. (Exodus 18:21-22; II Samuel 23:3; Psalms 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19,20; 23:5; Romans 13:7; Philippians 2:10,11; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13, 14, 17)
We also believe that no member of FBBC who otherwise meets the requirements for ministry, service, or any formal position within the church may participate in such role if they are engaged in or admit to indulging in any sin of the flesh as identified by the Bible, including adultery, fornication, homosexuality or any other form of sexual sin. As the Bible clearly teaches that sex outside of marriage, (Biblical definition of marriage being defined as the union of one man and one woman) is sin in any form, anyone indulging in the same or has tendencies to indulge in any of these sins will be excluded from and in necessary removed from ministry, service, or any elected or officially assigned position in the church.
|