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Faith Bible Church Doctrinal Statement

I. God      II. The Bible     III. Man     IV. Salvation     V. The Church     VI. Angels     VII. The Future

 Implications and Issues

FAITH BIBLE CHURCH
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT 


At Faith Bible Church we encourage a level of doctrinal tolerance. However, there are some fundamental truths which a person must affirm if they desire to consistently fellowship and minister within our Body: 
 

1.      We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

 

2.      We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory. 

 

3.      We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling every Christian is enabled to live a godly life. 

 

4.      We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and the authoritative Word of God. 

 

5.      We believe that all men are lost sinners and must turn to Christ in saving faith and repentance through regeneration by the Holy Spirit. 

 

6.     We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved to eternal life with Christ, and the lost to eternal punishment in hell.

     I. GOD  

A. Existence of God

  1. There is one living and true God (Deut 6:4; Is. 45:5-7).
  2. Scripture assumes the existence of God (Deut. 6:4; Is. 45:5-7).
  3. God is personal, spirit, infinite and perfect (John 4:24, 1 Tim. 1:17, Acts 17:28).

B. Attributes of God

  1. Creator (Gen 1; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).
  2. Self Existent (John 5:26, Rom. 11:36).
  3. Sovereign (Ps. 115:3, Isa. 45:4, Jer. 32:17, Matt. 19:26, Rom. 11:36).
  4. Unchanging (Mal. 3:16; James 1:17).
  5. Perfect (Matt. 5:48; Ps. 18:30; Heb. 1:13).
  6. Eternal (Ps. 90:2; Is. 46:10; 2 Peter 3:8).
  7. Unlimited by Space (1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 139:7-10; Jer. 23:24).
  8. Holy (Job 34:10; Is. 6:1-3; Matt. 5:48)
  9. Truthful (Num. 23:19; Rom. 3:4; Heb. 6:18; 2 Tim. 2:13).
  10. Gracious (Matt. 5:45; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8-9).
  11. Loving (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8).
  12. Merciful (Rom. 11:32; Titus 3:5).
  13. Righteous (Ps. 119:137; 145:17; Hab. 1:13).
  14. Just (Rom. 2:6-8; Rom. 1:18).

C. Trinity

Unity of God is one in essence, eternally existing in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Is. 48:16; Gen. 1:1-2, Mat. 28:19, 2 Cor. 13:14).

  1. God the Father is:
    1. The first person of the Trinity
    2. The Father over all creation (Acts 17:29; 1 Cor. 8:6; Heb. 12:9; James 1:17).
    3. The Father of Christ (John 2:17; Acts 13:33; 17:5, 24; Col. 1:15).
    4. The Father of believers (Matt 6:8-9; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6)
  2. Christ is:
    1. The second person of the Trinity.
    2. Deity-i.e. fully God (John 1; 10:30, Heb. 1:3).
    3. God incarnate yet fully man (Phil. 2:5-11, Col. 2:9).
    4. Virgin born (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:25, Luke 1:26-35).
    5. Sinless (Luke 1:35; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15).
    6. The one who voluntarily gave up His life as a substitute to redeem mankind (Rom. 3:25; 5:8, 1 Peter 2:24).
    7. The Resurrection-He was literally and physically resurrected, ascended to the right hand of the Father, the believer's Advocate & High Priest (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Heb 7:25; 9:24).
    8. The Head of the Church (Eph 1:22; 5:23, Col. 1:18).
  3. The Holy Spirit is:
    1. The third person of the Trinity.
    2. A person, not merely a force (John 14:26, 16:13).
    3. Deity-The Holy Spirit is fully God (Acts 5:3,4; Heb 9:14; Cor 2:10; Romans 5:13; Psalm 139:7-10.
    4. Involved in Salvation-At salvation, the Holy Spirit regenerates, baptizes, indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers, and seals (1 Cor. 12:13; John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13).
    5. Inspiration- The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16).
    6. Illumination-The Holy Spirit causes believers to understand God's Word (1 John 2:20, 27).
    7. The Indwelling God- Christ in Us (Romans 8:9,13, I Cor. 3:16, Eph 3:16). 
       

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 II. THE BIBLE

The inspired Scriptures contain the 66 books of the Old and New Testament and were finished with the completion of the New Testament (1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jude 3, Heb. 1:1-2; 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:15-16; Rev. 22:18,19).

A. Revelation

Revelation is God’s disclosure of Himself to mankind.

  1. General- God’s foundational revelation is based on creation and demonstrated in history, nature and the conscience (Rom. 1:18-20, Ps. 19:1-6, Romans 2:14- 15).
  2. Special- God’s special revelation is found in Christ and the Bible (John 1:1, 14-18; Heb. 1:1-2; Rom. 1:16).

B. Inspiration

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit worked through the individual personalities and different styles of the human authors so that, they composed and recorded God's Word to man. Inspiration extends to the very selection of the words of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Tim 3:16-17).

C. Inerrancy

Inerrancy of the Scriptures are absolutely without error in any part in the original (Is. 30:8; Matt. 5:18, John 10:35, 2 Tim 3:16).

D. Interpretation

  1. Each passage of Scripture has one intended meaning which is found by applying the grammatical-historical-literal method of interpretation. Our goal is to find that meaning and its life application.
  2. The Holy Spirit helps the believer to understand the Scriptures (John 7:17; 1 Cor. 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20).

E. Authority

Authority of Scripture is the only infallible rule of faith and practice for individual believers and for the church (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12).

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 III. MAN

A. Created

  1. Man was created in the image of God with an intellect, emotion and will (Gen. 1).
  2. Man was created totally free of sin (Gen 2).
  3. Mankind’s primary reason for being is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever (Is. 43:7; Col. 1:16).
  B. Fallen 
  1. When tempted by Satan, Adam rebelled against God and disobeyed (Gen. 3:12, Ps. 14:1-3, 51:5).
  2. Adam's sin resulted in spiritual and physical death (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-19).
  3. Man became inherently corrupt and incapable of pleasing God (Is. 64:6; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Tim 2:13-14).

C. Sinful

  1. All humans were in Adam, and the consequence of that sin has been passed on to all (Except Jesus Christ).
  2. All persons are sinners by divine declaration, choice, and nature (Ps 14:1-3; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:9-18; 5:10-12; James 2:10).

  D. Redeemable 

  Unlike the rest of God’s created beings (angels and animals) mankind is redeemable from his sin through the death of Christ (Rom. 5:8-10, 18; Eph. 2:8- 9; Titus 3:5).

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 IV. SALVATION

Salvation is that gracious act of God, where, through the atoning blood (death) of Christ He redeems and reconciles certain individuals to himself. Salvation is not on the basis of merit, or works (John 1:12, 3:3; Rom. 3:24; 8:15, 23; Gal. 4:4-7; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:15; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 2 Peter 1:4).

A. Regeneration

  1. Regeneration is that instantaneous work of the Holy Spirit through the truth of the Word of God, which enables persons to believe the Gospel and imparts new life to them (John 1:13; 3:3-8; Rom. 10:17; 2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 2:29).
  2. Regeneration will result in good works and a transformed life (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 2:10).

B. Election

  1. That eternal act of God whereby on the basis of His sovereign will, He chose certain persons, who had no merit, to be the recipients of His special grace and eternal salvation (Mark 13:27; Romans 8:28-33; Eph. 1:4-11, 2 Thess. 2:13).
  2. God’s sovereign election is consistent with mankind’s accountability to respond (Deut. 30:19; Matt. 11:28; John 6:37, 44; Acts 13:48; Rom. 10:21).

C. Saving Faith

Saving faith is that gift of God which brings a person into intimate relationship with Christ (Rom. 10:9-10). It is based on God’s grace rather than a person’s works and when genuine has several main aspects (Acts 3:16, Eph. 2:8-9, Phil. 1:29, 2 Peter 1:1). These are not "steps" a person must work through, but are elements that will be present as a total package when there is true saving faith.

  1. Knowledge of the Facts- Faith must be based on the facts of the Gospel found in the Word of God (Rom. 10:17, 1 Cor. 15:3-5, 2 Tim. 3:15).

     
  2. Assent to this Knowledge- A person must agree that the facts of the Scriptures are true (Heb. 11:6).
  3. Repentance- Saving faith includes a turning from sin and turning towards God (Acts 2:38, Acts 20:21, Acts 26:20, 1 Thess. 1:9).
  4. Submission to Christ- True saving faith implicitly involves a subjection to the person and will of Christ with a desire and willingness to know, love and obey Him (Rom. 10:9, Luke 6:46, John 3:36; 17:3; 20:28, Acts 2:36, Phil. 2:9-11, Rev. 19:16, James 2).

D. Justification

  1. The act of God whereby He declares righteous those who believe in Christ (Rom. 3:20; 5:1; 8:33, Philippians 3:9).
  2. It is apart from any virtue or work (Col. 2:14; 1 Peter 3:18).
  3. The believer's sin is imputed to Christ and Christ's righteousness is imputed to the believer (Col. 2:14; 1 Peter 3:18; Rom. 4:6; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21).

E. Sanctification

  1. Position- The act of God, whereby the believer is made positionally holy and perfect through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:32; 1 Cor. 1:2, 30 6:11; Heb 2:11).
  2. Process-The Holy Spirit’s ministry of progressively bringing the believer into conformity with the character of Christ (John 17:17,19; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 5:26, Rom. 8:29).
  3. Perfection-That act of God which occurs when a believer gets to heaven whereby their practice is conformed to their position-perfect and blameless without spot or blemish (Rom. 8:23 ; 1 Cor. 15:5; Phil 3:21; 1 John 3:2).

F. Security

  1. All of the redeemed are kept eternally secure in Christ by the power of God (John 5:24; 10:27-30; Rom. 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; Eph 4:30).

G. Assurance of Salvation

  1. The subjective realization by a person that he/she is a child of God is a ministry of the Spirit to every obedient believer (Rom. 6:15-22; 8:16; 1 John 1:6, 8; 2:3, 9-10, 15-23; 3:9, 17, 24; 4:7, 13, 20; 5:1, 10).

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 V. THE CHURCH

A. Defined

  1. The church is the body of Christ (Eph. 4:14-16).
  2. It consists of born again believers of the Church age(Eph. 2:11-3:6).
  3. It is distinct from Israel (1 Cor. 10:32)
    1. The Church and Israel have different promises--heavenly vs. earthly (Ez. 36:24; Eph. 1:3).
    2. The Church and Israel have different births--Pentecost vs. Sinai (Ex. 19-20; Acts 2).
    3. The Church and Israel have different nationalities--Heavenly vs. Jewish (Jer. 31:31; Phil. 3:20).

B. Organization

  1. Christ is the Head/ultimate authority in the Church (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph 1:22).
  2. Local assemblies are the New Testament pattern (Acts 14:23,27; 20:17, 28; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1, 2; 2 Thess. 1:1).
  3. Leadership
    1. Elders- These are a team of biblically qualified men who shepherd, oversee and lead a local body of believers (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
      1. An elder is the same as a pastor, shepherd and overseer (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2; 1 Tim. 5:17).
      2. Some elders are financially supported by the church while others are self supporting (1 Timothy 5:17-18, 1 Cor. 9:9-14).
      3. Elders are to be the primary examples of leading through serving (Matt. 20:26, John 13:14,15; I Peter 5:3).
    2. Deacons- These are men and women who minister in the church in special areas of service (Acts 6; 1 Tim. 3:8-10).
      1. Deacons must meet the biblical qualifications and be tested before they are entrusted with deacon responsibilities (1 Tim. 3:10).
      2. Although deacon work is under the oversight of the elders, deacons are given appropriate authority and responsibility so that they can free up the elders to focus on specific ministry areas (Acts 6).
    3. The Congregation- All believers are commanded to be part of a local assembly of Christians (Heb. 10:24-25).
      1. To Serve- All believers are called to serve one another in the local body through encouragement, exhortation and exercise of their spiritual gifts (John 15:13; Gal. 5:13; 1 Peter 2:16).
      2. To Submit- Believers are commanded by God to submit to the oversight of the elders of their local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 16:15-16; Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1-3).

C. Priorities of the Church

  1. Exalting God - Everything the church does should be an act of worship to God. This should be seen both in the lives of individual believers as well as in the corporate body (1 Peter 2:5).
  2. Edifying the Saints - Equipping is one of the primary ways to make people like Jesus Christ. This is accomplished as the people in the church invest their lives in one another (Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Thess. 5:14-15; Titus 2:3-5).
  3. Evangelizing the lost - At the heart of Christ's commission to the church is the command to go to the unreached of the world, to win them to Christ and to establish churches (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20).

D. Gifts

  1. Permanent, edifying gifts- Each believer has been given spiritual gifts in order to edify and build up the body (Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
  2. Temporary, confirming/sign gifts (Tongues, miracles)- Gradually ceased as the New Testament was completed (1 Cor. 12; 13:8-10; 14).

E. Ordinances

  1. Baptism- By immersion for anyone who confesses faith in Christ (Acts 2:41; 8:36-39; Rom. 6:1-11).
  2. Lord's Supper- A remembrance and proclamation of Christ’s death until He comes again (Matt. 26:26-30; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor. 10:16 & 17; 11:17-34).

F. Church Discipline

  1. The Plan - God the Father disciplines His children and expects churches and individuals to participate with Him (Heb. 12:5-11, Prov. 3:11-12, Rev. 3:19).
  2. The Purpose - The ultimate goal of church discipline is restoration of the sinning individual. It also purifies the church and prevents others from sinning (Gal. 6:1, Matt. 18:15, 1 Cor. 5:7, 1 Tim. 5:20).
  3. The Procedure - Church discipline is the process of confronting sin to achieve repentance and restoration. It can be carried out privately between two Christians (Matt. 18:15), with two to three witnesses, by the Elders, or before the congregation, depending on the severity, kind, and length of sin. See Doctrinal Issues:

G. Giving

  1. Christians are stewards of all their possessions and should contribute financially to the work of the local church (1 Cor. 4:1-2; Luke 16:11).
  2. Giving Principles:
    1. Give to God (Matt. 6:1).
    2. Give sacrificially (Luke 21:1-4).
    3. Give thoughtfully (1 Cor. 16:2).
    4. Give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7).
    5. Give proportionally (1 Cor. 16:2).
    6. Give regularly (1 Cor. 16:2).

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 VI. ANGELS

A. Holy Angels

  1. Angels were created by God to serve and worship Him (Heb. 1:6-7, 14, Isa. 6:3, Ps. 103:20-21, Ps. 148:2).
  2. Angels are spirit beings (Heb. 1:14, Luke 24:39, Matt. 22:30).
  3. Angels are rational, moral, and immortal beings (Matt. 24:36, 1 Pet. 1:12, 2 Pet. 2:4, Luke 20:34-36).
  4. Angels were created to an estate higher than mankind. Yet, humans will judge angels (1 Cor. 6:3; 2 Pet. 2:10-11, Heb. 2:6-7).
  5. Angels serve mankind (Heb. 1:14).
  6. Angels have a role in the Second Coming (Mark 13:27, 2 Thes. 1:7b).

B. Fallen Angels (Demons)

  1. Satan rebelled against his Creator, and led numerous angels in his fall (Job. 1:6- 7; Is. 14:12-17; Ez. 28:11-19; Rev. 12:3-4).
  2. Angels were created holy, but some sinned (2 Pet. 2:4, Jude 6).
  3. Satan was defeated by Christ at the cross, yet continues as the "God of this world" until his final judgment and condemnation (Rom. 16:20; Col. 2:15; Rev. 20:1-10).
  4. Satan will be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10).
  5. Satan and Demons are active in the world (Matt. 8:16; Eph. 6:12)

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VII. THE FUTURE

A. Death

  1. Believers
    1. Physical- There is a separation of the physical and immaterial, and the spirit of the believer immediately passes into the presence of the Lord (Luke 23:43; Phil.1:21-24).
    2. Resurrection- At the first resurrection, the believer's spirit and body are reunited to be glorified forever (Phil 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:16-17).
  2. Unbelievers
    1. Physical- At death, the spirits of the unsaved descend immediately into Hades (Job 3:11-19; Luke 16:19-26; Rev. 20:1-15).
    2. Resurrection- At the second resurrection they will be united with their body, judged, and cast into the lake of fire to be separated from God forever (John 5:28-29; Rev. 20:11-15. Dan. 12:2).

B. The Rapture

Christ will gather up Christians from the earth and take them with Him (1 Thess 4:16; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 15:50-51).

C. The Judgment Seat of Christ

After the rapture, believer's will be rewarded according to their works (1 Cor. 3:11-15).

D. Tribulation

God will judge the world through various plagues (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 16:1-21).

E. The Second Coming

Christ will return to the earth at the end of the Tribulation (Second Coming-Matt. 25:31) at which time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised, and the living will be judged (Dan. 12:2-3; 2 Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 6:9-11; 20:4-6).

F. Millennium

  1. The Antichrist and the false prophet will be overthrown and Satan will be removed from the world (Dan. 7:17-27; Rev. 20:1-7).
  2. There will be a literal, thousand year Kingdom on earth, where the saints will help Christ rule and reign(Is. 42:6; Jer. 31:31; 33:15; Ez. 36:24; 37:21-28; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-7).

G. Final Judgment

  1. Satan will be released following the Millennium (Rev. 20:7).
  2. He will lead a final rebellion and will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone forever (Rev. 20:7-10).
  3. Great White Throne judgment-The unsaved dead will be resurrected, and will be committed to eternal, conscious punishment in Hell (Rom. 14:10-13; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:11-15).

H. Eternity

  1. Believers will be with the Lord forever (John 17:3; 1 Thess. 4:17).
  2. A new heaven and a new earth will be created (Rev. 21:1).

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