what we believe
ARTICLES OF FAITH
BELOW IS BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH'S
MESSAGE AND FAITH
articles of faith
THE
SCRIPTURES
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We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired to theextent that the very words were chosen by God from the human written vocabulary so that the Bible is the very inerrant and preserved word of God complete in all truth. It is the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true centerof Christian union and practice. It is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.By "Inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever beenor will ever be inspired. By "inerrancy" we mean that the Bible is without error and completely accurate and consistent in regard to all matters of fact, history, philosophy, science, psychology, theology, and doctrine.
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By "preservation" we mean that the books of the Bible have been preserved supernaturally through the ages by the Holy Spirit according to the promise of the Word of God and the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God has preserved His Word for the English-speaking people in the King James Version of the Bible.By "revelation" we mean that the Bible is the one and only authoritative revelation by God to man of Himself, of His covenants and dealingswith man, and of His eternal redemption and salvation plan.By "practice" we mean that the Bible is man's only perfect and Divinely authoritative rule and guide for doctrine, for faith,and for Christian living and practice. II Tim. 3:16,17; II Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psa. 119:160; Psa. 119:105; Psa. 119:130; Psa. 12:6-7; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45; Psa. 119:89; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; I Pet. 1:23; Rev. 22:19; John 12:48; Isa. 8:20; Eph. 6:17; Rom. 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psa. 19:7-11;John 5:45-47; John 5:39.
THE
GODHEAD
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, and infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme rulerof 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, executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Ex. 20:2-3; Gen 17:1; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; John 4:24; Psa. 147:41; Ps. 83:18; Ps. 90:2; Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Rev 4:11; I Tim. 1:17; Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6God the Father:We believe that he is the first person of the Godhead, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth. As the creator he is the father of all creation and that all creatures, having physical life, owe their origin to Him. We reject the ecumenical teaching that God is the Father of all, and all are brothers. We believe that He is the Spiritual Father of those who have been born again -Eph. 3:14,15; Jn. 3:3; Eph. 4:18; John 1:12; John 8:44God the Son:We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead. The eternal Son of God became a man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in order to reveal God and redeem man. He lived an absolutely sinlesslife and became the sinner's voluntary substitute on the cross by His vicarious death for man's sins. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day, giving eternal assurance of redemption's full payment and the satisfaction of God's righteous indignation toward sin. We believe in His bodily resurrection from the dead, in His ascension to Heaven, in His presence at God's right hand, as our intercessor and advocate. -John 1:12; Luke 1:35; Rom. 3:24,25; Rom. 1:4; I Pet. 1:3-5; Acts 2:32,36; Acts 1:9; Eph. 1:20; Rom. 8:38; I John 2:1God the Holy Spirit:We believe the Holy Spirit is the executive of the Godhead. We believe that He executes the Plan of God by convicting the unbelieving world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He regenerates all believers in the present age, baptizes them into the body of Christ, seals them unto the day of redemption and bestows gifts upon believers for service. He teaches the believer and sets him apart for a holy life. It is the duty of every believer to be filled. -Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:12-14; Eph. 1:13; John 14:16,17; John 16:18; I Cor. 3:16; Acts 5:3,4
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We believe that Satan is a personal being as an angel and that he was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors but through prideand ambition to be the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels. Satan is now the malignant prince of power of the air and the unholy god of this world system. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and Christ, the accuser ofthe saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy. He is the lord of the antichrist and the author of all the powers of darkness, destined, however to final judgment of an eternal; justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:14-17; Rev. 12:9; Jude 6,11; II Pet. 2:4;
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Eph. 2:2; John 14:30; I Thess. 3:5; Matt. 4:1-3; I Pet. 5:8; I John 3:8; Matt. 13:25,37,39; Luke 22:3,4; Rev. 12:10; II Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21,22; I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:33; Rev. 13:13,14; II Thess. 2:8-11; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev. 20:1-3; Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41
THE
PERSONALITY OF SATAN
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God's established law was "they should bring forth only after their kind." Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Acts 4:24; Col. 1:16,17; Heb. 11:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer. 10:12; Neh. 9:6; Gen. 1:26,27; Gen 2:21,23; Gen 1:11; Gen 1:24
CREATION
TOTAL
DEPRAVITY
OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy estate and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. The consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but by choice; and apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is not only entirely destitute of holiness, but is inclined to evil, and that continually. Therefore, under just condemnation of God; without defense or excuse and that except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Gen. 1:26,27; Gen. 3:1-6,24; Rom. 5:12,19; Rom. 3:10-19,22,23; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18; Ezek. 18:19,20; Rom. 1:20; Rom. 1:28; Gal. 3:22; Isa. 59:1,2
ATONEMENTFOR SIN
We believe 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 and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr but was thevoluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place; the just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with the divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be suitable, a compassionate and all sufficient Savior. We believe that there is no possible salvationoutside of Jesus Christ and His shed Blood. Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; Rom 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21; John 10:18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Peter 2:24; I Peter 3:18; Isa. 53:11; Heb. 12:2; I Cor. 15:20; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:2,25; I John 2:2
GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one, dead in trespasses and in sin, is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that is, proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. John 3:3; II Cor. 5:17; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; John 3:6,7; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:30-33; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 3:8; John 1:12,13; Ga. 5:22; Eph. 5:9
FREENESS
OF SALVATION
We believe in God's electing grace, which is according toforeknowledge; that the blessing of salvation is made free to all by the Gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept, by faith, God's offer of salvation. The only hindrance to salvationof any sinner is his own inherent depravity and present unbelief which, if continued in, merits the just condemnation of a holy God. I Thess. 1:4; Col. 3:12; I Pet. 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom. 8:29,30; Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6:37; Isa. 55:6; Acts 2:38; Isa. 55:7; John 3:15,16; I Tim. 1:15; I Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4,5; John 5:40; John 3:18; John 3:36
JUSTIFICATION
We believe 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 gift 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. His righteousness is imputed to us. Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Rom 1:17; Tit. 3:5-7; Hab. 2:4; Gal 3:11; Rom. 4:1-8; Heb. 10:38
Repentance And FaitH
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations; and inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, 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 and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. Acts 20:20; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37,38; Luke 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Psa. 51:7; Prov. 28:13; Isa. 55:6,7; Luke 12:8; Rom. 10:9-11
SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER
We believe that the true believer is forever secure as a redeemed possession of God. This security is founded on the full payment of the believer's sin by the Cross of Christ in His substitutionary atonement and God's proof of receipt of that payment in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sole condition of salvation is faith in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. Therefore, the security of the believer is not conditioned upon his circumstances nor emotional experiences nor strength but it is an acceptance of the basis of reconciliation which has already been accepted by God. The believer is in the possession of God, which is the opposite of lost. He is secure because God has taken the responsibility for His own. John 1:12,13; I Cor. 6:19,20; Eph. 1:13,14; Eph. 4:30; John 10:27-30; Heb. 7:25; Jude 24; I Pet. 1:5
THE
CHURCH
We believe that a church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors or elders and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: First to make individuals disciples; Second, to build up the church' Third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded; Fourth, to send out missionaries throughout the world. We believe that the church is a self-governing body having Christ as its head, free from the interference of any hierarchy ofindividuals or organizations; the Holy Spirit as its guide, and the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice. We believe that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is sole and only judge pf the measure and method of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. Acts 2:41,42; I Cor. 11:2; I Tim. 3:13-18; Matt. 28:19,20; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23,24; Eph. 1:22,23; Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:3,8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5,6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim. 3:1-7; I Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3,4; II Cor. 8:23,24; I Cor. 16:1; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32; I Cor. 16:2; I Cor. 6:1-3; I Cor. 5:11-13
CHURCH
ORDINANCES
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to be observed, with the authority of the local church, until His return. -Matt.28:19,20; I Cor. 11:23-26
Baptism, by immersion, shows faith in the burial and resurrection of Christ, and is testimony by the participant of his death to the old life and his resurrection to a new life in Christ. -Rom. 6:3-13; Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:16; Col. 2:12; Matt. 3:6; Acts 2:41,42; John 3:23
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic observance depicting the death of Christ. The elements are: unfermented wine (or grape juice) symbolic of the sinless blood of Christ and then unleavened bread signifying His sinless body; preceded always by solemn self-examination. This ordnance is for born again believers who have been baptized. -I Cor. 10:16; Mark 14:22-24; I Cor. 11:23-28; Luke 22:19,20; Matt. 26:26-28; Acts 2:42
Neither Baptism nor the Lord's Supper have any saving efficacy.
THE
ETERNAL
STATE
We believe that the souls of those who have trusted Christ for salvation, do at death pass immediately into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming when soul and body shall be reunited and be with Him in glory forever. But the souls of the unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery until the final judgement of the Great White Throne at the close of the millennium, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.
Luke 16:19-26; Luke 23:43; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6; Rev. 20:11-15; Gal. 5:16,25
CIVIL
GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; 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 conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of this earth. Rom. 13:1-7; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21,22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:3-14; I Pet. 2:17; Acts 5:29; Acts 4:19,20; Dan. 3:17,18; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:10; Phil 2:10,11;
Psa. 72:11
Resurrection And Return Of Christ
We believe in, and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face abd full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures;"that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God;" that "this same Jesus which was taken from you into Heaven" --bodily, personally and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first;" that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment,in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" that the "Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father, David;" and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet." We believe in the "blessed hope," which is the personal, imminent, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt. 28:6,7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2; Acts 1:9; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb 2:17; Heb. 5:9,10; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16; I Cor. 15:42-44; I Thess. 4:15; Matt. 24:27; Matt. 25:13; Jas. 5:8; I Cor. 15:51-53; I Thess. 4:17; Phil. 3:20,21; Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6,7; I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 32:1; Isa. 11:4,5; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4; Rev. 20:6; Matt. 24:42; Heb. 9:28
SEPARATION
We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach every believer to live a life of separation unto the Lord from all worldly and sinful practices, to abide in Christ; to walk in the Spirit; and to enjoy the victory overthe world, the flesh and the devil. -Ro. 12:1,2; II Cor. 6:4-7; I John 2:15-17; Col. 3:1-17
WE
TAKE A
STAND AGAINST
Neo-orthodoxy: This method of scriptural interpretation is false and deceiving. Instead of presenting the truth, this method presents a half-truth. It is inconsistent with the Word of God. We utterly reject this method.
Neo-evangelism: The neo-evangelism is one of attitude rather than of doctrine. It compromises with the modernists and liberals in cooperative efforts in evangelism and other so-called Christian endeavors. We can not link hands with these who discredit Christ and undermine Scriptural inspiration. This leads to the acceptance of the ecumenical church.
Ecumenical movement: This is a movement to unite all faiths in a worldwide church. This movement does not raise the standards if morality but it is a contributing factor to the destruction of the moral fiber of many men today. This united church is only laying the ground work for the tribulation which climaxes in Revelation 17.
Charismatic Movement: This unbiblical modern movement accepts the speaking in tongues as a gift of the Spirit for present-day Christianity in violation of clear Scriptural doctrine and admonitions. Erroneous Biblical interpretations and practices concerning the manifestations of the work of the Holy Spirit, the security of the believer's salvation, and physical movement appeal, as it leads more and more astray from the true teachings of the Scripture.
Calvinism: We reject the five points of Calvinism. These five points teach, (1) That because of Adam's fall the entire human race is dead in trespasses and is totally unable to save himself. (2) That God in eternity past chose those who would go to heaven. (3) That Christ only died for those chosen to go to heaven.(4) Those who are chosen for heaven are unable to resist the grace of God for salvation. (5) Those who are chosen are able to preserve themselves and never be lost. God has given each and every person free will to receive or reject Christ and each person will be held accountable for his own personal choice.