Statement of Faith


I. The Scriptures
We believe the entire Bible, containing the 66 books from Genesis to Revelation, is the Word of God. We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible in its original documents. We believe that the Bible was written by holy men of God who spake as they were moved/controlled by the Holy Spirit; therefore, it is inerrant and the supreme standard of authority by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. We believe that the Canon of Scripture is closed, and that any claims to extra-biblical revelation are contrary to Scripture itself. 

  • II Tim. 3:16,17
  •  II Peter 1:19-21
  • I Peter 1:3
  • Psalm 119:7-11

 II. The Only True God
 We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit, the creator and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; that He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, worship, confidence, and love; we also believe that in the unity of the Godhead, there are three divine persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are co-equal, co-eternal, and the same in substance and essence but distinct in subsistence. 

  • Deuteronomy 6:4
  • Exodus 20:2,3
  • I Cor. 8:5,6
  • Matt. 28:18-20
  • Rev. 4:11

 III. Of Creation
 We accept the Genesis account of creation and believe that man and all things in the universe came by the direct creation of God and not through any evolutionary process. Moreover, we believe that creation was accomplished recently in six literal days.

  • Genesis chapters 1 and 2
  • Colossians 1:16,17
  • Hebrews 1:1,2

 IV. Of the Fall of Man
 We believe that man was created in unconfirmed holiness under the law of his maker, but by voluntary disobedience, fell from that state (Genesis 3:1-19). The consequence of the fall is that all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but by choice. Therefore, all men are alienated from God in their natural state and are under just condemnation without defense or excuse. 

  • Genesis 3:1-19
  • Colossians 1:21
  • Ephesians 4:17-19
  • Romans 5:10-19
  • Romans 1:18-32

 V. Of Satan and the Realm of Fallen Angels
 We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, the author of sin, and the open and avowed enemy of God and men. In addition, we believe Satan is destined to the judgment of eternal damnation in the lake of fire.

  • Matt. 4:1-3
  • II Cor. 4:4
  • I John 3:8
  • John 8:44
  • I Peter 5:8
  • Rev. 20:10

 VI. Of the Virgin Birth of Christ
 We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin woman, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is the eternal Son of God.

  • Genesis 3:15
  • Isaiah 7:14
  • Matthew 1:18-25
  • Galatians 4:4

 VII. Of SalvationWe believe that the salvation of sinful men and women is the work of God alone and wholly of God's grace. Because of the fall of Adam, it was necessary for Jesus Christ to freely take upon Himself our nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His perfect obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins. This atonement consisted not in merely setting an example by His death, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the just dying for the unjust. Christ the Lord, rose from the dead, and is now enthroned in heaven. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior. The moment a person believes in Christ as Lord and Savior, that person passes from death to eternal life and stands before God clothed in the righteousness of Christ. The true believer is assured of God's acceptance and love forever because of Christ's work, and not because of his own efforts. Therefore, salvation is based on the finished work of Christ in bearing the penalty and guilt of our sin. Jesus Christ is the only Savior and apart from Him there is no salvation. Those who do not receive God's gift of eternal life will perish under the wrath of a Holy God. 

  • Eph. 2:8,9
  • Romans 5:18,19
  • Hebrews 2:14
  • Isaiah 53:4-7
  • I John 4:10
  • Galatians 2:20
  • Acts 4:12
  • John 3:16-18
  • John 3:36
  • John 19:30

 VIII. Of Justification
 We believe that the great gospel blessing that Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification. We believe that this justification is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in Christ's redemptive work, His righteousness is imputed to us. Moreover, we believe that the ground of our justification is the finished work of Christ. 

  • Romans 5:1-11
  • Romans 8:1
  • Galatians 2:16-21

 IX. Of the New Birth
 We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again (from above). This new birth is instantaneous, and in it the sinner, being dead in trespasses and sins, is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life. This new creation is brought about in a manner beyond our understanding, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit and Divine truth. Proper evidence of the new birth appears in the fruits of repentance and faith that are demonstrated in a life of righteousness. 

  • John 3:3
  • II Cor. 5:17
  • I John 5:1
  • II Peter 1:4
  • Romans 6:23
  • I Peter 1:23
  • James 1:18
  • Ephesians 2:1
  • Romans 8:9,10
  • John 15:16
  • Galatians 5:22,23

 X. Of the Christian Life
 We believe that the Christian life should be characterized by joy, peace, and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. The believer is free to be guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, and is not bound by the Old Testament legal code. This liberty in Christ is never to be used as an excuse for sin. The high calling of God in Christ teaches us that we should deny ungodliness and worldly desires and should live sensible, righteous, and Godly lives. The Christian should live in such a way as to positively testify of the new life he has received in Jesus Christ, and never bring reproach to His glorious name. Furthermore, we believe that all true Christians should be separate from religious apostasy, compromise, and from sinful and worldly practices. A truly saved person will demonstrate a life of consistent obedience to the Word of God, fervent love for other believers, and a walk that is Christ-like. 

  • Gal. 5:1,25
  • Romans 13:13-14
  • Titus 2:11-13
  • II Tim. 3:1-5
  • I John 2:15-17
  • John 3:14-19
  • Gal. 5:22-23
  • I John 3:10

 XI. Of Eternal Security of the Believer
 The Bible clearly teaches that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are safe and secure in Christ forever. Therefore, it is impossible for a born again child of God to lose his salvation.

  • Romans 8:28-39
  • John 10:28
  • I Peter 1:5
  • I John 5:13

 XII. Of the Church
 We believe that the church is the body of Christ and had its earthly origin on the day of Pentecost, and is composed of all who truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the saving of their souls. All such believers are united in one body with Jesus Christ as their only true and proper head, and are responsible to keep the spirit of unity in the bond of peace, loving one another with a pure heart fervently. 

  • Matt. 16:18
  • Acts 1:5
  • Acts 2
  • Acts 11:15-16
  • I Cor. 12:13
  • Col. 1:18
  • Eph. 4:3

 XIII. Of the Local Church
 We believe that the local church is the congregation of believers associated by the covenant of faith and fellowship in the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ under the authority of His Word, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges given to them by His Word. We believe that each local church, by following scriptural standards, shall determine for itself all matters pertaining to membership, government, discipline, and benevolence. 

  • Acts 2:41-42
  • I Cor. 11:2
  • Acts 15:13-18
  • Acts 20:17-18
  • I Tim. 3:1-7
 
A. Ordinances An ordinance is an outward rite instituted by Christ to be administered in the church as a visible sign of the saving truth of the Christian faith. Ordinances are to be understood as a symbol of some theological reality rather than as an actual means of bringing grace to the individual.

 1. Baptism

 We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a beautiful and solemn way the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through baptism, the believer testifies to his faith in Jesus Christ in a visible and public manner. 

  • Acts 8:26-39
  • Romans 6:3-5
  • Matt. 28:18-20
 2. The Lord's Supper

 We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. We believe that this ordinance should be practiced as a memorial until he comes again, and should be preceded always by a solemn self-examination. 

  • I Cor.11:23-28

B. It's Relation to Civil Government We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the benefit and order of human society; that the leaders of our government are to be prayed for, honored, and obeyed; except in things opposed to the Word of God which is the highest authority.

  • Romans 13:1-7
  • Acts 4:19-20
  • Daniel 3:17-18
  • Acts 5:29
 
C. It's Relation to Cultic Activity, the Ecumenical Movement, and the Modern Day Charismatic MovementFaith Community Bible Church believes that the gifts of the Holy Spirit as practiced in the modern day charismatic movement are without biblical support and are to be rejected as such. Faith Community Bible Church shall not participate in what is commonly known as the ecumenical movement or other such movements (Cultic or New Age) which are at variance with the revealed will of God in the Holy Scriptures.


XIV. Of the Second Coming
 We believe in the personal, pre-tribulational, and pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ for His church. After His visible return to the earth, Christ will establish a 1000 year millennial kingdom. This kingdom is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants. This kingdom will be marked by the personal reign of Jesus Christ and it will be a time of peace, equity, justice, prosperity, and glory. 

  • I Thess. 4:13-18
  • Acts 1:9-11
  • Zechariah 14:4-11
  • Revelation 20:1-6
  • Matt. 24:29-31
  • Isaiah 11:2-5

 XV. Of the Eternal State

At death, the believer immediately goes to be with Christ. He is absent from the material body, but face to face with the Lord, and there in conscious joy, he awaits the resurrection of the body. 

  • Philippians 1:21-23
  • II Cor 5:6-8
  • I Cor 15:51-52
  • I Thess. 4:15-18
  • Rev. 24:6

 At death, unbelievers immediately go into conscious misery until the second resurrection when they will be reunited with their resurrected bodies to appear before Christ at the great white throne judgment. The unbeliever will not be annihilated, but will suffer everlasting conscious punishment in Hell.

  • Luke 16:19-26
  • Rev. 20:15
  • Matt. 25:41-46
  • II Thess. 1:7-9
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17