Any doctrinal statement is but a fallible human attempt to summarize and systematize the riches of an infallible divine revelation. Though we recognize that there are some differences of interpretation among Christians with regard to certain doctrines, the following assertions represent the position of Faith Bible Fellowship. These statements serve as a guide for this body of believers and are never intended to replace the Scriptures themselves as the only infallible rule of faith and practice. Should it be discovered through careful examination that any of these declarations conflict with the plain teaching of God's Word, the Scriptures must prevail and this document be revised accordingly.

 

The Holy Scriptures

The Bible is God's written revelation to man, and thus the sixty-six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God

(1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

The Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians

2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God-breathed. As such, the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13;

2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God's Word to man (2 Peter 1:20-21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16).

The Scripture is God's Word for all generations. Only from the correct understanding of the intended meaning can we discover the commands which God gives us to obey, or discern the timeless principles which endure as relevant to, authoritative over, and applicable for our lives today.

Though there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation (the meaning which the Holy Spirit intended His audience to understand).

The meaning of Scripture is to be sought by diligently applying the literal, grammatical, historical/cultural method of interpretation (hermeneutic) under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20). It is to be noted that nothing in this hermeneutic determines the meaning of the text; that meaning was determined when the author spoke or penned the words. This hermeneutic serves only to inform our understanding.

It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that a proper application depends upon it; yet, the truth of Scripture forever stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.

God

There is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, all-knowing Spirit (John 4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

- each equally deserving worship and obedience.

God the Father

God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe,

 

He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind.

As Creator He is Father to all men (Ephesians 46), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events

(1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of sin (Habbakuk 1:13: John 8:38-47; James 1:13), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).

 

God the Son

Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and co-eternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9). God the Father created all things according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2).

In the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God-man (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9). As such, Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23;14:9-10; Colossians 2:9).

The Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23,25; Luke 1:26-35). He is God incarnate (John 1:1,14); the purpose of the incarnation being to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God's kingdom (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:29; Philippians 2:9-11;

Hebrews 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

In the incarnation, the second person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God, assumed the place of a Son, and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes (Philippians 2:5-8).

Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross. His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).

On the basis of the efficacy of the death of Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God (Romans 3:25; 5:8-9;

2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).

Our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead; and having ascended to the right hand of the Father, He now now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24;

1 John 2:1).

 

In the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that He has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus' bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers (John 5:26-29; 14:19;

Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20,23).

Jesus Christ will return to receive the Church (which is His Body) unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His Church in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on earth (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the one through whom God will judge all mankind (John 5:22-23):

1. Believers (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
2. Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matthew 25:31-46)
3. Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15).

As the mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the head of His Body (the Church) (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), and the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:31-33), He is the final judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior (Matthew 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31).

 

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal and underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will

(1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13-14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is co-equal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19;

Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; and Jeremiah 31:31-34 with Hebrews 10:15-17).

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the divine will with relation to all mankind. We recognize His sovereign activity in creation (Genesis 1:2; during six literal days: Genesis 1:31, cf. Exodus 31:15-17), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the written revelation (2 Peter 1:20-21), and the work of salvation (John 3:5-7).

The work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16-17; 15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the Body of Christ, which is His Church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4;

Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22).

The Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs and empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9;

2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13).

The Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who guided the prophets and apostles into all truth as they committed to writing God's revelation, the Bible. Every believer possesses the indwelling

 

presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18;

2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 2:20,27).

The Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the Church. He glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8;

1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18). In this respect, speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers

(1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Hebrews 2:1-4).

Mankind

Adam was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Eve was formed from Adam's rib, yet shared with Adam the image and likeness of God. They were created free of sin with a self-determination and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9).

God's intention in the creation of humanity was that mankind should glorify God, enjoy God's fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by this accomplish God's purpose for humanity in the world (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).

In Adam's sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, mankind lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God; and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, mankind is hopelessly lost. His salvation is thereby wholly of God's grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36;

Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14; 1 John 1:8).

Because all humanity was in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam's sin has been transmitted to all people of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception. Consequently, every person is a sinner by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9;

Romans 3:9-18,23; 5:10-12).

 

Salvation

Salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1,7;

2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Regeneration

Regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given to those who believe (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24),

when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10), and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10).

This

obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a conformity is climaxed in the believer's glorification at Christ's coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).

Justification

Justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ alone, repent of their sins (Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19;

11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10;

1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us

(1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is enabled to "be just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:26).

Sanctification

Every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy. As such, he is identified biblically as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer's standing, not his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32;

1 Corinthians 1:2,30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10,14; 13:12;

1 Peter 1:2).

There is also by the work of the Holy Spirit a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification.

Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17,19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18;

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23).

In this respect, every saved person is involved in a daily conflict - the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh - but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over it (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16;

1 John 3:5-9).

 

Security and Assurance

All the redeemed once saved are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37-50; 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1,31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 4:30;

Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24).

It is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the verifying testimony of God's Word. Such assurance is rooted in the evidentiary fruit of the believers life, not merely in a profession of faith. (Psalm 51:12-17; Matthew 3:10; 7:13-27; 12:33-37;

Luke 6:43-49; James 2: 14-26; 1 John).

Separation

Separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments. Additionally, the Scriptures plainly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase

(2 Corinthians 6:14:-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us, and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate an adoring love to God, and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior.

Such separation from all religious apostasy, and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17;

2 John 9-11).

Believers should be separated unto the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12;

Hebrews 12:1-2). The Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness demonstrated by a beatitude attitude (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2;

2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).

The Church

All who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) - the Bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2;

Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8) - of which Christ is the Head (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15;

Colossians 1:18).

The formation of the Church (His body) began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52;

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The Church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age (Ephesians 2:11-3:6). The Church is distinct from Israel

(1 Corinthians 10:32), a mystery not revealed until this age (Ephesians 3: 1-6; 5:32).

The purpose of the Church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2,15; 3: 16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8;2:42).

Consequently, the ministry of Faith Bible Fellowship emphasizes the importance of discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2), the mutual accountability of all believers to each other (Matthew 18:5-14), as well as the need for the discipline of sinning believers within the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture (Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11;

1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 1:19-20;5:19-21; Titus 1:10-16).

The establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament

Scriptures

(Acts 14:23,27;20:17,28; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1), which also demonstrate that the members of the one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies

(1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews 10:25).

The one, supreme authority for the Church is Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18). Church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor-teachers; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) and deacons (who compliment the ministry of the elders through a ministry of service to the church body), both of whom must meet biblical qualifications

(1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5). Elders are to lead or rule as servants of Christ (1 Timothy 5:17-22) and have His authority in directing the church. Their leadership is not to be characterized by self-interest or authoritarianism, but rather by sacrifice and humility, as those who will give an account (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2-3). The congregation is to submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:7:17).

The local church is autonomous, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). It is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation (Acts 15:19-31;20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7,13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

The Church is to cooperate with God as He accomplishes His purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the Church spiritual gifts: He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:7-12), and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the Body of Christ for the common good (Romans 12:5-8;

1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Consequently, Faith Bible Fellowship emphasizes the calling of all saints to the work of service (1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 4:12;

Revelation 22:12).

Two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:38-42).

Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ (Acts 2:41-42).

The Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32). Whereas the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord's Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is present, fellowshiping with His people (1 Corinthians 10:16).

 

Angels

Holy Angels

Angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14;

Hebrews 1:6-7,14; 2:6-7; Revelation 5:11-14;19:10; 22:9).

Fallen Angels

Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1-14), and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15).

Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah 14:13-14; Matthew 4:1-11;

Revelation 12:9-10), and the prince of this world who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20). He shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

Last Things (Eschatology)

The Return of Jesus Christ

The imminent, personal, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ is an event that believers wait for with high expectation. Being yet imperfect, we eagerly await the restoration of all things to perfect Christ-likeness after His return (Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians

1:7; Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 1:7,13; 4:13). Though patient, we are to be alert to Christ's coming as we seek to glorify Him through our lives (Matthew 24:22,24,29-51; Mark 3:33-37; Luke 21:34).

The Bible's teaching in this regard is always set in the context of practical exhortation, focusing upon our present lifestyle, rather than upon undue speculation (Matthew 24:42-51;

2 Peter 3:11).

The Eternal State

The Scriptures teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life (John 6:39;

Romans 8:10-11,19-23; 2 Corinthians 4:14), and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:13-15).

Eternity

The Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will deliver up His kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever (1 Corinthians 15:28).