Doctrinal Statement

The Bible

WE BELIEVE that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the verbally inspired, infallible, inerrant, plenary word of the Living God. Both Testaments are uniquely authoritative in all matters with which they deal, scientific and historical, as well as moral and theological. The Bible is the sole and final authority in matters of faith and practice. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the Pastor. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official translation used by the church for determination of interpretation and meaning. (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21). Although other translations may be used by members at their own decision, any question shall be resolved from the interpretation derived from the King James Version in its literal interpretation.

Biblical Creation

WE BELIEVE the Biblical account of a literal, six-day special creation of the existing space-time universe and all its basic systems and kinds of organisms, without any evolutionary process (Gen. 1-2; Exod. 20:11).

Historicity

WE BELIEVE the full historicity and perspicuity of the Biblical record of primeval history, including the literal existence of Adam and Eve as the progenitors of all the human race, the literal fall of humanity, and resultant divine curse on the creation, the world-wide-universal cataclysmic flood, and the origin of nations and languages at the tower of Babel. (Gen. 1-10)

The Trinity

WE BELIEVE in the one Triune Godhead, being the eternal, transcendent, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, personal God existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (I Pet. 1:2; Matt. 28:18-19). We believe they are co-equal in power and glory, identical in their essential nature, attributes, and perfection (Gen. 1:2; Mark 12:29; John 1:14, 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; II Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 1:4-6; et al.).

God the Father

WE BELIEVE that God the Father, the First person of the divine Trinity, is infinite, spirit, sovereign, eternal, unchangeable in all His attributes. He is worthy of honor, adoration and obedience.

God the Son

WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the eternal co-equal Son of God, that He became man (Heb. 2:16, Jn. 1:4) and that He continues to be the unique God-man in two distinct natures. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect, sinless God-man, indissolubly united in one divine person since his unique incarnation by miraculous conception and virgin birth (Matt. 1:18-25; Col. 2:9; Lk. 1:26-35).

WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Matt. 1:18-25; Col. 2:9; Isa. 7:14, 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; II Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8).

- WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Isa. 7:14, 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; II Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8)

- WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; I Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5).

- WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our high priest, He fulfills the ministry of representative, intercessor, and advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; Rom. 8:34; I John 2:1-2).

Redemption

WE BELIEVE in the substitutionary and redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sin of the world, through his literal, physical, bodily vicarious substitutionary death on the cross, making atonement for the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). Salvation is available to whosoever will, not just to a select few. We reject the doctrinal beliefs of Calvinism.

The Depravity of Man We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in Adam¡¯s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is depraved and, of himself, unable to remedy his lost condition and is drawn by the Holy Spirit to accept Christ as Saviour by his/her own volitional will. (Gen. 1:26-27; R

WE BELIEVE that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal, volitional, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all sins are forgivable (John 1:12; Eph. 1:7, 2:8-10; I Pet. 1:18-19; Matt. 12:31-32; I John 1:9).

Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

- WE BELIEVE that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1, 38-39; I Cor. 1:4-8; I Pet. 1:4-5).

- 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 to the flesh (Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Tit. 2:11-15).

Resurrection

WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ arose bodily from the dead, that He ascended into Heaven, that there in His state of glorification he is now the great high priest, intercessor, and advocate for all believers (I Cor. 15:20; Luke 24; Acts 1:3; Rom. 10:9-10).

Salvation (See Redemption, Also)

WE BELIEVE that in order to secure salvation and restoration, man must be born again. Personal salvation from the eternal penalty of sin is provided solely by the sovereign grace of God on the basis of the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a gift of God through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ (I Pet. 2:24; Eph.2:8; Rom 10:9-10; John 3:16; Acts 4:12). We reject the doctrinal tenets of Calvinism.

Holy Spirit

WE BELIEVE the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead who convicts, regenerates, indwells, and seals all believes in Jesus Christ until the day of redemption (I Cor. 6:19; Eph. 4:30). He baptizes them into the body of Christ at salvation, no second experience, and fills those who yield to Him. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers. However, the manifestation of any particular sign gifts is not required as evidence of salvation. The Holy Spirit convicts, convinces, and reproves the world of sin and righteousness and judgment (Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13-14).

- WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:12- 14; II Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14).

- WE BELIEVE that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is a privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18, 5:18; I John 2:20, 27).

- WE BELIEVE that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry (Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12).

- WE BELIEVE that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing (I Cor. 1:22, 13:8, 14:21-22).

Satan

WE BELIEVE in the existence of a personal, malignant spirit being called Satan, who is tempter and accuser, for whom the place of eternal punishment (hell) was prepared, where all who die outside of Christ shall be confined in conscious, bodily torment for eternity (Luke 16:23-25; Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:10-15).

The Church

WE BELIEVE the Church is the Body of Christ, a spiritual organism composed of all born-again persons in this present age, that the primary mission of the church is to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ (evangelize the sinner), and preach the Gospel among all nations (exalt the Savior), edify the believers in the body (equip the saints), and that the Church will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (rapture) (1 Thess. 4:13-18), prior to His return to set up His kingdom.

- We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing (I Cor. 1:22, 13:8, 14:21-22).

- We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27, 20:17, 28-32; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

- We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control including the violation of the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution by any branch of government (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; I Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; I Pet. 5:1-4).

- We recognize water baptism and the Lord's Supper as the only Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:18; I Cor. 11:23-26).

The Christian's Life

WE BELIEVE that it is God's will for Christians to live a life of victory over sin and defeat, and to have a vital, vibrant part in the carrying out of the great commission. We believe this is possible as we are daily committed to Him and His care, as we are yielded to Him as Lord of our lives. This life of yielding and trusting will be expressed in prayer daily, and a continuous feeding on the Word, in faithful assembling together with fellow believers and in giving according as God has prospered, in being a continuing witness to the unsaved and in being separate from worldly practices or entangling alliances with unbelievers.

WE BELIEVE that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, and to refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances, piercings, and bodily markings (Rom. 12:1-2, 14:13; II Cor. 6:14-7:1; II Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11; Lev. 19:28; I Cor. 6:19-20).

WE BELIEVE in Dispensationalism- that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man¡¯s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations- the law, the church, and the kingdom- are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture. (Gen. 1:28; I Cor. 9:17; II Cor. 3: 9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1: 24-25, 27; Rev. 20: 2-6). There are at least seven distinct dispensations in scripture.

Last Things

WE BELIEVE in the future rapture, the snatching away of the body of Christ, at which time the dead in Christ shall be resurrected and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together, to meet the Lord in the air, the coming seven literal years of tribulation through which the world shall pass during which the wrath of God shall be poured up on the unbelieving and God shall call Israel unto himself; The Second Coming- the future, personal, visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ with His saints to the earth to judge and purge sin and to establish His eternal kingdom and to consummate and fulfill all his purposes in the works of creation and redemption with eternal rewards and punishments, as was promised in the Scripture. (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; 1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; Tit. 2:13; Rev. 3:10, 19:11-16, 20:1-6).

External State

- WE BELIEVE in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13).

- WE BELIEVE that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23, 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6).

- WE BELIEVE that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1-7-9; Jude v6-7; Rev. 20:10-15).

Civil Government

WE BELIEVE that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by his Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that the State or any other institution, has no right to infringe upon the Church. The home, the Church, and the State are sovereign in their respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; I Pet. 2:13-14).

Human Sexuality

WE BELIEVE that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance (Gen. 2:24, 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1, 6:9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4).

WE BELIEVE that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23); homosexual marriages are unbiblical.

WE BELIEVE that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139: 14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49: 1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20: 15-18; Luke 1:44)

Family Relationships

WE BELIEVE that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; I Tim. 2:8-15, 3:4-5, 12).

WE BELIEVE that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9, Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33, 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7).

Divorce and Remarriage

WE BELIEVE that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery and is to be avoided. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, their ministry may be diminished because of their past divorce (Mal. 2:1-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6). The Scripture of I Tim. 3 referring to husband of one wife is NOT relating to divorce after marriage, however this is evidence of a serious default in the headship-leadership of the home that is required for spiritual leaders in the church.

Love

WE BELIEVE that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10, 17-21, 13: 8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; II Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; I John 3:17-18).

Lawsuits Between Believers

WE BELIEVE that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for refusal to pay a just debt after other means of collection have failed, or for injuries from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (I Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).

Missions

WE BELIEVE that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20).

Giving

WE BELIEVE that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17-18; I John 3:17).

Authority of Statement of Faith

The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible in its conservative historical literal dispensational interpretation and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith, and must meet the approval of the Pastor or his designee.

FSBC