Article III of the Bylaws
Declaration of Faith
Click on one of the main section headings to go to and read about that section of Bible Baptist Church's Doctrinal
Statement.
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Section 1 – The Scriptures:
Sub-Section A: Inspiration and Inerrancy
We believe that the sixty-six books that comprise the Old and New Testaments
as found in the Masoretic and Majority (Textus Receptus) texts, and
only these books, were inspired of God as originally written; that inspiration
is verbal and plenary, by which we mean that the very words and even
letters were God-breathed, and were so in their totality. We believe
that God, Who is Truth, communicated the truth through men of God who
were directed by the Holy Spirit in such a way that the Scriptures are
without any error.
Sub-Section B: Preservation
We believe that the Bible has been and shall be supernaturally preserved
throughout all ages by God's protection. We believe God has promised
in both the Old and New Testament to preserve His Words as given to
us in the original Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek texts. By His providential
care, we believe God has kept His word pure down through the ages as
He promised, and we reaffirm our belief in what our Baptist forefathers
wrote in the London Baptist confession of 1677 and 1689. It states in
part:
The Old Testament in Hebrew,(which was the native language of the people
of God of old), and the New Testament Greek (which at the time of the
writing of it was generally known to the nations) being immediately
inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in
all ages, are therefore authentical;
Sub-Section C: Authority
We believe that the Bible is the supreme revelation of the will of God
for man, and that it constitutes the only infallible rule and authority
for all matters of which it speaks and in all matters to which it addresses
itself.
We believe that the Bible is authoritative, sufficient, and trustworthy,
and by God's providence always will be the true center of Christian
unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creed and
opinion shall be tried. (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; 15:4-6;
Mark 12:36; John 10:34-35; Acts 1:16; Romans 3:1-4; Galatians 3:16;
II Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; I Peter 1:24-25; II Peter 1:19-21;
Revelation 22:18-19).
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Section 2 – The True God:
We believe there is one and only one living and true God, and infinite
Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly
glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence,
and love; and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection
and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption
(Exodus 20:2-3; I Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11).
Sub-Section A: God the Son: The Lord Jesus Christ
Paragraph 1. The Virgin Birth of Christ:
We believe that, as provided and proposed by God and as pre-announced
in the prophecies of the Scriptures, the eternal Son of God came into
this world that He might manifest God to men, fulfill prophecy and become
the Redeemer-substitute: that He was begotten of the Holy Spirit in
a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever
born, or can be born of woman; and that he is the Son of God and God
the Son. Jesus Christ is both perfect God and perfect man (Genesis 3:15;
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-5, 14).
Paragraph 2. His Person:
We believe in the essential, absolute, eternal Deity and the real and
proper, but perfect and sinless, humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ;
that Christ is the eternal Son of God, and God the Son, the Second Person
of the Trinity, being co-equal, co-eternal, and of the same essence
as God the Father; that He united in one person undiminished Deity and
perfect, sinless humanity.
Paragraph 3. The Resurrection, Ascension, and Priesthood of Christ:
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ and in the ascension
into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father as our
High Priest interceding for us (Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27;
I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6-19; Luke 24:2-6, 51; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy
2:5; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9-10; 8:6; I John 2:1; Revelation 3:21).
Sub-Section B: The Holy Spirit:
Paragraph 1. His Person and Presence:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the
Father and God the Son and of the same essence; that He was active in
the creation.
Paragraph 2. His Ministries:
We believe that the Holy Spirit's relation to the unbelieving world
is that He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled;
that He bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony;
that He is the Agent in the new birth; that He indwells, seals, empowers,
guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. Every
true believer receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the time
of salvation (Genesis 1:1-3; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; 24:49;
John 1:33; 14:16-17, 26; 16:8-11; Acts 11:16; Romans 8:14, 16, 26-27;
I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; Hebrews 9:14).
Paragraph 3. His Temporary Gifts:
We believe that the Holy Spirit equips believers for service by bestowing
upon them spiritual gifts. The charismatic gifts (such as tongues, healing,
casting out of demons, etc.) as found in I Corinthians 12:8-10 and Mark
16:17-18 were temporary signs given to the apostles and prophets for
the writing of the New Testament, until the close of the canon, and
are not operative today. The Holy Spirit's charismatic gifts have ceased,
but we do believe that God in His goodness does still heal and deliver
from demons (At the same time, we do not doubt the sincerity of some
who wrongly claim to practice these things). (Romans 12:1-8; I Corinthians
12-14; Ephesians 2:20; 3:3-5; 4:4-16; II Corinthians 12:11-12; Hebrews
2:4).
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3 – Salvation:
We believe that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly
of grace through the mediatorial offices of Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, Who, by the appointment of the Father, voluntarily took upon Himself
our nature, yet without sin, and honored the divine law by His personal
obedience, thus qualifying Himself to be our Savior; that by the shedding
of His blood in His death He fully satisfied the just demands of a holy
and righteous God regarding sin; that His sacrifice consisted not in
setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary
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;
and, that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven
and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine
perfection. He is in every way qualified to be and is a suitable, a
compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior (Acts 15:11; 16:30-31; Romans
3:24-25; John 3:16; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14-18; Isaiah 53:4-7;
I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3-4; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:24).
Sub-Section A: Appropriation
We believe that salvation is wholly a work of God, performed from beginning
to end by Him, and that unsaved man can not do anything to save himself,
or make himself more acceptable to God in order to merit God's saving
him. God therefore commands man to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
as the only means of appropriating salvation.
Repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the
Holy Spirit and is an integral part of saving faith (Ecclesiastes 3:14;
Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:15-16, 18; Acts 15:11; 16:30-31; Romans 3:24-25;
I Corinthians 15:3-4; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:24).
Sub-Section B: Grace and the New Birth:
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 sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal
life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about solely
by God by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith in the truth of
the Gospel (John 3:3, 8; 5:1; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 6:23; I Corinthians
15:1-4; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-9; Colossians 2:13; II Peter
1:4; I John 5:1-13).
Sub-Section C: Justification:
We believe that justification is that judicial act of God whereby He
declares the believer righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness
of Christ; and that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works
of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the
Redeemer's shed blood (Romans 3:24; 4:4-5; 5:1, 9; Galatians 2:16; Philippians
3:9).
Sub-Section D: The Security of the Saints:
We believe that all who are truly born again are eternally kept by God
the Father for Jesus Christ. This security of the believer is dependent
on the work of Christ alone and not the work of the believer. (John
10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Philippians 1:6; Jude 1).
Sub-Section E: Sanctification:
We believe that the sanctifying work of God in relation to the believer
is a setting apart of the believer unto God and from sin. Sanctification
encompasses the following: first, judicial sanctification; second, experiential
sanctification; and third, complete sanctification (Romans 6:5-6; Ephesians
1:4, 18; I Thessalonians 1:9).
Paragraph 1. Judicial Sanctification
Judicial Sanctification is the work of God the Father wherein the believer
as been positionally declared holy and without blame. This declaration
was based on the merits of the redemptive work of Christ through the
shedding of His blood. As an eternal act of God, judicial sanctification
was fully accomplished by Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection,
and nothing in the experiential life of the believer can change this
standing.
Every believer is thus a saint and there will never be any past, present,
or future condemnation brought against him (John 17:1-3, 16-20; I Corinthians
1:30; Ephesians 1:18; 2:11-14; Jude 1).
Paragraph 2. Experiential Sanctification
Experiential Sanctification is the work of God the Holy Spirit wherein
the believer is being practically made to conform to the image of Christ.
This is an ongoing process in which the believer is personally responsible
to apply the Word of God in his daily walk. While experiential sanctification
is progressive in nature, its progress may be hindered by disobedience,
since the believer retains his sin nature, which cannot be eradicated
in this life.
His sin nature is still operative in the believer's present state, even
though he has been judicially declared to be dead indeed unto sin. Though
he is admonished to strive to be holy as God is holy, it is impossible
for him to reach a state of sinless perfection until he is present with
the Lord.
Holiness in the life of the believer is effected through the Word of
God by faith, obedience, prayer, godly fellowship, the blessed hope,
and chastisement (Romans 6:2, 6-11; 8:4; I Corinthians 6:9-11; I Peter
1:2; I John 1:9).
Paragraph 3. Complete Sanctification
Complete Sanctification is the work of the Son of God wherein the believer
is perfectly transformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Though complete
sanctification does not occur until the believer is home with the Lord,
either in death, or in the rapture for those who remain until His coming,
it will be an instantaneous transformation to be like Christ when he
sees Him as He is. The eradication of the believer's sin nature does
not await the resurrection of his body, though the believer's body will
be like Christ's glorious body as well. A proper understanding of complete
sanctification precludes any notion of purgatory, since Christ already
accomplished the purging of the believer's sin by His work of Sanctification
(Romans 6:5-6; 14:7-9; Ephesians 1:14; 5:26-27; Hebrews 2:9-13; 10:9-14).
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4 – The Devil (Satan):
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan, the Devil; that
he was created by God as an angel, but through pride and rebellion became
the enemy of his Creator; and that he became the unholy god of this
age, the ruler of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the
judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17;
Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 4:1-11; II Corinthians 4:4; II Thessalonians
2:8-10; Revelation 20:10).
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5 – Creation:
We believe the Biblical account of the creation of the physical universe,
angels, and man; that this occurred in six literal solar days; that
this account is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical
account of the direct, immediate, creative acts of God without any evolutionary
process; that man was created by a direct work of God and not from previously
existing forms of life; and that all men are descended from the historical
Adam and Eve, the first parents of the entire human race (Genesis 1,
2; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3).
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6 – The Fall of Man:
We believe that man was created in innocence (in the image and likeness
of God) under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression Adam
fell from his innocent and happy state, and all men sinned in him, in
consequence of which all men are totally depraved, are partakers of
Adam's fallen nature, and are sinners by nature and by conduct, and
therefore are under just condemnation without defense or excuse (Genesis
3:1-6; Romans 1:18, 32; 3:10-19, 23; 5:12, 19).
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7 – The Church:
Sub-Section A: Definition and Autonomy of the Local Church:
We believe that a local church is an organized congregation of immersed
believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel,
observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising
the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word. We believe
that the true mission of the church is the faithful evangelizing of
all men. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government
free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations,
and that the one and only Superintendent is Christ through the Holy
Spirit; 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 each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of
its cooperation; and that on all matters of membership, policy, government,
discipline, and benevolence, the will of the local church is final (Acts
2:41-42; 15:13-18; 20:17-28; I Corinthians 11:2; 12:12-13; Ephesians
1:22-23; 3:1-6; 4:11; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:1-13).
Sub-Section B: The Ordinances of the Local Church:
We believe that Christian baptism is the single immersion of a believer
in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our identification
with the crucified, buried and risen Savior, through Whom we died to
sin and rose to a new life; that baptism is to be performed under the
authority of the local church; and that it is prerequisite to church
membership.
We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of His death
until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.
We believe that the Biblical order of the ordinances is baptism first
and then the Lord's Supper, and that participants in the Lord's Supper
should be immersed believers (Matthew 3:16; 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42;
8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-33; Colossians 2:12).
Sub-Section C: Church Officers:
We believe that the Head of the Church has ordained two offices in the
local church, pastor and deacon. First Timothy three defines their character
and qualifications and establishes their rank. Neither a pastor nor
a deacon may have been divorced nor married to a divorced woman. The
Holy Spirit's direction in the choice of men is through the election
by the congregation.
There is no valid ordination of women. The first office is described
by three Biblical terms: bishop, elder, and pastor. They are different
perspectives on the same office. We believe there is no division between
the ruling and teaching elders. All elders are bishops and must be "apt
to teach."
Sub-Section D: The Authority of the Local Church:
The local church has authority from the Head to choose its own officers,
to discipline and dismiss members, to appoint messengers, to commission
missionaries, to choose the time and place of meetings which includes
the observance of the two ordinances, to initiate financial policy and
accountability, and to judge grievances between members. The areas of
authority granted to the pastor and the local church should be exercised
in a harmonious balance. The deacons assist the pastor in implementing
and supervising the policies and programs of the local church (Mark
10:11-12; Acts 6:3-5; 11:29-30; 14:23; 19:39; 20:28-31; Romans 7:1-3;
I Corinthians 5:1-13; 6:1-5; 9:11-14; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 1:22;
Philippians 1:1; I Thessalonians 5:12-13; I Timothy 3:1-6, 10-13; 5:17-18;
II Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4).
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8 – Separation:
We believe in the Biblical doctrine of separation which encompasses
the following: (1) the separation of the local church from all affiliation,
fellowship and cooperation with those who deny the true Christian faith,
and (2) the separation of the individual believer from all worldly practices
that would dishonor the Savior. We believe that the church should refuse
to be drawn into compromising alliances, even with well-meaning evangelical
people, for by such compromise our testimony would be impaired and our
position confused. Specifically, we reject the concept that our church
should cooperate with unbelievers and apostate churches even if by so
cooperating beneficial results may seem to be produced (II Corinthians
6:14; Ephesians 5:11; II Timothy 3:5; II John 9-11).
Sub-Section A: The Doctrine of Separation Includes:
Paragraph 1. Personal Separation
We believe that the believer is to be in the world, but not of it, having
no friendship, affiliation, nor identification with it.
Paragraph 2. Ecclesiastical Separation
We believe in Ecclesiastical separation, and preach against apostasy,
and withdraw from brethren who enter into memberships, affiliations
and fellowships (including evangelistic crusades, youth movements, mission
agencies, and schools) which seek to unite separatist fundamentalists
with those who deny Biblical doctrines, including those who do not obey
the Biblical teaching on separation.
Paragraph 3. Political Separation
We believe that political separation prohibits the establishment of
a state church or government interference with the doctrines and practices
of churches (Luke 20:25; John 15:18-21; 17:12-16; 18:36; Romans 16:16-17;
II Corinthians 6:14-17; Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 5:11; Philippians
3:20; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14; II Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9-16; James
4:4; I Peter 1:16, 18; I John 3:1, 13).
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9 – Civil Government:
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests
and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed
for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in those things opposed
to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ Who is the only Lord of the conscience,
and the coming King of Kings (Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 22:21; Acts 4:19-20;
5:29; 23:5; Romans 13:1-7).
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10 – Israel:
We believe in the sovereign selection of Israel as God's eternal covenant
people, that she is now dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection
of Christ, and that she will be regathered in the Holy Land and, after
the completion of the church, will be saved as a nation at the second
advent of Christ (Genesis 13:14-17; Ezekiel 37; Romans 11:1-32).
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11 – The Rapture and Subsequent Events:
We believe in the pretribulational, premillenial rapture of the church
by Jesus Christ, an event which can occur at any moment, and that at
that moment the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies,
the living in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without tasting
death, and all of them shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air
before the seven years of tribulation (I Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-54;
Philippians 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
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12 – The Righteous and the Wicked:
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between
the righteous and the wicked; that only those who are justified by faith
in our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are
truly righteous in His esteem, while all such as continue in unbelief
are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and that this distinction
holds among men both in this life and after death, in the everlasting
contentment of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of
the lost in the lake of fire (Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 14:32; Malachi
3:18; Matthew 25:34-41; Luke 16:25; John 8:21; Romans 6:17-18, 23; I
John 5:19; Revelation 20:14-15).
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