FBC Articles of Faith
The following Statement of Faith is held by this church as an accurate expression of the teaching of the Scriptures:
1. The Holy Scriptures
We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, and of supreme and final authority in faith and life. We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, was written by men moved by the Holy Spirit and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. We believe that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. The Bible reveals the principles by which God will judge us and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; Matt. 5:18; John 10:35)
2. God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; equal in every Divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit Whose name is YHWH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. We believe that He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love. (1 Pet. 1:2; John 4:24; Ps. 83:18; Ex. 15:11; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; John 10:30; Eph. 2:18; Isa. 48:16; Deut. 6:4)
3. Christ
We believe that God the Son became incarnate in the person Jesus Christ, who was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. (Matt.1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:14)
4. The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a person, unique in Himself by possessing all the distinctively divine attributes of God. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit regenerates, seals, and sets apart (sanctifies) the believer to a holy life. At conversion (regeneration), the Holy Spirit indwells a believer permanently through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. (John 3:5-7, 14:16-17, 16:18; Eph. 1:13; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 3:5; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:11-13; 2:10-11; Isa. 40:13-14; Psalm 139:7)
5. Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation; that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned and thereby incurrred not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation from God, and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and, in the case of those who reach moral responsibility, become sinners in thought, word, and deed. We believe that man was created in holiness under the law of his Maker but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state, consequently all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense or excuse. (Gen. 1:27; 3:6-24; Rom. 1:20; 3:12, 23, 5:12, 19; Ezek. 18:4, 19-20; Eph. 2:1-3, 4:18; Isa. 53:6)
6. Salvation
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was sinless in His life and that he died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice. All who believe in and accept Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood, have their sins pardoned, and receive the gift of eternal life. (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Cor.15:3; John 1:29; Rom. 5:8-9, 6:23; Col. 1:14; 1 John 5:12; 1 Pet. 3:18; Mark 10:45)
7. Ascension
We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there for us, as High Priest, Intercessor and Advocate. (Rom. 1:4; Luke 24:39; Acts 1:9-11; Heb. 7:25, 4:14; 1 John 2:1; John 20:25-27)
8. Blessed Hope
We believe in "that blessed hope"; the personal, visible, bodily, premillenial, and imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Luke 12:40; 1 Cor. 15:51-53)
9. Resurrection
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust; the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost. (Dan. 12:2-3; John 5:24, 29; Rev. 20:4-6, 10-15; 1 John 5:12; 2 Cor. 5:1)
10. The Church
We believe that the universal church is a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated people from the day of Pentecost until the rapture are members. We believe that the visible local church of Christ is a community of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. It is the duty of the local church to observe the ordinances of Christ, be governed by His laws, and to exercise the gifts, rights and priviledges invested in it by His Word. It's only Scriptural offices are: pastor-teachers (shepherds), elders (presbyters), bishops-overseers (episkipoi), and deacons. One or more of the elders may be teaching pastors. The duties of these leaders are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. (1 Cor. 1:1-13, 11:2; 12:27; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1; Matt. 16:18; 18:17; 28:20; Acts 1:5; 2:41-42; 11:16)
11. Ordinances
We believe the ordinances which Christ has commanded us to observe are Baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Its purpose is to exhibit our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. We believe that the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of the bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, is to be preceded always by solemn self-examination. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 8:36, 39; John 3:22-23; Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor. 11:26, 28)
12. Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again. Regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind, and is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel. The proper evidence of regeneration appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life. (John 1:12, 3:3-7; Rom. 8:12; 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 2:8-9, 5:9)
13. Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing, which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification. Justification includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life. It is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood. Justification is the means by which His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God. It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God and secures every blessing needful for time and eternity. (John 1:16; Acts 13:39; Rom. 4:4-5, 5:1-2, 9)
14. Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel, which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. (Isa. 55:1; Rom. 16:25-26; John 3:18-19, 5:40)
15. Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and inseperable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God. Having been deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation in Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy. At the same time we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and rely on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior. (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38, 11:18; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8)
16. God's Electing Grace
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners. God's electing purpose comprehends all the means in connection with the end and is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man. Electing grace is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness which utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, trust, and active obedience. Election is the foundation of Christian assurance and its effects are apparent in the life-style and fruits of its recipients. (2 Tim. 1:8-9, 2:10; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Exod. 33:18-19; 2 Pet. 1:10-11)
17. Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness. Sanctification is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration and is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. (1 Thess. 4:3; 1 John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; Phil. 2:12-13)
18. Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end and that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors. We believe that a special Providence watches over their welfare and that they are kept by the power of God unto salvation (John 3:31, 10:28; 1 John 2:19; Rom. 8:28; Phil. 1:6)
19. Church Mission
We believe that the mission of the church is to preach the Gospel, to build up its members in the faith, to make disciples, to teach and instruct as Christ commanded and to evangelize the world. (Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 4:2; Col. 2:6-7)
20. Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society. We believe civil authorities are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of the kings of the earth. (Rom. 13:1-7; Matt. 22:21, 23:10; Acts 5:29; 1 Pet. 2:13-14)
21. Satan
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan and that, given the opportunity, he attempts to defeat Christians through devious means (deceitful schemes). However, we believe that the work and power of Christ have overcome Satan's schemes for the believer by personal application of Scriptural truth. (Eph. 6:10-19; Luke 10:18; Job 1:6-12; John 8:44; 1 John 4:4)
22. Personal Separation
We believe that it is required for every Christian to live a life separated from the world and committed unto God. (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 1 John 2:15-17)