Doctrinal Statement

This is a brief overview of the main doctrinal beliefs of Bible Baptist Church.

Doctrine of the Bible -- Bibliology

We believe in the Bible the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as the verbal (every word) and plenary (completely) inspired Word of God. We believe that God has preserved His Word. All Scripture is equally inspired, inerrant, applicable, and authoritative for all ages, peoples and cultures. The Bible is the only trustworthy rule of faith and practice for a believer. We believe the Canon of Scripture is complete and unalterable either by adding to or taking from it. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; John 10:35)

Doctrine of the True God

We believe in the one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three have precisely the same nature, attributes, personality, and perfections. As such, they are worthy of our honor and obedience. (Genesis 1:1; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:1; 10:27-30; 14:16-17; I Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 1:11) God the Father -- Theology We believe in God the Father, flawless in character, who mercifully concerns Himself with His creation - human and natural. God's vital interests include the salvation of man and subsequent worship and service by those whom He has saved. God the Son -- Christology We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became flesh (John 1:1-14), born of a virgin having been conceived of the Holy Spirit (Mathew 1:16-25; Luke 1:35). Because of His perfect life, substitutionary death, and resurrection He is the Savior of all those who trust in Him alone for salvation (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). After being seen by approximately five hundred eye witnesses over a forty day period, He ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God; where, as our High Priest, He intercedes on behalf of His saints, awaiting the rapture of His church. (John 10:30; 14:6; Acts 1:1-3; I Thessalonians 4:13-18) God the Holy Spirit -- Pneumatology We believe in the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit, who moved holy men to pen the Scriptures, convicts, regenerates, baptizes, seals, indwells, empowers, and teaches the believer. (John 3:3-5; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18; II Peter 1:20-21)

Doctrine of Man -- Anthropology

We believe God created man perfect by a direct act. Subsequently, by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, man became a sinful creature, the father of a fallen race which is universally sinful in both nature and practice, thus alienated from the life and family of God, under the righteous judgment and wrath of God, and has within himself no possible means of salvation. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalms 51:5; Romans 3:10-23; 5:12; 6:23)

Doctrine of Salvation -- Soteriology

We believe in salvation by grace though faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation is the perfect gift of God, neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any virtue or work of man, but received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, all true believers have as a present possession the gift of eternal life, a perfect righteousness, sonship in the family of God, deliverance and security from all condemnation, every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and the divine guarantee that they shall never perish. (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 10:9-13; Acts 4:12; II Peter 3:9)

Doctrine of the Church -- Ecclesiology

We believe all believers in local assemblies compose the universal church and these local assemblies or churches organize for worship, prayer, edification, evangelism, education, and fellowship. (Ephesians 3:19-22; I Corinthians 1:2) We believe in the independence and autonomy of the local church. Each New Testament church is free to govern itself without ecclesiastical interference, and should cooperate with other New Testament churches as the Holy Spirit leads, and is directly accountable to God. (Galatians 2:5-6; II Corinthians 5:11-18) The local church observes the ordinances of baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as commanded by Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; I Corinthians 11:17-34) True believers should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord whole separating from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations. (Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; II Corinthians 6:14-17; II Timothy 3:1-5; I John 2:1-17; II John 9-11) We believe that every member of the body of Christ has one or more spiritual gifts. (I Corinthians 7:7) We believe that sign gifts, such as speaking in tongues, miracles, ant eh gift of healing were temporary and are not to be sought in this age. (I Corinthians 12:28; 13:8; 14:21-22)

Doctrine of Satan and Fallen Angels

We believe in the personality of Satan. He is a created being who sinned and in doing so fell from his exalted position. He is the archenemy of God seeking to keep men from salvation and destroy the effectiveness of God's children. To carry out these devious plans, he commands a great host of fallen angel (demons). Satan is not omnipotent, omnipresent, or omniscient and can be overcome by the power of God and His Word. His doom is sealed in the lake of fire forever. (Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-14; I Peter 5"8; Revelation 12:10; 20:10)

Doctrine of Last Things -- Eschatology

We believe that both dead and living believers will be given glorified bodies to live in eternity in the presence of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:51-57; I Thessalonians 4:13-18), and that after the world has been thoroughly judged by God (Revelation 4-19), the unbeliever's and Satan will be cast into a place called the "lake of fire" to remain eternally (Revelation 20:11-15). We believe the order of other future events to be as follows:

(1) the rapture of the church to heaven to the judgment seat of Christ for the judging of their lives for rewards and the subsequent "marriage supper of the Lamb" (I Corinthians 3:13-15; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:1-10)

(2) the seven year tribulation period upon the earth in which the Gentiles and Jews are punished for their rejection of Christ and during which the Jews through suffering are prepared for the second advent of their Messiah, Jesus Christ (Revelation 4-19)

(3) the ending of this seven year period in the battle of Armageddon, in which God conquers the nations of the earth and forces of darkness (Revelation 19)

(4) the 1,000 year literal reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth (Revelation 20:1-6)

(5) a final rebellion of Satan and men against God which He puts down and ends in Satan being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10)

(6) the Great White Throne Judgment in which God judges sinners and casts them into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15) (7) the creation of a new heaven and new earth and the appearance of the heavenly city of Jerusalem as the abode of the saved (Revelation 21:1-22;5)