Bible Christian Fellowship Statement of Faith

Heaven and earth will have a new beginning. Heaven and Earth have awaited their redemption and will be restored in harmony and order, wherein dwells righteousness.

Statement of Faith

WE BELIEVE:

 

  1. The Bible is our all-sufficient rule of faith and conduct in The Kingdom of God:

We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God, the Bible is our rule of faith and life. (1 Tim. 3:14-15; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16)

 

  1. Kingdom Law – The Inspired Word of God:

We believe that the Scriptures, both the Old and the New Testaments, contains the verbally inspired, and authoritative word of God. It is God’s Book of the law and His covenants and its purpose is to order our fallen race and to make us conscious of our moral responsibility. By the work of God’s Spirit, it convicts us of our sin and God’s righteous judgment against us and brings us to Christ alone for salvation.  (Isa 8:20; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet.1:21).

 

  1. God The King And The Holy Trinity (Godhead)

We believe that Yahweh our God is the Eternal King. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power, and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God.  Jehovah our God has chosen to reveal Himself as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one God the same in substance, equal in power and glory. God is a Trinity in unity. (1 Jn.5:7, 20 ;Dt.6:4; Isa. 43:10, 11/48:16-17;Mt. 28:19; Lk. 3:22; Isaiah 44:6/48:16; Rom. 1:20; Psalm 95:3; Isaiah 43:15; Psalm 147:5; Job 11:7-9; James 1:17; John 4:24; Matt.5:48; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Psalm 104:24; Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 28:29; Exodus 33:19; Psalm 31:19; Psalm 33:5; Psalm 89:14; Isaiah 30:18; Exodus 15:6; Psalm 63:2; 1 John 4:8; Is. 43:13; 45:5)

 

  1. God The King: The Creator And Ruler Of All Things

We believe that Jehovah our God is The King: The Creator and Ruler of All Things. We believe that Jehovah God’s kingdom is everlasting. From His throne, through His Son, His eternal Word, God created, upholds and governs all that exists: the heavenly places, the angelic hosts, the universe, the earth, every living thing, and human beings. God created all things very good.  Out of nothing, God made the things that are the universe, the elements, plant life, animal life (to reproduce each after its kind) and finally, man in the image of God. (Gen. 1:1-27,31; Neh.9:6; Ps. 33:6,9; Jn. 1:3; Heb. 11:3; Psalm 45:6; Psalm 145:13; Daniel 4:3; Psalm 93:1-2; John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:1-2; Psalm 95:3-5; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3; Psalm 103:19/ 104:24-29/ 96:4-6/ 89:11/ 103:20-21; Colossians 1:16-17; Psalm 104:5 /103:22/22:28/47:8)

 

  1. Christ The Mediator And Eternal King

We believe that The Lord Jesus Christ is The Son of God, is God and man. Jesus Christ is perfect God and perfect man. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Jn. 1: 1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:10).

As the Eternal Son of God , Mediator and Eternal King, we believe:

  • He was born of a virgin. (Mt. 1:23; Lk. 1:31, 35).
  • He led a sinless life (Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22).
  • He performed miracles (Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38).
  • He died on the cross for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor.5:21).
  • He rose bodily from the dead (Mt. 28:6; Lk. 24:39; 1 Cor. 15:4).
  • He sits at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:3).
  • He will visibly return again (Acts 1:10, 11).

As God’s Son and David’s heir, He is the eternal Messiah-King, advancing God’s reign throughout every generation and throughout the whole earth today.

 

  1. The Kingdom In Creation, The Fall, And The Doctrine Of Original Sin

We believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth.  When Adam and Eve fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, our original parents fell from grace and they became dead in sin, bringing sickness and God’s judgment of death to the earth. From this original sin our natures became sinful. Because of the sinfulness of man, sinful man is inclined to serve his own will instead of God. (Ps. 36:1; Jer.17:9; Rom.1:18-32;3:9-18;Isa.24:5-6; Gen.1:26-27/3:1,8; Rev. 12:9; Rom. 1:21/5:12,16; John 5:14;

1 Cor. 15:22; John 8:44; 1 John 5:19; Rom. 8:20-23; Psalm 51:5; Gal. 1:3-5/ 4:8-9; Col. 1:13).

 

  1. Counterfeit Kingdom: Satan And Demonic Hosts:

We believe that Satan, originally a great, good angel, rebelled against God, taking a host of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and, as a usurper of God’s rule, established a counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth.

Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God’s good creation. Creation now experiences the

consequences and effects of Adam’s original sin. Human beings are born in sin, subject to God’s judgment of death, and captive to Satan’s kingdom of darkness. (Revelation 12:7-9; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 6:12; Mark 3:22-26; Ephesians 2:1-2; 1 John 5:19)

 

  1. In the Salvation of Man:

We believe that the Bible teaches that God has provided salvation for man in the person and work (life, ministry, vicarious death, and resurrection) of His Son Jesus Christ. Repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, Baptism in the name of Jesus and receiving The Holy Spirit are commandments of God necessary for salvation. (Acts 2:38; Matt.28:18-19;Mk. 1:15; Mk. 3:19, Mk. 16:15-16; Jn. 3:16;Acts 17:30,5:32;1Peter 3:21).

 

  1. The Salvation of Man: The Power Of The Gospel Over The Kingdom Of Darkness:

We believe that the whole world is under the domination of Satan and that all people are sinners by nature and choice. All people therefore are under God’s just judgment. Through the preaching of the Good News of Jesus and the Kingdom of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit, God regenerates, justifies, adopts, and sanctifies, through Jesus by the Spirit, all who obey The Gospel and repent of their sins toward God, believe, trust and confesse Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in the waters of Baptism, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And by this they are released from Satan’s domain and enter into God’s Kingdom reign. (Luke 4:5-7; 1 John 5:19; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18,21-23,32/2:5 • 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 5:6; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 8:12/28:31; Ephesians 5:5; John 16:7-11/3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Romans 5:1-2, 5:9,8:15; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 5:25; Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9; 1 John 4:13-15; Colossians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:20)

 

  1. The Sanctification of the believer:

We believe that with salvation we are set apart from sin and dedicated to God for fellowship and service. This sanctification is both instant and progressive in the life of the saint. (Acts 26:18; 1Thess. 4:7, 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 10:4; 1 Pet. 1:2).

 

  1. In the Ministry of the Holy Spirit:

We believe that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church at Pentecost in power, baptizing believers into the Body of Christ and releasing the gifts of the Spirit to them. The Spirit brings the permanent indwelling presence of God to us for spiritual worship, personal sanctification, building up the Church, gifting us for ministry, and driving back the kingdom of Satan by the evangelization of the world through proclaiming the word of Jesus and doing the works of Jesus.

We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is our abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide.(Acts 1:8/ 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13,4-7; John 14:16-17; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 5:18-20; 8:3-4; 1 Corinthians 14:12,26; Romans 12:4-6; Luke 11:20; 1 John 3:8b; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 14:12- 13; Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 4:20; Romans 8:9-10; John 16:7/ 14:26/16:13-15; Romans 8:14; Luke 24:49; Acts 4:31, 8:18-19,19:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 4:7/6:4-7; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:15-17; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 14:1,14:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:19- 21; Acts 8:14-17/ 19:6; Mark 1:41; Luke 6:18b-19; Mark 16:18; Acts 13:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6)

 

  1. The Church and its Mission for The Kingdom of God:

We believe that the Church is made up of born again Christians who are gathered together in Christ the head of the church; through which the gospel is preached and believers are nurtured. (Mt. 28:19, 20; Mk.16:15; Acts 1:8; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 14:12).

  • To accomplish the work of the ministry we believe in the priesthood of the believer. (Eph. 4:12; 1 Pet 2:9)
  • And in the ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. (Eph. 4:11, 12).
  1. In the Ordinances of the Church – Baptism And The Lord’s Supper:

We believe that there are two commanded ordinances (authoritative order, decree) that we observe and practice.

  • Water baptism by immersion: all who repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus

Christ are commanded to be baptized. (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Acts 10:47; Rom. 6:4).

  • Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper. All baptized born again believers partake of the Lord’s Supper. “Do it in remembrance” declares the Lord’s death and as such a memorial (1 Cor. 11:24; 1K. 22:19). “You do this to proclaim the Lord’s death” is an act of faith in the atoning work of Christ and as a proclamation (1 Co. 11:26). “Till He comes” is a statement of anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ and as such our hope. We believe that if one is not baptized, he/she cannot receive communion.
  1. In Divine Healing:

We believe that Jesus Christ is our Divine Physician who according to His will, sovereignty, graciousness, and mercy can heal the sick. (Isa. 53:4, 5; Mt. 8:16-17; James 5:14-16).

 

  1. In the Second Coming of Christ:

We believe that Our Lord Jesus Christ will return for His Church, His Bride. We believe that his coming will be personal, visible, and glorious. (Jn. 14:3; Acts 1:10-11; Heb. 9:28; Phil.3:20; Zech. 12:10; 2 Thess. 1:7; Col. 3:4; Rev. 1:7).

  • The dead in Christ will rise, then the redeemed that are alive shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.

(1 Cor. 15:51-52; I Thess. 4:17; 2 Thess. 2:1; Titus 2:13).

  • With the Second Coming of Christ will begin the thousand year reign of Christ over an earthly kingdom (2Peter 3:10-13;Rev. 20:2, 6).

We at The Bible Christian Fellowship take a post millennial position, but we are not dogmatic about it. Our emphasis is on living a holy and godly life waiting for the return of Our Lord. When He returns we will know exactly what and how everything will happen. Our focus is on what Our Lord commanded: Be watchful and ready. We as the followers of Jesus Christ know what we signed up for, and if that means suffering through The Great Tribulation, then we will be ready to suffer as Christ suffered!

 

  1. The Kingdom of God and The Final Judgment:

Known as the “Great White Throne Judgment” it describes the judgment of all the wicked (Rev. 20:11-14).

We believe that God’s kingdom has come in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, that it continues to come in the ministry of the Spirit through the Church, and that it will be consummated in the glorious, visible, and triumphant appearing of Christ – His return to the earth as King. After Christ returns to reign, He will bring about the final defeat of Satan and all of his minions and works, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment and the eternal blessing of the righteous, and eternal conscious punishment of the wicked. Finally, God will be all in all and His kingdom, His rule

and reign, will be fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth, recreated by His mighty power, in which righteousness dwells and in which He will forever be worshipped. (Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 4:23,12:28,6:10;10:7-8,24:14; Mark 13:11; John 15:26-27; Romans 14:17-18; Mark 13:26; Acts 1:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:11-16; Matthew 25:31-32; 1 Corinthians 15:23-25; Revelation 20:10; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; John 5:28-30; Revelation 20:11- 15; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:5, 21:27; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 7:9-12)

 

  1. The Kingdom of God – A New Heaven and a New Earth:

Heaven and earth will have a new beginning. Heaven and Earth have awaited their redemption and will be restored in harmony and order, wherein dwells righteousness. (Ps. 102:25-26; Isa. 34:4, 51:6; Rom. 8:22; 2 Pet. 3:10,13).

 

  1. Marriage Is the Union between a Man and a Woman:

Marriage is a sacrament of the Church. This church defines “marriage” as the exclusive covenantal union of one man and one woman in which such union is a lifetime commitment.(Matt.18:4-6)

A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it is consistent with the definition of “marriage” found in this Statement.

 

  1. Legitimate Sexual Relations are Exercised Solely Within Marriage: Between a Man and a Woman:

Legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual activities outside of marriage (referred to in the New Testament as “porneia”– πορνεια) including but not limited to, adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, and pedophilia are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church. Further, lascivious conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation and/or distribution and/or viewing of pornography, are incompatible with the biblical witness. We will not allow anyone having sexual relationships outside of marriage to continue as a member of BCF.

1 Corinthians 7:2: “Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband”

1 Corinthians 7:9: “It is better to marry than to burn with passion”

Hebrews 13:4: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous”

1 Corinthians 6:18: “Avoid porneia,” translated as “fornication” or “sexual immorality”

Galatians 5:19: “Avoid porneia,” translated as “fornication” or “sexual immorality”