About us
We are an independent fundamental King James Bible believing church located on the Palouse. We are Baptist in doctrine and practice, not by denomination or association. Our purpose is to LIFT UP the Lord Jesus Christ and His words, to BUILD UP His saints, and to FREE UP the lost who are dead in trespasses and sins, through the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you are currently looking for a church family, or would simply like to visit, we invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:45am. Our church is warm and welcoming. We sing lively and timeless songs from the hymn book, and enjoy Bible preaching that is doctrinally, practically, and devotionally applicable to our our lives. We'd love for you to visit us one Sunday, as we study Gods word.
If you are currently looking for a church family, or would simply like to visit, we invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:45am. Our church is warm and welcoming. We sing lively and timeless songs from the hymn book, and enjoy Bible preaching that is doctrinally, practically, and devotionally applicable to our our lives. We'd love for you to visit us one Sunday, as we study Gods word.
What we believe
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it is truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
a) By “The Holy Bible” we mean the collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written and providentially preserved does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God. At times these words were spoken and later written; at times they were simply written. Either way, they are the words of God.
b) By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written in such a definite way that those writings are as certainly the words of God as they would be if God had penned them Himself. No other writings can claim to be inspired as the Bible is inspired. Inspiration is not just a work of the past but is also a work of the present. When the words of God are read or heard, the Holy Spirit gives them by inspiration.
c) As God inspired His Word, we believe that God preserved His Word in the form of the Authorized King James Version. We believe the King James Version to be the infallible and inerrant Word of God.
We believe that the absolute, sole, authoritative rule for faith and practice is the perfect, preserved word of God, which, for English speaking people, is the Authorized King James Version.
(Ps 12:6,7; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21; Jn12:48-50; Acts 1:16; Ps 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Jn 17:17; 1 Pet 1:23; Matt 24:35; Lk 24:25-27; 44-45; Rom 15:4; Lk 16:31; Prov 30:5-6; Rom 3:4; Ps. 19:7-11)
The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent 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 Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Ex 20:2-3; Deut 6:4-5; Mk 12:30; Gen 17:1; Is 43:10-12; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:6; Jn 4:24; Ps 147:5; 83:18; 90:2; Jer 10:10; Ex 15:11; Rev 4:11; 1 Tim 1:17; Rom 11:33; Matt 28:19; 1 Jn 5:7; Matt 3:16-17; 2 Cor 13:14; Jn 1:1, 14; 10:30; 17:5; Phil 2:5-6; Jn 15:26; 1 Cor 12:4-6; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor 3:17; 1 Cor 2:10-11; Eph 2:18
The Son of God
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 a virgin named Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. We believe that God manifested himself in the flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, who is both the Son of God and the Son of man. We believe that he lived a perfectly sinless life on this earth.
1 Tim 3:16; Is 7:14; Lk 1:35; Jn 1:1-2, 14; Mk 1:1; Matt 1:1, Matt 9:6; Gal 4:4-5; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22
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.
Phil 2:5-8; Eph 1:7; 2 Cor 5:19-21; 1 Pet2:24; Rom3:24-25; 1 Pet 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; 2:31-36; Heb9:24,7:25; Rom 8:34; 1 Jn 2:1-2
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that He reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; and that He indwells, comforts, seals, fills, guides, teaches, sanctifies, helps and assures the Believer; that he intercedes for the Believer, reveals the scripture to him, and endues him with power.
We believe that baptism by the Holy Ghost into the body of Christ occurs at salvation and that there is no verse in the Bible that commands believers that they must speak in tongues or perform miracles in order to prove that they are baptized by the Holy Ghost or filled with the Spirit.
Matt 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor 3:17; Gen 1:1-3; Ps 104:30; Jn 16:8-11; 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; Jn 1 :33; Heb 9:14; Jn 3:5-6; Eph 1:13; Jn 14:16-17; Acts 4:31; Jn 16:13; Rom 8:14; Jn 14:26; 2 Thes 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2; Rom 8:16; Rom 8:26-27; 1 Cor 2:10-16; Lk 24:49; 1 Cor 12:13; Acts 11:16
Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors as the anointed cherub that covered the throne; that through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy, the lord of the antichrist, the accuser of the saints, and the author of all the powers of darkness, though he is transformed into an angel of light. We believe that he is destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Ezek 28:13-17; Is 14:12-15; Eph 2:2; Jn 14:30; 2 Cor 4:4; 1Thes 3:5; Matt 4:1-11; Matt 13:25, 37-39; 1 Pet 5:8; Lk 22:3-4; Mk 13:21-23; 1 Jn 4:3; 2 Jn 7; 1 Jn 2:22; Rev 13:13-14; 2 Thes 2:3-10; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rev 12:7-10; 1 Jn 3:8; Rev. 19:20; 20:1-3, 10; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4; Matt 25:41
Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary changes of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly; and God established that they should bring forth only "after their kind." We reject any form of theistic or atheistic evolution.
Gen 1:1; Ex 20:11; John 1:3; Rom 1:20; Col 1:15-17; Rev 10:6
Sin
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; so all men are sinners by birth and by choice and are therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-6; 5:3; Rom 3:10-19,23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19; Rom 1:32
Salvation
a) The Atonement For Sin:
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the 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 cross.
Eph 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 8:24; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; Rom. 3:25; I John 4:10;
I Cor. 15:1-4; II Cor. 5:21; John 10:18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 2:24; I Pet. 3:18; Isaiah 53:11; Heb. 12:2; I Cor. 15:20; Isaiah 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:2
b) The New Creature:
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 in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3; II Cor. 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 1:12-13; Gal. 5:22; Eph 5:9
c) Free 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. We believe in salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross plus nothing. Therefore, we do not believe that works are necessary for salvation, although once a person is saved, he should be careful to maintain good works.
Rom 3:24; 6:23; 10:9-13; Eph 2:8-10
d) Justification:
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer´s blood and His righteousness is imputed to us.
Acts 13:39; Isa; 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 5:1; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 1:17; Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:1-8; Heb. 10:38
e) Repentance and Faith:
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God, thereby; being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our Savior.
Acts 20:39; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-39; Luke 18:13; Rom 10:13; Psalms 51:1-4; Psalms 51:7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Rom 10:9-11
Eternal Security
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are secure in Christ forever. However, we believe that God’s Word clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.
John 10:27-29; Rom 8:34-39; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 5:13; Eph 4:30; 1 John 3:2; 5:13
Heaven and Hell
We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do, at death, immediately pass into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at the Rapture when soul and body reunited shall be present forever with the Lord. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery in hell until the Great White Throne Judgment at the close of the millennium. Then soul and body reunited, shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting torment.
Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; II Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; 1 Thess 4:13-18; II Thess 1:7-9; Rev 20:1-15
The Church
We believe in the unity of all true believers in Jesus Christ. All saved people make up the Church which is the Body of Christ, that He began to build after the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:47; Acts 8:1,3; Gal 1:13; Heb 9:15-17), and will complete at the pre-tribulation rapture (I Thess 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-54), and into which all true believers of the present age are baptized immediately by the Holy Spirit.
I Cor 12:12-13; Eph 4:5
We believe that this Church is manifested through the local church which is a congregation of immersed believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws in accordance with the Pauline revelation, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; and that its officers are pastors (also called elders) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scripture. We believe the true mission of the church is for the edification, perfection, exhortation and comfort of its members in spiritual matters; the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals; that the one and only head and overseer of the local church is the God-called and Spirit-filled pastor, just as Jesus Christ is the Head and Chief Shepherd over the entire church; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its fellowship; and that in all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Eph 1:10, 22-23; Eph 3:1-6; Gal 3:26-28; I Cor 12:12-13; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4, 41, 47; I Cor 11:2; Titus 1:5-7; Eph 4:11-16; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim 3:1-7; I Pet 5:1-4; Heb 13:7, 17; Col 1:18; Eph 5:23-24; Acts 15:13-18
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that salvation must precede water baptism. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost under the authority of the local church. It is to picture, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, showing forth our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Salvation and baptism are prerequisite to the privilege of church membership. The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance in which members of the church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate the love of Christ shown at Calvary. This ordinance should always be preceded by solemn self-examination, realizing that we are showing forth the Lord’s death till He comes.
Matthew 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-31; 12:13; Colossians 2:12
Separation
We believe in the Biblical doctrine of separation which encompasses three things: (1) the separation of the local church from all affiliation and partnership with those who deny the verities of the "faith which was once delivered to the saints," as well as any groups that do not share or affirm the articles of this statement of faith, including inter-denominational, and ecumenical organizations; (2) the separation of the individual believer from all worldly and sinful practices that may dishonor the Saviour; and (3) the separation of church and state.
Amos 3:3; Jude 3; Tit 3:10; Rom 16:17-18; II John 9-11; II Cor 6:14-7:1; II Thess 3:6, 14, 15; Rom 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17;
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, and that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that all giving should be in accordance with a heart surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ, not grudgingly, or of necessity; but cheerfully, as is pleasing to God. 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; Heb 7:2-4; Lev 27:32; Prov 3:9-10; 1 Cor 16:1-2; 2 Cor 8:8-12; 9:6-8; Acts 20:35
Missions
We believe that all men everywhere are lost and condemned, and that the command to go and preach the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable. 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 and tribe who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Only those missionaries and/or ministries that share and or affirm the articles of faith delineated in this statement of faith will be supported financially by BBCotp.
John 3:18, 36; Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20
The Second Coming
We believe in the imminent return of The Lord Jesus Christ for all New Testament believers. This pre-tribulation rapture of the saints will be followed by a seven-year period of judgment upon the world, which Jesus called a time of “great tribulation”. This judgment is spoken of in the Old Testament as “the time of Jacobs trouble”, and “a time of trouble, such as never was”. At the end of the Tribulation, the Lord Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints to establish His earthly Messianic kingdom, where God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet.
Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 1:11; I Cor 15:51-55; I Thess 4:13-18; Jer 30:7; Daniel 12:1; Mt 24:3-35; Rev 1:7; 19:11-16; 20:1-4 ; Jer 23:5-6; Ps 72:8; 1 Cor 15:25
Rightly Dividing
We follow the Biblical command to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). 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 dispensational divisions reveal different methods in which man is given different responsibilities to respond to God's will for him according to God's holy purpose. Such divisions include differences between the Old and New Testaments, The church age and Tribulation Period, the Millennium, and Eternity. We reject the opposing positions of reformed/covenant theology (Calvinism) as well as the hyper-dispensational, ecumenical, and charismatic points of view.
Gen. 1:28; I Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-27; Hebrews 9:15-18; Rev. 20:2-6
Unchaste Conduct
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate physical activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman (as genetically defined). We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography is a sinful perversion of God’s original intent for a physical relationship between a husband and wife.
Gen 2:24; Lev 18:1-30; Rom 1:20-32; I Cor 5:1; 6:9; I Thess 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, inexcusable 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 mental well-being of the mother are acceptable.
Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
Civil Government
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority which consists 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 are governed by His word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and has balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.
Rom 13:1-7; Ephs 5:21-6:4; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 2:13-15; Acts 5:29
Love
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow Believers, but also those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions and practices, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such. We further believe that, in the instances of violent attack, war, and assault, the Believer should react in an appropriate manner to defend the innocent. This is also in keeping with our responsibility to a God-ordained government.
Lev 19:18; Matt 5:44-48; Lk 6:31; Jn 13:34-35; Rom 12:9-10, 17-21; Rom 13:8-10; Phil 2:2-4; Titus 3:2; 1 Jn 3:17-18; Lk 22:36-38
Lawsuits Between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christian individuals or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe that the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation 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
Authority of The Articles of Faith
This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Authorized King James Bible itself is the sole and final source and authority of all that we believe. We do believe, however that the foregoing Articles of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore serves as the basis of unity upon which our fellowship is built.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it is truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
a) By “The Holy Bible” we mean the collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written and providentially preserved does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God. At times these words were spoken and later written; at times they were simply written. Either way, they are the words of God.
b) By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written in such a definite way that those writings are as certainly the words of God as they would be if God had penned them Himself. No other writings can claim to be inspired as the Bible is inspired. Inspiration is not just a work of the past but is also a work of the present. When the words of God are read or heard, the Holy Spirit gives them by inspiration.
c) As God inspired His Word, we believe that God preserved His Word in the form of the Authorized King James Version. We believe the King James Version to be the infallible and inerrant Word of God.
We believe that the absolute, sole, authoritative rule for faith and practice is the perfect, preserved word of God, which, for English speaking people, is the Authorized King James Version.
(Ps 12:6,7; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21; Jn12:48-50; Acts 1:16; Ps 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Jn 17:17; 1 Pet 1:23; Matt 24:35; Lk 24:25-27; 44-45; Rom 15:4; Lk 16:31; Prov 30:5-6; Rom 3:4; Ps. 19:7-11)
The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent 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 Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Ex 20:2-3; Deut 6:4-5; Mk 12:30; Gen 17:1; Is 43:10-12; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:6; Jn 4:24; Ps 147:5; 83:18; 90:2; Jer 10:10; Ex 15:11; Rev 4:11; 1 Tim 1:17; Rom 11:33; Matt 28:19; 1 Jn 5:7; Matt 3:16-17; 2 Cor 13:14; Jn 1:1, 14; 10:30; 17:5; Phil 2:5-6; Jn 15:26; 1 Cor 12:4-6; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor 3:17; 1 Cor 2:10-11; Eph 2:18
The Son of God
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 a virgin named Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. We believe that God manifested himself in the flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, who is both the Son of God and the Son of man. We believe that he lived a perfectly sinless life on this earth.
1 Tim 3:16; Is 7:14; Lk 1:35; Jn 1:1-2, 14; Mk 1:1; Matt 1:1, Matt 9:6; Gal 4:4-5; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22
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.
Phil 2:5-8; Eph 1:7; 2 Cor 5:19-21; 1 Pet2:24; Rom3:24-25; 1 Pet 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; 2:31-36; Heb9:24,7:25; Rom 8:34; 1 Jn 2:1-2
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that He reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; and that He indwells, comforts, seals, fills, guides, teaches, sanctifies, helps and assures the Believer; that he intercedes for the Believer, reveals the scripture to him, and endues him with power.
We believe that baptism by the Holy Ghost into the body of Christ occurs at salvation and that there is no verse in the Bible that commands believers that they must speak in tongues or perform miracles in order to prove that they are baptized by the Holy Ghost or filled with the Spirit.
Matt 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor 3:17; Gen 1:1-3; Ps 104:30; Jn 16:8-11; 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; Jn 1 :33; Heb 9:14; Jn 3:5-6; Eph 1:13; Jn 14:16-17; Acts 4:31; Jn 16:13; Rom 8:14; Jn 14:26; 2 Thes 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2; Rom 8:16; Rom 8:26-27; 1 Cor 2:10-16; Lk 24:49; 1 Cor 12:13; Acts 11:16
Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors as the anointed cherub that covered the throne; that through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy, the lord of the antichrist, the accuser of the saints, and the author of all the powers of darkness, though he is transformed into an angel of light. We believe that he is destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God’s own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Ezek 28:13-17; Is 14:12-15; Eph 2:2; Jn 14:30; 2 Cor 4:4; 1Thes 3:5; Matt 4:1-11; Matt 13:25, 37-39; 1 Pet 5:8; Lk 22:3-4; Mk 13:21-23; 1 Jn 4:3; 2 Jn 7; 1 Jn 2:22; Rev 13:13-14; 2 Thes 2:3-10; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rev 12:7-10; 1 Jn 3:8; Rev. 19:20; 20:1-3, 10; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4; Matt 25:41
Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary changes of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly; and God established that they should bring forth only "after their kind." We reject any form of theistic or atheistic evolution.
Gen 1:1; Ex 20:11; John 1:3; Rom 1:20; Col 1:15-17; Rev 10:6
Sin
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; so all men are sinners by birth and by choice and are therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-6; 5:3; Rom 3:10-19,23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19; Rom 1:32
Salvation
a) The Atonement For Sin:
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the 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 cross.
Eph 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 8:24; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; Rom. 3:25; I John 4:10;
I Cor. 15:1-4; II Cor. 5:21; John 10:18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 2:24; I Pet. 3:18; Isaiah 53:11; Heb. 12:2; I Cor. 15:20; Isaiah 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:2
b) The New Creature:
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 in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3; II Cor. 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 1:12-13; Gal. 5:22; Eph 5:9
c) Free 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. We believe in salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross plus nothing. Therefore, we do not believe that works are necessary for salvation, although once a person is saved, he should be careful to maintain good works.
Rom 3:24; 6:23; 10:9-13; Eph 2:8-10
d) Justification:
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer´s blood and His righteousness is imputed to us.
Acts 13:39; Isa; 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 5:1; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 1:17; Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:1-8; Heb. 10:38
e) Repentance and Faith:
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God, thereby; being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our Savior.
Acts 20:39; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-39; Luke 18:13; Rom 10:13; Psalms 51:1-4; Psalms 51:7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Rom 10:9-11
Eternal Security
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are secure in Christ forever. However, we believe that God’s Word clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.
John 10:27-29; Rom 8:34-39; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 5:13; Eph 4:30; 1 John 3:2; 5:13
Heaven and Hell
We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do, at death, immediately pass into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at the Rapture when soul and body reunited shall be present forever with the Lord. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery in hell until the Great White Throne Judgment at the close of the millennium. Then soul and body reunited, shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting torment.
Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; II Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; 1 Thess 4:13-18; II Thess 1:7-9; Rev 20:1-15
The Church
We believe in the unity of all true believers in Jesus Christ. All saved people make up the Church which is the Body of Christ, that He began to build after the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:47; Acts 8:1,3; Gal 1:13; Heb 9:15-17), and will complete at the pre-tribulation rapture (I Thess 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-54), and into which all true believers of the present age are baptized immediately by the Holy Spirit.
I Cor 12:12-13; Eph 4:5
We believe that this Church is manifested through the local church which is a congregation of immersed believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws in accordance with the Pauline revelation, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; and that its officers are pastors (also called elders) and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scripture. We believe the true mission of the church is for the edification, perfection, exhortation and comfort of its members in spiritual matters; the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals; that the one and only head and overseer of the local church is the God-called and Spirit-filled pastor, just as Jesus Christ is the Head and Chief Shepherd over the entire church; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its fellowship; and that in all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Eph 1:10, 22-23; Eph 3:1-6; Gal 3:26-28; I Cor 12:12-13; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4, 41, 47; I Cor 11:2; Titus 1:5-7; Eph 4:11-16; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim 3:1-7; I Pet 5:1-4; Heb 13:7, 17; Col 1:18; Eph 5:23-24; Acts 15:13-18
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that salvation must precede water baptism. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost under the authority of the local church. It is to picture, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, showing forth our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Salvation and baptism are prerequisite to the privilege of church membership. The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance in which members of the church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate the love of Christ shown at Calvary. This ordinance should always be preceded by solemn self-examination, realizing that we are showing forth the Lord’s death till He comes.
Matthew 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-31; 12:13; Colossians 2:12
Separation
We believe in the Biblical doctrine of separation which encompasses three things: (1) the separation of the local church from all affiliation and partnership with those who deny the verities of the "faith which was once delivered to the saints," as well as any groups that do not share or affirm the articles of this statement of faith, including inter-denominational, and ecumenical organizations; (2) the separation of the individual believer from all worldly and sinful practices that may dishonor the Saviour; and (3) the separation of church and state.
Amos 3:3; Jude 3; Tit 3:10; Rom 16:17-18; II John 9-11; II Cor 6:14-7:1; II Thess 3:6, 14, 15; Rom 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17;
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, and that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that all giving should be in accordance with a heart surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ, not grudgingly, or of necessity; but cheerfully, as is pleasing to God. 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; Heb 7:2-4; Lev 27:32; Prov 3:9-10; 1 Cor 16:1-2; 2 Cor 8:8-12; 9:6-8; Acts 20:35
Missions
We believe that all men everywhere are lost and condemned, and that the command to go and preach the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable. 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 and tribe who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Only those missionaries and/or ministries that share and or affirm the articles of faith delineated in this statement of faith will be supported financially by BBCotp.
John 3:18, 36; Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20
The Second Coming
We believe in the imminent return of The Lord Jesus Christ for all New Testament believers. This pre-tribulation rapture of the saints will be followed by a seven-year period of judgment upon the world, which Jesus called a time of “great tribulation”. This judgment is spoken of in the Old Testament as “the time of Jacobs trouble”, and “a time of trouble, such as never was”. At the end of the Tribulation, the Lord Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints to establish His earthly Messianic kingdom, where God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet.
Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 1:11; I Cor 15:51-55; I Thess 4:13-18; Jer 30:7; Daniel 12:1; Mt 24:3-35; Rev 1:7; 19:11-16; 20:1-4 ; Jer 23:5-6; Ps 72:8; 1 Cor 15:25
Rightly Dividing
We follow the Biblical command to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). 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 dispensational divisions reveal different methods in which man is given different responsibilities to respond to God's will for him according to God's holy purpose. Such divisions include differences between the Old and New Testaments, The church age and Tribulation Period, the Millennium, and Eternity. We reject the opposing positions of reformed/covenant theology (Calvinism) as well as the hyper-dispensational, ecumenical, and charismatic points of view.
Gen. 1:28; I Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-27; Hebrews 9:15-18; Rev. 20:2-6
Unchaste Conduct
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate physical activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman (as genetically defined). We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography is a sinful perversion of God’s original intent for a physical relationship between a husband and wife.
Gen 2:24; Lev 18:1-30; Rom 1:20-32; I Cor 5:1; 6:9; I Thess 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, inexcusable 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 mental well-being of the mother are acceptable.
Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
Civil Government
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority which consists 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 are governed by His word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and has balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.
Rom 13:1-7; Ephs 5:21-6:4; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 2:13-15; Acts 5:29
Love
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow Believers, but also those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions and practices, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such. We further believe that, in the instances of violent attack, war, and assault, the Believer should react in an appropriate manner to defend the innocent. This is also in keeping with our responsibility to a God-ordained government.
Lev 19:18; Matt 5:44-48; Lk 6:31; Jn 13:34-35; Rom 12:9-10, 17-21; Rom 13:8-10; Phil 2:2-4; Titus 3:2; 1 Jn 3:17-18; Lk 22:36-38
Lawsuits Between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christian individuals or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe that the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation 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
Authority of The Articles of Faith
This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Authorized King James Bible itself is the sole and final source and authority of all that we believe. We do believe, however that the foregoing Articles of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore serves as the basis of unity upon which our fellowship is built.
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