Our Beliefs
Our Doctrine
The necessity of sound doctrine in the church is a consistent theme of the New Testament (1 Tim. 1:3, 10, 4:16, 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13, 3:16, 4:2; Titus 1:9-11, 2:1). It is essential to her spiritual health (Eph. 4:14-15); it is the standard by which her conduct is evaluated (Titus 2:1); it is the faith that she contends for (Jude 3); it is the truth which she upholds (1 Tim. 3:15-16).
There is a very real sense in which we can say that the Bible is our creed. For right doctrine is an accurate and systematic statement of what the Bible teaches. It is impossible to discern right and sound doctrine without being a disciple of the Scriptures. Therefore, we affirm our dependence upon the Scriptures for our doctrine and gladly uphold the Bible as our final authority.
The doctrinal statement outlined here is neither exhaustive nor infallible. Rather, it is a summary of those truths which we hold as foundational to the Christian faith. It has been formulated to fulfill three main functions.
To stand as a contemporary expression of faith.
To identify us in a day of varied theologies.
To be a standard by which we can evaluate ourselves and our contemporaries.
What We Believe
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We believe that the Godhead exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one God.
(Gen. 1:1, 26; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19-20; John 4:24, 10:30; 2 Cor. 13:14) -
We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16) and our sole Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5). We believe in His preexistence (John 1:1), His incarnation (John 1:1-14), His virgin birth (Matt. 1:23-25), His sinless life (Heb. 4:15), His substitutionary atonement (Rom. 3:23-25), His bodily resurrection from the grave (Acts 2:24-27), His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9-11), and His bodily return from heaven (Acts 1:10-11).
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We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Godhead who regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all believers in Christ and fills those believers who are yielded to God (Matt. 28:19; John 3:3-7; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 2:12, 6:19, 12:13; Eph. 4:30; Titus 3:5).
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We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from human merit, works, or ceremonies (Acts 4:12, 16:31; Eph. 2:8-9).
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We believe that every word in the original writing of the Holy Scriptures is inspired of God and without error (Matt 5:18; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). We believe that it is therefore the final standard of faith and practice for the believer in Jesus Christ and for His Church.
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We believe that the church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and that there is a two-fold aspect to the church–the universal and the local (Eph. 1:22-23; Philemon 2; 1 Thess. 1:1; Rev. 2:3). We believe that ordinances of the local church are two in number–baptism, or the immersion of the believer in water; and the Lord’s Supper, a memorial of the atoning death of Christ until He comes.
(Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:41; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-24) -
We believe that mankind was created in the image of God, that we sinned in Adam, and that we are now sinners by nature and by choice.
(Gen. 1:26-27, 3:1-6; Rom. 3:10-18, 5:12-14) -
We believe in the resurrection of the human body; the eternal existence of all people in either heaven or hell; in divine judgments, rewards, and punishment. (John 5:25-29, 11:25-26; 1 Cor. 15:51-57; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-15)
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We believe that angels are personal beings, originally created holy, but now exist as fallen and unfallen, including Satan.
(Ps. 148:2-5; Matt. 25:41; Eph. 6:11-12; Col. 1:16; 1 Tim. 5:21; Jude 6; Rev. 12:9) -
We believe in Christ’s personal, visible, millenial return from heaven (Acts 1:11; Rev. 19:11-16). We believe that Christ’s coming involves two distinguishable events: the imminent rapture of the Church ( 1 Thess. 4:13-18); and His second coming in power and glory to set up His thousand year reign on earth (Rev. 19:11-16, 20:1-6). We believe that following the seven year tribulation and the thousand year reign of Christ, the Son will submit His kingdom to the Father and They will reign together throughout eternity (1 Cor. 15:23-28; Rev. 11:15).
What is The Gospel?
What It Means to Be a Christian
Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in the Bible.
God Is Sovereign Creator
The Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God Is Holy
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3); therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. 1 Peter 1:16 says, You shall be holy, for I am holy.
Mankind Is Sinful
According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn’t mean we’re incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we’re utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
Sin Demands a Penalty
God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4). That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus Is Lord and Savior
Romans 10:9 says, If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice, and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
The Character of Saving Faith
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), pursue Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don’t love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
Parent/Child Dedication
Each year at Fellowship Bible Church we hold a Parent/Child Dedication Event where parents dedicate themselves to raising their child to love God, as well as dedicating their child back to Him.
God has entrusted parents with the precious gift of new life, and we look forward to partnering with moms and dads as they embark on the lifelong journey of parenting. We pray that each Parent/Child Dedication Event is a memorable occasion for all those who participate.
Baptism
What is baptism?
The word baptize comes from the Greek word baptizo, meaning to dip or submerge. It was used to describe the process of making pickles or dying cloth. Baptism was a common practice in many ancient religions as part of ceremonial washings. During the life of Jesus, John the Baptist baptized people to symbolize that they needed to change their lives and begin obeying God from the heart. In its original context, baptism symbolized cleansing from an old, wrong way of acting or thinking and identifying with a new, God-honoring lifestyle. The baptisms also took place in public places so everyone in the community could see the difference Jesus had made in the person’s life.
In Romans 6:1-4, the apostle Paul explains the symbolism of Christian baptism: as Jesus died and was raised from the dead, we have died to our old way of life and have been raised to a new life as a result of trusting in Jesus.
Why does FBC do baptism?
One of Jesus’ final instructions to His followers was to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
We baptize people today because Jesus tells us that after a person has become His follower (or disciple), they’re supposed to be baptized. The purpose of baptism is to show people in both the church and the community that they’ve become a follower of Jesus.
Baptism will not cause God to forgive them – or help them get into heaven. The Bible does not teach this and we’re shown by example as well. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, the thief hanging beside Him asked, “Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” There was no opportunity for the thief to be baptized but Jesus told the thief that He would see him in heaven that very day (Luke 23:42,43).
When should someone be baptized?
Baptism should be done after a person has trusted in Jesus for forgiveness of his or her sins. Jesus tells us to make disciples and baptize; FBC believes He meant it to be done in that order. That’s also the pattern seen in the Bible in places like Acts 8:38.
If you were baptized as an infant or at any time before you trusted in Jesus for forgiveness of your sins, you are encouraged to be baptized again. If the Lord is drawing you to the enjoyment of this full obedience “through faith,” we encourage you to contact the church office (304-842-4044) or speak with any one of the Elders.