Believers
Bible Chapel, Inc. - Union MO
Statement
of Faith
Article
1 -- The Scriptures:
Holy
men who were moved by the Holy Spirit wrote the whole Bible (Mark
12:26, 36; 13:11; Acts 1:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:21). In
this fashion, they were inspired. This inspiration extends to every
part of Scripture in the original manuscripts. The original
manuscripts do not error. The Bible is the supreme authority in all
matters that It addresses (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2
Timothy 3:16).
Article
2 -- The Godhead:
The
Trinity: The
single Godhead (Mark 12:29) eternally exists in three Persons: the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians
13:14). Each Person has the same nature (Hebrews 1:3) and
attributes (Matthew 28:18; John 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; Hebrews 1:2-3) and
is worthy of the same worship and obedience (Acts 5:3-4; Revelation
1:5-7).
Foreknowledge:
God
knows all things, past, present, and future (Psalm 139:1-4; 147:5;
Matthew 11:21; Acts 2:23; 3:18; Ephesians 1:11).
Creation:
God
created the world and the heavens and everything in them (Genesis
1:1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17) from nothing (Hebrews 11:3).
Humankind was present from the event of creation (Mark 10:6; Luke
11:50-51). Each day of Genesis 1:3-31 was a 24-hour day (see
especially verses 14-19).
Article
3 -- Mankind:
Humankind
was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) but sinned (Genesis
2:17; 3:6) and became spiritually dead (Genesis 2:17). Spiritual
death has been passed along to the entire human race with the
exception of the Lord Jesus Christ. It has resulted in mankind being
born without divine life and unchangeably bad apart from grace
(Genesis 6:5; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:6; 5:40;
6:35; Romans 3:10-19, 23-24; 8:6-7; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9).
Article
4 -- Theological System:
Method
of Interpretation:
Normal
Method: Scripture
is interpreted by determining the meaning intended by the author.
This is the normal or literal meaning that takes into consideration
the plain meaning of symbols, types, and figures of speech.
Philosophically this method also provides the best way for God to
provide His revelations to humankind in an objective fashion.
Prophecy:
The
normal method is to be applied consistently to all of Scripture
including prophetic portions. This normal method best describes the
fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies of the first Advent of the
Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament like
(1)
the hardening of the Jewish understanding in Isaiah 6:9-10; 53:1
versus John 12:37-41; (2) the healing ministry of the Messiah in
Isaiah 53:4 versus Matthew 8:16-17; and (3) the classification of
Jesus as a criminal in Isaiah 53:12 versus Luke 22:37.
Progressive
Revelation: While
later revelation in Scripture may expand and/or clarify the
understanding of earlier revelation, it does not change earlier
revelation. Otherwise, the earlier revelation would not be Truth
(John. 17:17).
Dispensations:
Definition:
A
dispensation is a responsibility given to man by God. God judges
the degree to which man carries out the responsibility (Luke
16:1-13).
Identity
of the Dispensations: The
current dispensation is called the “Dispensation of God’s Grace
(Ephesians 3:2)” or the “Dispensation of This Mystery (Ephesians
3:9).” There was a period of “ages and generations” prior to
the present (Colossians 1:25-26) perhaps indicating multiple
dispensations. The most recent dispensation was a dispensation
involving the Mosaic Law (Galatians 4:1-7). There will be a future
millennial dispensation. Part of humankind’s responsibilities
during it is described in Ezekiel 40-48.
Salvation
in the Dispensations: The
requirement for salvation in each dispensation is trust. The object
of trust in each dispensation is God. The content of trust may
change. During the previous dispensations, there were various
contents of trust (Leviticus 1:4; Hebrews 11:4, 7). During the
present dispensation, trust is placed in Christ and His sacrifice
(John 3:16).
Covenants:
The
major covenants are listed below.
The
Abrahamic Covenant: The
redemption promise of the Abrahamic Covenant flows to the Universal
Church (Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:14) but all of its promises are for
Abraham’s and Isaac’s descendants, the Jews (Genesis 17:4-8, 19,
21). The Land Covenant amplifies its promises concerning a national
land (Genesis 12:1, 7; 13:14-15, 17; 17:7-8). Its promises
concerning redemption (Genesis 12:3; 22:18; Galatians 3:16) are
amplified by the New Covenant. In addition, its promises concerning
numerous descendants (Genesis 12:2; 13:16; 17:2-6) are amplified in
the Davidic Covenant. The promises of the Abrahamic Covenant are
unconditional (Genesis 12:2-3; 15:9-17; Hebrews 6:13) and eternal
(Genesis 13:15; 17:7, 19b; 1 Chronicles 16:16-17; Psalm 105:9-10;
Hebrews 6:17).
The
Land Covenant: The
Land Covenant assures that, after the Jewish nation is exiled
because of its disobedience to the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 30:1), it
will ultimately be restored to its land (Deuteronomy 30:2-10).
The
New & Old Covenants:
The
New Covenant Replaces the Old Covenant:
The New
Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant (the Mosaic Law) as a Code for
believers (Galatians 5:16-18; Hebrews 7:12).
However,
the Old Covenant is still applicable to non-believers as it discloses
their sin and need for salvation (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24-25; 1
Timothy 1:8-10).
Furthermore,
there is value in the study of the Old Covenant (2 Timothy 3:16,
which also has reference to the New Covenant). However, the Old
Covenant must be used lawfully (1 Timothy 1:8; Hebrews 10:29-31).
The Old Covenant provides the New Covenant believer with important
insights into doctrines, with an understanding of history, with
illustrations of New Covenant truths, and with the need for the
Savior.
The
New Covenant:
Benefits
from the New Covenant flow to the Universal Church (1 Corinthians
11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 9:14-15) but its ultimate
fulfillment will be associated with a restored Jewish nation
(Jeremiah 31:27-28, 31, 33, 35--40; Ezekiel 37:21-28).
The New
Covenant provides a converted heart (Jeremiah 31:33), the forgiveness
of sins (Jeremiah 31:34b), and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
(Ezekiel 36:25-27) for its recipients.
The
Davidic Covenant:
In this
covenant, King David and his descendants are promised offspring for
eternity, starting with Solomon, who will have the authority to rule
over the Jewish nation though the exercise of the authority may be
unrealized (2 Samuel 7:11b-16; Psalm 89:1-4, 15-37; Isaiah 9:7;
Jeremiah 33:14-26). The Lord Jesus, as Christ, is one of these
descendants (Jeremiah 33:15; Matthew 1:1-17) but His kingdom is yet
future (Revelation 20:6). Scripture does not teach that the Lord
Jesus Christ is now reigning as a Davidic king (Psalm 110:1-2).
The
Levites are also promised priestly descendants for eternity (Jeremiah
33:18).
Israel
and the Church: While
individual Jews and Gentiles occupy a privileged position at this
time (Romans 11:17), the nation of Israel and the Universal Church
are separate groups. The following are some of the evidences for
this distinction:
Prophecies:
There
are prophecies concerning a literal Israel that are yet to be
fulfilled (e.g., Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Jeremiah 23:5-8; Romans
11:1-27).
Creation
of the Church: The
Church was created hundreds of years after Israel was created
(Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:20-23).
Continued
Existence of Israel: Inspired
writers spoke of the existence of Israel after the Church was
organized (Acts 3:12; Romans 10:1).
God’s
Purpose: God’s
purpose in history is to glorify Himself (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14).
Article
5 -- The First Advent:
Birth:
The
Son was born of a virgin and received a human body (Luke 1:30-35)
and a sinless human nature (Hebrews 4:15) without loosing any
attribute of God (John 1:1-3, 14; Philippians 2:5-7; Hebrews 1:3)
and was named Jesus (Matthew 1:21).
Rejection
and Sacrifice (Acts 3:13-16): He
offered Himself to the nation of Israel as its King but was rejected
(Matthew 1:1, 6b-17; Luke 19:38-44; John 1:11; Acts 2:22-23). He
then offered Himself as a sacrifice to provide forgiveness for all
the inhabitants of the world (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:5-6).
Resurrection:
He
was raised from the dead (Acts 2:24).
Present
Work: He
then ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11) where He resides at the right
hand of the Father directing the affairs of the Church (Ephesians
1:18-23) and interceding for It (Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1).
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6 -- Salvation:
Exclusive
Source: Redemption
is exclusively based on Christ’s work on the cross and is not
conditioned on anything we have done in the past or will do in the
future (John 20:31; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Ephesians 2:8-10).
Extent:
Christ’s
work on the cross was designed to be valuable enough for the
redemption of all humankind, but it becomes effective only for those
who trust in Him (John 3:16; 2 Peter 2:1).
Exclusive
Condition: The
only condition placed on a person to receive redemption is trust in
Christ and His work on the cross (John 20:31; 3:18; 5:24; 6:47;
Ephesians 2:8-9).
Eternal
Security: Nothing
can keep one who has trusted in Christ from having eternal life with
God (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:28-39; 1 John 5:11-12).
Situation
at Death: When
a redeemed person dies, he will immediately be ushered into eternal
bliss and fellowship with God (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; 2 Corinthians
5:1, 8; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).
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7 -- The Godly Life:
Ability:
All
who trust in Christ have the responsibility to live a godly life
(Romans 6:11-13; 1 Peter 5;5-9). The ability to live it comes
through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:12-14; Galatians
5:16-25).
Growth:
Success
in living a godly life is progressive (Ephesians 4:15; 2 Corinthians
3:18; 2 Peter 3:18). Success will not be complete until believers
are in the presence of the Father (1 John 3:1-3).
Motivation:
God
achieves progress in the godly life of believers through the
exercise of their
will,
church discipline (2 Corinthians 2:6-11; Galatians 6:1; 1 Timothy
1:20; 5:20; Titus 1:13) and His chastising (Hebrews 12:5-11;
Revelation 3:19) and bringing on of trials (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter
1:6-7).
Good
Works: Though
living a godly life is neither a condition nor a proof of the
redemption of those who profess to trust in Christ, the extent of
reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ is dependent on it (1
Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 2:8-9).
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8 -- The Church:
The
Universal Church:
Baptism
of the Holy Spirit: The
Baptism of the Holy Spirit places each redeemed person into the
Universal Church, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). The
baptism first took place on the Day of Pentecost marking the
beginning of the Universal Church (Acts 1:5; 2:41, 47; 5:11;
11:15-16).
Spiritual
Gifts: See
Article 9, below.
Priesthood
of Believers: Each
believer is a priest so that the entire Universal Church can be
called a nation of priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9-10).
This priesthood is especially practiced during the Lord’s Supper
service.
Evangelism:
It
is a responsibility of the Universal Church to preach the message of
God’s reconciliation to the world (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
The
Local Church:
Leadership:
The
leadership of the local church is male (1 Timothy 2:12) and normally
consists of a plurality of elders (Acts 20:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:12)
and deacons (Acts 6:3). Candidates must habitually meet
qualifications to become leaders and to
remain in office (Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:2-12; Titus 1:6-9). The
congregation recognizes them (Acts 6:3-7). Leaders may resign (1
Peter 5:2) or
be removed by the church (1 Timothy 5:19-21). Leaders must not lead
as lords but as servants (Mark 9:33-35) and examples (1 Peter 5:3).
The local church must support leaders who work so hard that they
cannot otherwise support themselves (1 Timothy 5:17-18). Deacons
should relieve elders of their secondary responsibilities so that
the elders may focus on their primary responsibilities, ministry of
the Word and prayer (Acts 6:2, 4).
Baptism:
Water
baptism is reserved for those who trust in Christ and is normally
performed by the evangelist (Acts 8:36-38, 40; 21:8). Biblical
baptism is via immersion (Acts 8:38-39).
Lord’s
Supper: Originally,
the Lord’s Supper may have been observed daily (Acts 2:42, 46).
Later, Paul and his associates observed it once a week (Acts 20:7).
Participants should, themselves, make sure they participate in a
worthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:28-32).
Denominationalism:
There
are no examples or doctrines in Scripture of local churches formally
placed under the authority of a denomination. However, there are
Biblical examples in which local churches work with each other and
in which they share ministry (Acts 11:19-30; 15:1-32).
Article
9 -- Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Definition:
They
are empowerments given by the Holy Spirit. Each person who trusts
in Christ receives at least one gift. Their purpose is to build up
the church both numerically and qualitatively (Dave Glock). The
gifts are listed in Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, 28-31a;
14:1, 37; Ephesians 4:2-16; and 1 Peter 4:11. Some are described
below:
Apostle:
An
apostle is a person acting with the full authority of another
(Matthew 10:2, 20; 2 Corinthians 11:10a; Galatians 1:11-12) to build
up believers to minister (Ephesians 4:11-14). This gift is not
available today because no one is qualified (Acts 1:21-22; 1
Corinthians 9:1). No one performs the authenticating miracles (2
Corinthians 12:12). The gift was used to establish the church, not
to maintain it (Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11; Ephesians
2:19-20).
Prophet:
A
true prophet receives revelation from God (2 Peter 1:20-21;
Revelation 1:1-3, 19; 19:10; 22:6) that ministers to men (1
Corinthians 14:3, 24, 31) and builds up believers to minister
(Ephesians 4:11-12). To be a true prophet, his prophecies must fall
within the bounds of apostolic teaching (1 Corinthians 14:29, 37).
The gift is not available today because the gift was used to
establish the church, not to maintain it (1 Corinthians 13:8-10;
Ephesians 2:19-20).
Evangelist:
An
evangelist is a person who presents Jesus’ person and work to
those who have not trusted in Christ and baptizes converts (Acts
8:5-40; 21:8) and who prepares them to minister (Ephesians 4:11-12).
To be a true evangelist, his message must conform to apostolic
doctrine (Galatians 1:8-9).
Pastor-Teacher:
Pastors
observe their charges, noting advances made by false teachers (Acts
20:28-31). Using Scripture teachers educate others so that the
students will be equipped for good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
including ministry to others (Ephesians 4:11-12). To be a true
teacher, the gifted person must teach apostolic doctrine (Acts 2:42;
2 Timothy 2:2). This gift is associated with elders (Acts 20:28;
Peter 5:2) though those who are not elders may have the gift of
teaching (1 Corinthians 12:28).
Tongues:
“Speaking
in tongues” is neither a requirement of becoming a child of God (1
Corinthians 12:30) nor an indication of greater spiritual maturity
(1 Corinthians 12:28, 31).
Tongues
are speaking in a language for which the one exercising the gift has
never received training (Acts 2:5-11).
Miracle
Gifts: Miraculous
gifts were given to selected members of the first generation of
Christians so that their ministry of the Word would be authenticated
(Hebrews 2:3-4). Though God may work miracles today, men gifted to
work miracles are not present.
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10 -- Future Events:
The
Rapture: The
next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy is the Rapture of
the Universal Church. Believers, live and dead, will meet the Lord
in the air (John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:20-21;
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13). It could happen at any time
(Revelation 3:3).
The
Tribulation: Following
the Rapture, a seven-year period of judgments will occur (Daniel
9:27a; Matthew 24:9-21; Revelation 6:1-18:24). The judgments will
be especially severe during the last half of the period (Daniel
9:27b; Matthew 24:15-22).
The
Second Coming of Christ and the Millennium: The
Second Coming of Christ will follow the Tribulation. He will
descend to the earth and then reign for one thousand years
(Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Matthew 24: 27-31; Revelation 19:1-20:6).
The
Eternal State: The
Eternal State follows the Millennium. Those who trusted in God will
experience eternal bliss in fellowship with God. Those who did not
will experience eternal judgment outside the fellowship of God (2
Thessalonians 1:7b-9; Revelation 20:7-22:5).
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11 -- Affirmations and Denials:
Abortion:
Abortion
destroys human life (Exodus 21:22-25; Psalm 51:5; 139:13; Jeremiah
1:5; Matthew 5:21; Luke 1:41).
Deviant
Sexuality: Any
form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication,
homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography,
prostitution, voyeurism,
pedophilia, exhibitionism,
or any attempt to change one's sex, or disagreement with one's
biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God (1 Corinthians
6:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; Hebrews 13:4).
Marriage:
The
term 'marriage' has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned
by God which joins one biologically born male and one biologically
born female in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture
(Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-2).
God
intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who
are married to each other. God has commanded that no intimate sexual
activity be engaged in outside of a marriage (Hebrews 13:4).

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