What We Believe

 

A.  The Scripture.

We believe that all Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is verbally inspired by God, and inerrant in the original writings; and that it is of supreme and final authority in faith and life (II Timothy. 3:16-17) and (II Peter 1:21). The Scripture is given to man that he might know God, and that he might know God's will for man.

 

B. The Godhead.

We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three Persons---the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit - and these three are one God, having precisely the same attributes, and perfections, and worthy of the same confidence and obedience. (St. Matthew. 28:18,19;  II Corinthians 13:14).

 

C. The Christ.

We believe that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son (St. John 3:16) He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin  Mary (St. Luke 1:30-35). He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15). He died on the cross as the substitute for man for the sin penalty (Romans 5:8). He arose bodily from the dead (John 2b:20). He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). He is presently ministering for the believer as intercessor (Hebrews 7:25). He will return per­sonally and visibly, first to receive the believer to Himself (1 Thessalonians. 4: 16, 17), and then to establish His Kingdom on earth

(St. Matthew 25:31,32).

 

D. Man Created and Fallen.

We believe that man was originally created in the image and after the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). Man fell because of sin, and, as a consequence, lost his spiritual life (Genesis 3). Man, therefore, in his natural state, is condemned to an eternal death (Roman 6:23).

 

E. Salvation.

We believe that man may have salvation from the guilt and penalty of sin through personal trust in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for man's sin (I Peter 2:24). Through faith in Jesus Christ; man is born again (St. John 3:3), possesses a new nature (II Corinthians 5:17), and has the promise of eternal life (Romans 6:23). Salvation cannot come through works, but only through the grace of God  (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

 

F. The Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity (St. Matthew 28:19). He is active in the regeneration of the believer (Titus 3:5). He indwells every believer (Romans 8:9). He is the source of power where by the believer may live a Godly life (Galatians 5:16). His present ministry is, in part, to convince the world of reality of sin, of righteousness through Christ, and of the judgment to come (St. John 16:7-11).

 

G. Eternal Security and Assurance of the Believer.

We believe that those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation have the promise of eternal life as a present possession (St. John 5:24), and therefore they are guaranteed eternal life (Ephesians 4:30). It is the privilege of the believer to have a present and continuing assurance that he possesses salvation (I John 5:13).

 

H. Satan and Sin.

We believe that Satan is a created being of God, and that he fell because of sin to his present state

(Isaiah 14: 12-17). He is the author of sin (Genesis 3:1-19). He has been judged through the death of Christ at the cross (St. John 12:31). He will be eternally judged in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). Sin is: unrighteousness in the sight of God (I John 5:17).

 

I. The Church.

We believe that all who are born again through faith in Christ are members of the church which is the body and bride of Christ (I Corinthians. 12: 12-27). The church has been given the commission to reach the world for Christ (St. Matthew. 28:19, 20). The local church is an organized body of believers in one locality (Revelation. 2). The ordinances of the church are water baptism by immersion (St. Matthew 28:19), and the Lord's Supper (St. Luke 22:19, 20), organize, for the propagation of the Gospel and Missions (Acts 14:23; 1:8; 11:29, 30).

 

J. The Blessed Hope and the Second Coming of Christ.

We believe that Christ has gone to prepare a place for the believer, and that He will come again to receive them (St.  John 14:2,3). The Blessed Hope of the believer is the Rapture, when Christ returns to call from the grave and from this life those who have put their faith in Him (I Thessalonians. 4:13-18). The Rapture will be followed by the tribulation years (St. Matthew. 24:21-27; Revelation. 6:1-19:21). At the close of the tribulation period, Christ will return to the earth in His physical body (Acts 1:11), Revelation 19). He shall judge the nations (St. Matthew. 25:31-42). He shall reign upon the earth for one thousand years (Revelation 20:4). He shall finally judge all those who have rejected God's salvation through faith (Revelation. 20:11-15).

 

K. The Eternal Estate.

We believe that at death the souls of those who have trusted in Christ for salvation pass imme­diately into the presence of Christ (Philippians 1:23). Those who have died will rise again from the graves, and those who are living at the time of the rapture will with them be translated into an immortal state,  (I Corinthians. 15:51-53), and they shall be forever with Christ (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). Eternal life in heaven awaits all believers (Revelation. 21, 22). Eternal punishment in the lake of fire is for all who have rejected Christ (Revelation. 20:14-15).

 

L. The Christian Walk.

We believe that the Christian is challenged in the Word of God to live a life separated from the sin of the world (Romans 61,2; I Corinthians 6:18,19; (II Corinthians 6:17,18), which can only be accomplished by his living in dependence upon the Holy Spirit so as to reveal the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-23). The life of the believer should be fruitful in spiritual service and lived for the glory of God. (St. John 15:1-8).

 

If you have any questions or would like someone. to talk with you, please contact us at the number on the front of this brochure.

 

Faith Baptist Church

1002 Blaine Avenue

South Bend, IN 46616

(574) 233-6428