Faith Bible Church

We believe in the spiritual unity of all true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, His Body on this earth, the Church. (John 17:11-26; Ephesians 4:1-6)

We believe that there is a Biblical distinction between Israel as a nation and the Church as a "holy nation." The earthly, temporal promises made to Abraham (a land in which to live, a nation of people, and the temporal blessings of God) are fulfilled through Israel as God's chosen people. The heavenly, eternal promises (a heavenly land, a holy nation...the Church, and the redemptive blessings of God) made to Abraham are fulfilled through Christ and are experienced by those, both Jew and Gentile, who are in Christ, the heirs of the promises. (Genesis 12:1-3; Galatians 3:6-9,16,29; Hebrews 11:8-10,12-16; 1 Peter 2:9)

We believe that the Church, who's Head is Christ Jesus her Lord, is to be led by biblically designated qualified men called elders who are assisted in service by biblically qualified deacons. Properly appointed Elders are the "pastors/shepherds" of the Church. Some are supported in financial ways to devote themselves to full-time ministry. Elder selection is on the basis of character, calling and spiritual giftedness. (Acts 14:23; 20:17-35; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 5:17-25; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:17;
1 Peter 5:1-5)

We believe that true believers must meet together on a regular basis for instruction, worship, sharing and encouragement in order to maintain spiritual growth and to continually look for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. These assemblies are to be characterized by corporate worship, biblical instruction, prayer and fellowship. (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; 12:1-14; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 John 3:16-20) We believe that the Family is the foundational institution of both society and the Church, that children are a gift from the Lord, that parents are first and foremost responsible for the spiritual education of their children, and that the Church is a supporting and complementary

entity in the process of training the next generation. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:21-25; Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Psalm 78:1-7; 127:1-5; Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Colossians 3:18-21; 2 Timothy 3:14-15)

We believe that the members of the Church are responsible to live lives of holiness as salt and light in the World, and that individual believers are responsible for evangelizing those who are lost. (Matthew 5:13-16; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5: 1-21; Titus 2:11-15; 1 Peter 1:13-21; 2 Peter 3:11-12)

We believe that the miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing were affirmations of Apostolic authority, supernaturally given to affirm the Word as delivered through these chosen men unto the completion of the Scriptures, God's inspired revelation. (1 Corinthians 13:9-13; 14:20-22; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:1-4)

We believe that the exercise of divinely granted spiritual gifts by each member of the Body is essential for attaining full spiritual maturity on behalf of all the members of this local Church. (Romans 12:3-8;
1 Corinthians 12: 1-31; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Peter 4:7-11)

We believe that all who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Savior are to be water-baptized as a public identification with Him. We also hold that the clearest portrayal of the significance of this baptism is the mode of immersion. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36-39; 10:44-48, 16:33; Romans 6:4-11)

We believe that participation in the Lord's Table, Communion, is the privilege and responsibility of all believers and that it should be celebrated with regularity as a continual testimony to Christ's death and soon return to earth. We also hold that this celebration is open to all true believers who properly examine themselves prior to participation. (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34)