Our beliefs are rooted exclusively in Scripture. In fact, we have nothing to say if it does not come from the Word of God. We believe that the Bible is complete, authoritative, and true for everyone at every time in the past, present, and future. We hold to the following beliefs and the Scriptural evidence as listed below:
The Bible
We believe that “all Scripture is inspired by God,”1 Every word found in the Bible was divinely and intentionally written (verbal plenary inspiration) and is without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. We believe that the Bible is the divinely authoritative Word of God2 and the standard and final authority for every age and for every life3. 1. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21 2. John 17:17 3. Matthew 5:17-18; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12
Humanity
We believe that humanity is directly created in the image of God1, but that by Adam’s disobedience all are born into sin2 and therefore liable to eternal punishment3. 1. Genesis 1:26-27 2. Romans 3:23, 5:12-19 3. John 3:14-18; Ephesians 2:3; 1 John 5:11-13
God
We believe in one God1 who is Creator2 and Sustainer of all things3, existing eternally in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit4 and is loving5 and just6 in all his relations.1. Deut 6:4; Mark 12:29 2. Gen. 1; Ps 24:1-2 3. Neh 9:6; Acts 17:28; Job 34: 14-15 4. Matt 28:18-19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; Heb. 1:1-3 5.Ps 89:14; Ps 145:17; 34:6-7; 1 John 4:7-9 6.Deut 32:4; Is. 58:6-10; Rom. 3:24-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God1, became man2 without ceasing to be God3. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary4, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful humanity5. We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a perfect substitutionary sacrifice6 making salvation available to all humanity7. We believe our redemption and salvation8 are guaranteed by His literal physical resurrection from the dead9. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven exalted, seated at the right hand of God10 while as High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy for His people11.
1. John 8:58; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17 2. John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-8 3. John 8:58; Colossians 2:9 4. Matthew 1:18-25 5. Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 10:1-10 6. John 1:29, 3:16-17; Romans 3:23; Hebrews 9:12-14, 26-28 7. John 3:16 8. 1 Timothy 2:5-6, John 14:6 9. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 3:18-21 10. Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 8:1; 1 Peter 3:22 11. Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24
Holy Spirit
We believe that God the Holy Spirit1 unites every believer to Christ2 at the moment of salvation and that He permanently indwells every believer3 to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ4 and to empower5 and instruct6 the believer in godly living7 and service8. We believe certain gifts of the Spirit (sign gifts) were given for a period of time (the apostles/completion of canon of Scripture) as a sign to confirm the message of the Gospel.
1.1 Corinthians 12:12-13; John 16:13 2.Ephesians 2:18-22, 4:4-5; Titus 3:5-7 3. Romans 5:5, 8:9-17 4. John 16:14 5.Galatians 5:13-14, 16, 22-23 6. John 16: 12-15 7. 2 Peter 1:3 8. Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Corinthians 12
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God1 and is received by man through repentance of sin and personal trust in Jesus Christ2 and His sacrifice for sin3. We believe that man is justified by grace alone through faith alone apart from works1. We believe that a true believer4 is eternally secure5 and cannot lose their salvation. 1. Ephesians 2:8-9 2. John 1:12, Mark 1:14-15 3. 1 Peter 2:24 4. John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17 5. Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13; 1 John 5:11-13, John 10:28-29
The Church
We believe the church is composed of all true believers1 and that the Lord Jesus is the only Head of his church2. We believe the local church is an assembly of believers in Jesus Christ who are joined together in one locality for the united purpose of worship, study of the Word of God, observance of the two ordinances (believers' baptism3 and the Lord's Supper4), prayer5, fellowship6 and to be equipped for Christian service and witness7. The local church is under the direct authority of Jesus Christ, through his Word. In submission to Christ as the head of his church, each local church is instructed to raise up Elders8 to shepherd God's people. 1. Acts 10:43; Galatians 3:6-9 2. Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 1:20-23 3. Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-4 4. 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23- 26 5. Matthew 6:9-15 6. Acts 2:42-47 7. Ephesians 2:10, 4:12, John 17:20-26 8. Acts 14:23, 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-5
The Return of Christ
We believe in the personal, imminent return1 of the Lord Jesus Christ for his church2 and his return to earth to reign3. We believe in eternal blessing and glory for those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and that they shall be forever with him4. Those who reject the message of the gospel are judged and eternally separated from God (body and soul) in conscious punishment in hell.51.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 2. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 3. Revelation 20:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, 2:7-8 4. Revelation 21:1-22:5 5. Matthew 10:28, Revelation 20:11-15
Christian Life
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Christian life involves the daily reading/studying/meditating on God’s Word and prayer1. Believers are to view every aspect of their life as worship unto God2. They are to be intentional in their commitment to fellowshipping with believers in a local church3. They are to use their gifts both inside and outside the local church for the glory of God4. They are to view themselves as ambassadors for Christ in all things in spreading His Gospel5 as mandated by the Great Commission6. The Bible Chapel emphasizes these truths through our values of Word, Worship, Connect, Serve and Share. 1. John 17:17 2. Colossians 3:23 3. Hebrews 10:24-25 4. 1 Peter 4:10 5. 2 Corinthians 5:20 6. Matthew 28:19-20
Ordinances
We believe that Scripture puts forth two ordinances for the New Testament church:
Communion
We seek to follow the simple pattern of the New Testament by taking the symbols of the bread and the cup in remembrance of the Lord Jesus and sharing together in worship as Jesus Christ commanded us to remember him.1 1. Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Baptism
We believe that baptism is an act of obedience. Jesus Christ commanded it1and the early Church practiced it2. We believe from these verses and others that the New Testament practice was for believers to be baptized by immersion in profession of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Accordingly, we do not baptize infants as our understanding of the New Testament is that baptism is only for believers. We do encourage parents to publicly dedicate their children to the Lord.
Baptism is not necessary for salvation (one is saved by grace alone through faith alone) but it is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, union with him in death to sin, and resurrection to a new life3. It is also a public sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ4. 1. Matthew 28:19-20 2.Acts 2:41; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:47-48 3. Romans 6:1-11 4. Acts 2:41-42
OUR VALUES
WORD
Followers of Christ consistently spend time in the Word of God.
WORSHIP
Followers of Christ praise him in worship, together and alone.
CONNECT
Followers of Christ build relationships with other Christians.
SERVE
Followers of Christ use their gifts to serve him and others.
SHARE
Followers of Christ share his message in our communities and across the world.
