Christchurch Family Baptist - The Essentials We Believe

CFB’s

Doctrinal Statement Of Faith

The Essentials We Believe:

1 – ABOUT THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD

The Bible is God’s Word. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

It has been preserved through translations throughout the ages, and although we ascribe to no infallible translation – we believe God has supernaturally preserved all the truth he desires us to know within reputable translated works of the Scripture.

God’s truth is made known to us through the Bible as we personally study it with a sincere heart, a sober mind, and as we are taught it through the teaching ministry of the Lord’s churches, and his Godly men, as the Spirit of God leads us in all contexts.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13;

Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5, 1Timothy 3:15, John 14-16

2 – ABOUT GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He manifests himself through three expressed personalities: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three exist as the one and only true eternal God.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19;

1 Peter 1:2; 2Corinthians 13:14, 1John 5:7

3 – ABOUT JESUS CHRIST – THE SON OF GOD

Jesus Christ is the Son of God – or God the Son. He is co-equal with the Father and Holy Spirit – they are the “One God”. Jesus is God in human flesh. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14; 14:10-30;

Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4;

Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13

4 – ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT – THE SPIRIT OF GOD

The Holy Spirit, or God the Holy Spirit or Spirit of God - is co-equal with the Father and the Son – and likewise he is personality, not a mere impersonal force. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.

He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. The Holy Spirit also is present in worship when the Lord’s Churches meet as “The Comforter” – fulfilling numerous roles as such.

We believe that there are three remaining Spiritual Gifts of the Spirit: “Faith, Hope, & Love”, And that the numerous Supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit seen in the early church fulfilled their purpose and ceased with the completion of the Word of God – the Bible.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Matthew 18:20;

1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25;

Ephesians 5:18, 1Corinthians 13:8-13, Ephesians 4:11-15

5 – ABOUT CREATION – THE ORIGIN OF OUR WORLD

God created the heavens and the earth. He did so in six literal days – and rested on the seventh. The Creation account of Genesis is literal and factual. As such we categorically deny the notion of evolution proper. We believe the earth to be less than 10,000 years old.

Genesis 1-2, Psalms 33:6-9, 2Peter 3:5-7,

6 – ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS – MAN KIND

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude, and nature of disobedience toward God called “sin”. Sin by very nature separates people from God, his blessings, and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

7 – ABOUT SALCATION – DELIVERANCE FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SIN: DEATH

& HELL

Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty.

When we turn to Jesus for forgive of our sin, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5;

8 – ABOUT THE SECURITY OF OUR SALVATION IN CHRIST

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

Hebrews 13:5, John 10:27-30, John 5:24, Ecclesiastes 3:14

9 – ABOUT ETERNITY – ETERNAL DESTINY

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation in Christ. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven, and eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence – the former of comfort in Christ, the later in tragic torment with out him.

John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Luke 16:19-31, Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9

10 – ABOUT JESUS CHURCH – THE INSTITUTION OF WORSHIP JESUS COMMISSIONED

We believe that the Lord shed his precious blood for his special institution, and teach that the local New Testament church is the hub of New Testament worship and service to God.

“A committed assembly of professed saved, scripturally baptised individuals, who have covenanted together in God & with each others in church membership, under the authority of Jesus Christ, to bring him glory through obedience to his expressed will – summarised in the Great Commission”

We believe that the Lord has preserved his church through out all ages since its establishment by Jesus Christ; that the Lord has always had assemblies of believers through out every generation who have remained faithful to his essential love and truth. We ascribe to a heritage that is neither Roman Catholic, nor Protestant (Having come out of the Reformation), and in accordance to the Scriptural promise of Jesus, has never been extinct, and has existed in every generation since Jesus Christ.

We believe in the Universal family of God – we deny the existence of such a thing called the “Universal Church”. The family of God predates Jesus church by at least approximately 2000 - 4000yrs! They are not the same thing.

Jesus churches are Theocracies – submitted to the authority of Christ as each respective churches Head. Every person in each body is a member with unique qualities to offer in service to Jesus Christ.

Jesus churches have two Biblical offices: Pastor (Elder, Overseer) & Deacon – to be furnished by those who meet the Biblical qualifications.

Matthew 18:20, Acts 2:41, Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:25, Act 20:28, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 3:21, Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 3:15, 1Corinthians 12:27, Colossians 1:18, 24, 1Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9

11 – ABOUT BAPTISM – IN ACCORDANCE TO THE TEACHING OF THE BIBLE AND

PRACTICE OF JESUS CHURCHES

We believe that Baptism is a commandment of Jesus Christ – for all saved to embrace as a public statement of their Salvation, and an outward sign of ones commitment to a life of service to Jesus Christ. We believe there is one kind of Baptism that believers are instructed to receive following salvation: It is symbolic in its picture, and has not redemptive merit – but is an act of obedience and love for Christ.

As documented in the Bible, Scriptural Baptism necessitates full immersion in Water – the only true symbol of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is a symbol of the believers death to their old lost life to live a new life for Jesus. Baptism must be performed under the God given authority given to the Local New Testament Church.

We reject any Baptism that does not concur with the New Testament example set by Jesus Christ himself.

Mark 1:9, 1John 2:6, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 18:8, 1John 2:3, 1Corinthians 15:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:3-5, John 3:23, Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12-13, 38-39, Acts 19:1-7

12 – ABOUT THE LORD’S SUPPER – OR COMMUNION

We believe that the Lord’s Supper (Communion) is an ordinance given by Christ to be practiced within the confines of the membership of each respective local church body. We believe that it is to be observed within the spirit of unity. We believe that the elements of the supper are symbolic, and consist of unleavened bread – picturing Christ’s life broken for us, and the non-fermented fruit of the vine – picturing the pure / sinless blood of Jesus Christ – which was shed for us.

1Corinthians 11:18-31, Mark 14:22-26,

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