Community Bible Church
Articles of Faith
The Word of God
We believe in and teach the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures. The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were written down by human authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself. We believe that the scriptures are without error, that they are our final authority for faith and practice, and that they are sufficient and invaluable for all our spiritual needs. (See Psalm 19.7-11, Matthew 5.17-18, 2 Timothy 3.16, 2 Peter 1.20)
We believe the Scriptures are complete and are not to be added to or subtracted from. (Deuteronomy 4.2, Proverbs 30.6, Revelation 22.18-19)
The Nature of God
We believe in God who is the eternal, all-powerful, creator, sustainer, and ruler of all the universe (Genesis 1.1). God is uncreated, independent, self-sufficient and does not need to be served by human hands (Acts 17.25). God is sovereign over all things and works all things according to His will (Ephesians 1.11). God exists in Trinity: one God, three Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Trinity can be summarized in these three statements: (1) God is three persons, (2) each person is fully God, and (3) there is but one God. (See, Matthew 28.19, John 14.26, John 17.24, Romans 8.27)
The Nature of Humanity and Sin
We believe that humanity was and is created in the image of God (Genesis 1.26-27, 9.6, James 3.9) and that we were created for perfect fellowship with God. However, Adam and Eve’s choice to sin not only broke fellowship with God but exacted the wrath and justice of God against themselves and their posterity in a judgment of death; both spiritual and physical (Romans 5.12, 18-19).
We believe that humanity is totally depraved. That is, we do not seek after God and are helpless in and of ourselves to turn aside the judgment and wrath of God or reconcile ourselves to Him (Psalm 14.1-3, Romans 3.9-18). Our depravity also means that sin has invaded every aspect of our being such as, body, mind, emotions, relationships, etc. (Ephesians 2.1-3).
Jesus Christ, the Son of God
We believe that the Son of God has eternally existed as the second person of the Godhead (Isaiah 9.6). The Son of God became man by means of miraculous conception and virgin birth (Isaiah 7.14, Matthew 1.22-23). Jesus was truly human (Luke.2.52, Galatians 4.4, 1 John 1.1), and truly God (John 1.1-3, 8.58). He was, is, and ever will be the unique God-Man (John 1.14). Jesus Christ was the perfect fulfillment of every Old Testament prophecy, promise, and picture of the coming Messiah (Matthew 5.17). He died for our sins and was buried. He literally, physically rose from the dead in victory, ascended to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1.9, 1 Corinthians 15.3-4), offered Himself without blemish to God (Hebrews 9.14) and is interceding for believers (Romans 8.34).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2.8-9). Sin has so marred our being that we are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2.1). This means that without the work of the Holy Spirit giving a new heart, giving faith in Jesus, and giving repentance of sin we would never believe in Christ for salvation (Acts. 11.18, Ephesians 2.4, 8) Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was a substitutionary atonement that purchased believer’s forgiveness and provides reconciliation with God. We receive this forgiveness and are restored to God by repenting of sin and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3.16). Salvation brings glory to God because it is only possible by the gracious choice of the Father, the atoning work of the Son, and the regenerating and preserving work of the Holy Spirit. Since salvation includes and guarantees growing in grace and ultimate glorification in eternity, from beginning to end it brings great glory to God!
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit; fully God and equal with the Father and Son (Matthew 28.19, Hebrews 9.14). The Holy Spirit gives new life to our dead hearts (Titus 3.5), indwells the believer (Romans 8.9), empowers us for service and sanctification, and is the “down-payment” of our eternal inheritance in God (Ephesians 1.13-14).
The Church
We believe that the church is made up of all true believers in Christ. It was instituted by Christ, is described as His body, bride, and building (Ephesians 1.23, 2.21, 5.31-32), and is represented by local congregations. The local church is vitally important to the spiritual well-being of believers (Romans 12.4-8, 1 Corinthians 12.12-31, Hebrews 10.25), is described as a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3.15), and has been given authority to discipline its members (Matthew 18.15-18).
The purpose of the church is to glorify God by worshiping Him (Colossians 3.16, Ephesians 5.16-19), preaching the gospel to the world (Matthew 28.18-20), and nurturing one another (Ephesians 4.11-16). Jesus gave 2 ordinances to the church; baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26.26-29, 28.19). When we observe the Lord’s Supper together, all who have received Jesus Christ as personal Savior and are walking in fellowship with the Lord are welcome to join in this service.
The church is united in Christ and He has provided believers with a variety of gifts for the building up of the church (Romans 12.4-8). At the same time, we believe that the sign gifts, including tongues, gradually disappeared as the canon of Scripture was completed and the authority of the Bible was recognized.
Last Things
We believe that at the end of the age Jesus Christ will return in power and victory, and believers will be caught up together to be with Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4.16-18). At the final judgment we will all be judged by the living God (Revelation 20.11-15). Those who belong to Christ will enter into eternal reward (John 3.16, Revelation 21.7); those who have rejected Christ will enter into eternal punishment (Revelation 20.15).
We believe in and teach the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures. The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were written down by human authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself. We believe that the scriptures are without error, that they are our final authority for faith and practice, and that they are sufficient and invaluable for all our spiritual needs. (See Psalm 19.7-11, Matthew 5.17-18, 2 Timothy 3.16, 2 Peter 1.20)
We believe the Scriptures are complete and are not to be added to or subtracted from. (Deuteronomy 4.2, Proverbs 30.6, Revelation 22.18-19)
The Nature of God
We believe in God who is the eternal, all-powerful, creator, sustainer, and ruler of all the universe (Genesis 1.1). God is uncreated, independent, self-sufficient and does not need to be served by human hands (Acts 17.25). God is sovereign over all things and works all things according to His will (Ephesians 1.11). God exists in Trinity: one God, three Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Trinity can be summarized in these three statements: (1) God is three persons, (2) each person is fully God, and (3) there is but one God. (See, Matthew 28.19, John 14.26, John 17.24, Romans 8.27)
The Nature of Humanity and Sin
We believe that humanity was and is created in the image of God (Genesis 1.26-27, 9.6, James 3.9) and that we were created for perfect fellowship with God. However, Adam and Eve’s choice to sin not only broke fellowship with God but exacted the wrath and justice of God against themselves and their posterity in a judgment of death; both spiritual and physical (Romans 5.12, 18-19).
We believe that humanity is totally depraved. That is, we do not seek after God and are helpless in and of ourselves to turn aside the judgment and wrath of God or reconcile ourselves to Him (Psalm 14.1-3, Romans 3.9-18). Our depravity also means that sin has invaded every aspect of our being such as, body, mind, emotions, relationships, etc. (Ephesians 2.1-3).
Jesus Christ, the Son of God
We believe that the Son of God has eternally existed as the second person of the Godhead (Isaiah 9.6). The Son of God became man by means of miraculous conception and virgin birth (Isaiah 7.14, Matthew 1.22-23). Jesus was truly human (Luke.2.52, Galatians 4.4, 1 John 1.1), and truly God (John 1.1-3, 8.58). He was, is, and ever will be the unique God-Man (John 1.14). Jesus Christ was the perfect fulfillment of every Old Testament prophecy, promise, and picture of the coming Messiah (Matthew 5.17). He died for our sins and was buried. He literally, physically rose from the dead in victory, ascended to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1.9, 1 Corinthians 15.3-4), offered Himself without blemish to God (Hebrews 9.14) and is interceding for believers (Romans 8.34).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2.8-9). Sin has so marred our being that we are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2.1). This means that without the work of the Holy Spirit giving a new heart, giving faith in Jesus, and giving repentance of sin we would never believe in Christ for salvation (Acts. 11.18, Ephesians 2.4, 8) Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was a substitutionary atonement that purchased believer’s forgiveness and provides reconciliation with God. We receive this forgiveness and are restored to God by repenting of sin and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3.16). Salvation brings glory to God because it is only possible by the gracious choice of the Father, the atoning work of the Son, and the regenerating and preserving work of the Holy Spirit. Since salvation includes and guarantees growing in grace and ultimate glorification in eternity, from beginning to end it brings great glory to God!
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit; fully God and equal with the Father and Son (Matthew 28.19, Hebrews 9.14). The Holy Spirit gives new life to our dead hearts (Titus 3.5), indwells the believer (Romans 8.9), empowers us for service and sanctification, and is the “down-payment” of our eternal inheritance in God (Ephesians 1.13-14).
The Church
We believe that the church is made up of all true believers in Christ. It was instituted by Christ, is described as His body, bride, and building (Ephesians 1.23, 2.21, 5.31-32), and is represented by local congregations. The local church is vitally important to the spiritual well-being of believers (Romans 12.4-8, 1 Corinthians 12.12-31, Hebrews 10.25), is described as a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3.15), and has been given authority to discipline its members (Matthew 18.15-18).
The purpose of the church is to glorify God by worshiping Him (Colossians 3.16, Ephesians 5.16-19), preaching the gospel to the world (Matthew 28.18-20), and nurturing one another (Ephesians 4.11-16). Jesus gave 2 ordinances to the church; baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26.26-29, 28.19). When we observe the Lord’s Supper together, all who have received Jesus Christ as personal Savior and are walking in fellowship with the Lord are welcome to join in this service.
The church is united in Christ and He has provided believers with a variety of gifts for the building up of the church (Romans 12.4-8). At the same time, we believe that the sign gifts, including tongues, gradually disappeared as the canon of Scripture was completed and the authority of the Bible was recognized.
Last Things
We believe that at the end of the age Jesus Christ will return in power and victory, and believers will be caught up together to be with Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4.16-18). At the final judgment we will all be judged by the living God (Revelation 20.11-15). Those who belong to Christ will enter into eternal reward (John 3.16, Revelation 21.7); those who have rejected Christ will enter into eternal punishment (Revelation 20.15).