Statement of Faith

The bible is what we base our beliefs in God upon. We learn how to live our lives and how to have faith in God from the bible. The wording that is used in this document is not inspired or perfect, but the truth listed here is essential to a mature ministry. This is a BASIC statement beliefs for Believer's Bay. It is not comprehensive.

1. The Scriptures.

The Scriptures, both the old and new testaments, are God Breathed (or inspired of God) and are the revelation of God to man. The scriptures are infallible as given in the original languages. The scriptures are the authoritative rule of faith and conduct. The Bible is the Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)

2. God

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22)

3. The deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The scriptures declare:

a. His virgin birth
(Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31-35)

b. His sinless life
(2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22)

c. His miracles
(Acts 2:22; 10:38)

d. His substitutionary work on the cross
(1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

e. His bodily resurrection from the dead
(Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4)

f. His exaltation to the right hand of God
(Acts 1:9-11; Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Heb 1-3)

4. The fall of man.

Man was created good and upright, for God said "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." However man by voluntary transgression fell and obtained not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. This spiritual death is passed on to each member of the Human race due to the sin of Adam.

(Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12-19)

5. The salvation of man.

Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

a. Conditions to salvation. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Man is justified by grace through faith and becomes an heir of God through (being born again) the regeneration and renewing of his dead spirit, which is performed by the Holy Spirit. (Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47; John 3:3-8; Romans 3:23; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11, Titus 3:5-7).

b. The evidences of salvation. The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).

6. The Blessed hope.

Christ will return soon. When he does those who have died in Christ will be resurrected. Those who are alive in Christ will be changed and will be caught up together with them to meet Christ.

(John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Romans 8:23;Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

7. The Church.

The Church is the Body of Christ. It is the habitation of God through the indwelling Spirit. It has divine appointments for the fulfillment of its great commission. Each believer is born of the Spirit and is an integral part of the Church of the Firstborn.

(Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 2:22; Hebrews 12:23).

8. The Ordinances of the Church.

a. Baptism in water. The ordinance of baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Through baptism they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life

(Matthew 28:19;Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).

b. Holy Communion. The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements - bread and the fruit of the vine - is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ; a memorial of His suffering and death; and a prophecy of His second coming.

(1 Corinthians 11:23-34)

9. Sanctification.

Sanctification is two things. It is an initial act that God performs when he saves us and it is an ongoing process. Initially God cleanses us from sin and picks us to be holy. Then we must live a holy life each day in a sinful world. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to control our choices the less we fall into sin. This is our part in the process of sanctification.

Therefore, sanctification is simply the mutual agreement between man and God for man to live a holy life. God wills it, man accepts God's will, and man allows God to perform that will in his life.

(Romans 6:1-13;Romans 8:1-2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13;1 Peter 1:5).

Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication to God (John 17:17; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12).

The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14;Luke 1:74-75).

By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16;1 Corinthians 1:30).

10. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

All believers are entitled to the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). They should enthusiastically expect to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and intensely seek this experience. This was the normal experience for Christians in the early Christian Church.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit gives us the power to be witnesses throughout the world. The gifts of the Holy Spirit also accompany the baptism in the Holy Spirit and are used for ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8;1 Corinthians 12:1-31).

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is completely different from receiving the Holy Spirit at the point of salvation. It cannot precede salvation (Acts 8:12-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:14-16; Acts 15:7-9).

11. The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed initially by speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-48). The speaking in tongues in this instance is essentially the same as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10;1 Corinthians 12:28), but different in purpose and use.

12. Divine healing.

Divine healing is an integral part of the message of deliverance. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:18;1 Corinthians 12:9; James 5:14-16).

13. Tithing and Giving.

Tithing is defined as 10% of the believer's income. Tithing is a token of respect given to God in recognition of his provision for our lives. It was instituted prior to the law and continues today. (Genesis 14:20; Genesis 28:22; Malachi 3:10;1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:11-15; Galatians 6:6)

14. The Ministry.

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose: (1) The evangelization of the world, and (2) The edifying of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15-20; Ephesians 4:11-13).

15. The final judgment.

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whoever is not found written in the Book of Life, along with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be sent to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, this is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8).

16. The Millennial (1,000 year) reign with Christ.

The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with his saints to reign on earth for one thousand years (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-14; Revelation 20:1-6).

This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:21-22; Zephaniah 3:19-20; Romans 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4).