Below is a detailed doctrinal statement, but the following will summarize it for those who want to know, "What kind of church is it?":
Faith Independent Baptist Church is an Independent (not associated with any denomination or convention), Fundamental, Pre-Mellinial, King James Bible only, separated, soul-winning, Baptist church. We are a local New Testament church. We believe salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
1. The Scriptures We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
1. By the "Holy Bible" we mean the collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which not only convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God. We further believe that the King James Bible is God's inspired, preserved Word without error.
2. By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired. We further hold that the King James Bible came from the "Received text" and not from corrupt manuscripts such as the "Vulgate".
3. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the pastor. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church.
II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psa. 119:160; Psa. 119:105; Psa. 119:130; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45; Psa. 119;89; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom. 3:4; I Pet. 1:23; Rev. 22:19; John 12:48; Isa. 8:20; Eph 6:17; Rom 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psa. 19:7; John 5:45-47
2.The True God We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, and infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Ex. 20:2-3; Gen. 17:1; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6;John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; Psa. 83:18; Psa. 90:2;Jer. 10:10; Ex. 15:11; Rev. 4:11; 1 Tim. 11:17;Rom. 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matt. 28:19; John 15:26;I Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5;1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14
3. The Holy Spirit That the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the Creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; II Thess. 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; Rom. 8:14; Rom. 8:16; II Thess. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2; Rom 8:26-27
We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the filling of the Holy Spirit, and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing.
1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22
4. The Devil, or Satan We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist , and the author of all the powers of darkness - destined however to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isa. 14:12-15; Rev. 12:9; Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4; Eph 2:2; John 14:30; I Thess. 3:5; Matt 4:1-3; I Pet. 5:8; I John 3:8; Matt. 13:39; Luke 22:3-4; Rev. 12:10; II Cor. 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:22; Rev. 13:13-14; II Thess 2:8-11; Rev. 19:11,16,20; Rev. 12:7-9; Rev 20:1-3; Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41
5. Creation We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a “ matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind.” We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin.
Gen. 1:1-2; Ex. 20:11; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 11:3; Rom. 1:20; John 1:3; Rev. 10:6; Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jer.10: 12; Neh. 9:6; Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 2:21-23; Gen 1:11; Gen 1:24
6. The Fall of Man We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of His Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by restraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
7. The Virgin Birth We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost, in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God the Son.
Gen 3:75; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psa. 2:7; Gal. 4:4; I John 5:20; I Cor. 15:47
8. The Atonement for Sin We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53;4-7; Rom. 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21; John 10:18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 1:4; I Pet. 2:24; I Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:12-15; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:2
9. Grace in the New Creation We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born-again; that the New Birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the New Birth the dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation brought about in a manner of above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and soley by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine Truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3; II Cor. 5:17; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; II Cor. 5:19; Col. 2:13; John 1:12-13; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:9
10. The Freeness of Salvation We believe that in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
1 Thess. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 1Pet. 1:2; Titus 1:1; Rom. 8:29-30; Matt. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 10:13; John 6:37; Isa. 55:6; Acts 2:38; Isa. 55:7; John 3:16-18; ITim. 1:15; ICor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5; John 5:40; 3:36
11. Justification We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but soley through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Acts 13:39; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom 8:1; Rom 5:9; Rom. 5:1; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 1:17; Heb. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; Rom. 4:1-8; Heb. 10:38
12. Repentance and Faith We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt; danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour.
Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Rom. 10:13; Psa. 51:1-4; Isa. 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Rom. 10:9-11
13. The Church We believe that a Baptist Church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, said Church being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the Divine and eternal Grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastor (deacons) whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the Church is found in the Great Commission; First, to make individual disciples; Second, to build up the Church; Third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local Church has absolute self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through! the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel (Without compromise or any new evangelical yoking); that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and methods utilized in its ministry; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. We do not believe in an invisible, universal church, but rather in biblical local, visible, organized churches.
Acts 2:41; Acts 2:42; ICor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:11; ICor. 12:4, 8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts15: 23; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim. 3:1-13; Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23-24; I Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3, 4; II Cor. 8:23-24; I Cor. 16:1; Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:32; I Cor. 16:2; I Cor. 6:1-3; I Cor. 5:11-13
14. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of the believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church. To show forth in a solemn and a beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's Supper in which the members of this church, by the sacred use of the bread and the fruit of the vine (grape juice) are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination. We also believe that neither ordinance will in any way take a person to heaven. They are given as a reminder and promise of the Lord’s sacrificial death, and His resurrection along with His return. The bread is unleavened and the fruit is unfermented, and are symbols, they are not nor do they become the body and blood of Christ. The Bible does not teach us how often to observe the Lord's Supper. Some observe it once a week, some once a month, some once a quarter, etc. The Bible does not say how often; it just tells us that as oft as we do it we are to do it in remembrance of Him till He comes again. We believe that a good practice is to observe the Lord's Supper at irregular intervals. This prevents the service from becoming a mere ritualistic formality. We also believe these two ordinances were not given to individual people, but to the local church.
15. The Perseverance of the Saints We believe that such are real believers as endure unto the end, that is a true child of God will return in the end to the Lord even after backsliding; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
John 8:31-32; Col. 1:21-23; I John 2:19; Matt. 13:19-21; Rom. 8:28; Psa. 121:3; Heb. 1:14; I Pet. 1:5; Phil. 1:6; John 10:28-29; Rom. 8:35-39
16. The Righteous and the Wicked We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Mal. 3:18; Gen 18:23; Rom. 6:17-18; Prov. 11:31; I Pet. 1:18; Rom 1:17; I Cor. 15:22; Acts 10:34-35; I John 2:29; Rom. 6:16; I John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; Rom 7:6; Rom 6:23; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matt. 25:34, 41; John 8:21; Luke 9:26; John 12:25; Matt. 7:13-14
17. Civil Government We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society, that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Rom. 13:7; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13, 14; I Pet. 2:17; Acts 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17-18; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 23:10; Phil. 2:10-11; Psa. 72:11
18. The Resurrection & Return of Christ & Related Events We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "The third day according to the Scriptures;" that he alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God;" "that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as us have seen Him go into heaven;" -bodily, personally and visible; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first;" that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David;" and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under his feet."
Matt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-7; Acts 1:9; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1; Heb. 12:2; Heb. 8:6; I Tim 2:5; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5:9-10; John 14:3; I Thess. 4:16; Matt. 24:27; Matt. 24:42; Heb. 9:28; I Cor. 15:42-44, 51-53; I Thess. 4:17; Phil. 3:20, 21; Luke 1:32; I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 11:4-5; Psa. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4; Rev. 20:6
19. Missions We believe that God has given the churches a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us.
Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, John 20:21, Romans 10:13-15, Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20
20. The Grace of Giving Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the faith. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. Under grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe - "Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils" - Hebrews 7:2, 4 - and this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the New Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, "These ye ought to have done" - Matthew 23:23. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week.
21. Separation We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, and to refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances, piercings, and bodily markings. We believe that separation is two-part. It is separation from the world and unto God.
Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11; Lev. 19:28; 1 Cor. 6:19-20
22. Human Sexuality We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.
Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4
We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23
23. Family Relationships We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.
Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7
24. Divorce and Remarriage We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon.
25. Abortion We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother are acceptable.
Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
26. Euthanasia We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be a legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment.
Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28
27. Love We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.
Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18
28. Lawsuits Between Believers We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.