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The following comprise the
Scriptural beliefs of this church and its members.
(A) The Holy Scriptures. (Bibliology) We believe the Holy Scriptures
of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired
Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and
God-breathed and, therefore, are the final authority for faith and
life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the
complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall
be interpreted according to their normal
literal-grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of
interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the pastor. We
believe that God in His Perfect Providence has faithfully preserved
His word to man so that today we possess the complete, accurate, and
reliable texts of both testaments. (Ps. 12:6,7) The initial miracle
of divine inspiration of the original autographs also extends to the
divine preservation of a pure text to this day. Jesus said in Matt.
24:35 “…but my words shall not pass away….” We believe God has kept
that promise by preserving His infallible word in the traditional (Massoretic)
Hebrew and (Textus Receptus) Greek manuscripts and that the
Authorized Version (KJV) is the accurate English translation of the
preserved Word of the Living God. The King James Version of the
Bible shall be the official and only translation used by this
church. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21)
(B) Dispensationalism. We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in
their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined
dispensations or rules of life, which define man’s responsibilities
in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation,
but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs
man according to His purpose. The Dispensations are seven in number
and are as follows; The Dispensation of Innocency, Conscience, Human
Government, Promise, Mosaic Law, Grace, the Millenium. Three of
these dispensations—the law, (or Mosaic Law) the church, (or Grace)
and the kingdom (or the Millenium)—are the subjects of detailed
revelation in Scripture. (Gen. 1:28; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18;
Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-25, 27; Rev. 20:2-6) We
do not agree with the views known as Covenant Theology nor
Progressive Dispensationalism.
(C) The Godhead. (Theology) The God revealed in creation (Rom.
1:17-20), Christ (John 1:1), and the scriptures is one God. (Col.
2:9) He is a Spirit (John 4:4). We believe in one triune God,
eternally existing in three persons —Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit—each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, coequal in
power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections thus
being co-eternal in essence and existence. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19;
2 Cor. 13:14; John 14:10, 26)
(D) The Person and Work of Christ. (Christology)
1. We believe in the absolute Deity of the Son of God. We believe
that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man,
without ceasing to be God for one instant, having been miraculously
conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order
that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6;
Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8)
2. We believe that Jesus was acceptable to the Father because He
was, is, and always will be, sinless. We believe that the Lord Jesus
Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as
a representative, vicarious, (substitutionary) sacrifice; and, that
our justification solely on the basis of His shed blood and is made
sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts
2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
3. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is
now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He
fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.
(Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2) We also
believe He will come again.
(E) The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. (Pneumatology)
1. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the
world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the
Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the
body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of
redemption. (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6;
Eph. 1:13-14)
2. We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to
understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the
privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled (Gk.=pleroma=controlled)
with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27)
3. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual
gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and
teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can
do the work of the ministry. (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph.
4:7-12)
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 baptism or
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) Therefore as a result of these beliefs, we reject the
modern day Pentecostalism commonly known as the Charismatic Movement
and termed by other names as well: Word of Faith Movement,
Prosperity Movement, to name a few. We reject them as Doctrinally
unsound as to the Faith once delivered to the saints.
(F) The Total Depravity of Man. (Hamartiology=Sin) We believe that
man was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in Adam’s
sin (Fall) the human race was plunged into condemnation and death,
inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. All
mankind is born in sin and shapen in iniquity and become practical
sinners by personal choice, not by constraint, but by choice and so
are without excuse before God. Man is totally depraved and, of
himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. We believe the
only escape from the condemnation of sin is through the atonement
wrought by Jesus Christ described in D2 above. (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom.
3:22-23; 5:10-19; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19)
(G) Salvation. (Soteriology) We believe that salvation is the gift
of God brought to man by grace and received by repentance and
personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was
shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all
sins are forgivable. We believe that Faith in the finished work of
the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation from sin
and this salvation is wholly of grace. We also believe that no
works, however good, can obtain nor make this salvation more secure.
It should also be stated that to deny the Virgin birth (Isa. 7:14)
and the bodily resurrection (Romans 10:9) of the Lord Jesus Christ
casts a severe doubt as to a person’s salvation because they then
believe in another Jesus, and not the Jesus revealed in the
scripture. (John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9:
Titus 3:5,7: Isa. 7:14; Romans 10:9)
(H) The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers.
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s
power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40;
10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5)
We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the
assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word,
which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an
occasion to the flesh. (Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)
(I) The Church
1. We believe that the Church Universal, which is the (invisible)
body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of
believers in Jesus Christ (born-again) as Savior, both Jew and
Gentile, called out from the world and indwelt by the Holy Spirit,
and is a New Testament institution. It was unknown to the Old
Testament prophets, established by Jesus Christ, who is it’s sole
Head, brought into existence on the day of Pentecost, empowered and
perpetuated by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph.
1:22-23; 5:25-27) The Local Church (visible) is the manifestation of
the Church Universal on this earth and is a congregation of immersed
believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the
Gospel. In it we observe the ordinances of Christ, follow the
governing of His Word, and have for officers Elders and Deacons. The
terms Pastor, Bishop, Overseer, also refer to the office of elder in
the scriptures. The Pastor would be the elder whose gift is
recognized as that of Pastor-Teacher, Eph. 4:11. The Local church
has the absolute right of self-government (autonomy) directed by the
Holy Spirit and is answerable only to Christ. Plurality of Elders is
scriptural and should be desired and established when the size of
the local church congregation reaches sufficient numbers that deems
the additions necessary for the best interest of the members.
2. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local
churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament
Scriptures. (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
3. We believe in the autonomy (self government) of the local church
free of any external authority or control. (i.e., synods,
conventions, etc.) (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1
Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4)
We believe that there are two church memorials. We recognize water
baptism by immersion (Believer’s baptism, the only true picture of
his death, burial, and resurrection = immersion) and the Lord’s
Supper, (which commemorates our Lord’s death till He comes, our
continual fellowship with Him, and a time for careful
self-examination,) as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the
church in this age. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:18; 1 Cor.
11:23-32)
Every Christian has the right or privilege of church attendance. It
is unscriptural for a born-again believer to be unaffiliated with a
fundamental, Bible-teaching, Bible-preaching assembly. A consistent
attendance is a must for growth and testimony. The church is God’s
divine institution to bear testimony (world-wide) to the Lord Jesus
Christ and His glorious gospel. The goal of the church is to glorify
God through the salvation of lost souls, by the people of the
assembly and the pastor witnessing their faith to others. The
primary function of the local church is the feeding and edification
of the saints of God.
J)Separation. (Sanctification; separation from worldliness) 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
(Micah 6:8; Rom.8:29;12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 5:17 ; 6:14-7:1; Eph.
2:10; 5:15-16; Col. 3:17,23; Phil. 2:15,16a; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John
2:15-17; 2 John 9-11; Lev. 19:28; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; II Cor. 7:1) .
Concerning Ecclesiastical Separation; We believe that clean-cut,
total absolute separation from apostasy is the only logical and
Biblical ground upon which to stand. We believe that scripture
forbids; 1) organic union or cooperation with unbelievers and 2)
organic union or cooperation with believers who insist upon and
practice such union with unbelievers. We believe, on the whole
question of such matters as participation in union Thanksgiving
services, membership in local ministerial association(s),
participation in union evangelistic campaigns, etc., where
modernists and liberals are involved, our position is that of
separation. We also reject the organizations known as the World
Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches as
reprobate from the truth and heretical in doctrine and practice. We
further believe that, individually, as well as in the local
assembly, Biblical separation must be maintained in order to have an
effective witness for our Lord Jesus Christ in this day of
compromise and the Trumpets (leaders) giving uncertain sounds (II
Thess. 3:1-6, 14; II Cor. 6:11-7:1; II Chronicles 19:1; Ezra 4:1-4;
Titus 1:13; 3:10; II John 10,11; Eph. 5:11; Romans 16:14; I John
4:1).
Regarding Excellence in God’s work. Believing that the current
climate in America is characterized by and promotive of
slovenliness, carelessness, mediocrity, and caters to the base and
indifferent qualities of man’s fallen nature, those engaged in the
work of God should seek for the excellence that is worthy of the
King’s character, whom we serve, in our dress as well as our
character.
(K) The Second Advent of Christ. We believe in that blessed hope,
the personal, pretribulational, premillenial, imminent return of
Christ Who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year
tribulation period, coming only in the air. At the end of the
Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His
saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom that was promised
to the nation of Israel, where He will rule for 1000 years. Satan
will be bound in the bottomless pit for that period of time. (Ps.
89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; I Thess. 1:10; 1 Thess.
4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6)
The Eternal State.
1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to
eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting
punishment. (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6,
12-13)
2. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent
from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss
they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are
reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor.
5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6)
3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in
conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when
with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White
Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be
annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and
torment. (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess.
1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)
(M) The Personality of Satan.
1. We believe that Satan is a person, the god of this age, the
author of all the powers of darkness and sin, and the cause of the
Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man;
and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job
1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10)
Creation.
1. We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour
periods.
2. We reject evolution, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution
as unscriptural theories of origin. (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11)
Civil Government.
1. We believe that God has ordained and created all authority
consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church,
and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but
all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and
governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific
Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with
the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon
the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and
sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of
responsibility under God. (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1
Pet. 2:13-14)
(P) Human Sexuality.
1. 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. We as a church body, reserve the
right to remove or reject anyone, male or female, involved in
service, membership, or applying for membership or office, if they
are found to be of a deviant lifestyle as described above, or are
listed as a sexual predator by any law enforcement agencies. In the
event a person should contract A.I.D.S. or any other sexually
transmitted disease while a member or attendant at the Eastbrook
Baptist Church from whatever source, they will agree to abide by
whatever decision that the Pastor, along with the Deacons and the
rest of the church body deems necessary to protect and safeguard the
health of the membership as well as the testimony of the church from
further contamination, physically or spiritually. This can also
apply to other communicable diseases. Our position is to minister to
people’s spiritual needs. It is only by the grace of God and His
protection that any of us remain free of this and other diseases
that befall mankind today. We will minister as long as those who are
involved are being obedient to the Lord and are right with the Lord
in areas of their lives respective to the situation(s). We as a
church body, reserve the right to remove or reject anyone, male or
female, involved in service, membership, or applying for membership
or office, if they are found to be infected with A.I.D.S., sexually
transmitted, and/or communicable diseases. (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)
2. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of
one man and one woman. Marriage by this stable and time tested
definition is, “The act of uniting a man and woman for life; the
legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both
civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in
mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. God
Himself instituted marriage for the purpose of preventing the
promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic
felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of
children. “ 1828 Webster’s Dictionary (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor.
7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)
(Q) Family Relationships
1. 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)
2. 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. This of course equals 100% and rules out
the 50/50 attitude. 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)
(R) Divorce and Remarriage. We believe that God disapproves of and
forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the
spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except
on the grounds of fornication. 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. (Mal.
2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)
(S) 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)
(T) 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)
(U) 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. (1 Cor.
6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32)
(V) Missions. We believe that God has given the church 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. 28:19-20; Mark
16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20)
(W) Giving. 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. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights
to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been
made. (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor.
9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17)
Section 2.02—Authority Of Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The
Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We
do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith
accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is
binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be
in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith.
Section 2.03—Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the
Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith,
having been baptized in the name of our Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and
this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with
one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk
together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this
church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity
and spirituality; to sustain its regular worship services,
ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred
preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute
cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the
expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of
the Gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to
religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our
kindred, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circumspectly in the
world; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements, and
exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and
excessive anger; to abstain from worldly amusements such as
gambling, rock music, and dancing; to be free from all oath-bound
secret societies and partnerships with unbelievers; to abstain from
the sale or use of tobacco in any form, narcotic drugs, or
intoxicating drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts
to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to
remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and
distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of
speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for
reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, and to
secure reconciliation without delay.
We moreover engage, that when we remove from this place, we will as
soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out
the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
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