FBCA Statement of Faith
I. The Bible
We believe…
Every word of the sixty-six books of the Bible is inspired by God in the original manuscripts, through the agency of the Holy Spirit. This body of truth which God has revealed to man is without error and word perfect in these original manuscripts. It is completely reliable and authoritative for belief and behavior. We believe in the literal fulfillment of the prophecies and that the promises of the Scriptures are sure. We believe Scripture must be understood through the literal, contextual, grammatical, and historical method of interpretation, and applied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. All issues of interpretation and meaning, for Faith Bible Church Alturas' ministries, shall be determined by the elders.[1]
II. God
We believe…
God, always having existed in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All share the same nature, power, attributes and glory. God, in any of His persons, is worthy of our worship and obedience.[2]
The Father is the first person. He oversees creation, governs all things and moves to redeem all humanity. He is a father to his people.[3]
The Son is the second person. He created all things and sustains the universe. He took on a human nature by being born of a virgin. He is fully God and fully man. He died as a substitute for humanity’s sin, was buried and rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven where He is alive today at the right hand of the Father.[4]
The Holy Spirit is the third person. He works to carry out the divine will in the world. He was active in creation and in the writing of Scripture. His current activities include showing people their sin, regenerating, indwelling and comforting believers. He expressly speaks of and glorifies Jesus.[5]
[1] Deuteronomy 4:2; Psalm 19:7; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 6:17-20; 2 Peter 1:20-21
[2] Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 3:16-17; I Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14
[3] John 3:16; Romans 8:15-16; 1 Corinthians 8:6
[4] Matthew 1:18; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 1:2; Colossians 1:18; 2:9; Hebrews 1:2-3
[5] Genesis 1:2; John 14:26; 16:7-11, 13-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2
III. Man
We believe…
Mankind was created male and female in the image of God. We are both material (body) and immaterial (soul and spirit). Man’s body will be changed after death and will be reunited with the soul and spirit. A person’s earthly relationship with Christ determines one’s eternal destiny.
Adam and Eve sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. Through their sin mankind fell and since has inherited a sinful nature and are alienated from God. This nature means that man is utterly depraved and, of himself, unable to remedy his lost condition.
We believe that sin is any action, inaction, or attitude that is contrary to the nature or Word of God, which constitutes a rejection of His authority, resulting in alienation from God.
People who trust Christ with their lives are regenerated and given the gift of the Holy Spirit. They enjoy fellowship with God and eternal life. Though Christians still struggle with sin, in heaven they will be transformed into immortal and sinless beings.[1]
IV. Salvation
We believe…
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by 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, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, are forgivable.[2]
The response of the Christian is well described in Romans 10:9-10, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in his heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
V. Church
We believe…
The church universal with Christ as the Head is currently God’s human agent for advancing His kingdom and, as such, is the body of Christ and is solely made up of born-again believers. An individual church is an assembly dedicated to promoting God in a community. This is done by proclamation of the Gospel, disciple making, worship, and service. Biblically that relationship is expressed corporately through hearing the Word of God proclaimed, engaging in worship, practicing the two ordinances of believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper, building up each other’s faith, holding each other accountable through biblical love and discipline, and engaging in local and world evangelization. The mark of a church is the love shown in the body of believers.
Within the Church, biblically designated officers must meet the biblical qualifications for their office and submit to the headship of Christ, emulating His servant leadership. We believe the function of eldering is reserved for biblically qualified males. Each local church is to choose, support, and submit to those who function as elders.
We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external man-made authority or controls. Any affiliations, societies, organizations, associates, or agencies this church affiliates with are not authoritative in matters of church practice or belief.[3]
[1] Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-18; Leviticus 4:27; Matthew 5:8; John 3:18; 5:24-25; Romans 3:23; 7:1-25; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 15:50-56; Colossians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Titus 3:5-6; James 4:17; 1 John 1:3
[2] Matthew 12:31-32; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9
[3] Matthew 18:15-17; 20:25-28; 28:19-20; John 13:34-35; Acts 1:8; 2:38, 41-42, 47; 6:3-6; 8:12, 36-39; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:9; 5:1-3
VI. Angels and demons
We believe…
God created angels as spirit-beings possessing power and intellect, to worship and serve Him and to minister to believers. Satan is a fallen angel who masquerades as an angel of light. The scope of Satan’s power is subject to God’s will. By subjecting Adam and Eve to temptation and sin, Satan has extended his rebellion against God, which he continues by deceit, seduction, and destruction. While Satan and his demons are powerful, they are subject to Christ’s authority and judgment. Satan and his demons have been defeated for eternity by Jesus Christ through His death on the cross and victorious resurrection, sealing their everlasting damnation. At the time of final judgment, they will be consigned to eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire.[1]
VII. Human Sexuality
We believe…
God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one biologically born man and one biologically-born woman. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by any means.
The only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one biologically born man and one biologically born woman for life. [2]
VIII. Family Relationships
We believe…
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 elders) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.[3]
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 through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline.[4]
[1] Genesis 3:1-7; Job 1:6-7, 12; Ezekiel 28:13-16; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 12:7; Philippians 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; James 4:7; 1 Peter 3:22; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 2:12-14; 5:18; Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10
[2] Genesis 2:24; 26:8-10; Leviticus 18:1-30; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; Hebrews 13:4
[3] Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12
[4] Genesis 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalms 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7
IX. Abortion
We believe…
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 and is therefore murder.[1]
X. Civil Government
We believe…
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. We believe that we must obey the state unless it requires us to act contrary to Scripture, at which time we must obey God rather than the state.[2]
XI. Love
We believe…
We should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. 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 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.[3]
XII. Giving
We believe…
Every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to them, is obligated to financially support their local church. 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 their tithe or offering once the gift has been made.[4]
[1] Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
[2] Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Titus 3:1-2; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14
[3] Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18
[4] Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17
XIII. Future Events
We believe…
In the personal and imminent return of Jesus, who will call believers to Himself in the air. We believe that after the Great Tribulation Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for a thousand-year reign known as The Millennium. We believe after this time every human being will experience bodily resurrection, believers to life with God in heaven and unbelievers to eternal judgment in Hell.[1]
[1] Matthew 25:46; Acts 1:11; John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
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 teachings of the Bible to the best of our present understanding. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in agreement with this Statement of Faith.
We believe…
Every word of the sixty-six books of the Bible is inspired by God in the original manuscripts, through the agency of the Holy Spirit. This body of truth which God has revealed to man is without error and word perfect in these original manuscripts. It is completely reliable and authoritative for belief and behavior. We believe in the literal fulfillment of the prophecies and that the promises of the Scriptures are sure. We believe Scripture must be understood through the literal, contextual, grammatical, and historical method of interpretation, and applied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. All issues of interpretation and meaning, for Faith Bible Church Alturas' ministries, shall be determined by the elders.[1]
II. God
We believe…
God, always having existed in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All share the same nature, power, attributes and glory. God, in any of His persons, is worthy of our worship and obedience.[2]
The Father is the first person. He oversees creation, governs all things and moves to redeem all humanity. He is a father to his people.[3]
The Son is the second person. He created all things and sustains the universe. He took on a human nature by being born of a virgin. He is fully God and fully man. He died as a substitute for humanity’s sin, was buried and rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven where He is alive today at the right hand of the Father.[4]
The Holy Spirit is the third person. He works to carry out the divine will in the world. He was active in creation and in the writing of Scripture. His current activities include showing people their sin, regenerating, indwelling and comforting believers. He expressly speaks of and glorifies Jesus.[5]
[1] Deuteronomy 4:2; Psalm 19:7; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 6:17-20; 2 Peter 1:20-21
[2] Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 3:16-17; I Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14
[3] John 3:16; Romans 8:15-16; 1 Corinthians 8:6
[4] Matthew 1:18; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 1:2; Colossians 1:18; 2:9; Hebrews 1:2-3
[5] Genesis 1:2; John 14:26; 16:7-11, 13-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2
III. Man
We believe…
Mankind was created male and female in the image of God. We are both material (body) and immaterial (soul and spirit). Man’s body will be changed after death and will be reunited with the soul and spirit. A person’s earthly relationship with Christ determines one’s eternal destiny.
Adam and Eve sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. Through their sin mankind fell and since has inherited a sinful nature and are alienated from God. This nature means that man is utterly depraved and, of himself, unable to remedy his lost condition.
We believe that sin is any action, inaction, or attitude that is contrary to the nature or Word of God, which constitutes a rejection of His authority, resulting in alienation from God.
People who trust Christ with their lives are regenerated and given the gift of the Holy Spirit. They enjoy fellowship with God and eternal life. Though Christians still struggle with sin, in heaven they will be transformed into immortal and sinless beings.[1]
IV. Salvation
We believe…
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by 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, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, are forgivable.[2]
The response of the Christian is well described in Romans 10:9-10, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in his heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
V. Church
We believe…
The church universal with Christ as the Head is currently God’s human agent for advancing His kingdom and, as such, is the body of Christ and is solely made up of born-again believers. An individual church is an assembly dedicated to promoting God in a community. This is done by proclamation of the Gospel, disciple making, worship, and service. Biblically that relationship is expressed corporately through hearing the Word of God proclaimed, engaging in worship, practicing the two ordinances of believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper, building up each other’s faith, holding each other accountable through biblical love and discipline, and engaging in local and world evangelization. The mark of a church is the love shown in the body of believers.
Within the Church, biblically designated officers must meet the biblical qualifications for their office and submit to the headship of Christ, emulating His servant leadership. We believe the function of eldering is reserved for biblically qualified males. Each local church is to choose, support, and submit to those who function as elders.
We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external man-made authority or controls. Any affiliations, societies, organizations, associates, or agencies this church affiliates with are not authoritative in matters of church practice or belief.[3]
[1] Genesis 1:26-27; 3:1-18; Leviticus 4:27; Matthew 5:8; John 3:18; 5:24-25; Romans 3:23; 7:1-25; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 15:50-56; Colossians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Titus 3:5-6; James 4:17; 1 John 1:3
[2] Matthew 12:31-32; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9
[3] Matthew 18:15-17; 20:25-28; 28:19-20; John 13:34-35; Acts 1:8; 2:38, 41-42, 47; 6:3-6; 8:12, 36-39; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:9; 5:1-3
VI. Angels and demons
We believe…
God created angels as spirit-beings possessing power and intellect, to worship and serve Him and to minister to believers. Satan is a fallen angel who masquerades as an angel of light. The scope of Satan’s power is subject to God’s will. By subjecting Adam and Eve to temptation and sin, Satan has extended his rebellion against God, which he continues by deceit, seduction, and destruction. While Satan and his demons are powerful, they are subject to Christ’s authority and judgment. Satan and his demons have been defeated for eternity by Jesus Christ through His death on the cross and victorious resurrection, sealing their everlasting damnation. At the time of final judgment, they will be consigned to eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire.[1]
VII. Human Sexuality
We believe…
God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one biologically born man and one biologically-born woman. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by any means.
The only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one biologically born man and one biologically born woman for life. [2]
VIII. Family Relationships
We believe…
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 elders) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.[3]
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 through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline.[4]
[1] Genesis 3:1-7; Job 1:6-7, 12; Ezekiel 28:13-16; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 12:7; Philippians 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; James 4:7; 1 Peter 3:22; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 2:12-14; 5:18; Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10
[2] Genesis 2:24; 26:8-10; Leviticus 18:1-30; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; Hebrews 13:4
[3] Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12
[4] Genesis 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalms 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7
IX. Abortion
We believe…
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 and is therefore murder.[1]
X. Civil Government
We believe…
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. We believe that we must obey the state unless it requires us to act contrary to Scripture, at which time we must obey God rather than the state.[2]
XI. Love
We believe…
We should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. 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 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.[3]
XII. Giving
We believe…
Every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to them, is obligated to financially support their local church. 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 their tithe or offering once the gift has been made.[4]
[1] Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
[2] Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Titus 3:1-2; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14
[3] Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18
[4] Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17
XIII. Future Events
We believe…
In the personal and imminent return of Jesus, who will call believers to Himself in the air. We believe that after the Great Tribulation Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for a thousand-year reign known as The Millennium. We believe after this time every human being will experience bodily resurrection, believers to life with God in heaven and unbelievers to eternal judgment in Hell.[1]
[1] Matthew 25:46; Acts 1:11; John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
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 teachings of the Bible to the best of our present understanding. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in agreement with this Statement of Faith.