Doctrinal Statement
Berean Baptist Church
Doctrinal Statement
The Holy Scriptures
We believe in the plenary (absolute), verbal, inspired Word of God. God gave His word to man through forty some authors over 2,000 years. *All scripture is given by inspiration (i.e. God breathed) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Tim 3:16 *For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.* 2 Peter 1:21 As it is the inherent, preserved Word of God, we preach and teach out of the King James Version. *For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.* Matt 5:18
God
We believe in the triune God. God is three in one. *Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:* Matt. 28:19 He is eternal, omnipresent, omniscience, and omnipotent, self-existent, infinite, and immutable. (Deuteronomy 6:4; I Timothy 1:17; James 1:17; I John 4:4).
Son
We believe that Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the eternal Son of God. *For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.* John 3:16 Though Christ became man, he at no point gave up his Deity. He was 100 % man and a 100% God. *In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word (Christ) was with God, and the Word (Christ) was God.* John 1:1 He came to die, and pay the penalty for sin of all mankind. *For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.* Luke 19:10 This sacrifice was a payment to God for the forgiveness of sin. Then He ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father, and will return to rapture, or (catch up) the believer, as He promised to all who have received Him. He will return seven years later to earth to rule and reign as King for 1,000 years. (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 43:11; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1, 1:3, 14, 18, 29; Romans 3:19-25; Romans 5:6-15; Philippians 2:5-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Timothy 2:5; I Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:10-15; Hebrews 7:26, 9:24-28; I Peter 1:19, 2:2; I John 1:3; Revelation 20:1-6).
Holy Spirit
We believe in the personal relationship of the Holy Spirit, who is also known as the Holy Ghost. He came on the day of Pentecost to indwell and establish the Church. He also will fill, seal, sanctify, anoint, and empower. *But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.* Acts 1:8 he unsaved are convicted by the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. *Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration , and renewing of the Holy Ghost;* Titus 3:5 He gives gifts as He will and works in heart of all believers having His will and way. (John 3:5-6; John 14:16; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:15; I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Corinthians 12:13).
Sin
We believe that man is totally depraved, lost in sin and needs to be saved. *For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;* Rom 3:23 Man was born a lost sinner and is incapable of saving himself. Thus, man is condemned, lost without the Lord. *He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.* John 3:18 He has no help without a saving God. (Genesis 5:1-5; Acts 4:19; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:10-23)
Doctrinal Statement
The Holy Scriptures
We believe in the plenary (absolute), verbal, inspired Word of God. God gave His word to man through forty some authors over 2,000 years. *All scripture is given by inspiration (i.e. God breathed) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Tim 3:16 *For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.* 2 Peter 1:21 As it is the inherent, preserved Word of God, we preach and teach out of the King James Version. *For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.* Matt 5:18
God
We believe in the triune God. God is three in one. *Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:* Matt. 28:19 He is eternal, omnipresent, omniscience, and omnipotent, self-existent, infinite, and immutable. (Deuteronomy 6:4; I Timothy 1:17; James 1:17; I John 4:4).
Son
We believe that Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the eternal Son of God. *For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.* John 3:16 Though Christ became man, he at no point gave up his Deity. He was 100 % man and a 100% God. *In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word (Christ) was with God, and the Word (Christ) was God.* John 1:1 He came to die, and pay the penalty for sin of all mankind. *For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.* Luke 19:10 This sacrifice was a payment to God for the forgiveness of sin. Then He ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father, and will return to rapture, or (catch up) the believer, as He promised to all who have received Him. He will return seven years later to earth to rule and reign as King for 1,000 years. (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 43:11; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1, 1:3, 14, 18, 29; Romans 3:19-25; Romans 5:6-15; Philippians 2:5-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Timothy 2:5; I Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:10-15; Hebrews 7:26, 9:24-28; I Peter 1:19, 2:2; I John 1:3; Revelation 20:1-6).
Holy Spirit
We believe in the personal relationship of the Holy Spirit, who is also known as the Holy Ghost. He came on the day of Pentecost to indwell and establish the Church. He also will fill, seal, sanctify, anoint, and empower. *But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.* Acts 1:8 he unsaved are convicted by the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. *Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration , and renewing of the Holy Ghost;* Titus 3:5 He gives gifts as He will and works in heart of all believers having His will and way. (John 3:5-6; John 14:16; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:15; I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Corinthians 12:13).
Sin
We believe that man is totally depraved, lost in sin and needs to be saved. *For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;* Rom 3:23 Man was born a lost sinner and is incapable of saving himself. Thus, man is condemned, lost without the Lord. *He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.* John 3:18 He has no help without a saving God. (Genesis 5:1-5; Acts 4:19; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:10-23)
Salvation
We believe in the atoning and substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. The blood of Christ was shed for the whole world. *And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.* John 2:2 The blood atonement did not provide a blanket salvation. Each man must confess, repent, and receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. *For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.* Eph 2:8-9 (Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6; Revelation 20:11-14)
Separation
We believe that the *saved,* *born again* child of God should live and practice a Godly separated life: practicing personal and ecclesiastical (church) separation. The Scriptures teach that **we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;* The Christian life should reflect the Saviour and be lived differently than the world. Titus 2:12; I Peter 2:11; I Peter 1:15; II Corinthians 6:14-17
Church
We believe that God established two institutions, the home and the local church. The church is the only institution established to carry out His work today. It was established on the Day of Pentecost. We believe the local church is composed of members who have been saved and baptized, uniting themselves together for the purpose of worship, fellowship, service, and the Lord's table. (Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 1:15; Acts 2:41-43; Acts 11:15; Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 15: 51-58; Ephesians 1:12-14; Ephesians 5:25-30; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Timothy 3:4-15).
Last Days
We believe in an imminent return of Christ and the pre-tribulation rapture of the church saints. Following the rapture, there will be seven years of Tribulation. We believe in the pre-millennial return of Christ to the earth and His literal rule of one thousand years. Following the one thousand year reign will be the Great White Throne judgment. Then He will establish the new Heaven and the new earth.
(I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Thessalonians 5:1-9; Revelation 19-22).
We believe in the atoning and substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. The blood of Christ was shed for the whole world. *And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.* John 2:2 The blood atonement did not provide a blanket salvation. Each man must confess, repent, and receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. *For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.* Eph 2:8-9 (Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6; Revelation 20:11-14)
Separation
We believe that the *saved,* *born again* child of God should live and practice a Godly separated life: practicing personal and ecclesiastical (church) separation. The Scriptures teach that **we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;* The Christian life should reflect the Saviour and be lived differently than the world. Titus 2:12; I Peter 2:11; I Peter 1:15; II Corinthians 6:14-17
Church
We believe that God established two institutions, the home and the local church. The church is the only institution established to carry out His work today. It was established on the Day of Pentecost. We believe the local church is composed of members who have been saved and baptized, uniting themselves together for the purpose of worship, fellowship, service, and the Lord's table. (Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 1:15; Acts 2:41-43; Acts 11:15; Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 15: 51-58; Ephesians 1:12-14; Ephesians 5:25-30; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Timothy 3:4-15).
Last Days
We believe in an imminent return of Christ and the pre-tribulation rapture of the church saints. Following the rapture, there will be seven years of Tribulation. We believe in the pre-millennial return of Christ to the earth and His literal rule of one thousand years. Following the one thousand year reign will be the Great White Throne judgment. Then He will establish the new Heaven and the new earth.
(I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Thessalonians 5:1-9; Revelation 19-22).