Statement of Faith
STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT SECTION 1 – STATEMENT OF FAITH:
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men and supernaturally inspired; that it is 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. By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written, does not only contain and convey the Word of God but is the very Word of God. By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old as they were supernaturally and verbally inspired (II Tim 3:16; I Peter 1:21). We also believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the divinely preserved Word of God for the English-speaking people (Psalm 12:6,7) and that it has enjoyed a miraculous manifestation of God’s approval all during its history and use.
THE ONE 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 (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90); that He is 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 Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption and in the accomplishment of His eternal plan and purpose (I John 5:6-12).
THE SON: We believe that Jesus Christ, eternal with the Father, was begotten of the Holy Ghost and in miraculous manner; that He was born of Mary, a virgin, as no other person was ever born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God the Son (I John 1:1,2). He is both true man, one person with two natures, tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin (Isaiah 7:14; Hebrews 4:14-17).
THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; eternal and equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same essence (I John 5:7); that He was active in the creation (Genesis 1:2); that in 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 of the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, bears witness with, sanctifies, and helps the believer (John 14:7; Romans 8:14-27). Using Acts 1:8 as our criteria for evaluation, we believe that the evidence of the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is boldness to witness for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
SATAN OR THE DEVIL: We believe that Satan is an angel, a created being, who was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels and is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world (Ezekiel 28:12-17; Isaiah 14:12-25). We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the accuser of the brethren, the author of all false religions, the chief source of the present apostasy, the lord of antichrist, and the author of all of the powers of darkness (I Peter 5:8,9); destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son and the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire, a place prepared for him and for his angels as well as all of the unbelievers of the ages (Rev 20:10).
THE CREATION: We believe the Genesis account of creation is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively (Genesis 1); that the creation was accomplished in six (6), twenty-four (24) hour days (Genesis 1:5,8,13,19,23,31; 2:2; Exodus 20:11); that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness (Genesis 1:26,27); 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 were made directly by God, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” We deny any form of atheistic or theistic evolution (Romans 1:19,20).
THE FALL OF MAN: We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression, he fell from his sinless and happy state of perfection (Genesis 3), in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse and are guilty before God (Romans 5:12; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3).
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 the appointment of the Father freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin and honored the divine law by His personal obedience and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement was not merely an example but was the voluntary substitution enthroned in Heaven and is uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior (Hebrews 2:9; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:4-14).
THE NEW BIRTH: We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is the new creation in Jesus Christ (John 3:3-5); that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God (Ephesians 2:8,9); that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel (John 1:13; Titus 3:5); that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith in newness of life (Galatians 5:22- 25).
JUSTIFICATION: We believe that the great Gospel which Christ secures to such as believe in Him provides justification; that justification declares the sinner righteous through the merits of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-26) and this divine pardon is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, and that His righteousness is imputed unto us; that through justification we have peace with God (Romans 5:1,9).
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 convinced of the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time, we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confess Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior (Jeremiah 8:6; Acts 17:30; 26:30).
THE CHURCH: We believe that a New Testament church is a congregation of baptized (by immersion) believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors (also referred to as bishops or elders), and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures (I Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9); we believe the true mission of Victory Baptist Church is found in the “Great Commission” which instructs us first, to make individual disciples (Matt 28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8); second, to baptize the converts; and third, to teach and instruct as He commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any external hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that Christ is the Head of the church and superintends over the work of the local church through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:19-23); that it is scriptural for the true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel (Jude 3); that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, and that the will of the local church is final (Matt 18:15-20; Acts 5:29: I Corinthians 6:1-8). We are opposed to the ecumenical movement, neo-orthodoxy, new evangelicalism, liberalism, and modernism that emphasizes an unequal yoke with unbelievers, experience over Biblical truth, higher criticism that weakens inerrancy of the scriptures, social application of the gospel, and any other beliefs which abandon the historic fundamentals of the Christian faith in an attempt to accommodate Biblical Christianity and make it more acceptable to the modern mind.
BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER: We believe that New Testament baptism is the immersion in water of a born-again believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority and approval of the local church to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, as it pictures our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Matt 28:19,20); that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of church membership and to the observing of the Lord’s Supper.* We believe the Lord’s Supper should always be preceded by solemn self-examination and that the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ until He returns (Matt 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:30). The prerequisites to participation in the Lord’s Supper are those laid down by Christ and his apostles as a church ordinance that include (1) Salvation (I Corinthians 11:27-29), (2) Baptism* (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41, 46), and (3) an orderly walk (I Corinthians 11:27- 29). A disorderly walk designates a course of life in a church member, which is contrary to the precepts of the gospel including immoral conduct, disobedience to the commands of Christ, heresy (teaching false doctrine), and schism or promotion of division and dissension in the church. We invite guests who meet the above criterion to join us as the Lord gives them liberty, therefore, we have open communion. *There may be extenuating circumstances that have prevented a believer from being baptized (health, lack of functioning baptismal or other means of baptism, etc.). When a believer is faced with this situation, he must make it a priority to follow the Lord in baptism as soon as possible and church membership or the Lord’s Supper shall not be denied.
THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER: We believe that the preserving attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes true believers from superficial professors; that it is a work of God the Father (John 10:28,29; Romans 8:30), God the Son (Romans 8:34; I John 2:1), and God the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30); and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation (I Peter 1:5). We believe that God’s eternal election and predestination guarantee their ultimate conformity to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
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 (Romans 8:1-10); all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse (Romans 3:19-23), and this distinction holds among men both in life and after death in the everlasting conscious blessedness of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost (Rev 20:11-15).
CIVIL GOVERNMENT: We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for (I Tim 2:1-3), conscientiously honored and obeyed except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Lord of conscience, coming Prince of the Kings of the earth (acts 5:29: Romans 13:1-5).
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is coming again in the air at any moment to catch up all born again believers and to reward their service (I Thessalonians 4:15-17; I Corinthians 3:12-14); the unbelievers left behind will go through a seven year period called the Tribulation, after which Christ shall return visibly to the earth to set up His kingdom of 1,000 years of righteous rule; after this, the unbelievers of all ages will stand at the Great White Throne to be judged and cast into the lake of fire, separated from God forever, while the believers spend eternity in the fullness of joy and in the presence of our Lord forever (Rev 20:11- 15).
MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES: We believe that all men everywhere are lost and condemned and that the command to go and preach the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and the responsibility to train and send missionaries was given to the churches. Following New Testament precedent and example, we believe that all missionary endeavors should be under the ultimate sponsorship of the local congregation and that no mission board should ever misconstrue its purpose to attempt, to hold, or to assign authority to itself (Matt 28:19,20; Acts 13). By Missions and Missionaries, we are referring to, but not limited to, people, people groups, activities, and programs that are dedicated primarily to sharing the Gospel, baptizing converts, and teaching Biblical truth to a specific demographic group, culture, ethnicity, or special need not otherwise mentioned here and authorized by the Pastor.
THE GRACE OF GIVING: God’s method of financing His earthly work of spreading the Gospel to all nations, the care of the churches and the support of the ministry, is by the faithful offerings of God’s people. The New Testament teaches that giving must be done as a Christian purpose in his heart, willfully, joyfully, and as the Lord has prospered. Giving is between the giver and the Lord. The New Testament teaches that the believer should give as he is able and he that sows bountifully shall reap bountifully (II Corinthians 9:6-8). God will hold us accountable for our finances and if we are materialistic and selfish, we will be judged accordingly. The Holy Spirit is able to convict the believer who is irresponsible with his finances. (I Corinthians 16:2).
HUMAN SEXUALITY: We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, transsexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex (Genesis 2:24; 19:5,13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).
MARRIAGE: We believe that marriage was instituted by God to be a permanent union between a man and a woman and therefore we are opposed to same sex marriages (Malachi 2:14-17; Mark 10:2-12; Romans 7:1-3).
ABORTION AND EUTHANASIA: 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 abortion of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1,5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44). We believe that life is sacred and any act of putting to death a person suffering from a distressing disease, illness or health problem from injury (euthanasia or mercy killing) for his own good is virtually an instance of self-deification usurping a right that belongs to God (Psalm 68:20; II Kings 5:7; Job 1:21; 2:6; Hebrews 9:27).
LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS: We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other another Christian or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members (Article IV, Arbitration of Disputes). We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company, or other secular corporate entity, as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (I Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32).
SECTION 2 – AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH:
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We believe that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore is binding upon all members and guests who participate or take part in any activity of Victory Baptist Church.
SECTION 3 – COVENANT:
We understand that our testimony as Christians requires our personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and separation from sin. We further realize that as members of Victory Baptist Church, we represent the Lord Jesus Christ as well as this local church. Therefore, we believe that the ultimate priority in life is to know and love the sovereign God, and purpose to glorify Him in all that we do, seeking to build our goals around His priorities, as they are taught and revealed in His Word (Psalm 31:23; 119:2; Matthew 6:24-33; 22:34-40; John 4:23; Philippians 3:7-10). We consider our bodies to be the living temple of God and acknowledge His demand that our bodies be kept clean from sin and that it be daily set apart for His use (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:14-18; I Peter 1:14-16). We regard marriage to be a Biblical and holy institution and will endeavor to conduct ourselves in such a manner so as to continually strengthen our homes and marriages (if applicable) and the marriages of those around us (Genesis 2:21-25; Proverbs 6:32; Matthew 5:27,28; Hebrews 13:4). We purpose to guard our tongues and keep our words in harmony with the Word of God. We further intend to avoid gossip and unkind speech which is neither helpful nor necessary (Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 14:28; Luke 6:45; Ephesians 5:29-32; Philippians 4:8; James 1:19). We do also endeavor to be faithful to the church of Jesus Christ in the areas of prayer, attendance, service, and Scriptural giving, which includes giving cheerfully, and regularly (Luke 18:1; Hebrews 10:25; Psalm 100:2; II Corinthians 9:6,7). We aspire to use our lives as a positive, godly testimony to those who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and purpose to become consistent personal soul-winners (Psalm 126:5-6; Proverbs 11:30; Matthew 5:13-16; John 15:8). We respect God-ordained authority in the local church and pledge ourselves to submit and pray for those in authority that they might function according to the principles, standards, and doctrines of God’s Word (I Thessalonians 5:12-13; I Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7,17). We purpose that our activities and conduct will be used as a means of encouragement and growth to other believers, and in no way be used to weaken their Biblical convictions and/or hinder their spiritual progress (Proverbs 28:10; Matthew 8:6; Romans 14:13; I Corinthians 8:9-13). We believe the King James Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant word of God in the English language and that God’s Word is the final authority for our lives (Psalm 19:7-9; 119:11,44,128,167; II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21). We further acknowledge that differences of opinion and/or misunderstandings easily surface under even the best of conditions, and purpose to communicate openly, honestly, and lovingly with those we have offended or those who have offended us, following the principles as given in the word of God regarding such situations (Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:6). We understand the importance of maintaining a positive testimony for Jesus Christ regarding one’s personal appearance and will dress modestly as an expression of inner godliness (Colossians 3:17; I Timothy 2:9,10; I Peter 3:1-7). We moreover refuse to defile our minds with sinful and/or questionable literature, music, movies television programs, internet activity, or other sources of information and means of communication. We will further abstain from gambling, oath-bound secret societies and partnerships with unbelievers, alcohol, and non-medicinal narcotic or hallucinogenic drugs, along with all forms of sexual immorality (Psalm 101:3; Proverbs 19:27, 20:1; Habakkuk 2:15; Romans 12:21, 14:8; I Corinthians 10:31; II Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:17; I Thessalonians 5:22; James 4:4).