What We Believe
Each person, in order to become and remain a member of Berean Community Fellowship, must be in agreement with the following statements.
BIBLE
We believe in the authority and sufficiency of the Holy Bible, consisting of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written, was verbally and plenary inspired and written by divine inspiration of God, and therefore, is truth without any admixture of error for its matter.
We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; John 10:35
I Thessalonians 2:13
GOD
We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite sovereign 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 unit 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.
Exodus 20:2-3; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:3-14; Deuteronomy 6:4;
John 4:24; Genesis 1:14; Genesis 1:14; I Peter 1:16
Revelation 4:11; I Corinthians 13:14; I Corinthians 12:4-6
JESUS CHRIST
WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was begotten of by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, in order that He might reveal God and redeem man. And that he is both the Son of God and God the Son-fully man and fully God.
Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:2, 14; Luke 1:35;
Philippians 2:5-11; Galatians 4:4
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 is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7
WE BELIEVE in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His ascension into heaven, where He now is exalted at the right hand of God. And that He is our High Priest, and He fulfills the ministry of Intercessor and Advocate eternally.
Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39, 51; John 20:27; Corinthians 15:4;
Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-6. Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 7:25; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1;
Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 5:9-10
HOLY SPIRIT
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and 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 righteousness, and of judgment; 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, fills, and helps the believer for the glory of God.
John 14:16-17; Luke 1:35 Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26;
Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6,
Ephesians 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:4,11;
John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 14:26; Romans 8:16
Romans 8:2-14; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16;
I Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:27; Romans 8:14,16,26,27;
Romans 15:19; Hebrews 2:4; John 14:16-17
TRINITY
WE BELIEVE there is but one true God, eternal and self-revealing to us in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And that these three are co-equal, without division of nature, essence or being, in divine perfection, and are one God.
Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7; I Corinthians 8:6; John 10:30;
II Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:5-6; Galatians 4:4
SATAN
WE BELIEVE in the personality of Satan, the Devil; and that he was created by God as an angel. But through pride and rebellion became the enemy of his Creator; that he is the unholy god of this age, our adversary and accuser and the great deceiver of the nations. He is the ruler of all the powers of darkness and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire.
Ezekiel 28:12-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Job 1:6-12; Matthew 4:1-11
II Corinthians 4:4; I John 3:8; 5:19; Revelation 12:9-10; 20:10
FALL OF MAN
WE BELIEVE that man was created in holiness (in the image and likeness of God under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression Adam fell from his sinless and happy state, and all men sinned in him, in consequence of which all men are totally depraved, are partakers of Adam’s fallen nature, and are sinners by nature and by conduct; and therefore, are under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 3:1-8,24; Romans 3:10-19; Romans 3:9-19;
Romans 5:12-19; Romans 1:18-32
SALVATION
WE BELIEVE that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, thus qualifying himself to be our Savior; that by the shedding of His blood in His death He fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin; that His sacrifice and by His death made a full and substitutionary atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sin in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in Heaven. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior.
WE BELIEVE that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation; that repentance is a change of mind, heart, and purpose toward God, prompted by the Holy Spirit and is an integral part of saving faith; and that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation.
Hebrews 2:9; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; John 3:16
Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7-8; Romans 5:8; I John 4:10;
II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:14-17; Isaiah 53:4-7;
I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3; I Peter 2:24; Luke 13:1-3; Luke 15:7; Acts 8:22; Romans 2:5; II Corinthians 7:10; John 3:16;
Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 17-30; II Peter 3-9; Ephesians 2:9
GRACE AND THE NEW BIRTH
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 one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about by our sovereign God in a manner above our comprehension, solely 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, faith and newness of life.
John 3:3; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 16:30-33;
II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1,5; II Corinthians 5:19;
Colossians 2:13; John 3:8
JUSTIFICATION
WE BELIEVE that justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares us to be righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the shed Redeemer’s blood.
Romans 3:20,24; Romans 4:5; Colossians 2:16; Acts 13:39;
Isaiah 53:11; II Corinthians 5:18-21; Romans 5:1,9; Romans 8:1
SANCTIFICATION
WE BELIEVE that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God, accomplished in a three-fold manner. First, as an eternal act of God, based upon the redemption in Christ, establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Savior. Second, a continuing process in the saint through the presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit, growing closer to God in the study and practice of His Word. Third and finally, by the yielding, obedience, and commitment of the saint to God’s will. This will result in the final completion, consecration and perfection of the saint when the Lord returns.
Hebrews 10:1-14; John 17:17-19; I Corinthians 1:2, 30;
I Corinthians 6:9-11; II Corinthians 3:18; II Corinthians 7:1;
Ephesians 5:25-26; I Thessalonians 4:3-8; I Thessalonians 3:12-13;
I Thessalonians 5:23-24; Ephesians 5:27; I John 3:2; Jude 24-25
FAMILY AND LIFE
WE BELIEVE that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.
WE BELIEVE husband and wife are of equal worth before God, and the marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loves His Church, and has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She is to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing of the next generation.
WE BELIEVE that all children (born and unborn) are a blessing and heritage from the Lord and made in the image of God, and from the moment of conception, are a living being with a soul, and should be protected. And that God has given parents the responsibility to nurture, teach spiritual and moral values, disciple, and lead their children in the biblical truth of God. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Colossians 3;18:20; Romans 12-14; Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21
I Peter 3:;8-11; Ephesians 5:25-28; I Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:22-24
I Peter 3:1-6; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 31:10-31; Proverbs 14:1
Titus 2:3-5; Matthew 18:2-5; Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16
Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Exodus 20:3-17; Proverbs 1:8;
Proverbs 6:20-22; Ephesians 6:1-4;
Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 27:24-25
SOCIAL ORDER
WE BELIEVE Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman only, in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church, and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage as the means for procreation of the human race.
WE BELIEVE that any marriage arrangement, other than one man and one woman, is harmful to individuals and society, as well as contrary to God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Living together before marriage is not in accordance with holy living.
Genesis 2:18, 23-24; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Mark 10:6-12;
Proverbs 18:22; Hebrews 13:4
BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
WE BELIEVE that Christian baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water, under the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of our identification with the crucified, buried and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life; that baptism is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership.
WE BELIEVE that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes again and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.
WE BELIEVE that the Biblical order of the ordinances is baptism first and then the Lord’s Supper, and that participants should be immersed believers.
Acts 8:36, 38-39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12;
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41;
I Corinthians 11:23-28; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7
Each person, in order to become and remain a member of Berean Community Fellowship, must be in agreement with the following statements.
BIBLE
We believe in the authority and sufficiency of the Holy Bible, consisting of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written, was verbally and plenary inspired and written by divine inspiration of God, and therefore, is truth without any admixture of error for its matter.
We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21; John 10:35
I Thessalonians 2:13
GOD
We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite sovereign 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 unit 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.
Exodus 20:2-3; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:3-14; Deuteronomy 6:4;
John 4:24; Genesis 1:14; Genesis 1:14; I Peter 1:16
Revelation 4:11; I Corinthians 13:14; I Corinthians 12:4-6
JESUS CHRIST
WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was begotten of by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, in order that He might reveal God and redeem man. And that he is both the Son of God and God the Son-fully man and fully God.
Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:2, 14; Luke 1:35;
Philippians 2:5-11; Galatians 4:4
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 is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7
WE BELIEVE in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His ascension into heaven, where He now is exalted at the right hand of God. And that He is our High Priest, and He fulfills the ministry of Intercessor and Advocate eternally.
Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39, 51; John 20:27; Corinthians 15:4;
Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-6. Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 7:25; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1;
Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 5:9-10
HOLY SPIRIT
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and 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 righteousness, and of judgment; 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, fills, and helps the believer for the glory of God.
John 14:16-17; Luke 1:35 Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26;
Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6,
Ephesians 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:4,11;
John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 14:26; Romans 8:16
Romans 8:2-14; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16;
I Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:27; Romans 8:14,16,26,27;
Romans 15:19; Hebrews 2:4; John 14:16-17
TRINITY
WE BELIEVE there is but one true God, eternal and self-revealing to us in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And that these three are co-equal, without division of nature, essence or being, in divine perfection, and are one God.
Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7; I Corinthians 8:6; John 10:30;
II Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:5-6; Galatians 4:4
SATAN
WE BELIEVE in the personality of Satan, the Devil; and that he was created by God as an angel. But through pride and rebellion became the enemy of his Creator; that he is the unholy god of this age, our adversary and accuser and the great deceiver of the nations. He is the ruler of all the powers of darkness and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire.
Ezekiel 28:12-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Job 1:6-12; Matthew 4:1-11
II Corinthians 4:4; I John 3:8; 5:19; Revelation 12:9-10; 20:10
FALL OF MAN
WE BELIEVE that man was created in holiness (in the image and likeness of God under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression Adam fell from his sinless and happy state, and all men sinned in him, in consequence of which all men are totally depraved, are partakers of Adam’s fallen nature, and are sinners by nature and by conduct; and therefore, are under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Genesis 3:1-8,24; Romans 3:10-19; Romans 3:9-19;
Romans 5:12-19; Romans 1:18-32
SALVATION
WE BELIEVE that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, thus qualifying himself to be our Savior; that by the shedding of His blood in His death He fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin; that His sacrifice and by His death made a full and substitutionary atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sin in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in Heaven. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior.
WE BELIEVE that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation; that repentance is a change of mind, heart, and purpose toward God, prompted by the Holy Spirit and is an integral part of saving faith; and that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation.
Hebrews 2:9; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; John 3:16
Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7-8; Romans 5:8; I John 4:10;
II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:14-17; Isaiah 53:4-7;
I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3; I Peter 2:24; Luke 13:1-3; Luke 15:7; Acts 8:22; Romans 2:5; II Corinthians 7:10; John 3:16;
Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 17-30; II Peter 3-9; Ephesians 2:9
GRACE AND THE NEW BIRTH
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 one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about by our sovereign God in a manner above our comprehension, solely 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, faith and newness of life.
John 3:3; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 16:30-33;
II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1,5; II Corinthians 5:19;
Colossians 2:13; John 3:8
JUSTIFICATION
WE BELIEVE that justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares us to be righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the shed Redeemer’s blood.
Romans 3:20,24; Romans 4:5; Colossians 2:16; Acts 13:39;
Isaiah 53:11; II Corinthians 5:18-21; Romans 5:1,9; Romans 8:1
SANCTIFICATION
WE BELIEVE that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God, accomplished in a three-fold manner. First, as an eternal act of God, based upon the redemption in Christ, establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Savior. Second, a continuing process in the saint through the presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit, growing closer to God in the study and practice of His Word. Third and finally, by the yielding, obedience, and commitment of the saint to God’s will. This will result in the final completion, consecration and perfection of the saint when the Lord returns.
Hebrews 10:1-14; John 17:17-19; I Corinthians 1:2, 30;
I Corinthians 6:9-11; II Corinthians 3:18; II Corinthians 7:1;
Ephesians 5:25-26; I Thessalonians 4:3-8; I Thessalonians 3:12-13;
I Thessalonians 5:23-24; Ephesians 5:27; I John 3:2; Jude 24-25
FAMILY AND LIFE
WE BELIEVE that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.
WE BELIEVE husband and wife are of equal worth before God, and the marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loves His Church, and has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She is to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing of the next generation.
WE BELIEVE that all children (born and unborn) are a blessing and heritage from the Lord and made in the image of God, and from the moment of conception, are a living being with a soul, and should be protected. And that God has given parents the responsibility to nurture, teach spiritual and moral values, disciple, and lead their children in the biblical truth of God. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Colossians 3;18:20; Romans 12-14; Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21
I Peter 3:;8-11; Ephesians 5:25-28; I Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:22-24
I Peter 3:1-6; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 31:10-31; Proverbs 14:1
Titus 2:3-5; Matthew 18:2-5; Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16
Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Exodus 20:3-17; Proverbs 1:8;
Proverbs 6:20-22; Ephesians 6:1-4;
Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 27:24-25
SOCIAL ORDER
WE BELIEVE Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman only, in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church, and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage as the means for procreation of the human race.
WE BELIEVE that any marriage arrangement, other than one man and one woman, is harmful to individuals and society, as well as contrary to God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Living together before marriage is not in accordance with holy living.
Genesis 2:18, 23-24; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Mark 10:6-12;
Proverbs 18:22; Hebrews 13:4
BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
WE BELIEVE that Christian baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water, under the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of our identification with the crucified, buried and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life; that baptism is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership.
WE BELIEVE that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes again and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.
WE BELIEVE that the Biblical order of the ordinances is baptism first and then the Lord’s Supper, and that participants should be immersed believers.
Acts 8:36, 38-39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12;
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41;
I Corinthians 11:23-28; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7