STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Warsaw Bible Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our board of elders is Warsaw Bible Church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

 

Bible

Every Word in the original writings of the Old & New Testaments is inspired by God and without error (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1 :20-21; Matthew 5:17-18). We believe the Bible is complete and cannot be added to or subtracted from (Revelation 22: 18-19).

God

God exists eternally in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one God (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19-20; John 1:1,14; Acts 5:3-4).

Man

Man was created in the image and likeness of God, but in Adam all mankind fell into sin with the result that all men are sinners, hopelessly sinful in themselves, apart from the grace of God (Genesis 1:27, Romans 5:12).

God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and these distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) But some individuals reject their biological sex and often present as the opposite sex. In so doing, these individuals reject God’s design and the person He created them to be.

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139.)

Jesus Christ

The eternal Son of God incarnate in the Lord Jesus Christ, being born of the virgin Mary, and is fully God and fully man (John 1:1,14,18, & 5:18; Hebrews1:1-9 & 5:8; I John 5:20; I Timothy 2:5, John 10:30 & 14:6).

Salvation

Salvation is received by faith in Christ alone, who died for our sins and rose again (Acts 4:12 & 13:38-39; I Corinthians 15:14; Romans 4:4-5; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 16-31, John 3:1-7 & 14:6).

Assurance

All who are born of the Spirit through faith in Christ have assurance of salvation and are eternally secure in Christ ( I John 5:13; Ephesians 4:30; John 10:27-29 & 17:12; II Timothy 1:12; John 6:37).

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead, who regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all believers in Christ and enables them to live the holy life God desires for His children. We believe certain of the gifts, were not given beyond the Apostolic era (John 14:16-17 & 16:7-15; I Corinthians 3:16, 12:13, & 13:8; Ephesians 1:13-14 & 4:30; Galatians 5:6, 25).

Church

The church is composed of all those who have personally trusted Christ as Savior in this present age. It is the Body and Bride of Christ and exists in two aspects, universal and local. Its mission is to witness to its Head, Jesus Christ, gather for worship, serve all men, make disciples and teach all nations (Ephesians 1:22-23 & 5:24-30; I Corinthians 12:4-13, 27; Matthew 28:19-20).

Ordinances

The scriptural ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are for all believers in Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:12,36-38; Acts 9:18 & 10:47; I Corinthians 11:23-26).

Christ's Coming

Rapture - We look forward to the imminent return of Christ, called the rapture. This is the blessed hope of Christ’s return for His Church (I Thessalonians 1:10 & 4:16-18 & 5:4-10; John 14:1-3). Second Coming - When Jesus will come to earth again with His Church and establish His Millennial Reign on earth (Revelations 19:11 to 20:10).

Eternal State

There is an eternal state of punishment for the unsaved called Hell (Revelation 20:11-15), and an eternal state of blessing for the saved called Heaven (Revelation 21:1-8).