COUNTRY BIBLE CHURCH STATEMENT OF FAITH
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Scriptures (the 66 books) comprising both the Old and New Testament to be the verbally inspired Word of God (God-breathed), without error in the original writings, unfailing in truth, the final and supreme authority in faith and life, the only written message from God to man (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; John 16:12-15).
THE TRIUNITY OF GOD
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Spirit - identical in nature, equal in power and authority, and possessing the same attributes (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).
THE PERSON OF CHRIST
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal second person of the triune God (the eternal Word), the only begotten (unique) Son; conceived by the Holy Spirit to be born of a virgin; being wholly God and totally man in one person, lived a sinless life, offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God, thereby providing forgiveness sufficient for all sins and effective for all those who would accept it; who rose bodily from the grave providing empowerment for a transformed life now, and the blessed hope for our own bodily resurrection and glorification later (John 1:1-3, 14; 1 Jn. 1:1-3; Jn. 3:16; Heb. 13:8; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 Jn. 20:25-28; Acts 1:9-10; Jn. 14:1-3; Rom. 8:34; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).
THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the triune God, a personal being and not merely a divine influence or power, the divine agent of revelation and regeneration; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and places into the body and sanctifies all who exercise saving faith in Christ; (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10; Jn. 16:8-11; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13; 1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Cor. 6:11).
TOTAL SINFULNESS (DEPRAVITY) OF MAN
We believe that mankind (male and female) was created in God's image and likeness, in innocence and without sin, but in Adam's sin fell from his sinless position, inherited a sinful nature, became spiritually dead and actively hostile toward God, and of himself is incapable of remedying his lost and depraved condition (Gen. 1:26; 3:1-24; Rom. 3:10-18; 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3).
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is the gift of God's grace; that it cannot be gained by any good works, but is freely given to all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross; that all who trust the Savior are forgiven the penalty for their sins and are born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit; that God justifies fully and completely by faith in Jesus alone (Eph. 1:7; 2:8-9; Col. 2:13-14; Jn. 1:12; Rom. 10:9-10).
THE CHURCH
We believe that the true Church, called in Scripture a spiritual body, includes every person who has trusted Jesus Christ for Salvation in this present (Church) age, and who has been baptized (placed into) this body by the Holy Spirit at salvation. The local church is made up of redeemed individuals who join together for worship, instruction, fellowship, and service under the authority of Jesus and those God has identified as leaders (Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 12:5; Acts 2:41-42; 13:1-2).
ORDINANCES
We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances to be observed by all believers until His return, which are baptism and the Lord's supper. We do not believe these are necessary for salvation but demonstrate one's obedience as a believer and serve as reminders of God's grace (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe in the personal, imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ for His Church (the rapture), and His subsequent literal, Pre-millennial return to the earth to establish His earthly kingdom prior to the Eternal State (1 Thess. 4:13-18; Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-6).
SECURITY, ASSURANCE, AND RESPONSIBILITY
We believe that all the saved - those in whom God has performed His transforming work of grace - are kept by His power and are thus secure in Christ forever. This assurance, however, is not the occasion for sin, for God in holiness cannot tolerate persistent, willful sin in His children, and in infinite wisdom and love will discipline them for correction. True faith in Christ is expressed by a faithful, God-pleasing life seeking to be in line with all of God's word (1 Pet. 1:3-5; Jn. 10:27-29; Rom. 8:28-39; 1 Jn. 5:13; Heb. 12:6; Js. 2:20; Eph. 4:22-24; 1 Pet. 1:14-16).
SATAN, HIS PERSONALITY AND ABILITIES
We believe that Satan is a created, personal, spirit creature possessing intellect, emotions, will, and moral accountability, and is, therefore, more than just an influence or principle at work in the world. As creation he is in no way equal to God and is ultimately subordinate to God. He possesses limited, temporary powers and exercises temporary authority over demons, the world system, and non-believers. He uses his power to oppose God's work and God's people in this world. He was judged at the cross and will ultimately spend eternity in the lake of fire (Job 1 & 2; 1 Jn. 5:19; Mt. 12:24; 25:41; Jn. 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4, 11:3; 11:13-15; Rev. 20:10).
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Scriptures (the 66 books) comprising both the Old and New Testament to be the verbally inspired Word of God (God-breathed), without error in the original writings, unfailing in truth, the final and supreme authority in faith and life, the only written message from God to man (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; John 16:12-15).
THE TRIUNITY OF GOD
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Spirit - identical in nature, equal in power and authority, and possessing the same attributes (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).
THE PERSON OF CHRIST
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal second person of the triune God (the eternal Word), the only begotten (unique) Son; conceived by the Holy Spirit to be born of a virgin; being wholly God and totally man in one person, lived a sinless life, offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God, thereby providing forgiveness sufficient for all sins and effective for all those who would accept it; who rose bodily from the grave providing empowerment for a transformed life now, and the blessed hope for our own bodily resurrection and glorification later (John 1:1-3, 14; 1 Jn. 1:1-3; Jn. 3:16; Heb. 13:8; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 Jn. 20:25-28; Acts 1:9-10; Jn. 14:1-3; Rom. 8:34; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).
THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the triune God, a personal being and not merely a divine influence or power, the divine agent of revelation and regeneration; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and places into the body and sanctifies all who exercise saving faith in Christ; (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10; Jn. 16:8-11; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13; 1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Cor. 6:11).
TOTAL SINFULNESS (DEPRAVITY) OF MAN
We believe that mankind (male and female) was created in God's image and likeness, in innocence and without sin, but in Adam's sin fell from his sinless position, inherited a sinful nature, became spiritually dead and actively hostile toward God, and of himself is incapable of remedying his lost and depraved condition (Gen. 1:26; 3:1-24; Rom. 3:10-18; 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3).
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is the gift of God's grace; that it cannot be gained by any good works, but is freely given to all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross; that all who trust the Savior are forgiven the penalty for their sins and are born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit; that God justifies fully and completely by faith in Jesus alone (Eph. 1:7; 2:8-9; Col. 2:13-14; Jn. 1:12; Rom. 10:9-10).
THE CHURCH
We believe that the true Church, called in Scripture a spiritual body, includes every person who has trusted Jesus Christ for Salvation in this present (Church) age, and who has been baptized (placed into) this body by the Holy Spirit at salvation. The local church is made up of redeemed individuals who join together for worship, instruction, fellowship, and service under the authority of Jesus and those God has identified as leaders (Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 12:5; Acts 2:41-42; 13:1-2).
ORDINANCES
We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances to be observed by all believers until His return, which are baptism and the Lord's supper. We do not believe these are necessary for salvation but demonstrate one's obedience as a believer and serve as reminders of God's grace (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe in the personal, imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ for His Church (the rapture), and His subsequent literal, Pre-millennial return to the earth to establish His earthly kingdom prior to the Eternal State (1 Thess. 4:13-18; Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:1-6).
SECURITY, ASSURANCE, AND RESPONSIBILITY
We believe that all the saved - those in whom God has performed His transforming work of grace - are kept by His power and are thus secure in Christ forever. This assurance, however, is not the occasion for sin, for God in holiness cannot tolerate persistent, willful sin in His children, and in infinite wisdom and love will discipline them for correction. True faith in Christ is expressed by a faithful, God-pleasing life seeking to be in line with all of God's word (1 Pet. 1:3-5; Jn. 10:27-29; Rom. 8:28-39; 1 Jn. 5:13; Heb. 12:6; Js. 2:20; Eph. 4:22-24; 1 Pet. 1:14-16).
SATAN, HIS PERSONALITY AND ABILITIES
We believe that Satan is a created, personal, spirit creature possessing intellect, emotions, will, and moral accountability, and is, therefore, more than just an influence or principle at work in the world. As creation he is in no way equal to God and is ultimately subordinate to God. He possesses limited, temporary powers and exercises temporary authority over demons, the world system, and non-believers. He uses his power to oppose God's work and God's people in this world. He was judged at the cross and will ultimately spend eternity in the lake of fire (Job 1 & 2; 1 Jn. 5:19; Mt. 12:24; 25:41; Jn. 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4, 11:3; 11:13-15; Rev. 20:10).