Freedom in Christ Bible Fellowship
What We Believe
Section 1: The Bible
We believe the Bible, comprised of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired, infallible, authoritative, and sufficient Word of God (Matthew 5:18;2 Timothy 3:16-17;2 Peter 1:3). In faith we hold the Bible to be inerrant in the original writings, God-breathed, and the complete and final authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Wherever the Bible deals with the physical universe, it is always true. (Psalm 119:160;John 3:12) While still using the individual writing styles of the human authors, the Holy Spirit perfectly guided them to ensure they wrote precisely what He wanted written, without error or omission (2 Peter 1:21). We believe God's Word is brought to light by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13;1 John 2:27). We hold to a natural, contextual reading along with a supernatural revealing of God's Word. We believe that God's Word is not to be only read literally or simply poetically, but rather naturally (as it's written). The grammatical context, along with the light of the Holy Spirit determine how God's Word is to be understood. Some areas of Scripture are clearly written to be understood literally/historically, i.e. Genesis 1, others poetically, and others prophetically. (Psalm 119:160)
Section 2: God
We believe in one God, who is Creator of all (Deuteronomy 6:4;Colossians 1:16), who has revealed Himself in three distinct Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14), yet who is one in being, essence, and glory (John 10:30). God is eternal (Psalm 90:2), infinite (1 Timothy 1:17), and sovereign (Psalm 93:1). God is omniscient (Psalm 139:1-6), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-13), omnipotent (Revelation 19:6), and unchanging (Malachi 3:6). God is holy (Isaiah 6:3), just (Deuteronomy 32:4;Isaiah 45:21 ), and righteous (Exodus 9:27). God is love (1 John 4:8), gracious (Ephesians 2:8), merciful (1 Peter 1:3), and good (Romans 8:28).
Section 3: Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the Word of God, the Creator, Savior, Lord, and coming King. (Colossians 1:16-17;1 Timothy 6:14-15;Revelation 19:16) We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 43:11;John 1:1-4;Titus 2:13) He is God incarnate, God in human form, the expressed image of the Father, who, without ceasing to be God, became man in order that He might demonstrate who God is and provide the means of salvation for humanity (Matthew 1:21;John 1:18;Colossians 1:15).
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary; that He is truly fully God and truly fully man; that He lived a perfect, sinless life; that all His teachings are true (Isaiah 14;Matthew 1:23). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for all humanity (1 John 2:2) as a substitutionary sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5-6). We hold that His death is sufficient to provide salvation for all who receive Him as Savior (John 1:12;Acts 16:31); that our justification is grounded in the shedding of His blood (Romans 5:9;Ephesians 1:7); and that it is attested by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6;1 Peter 1:3).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven in His glorified body (Acts 1:9-10) and is now seated at the right hand of God as our High Priest and Advocate (Romans 8:34;Hebrews 7:25).
Section 4: The Holy Spirit
We believe in the deity and personality of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4). He regenerates sinners (Titus 3:5) and indwells believers (Romans 8:9). He is the agent by whom Christ baptizes all believers into His body (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). He is the seal by whom the Father guarantees the salvation of believers unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14). He is the Divine Teacher who illumines believers’ hearts and minds as they study the Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-12).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is ultimately sovereign in the distribution of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). We believe since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, that the Holy Spirit still functions in believers the same as the early church for those willing to be yielded to the Lord. We believe although there are many false prophets and teachers, as well as false works and miracles being attributed to the Holy Spirit, these by no means discount the real and daily work of the Spirit of God. We also believe the Holy Spirit will never contradict His Word and will always point to the truth of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 7:21;John 14:26;John 15:26;John 16:13;1 Corinthians 12:4-11;2 Corinthians 12:12;Ephesians 2:20;4:7-12).
Section 5: Creation
We believe creation is a fundamental and foundational doctrine of God's Word. We believe God literally created the universe in 6 days around 6,000 years ago, just as God's Word says. We do not believe in the philosophy of evolution that plagues today's hearts and minds. (Genesis 1;Exodus 20:11;John 1:1-5;Romans 1:20-25)
Section 6: Angels and Demons
We believe in the reality and personality of angels. We believe that God created the angels to be His servants and messengers (Nehemiah 9:6;Psalm 148:2;Hebrews 1:14).
We believe in the existence and personality of Satan and demons. Satan is a fallen angel who led a group of angels in rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:12-17;Ezekiel 28:12-15). He is the great enemy of God and man, and the demons are his servants in evil. He and his demons will be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41;Revelation 20:10).
Section 7: Humanity
We believe that humanity came into existence by the direct creation of God starting with Adam and Eve on Day 6 of creation just as described in Genesis 1 and that humanity is uniquely made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). We believe that all humanity, because of Adam's fall, has inherited a sinful nature, that all human beings choose to sin (Romans 3:23), and that all sin is exceedingly offensive to God (Romans 6:23). Humanity is utterly unable to remedy this fallen state (Ephesians 2:1-5,12). Although mankind still has a remnant of God's image, because of sin, this image has been marred. Mankind is not inherently good. People are not born as God's children, but must be born again. (Genesis 3;Jeremiah 17:9;Isaiah 64:6;John 2:24-25;John 3:3;John 8:44)
Section 8: Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God. We believe people are saved through faith in the finished, perfect work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ’s death fully accomplished justification through faith and redemption from sin. Christ died in our place (Romans 5:8-9) and bore our sins in His own body (2 Corinthians 5:21;1 Peter 2:24).
We believe salvation is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Good works and obedience are results of salvation, not requirements for salvation. Due to the greatness, sufficiency, and perfection of Christ’s sacrifice, all those who have truly received Christ as Savior are eternally secure in salvation, kept by God’s power, secured and sealed in Christ forever (John 6:37-40;10:27-30;Romans 8:1,38-39;Ephesians 1:13-14;1 Peter 1:5;Jude 24). Just as salvation cannot be earned by good works, neither does it need good works to be maintained or sustained. Good works and changed lives are the inevitable results of salvation (James 2).
Section 9: Man's Ability to Believe
We believe that although man is sinful by nature, being dead in sin does not mean mankind is unable to personally believe and receive the Good News of Jesus Christ's full and free forgiveness. We believe the Holy Spirit knocks on hearts, calling all men to repent/turn to Him, but only those who respond and receive God's forgiveness will be born again by the Spirit of God. We do not believe that man's belief is a work. We also believe that salvation is offered to all men, not merely all kinds of men. We believe this is the sovereign plan of God from before the foundation of the world. (John 1:12;John 3:16;John 5:24;Romans 10:8-9;1 John 2:2;Revelation 4:11)
Section 10: The Church
We believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all believers of this present age (1 Corinthians 12:12-14;2 Corinthians 11:2;Ephesians 1:22-23,5:25-27). We believe in the ordinances of believer’s water baptism by immersion as a testimony to Christ and identification with Him, and the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of Christ’s death and shed blood (Matthew 28:19-20;Acts 2:41-42,18:8;1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Through the church, believers are to be taught to obey the Lord and to testify concerning their faith in Christ as Savior and to honor Him by holy living. We believe in the Great Commission as the primary mission of the Church. It is the obligation of all believers to witness, by word and life, to the truths of God’s Word. The gospel of the grace of God is to be preached to all the world (Matthew 28:19-20;Acts 1:8;2 Corinthians 5:19-20).
Section 11: Individual Believers
We believe that genuine believers are born again by the Holy Spirit of God, and are indwelt, baptized into the body of Christ, the true church, and sealed by the Holy Spirit, and thus, unable to be separated from the love of Jesus Christ. (John 3:1-6, Acts 1:4-5, Romans 8:35-39, Ephesians 1:13-14)
We believe that all believers need to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a godly life and to be bold in our witness for the Lord. (Romans 8:13-14, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 5:18)
We believe in the spiritual unity of all genuine believers in the Lord Jesus Christ which is manifested by the spiritual gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit's presence through His truth and love. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:8-12)
Section 12: Marriage
We believe the human race was created as male and female by a direct act of God to fully reveal His image.(Genesis 1:26-28)
We believe marriage is a sacred covenantal union between a man and a woman that limits sexual relations to monogamous, heterosexual marriage. (Genesis 2:24;Matthew 19:4-6)
We believe that the solemnizing of a marriage is a sacred and profound event that shall be entered into only where the proposed covenantal union is in compliance with the Word of God. (Genesis 4:1)
We believe that the solemnizing of a marriage between men or women of the same sex is contrary to the Word of God and is a sin before God. (Romans 1:21-27;1 Corinthians 6:16-20)
Section 13: Israel
We believe that the nation of Israel has a special place in God's plan and that all of the promises of God to Israel will be fulfilled both now and in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in His millennium. "Art not You our God, who did drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the seed of Abraham Your friend for ever?" 2 Chronicles 20:7. (Genesis 12:3;Exodus 32:13;2 Samuel 7:24,26;1 Chronicles 17:22;2 Chronicles 20:7;Psalm 122;Jeremiah 31:10) We do not believe the Church has replaced the nation of Israel, but that they are two distinct entities with very special roles in God's divine purposes. (Romans 11)
Section 14: Things to Come
We believe in the blessed hope (Titus 2:13), the personal and imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His saints (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We believe in the visible and bodily return of Christ to the earth with His saints to establish His promised millennial kingdom (Zechariah 14:4-11;1 Thessalonians 1:10;Revelation 3:10,19:11-16,20:1-6). We believe in the physical resurrection of all men—the saints to everlasting joy and bliss on the New Earth, and the wicked to eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:46;John 5:28-29;Revelation 20:5-6,12-13).
We believe that the souls of believers are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where they await their resurrection when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43;2 Corinthians 5:8;Philippians 1:23,3:21;1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery until their resurrection when, with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne judgment and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:41-46;Mark 9:43-48;Luke 16:19-26;2 Thessalonians 1:7-9;Revelation 20:11-15).
Our Focus and Goals
Freedom in Christ Bible Fellowship is a non-denominational, independent Bible church focused on teaching, preaching, and warning from the whole counsel of God as revealed from cover to cover in God's Word, the Bible.
Our focus is on teaching and equipping born again believers in the truth and love of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The goal of Freedom in Christ is to encourage and train those in the fellowship to be able to boldly and effectively be ready to always give an answer to all who ask for a reason of the hope that is in them.
Our foremost desire is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible by the power of the Holy Spirit, all to the glory of God the Father.
For us, music is not a primary, but rather a secondary means of worshiping the Lord. We most definitely enjoy a time of praising and thanking our Lord in song, but seek to keep the encouragement, instruction, correction, and edification from God's Word primary.
"Faithful Feet"- One of our key goals is to not only encourage and equip those in the fellowship to grow deep in their knowledge of and love for Jesus, but also to go out and serve the Lord with "Faithful Feet". (Matthew 28:19-20;Ephesians 6:15, Isaiah 52:7)
We believe Jesus Christ is the Head and Great Shepherd of every believer and that we are to be faithful and obedient to Him and His Word by the power of His Holy Spirit above all else.
God's Word
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to
Your word." Psalm 119:9
"Your word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:11
"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." Psalm 119:89
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
"Your word is true from the beginning: and every one of Your righteous judgments endure forever." Psalm 119:160
"I rejoice at Your word, as one that finds great spoil." Psalm 119:162
"Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word." Psalm 119:169
"I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and for Your truth: for You have magnified Your word above all Your name." Psalm 138:2
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by [Jesus]; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1-5,14
Freedom in Christ Bible Fellowship -
In More Detail
We believe that because we live in a fallen world, that there is no perfect pattern to govern the body of Christ, but do believe God provides certain leadership structures to allow for His Word to be taught truthfully and lovingly. Structure is also there to ensure our time together is conducted in an orderly fashion, not seeking to draw attention to ourselves. We also believe leadership is there to help in the safety and godly growth of those whom the Lord has entrusted to us. (1 Corinthians 14:40,43) Although there is no perfect form of leadership within a church fellowship, we do believe there are several key ingredients necessary to providing room for the Lord do the work in and through His people.
The first ingredient is humility. All in the body of Christ are level at the foot of the cross. While we may have different roles, we do not lord over one another, but rather prefer one another, esteeming others better than ourselves. This is not some manufactured, half-hearted attitude, but one of sincerity and love, first to the Lord and then to others, knowing that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. We are never to think too highly of ourselves, falling into the trap of comparing ourselves to one another. Instead we should compare ourselves with our great and holy God. When we do this, reality will set in and humility will be produced. Humility is simply reality. We are nothing when compared to God. Jesus truly should be our All in All! (Proverbs 22:4;Romans 5:8;Ephesians 1:23)
The second ingredient is a love for the truth of God's Word. Above even loving God's people is our love and heartfelt obedience to God. Our trust should never be in men and our confidence should never be in the flesh, but in the Lord Jesus and Him alone. God's Word must be our final authority in all matters and our hearts and minds should be exclusively the Lord's, not men's. (
2 Thessalonians 2:10;1 Peter 1:22;1 John 3:18)
The third ingredient is a yieldedness and submission to the work of the Holy Spirit. God, not man, does the sanctifying work in people. We can sometimes be used as His tools, but ultimately we must simply yield to Him. This usually involves us getting out of the way and always means choosing to allow God's Word to direct our steps. True conviction and the power to overcome sin and walk the victorious life in Christ comes as we study the Word of God and yield to the revelation and power provided for by the Holy Spirit. (John 16:33;John 17:17;1 John 4:4)
Next, we should always make Jesus Christ the central focus. Jesus explained to the Pharisees that they thought their life came through simply searching the Scriptures, but in reality the Scriptures pointed not to themselves, but to Jesus, the One who is our Life! (John 5:39) In Psalm 40, the Holy Spirit, through King David, wrote of Jesus saying, "Lo in the volume of the book it is written of Me." Psalm 40:7. Knowledge can puff up, but spending time understanding and knowing Jesus in His Word is the key. Jesus condemned the lawyers saying, "Woe unto you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in you hindered." Luke 11:52. Jesus must always be the key, the reason for what we learn, think, speak, and do.
The last ingredient ties in with the first, but has more to do specifically with a servant's heart. Jesus said He came to serve not to be served. Matthew 20:28. This ingredient is directed at a specific popular leadership style within many organizations that's designed to lord certain teachings and directions for growth over others. We believe anyone who seeks to lord over others is in great error and has chosen to foolishly step in place of the Holy Spirit. God calls His people sheep and unfortunately sheep can tend to follow other sheep. Some leaders understand that if people are basically forced (herded/driven) into submission that they will pretty much comply. This is what the Bible calls "lording over" another.
Leaders should never simply tell others what to think, rather we all should lovingly go to God's Word, allowing Him to teach us not only what to think, but how to think. In Isaiah 1:18, the Lord invites Israel and us to come and reason together with Him. In 1 Peter, God reminds the elders, "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:2-3
Freedom in Christ Bible Fellowship is focused on body ministry, allowing the individual parts to serve one another to the edifying and equipping of the whole fellowship. While teachers are raised up to equip and warn the body, the fellowship should function as a body with Christ, not any man, as the Head. Freedom in Christ also believes teachers/elders, deacons, and all others in the fellowship should have input in the overall, God-given direction of the fellowship whenever possible. (Acts 15:22;Ephesians 4:11-16)
Although there are a variety of church leadership models, i.e. pastor-led, elder-led, etc., it is the goal of Freedom in Christ to always remain an elder-led, body-focused, lost-loving, Christ/Word-Centered, and Holy Spirit filled fellowship. (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 35;1 Timothy 5:17;Titus 1:5;James 5:14)
There will be no business growth, i.e. Walmart philosophies/tactics of manipulation or drawing from other churches as a means of "building" the body. (Romans 1:16;Romans 15:18-20;1 Corinthians 1:18;2 Timothy 4:2)
At Freedom in Christ, there will be a deliberate emphasis on personal interaction as the primary means of informing others of the fellowship, emphasizing the Gospel, always seeking to allow God to be the One adding to the church daily. (Acts 2:46-47;Romans 10:14-17)
All resources will be deliberately and thoughtfully designed, utilizing all forms of technology to point people first and foremost to Jesus Christ and His Holy Word, not a website, Facebook, resources, or even Freedom in Christ Bible Fellowship. (Psalm 40:16;Psalm138:2;John 5:39;1 Corinthians 1:18;Philippians 1:20)
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