This document is an expression of the beliefs and practices of the Believers Bible Assembly, and is written to provide harmony of understanding for all those seeking fellowship with the believers of the Bible Assembly Church.
What We Believe: (Doctrine of the Church)
- The Bible: The bible is the inspired Word of God, without error, and is the final authority in all matters. (2 Tim 3:16, 1 Cor 2:13)
- One God: There is one God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are equal in knowledge, power and presence. (Heb 9:14, 1 John 5:7, Matt 28:19)
- The Lord Jesus Christ: The Lord Jesus Christ is God, and became man, being born of a virgin. He is without sin, and died on a cross to pay the penalty for man’s sins. After being buried, he rose again from the dead and has ascended back into heaven. (John 1:1&14, Phil 2:5-8, Heb 4:14-16, I Cor 15:3,4)
- Spiritual Death and Spiritual Birth: All mankind have sinned and are spiritually dead. To enter the kingdom of God a person must be born again through repentance and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. (Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23, John 3:3)
- Redemption: The sacrifice of Christ on the cross is the only payment for sin accepted by God. Anyone who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior has eternal life, and shall never perish. (Heb 10:10, John 3:16&36, John 5:24)
- The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit gives new life to, and indwells the believer the moment they trust in Jesus as their Savior. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are given the power to live a godly life. (Tit 3:5, Rom 8:9,11, Gal 5:16, 22-23)
- Creation: God created the heavens and the earth in six days. (Gen 1:1, Ex 20:9,10)
- The Church: The church is a New Testament establishment, and is called the body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the founder and head. The universal church is made up of every believer throughout the church age, and local churches are autonomous gatherings of believers in a particular location. (Eph 1:22-23, Col 1:18, Matt 16:18)
- Baptism and the Lord ’s Supper: Baptism, by immersion in water, is an act of obedience upon confession of Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior. The Lord’s Supper was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ on the night that he was betrayed, and is commemorated by believers on first day of the week. (Acts 8:36-38, 1Cor 11:23-26)
- Return of Christ: Jesus Christ will return soon to take away His church (the Rapture), after which there will be a 7 year period of judgment upon the earth called, The Tribulation, and following this will be a 1000 year period when Christ shall reign upon the earth from Jerusalem. (Tit 2:13, 1Th 4:14-18, Matt 24:15-21, Zech 14:1-9, Rev 20-1-6)
- Eternal Security: Once a person is saved, they can never lose their salvation. (John 10:28:29, John 5:24)
What We Practice: (Guiding Principles of the Church)
- Church Leadership: The local church is guided by biblically qualified elders, who are responsible for the spiritual care of those who belong to the fellowship of the local church. (1Tim 3:1-7, 1Pet 5:1-3)
- Baptism: Believers, upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ, are instructed about baptism, and arrangements are made to baptize them by water immersion. (Rom 6:3-6)
- Reception into the Assembly: Once a believer has been baptized, if they desire to become an active member of the fellowship in the local church, they will be interviewed, and expected to read and agree to the church’s “Statement of Faith”. If there is an agreement to uphold the beliefs and practices of the church, then they will be announced as a new member of the church, and will be welcome to enjoy all the privileges of fellowship. Active fellowship in the assembly is recognized by regular attendance at the meetings of the church, and by participation in the work and activities of the assembly. It is to be understood that those in fellowship in the church are subject to the leadership, and accountable for their Christian conduct and testimony. A believer may be denied the privileges of fellowship due to moral failure of a public nature, or holding doctrine contrary to the gospel. (Acts 2:41-42, Heb 10:25, 1Cor 5:7-13)
- The Objectives of the Assembly: The local fellowship seeks to follow New Testament practices including:
- Teaching and living by the word of God.
- Maintaining a testimony to the Lordship of Christ, and oneness of the body of Christ.
- Commemorating the Lord’s Supper.
- Encouraging Christian growth.
- Praying collectively.
- Evangelizing, and preaching the gospel. (2Tim 4:2, Eph 4:3-6, Luke 22:19, Heb 10:25, 2 Pet 3:18, Acts 12:12, 1Tim 2:1, Matt 28:19, 1Cor 2:2)
- Teaching and Preaching of the Word: The spiritual leadership is responsible for selecting gifted men to provide teaching and preaching for the church. (Eph 4:11)
- The Use of Spiritual Gifts: All believers have been given a spiritual gift, and should seek to know and use their spiritual gift for the edification of others. There are many spiritual gifts listed in the scriptures, but we believe that some of the gifts such as tongues, healings, and miracles, (as well as the roles of apostles and prophets) were foundational and temporal in nature. (Rom 12:6-8, 1Pet 4:10-11, 1Cor 12:4-31, Heb 2:4, Eph 2:20)
- Distinct Roles in the Church: The men of the assembly are responsible for public prayer and teaching of the word. Husbands are to love and honor their wives. Fathers are to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Men should provide spiritual leadership for their home, and set an example of good Christian conduct for their church and community. Women of the assembly are to teach younger women, minister to the Lord through good works, and be keepers of the home. In willing submission to the headship of Christ, woman wear a head-covering in the public meetings of the church, do not lead the assembly in prayer or teaching, and remain silent in church gatherings. Wives are to respect their husbands, and follow his leadership. Mothers are to care for their children and teach them the scriptures. Each Christian home should seek to honor the Lord by dedication to Him, His word, and His Church. There is opportunity for every believer in fellowship to serve the Lord in the various ministries of the church, and it is expected that each Christian will desire to be actively serving the Lord as they grow in their faith.
(1Tim 2:8,5:9-14, Eph 5:25, 1Pet 3:3-7, Eph 6:5, Tit 2:4-5&15, Prov 31, Eph 5:22&33, 1Cor 11:5-10, 1Tim 2:11-12, 1Cor 14:34-35, 2Tim 3:15, 1 Pet 1:15-16, Heb 13:1-2, 1Pet 4:9) - The Priesthood of all believers: Every believer is a priest, and therefore has been given the privileges of intercessory prayer, worship, service and evangelism, and they are encouraged to take full advantage of these spiritual activities as directed by the Holy Spirit. There is no distinction made between clergy and laity, and therefore no presiding minister over the congregation. (1Pet 2:9, 1Pet 5:3)
- The Lord’s Supper: Each Sunday the church gathers to participate in the Lord’s Supper. This meeting is a time for believers to remember the Lord Jesus by taking bread and the cup. Bread is a symbol of Jesus body that was given (broken) for us. The cup is symbolic of Jesus blood that was shed for the remission of our sins, and the sealing of the New Testament. It is our practice to give time for collective worship where the men lead in praise and worship by offering a hymn to sing, or sharing a thought from the scriptures to draw hearts to appreciate the Lord. Each believer has the honor and privilege to bring their offerings of appreciation and worship before the Lord, (the women doing so in silence). We believe the Holy Spirit guides us in our remembrance and worship, and therefore there is no prior arrangement to organize the course of this meeting. It is important to understand that this meeting is only for believers, those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and are thus born again. It is also important for believers to recognize the solemnity of participating in this meeting. The bible warns of judgment upon those who participate in an unworthy manner. The scriptures ask all believers to examine themselves before they participate in the Lord’s Supper.
(Heb 9:14-18, 1Cor 14:34, 1Tim 2:11, 1Cor.11:27-32) - Financial Matters: Each Sunday an opportunity is given at the Lord’s Supper for each believer in the fellowship to give to the Lord, according as the Lord has prospered, and this is an expression of worship to the Lord. The collected offerings are handled by responsible members of the assembly under the guidance of the leadership. The money is used to support the practical expenses of the assembly, and its’ ministries. Financial records are made available to the members of the assembly, and government authorities upon request. (1Cor 16:1,2)