Fellowship Bible Chapel
What We Believe
Statement of Faith
1.
The Bible is inspired of God, inerrant in the original documents, and of final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21
2.
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
References: Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 2:5; Deuteronomy 33:27; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14
3.
The Lord Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man, born of a virgin, and sinlessly perfect. Because of His sacrifice, the sinner finds in Christ a substitute and a representative who forever pleads His blood for our justification. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to His Father's right hand where He now ministers as our Great High Priest.
References: 1 Timothy 3:16, 2:5-6; Luke 1:35; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 7:25; Luke 24:39; Ephesians 1:20-23; Hebrews 4:14-16, 9:24
4.
Each member of the human race is fallen, sinful, and lost. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary for the salvation of man. Redemption is wholly by the blood of Christ and salvation is by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The entire process of salvation, including faith, is a gift from God. Every true child of God posesses eternal life and is safe for all eternity.
References: Romans 3:23, 5:12; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9; Hebrews 9:12-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Ephesians 2:5-9; John 10:27-29, 5:24, 3:16
5.
Each believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit who seals him unto the day of redemption. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that the believer can live a godly life.
References: Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30; Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 5:16, 22-23
6.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, and the everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
References: Philippians 3:20-21; John 5:29; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; Revelation 20:11-15; Philippians 1:23; Revelation 22:4-5; Revalation 20:10-15; Matthew 25:46
7.
We believe in the personal and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
References: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28
8.
The church as a whole is not an organization, but a living organism known as the body of Christ. The local church is composed of believers in a locality. They gather in Christ's name as a corporate testimony to the Lordship of Christ and to the oneness of the body of Christ. They gather to commemorate the Lord's Supper, for worship, prayer, and edification. Government and discipline are the responsibility of the local church.
References: Ephesians 1:22-23; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; John 17:21; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 4:23; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
9.
In keeping with our belief in the oneness of the Body of Christ, the Lord's people, as such, should avoid names other than those which are given them in scripture, such as "Christian", "saints", "believers", "brethren", and "disciples".
References: Acts 11:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 5:14; Hebrews 2:11; Acts 9:1, 10:26
10.
The name "reverend" belongs to God alone and should not be applied to men.
References: Psalm 111:9; Isaiah 42:8; Matthew 23:8-10
11.
There are two Christian ordinances: baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is for the believers upon confession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It signifies that the one being baptized has been crucified with Christ unto sin, has been buried with Him, and is risen with Him to walk in newness of life. The Lord's Supper was commemorated by the early church on the first day of the week, and we believe that it is the privilege and duty of every true believer to heed the Lord's request, "This do in remembrance of Me."
References: Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:35-39; Luke 22:19-20; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 20:7; Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Reception and Fellowship
Believers who wish to be received into fellowship with the assembly are interviewed by two or more elders. If they have a clear confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal saviour, subscribe to the statement of faith, and are godly in walk, they are announced to the assembly at the Lord's Supper meeting one week in advance of reception.
Believers cease to be associated with the assembly fellowship for the reasons stated below:
1.
They may move out of the area and therefore are transferred by a letter of commendation.
References: Romans 16:1-2, Acts 18:27
2.
They may be called home to heaven.
3.
They may withdraw voluntarily.
4.
They may be asked to withdraw as a matter of discipline for moral sin of doctrinal error.
References: 1 Corinthians 5:7-13; Romans 16:17-18
5.
They may be absent for a prolonged period, in which case active fellowship has ceased.
Believers who wish to be baptized will be interviewed by two or more elders as to their confession of personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and this being satisfactory, arrangements for baptizing them will proceed without delay.
Baptism and reception into fellowship may be simultaneous, provided that it is announced to the assembly as in the procedure for reception outlined above.
Church Government
1.
The assembly shall not be subjected to an outside ecclesiastical authority, but to God alone.
2.
The congregation of believers in fellowship shall not become part of any sect or denomination. They shall however recognize the oneness of the Body of Christ and extend a hearty fellowship to any believer of like precious faith, loving all children of God "That in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours" (1 Corinthians 1:2).
References: John 17:21-23
3.
Elders (leadership) will be responsible to guide the assembly in spiritual matters. Development of an elder comes through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit raises him up and he is readily recognized by his qualifications and as he performs his duty. The assembly and fellow elders will recognize their Holy Spirit appointment and esteem them. As God develops elders, these should be readily recognized by the elders who are already performing their duties, who should welcome them into their shared responsible position.
References: Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
4.
All business of the assembly shall be conducted at a publicly announced business meeting. This meeting is conducted by the adult men of the assembly with input and support of all adult brethren welcomed.
Objectives of the Assembly
The purpose of gathering the believers at the chapel is to follow scriptural injunctions:
1.
To maintain a corporate testimony to the Lordship of Christ and to the oneness of the Body of Christ.
References: Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:3-6
2.
In order to commemorate the Lord's Supper.
References: Luke 22:19; Acts 20:7
3.
For mutual edification.
References: Hebrews 10:25
4.
For prayer.
References: Acts 12:12; 1 Timothy 2:1
5.
For evangelism.
References: Matthew 28:19-20
6.
For teaching of the Word of God.
References: 2 Timothy 4:2
7.
For the propagation of missions: sending forth missionaries, home and abroad; praying for missionaries and supporting them financially; welcoming missionaries back while they are on furlough.
References: Acts 13:2; Colossians 4:3; 2 Corinthians 9; Acts 14:27
The believers also gather with one another in their homes for fellowship, prayer, and the study of the Word of God.
General Ministry
The public ministry is the responsibility of the elders (leadership). A platform committee comprised of the elders and/or other selected men makes formal arrangements for details of the public ministry. Speaking is not confined to one man. Instead, a number of spiritually gifted men provides a ministry rich in scope and depth.
Financial Matters
An offering is received from believers at the Lord's Supper meeting (1 Corinthians 16:2).
Receipts for income tax purposes are provided for those who include their name with their offerings during the course of the year. Receipts are issued only once a year (after the end of the calendar year).
Women's Ministry
After much searching of scriptures, we believe that a woman may:
1.
Minister of their substance.
References: Luke 8:3
2.
Be hospitable (an expectation of every believer).
References: Romans 16:1-2
3.
Teach the younger women.
References: Titus 2:3-5
4.
Be an example of good works.
References: 1 Timothy 2:9-10; Titus 2:3; 1 Peter 3:3-6
Those things that a woman may not do are found in the following passages of scripture:
1.
Teach or usurp authority over a man.
References: 1 Timothy 2:12
2.
Ask questions publicly in gatherings of the curch as a whole such as the Lord's Supper, prayer, ministry, and gospel meetings.
References: 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
3.
Pray or speak (or testify) audibly in a gathering of the church as a whole.
References: 1 Timothy 2:8
We believe, based on scriptural teaching, that women should wear a head covering at all meetings of the assembly (1 Corinthians 11:1-16).
On The Subject of Tongues
After much prayer, study, and deliberation, we have come to the following conclusions:
1.
God intended tongues to cease after the infant church period.
References: 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 14:20-22
2.
Tongues were meant as a foundation gift only, and as a sign to unbelieving Jews.
References: 1 Corinthians 14:20-22; Hebrews 2:3-4
3.
We conclude that there is no scriptural place for the practice, promotion, or pursuing of tongues today, and would discourage anyone from following in this direction.
4.
On the principle of decency and order, we would not permit anyone to teach in the assembly who is not in full agreement with this position on which we are all agreed.