Introduction
The church of the living God is, as the Apostle Paul writes, "the pillar and buttress of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). In every age, the strength and faithfulness of the church have depended upon its steadfast commitment to sound doctrine.
The Scriptures exhort pastors and elders to "teach what accords with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1), and warn that "the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching" (2 Timothy 4:3).
In light of these clear instructions, it is both wise and necessary for a church to clearly articulate what it believes, teaches, and confesses according to the Word of God.
This is the purpose of a Statement of Faith. It is not a replacement for Scripture, but rather, a humble and faithful summary of those doctrines which we believe are plainly taught in the Word of God and are essential to the life, worship, mission, and unity of Christ’s church.
A robust Statement of Faith serves at least three vital purposes:
- It protects the church from error. In a world where false teaching abounds, doctrinal clarity acts as a bulwark against the subtle and overt corruptions of biblical truth.
- It unites believers around the truth. Far from being divisive, sound doctrine binds the body of Christ together in "the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (Ephesians 4:13).
- It strengthens our witness to the world. A clear confession of faith tells the watching world what we believe about God, salvation, humanity, and eternity.
It is with these goals in mind—truth, unity, and witness—that this revised Statement of Faith is presented. It is not designed to be novel or innovative, but rooted in the historic Christian faith, with particular clarity on those doctrines most essential for us.
1. Purpose of the Church
As set forth in Article II of the Constitution and By-laws of Faith Fellowship Church, the purpose of this Church shall be:
To worship and glorify God; to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all mankind; to promote the teaching that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and shall be the sole guide for the redemption of all people; and to do all that we can as the Holy Spirit leads and directs us to influence people to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
And to build up the body of Christ through sound doctrine, faithful preaching, fervent prayer, loving fellowship, and the faithful administration of the ordinances as instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Ephesians 4:11–16)
2. The Nature of God
We believe there is but one living and true God, infinite in being and perfection, working all things according to the counsel of His immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory.
We believe in the Holy Trinity—God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
We believe in the imminent personal return of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures.
God is sovereign in creation, providence, redemption, and judgment, and is worthy of all worship, trust, and obedience.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 46:9–10; Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 1:11; Revelation 22:12–13)
3. Lordship of Christ and Sanctification
We believe commitment to the Lordship of Christ our Savior is a living expression of the conscience of each individual, humbly and thankfully responding to the direction of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the revelation given in the Bible.
We affirm that Jesus Christ is Lord over all, and that faith in Him necessarily results in a life bearing the fruit of obedience, sanctification, and increasing conformity to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:9–11; Galatians 5:22–25; John 14:15)
4. The Authority of Scripture
We believe that the Holy Scripture, embracing the books of the Old and New Testament, is the infallible, divinely revealed and inspired Word of God.
The Scriptures are the final and sufficient authority in all matters of faith and practice, without error in the original manuscripts.
(2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 19:7–11; John 17:17)
5. The Person and Work of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.
He lived a sinless life, was crucified as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners, was buried, rose bodily on the third day, and ascended into heaven where He intercedes for His people.
(John 1:14; Matthew 1:18–23; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25)
6. Justification by Faith Alone
We believe that justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
The righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer by faith and is the only ground of our acceptance before God.
(Romans 3:23–26; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9; Ephesians 2:8–9; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
7. The Sinfulness of Man and the Need for Redemption
We believe all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and stand under His just condemnation, deserving eternal punishment.
All who believe are justified by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.
(Romans 3:9–12, 23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8–9)
8. Salvation by Grace Alone
We believe salvation is by the grace of God alone and is God’s gift to those who believe in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
This gift is neither merited nor deserved but assures spiritual blessing and eternal life to those who receive it by faith.
(Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5–7; John 3:16–17; Romans 5:6–11; 1 John 5:11–13)
9. The Ordinances of the Church
A. Baptism
Baptism was ordained by Jesus Christ. We recognize baptism is not essential to salvation and that the time and manner of baptism is a matter of individual conscience.
Faith Fellowship Church will baptize those who publicly profess faith in Jesus Christ and present themselves for believer’s baptism.
We will dedicate infants and children during worship services upon public affirmation of faith by the parents.
We affirm that believer’s baptism by immersion is the biblical pattern and public sign of union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
(Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38–41; Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27)
B. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper was instituted by our Lord the night He was betrayed.
It is a memorial meal for believers in which we proclaim Christ’s death, receive spiritual nourishment by faith, and anticipate His return.
It is to be observed regularly and reverently by those walking in repentance and faith.
(Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29; Matthew 26:26–29; Acts 2:42)
10. Church Government
Faith Fellowship Church is an independent and autonomous body, free of external ecclesiastical control.
The government of the Church is carried out under the headship of Jesus Christ by the Church Board of Governors, consisting of biblically qualified elders and deacons accountable to the congregation.
(Colossians 1:18; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–4; Hebrews 13:17)
11. The Final Resurrection and Eternal Judgment
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust—the saved unto everlasting life and the lost unto everlasting punishment.
Heaven and hell are real and eternal, and every person will spend eternity in one or the other based on their relationship to Jesus Christ.
(John 5:28–29; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:31–46; Revelation 20:11–15; 2 Thessalonians 1:8–10)
Doctrinal Note
Though every person in the congregation may not subscribe in all matters to a historic confession of faith, the doctrine preached from Faith Fellowship Church’s pulpit falls in line with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.