Bible First Mission Church Tenets of Faith
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscript, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
2 Tim 3:16, Is. 55:11, Prov. 30:5,6, Luke 1:1-4
The Godhead
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, apparent but indivisible. We believe in God the Father, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. That He shall come again for His church and make His dwelling with man forever.
Matt 28:19, 2 Cor 13:14,John 14:6-11, John 15:26, Rev. 21, Acts 1:10-11
Creation
We believe that God created the world in which we live. Gen 1, Neh. 9:6. Is. 42:5. John 1:3 We believe in the creation of man, the test and fall of man as recorded in Genesis; his total depravity and inability to attain to divine righteousness apart from the grace of God. Rom 5: 12,18, Gen. 3 We believe that God created mankind in His image; male and female He created them. That He established the institute of marriage being between one biological male and one biological female for propagation, sanctification and enjoyment. Gen 1:27, Gen 2:24, Matt. 19:1-12
Sin
We believe that sin is transgressing of, or falling short of, God’s standard in action, thought, and character. All individuals are born with a sin nature that affects their motivation, affection, and actions. The result of sin includes separation from God, death, and a fallen creation.
Rom 3:10, 23, Rom 6:23, James 4:17
Salvation
We believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day, and personally appeared to His disciples. I Cor 15:3-5, John 1:29, Luke 24:7, Luke 24:39 We believe that those who accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord are saved by His grace through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross at Calvary by which we obtain remission of sins, regeneration of spirit, resurrection on the last.
Romans 5:11, Eph 2:8,9, Heb 9:12,22
Heaven and Hell
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan (aka Lucifer) and eternal judgment of Satan a nd his angels and that Hell was created for them. Rev 20:10, Luke 10:18-20 We believe in eternal life for believers (John 3:16-17. John 5:24) and eternal punishment for unbelievers (Rev. 20:12-15, Rev. 21:8,Dan 12:2) We believe man can choose to spend eternity with God by embracing His Son, or reject Him thus choosing an eternity of separation and suffering.
Church Practices
We believe in partaking of Communion in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and water baptism by immersion. I Cor. 11:24,25, Acts 2:38, Acts 19: 1-6,Matt. 28:19 We believe in the baptism and indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a distinct aspect of the Christian foundational experience with evidences such as speaking in tongues, empowerment to witness, anointing for a specific calling, to conquer sin and to live a holy life. Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 8:14-1, Gal. 5:22-26 We believe in the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be made manifest as described in I Cor 12-14. We believe these gifts are in operation today and are available to all believers as the Spirit grants to glorify the Son. We believe in fulfilling the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. WE are a force to bring light and transformation to the world: the agents of extending God’s reign in the lives of men. Matt 28:18-20, Luke 4:18-19, Matt 24:14, Rom. 10:13-17, Matt 16:18 We believe Jesus gave us His power to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils. Matt 10:8, Matt 16:19 We believe in the importance of prayer. God grants us the faith to believe for the answers to our prayers as we commune with Him. Christ and the Holy Spirit Themselves intercede for us. Mark 11:22-24, Matt. 6:9-13, Luke 11:9, Heb 7:20-28, Heb. 8:1-6, Rom. 8:26-28
Church Distinctives
We believe the local church is autonomous, that is, it is self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating in its mature state. We believe in partnering with like-faith churches for the building of God’s Kingdom. We believe in the gathering together for prayer, worship, teaching and preaching of the Bible and the administering of the sacraments. Acts 2:1 We believe that every believer in Christ must be subject to God’s authority in a specific local church for spiritual protection, discipleship and long-term fruitfulness. Heb 13:17,Heb 13:7, I Thess 5:12,13 We believe that the Church does not replace the Jewish state of Israel. We the church are grafted into the promise. The restoration of Israel is fulfillment of prophecy. We believe that we can be supportive of the Jewish people without condoning all of their actions, and we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the coming King of Israel. Rom. 9-11 Gen. 12:1-3 We subscribe to a pre-tribulational view of the Rapture of the church, premillennial return of Christ. John 14:2-3, Titus 2:13, Romans 4:16-17, Rev. 20
BFMC’s form of government is a Board of Directors, a Pastoral Support team and a Lead Pastor, and Associate Pastor who all qualify on the basis of I Tim 3 in spiritual life, character, domestic life and ruling ability. I Tim 3, Revised May 2015