III. Essentials Concerning the Plan of God–
How We are to Serve God:
The Church
Its Nature:
We believe that in accordance with the eternal purpose of God He has revealed the mystery not known prior to Christ’s first coming of His Church. Those who have placed their faith in Christ are united together immediately by the Holy Spirit in this one spiritual body, the church, of which Christ is the Head. This body began on the day of Pentecost, is distinct from Israel and God’s plan for this nation, and will be completed at the coming of Christ. In addition to the spiritual union and communion that extend to the entirety of the body of Christ, the members of this one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies to serve His purpose (see the FBC Mission and Vision) (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:46,47; Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:4-61-11; 5:25-27; Col. 1:18; Heb. 10:25).
Its Organization and Relationships: Authority
These local assemblies have been given the needed authority for administering that order, discipline, and worship which Christ the sovereign Head has appointed. The biblically designated officers, serving under Christ and over the assembly, are elders and deacons (Matt. 18:15-18; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Cor. 14:40; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5).
Its Organization and Relationships: Spiritual Gifts
We believe that every member of the Body of Christ has been given at least one spiritual gift at his conversion according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are to be developed and used in the local assembly to the end that every believer will become completely mature in Christ. Their specific purpose is the mutual edification of the saints. We believe that certain gifts, which were evident in the early church, were temporary. The use of any gift or supposed gift must meet the test of edification. If it does not edify the Body, it should not be used within the local assembly. We are totally opposed to any charismatic teaching that is divisive, or challenging to the teaching of the believer's security or to the teaching of the universal baptism of the Spirit at the moment of salvation of every believer. (1 Cor. 12:1-31; 14:1-33).
Its Organization and Relationships: Ordinances
Baptism:
We believe that baptism by immersion is an ordinance of definite institution in the New Testament. It is the outward sign and confession of our identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. (Acts 2:38, 41; 8:36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; Rom. 6:3-7; Col. 2:12).
The Lord's Supper:
We believe the Lord's Supper is a commemoration of the Lord's body which was broken for us and of His blood that was shed for our sins. There are two requirements that must be met before a person can partake of the Supper. First, a person must be born again, for one who is not saved cannot show forth the Lord's death when he has been unwilling to accept the Savior and His atoning work personally. Secondly, a Christian must examine himself to determine if he is in right fellowship with the Lord. We are warned of the consequences of partaking unworthily. When these two requirements are met, the believer is free to participate. We believe it is the Lord's table and as such is open to all believers who are in right relationship with God, regardless of denomination. Not only is the Lord's Supper a memorial of what Christ has done on the Cross, but it proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes. (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23-30).
Our Sanctification
We believe that sanctification, or setting apart, is a process of becoming holy unto God and is threefold:
1) Sanctification is already complete for every saved person because his position toward God is the same as Christ's position. Since the believer is in Christ, he is called to be holy unto God in the same way in which Christ is set apart unto God.
2) We believe, however, that the believer retains his sin nature, which cannot be eradicated in this life. However, provision has been made for victory over the old nature. Therefore, while the standing of the Christian in Christ is perfect, his present state is not more perfect than his experience in daily life. There is, consequently, a progressive sanctification wherein the Christian is to 'grow in grace,” and to be changed by the unhindered power of the Spirit.
3) We believe, also that the child of God will yet be fully sanctified in his state as he is now sanctified in his standing in Christ when he shall see his Lord and shall be “like Him” (John 17:17, 19; Rom. 6:1-3; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; 7:1; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 4:24; 5:25-27; Heb.10:10, 14; 12:10).
The Teaching Taught to Establish Christians
Who We Are: Individually
-A saint, slave of righteousness, citizen of heaven, and child of God (John 1:12; Rom. 1:7; 6:18; 1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 4:5-7; Phil. 3:20).
Who We Are: Corporately
-The household of God, flock of God, temple of God, and body of Christ (Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:21-22; 1 Tim. 3:15).
How we are to live:
-Be publicly baptized, identifying with Christ’s death and resurrection and His Church (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5).
-Walk worthy of our calling by laying aside the old self, renewing our minds, and putting on the new self (Rom. 12:2; 13:12-14; Eph. 4:1, 22-24; Col. 3:5-17)
Resulting in godly character in general:
-Individually: The Fruit of the Spirit and beyond (Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:2-3).
-Corporately: Faith, hope and love (1 Cor. 13:13; 1 Thess. 1:3).
Resulting in a proper relationship to:
God:
-Know, fear/love, glorify, worship, obey, serve, and trust Him (Prov. 1:7; Mark 12:30; John 14:15; Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 10:31; Phil. 3:8; Heb. 11:6; 12:28).
Our individual family members:
-Wives are to submit to and respect their husbands (Eph. 5:22-24, 33; Col. 3:18;1 Pet. 3:1-6).
-Husbands are to love, nourish and cherish their wives (Eph. 5:25-33; Col. 3:19; 1 Pet. 3:7).
-Children are to honor and obey their parents (Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20).
-Fathers are to carefully bring up their children in the Lord (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).
Our church family members:
-Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (Rom. 12:10; Heb. 10:25).
-Build up others with our gifts, talents and abilities (Eph. 4:12-16; 1 Pet. 4:10).
-Follow the leaders as they follow Christ (1 Cor 11:1; Heb 13:7; 1 Pet. 5:3).
The world:
-Employees are to submit to employers (Eph. 6:5-9; Col. 3:22-25; 1 Pet. 2:18).
-Employers are to treat employees justly and fairly (Eph. 6:10; Col. 4:1).
-Submit to, pray for and honor governing authorities (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-8; 1 Pet. 2:13-17).
-Conduct ourselves with wisdom, pray for and reach out to non-Christians (Col. 4:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:13-15)
-Turn away from false teachers and those who cause dissensions (Rom. 16:17; Titus 3:10; 2 Pet. 3:17).
-Be alert, strong, resist and flee from the devil (Eph. 6:10-18; James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).
Be a faithful steward of our time, talents and treasures while watching for Christ’s return (Matt. 6:19-21; Eph. 5:15-17; Titus 2:13; 1 Pet. 4:10).
Last Things
The Intermediate State:
At death, the souls of the redeemed pass immediately into the presence of Christ and there remain in joyful fellowship until the first resurrection, that is their bodily resurrection unto life. The souls of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hades where they are kept under punishment until the second resurrection, that is their bodily resurrection unto damnation (Luke 16:22-23; 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; Rev. 20:4-5).
The Rapture of the Church:
The next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the personal, bodily coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself into heaven both His own who are alive and remain unto His coming, and also all who have fallen asleep in Jesus. At that exact moment, every believer will be conformed unto His image. This event is the blessed hope set before us in Scripture and we are encouraged to be constantly looking for it (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:2).
The Tribulation Period:
After this removal of believers from the earth, the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon the unbelieving world. These judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth, at which time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will also be raised and the living will be judged (Dan. 12:1; Jer. 30:7; Matt. 24:15-3 1; 2 Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 6:1-19:21).
The Millennium:
After this judgment Christ will establish His Messianic Kingdom in which the resurrection saints may reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth for one thousand years (Is. 11:1-16; 65:15-17; Ezek. 37:21-28; Rev. 20: 1-6).
The Eternal State:
At the close of the millennial reign, the unsaved dead will be raised and judged and committed to conscious eternal punishment in the lake of fire. The saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God. Having fulfilled His redemptive and kingdom missions as the Son of Abraham and the Son of David, Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father that the Triune God may reign forever in all spheres (1 Cor. 15:24-28; 2 Thess. 1:8-9; 2 Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:1-4, 8; 22:5).