Article 1: The Scriptures
We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments as originally written were verbally inspired (God-breathed) and penned by Spirit-controlled men. The Bible is without error, infallible and is the final authority in faith and life. We believe the Word of God to be the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. Ps. 19:7-11; Prov. 30:5-6; Matt. 5:18; John 10:34-35; Rom. 15:4; II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Pet. 1:19-21; Rev. 22: 18-19.
Article 2: The Trinity
We believe there is one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love. We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in all the divine attributes and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of creation and redemption. Ex. 20:2,3; I Cor. 8:6; II Cor. 13:14; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 28:18-20; I John 5:7.
Article 3: God the Father
We believe God the Father is an infinite, eternal, all powerful, all knowing Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. Gen. 1:1; Psalm 139:7-10; Isaiah 46:9; Romans 11:33; Ephesians 4:6; I Timothy 1:17; Revelation 19:6.
Article 4: God the Son – Jesus Christ
We believe God chose His only begotten Son to be the mediator between God and man, the prophet, priest and King, head and Savior of the church, the heir of all things, and the judge of the world. Jesus being equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit is infinite, eternal, all powerful and all knowing. He also made the world and upholds and governs all things.
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman. Jesus was born with two perfect and yet distinct natures, human and divine, inseparably joined together in one person without conversion, composition, or confusion, yet one and therefore He is both the Son of God and God the Son.
Jesus lived a life of absolute sinlessness and in His death made a full and sacrificial atonement for our sins, dying not as a martyr, but as a voluntary substitute in the sinner’s place. We believe Jesus rose bodily on the third day and ascended into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, interceding and preparing a place for us. I Pet. 1:19, 20; I Tim. 2:5; Acts 1:9-11; 3:22; Psa. 2:6; Luke 1:33, 35; 24:2-6, 39, 51; Col. 1:16-18; John 1:14, 34; 5:22, 27; 20:27; Gal. 4:4; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; 28:6, 7; Rom. 8:3; 9:5; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6, 19; Rev. 3:21; Eph. 1:20-23; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:14,16-18; 4:15; 5:5, 6, 9, 10; 4:14-16; 8:6; 12:2.
Article 5: God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son, and is infinite, eternal, all powerful and all knowing. He was active in the creation and in His relation to the unbelieving world. He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled. He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony. The Holy Spirit is the agent in the New Birth who seals, endues, guides, teaches, comforts, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer conform to the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit’s primary ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the early church He divinely enabled men to perform miracles, signs and revelatory gifts such as prophecy and tongues; that these revelatory gifts gradually ceased as the New Testament was completed; and that today He gives believers ministry gifts such as prophecy (declaring truth from the Bible), teaching, faith, giving, leadership, and others. I Cor. 12-14; Heb. 2:4; 9:14; I Pet. 4:10; Eph. 4; John 1:33; 3:5, 6;14:16-17, 26; 16:8-15; Matt. 28:19; Luke 1:35; 24:49; Gen. 1.1-3; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Eph. 1:13, 14; Mark 1:8; Rom. 8:14-16, 26, 27; 12.
Article 6: Angels
We believe in the existence of angels who were created by God to serve Him and bring honor and glory to His name. Angels who have chosen to follow God are ministers for Him on behalf of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Sadly, some angels chose to follow Satan when he rose up against God. They are now called demons and are presently functioning in Satan’s counterfeit system as rulers of darkness, to be resisted by the believer through the armor provided by God. Isaiah 14:12-15; Matthew 17:18; Eph. 2:2; 6:11-13; Col. 1:16; I Timothy 4:1-2; I Peter 1:12; 5:8-9; Jude 6; Rev. 19:16-20; 20:10; II Thess. 2:9-10; Heb. 1:14.
Article 7: Satan and His Demons
We believe that angels were created by God to worship, serve and honor Him. But Lucifer, a high ranking angel, chose to rebel against God. With great pride he desired to be equal and even above Almighty God and was thrown from heaven with a great host of other angels. Lucifer is now referred to as Satan and the fallen angels are now referred to as demons.
We believe Satan, the “god of this age” and “the prince of the power of the air,” is currently the power of all darkness and evil. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions and the chief power behind the present apostasy in our world. He is the lord of the antichrist and the author of all the followers of darkness who are destined for final defeat at the hand of God’s Son, and for the judgment of the eternal Lake of Fire, a place prepared for Satan and his angels. Isa. 14:12-15; Psa. 34:7; Eph. 2:2; Heb. 2:14; I Peter 5:8; II Pet. 2:4; Matt. 4:1-11; II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 12:7-9; 19:16-20; 20:10; Zech. 3:1-2; Heb. 1:14.
Article 8: Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation. We believe that account is to be accepted literally, not allegorically or figuratively. Also, we believe mankind was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness. Mankind’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through periods of time from lower to higher form. In addition, we believe that all animal and vegetable life was also created directly by God, for His established law was that they should bring forth only “after their own kind.” Genesis 1; John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6.
Article 9: Man and His Fall
We accept the Genesis account of the creation of man. Man came by direct creation of God and not from any previously existing form of life, and not by evolution. We believe that people were created in innocence under the law of their maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from their sinless state. In consequence, all mankind are now sinners by nature and by choice, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal judgment and separation from God in a place called hell without defense or excuse. Gen. 1:27; 3:1-6, 24; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 1:18, 32; 3:10-23; 5:12-19.
Article 10: The Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace. Jesus, God’s own Son, submitted to the Father and freely took upon human nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins. Jesus’ atonement consisted not in setting up an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, “the just dying for the unjust.” “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.” Jesus is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. II Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 7:25; 12:2; I Peter 2:24; 3:18; I John 2:2.
Article 11: Salvation
We believe the Scriptures teach that Jesus died for the whole world and that salvation of sinners is divinely initiated, wholly of grace, and accomplished only through the work of Christ. We believe that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent wickedness and voluntary rejection of the Gospel.
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations and inseparable graces, brought about in our souls by the Spirit of God. Being deeply convicted of our guilt, helplessness and the judgment to come, and realizing the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with genuine repentance, confessing our sin and receiving the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior. When a person receives Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he is born again, regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit and becomes the recipient of a new nature.
We believe that Christ secures salvation to all who put their trust in Him. Romans 3:24 states, “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Our justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of Christ’s righteousness. It is not given to us for any works of righteousness, which we have done, but solely through faith in our Redeemer. Jesus Christ’s righteousness is given to us. II Corinthians 5:21 states, “For God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Eph. 2:8; Acts 13:39; 15:11; 16:31; John 3:16; 10:28, 29; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 1:6; 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 3:24, 25; 5:1, 9; 8:1,35-39; Jude 1.
Article 12: The New Birth
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again and that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus. Salvation is instantaneous and not a process. In the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God.
The new birth is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, character, nor by the will or deeds of human beings, but solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth. Evidence of the new birth appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, the newness of life and our voluntary obedience to the Word of God. John 3:3; 6-8; II Cor. 5:17, 19; I John 5:1; Acts 16:30-33; II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13.
Article 13: Eternal Security
We believe all people who have exercised personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are completely pardoned and justified (declared righteous) and in possession of eternal life, which is eternally secure. We believe that all people who are truly born again are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ.
The new birth is a one-time event just as physical birth is a one-time event. Eternal life is the result of being born into an eternal family. Eternal security is not based on how a person acts or feels towards God, but the doctrine of eternal security is founded on justification. When a person trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ to save him he is justified by the blood of Christ, and saved from the wrath of God through Christ (Romans 1:4; 4:25; 5:8-10). We are saved by God’s grace, not by our works; therefore we cannot possibly keep our salvation by our works. II Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:6; 8:35-39; 16:25; Phil. 1:6; II Tim. 1:12; Jude 24; John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 6:40; 10:28-29; 11:25-26; 12:46; Titus 1:2; Eph. 1:7; Col 1:14, 21-23; I Peter 1:5,18-23; 2:24; II Peter 1:4; I John 5:11-13.
Article 14: The Eternal State of the Saved and Unsaved
We believe there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. People who trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior are justified (declared righteous) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, sanctified by the Spirit of our God and are truly righteous in His esteem. But everyone who continues in sin and unbelief are in God’s sight wicked and remain under the curse of sin.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men. The souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord where they consciously await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul and new body are reunited forever glorified with the Lord in Heaven. The souls of the unbelievers after death remain in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when with spirit, soul, and body reunited, they shall appear before the Great White Throne Judgment. After the Great White Throne Judgment all unbelievers will be cast in the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment for their sins. The chief sin being rejecting Jesus as their personal Savior. Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Matt. 25:34-41, 46; Luke 6:25; 16:19-26; John 5:28-29; 8:21; II Cor. 5:8-10; Phil. 1:23; I John 5:19; Rom. 6:23.
Article 15: The Local Church
We believe that a local church is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by a membership commitment and the fellowship of the Gospel. They observe the ordinances of Christ, govern by His laws and exercise the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word.
There are two offices in the local church – elders (also called bishops or pastors) and deacons (I Timothy 3). The ultimate mission of the church is to fulfill the Great Commission as given by our Lord in Matthew 28:18-20.
We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government, free from interference of any hierarchy, of any individuals or organizations, and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit. We do believe it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel. But each local church has the right to judge the measure and method of its cooperation with other churches. On all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline and benevolence, the will of the local church is final. Acts 2:41, 42; 20:17-28; I Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:11; 5:23, 24; Col. 1:18.
Article 16: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, done in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We hold that baptism is one of the two ordinances that Christ gave to the local church. Thus, it should be performed under the authority of the local church. Likewise, baptism should only be performed on a person who has given a clear testimony of faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior Jesus Christ. As Christ died, was buried and rose again, Christian baptism pictures the believer’s death, burial and resurrection to a new life in Christ.
We believe the Lord’s Supper is the second ordinance given to the church by the Lord Jesus Christ. Communion is the commemoration of Christ’s death and a celebration of His risen life. The bread represents His body that was broken for us, and the grape juice represents His blood that was shed for us. Believers, before partaking of these elements, are called upon to examine themselves, “for he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
We believe the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper were given by the Lord to the local church and are to be observed only under its authority. We are commanded to do these ordinances till our Lord returns. Acts 8:36-39; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 3:16; 28:19-20; Col. 2:12; I Cor. 11:23-28.
Article 17: Giving
We believe God is the source of all blessings - physical and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. God’s method of financing His earthly work, which includes the work of the local church, its ministries, pastors, and its mission, is by the offerings of His people. Thus we believe that every Christian, as a steward of God, is obligated to support his local church financially, as God has blessed them. We understand that God is pleased when His children rally together and joyfully give to His church, its ministers and its ministries, “for God loves a cheerful giver.” Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 2:45; 4:34-37; 11:27-30; Gal. 6:6; Eph.4:28; I John3:17; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 8:1-9:7; 9:6-7; I Tim. 5:17-18.
Article 18: Missions
We believe this church shall be missionary in spirit and practice, contributing to the support of missions home and abroad. Support for missionaries or mission projects shall be upon recommendation of the Missions Committee and upon approval by the Elder Board. We believe that the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and the Great Commission was given to every Christian and local church. Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Rom. 10:13-15.
Article 19: The Body of Christ
We believe the Scriptures teach that the “Church which is His body” is the entire company of believers in Christ. I Cor. 12:13, 27; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:12; Hebrews 12:23.
Article 20: Marriage
We believe that the home was the first institution God provided for man; that marriage is a sacred relationship between one man and one woman for life. Scripture teaches that Christians should only marry Christians. We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Gen. 2: 18-24; Mark 10:9; Mal. 2:14-16; Rom. 7:1-3; I Cor. 7:2; Eph. 5:22-23; Matt. 19:1-9.
Article 21: Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and woman. We also believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. Gen. 2:24; 19:5,13; 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb.13:4.
Article 22: Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that all human life is sacred from fertilization throughout the entire natural human life; that human beings are created in God’s image and, as such are to be protected; that the weak, vulnerable, infirm, handicapped, pre-born, and needy deserve our respect and our care. Gen. 1:26; 9:6; Ps.51:5; 82:3-4; 139:13-16; Jer. 1:5; Lk. 1:41.
Article 23: Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society. Governing officials are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and coming King of the Kings. Rom. 13:1-7; II Sam. 22:3; Exodus 18:21, 22; Matt. 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; 5:27-29; 23:5; Dan. 3:17-18; Titus 3:1.
Article 24: Future Events
We believe in the “Blessed Hope,” the personal, imminent appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ to rapture all believers of the Church before the Tribulation Period. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (Latin word for caught up is “raptured”) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (I Thess. 4:16-17). I Cor. 15:51-52; II Thess. 2:1-2; Titus 2:13; I John 3:2.
We believe that every saved person of the Church Age will appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged by the Lord in regard to his service and receive rewards according to his works. Matt. 6:2-4; Rom. 14:10; I Cor. 3:11-15; II Cor. 5:10.
We believe that the Tribulation Period and the Battle of Armageddon will culminate in the glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ to establish a physical, earthly, millennial reign. Christ will literally rule on the earth from the throne of David for a thousand years. At the close of the millennium Satan will be loosed, the nations will revolt, and Satan will be eternally cast into the Lake of Fire.
We believe the Great White Throne Judgment will follow the Millennium period and will be a final judgment on unbelievers. After the unbelievers are judged and their names are not found written in the Book of Life they will be cast into the Lake of Fire – which is the second death. The righteous will worship and serve God forever. Matt. 22:8-14; 24; John 14; I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:20-53; Phil. 3:20-21; II Cor. 5:10; Ezek. 14-21; 28; Dan. 7-12; Rev. 6; Zech.14; Acts 1:11; 2:29-36; II Thess. 1:6-12; Mark 13; Isa. 11; Rev. 12-22; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32, 33; 21.
From our Constitution / ByLaws
| Bay Farm Community Church | 3189 Mecartney Road | Alameda, CA 94502 | (510) 769-2002 | Copyright © 2012 Bay Farm Community Church |
