Values of MBC

 

Doctrinal Statement

of

Moline Baptist Church

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe in the Genesis account of creation and (a) that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; (b) that man was created directly in god's own image and after His own likeness; (c) that man's creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms (d) that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God's established law was they should bring forth only "after their kind".

     a)  Gn. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Ac. 4:24; Co. 1:16,17; He. 11:3; Jn. 1:3; Rv. 10:6; Ro. 1:20

     b)  Ac. 17:23-26; Je. 10:12; Ne.9:6

     c)  Gn. 1:26-27; 1 Co. 11:17

     d)  Gn. 2:7; Gn. 2:21-23

     e)  Gn. 1:11; Gn. 1:24

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THE DEVIL OR SATAN

We believe that Satan was once (a) holy and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and (b) drew after him a host of angels; that he is now (c) the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world.  (d) We hold him to be man's great tempter, (e) the enemy of God and His Christ; (f) the accuser of the saints, (g) the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; (h) the Lord of the Anti-Christ, and (i) the author of al powers of darkness--destined however (j) to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and (k) to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

     a)  Is. 14:12-15; Ek. 28:14-17

     b)  Rv. 12:9; Je. 6:11; 11 Pt. 2:4; Ep. 2:2; Jn. 14:30

     c)  1 Th 3:5;  Mt. 4:1,3

     d)  1 Pt. 5:8

     e)  Zc. 3:1; 1 Jn. 3:8; Mt. 13:25, 37-39; Lk. 22:3-4, 31

     f)  Rv. 12:10

     g)  11 Co. 11:13-15; Mk. 13:21-22

     h)  1 Jo. 4:3; 11 Jo. 7; 1 Jo. 2:22

     i)  Rv. 13:13-14; 11 Th. 2:8-11

     j)  Rv. 19:11, 16, 20; Rv. 12:7-9; Rv. 20:1-3

     k)  Rv. 20:10; Mt. 25:41

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THE FALL OF MAN

We believe (a) that man was created in innocence under the law of his maker, but (b) by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless & happy state, (c) in consequence of which, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; & (d) therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.

     a)  Gn. 3:1-6,24

     b)  Ro. 5:12; Ro. 5:19

     c)  Ro. 3:10-19; Ep. 2:1,3; Ro. 1:18; Ek. 18:19-20

     d)  Ro. 1:31; Ro. 1:20; Ro. 1:28; Ga. 3:22

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THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN

We believe (a) that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, (b) through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; (c) that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree, (d) that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior.

     a)  Ep. 2:8; Ac. 15:11; Ro. 3:24

     b)  Jn. 3:16; Mt. 18:11; Ph. 2:7; He. 2:14; Is. 53:4-7; Ro. 3:25; 1 Jn. 4:10; 1 Co. 15:3; 11 Co. 5:21

     c)  Jn. 10:18; Ph. 2:8, Ga. 1:4; 1 Pt. 2:24; Is. 53:11; He. 12:2

     d)  1 Co. 15:20; Is. 53:12; Hb. 9:12-15; He. 7:25, 1 Jn. 2:2

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GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION

We believe (a) that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; (b) that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; (c) that it is instantaneous and not a process; (d) that 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; (e) that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; (f) that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

     a)  Jn. 3:3

     b)  11 Co. 5:17

     c)  Lk. 5:27; 1 Jn. 5:1; Jn. 3:6-7; Ac. 2:41; Ac. 16:30-33

     d)  11 Pt. 1:4; Ro. 6:23; Ep. 2:1; 11 Co. 5:19; Co. 2:13

     e)  Jn. 3:8; Jn. 1:12,13

     f)  Ga. 5:22; Ep. 5:9

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THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe (a) in God's electing grace; (b) that the blessings of salvation are made free to all through the gospel; (c) that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and (d) that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest and also the voluntary rejection of the gospel; (e) which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

     a)  1 Th. 1:4; Co. 3:12; 1 Pt. 1:2; Tit. 1:1; Ro. 8:29,30

     b)  Mt. 11:28; Is. 55:1; Rv. 22:17; Ro. 10:13; Jn. 6:37

     c)  Is. 55:6; Ac. 2:38

     d)  Is. 55:7; Jn. 3:15; 1 Ti. 1:15; 1 Co. 15:109; Ep. 2:4,5; Jn. 5:40

     e)  Jn. 3:18,36

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JUSTIFICATION

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; (a) that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; (b) that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed into us.

     a)  Ac. 13:39; Is. 53:11; Zc. 13:1; Ro. 8:1; Ro. 5:9; Ro. 5:1

     b)  Tit. 3:5-7; Ro. 1:17; Ha. 2:4; Ga. 3:11; Ro. 4:1-8; He. 10:38

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REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that Repentance and Faith are (a) solemn obligations, and (b) also inseparable graces, (c) wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; (d) thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; (e) at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.

     a)  Ac. 20:21

     b)  Mk. 1:15

     c)  Ac. 2:27-28

     d)  Lk. 18:13; Ro. 10:13; Ps. 51:1-4,7; Is. 55:6,7

     e)  Lk. 12:8; Ro. 10:9-11

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SANCTIFICATION

We believe that sanctification has a two-fold meaning.  (a) That of setting apart of things, days or persons specifically for God, and that the believer at the time of his regeneration is so set apart by God, the Father; (b) the progressive work of the Holy Spirit whereby the believer, obedient to the Word of God experiences the power of the indwelling christ for holiness of life and victory over the old nature, which work will be completed when the believer stands in Christ's presence.

     a)  1 Co. 1:30; He. 10:10,14

     b)  1 Co. 1:26-28; Jn. 17:17; 1 Th. 5:23; 11 Co. 3:18

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THE CHURCH

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (a) associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; (b) observing the ordinances of Christ; (c) governed by His laws; and (d) exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His work: (e) that it's scripturally designated officers are pastors and elders, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; (f) we believe the true mission of the church is found in the great commission; First, to make individual disciples; Second, to baptize them; Third, to teach and instruct, as He has commanded.  We do not believe in the reversal of this order; (g) we hold that the local church had the absolute right to self superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit; (h)  that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; (i) on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

     a)  Ac. 2:41; (a&b) Ac. 2:42

     b)  1 Co. 11:2

     c)  Ep. 1:22,23

     d)  Ep. 4:11; 1 Co. 12:4, 8-11

     e)  Ac. 14:23; Ac. 6:5; Ac. 15:23; Ac. 20:17-28; 1 Ti. 3:1-3

     f)  Mt. 28:19-20

     g) Co. 1:18; Ep. 5:23, 24; 1 Pt. 5:1-4

     h)  Ac. 15:22; Je. 3-4; 11 Co. 8:23-24; 1 Co. 16:1; Mi. 3:10; Lv. 27:32; 1 Co. 16:2

     i)  1 Co. 6:1-3; 1 Co. 5:11-13

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BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe that Christian Baptism is (a) the believer's immersion in water; (b) into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; (c) to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior with it's effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; (d) that in scriptural order it (baptism) precedes the privileges of church membership and is the public recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ; (e) The Lord's Supper is a memorial service in which the elements of bread and wine remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus "Who spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all," that this ordinance is to be observed in anticipation of His coming and preceded always by solemn self-examination.

     a)  Ac. 8:36-39; Mt. 3:6; Jn. 3:23; Ro. 6:4-5; Mt. 3:16

     b)  Mt. 28:19

     c)  Rm. 6:3-5; Co. 2:12

     d)  Mt. 28:17-20; Ac. 2:41

     e)  1 Co. 11:23-28; Rm. 8:32

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THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

We believe (a) that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; (b) that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; (c) that a special providence watches over their welfare; and (d) that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.

     a)  Jn. 8:31,32; Co. 1:21,23

     b)  1 Jn. 2:19; Mt. 13:19,20

     c)  Ro. 8:28; Mt. 6:30; Ps. 121:3; Hb. 1:14

     d)  1 Pt. 1:5; Ph. 1:6; Jn. 10:28,29; Jn. 16:8; Ro. 8:35-39

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THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

We believe that (a) there is radical and essential differences between the righteous and the wicked; (b) that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; (c) while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; (d) and this distinction hold among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

     a)  Mi. 3:18; Gn. 18:23; Ro. 6:17, 18; Pr. 11:31; 1 Pt. 4:18

     b)  Ro. 1:17; 1 Co. 15:11; Ac. 10L:34,35; 1 Jn. 2:29; 1 Jn. 3:7

     c)  1 Jn. 5:19; Ga. 3:10; Ro. 7:6; Ro. 6:23; (b&c) Ro. 6:16

     d)  Pr. 14:32; Lk. 16:25; Mt. 25:34,41; Jn. 8:23; Lk. 9:26, Jn. 12:25; Mt. 7:13,14

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THE RESURRECTION, RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS

We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value:

     a)  THE BODILY RESURRECTION- Mt. 28:6,7; Lk. 24:39; Jn. 20:27; 2 Co. 15:4; Mk. 16:6; Lk. 24:2,4-6

     b)  THE ASCENSION- Ac. 1:9; Ac. 1:11; Lk. 24:31; Mk. 16:19; Rv. 3:21; He. 8:1; He. 12:2

     c)  THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD- He. 8:6; 1 Ti. 2:5; 1 Jn. 2:1; He. 2:17; He. 8:9,10

     d)  THE SECOND COMING- Jn. 14:3; Ac. 1:11; 1 Th. 4:16; Mt. 24:27; Mt. 25:13; Ja. 5:8; Mt. 24:42; He. 9:28

     e)  THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD- 1 Th. 5:10; 1 Co. 15:42-44; 1 Co. 15:52

     f)  THE CHANGE OF THE LIVING CHRIST- 1 Co. 15:51-53; 1 Th. 4:17; Ph. 3:20,21

     g)  ON THE THRONE OF DAVID- Lk. 1:32; Is. 9:6,7; Ac. 2:29,30

     h)  HIS REIGN ON EARTH- I Co. 15:25; Is. 11:4,5; Ps. 72:8; Rv. 20:1-4; Rv. 20:6

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2004 Moline Baptist Church