Faith Family Fellowship: Statement of Faith
Table of Contents
This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself—as the inspired and infallible word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind—is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Faith Family Fellowship’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our pastor and Board of Deacons is Faith Family Fellowship’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
The following comprises a more specific statement of the Scriptural beliefs of this church and its members:
Summary
A. The Holy Scriptures
B. The Godhead
C. God the Father
D. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
E. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
F. The Depravity of Man
G. Original or Birth Sin
H. Free Will
I. A Perfect Salvation
J. Justification of Man
K. Good Works
L. Sin after Justification
M. Regeneration
N. Entire Sanctification
O. Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
P. The Sacraments
Q. The One Oblation of Christ Finished Upon the Cross
R. The Rites and Ceremonies of Churches
S. The Church
T. Church Leadership
U. Separation
V. The Second Coming of Christ
W. The Resurrection of the Dead
X. Judgment and the Eternal State
Y. The Personality of Satan
Z. Creation
AA. Civil Government
BB. Marriage and Human Sexuality
CC. Family Relationships
DD. Divorce and Remarriage
EE. The Sanctity of Human Life
FF. Love
GG. Lawsuits Between Believers
HH. Missions
II. Giving
Authority of Statement of Faith
A summary of our Christian beliefs is found in the Apostles Creed:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic (universal) Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
(A) The Holy Scriptures.
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God. The Scriptures in their original manuscripts are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed, are the final authority for faith and life and, therefore, are superior to all human authority. The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the pastor. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the predominate translation used by the church (other versions, such as the NAS, RSV, NKJV, Amplified and NIV are used for Bible study and comparison).
Ps. 19:7; Luke 24:27; John 17:17; Acts 17:2, 11; Rom. 1:2, 15:4; 16:26; Gal. 1:8; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12; James 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:23; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Rev. 22:14, 19
(B) The Godhead.
We believe in one triune God; everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of all things visible and invisible; eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature (dwelling eternally in holy, other-oriented, self-giving love), coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.
Gen. 1:1; 17:1; Ex. 3:13-15; 33:20; Deut. 6:4; Ps. 90:2; 104:24; Isa. 9:6; Jer. 10:10; Matt. 28:19; John 1:1-2; 4:24; 5:18; 10:30; 14:10, 26; 16:13; 17:3; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 16:27; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6; II Cor. 13:14; Eph. 2:18; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:16; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 5:7, 20; Rev. 19:13
(C) God the Father.
We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth - from whom, through whom, and to whom are all things.
(1) He intentionally seeks to relate to all people as Father,
(2) Thereby forever declaring His goodwill toward them.
(3) In love, He both seeks and receives sinners,
(4) Adopting as His children all who repent of their sin and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Is. 64:8; Rom. 8:14-15; 11:36
(D) The Person and Work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
(1) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men.
Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; John 1:1-2, 14, 18; 3:16-17; Acts 4:12; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 2:17
(2) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
Mark 15; Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:10, 18; Gal. 1:4; 2:20; Eph. 1:7; 5:2; Heb. 7:27; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; 2:24; 1 John 4:14
(3) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.
Psa. 16:840; Matt. 27:62-66; 28:5-9, 16-17; Mark 16:6-7, 12; Luke 24:4-8, 23; John 20:26-29; 21; Acts 1:2, 9-10; 2:24-31; Rom. 8:34;14:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:6, 14; Heb. 9:24, 28; 7:25; 10:12; 13:20; 1 John 2:1-2
(E) The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.
(1) We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God. We believe that He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption.
Job 33:4; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24-26; 16:8-11; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6, 17; Eph. 1:13-14; Gal. 4:6
(2) We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit.
John 14:26; 16:13-15; Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27
(3) We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer, distributing to each such gifts as the Holy Spirit chooses. God uniquely uses apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry.
Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 3:5; 4:7-12
(4) We believe that the gifts of speaking in tongues and of healing are yet valid today; but as with all the gifts of the Spirit, they are given as the Holy Spirit has designated and are subject to the Spirit.
(a) The Gift of Tongues. Occasionally, God gives the gift of languages to enable His servants to minister the gospel of Christ to people of another language. As determined by its description in Scriptures, its purpose was to declare the Word of God (Acts 2:11; 10:44-48; 19:1-6). There is less Scriptural validity to tongues as pertaining to a prayer language.
Acts 2:11; 10:44-48; 19:1-6; 1 Cor. 12:1-11; 28-29; 13:1-13; 14:19; 14:40
(b) The Gift of Healing. As with tongues, the gift of healing is not given to all believers (1 Cor. 12:29-30), but the Holy Spirit has imparted that gift to those saints in whom He can trust. In a general sense, when any believers unite in prayer, according to will of God, the Lord is merciful to heal. Ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing.
1 Cor. 12:29-30; James 5:13-16
Ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing.
1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22; James 5:13-16
(F) The Depravity of Man.
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is depraved, meaning that he is utterly unable to remedy his lost condition, to save himself. Because man still retains the ability to choose right from wrong (volition), he is held personally responsible for his own words, thoughts and actions before God.
Gen. 1:26-27; Josh. 24:15; Isa. 1:18-20; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19
(G) Original or Birth Sin.
Original sin is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is wholly departed from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually. The deliverance of man from original sin is one of the provisions of the cross and blood of Christ through the sanctifying of the Holy Spirit unto a wholly sanctified child of God.
Gen. 8:21; Ps. 51:5; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Rom. 3:10-12; 5:12, 18- 19; Eph. 2:1-3
(H) Free Will.
Although man is incapable of saving himself, God has given him the ability – free will – to receive or reject God’s inclinations toward man. Throughout Scripture, the Lord makes it clear that man is responsible for his own decisions and the subsequent outcomes of those decisions. It is simply: you will reap what you sow. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament record instances where the Lord lays out before humanity two choices: believe and receive God’s blessing, or rebel and receive the judgement of God (Is. 1:18-20). The outcome rests fully upon man’s response to God’s invitation.
Deut. 30:11-19; Josh. 24:15; 1 Kings 11:6, 9; 2 Chron. 12:14; Is. 1:18-20; Jer. 5:23; Book of Hosea; Matt. 23:37; Luke 7:30
(I) A Perfect Salvation.
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all sins, except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, are forgivable.
Matt. 12:31-32; John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9
(J) Justification of Man.
We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith, and not our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.
Acts 13:38-39; 15:11; 16:31; Rom. 3:28; 4:2-5; 5:1-2, 9; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 3:9; Heb. 11
(K) Good Works.
Although good works, which are the fruit of faith and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins and endure the severity of God's judgment, yet they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.
Matt. 5:16; 7:16-20; John 15:8; Rom. 3:20; 4:2, 4, 6; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 1:11; Titus 3:5; James 2:18, 22; 1 Pet. 2:9, 12
(L) Sin after Justification.
Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost and unpardonable. Wherefore, repentance is not denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given and fall into sin and by the grace of God rise again to amend our lives. Therefore, they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live here or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.
Ps. 32:5; 95:7, 11; Eccl. 7:20; Jer. 3:13-15; Matt. 24:12; John 5:14; Gal. 5:4, 7; Eph. 5:14; Heb. 3:7-13, 15; James 3:2, 8; 1 John 1:8-9; 2:12; Rev. 2:5
(M) Regeneration.
Regeneration is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the pardoned sinner becomes a child of God; this work is received through faith in Jesus Christ, whereby the regenerate are delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate, so that they love God and through grace serve Him with the will and affections of the heart-receiving the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5; Rom. 8:15, 17; Gal. 3:26; 4:5, 7; Eph. 1:5; 2:5, 19; 4:24; Col. 3:10; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3-4; 1 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 3:1
(N) Entire Sanctification.
Entire Sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child of God is cleansed from all inbred (original or birth) sin through faith in Jesus Christ. It is subsequent to regeneration, and is wrought when the believer presents himself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and is thus enabled through grace to love God with all the heart and to walk in His holy commandments blameless. The various terms by which it is described: entire sanctification, perfect love, Christ perfection, or holiness of heart.
Gen. 17:1; Deut. 30:6; Ps. 130:8; Ezek. 36:25-29; Matt. 5:48; Luke 1:74-75; John 17:2-23; Rom. 8:3-4; 11:26; 1 Cor. 6:11; 14:20; Eph. 4:13, 24; 5:25-27; Phil. 2:5, 7; Col. 4:12; 1 Thess. 3:10; 5:23; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Tim. 3:17; Titus 2:12; Heb. 9:13-14; 10:14, 18-22; James 1:27; 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:10; 1 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:8-9; 4:17-18; Jude 24
(O) Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers.
(1) We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ as they continue to walk in faith and obedience. Man also has the ability to choose to apostasize (willingly turn from God) and forfeit the grace of God.
John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; Heb. 6:4-8; 10:26-29; 1 Pet. 1:4-5
(2) We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.
Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15
(P) The Sacraments.
Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only tokens of Christian profession, but they are certain signs of grace and God's good will toward us, by which He doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken but also strengthen and confirm our faith in Him. There are two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord. Matt. 26:26-28; 28:19; Mark 14:22-24; Rom. 2:28-29; 4:11; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23-26; Gal. 3:27
(1) Baptism. Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others who are not baptized, but it is also a sign of regeneration or new birth.
Num. 8:7; Isa. 52:15; Ezek. 36:25; Matt. 3:13-17; 28:19-20; Mark 1:10; 16:16; John 3:22, 26; 4:1-2; Acts 2:38, 41-42; 8:12, 13-17, 36-38; 9:18; 16:33, 18:8; 19:5; 22:!6; Rom. 6:1-5; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 12:13; Gal. 3:27-29; Col. 2:11-12; Titus 3:5
The dedication before the church body of an infant or a child does not signify salvation for them; rather it is a service of dedication of the child to the Lord and a consecration of the parents specifically and of the church body generally to train up such child in a manner to enable them to believe unto salvation as they come to an understanding of God’s call in their lives.
(2) The Lord's Supper. The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather it is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death; insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily and with faith receive the same, it is made a medium through which God doth communicate grace to the heart.
Luke 22:19-20; John 6:53, 56; 1 Cor. 5:7-8; 10:3-4; 16; 11:28
(Q) The One Oblation of Christ Finished Upon the Cross.
The offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption and propitiation for all the sins of the whole world both original and actual, and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore to expect salvation on the ground of our own works or by suffering the pains our sins deserve, either in the present or future state, is derogatory to Christ's offering for us and a dangerous deceit.
Acts 4:12; Rom. 5:8; 8:34; Gal. 2:16; 3:2-3, 11; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 7:23-27; 9:11-15, 24-28; 10:14
(R) The Rites and Ceremonies of Churches.
It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same or exactly alike, for they have always been different and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's Word. Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies so that all things may be done to edification.
Acts 15:10, 28-29; Rom. 14:2-6, 15, 17, 21; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:25; 14:26; 1 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 5:1, 13; Col. 2:16-17; 1 Thess. 3:6, 14; 1 Tim. 1:4, 6; 1 Peter 2:16
(S) The Church
(1) We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons.
1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27
(2) We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures.
Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11
(3) We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control.
Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4
(T) Church Leadership
(1) We believe that those called of God to minister in any church setting (worship service, prayer meeting, Bible study, visitation, etc.; including pastor(s), youth and children’s ministry leaders, Bible club or Sunday School teachers, music ministry [including musical specials], etc.) shall set the standard of holy living within the church body. We believe that such persons who minister in the church should bear the fruit of a true salvation, actively pursuing a holy heart (entire sanctification), exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, and who share the church’s vision for unity, understanding the need for strengthening the family, and having a burden for the salvation of souls. They should also be modest in appearance and demonstrate a separation from the world (worldliness) as indicated under Section T: Separation.
1 Tim. 2:8-9; 1 Pet. 3:3; 1 John 2:15-17
(2) We believe that God’s ministers (in whatever capacity they are called) are to live lives of sobriety and not enter into foolishness and jesting.
Eph. 5:4; 1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:24; Titus 1:7-9; 2:2
(U) Separation.
Too often, any mention of external appearance and activities is quickly relegated to the category of rules and regulations and immediately considered as legalistic and oppressive to our Christian liberty. At Faith Family Fellowship, we understand that Jesus in His holiness is the standard for all of living, both internal belief of the heart and external expression. To properly address the issues of separation, we must consider these principles:
Our outward appearance and activity is only an expression of the heart attitude. Such areas of self-denial are expressions of obedience to the Holy Spirit which flow out of our faith toward Christ unto salvation, and are not a means or work toward salvation.
We are called to live holy lives in separation from the world and its influences. God’s will is that we be entirely sanctified, wholly surrendered to and given over to God and His purposes, which includes agreement to His holy and separate character (2 Cor. 6:14-17; Eph. 5:10; 1 Thess. 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Pet. 1:14-16).
Christ Jesus death upon the cross has purchased all humanity, making all persons for all time answerable to Him. The believer has a further responsibility toward Jesus, Who, therefore, as Lord and Master, “owns” us, (1 Cor. 6:19-20; 1 Pet. 1:18).
Christian liberty is freedom from the bondage of sin and carnality and is never to used toward fulfillment of our own passions and desires (Gal. 5:1, 13; 1 Pet. 2:16; Rom. 6:12-13; 14:14).
Christian consecration extends beyond the heart experience (spirit) and includes both the mind and the body, our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:1-2; Phil. 4:7-8; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:15-20).
Our personal goal as children of God is to be transformed into the very image of Christ and be presented to Him blameless and pure in this life (Rom. 8:29; 1 Thess. 5:23-24)
Additional thoughts on modesty and issues concerning separation from a worldly spirit can be found in the full Statement of Faith and Bylaws document, which may be received upon request.
(V) The Second Coming of Christ.
The doctrine of the Second coming of Christ is a very precious truth and this good hope is a powerful inspiration to holy living and godly effort for the evangelism of the world. We believe the Scriptures teach the coming of Christ to be a bodily return to the earth and He will cause the completion of all things. Faith in the imminence of Christ’s return is a rational and inspiriting hope to the people of God.
Job 19:25-27; Dan. 12:1-4; Ps. 17:15; Isa. 11:1-12; Zech. 14:1-11; Matt. 24:1-51; 26:64; Mark 13:26-37; Luke 17:26-37; 21:24-36; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 1:7-8; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:11, 14; Heb. 9:27-28; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 3:1-14; 1 John 3:2-3; Jude 14; Rev. 1:7; 19:11-16; 22:6-7, 12,20
(W) The Resurrection of the Dead.
We hold the Scriptural statements concerning the resurrection of the dead to be true and worthy of universal acceptance. We believe the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ was a fact of history and a miracle of supreme importance. We understand the manner of the resurrection of mankind to be the resurrection of the righteous dead at Christ's second coming and the resurrection of the wicked at a later time, as stated in Revelation 20:4-6. Resurrection will be the reuniting of soul and body preparatory to final reward or punishment. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment.
Job 19:25-57; Ps. 17:15; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 22:30-32; 25:46; 28:1-20; Luke 14:14; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Acts 23:6-8; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:1-58; II Cor. 4:14; 5:1-11; I Thess. 4:14-17; Rev. 20:4-6, 11-13
(X) Judgment and the Eternal State.
The Scriptures reveal God as the Judge of all mankind and the acts of His judgment to be based on His omniscience and eternal justice. His administration of judgment will culminate in the final meeting of mankind before His throne of great majesty and power, where records will be examined and final rewards and punishments will be administered.
Eccl. 12:14; Rom. 14:10-11; II Cor. 5:10; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16; Matt. 10:15; Luke 11:31-32; Acts 10:42; II Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:27; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-13; II Peter 3:7.
It is not to be understood that a dissenting understanding on the subject of the millennium shall be held to break or hinder either church fellowship or membership.
(1) We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord.
Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6
(2) We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment.
Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15
(Y) The Personality of Satan.
We believe that Satan is a true and dangerous entity, a fallen angel, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire.
Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10
(Z) Creation.
We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin.
Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11; 31:17; Ps. 33:6; Heb. 11:3
(AA) Civil Government.
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. We believe that we must obey the state unless it requires us to act contrary to our faith at which time we must obey God rather than the state.
Matt. 22:15-22; Acts 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Titus 3:1-2; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14
(BB) Marriage and Human Sexuality.
Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality:
(1) We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
(2) We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman (Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Thess. 4:1-8).
(3) We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, transgender or bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Gen. 19:5; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.
(4) We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Faith Family Fellowship as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Faith Family Fellowship members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Faith Family Fellowship in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22).
(5) We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
(6) We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Faith Family Fellowship.
Marriage Policy:
(1) Because God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself, and that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman; therefore:
(2) Faith Family Fellowship will only recognize marriages between a biological man and a biological woman. Further, the pastors and staff of Faith Family Fellowship shall only participate in weddings and solemnize marriages between one man and one woman.
(3) Further, the facilities and property of Faith Family Fellowship shall only host weddings and/or receptions between one man and one woman.
Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23
(CC) Family Relationships
1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.
Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12
2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction.
Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7
(DD) Divorce and Remarriage.
We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery, except on the grounds of fornication (Greek: porneo).
Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons (remaining single) may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, “discretion must be used in the choice of divorced and remarried persons for leadership roles in the church. While all believers are equal members of the Body of Christ, not all members are qualified equally for every office in the church. The offices of elder (spiritual leader) and deacon (business leader) in the church are to be filled by those of high moral and spiritual qualifications, whose pattern of exemplary Christian living is so established that it may be followed.” (Quotation from an Instructional Statement by the Christian and Missionary Alliance on the issue of Divorce and Remarriage. The whole document may be found in Appendix A at the end of this Statement of Faith.)
Because of the prevalence of temptation to become emotionally attached to someone of the opposite sex, we encourage our church members to be careful of when and where they meet with other persons concerning church or other issues. Unless a third party is present, it is best to meet either in a public place, or in a room with open door to the public or reschedule the meeting for a more appropriate time and place.
For this same reason, it is also inappropriate for men to hug women or vice versa unless they are family. Many broken marriages have resulted over something as simple as a hug. A firm handshake is appropriate and sufficient as a physical greeting.
Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Cor. 7: 10-11, 39; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6
(EE) The Sanctity of Human Life
(1) Abortion. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother are acceptable.
Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
(2) Euthanasia. We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus, we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. Discontinuing or refusing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be a legitimate refusal of over-zealous treatment.
Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28
(3) Vaccines. As a Pro-Life church that believes in the sanctity of life—because God holds all life precious from conception to old age—Faith Family Fellowship is opposed to the use of cells derived from aborted fetuses in the research, creation, production, manufacture, and/or testing of any vaccine. Therefore, Faith Family Fellowship claims a religious and conscientious exemption concerning reception of any vaccine that utilizes cells derived from aborted fetuses in any part of its research, creation, production, manufacture, and/or testing. We also support the parental right to decline vaccines for these reasons; and we support the development of ethical versions that do not come from the bodies or any derivation of aborted children either in production or testing.
Ps. 139:13-17
(4) Religious Objection to Abortion, Euthanasia and Suicide
Faith Family Fellowship regularly protests in front of abortion clinics. Our reason for doing so is not motivated by any political or social/cultural ideologies. Our actions and verbal protestations are motivated by love for life, justice and righteousness as the Scriptures clearly delineate. God is not only the Creator, creating both man and woman in His image, but He is the Protector of life. Therefore, we oppose the taking of human life, be it in the womb before birth, or at any time after birth, including suicide and euthanasia. We view such actions as murder, prohibited by God in the sixth of the Ten Commandments.
Further, at no place in Scripture is suicide – either self-inflicted or assisted (euthanasia) – seen as a positive response to life issues. The Lord offers His grace to help us in times of distress and depression. The Christian faith is not based on what we see or feel at any moment in time, but on faith in a God Who is there for all who will call upon Him in time of need. Christ’s church, as His ambassadors, also ministers love and care for all who are suffering.
Gen. 2:7; 9:4-6; Ex. 20:13; Prov. 24:11-12; Zech. 7:9-10
(FF) Love.
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.
Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18
(GG) Lawsuits Between Believers.
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.
(HH) Missions.
We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us.
Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20
(II) Giving.
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to financially support his local church. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of his tithe or offering once the gift has been made.
Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17
Authority Of Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members of Faith Family Fellowship. All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith.
Information about membership and employee/volunteer responsibilities, as well as Faith Family Fellowship Covenant, is found in the full Statement of Faith and Bylaws document, which may be received upon request.