We believe in the plenary verbal inspiration of the Old and New Testaments as originally written by holy men moved upon by the Holy Ghost and uphold them as the supreme and final authority in faith and practice.
In order to prevent confusion and promote unity, we will use only the 1611 King James Translation of the Bible from the pulpit, in Sunday School, and in any other meetings or ministries associated with this Church. (2nd Timothy 3:16-17; 2nd Peter 1:21; Psalms 138:2)
We believe that God consists of the Father, the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. These three are one and equal in every divine perfection. (1st John 5:7; John 1:1)
The Father is externally existent possessing the attributes of immutability, omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. In love, He exercises providential care over the sons of man and Fatherly care over the children of God. (Matthew 19:26; Psalms 139:1-6; Matthew 10:29-31)
The Son is externally existent as God, existing from all eternity and for all eternity, coequal with the Father and the Spirit. He was incarnated by means of the virgin birth. His death on the cross is the substitutionary atonement for sin. He presently ministers as intercessor in Heaven and in the future, He will personally return to earth. (Hebrews 1:8; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:25; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34; Acts 1:11; 1st Thessalonians 4:16; Colossians 2:9; 1st John 5:20)
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with the Father and the Son and of the same nature. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgement, and bears witness to the truth. He is the agent of the New Birth and He indwells and seals every true child of God. (1st John 5:7; John 16:8, 13; John 14:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9)
We believe and accept the Genesis account of creation as literal and not allegorical or figurative and not by any process of evolution but by instant actions. (Genesis 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3)
We believe man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless state. As a consequence, all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; and therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse. (Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 5:10-19; Romans 1:18-20 & 32)
We believe that God the Son became flesh when the Holy Spirit came upon an actual virgin named Mary; causing her to miraculously conceive a son whose name is Jesus. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35)
We believe that salvation is solely by grace through faith in the blood sacrifice, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. All who repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior become the children of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-13; Titus 3:5-7)
We believe that all who take Christ as Savior are born from above and are eternally secure in Christ, being kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ, having been sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. This security is not to be construed as a license to sin, for those truly born of God cannot and will not continue to practice sin, but will be chastened and corrected by God in love. (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Philippians 1:6; 1st Peter 1:5; Ephesians 4:30; 1st John 3:6-10; Hebrews 12:5-11)
We believe the Devil is an actual being, not an imaginary influence. He once enjoyed high heavenly honors but, through pride and self-will, he attempted to overthrow the Almighty, bringing down upon his head the judgement of God. He operates today as the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air. He is the father of all lies and the most relentless accuser of the saints. He shall one day be incarnated in the person of the anti-christ and in that role, will finally meet Christ in the battle of Armageddon. He shall eventually be cast into the Lake of Fire which has been prepared for him and his angels. (2nd Thessalonians 2:7-10; John 8:44; Revelation 12:10; 13:1-8; 20:10)
We believe the New Testament local Church is to be composed of regenerated baptized believers, voluntarily united together for the purpose of worship, edification, fellowship, spiritual growth, and service; having been commissioned by Christ to spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth under the power of the Holy Spirit. It answers to Christ only in all matters of membership, policy, government and benevolence. Therefore, Community Independent Baptist Church (CIBC) will not hold membership in any association, denomination of fellowship of Churches. (1st Corinthians 1:2; Acts 2:41-47; Ephesians 1:21-22; Colossians 1:18)
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ gave His Church only two ordinances to be observed till he comes again; Baptism and The Lord's Supper. While these works are commanded by God, they are not to be observed as conditions of Salvation. The only condition for Salvation being repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:5; Acts 20:21)
Baptism - We believe those who profess saving faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord should be baptized according to the example of righteousness set by Jesus Himself. In doing this, the believer identifies himself with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, openly proclaiming the sinful flesh is crucified and buried, and the believer is raised to a new life, having put on Christ. Because immersion is the only mode of baptism which symbolizes death, burial and resurrection, this church will use no other mode. (Matthew 3:13-16; 28:19; Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:27)
The Lord's Supper - We believe the Lord's Supper was left to us as an ordinance by the Lord Himself for a memorial of His death until He comes again. It should not be taken inadvisably, but with the examination of one's life. He that eats and drinks unworthily brings upon himself the judgement of God. (Matthew
26:26-29; Mark 14:22-24; 1st Corinthians 11:23-32)
We believe in the bodily, personal, literal, premillennial, pretribulational return of Jesus Christ. He will come first in the air for His saints. Together they will be taken out of this world so the wrath of God may be accomplished. After the wrath of God is poured out, He will come with the saints to judge the living nations and set up His Kingdom on earth. (1st Thessalonians 4:14-17; 5:9; Matthew 24:27-44; Revelation 6:17; 19:11-21)
We believe the bodies of all the dead will be resurrected unto one of two types of resurrection. (Daniel 12:2)
Resurrection to Everlasting Life - All believers who sleep in Christ will be raised at His coming for His Church and be caught up with transformed living saints to meet the Lord in the air. (1st Thessalonians 4:14-17; 1st Corinthians 15:51-52)
Resurrection to Everlasting Contempt - The wicked, unbelieving dead will be raised at the close of the millennial Kingdom and stand in their bodies at the Great White Throne Judgement to receive their final doom. (Revelation 20:11-15)
We believe civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience. (Romans 13:1-7; Acts 4:19-20; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 22:21)
