Our Beliefs

East Bay Baptist Church Statement Of Faith

The following statement of faith is a summary of the Christian doctrines whose origin and complete agreement are with the word of God. We hold to this statement of faith, not as a final edict, but truly as a summary of the final authority of the word of God.

THE BIBLE

We believe the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the plenary, inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of God. (II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:19-21; Rev. 22:18-19)

We believe the Bible is the very word of God and is to be the final authority on all matters of faith, and practice (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:1-3; Matt. 7:24; James 1:22-25).

We believe the Bible has been providentially preserved by God for all generations. (Isa. 59:21; Matt. 5:18; I Pet. 1:25).

The King James Version of the Bible is a faithful, literal, and accurate translation of the Hebrew Masoretic manuscripts and the Greek Received Text, and is thus the superior version for the English language. Modern versions such as the NIV, NASV, and ESV, and others derived from corrupt manuscripts, are inferior. (I Tim. 3:15; Jude 1:3).

The Authorized King Version of the Bible is the only English Bible translation that we will defend, study, and preach from.

We believe the Bible should be interpreted according to its normal, historical-grammatical meaning. (Isa. 28:9-10)

GOD

We believe that there is only one true and living God. He is the unchanging, eternal, self existing Spirit whose name is JEHOVAH.

We believe in one, triune God, who is the Creator, Sustainer, Sovereign, Savior, and Judge of all things. (Deut. 6:4; Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; Isa. 43:11; 44:24; I Tim. 2:3; I Tim. 4:10).

The one, true God is infinite in His wisdom, power, and being. He is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and eternal, having no beginning or end. (Psalm 139:7-12; 147:5; Luke 1:37; Rev. 1:8; Ex. 3:14; Tit. 1:2).The one, true God exists as three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. These three Persons of the Godhead are co-equal in essence, attributes, and eternality. (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; I John 5:7)

JESUS

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God; furthermore, He is co-equal in essence with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, all three comprising the three Persons of the trinity.

(Isa. 9:6; John 1:1-2, 14; John 5:18; 10:33; Phil. 2:6; Rev. 1:8, 17-18; 21:6; 22:13).

He is worthy of all praise, honor, glory, and obedience because He is God. He was preexisting before the incarnation. In order to complete the eternal plan of redemption, Jesus Christ willingly took on the form of flesh, and was born into this world to be the perfect and complete atonement for sin.

We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary.

(Matt. 1:20-23; Isa. 7:14).

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Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on Earth, was crucified, was buried, rose from the grave on the third day, ascended back to Heaven, and is presently alive and actively interceding on behalf of His sheep. (Phil. 2:8; Heb. 4:15; I Cor. 15:3-4; Matt. 28:5-6; Acts 1:9; 2:23-24, 30-33; Rev. 1:18; Rom. 8:27, 34; Heb. 7:25).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Judge of all mankind (John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17; Phil. 3:20; Tit. 2:13; John 5:22; Acts 10:42; II Tim. 1:10; 4:1)

We believe that there is no salvation apart from one’s personal faith in Jesus Christ and His work of redemption on Calvary. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Gal. 4:4-5; I Tim. 2:5)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead, who is co-equal with the Father and Son in essence, attributes, and eternality. (Matt. 28:19; I John 5:7)

The Holy Spirit’s primary works include reproving the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and indwelling, guiding, teaching, comforting, and sealing believers unto the day of redemption. (John 16:7-11, 13; 14:16, 26; Rom. 8:9; II Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30; I John 2:20, 27).

We believe that believers are commanded to be filled with the Spirit, and they are prohibited from quenching and grieving the Spirit. Unbelievers may resist the Spirit. (Eph. 4:30; 5:18; I Thess. 5:19; Acts 7:51).

The baptism of the Spirit is a work of the Holy Spirit whereby He places a believer into union with the body of Christ. This takes place at the moment of salvation, and is not accompanied by external evidences such as speaking in tongues or being “slain in the Spirit.” (I Cor. 12:13)

The Holy Spirit gives at least one special, spiritual gift to every believer for the purpose of edifying the church. (Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12-14; I Pet. 4:10-11)

The “sign gifts” of the apostolic age were for the purpose of validating the gospel of Jesus Christ to unbelieving Israel.These supernatural gifts were temporary in nature and are no longer operative in this present age. This does not preclude God’s ability to perform miracles if and when He so chooses. (Mark 16:20; Acts 2:4-11; I Cor. 1:21-23, 13:8-12; 14:22; Heb. 2:4)

SALVATION

We believe that Jesus is the only means of salvation given by God to men.

We believe that man is totally unable to save himself because of his sinful nature, and of his guilt of sin. We believe that all men deserve eternal punishment in hell because of his sin.

We believe that because of Jesus finished work on Calvary salvation is a free gift from God, who made it available to whosoever will ( John 3:16; Ro. 10: 13). Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

We believe that true genuine faith includes repentance. (Luke 24:47; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; Rom. 3:22; 5:1; 6:23; Acts 17:30; II Cor. 7:10; 26:18; Gal. 3:26).

We believe that salvation is not achieved by works or attained by religion or birth. (Rom. 4:5; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5). Salvation is attainable only on the basis of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His subsequent resurrection. (Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:25; 4:25; 5:9; II Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14, 20; I Pet. 1:3, 18-19; 2:24)

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The blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses from all sin was shed for all mankind. Although this atonement was intended for and is sufficient to save all people, only those who receive Christ by faith will be saved. (Acts 17:30; I John 2:2; Rom. 3:22; 5:18; I Tim. 2:4-6).

We believe that genuine salvation cannot be lost or forfeited; once a person receives Christ, his salvation is secure unto the day of redemption. (John 10:28; Eph. 4:30; Rom. 8:1, 38; I Pet. 1:3-5).

ETERNAL STATE

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13).

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; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6).

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).

SATAN

We believe that Satan is a person, 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; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10).

CREATION

We believe that all physical matter, mankind, living creatures, this earth and the entire universe were created by God in six literal, twenty- four hour time periods. God spoke this world as we know it, into existence. Everything was created by God, and belongs to God.

We believe that was God who created men, and not men himself.

We reject evolution, as a unscriptural theory (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11).

CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions:1) the home, 2) he church 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. (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).

MARRIAGE

We believe in marriage as it was originally instituted and ordained by God: one man and one woman for life. The marriage relationship is holy, blessed and sanctified by God, and is a beautiful picture of the relationship between Christ and His Church. Man has ruined the sanctity of marriage through fornication, adultery, and homosexuality. These are perversions that God specifically condemns. Divorce is not a God ordained provision for ending a marriage, but is permitted because of the hardness of mankind's heart. A husband and a wife that are sensitive and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit will never consider divorce as a solution. The Bible gives instruction to both the husband and the wife, and though their mutual obedience to God, the marriage can truly be heaven on earth. ( Ge. 2:24; Mal. 2:14-16; Mt. 19:8-10; Mk. 10:6-12; Ro. 1:26-12; 7:2; 1 Cor. 6:9-10, 16-17; 7: 2-4, 10-11; Eph. 5:28-31; 1 Ti. 5:14; 1 Pe. 3:1-7).

CHURCH

We believe that the church was founded and built by Jesus Christ, who is its living Head, and to whom belongs all preeminence. (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23-32; 2:20; Col. 1:18; I Pet. 2:6-7; I Cor. 10:4).

We believe the local church is the institution through which God is currently preserving, practicing, and proclaiming His Word.

We believe that the plan of God for this age is to evangelize the world through the establishment of New Testament local churches; that these churches are organized, localized, visible, assemblies of born–again, baptized believers who meet together for worship, preaching, prayer, fellowship, teaching, discipline and to actively engage in carrying out the Great Commission; (Matthew 22:21; 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–16; Acts 2:41–42; 4:18–20; 5:29; Romans 6:3–13; I Corinthians 5:5; 7; 11:23–29; Ephesians 1:22–23; 5:27; Colossians 1:12–14,18; 2:12–13; I Timothy 2:1–3; 3:15; II Timothy 1:13).

We believe that there are two church ordinances, set forth by the Lord Jesus Christ to be observed and practiced in the church: believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Table.(Matt. 3:13-17; 26;21-30; 28:18-20; Luke 22:19; Acts 2:41; 8:36-38; 9:18; 16:14-15, 31-33; Rom. 6:1-5; I Cor. 11:24-26; I Peter 3:21; I Cor. 11:17-34).

We believe that there are two church offices recognized in the New Testament: Pastor and Deacons.

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We believe the office of a pastor is synonymous with that of a bishop or elder. (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-11; I Pet. 5:2-4).

EVANGELISM

We believe that the world evangelism (missions) is the mandate from the Lord Jesus Christ to His church to make disciples of every nation; this is commonly called the Great Commission. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20).

We believe the Great Commission is the primary mission of the church. It involves preaching the gospel to every creature, baptizing those who receive Christ, and teaching those baptized believers to observe all of Christ’s commands. (Matt. 28:29-20).

We believe that each local church should be actively and aggressively striving to make disciples both locally and globally.

We believe that the church should be regularly sending out and supporting foreign missionaries, as well as encouraging personal evangelism at home. (Acts 13:2-3).

We believe that the chief objective of a missionary is to plant local, New Testament churches on his field, whether domestic or international.

THE RETURN OF CHRIST

We believe the Bible should be interpreted in its normal, literal, historical, grammatical context. We reject an allegorical approach to interpretation.

We believe the Second Coming of Christ will be in two phases: the Rapture and the Revelation. (I Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 19:11-21). The Rapture is when Jesus will come down from heaven for His church. The church will be snatched away in a moment, and will be taken to Heaven to stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Chronologically, this is the next event on God’s prophetic timetable. The time of the Rapture is imminent, as it may happen at any time without warning. (John 14:3; I Cor. 15:51-52; Phil. 3:20-21; I Thess. 4:13-18; 5:2, 9; II Pet. 3:10)

The Revelation is when Jesus will come down from heaven to the Mount of Olives and will establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth, its capital being the city of Jerusalem. (Zech. 14:1-4; Matt. 24:30-31; Acts 1:11; Rev. 19:11-16)

The two phases of Christ’s second coming will be separated by a duration of time, in which there will be a seven-year Tribulation period upon the earth.

We believe the time of tribulation will be an outpouring of God’s wrath upon all the unbelievers of the world.

We believe the church will not be present for this time of trouble. (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:24-27; 12:1-2; Matt. 24:3-22; Tit. 2:13; Rev. 3:10; ch. 3-19).

We believe that following the Millennial Kingdom on earth, there will be a Great White Throne Judgment, in which all of the unregenerate sinners of all time will be cast into the eternal Lake of Fire.The redeemed of all the ages will then enjoy eternity in Heaven. (Rev. 20:11-14).

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT

We believe that God’s ultimate standard for believers is that of holiness and Christlikeness. (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 5:1; I Pet. 1:15-16; I John 2:6).

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Living in a culture that is rapidly degenerating in morals and decency, standards in the home and in the church are an important part of maintaining purity and holiness. It is not legalism to require personal standards within an institution. Standards should not, however, be the basis of determining another person’s spirituality or standing with God.

We believe that standards should always be based on Biblical principles.

SEPARATION

We believe there are three Biblical aspects of separation for the church: ecclesiastical separation, personal separation, and the separation of church and state.

Ecclesiastical separation means that Bible-believing churches should not jointly cooperate with apostate churches, false teachers, or adherents of false doctrine. This would include ecumenism. (Rom. 16:17; II Thess. 3:14-15; II Tim. 3:1-5; II John 1:9-11).

Personal separation means that born-again believers should not conform to the sinful lifestyles and trends of this world. This would include such aspects of lifestyle such as appearance, entertainment, and associations. (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; I Cor. 6:19-20; II Cor. 6:14-7:1; I John 2:15-17).

Separation of church and state means that neither the church nor the civil government should overstep the bounds of their respective authority. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. This does not preclude the spiritual influence of the church upon its community. (Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-3; 14:5-12; Acts 5:29).