Doctrinal Statement of Faith
The Scriptures
We believe the Bible to be complete, final, and the only revealed infallible Word of God. It is our supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We affirm our belief in the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Scriptures and in the providential preservation of God’s Word. We believe that the authorized King James Version is God’s preserved Word in the English language. (II Timothy 3:16, 17:2; II Peter 1:19-21)
God
We believe in the triune God, and that the scriptures reveal One and only One living and true God, infinite and intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven, Earth, and the entire Universe, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One in substance, essence, and power through executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Mark 1:10, 11; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29)
Man
We believe that God originally created man in his own image and free from sin, but through the temptation of Satan, man transgressed the command of God and fell from the original holiness and righteousness; wherby his posterity inherit a corrupt nature, and as soon as they reach moral responsibility, become actual transgressers. We believe that in the fall of man incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God. (Genesis 1:26, 2:17, Psalms 51:5; Romans 3:10-23, 5:12)
Satan
We recognize the reality and personality of Satan as recorded in the scriptures. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 12:28-12-19; Revelation 12:7-10)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is solely by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died a substitutionary death, was buried and resurrected bodily on the third day. We are fully justified before God on the basis of the blood shed on Calvary and are born of the Spirit the moment we recieve the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour of our lives. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; John 3:3, 7, 16-18)
Assurance
We believe in the eternal security of the believer. (John 10:27-29; I Peter 1:5; II Timothy 1:12)
Eternity
We believe that Heaven is a literal place where those who have been born again will dwell with God in eternal blessedness. We believe that Hell is a literal place where those who reject Christ as Saviour will dwell in eternal punishment. (Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21)
Church
We believe in the visible local church which is a body of regenerated individuals, voluntarily united together for the purpose of worship, fellowship, and proclamation of the scriptures. We believe that to the church was committed two ordinances: the baptism of believers by immersion and the Lord’s supper. We believe in the priesthood of all believers and that each believer is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith. We believe that the church is autonomous and must be free from any interference by any political or ecclesiastical authority. The state must be kept separate from the church as to the respective duties and functions of each. We hold to the solemn obligation to majority rule within the church, with equal rights to all and special privilege to none.
Fundamentalism
We adhere to a traditionally orthodox and literal interpretation of the scriptures. We adhere to the fundamentals of the faith yet refuse to be associated with any “movement” which declares itself to have special extra-biblical revelations. Christ must receive the preeminence in our lives, not gifts of the Spirit, or even the Holy Spirit himself. John 16:12-15; I Corinthians 13:8)
Christian Living
We believe that every saved person should be progressively manifesting the life of Christ as they continue to grow in the grace of our Lord. We believe in a separated life for all believers as set forth in (II Corinthians 5:17; 6:14; 7:1), including separation from worldly alliances, societies, “entertainments”, and activities that would in any way bring reproach to our own personal testimony or to the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Jireh Independent Baptist Church 