Doctrinal Affirmation Form| Doctrinal Affirmation Form |
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Christ’s Bible Fellowship CBF Teaching Ministries Doctrinal Affirmation CBF DOCTRINAL AFFIRMATION FORM
“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:16
In accord with God’s primary purposes for His Church, Christ’s Bible Fellowship exists to promote the biblical proclamation of the truth of God’s infallible, inspired Word, the Bible (Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Peter 1:19-21, Revelation 22:18-19). It is of highest importance therefore that consistency of teaching be maintained throughout the various ministries of CBF. One of the main purposes of official membership at CBF is to insure this biblical integrity for the membership, their children and their guests. However, since CBF doesn’t demand official membership to be involved in Christian service at our church, the ministry board of elders and deacons requires doctrinal affirmation by all of those working in any teaching or assisting capacity at CBF.
The purpose of this doctrinal affirmation is to secure the assurance of non-members that they will not in any way, public or private, contradict or conflict with the doctrinal positions of Christ’s Bible Fellowship’s Constitution. Therefore we require non-members desiring to participate in some teaching or leadership capacity to prayerfully review the Bible doctrine portion of the CBF Constitution (see back). After reviewing the above-mentioned doctrinal positions, we ask that the applicant sign the affirmation below and abide by this agreement for the term of the teaching capacity involved in or until official CBF Church Membership application is sought. Thank you for helping our church family maintain consistency of teaching and spiritual growth through your gracious cooperation in this matter.
I have read and agree to respect the Christ’s Bible Fellowship doctrinal positions whenever teaching or helping in the ministries of CBF. Should I change my mind about the previous statement I will graciously inform the leadership of my inability to uphold this agreement and immediately tender my resignation from teaching and leadership positions at CBF. I understand that this action officially terminates this agreement.
Printed Name: ________________________________________ Date: _________________
Signature: ___________________________________________
Ministry position(s) of involvement:
THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE: 1. ABOUT GOD God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Gen.1:1,26,27;3:22; Deut.6:4; Ps. 90:2; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor.13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2.
2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humanity by voluntarily dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death and to show God’s total satisfaction with His atoning sacrifice. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer at least one spiritual gift at salvation. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. 2 Cor. 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 2:12, 3:16; Eph.1:13; Gal. 5:25; Eph. 5:18. When we disobey we grieve and quench Him (Ephesians 4:30 & 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
4. ABOUT THE BIBLE The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is inerrant and completely infallible. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160,12:6; Proverbs 30:5 It is the key to spiritual growth (Acts 20:32).
5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS People were made in the image of God without His divine attributes. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are depraved-- spiritually DOA (Ephesians 2:1-3). This depravity is manifested in an inner attitude of rebellion toward God and righteousness that is called “sin.” This sin nature separates people from God, causes great problems in this life, and eliminates us from entry into heaven when we die. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
6. ABOUT SALVATION Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Salvation is so awesome that we can never earn it in any way. Only by trusting the Person of Jesus Christ as God’s only way of forgiveness will someone be saved from sin’s eternal death penalty. When the Father ‘calls’ us to His Son (John 6:37,41; Romans 9:24), He gives us faith to believe the gospel (Ephesians 2:8-9), and repentance (2 Timothy 2:25-26) to turn from our sinful, self-centered life to Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9-13). When one does this, it brings to pass the new birth– bringing alive of one’s dead, dormant spirit (John 3:3-7) which God predestined to happen in eternity past (Ephesians 1:4, Acts 13:48). Everlasting life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith in His finished work at the cross for believers. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1, etc.
7. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY Because God chose (elected) believers in eternity past (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Titus 1:1, 1 Peter 1:2, etc.) it is sensible to believe that He would only chose those to be saved who He also intended to keep (John 17:12, 1 Peter 1:3-5). Why would God save anyone He knew would again be lost?! And how could the Sovereign God Who is omnipotent select someone to be saved and then not be able to keep them securely in Christ?! Both hypothetical questions are as absurd as the theory that a truly saved person can lose their salvation and perish.
Undoubtedly there are false professions of faith (2 Cor. 13:5, 2 Pet. 1:9-10). However if a person is genuinely born again they cannot be un-born again. Valid professions of faith are evidenced in a new life (2 Cor. 5:17) that loves God, the Bible, other believers and righteous living. If the believer goes astray, he/she loses fellowship, privileges of blessing, public testimony, ministry opportunity, future rewards and perhaps their physical life, but not salvation (1 Cor. 3 & 5) in the Lord Jesus Christ. When disobedient, the true believer may be assured of the Father’s chastisement (Heb. 12:5-13, etc.). Since God only chastens His own, even that is evidence of persevering salvation. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot lose it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. Having this eternal security is essential to spiritual growth in the Christian life (1 John 4:17-19). Also see: John 10:29, 29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14.
8. ABOUT ETERNITY People possess souls that are created to exist forever (Daniel 12:2, John 5:29, Rev. 14:10-11). We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin in the
9. ABOUT THINGS TO COME The Bible reveals that God has a sovereign plan for history. We believe that, like the rest of the Bible, the prophetic scriptures should be interpreted literally unless there is obvious sanction to do otherwise (2 Pet. 1:20-21, Rev. 22:18-19). ‘Unless the literal sense is clearly non-sense then seek no other sense’ is a good, safe approach to Bible interpretation. The following is a probable scenario of eschatology (last things): at any time the Lord Jesus will return to evacuate Christians from earth; seven years later He will return to earth and set up His 1000 year earthly kingdom. After that, He will create a new heaven and earth where perfect righteousness will rule. John 14:1-6; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 20:1-20, etc.
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