Immanuel Bible Church’s Articles of Faith

God exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God created a perfect world. He created mankind in His image to have fellowship with Him and to rule over the Earth. Tempted by Satan, mankind chose to disobey God, bringing death, enslavement to sin, and the loss of his personal relationship with the Creator. Mankind is incapable of restoring his relationship with God. God graciously provides salvation through Jesus’ sinless life, death, burial, and resurrection. Because of Jesus’ accomplishment, a Believer’s sin is forgiven, God’s wrath is satisfied, and the relationship with God is restored.  God promises the Believer eternal life with Him.

1.     The Bible

The Bible, the 66 books of the Christian Canon, in their original writings, is God’s Holy Word. The Bible is God’s inerrant revelation of Himself to man, written by divinely inspired men (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21). God is its author; therefore, the Bible is the infallible standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried (Titus 2:11–12; 1 Pet 4:11). The Bible is the only infallible rule of faith and constitutes the plenary Word of God in written form (2 Pet 1:19). The Bible is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation (Luke 24:27; John 5:39). Believers are to obediently live according to the Bible, receiving its blessings and submitting to its direction. The Bible is the ultimate standard and authority for the church (1 Thess 4:1; 2 Tim 3:16; Jas 1:22–25).

2.     God

There is one true sovereign God revealed in the Bible. He is eternally existing, the Creator, Sustainer, Supreme Ruler and Judge of all things. God is Holy and glorious, existing in three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deut 6:4; Ps 90:2; Matt 28:19). The three persons of the Godhead are equal in their divinity and attributes and execute distinct functions (John 1:1–4, 10:30, 17:5,10; Phil 2:5–6). God is a communicative and communal being, freely and graciously disclosing Himself to His children (1 Cor 2:10–11; 2 Cor 13:14). God alone is worthy of all glory, praise, and honor (Exod 15:11; Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8–11).

A.   God the Father

God the Father is the first Person of the Godhead. God providentially cares for His universe and the stream of human history according to His gracious purposes. He mercifully concerns Himself in the affairs of mankind; through Jesus Christ saves those of the faith from sin and death; and as a loving Father, He adopts them, applying salvation through the Holy Spirit (John 3:16–17; Eph 2:4–5; Rev 3:20).           

B.    God the Son

Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second Person of the Godhead (Col 2:9). Jesus is uniquely fully God and fully Man, with two distinct natures in one Person. He is eternally-existent, but at God’s appointed time was conceived by the Holy Spirit and became incarnate, born of the virgin Mary (Matt 1:20). He lived a perfectly sinless life as the Author and Finisher of faith (Heb 4:15). Jesus died on a cross according to the Scriptures as the substitutionary atonement for all who would repent and believe (Mark 1:14–15; 2 Cor 5:21). His voluntary death provided the only payment for sin which meets the demands of divine justice (1 Pet 1:18–19; Heb 10:4,12; 1 John 2:2). Jesus was buried and arose bodily from the dead according to the Scriptures (Luke 24:39; 1 Cor 15:3 – 4). He secures resurrection for all Believers (Rom 6:3–11). After Jesus ascended to Heaven, the Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit to Earth to seal and indwell those of the faith (Eph 1: 13–14). Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father where He now intercedes and advocates for Believers (Rom 8:34). Jesus will, at an undisclosed yet imminent time, return bodily to rapture the church. Ultimately, He will return to Earth as its triumphant King to dwell amongst His people. (Matt 16:27, 24:50, 26:64; 1 Thess 4:13–17)

C.    God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit applies the work of God the Son to those God the Father chooses to save (Acts 2:1–4; Rom 8:14–17, 26; 1 Cor 6:19). The Holy Spirit draws people to faith in Christ, making them alive unto salvation, baptizes them into the Body of Christ, and seals and indwells them (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13–14, 2:20–22, 5:18). The Holy Spirit bears witness assuring Believers of the truthfulness of God’s works and Word (John 15:26, 16:7–15; Rom 8:15–17). As the agent who inspired human authors to write the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Spirit now teaches, guides, and fills the church, equipping the saints to serve Christ according to His Word (John 14:16–17, 26; 1 Cor 2:10–14, 16). The Holy Spirit enables Believers to exercise faith, to understand the Bible, and to live godly lives. The Holy Spirit manifests His presence in the church through spiritual fruit and gifts for the service of the Kingdom. (Acts 1:8, 13:2–4; 1 Cor 12:1–31, 14:1–25; Gal 5:22–23)

3.     Creation

In the beginning, God created the heavens and Earth by speaking them into existence out of nothing. He made everything, visible and invisible, in six successive 24-hour days and pronounced His creation “good” (Gen 1–2; Exod 20:11; John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 11:3). God created people–male and female–in His own image and likeness (Gen 1:26) to glorify Him, to enjoy His fellowship, and to exercise dominion over creation (Gen 1:28; Matt 5:16; 1 Cor 1:9; Rev 4:11). Men and women are of equal worth before God, they enjoy equal access to Him through faith in Christ Jesus, and both have complementary roles and responsibilities (Gal 3:28–29; 1 Cor 11:3, 8–9).

God instituted marriage, a commitment of one man and one woman to be united until death (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:6). The purpose of marriage is to demonstrate the union between Christ and His church, to provide a framework for intimate companionship, and the means of procreation. All human life has sanctity from conception and has eternal significance. (Ps 139:13–16; 1 Cor 11:3, 8–9; Eph 2:10, 5:22–33; 1 Tim 2:12)  

4.     Satan/Devil

Satan, also known as the Devil, is an enemy of God, having rebelled against God’s rule in Heaven (Isa 14:12–14; Matt 4:1–11; Rev 20:2). Satan tempted mankind to sin (Gen 3:1–15). Satan, along with other demonic forces, exercises a form of control over lost humanity and Earth (Eph 6:12). Jesus, by His death and resurrection, prevailed over Satan and provides the means for Believers to be rescued from the kingdom of darkness (Rom 16:20). Satan’s time is short, and he is eternally destined to the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:10).

5.     Fallenness of Man

Adam and Eve were the creation of God, made in His image and likeness, without sin (Gen 1:26–27). With one act of disobedience, Adam transgressed the command of God, fell from original innocence, suffering humanity to inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin (Gen 6:5, 8:21; Rom 3:10–12). This disobedience resulted in the loss of unhindered fellowship with God, and in the penalty of spiritual and physical death (Gen 2:16–17, 3:6–24; Rom 6:23, 8:7–8). This fallen state has been passed on to the entire human race, and therefore, every descendant of Adam is born with a sinful nature, alienated from God and under His wrath (Ps 51:5; Rom 5:12,19; 1 Cor 15:22). With no ability or power to repair the broken relationship with God, only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill his purpose (Luke 18:26–27). Man’s salvation is wholly of God’s grace and mercy through the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Isa 53:6, 64:6; Eph 2:1–9).

6.     Salvation Accomplished

Jesus Christ accomplished salvation for all who believe by His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus triumphed over sin and death, securing reconciliation between God and believing humanity. The sufficiency of Christ’s work alone secures the Believer’s salvation forever (Rom 6:23, 10:9; Eph 1:13–14).

A.    The Incarnation

God the Son became human, being conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Fully God and fully man, Jesus is uniquely qualified as humanity’s kinsman redeemer and the sole means of reconciliation between God and man. Jesus lived a sinless life on Earth under the Law and died, the author and finisher of faith. (Matt 1:18–25; Luke 1:34–35; John 1:14; Heb 2:17–18; 12:2; 1 Pet 1:18–19, 2:22)

B.    Atonement / Redemption

Jesus Christ secured salvation by voluntarily shedding His blood and dying on a cross as substitutionary atonement, being buried, and rising from the dead on the third day (John 10:15; 1 Pet 2:24; Luke 24:6–7). By raising Jesus, God the Father demonstrated His satisfaction with Jesus’ righteous life, atoning work, and declared Him the Son of God. Jesus gave proof of His resurrection to His disciples and ascended to Heaven having accomplished salvation. (Rom 1:4, 3:24–25, 5:8, 6:5–10, 23; 1 Cor 15:3–4, 20; 2 Cor 5:21)

7.     Salvation Applied

God applies salvation to the Believer. Salvation is by grace through faith. It is neither applied nor maintained on the basis of human works or merit. God affords Believers forgiveness and righteousness solely on Christ’s redemptive work. (Acts 16:31; Rom 6:23; Gal 2:20–21; Eph 2:8–10; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:18–19)

Justification

Those whom God effectually calls, He also freely justifies (Eph 1:4; Rom 8:28–30). As an act of sovereign grace, God declares Believers not guilty and imputes to them His righteousness (Rom 3:21–26).

Sanctification

At the moment of salvation, Believers receive the Holy Spirit and are set apart by God as holy (Eph 1:13–14). The Holy Spirit progressively transforms Believers into the likeness of Christ (Rom 8:29; Gal 5:16–24; Heb 10:14).

Glorification

From the moment of salvation until the unveiling of Christ’s likeness in death, saints are changed from glory into glory (2 Cor 3:16–18). Believers will be raised with imperishable, glorified bodies and spend eternity with God (1 Thess 4:13–18, 5:23; Phil 3:21; 1 Cor 15:42–49).

Regeneration

Regeneration is an act of God in which He imparts new spiritual life to the Believer. Saints are born from above by the washing and renewing of the Holy Spirit (John 3:1–7; Titus 3:5). Believers are new creations, made alive in Christ Jesus with a new heart and a new spirit; they are indwelled by the Holy Spirit and begin eternal fellowship with God (Ezek 36:26; 2 Cor 5:17; Heb 8:10). Regeneration is evidenced in the life of the Believer by new character and conduct (Gal 5:16–26; 1 John 2:3–6).

Repentance / Faith

Those who God regenerates recognize their need for salvation, causing them to repent and express faith in Christ (Eph 2:4–6).

Union with Christ

At salvation, Believers are united with Christ. The old nature dies with Christ and is buried with Him. Believers are resurrected in Christ to new life and seated with Him at the right hand of the Father. Every spiritual blessing is given to those in Christ Jesus. (Rom 6; Gal 2:20; Eph 1–2)

Eternal Security

God secures eternal life for Believers and seals them with the Holy Spirit; therefore, nothing can prevent them from spending eternity with Him (John 10:27–30; Rom 8:38–39; Eph 1:13–14).

8.     The Church

Jesus is the head of His church (Eph 4:15, 5:23). The church is the body of Christ, the community of all Believers (Col 1:24). At salvation, Believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the church (1 Cor 12:12–13). Jesus’ church is comprised of Believers covenanted together in local congregations for public worship, edification, service, proclaiming the Gospel, and making disciples (Matt 28:19–20; Acts 1:8, 2:42).

There are two ordinances for the church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

• Baptism provides the church a public testimony of a Believer having identified with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 8:36–39; Rom 6:3–5). The New Testament mode of baptism is by immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• The Lord’s Supper is a memorial which proclaims the death of Christ until He returns (Luke 22:14–20; I Cor 11:23–26).

9.     Jesus Will Return to Earth

Jesus’ return is certain, though timing and many details remain a mystery. Biblical prophecies include:

• Jesus will come to take up His church to be with Him forever (John 14:3; 1 Cor 15:50–53; 1 Thess 4:13–18).
• There will be a time of tribulation on Earth that has never been seen before (Matt 24:21; John 16:33).
• Prophecies for the nation of Israel will be fulfilled and Jews believing in Jesus will lead in worldwide evangelism (Isa 6:9–10; 2 Cor 3:14–16; Rev 7:4, 9; Zech 8:23).
• The marriage of the Lamb and His bride will celebrate the eternal union of Believers with Jesus (Rev 19:7–9).
• Jesus will return bodily to Earth and be victorious in a great war with the Beast, the False Prophet, rebellious Mankind, and Satan. Satan will be imprisoned for 1,000 years (Luke 21:27; Acts 1:11; Rev 16:13–16, 17:14, 19:19–21, 20:1–3).
• Jesus will reign as King over all nations for 1,000 years in a time of righteousness and peace (Dan 7:13–14; Isa 11:5–9, 32:15–18; Mal 4:1–3; Matt 25:32–34; Rev 19:11–16, 20:4, 6).
• After Satan is released from his imprisonment, Jesus will defeat him in a final war and cast him into the Lake of Fire for eternity (Rev 20:7–10).
• On the Great White Throne, God will judge those whose names are not found in the Book of Life and they will be tormented in the Lake of Fire for eternity (Matt 25:46, John 5:29; 1 Cor 15:24–28; Rev 20:11–15).
• God will create a new Heaven and Earth with a new Jerusalem. God will dwell with Believers for eternity (John 14:2–3; Rev 21:1–3, 22:1–5).