BELIEFS

We believe that God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are all coequal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-5; John 4:24; John 14:9; John 14:16-20; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 11:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and God’s one and only son. He was born fully human and fully divine and lived a sinless life. He offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He physically resurrected from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven and will return to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; Matthew 21:11; Matthew 26:50-54; Luke 1:29-38; Luke 24:1-8; John 1:1-5;  John 1:14; John 3:16; John 8:58; John 14:1-11; John 19:19; John 20:24-29; Acts 1:1-11; Acts 10:39-43; Romans 1:3-4; Romans 5:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Philippians 2:5-7; Colossians 2:9; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 4:9. 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son as a part of the triune God. He is present within the world and works to make all people aware of their sin and need for salvation. He indwells every Christian in order to guide them in doing what is right, give understanding of spiritual truth, and guarantee salvation.

John 14:16-17; John 16:13-15; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 5:5; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:14.

We believe that people are made in the image of God. All people are born with a sin nature, meaning that despite our potential for good, we are affected by the fall of humanity and we willfully sin against God. Our sin separates us from God.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23.

We believe that salvation is a free gift from God provided by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We cannot close the separation caused by sin between us and God by any means of our own, it is only through the sacrifice of Jesus. Salvation is available to everyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The New Testament pattern for following and receiving Jesus as Savior is to:

1. 1. Believe in Jesus as God’s Son and as the Savior of the World
   2. Repent of Your Personal Sin
   3. Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
   4. Be Immersed in Baptism
   5. Live a Life Committed to His Service

Isaiah 53:3-6; Matthew 10:32; Matthew 26:28; Luke 24:45-47; John 1:12; John 3:16-17; John 14:6; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; Romans 5:1-9; Romans 6:1-7; Romans 6:12-13; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:11; Colossians 1:13-14; Colossians 2:6-15; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:18-21; 1 Peter 3:20-22; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 4:15.

We believe that everyone will either exist eternally separated from God because of sin or exist eternally in union with God because of forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with God is heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.

Matthew 25:46; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; 1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Jude 20-21; Revelation 20:15.

We believe there will be a literal return of Christ and a judgment day. On this day, Jesus himself will judge each person. Although the questions of “How?” and “When?” have been a source of great debate, we believe the details are in God’s hands. This is not a salvation issue, nor should it cause dissention within the church.

Matthew 24:36-44; John 5:21-30; John 16:8; 2 Corinthians 5:10. 

We believe the church is the body of Christ on Earth. The church exists to communicate the good news of new life in Jesus Christ to the world, to teach His followers to obey His teachings, and to equip His followers for ministry. More simply put, the church exists to make disciples. The church consists of those who have placed their faith in Christ. At a certain time each week (traditionally on Sundays), the church gathers together as one body to lift up the name of Jesus. As a non-denominational church, FCC Byrdstown believes that the local church should be governed under the supervision of local elders and deacons; men who are appointed according to their scriptural eligibility.

Matthew 16:13-18; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:2-6; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Peter 5:1-4. 

We believe that communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, is a memorial of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. The juice represents his blood that was shed. The bread represents his broken body. Taking communion is a sacred act and should be done only by those who have a biblical relationship with Jesus. We partake in communion together, as a church, every week during our worship service.

Matthew 26:26-28; John 6:53-58; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 10:21; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32.

We believe that each believer should give a generous, intentional, regular, and proportional gift of their income to God, through the local church. This gift is an offering to God and to his ministry. Scripture gives us the tithe (10%) as a beginning point for a believer. Everything beyond 10% is an “Offering of Gratitude.”

Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:7-12; Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 16:2-3; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

We believe that marriage was established by God and is the exclusive union between one biological man and one biological woman. Sexual intimacy is to occur only within that union. This union is a lifetime commitment.

Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:22; Jeremiah 29:6; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Ephesians 5:21-33. 

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Life is created, sustained, and most-highly valued by God from life in the womb through our life on earth, to our life in eternity.

Job 31:14-15; Psalm 22:10; Psalm 127:3; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Acts 17:24-28.