about us | statement of faith

Berean’s Statement of Faith                                   

THE WORD OF GOD- We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Psalm 119:89; Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11; II Timothy 2:15, 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:21.

THE TRINITY - We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. Genesis 1:1, 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16, 28:19; John 5:18; Acts 5:3,4; Romans 1:20; Philippians 2:6.

GOD THE FATHER- We believe in God the Father, the creator of heaven and earth, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and eternal death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9-13; John 3:16, 4:24, 5:26, 17:11,25; Romans 8:33.

JESUS CHRIST- We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:34,35; John 1:1, 3:16, 11:25; Acts 1:3,9, 16:31; I Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5; Revelation 1:7.

THE HOLY SPIRIT- We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. John 14:17, 16:8; Acts 5:1-4; Romans 8:1-17, 15:16; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Titus 3:5; I John 2:27.

MAN- We believe that all people are created by God in His image, to glorify Him forever. Because the first couple, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God's command when tested, they and all people since are alienated from God and are sinners by nature and by choice. Because God is holy and cannot tolerate sin, all people are under condemnation and unable to save themselves. Genesis 1:26; Psalm 50:15; Matthew 5:16; Romans 3:23,15:6; Revelation 4:11.

SALVATION- We believe that Jesus Christ was crucified to bear the condemnation of all people, and that nothing prevents anyone's salvation except his rejection of Jesus Christ as his sin-bearer. Those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are freed from condemnation and given eternal life. John 1:12, 3:8, 6:40, 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24; II Peter 3:9.

THE CHURCH - We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body composed of all regenerated believers of whatever race or nation. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. Matthew 28:17-20; Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 12:12-31.

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT- We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well being of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others, the full stature of maturity in Christ. I Corinthians 2:14-3:3; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 5:1-33.

THE ORDINANCES - We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Triune God. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ to commemorate His substitutionary and atoning death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 8:26-40; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:17-34.

THE LAST THINGS - We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal joy of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:11-15.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY- We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; and therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.

CHURCH COOPERATION - We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. The church may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary independent basis.