1. About GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has
eternally exists in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Scripture reference: Genesis 1:1,26-27, 3:22; Psalm
90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Romans 15:30; 1
Corinthians 12:4-6; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20;
Colossians 1:15-16; Psalm 19:1-6
2. About JESUS CHRIST
That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been
conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ is the
Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless life; He died
on the cross, as a perfect sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures.
Further, He arose bodily from the dead 3 days after the crucifixion, ascended
into heaven 40 days after the resurrection, where, at the right hand of the
Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. He will return again
someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord or Lord's.
Scripture reference: Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John
1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 14-20; Romans 1:3-4;
Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6;
2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 2:14-17; Isaiah 53:4-6; 2 Corinthians
5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 1:17-18; Revelation 20:10
3. About the HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co - equal with the Father and Jesus
Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He
intercedes on our behalf. He provides the Christian with power for living, and
guidance in doing what is right. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify
the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict men, regenerate the
believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for
godly living and service. He gives every believer at least one spiritual gift
when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13;
14:16-17; 15:26-27; Acts 1:8, 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 12:13; Ephesians
1:13, 3:4-5, 5:18; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 8:12-14,26-27; II Peter 1:20-21
4. About the BIBLE
The Bible is God's word, both Old and New Testaments, to us
without error in the original writings. Scripture is the complete revelation of
His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final authority for
Christian faith and life. It was written by human authors, under the
supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is
the truth without any mixture of error.
Scripture reference: II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20,21;
II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6;Proverbs 30:5; Ephesians 3:2-5;
Matthew 19:3-6; I Peter 1:19-21
5. About HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like
Him in character. People are the supreme object of Gods creation. Although every
person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are corrupt by an attitude
of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God
and causes many problems in life.
Scripture reference: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah
53, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23
6. About SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must receive it.
We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by
trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from
sin's penalty. We must turn from our self-ruled life to Jesus in faith in order
to be saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his
life by faith. Our salvation is not earned it is received by total surrender and
acceptance of this fact. Jesus Christ said, "I am the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE
and not man comes to the Father but through me."
Scripture reference: Romans 6:23 Ephesians 2:8-9; John
14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 5:1; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-4;
Colossians 2:9-15; Romans 10:9-10
7. About ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist
eternally separated from God by sin, or exist eternally with God through
forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be
eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real
places of eternal existence.
Scripture reference: John 3:16; 2:25; 5:11-13; 14:17;
Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; 2:44; John 10:29; 2 Timothy
1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; I Corinthians 2:7-9
What We Practice
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into
actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the
following seven practices:
Bible as our sole
authority-"The whole
Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is
true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and
helps us do what is right." 2 Timothy 3:15-16
Since God's Word is the only completely reliable and
truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first
question when faced with a decision is, "What does the Bible say?" The Bible is
the basis for all we believe. We practice daily getting into the Word for
direction in our lives.
Priesthood (Ministry)
of every believer-"Christ
loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom
of priests to serve God ... " Rev. 1:6 and "You are ... the King's priests ...
God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God." 1 Pet. 2:9
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to "full
time" Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the
truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a
place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through
prayer and Bible reading.
Autonomy of each local
church-"Christ is the
head of his Body, the church. He is the source of the Body's life ..." Col. 1:18
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any
person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of
associating or cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every
local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational
control.
Immersion-"For
when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were
also raised with Christ ... " Col. 2:12
We practice baptism by immersion under water - the way the
Apostles baptized, the way the New Covenant Scriptires reveal, and according to
the meaning of the greek word "baptidzo."
Telling others about
Christ-"Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the
hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the
Good News with those whom God has brought us into contact. We practice personal
sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church.
Giving-"...
he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will
also reap bountifully." 2 Cor 9:6
At BCC we give for the support of Christ's Body, the
church, as God commands. We recognize that all we own belongs to the Lord. Each
one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7)
Spirit-led living-We
believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power
within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable
us to do what is right. (Phil. 2:13; E ph. 5:18)
(Jesus said) "I am the Vine, you are the branches. If
you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from Me you
can do nothing." John 15:5