Gary W. Custis | Pastor
Doctrine
The Statement of Faith of Hillcrest Bible Church
Approved: February 24, 1982
The following articles embody the statement of faith of Hillcrest Bible Church.
This statement of faith is derived from and subordinate to the only source of Christian truth, the infallible Word of God. The articles, being an interpretation, are not infallible, nor are they equal to Scripture. It is recognized that these articles are not comprehensive of all biblical truth. Should any portion be demonstrated by Scripture to be in need of clarification, then the appropriate change or changes will be made to express the truth more accurately.
This statement of faith sets forth the basic beliefs which represent the theological position of this church. This position is distinguished by certain prominent characteristics. One such characteristic is a strong emphasis on God. The God of the Bible sovereignly rules His creation and personally accomplishes all things according to His appointed plan. A second characteristic is a strong emphasis on the Word. God has revealed Himself through the written Word, the Holy Bible, and in the Bible through the living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, if God is to be known, the Word of God must be the focal point of all ministry. A third characteristic is a strong emphasis on the sovereign purpose of God. In that purpose, there is a diversity as it relates to Israel and the Church. At the same time, there is a unity in the outworking of God’s redemptive plan throughout all of human history.
The basic purpose of this statement of faith is to affirm and proclaim the biblical position of this church. In doing so it will serve as the basis for fellowship, ministry, education and discipline. Most importantly, the statement of faith reflects the desire of this church to glorify God in all things.
Article I: The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original manuscripts, infallible, and the sole authority on matters of faith and holiness.
Article II: God
We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that they are one, each with the same nature and attributes.
We believe that God is spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth; that He sovereignly rules all His creation; and that all things exist by Him and for His glory.
We believe the Father for His own glory has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, including the salvation of His people whom He chose from before the foundation of the world.
Article III: The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe the Son was sent into the world by the Father to become a man, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, born without sin of the virgin Mary, to suffer and die to secure the redemption of the people of God; that He was raised again the third day; that He is now exalted at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us; and that He is the coming Eternal King.
Article IV: The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and Son at Pentecost to indwell all believers and that He causes them to be born again, seals them, sanctifies them, and gives them spiritual gifts for the ministry of the Church.
Article V: Angels
We believe that angels are created spirit-beings who are empowered to worship God and execute His providence.
Article VI: Satan and Demons
We believe that Satan, a fallen angel, is the responsible agent of sin; he opposes the work of Christ in the world, but is doomed to face certain, eternal judgment along with demons, fallen angels, who are also working to thwart God’s purposes in the world.
Article VII: Man and Sin
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but fell in Adam, and because of Adam’s sin and personal acts of sin is under condemnation, incapable of knowing or doing the will of God.
Article VII: Salvation
We believe that salvation, totally a work of God, is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross as a substitute for sinners to satisfy the righteousness of God.
We believe that faith is a gift of God, imparted by God through His Word, having the person and work of Jesus Christ as its object.
We believe that salvation consists in: Justification, whereby sinners are granted the forgiveness of sins and declared to have the righteousness of Christ; Sanctification, whereby the saved are separated unto God to be led daily in the paths of righteousness; and Glorification, whereby the saved will be transformed into the very image of Jesus Christ at the return of the Lord.
We believe that those who are saved are kept by the power of God through faith, and that they will manifest a transformation of life through obedience to the Word of God and demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit.
We believe that true believers are to be of one mind, the mind of Christ, in preferring the eternal over the temporal, denying self to follow Christ, resisting the world, the flesh and the devil, being willing to suffer rather than to sin, desiring to give rather than to receive, and living as unto Christ.
Article IX: The Church
We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, of which every true believer in this present age is a member, and that we become members of the Body of Christ at the time of salvation through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the local church which consists of those in a given locality who profess faith in Christ, that it exists for the worship of God, for the teaching of the Word, for the fellowship of the saints, and for a witness to the world.
We believe that the local church is to observe the ordinances of believer’s baptism by immersion, and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe that Christ is the Head of His Church, exercising His authority according to scripture through the leadership of spiritual men in the church serving as elders and deacons.
Article X: The Last Things
We believe in the imminent, bodily return of Jesus Christ for the Church, and in the millennial reign of Christ upon the earth.
We believe in the resurrection of all who have died; and in the judgment of the wicked to eternal damnation, and the righteous to eternal glory.