About & Beliefs

Our Statement of Faith

The following articles represent the doctrinal convictions of Country Bible Church, drawn from the Holy Scriptures as the verbally and plenary inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God.

1. A

   The Holy Scriptures

   We believe the Bible to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God in the original autographs. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pt. 1:21). We believe that the Holy Scriptures, as the Word of God, are inerrant and infallible just as their author is (Titus 1:2; John 17:17; Ps. 119:151). The Scriptures testify of themselves in Heb. 4:12 that they are "living and powerful able to discern the thoughts intents of the heart". We believe the Scriptures are enduring and unchanging (Ps. 119:89; Is. 40:8; Matt. 5:18). Lastly, we believe the Word of God is authoritative and sufficient as it pertains to all matters of faith and practice in the life of a believer (Ps. 19:7-11; Ps. 119:98-100; Matt. 4:4).

2. B

   The Triune Godhead

   We believe in one triune God, who has existed eternally in three persons from eternity past — God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We believe all the persons of the Triune Godhead to be co-eternal and co-equal. Although they differ in function, in essence they are equal. We believe evidence of the Trinity is found in the first verse of the Bible where we find a plural noun and a singular verb, which indicates the presence of a plurality. The grammar of Deut. 6:4 teaches unity in plurality. We believe that in Is. 48:16 of the Old Testament all three persons of the Triune Godhead are revealed as they are in the New Testament in Matt. 3:16, 17 and I Jn 5:7 NKJV.

3. C

   The Person and Work of God the Father

   We believe the Father is the first person of the Triune Godhead and is fully God (John 6:27; Eph. 4:6; Phil. 2:11; 1 Pt. 1:3). We believe the Father as God possesses all the attributes of deity, including omnipresence (Amos 9:2-4; Ps. 139:7-12). We believe that the Father chose us to be His own before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) and provided the only sacrifice that would satisfy His justice in regard to our sinful and lost condition (John 3:16), proving His love toward us (Rom. 5:8). We believe that in this present church age the Father also proves His love by chastening His children (Heb. 12:6) for their benefit that they might yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12:9-11).

4. D

   The Person and Work of God the Son

   We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, became man (Phil. 2:7, 8; Gal. 4:4; John 1:14) without ceasing to be God (John 1:1; Heb. 1:8). He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Is. 7:14; Lk. 1:34, 35). We believe He was our substitutionary sacrifice (I Pt. 2:24), redeeming us by His death and the shedding of His blood (Eph. 1:7; Rom. 3:23, 24), a fully completed transaction (John 19:30). We believe He rose bodily from the dead (Lk. 24:5, 6; 1 Cor. 15:4), ascended to Heaven (Acts 1:9), and now sits at the right hand of the Father (Heb. 10:12), serving as our Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14-15), our Intercessor (Heb. 7:25), our Advocate (I John 2:1), and our sole Mediator with God (I Tim. 2:5).

5. E

   The Person and Work of God the Holy Spirit

   We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Triune Godhead and is fully God (Acts 5:3, 4). He is instrumental in salvation — regenerating us (Titus 3:5, 6), indwelling us (I Cor. 6:19), baptizing us into the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13), and sealing us until the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13, 14). We believe the Holy Spirit is our Helper sent by Christ (John 14:16, 17), guiding believers into all truth (John 16:13) and enabling godly living (Eph. 3:16; 5:18). He gives spiritual gifts to the church as He wills (I Cor. 12:11) for the edification of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).

6. F

   The Nature of Fallen Man

   We believe that God created man in His own image and likeness (Gen. 1:26, 27). When man sinned in the garden (Gen. 3:6) he acquired a fallen, sinful nature and his fellowship with God was broken (Rom. 5:10; 8:7). The original racial sin of Adam is imputed through the father to his children at the time of conception (Psalm 51:5). Because of man's position in Adam, all men are born spiritually dead (I Cor. 15:22; Eph. 2:2, 3) and without hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). Nevertheless, we believe that upon hearing the Gospel proclaimed, man has the ability to respond by means of the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit and to place his faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:17; Acts 17:30).

7. G

   Salvation

   We believe that salvation is a gift from God (Rom. 6:23). Because of God's great mercy and love (Eph. 2:4), even when we were dead in our trespasses (Eph. 2:5), God made provision through His Son's shed blood, taking upon Himself the wages due us because of our sin — death (Rom. 5:8; 6:23). We believe salvation is entirely by God's grace apart from any human effort and is received through faith alone in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:14, 15; Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:8, 9).

8. H

   Justification

   We believe that justification is a legal declaration by God by which He declares the saved sinner fit to come to Himself because of the believer's position in Christ. The grounds of our justification is the righteousness of Jesus Christ the righteous (I Jn. 2:1), which God imputes to us when we place our faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26; 4:6, 11, 22-25; 2 Cor. 5:21). Justification comes freely by grace the moment we trust Christ as Savior (Rom. 3:24; 5:9), completely apart from works (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:5). Our summary: justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

9. I

   The Eternal Security of Believers

   We believe that once a lost sinner has been born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5), the child of God is kept secure by the power of God (John 6:37-40). We cannot be snatched from the hand of the Father or the Son (John 10:28, 29). The Father who justifies will not bring a charge against us (Rom. 8:33), and Christ who died and rose and intercedes for us will not condemn us (Rom. 8:34). Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39; Phil. 1:6). We summarize with Hebrews 7:25: "He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him."

10. J

    The Church

    We believe the church universal is an organism with Christ as its head (Eph. 5:23) and that all believers in Christ make up His Body (Eph. 1:23), with no race, gender, or class distinctions (Gal. 3:28). We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external control except that of the Chief Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ (I Pt. 5:4). We recognize water baptism by immersion (Acts 2:41; 8:38, 39) and the Lord's Supper (I Cor. 11:23-28) as Scriptural ordinances of obedience. We believe that men are to hold the offices of leadership in the local assembly (I Tim. 3:2, 8-12) and that women should be encouraged to use their spiritual gifts in their proper Biblical context (Titus 2:3-5; Rom. 16:1, 2).

11. K

    Progressive Sanctification

    We believe that if any man is in Christ he is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) and that God greatly desires spiritual growth in our lives (Eph. 2:10). We believe progressive sanctification begins in the heart as the believer makes use of the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 3:16; Eph. 3:16) to develop the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23) and to be under the control of the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). Each believer must use the full armor of God to withstand in the evil day (Eph. 6:13) and allow God to work in their lives to give them the desire and ability to do God's good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).

12. L

    The Eternal State

    We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men. The saved dead will rise (John 5:24, 29; 11:25, 26) victorious over sin, death, and the grave (I Cor. 15:55-57) to ever be with Jesus Christ (John 14:3; 1 Thes. 4:16; Rev. 21:3, 4). The unsaved dead will rise at the end of the millennial reign of Christ (Rev. 20:5) to judgment and everlasting punishment (John 5:29; Rev. 20:10-15). We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8) in conscious bliss, awaiting the resurrection and glorification (1 Cor. 15:20-23; Rom. 8:30).

13. M

    Satan, Demons, and Sin

    We believe that Satan is a spirit being created by God (Ps. 148:2-5; Col. 1:16), once the most exalted of the highest rank of angels (Ezek. 28:14), who fell through pride (Is. 14:13, 14; Ezek. 28:17) and was cast out of Heaven along with countless angels who sided with him (Rev. 12:4). Satan and his demonic hordes are currently deceiving the world (Rev. 12:9), accusing the brethren (Rev. 12:10), and opposing the saints (I Pt. 5:8). We believe that Satan is the author of sin (Ezek. 28:15; I Jn. 3:8) and that he and his demonic hordes will be punished forever in the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).

14. N

    Creation

    We believe that God created the universe and all it contains in 6 literal 24-hour periods (Gen. 1:1-31; Ex. 20:11; 31:17; Ps. 33:6-9). We reject the gap theory, the day-age theory, and theistic evolution. We believe that God created vegetation, marine life, birds, and land creatures each according to their kind (Gen. 1:11-25), and that man did not evolve from lower life forms but was created by God in His image (Gen. 1:26) and with great intelligence (Gen. 2:20).

15. O

    Civil Government

    We believe that God has ordained three basic institutions of authority: the home, the church, and the state. We believe the Bible teaches that we are to be subject to each (Eph. 5:22-24; 6:1-3; Heb. 13:17; Rom. 13:1-7). The role of human government should be to promote righteousness and restrain unrighteousness as defined by God in His Word. We believe that when accepted public policy conflicts with the clearly defined teachings of Scripture, believers and churches have no choice but to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

16. P

    Human Sexuality

    We believe that human sexuality is a gift from God (Gen. 1:27), pure and holy within His parameters (Heb. 13:4), created for the procreation of the human race (Gen. 1:28) and for the mutual satisfaction of husband and wife (I Cor. 7:3). We believe that the only Biblical God-sanctioned marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6). We believe that God ordained separate and distinct functions for men and women in the home and the church, with the husband exhibiting servant headship (Eph. 5:23-25) and the wife as his ideal complement and helper (Gen. 2:18; Eph. 5:22).

17. Q

    Divorce and Remarriage

    We believe that God intended marriage to be a lifelong covenant of companionship dissolved only by the death of one spouse (Matt. 19:5, 6) and that God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). We believe God allows only two exceptions: sexual immorality by one spouse (Matt. 19:9) and the departure of an unbelieving spouse (I Cor. 7:15). In both cases the innocent spouse is free to remarry. We believe that when spouses divorce illegitimately, the Scriptures command that they remain unmarried or be reconciled to each other (I Cor. 7:10, 11).

18. R

    Missions

    We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations (Matt. 28:19, 20) and promised an empowering by the Holy Spirit to all believers involved in accomplishing it (Acts 1:8). We have the example of the early church preaching the Gospel locally (Acts 1-7), then to surrounding provinces (Acts 8-12), and then to the ends of the Earth (Acts 13-28). We believe that we should assist those brothers and sisters who have this gift and calling to the utmost of our ability (Phil. 4:15, 16).

19. S

    Lawsuits Between Believers

    We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the local church to resolve personal disputes (I Cor. 6:1-8). We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between believers (I Cor. 6:5; Eph. 4:32; Rom. 12:17, 18; Gal. 6:1; Matt. 18:15). We do believe that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries or damages from another Christian's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (Eph. 4:32; Rom. 12:19).

20. T

    Giving

    We believe that God's Word instructs believers to give generously and cheerfully to the work of the Lord (2 Cor. 9:6, 7). We believe that giving is an act of worship and a reflection of the believer's trust in God as provider (Mal. 3:10; Luke 21:1-4). We believe that the local church is the primary vehicle through which believers support the work of ministry, missions, and the care of those in need (I Cor. 16:1, 2; Phil. 4:15-17).

21. U

    Abortion and Euthanasia

    We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being (Ps. 139:13-16; Is. 44:24; Jer. 1:5). Abortion constitutes the unjustified taking of unborn human life and is therefore to be considered as murder (Ex. 20:13; Prov. 6:16, 17). We reject abortion for reasons of rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, or population control. We believe that compassion for the aged, infirm, or handicapped is shown by acts of mercy and provision for their needs, not by terminating their lives. It is the Lord who gives life (Acts 17:25) and only He has the right to take it (Ps. 104:29).

22. V

    Israel

    We believe that God has sovereignly chosen the Jewish people as a special treasure for Himself (Deut. 7:6; 32:9) and that His covenant promises to Abraham were established with Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 17:21; 28:13, 14). Because of national disobedience and rejection of the Messiah, God has scattered Israel among the nations (Deut. 28:63-68), yet He has promised to preserve the Jewish people (Jer. 31:35-37). We believe that when the fullness of the Gentiles is come in (Rom. 11:25), God will again turn His focus toward Israel, culminating with the second coming of Christ at which time Israel will be regathered and will recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah (Rom. 11:26-27).

23. W

    Dispensationalism

    We believe that the Scriptures interpreted by the historical-grammatical method reveal several different ways that God administered His rule over the world as He progressively works out His purpose for history. We believe there is a definite distinction between Israel (Ex. 19:4-6; Deut. 7:6-8) and the church (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:41). We affirm that salvation has always been by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8, 9) regardless of dispensation, and that the ultimate purpose of history is to reveal the glory of God through the demonstration that He alone is the Sovereign God.

24. X

    The Rapture of the Church

    We believe that when the fullness of the Gentiles is come in (Rom. 11:25), Jesus Christ will come in the air to rapture His church from the Earth (I Thes. 4:16, 17; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; John 14:2, 3). We believe this coming of Christ for His church is the believer's "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) and will take place prior to the seven-year period of tribulation and wrath (Dan. 9:27; I Thes. 5:9). The time of His coming is imminent (I John 2:28) and as we wait we are urged to purify ourselves so we will not be ashamed when He comes (I John 3:2, 3).

25. Y

    The Second Advent of Jesus Christ

    We believe that at the end of the seven-year tribulation period, Jesus Christ shall return to the Earth physically and visibly (Acts 1:11). He will defeat the beast (antichrist) and the false prophet and the assembled armies of the Earth (Rev. 19:17-21). Christ's feet will touch the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4) and He will judge the surviving Jews and Gentiles to determine who may enter His Kingdom (Ezek. 20:37, 38; Matt. 25:32-46). We believe that Jesus Christ will then establish the kingdom promised to Israel (2 Sam. 7:16) and will reign as King for a thousand years (Rev. 20:4; Is. 2:2-4) with His saints.

26. Z

    The Baptism and Reception of the Holy Spirit and Speaking in Tongues

    We believe that once a person has been truly born again, we are not to expect a subsequent "second blessing." Just as in physical birth we are born complete and only need to grow, so also when we are born again spiritually we are complete in Christ (Col. 2:10; 2 Pt. 1:3). We believe that a new believer is immediately indwelt (I Cor. 3:16; 6:19), baptized (I Cor. 12:13), and sealed (Eph. 1:13; 4:30) by the Holy Spirit at salvation. We do not believe that either the reception or baptism of the Holy Spirit are evidenced by speaking in tongues today, and we believe that the gift of tongues is being misused today just as it was in the early church (I Cor. 14:3-5, 14-17, 23).

27. AA

    Head Coverings for Women

    We believe that the Holy Spirit sets forth the principle of the authority of men in the church and the submission of women to that authority (I Cor. 11:3). We believe that man is the image and glory of God (I Cor. 11:7) and that his head should not be covered when he prays or prophesies. We believe the Bible teaches that the woman is the glory of man (I Cor. 11:7) and that her long hair is her natural covering (I Cor. 11:15). We further believe that in the church service the woman is to veil her glory in order that only God's glory is seen (I Cor. 11:6). We believe these teachings were not based on a unique cultural feature but on God's order of creation (I Cor. 11:8, 9) and apply to all churches (I Cor. 4:17; 7:17; 11:16; 14:33, 34).