The Doctrinal Statement
of Berean Bible Church

We believe that the seven-fold unity as expressed in Ephesians 4:4-6 is the Holy Spirit's doctrinal statement for the church which is the Body of Christ. We believe that all expressions of doctrinal position for this dispensation of grace must be in full accord with this outline of the Holy Spirit. The following is a listing of all major beliefs which we hold:

The Bible (all 66 books) in its original writings is inerrant, verbally inspired of God, and has been preserved for us in the "Received Text" and is of plenary authority being the enduring Word of God.

There is one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. John 10:30; Phil.2:6; Deut.6:4; John 14:16; Acts 5:3,4; II Corin. 13:14.

He is true God and true Man in one Person. He was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is without sin. Phil. 2:6-9; John 8:58; Matt. 1:20-25; Luke 1:32,35; 11 Corin. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; Romans 1:3,4; Col. 2:9.

The Holy Spirit is a Person. He convicts the world of sin. He regenerates, baptizes, indwells, enlightens, seals, and empowers. John 16:8; Titus 3:5; 1 Corin. 12:13; Eph. 4:30; Eph. 1:13; 1 Corin. 6:9-11.

The unregenerate man is dead in trespasses and sins and is therefore, unable to do anything pleasing to God. Eph. 2:1-4; Romans 3:23; Romans 8:7,8.

God justifies ungodly sinners by His grace, upon the ground of the shed blood of Christ through the means of faith. This complete salvation is bestowed as the free gift of God apart from man's works. Romans 3:24-28; Romans 5:1-9; Eph. 2:8,9.

All the saved are eternally secure in Christ; Phil. 1:6; Col. 3:1-4; Eph. 1:13,14; Romans 8:35-39.

Jesus Christ was resurrected bodily from the dead. Believers will be raised from death to everlasting glory. Unbelievers will be raised in a separate resurrection unto everlasting condemnation. Luke 24:39; 1 Corin. 15:22-24; Rev. 20:11-15

The Church

In the present dispensation there is only one true church, which is called the Body of Christ (I Corin. 12:13; Eph. 1:22,23; Eph. 3:6). The historical manifestation of the Body of Christ began with the Apostle Paul before he wrote his first Epistle. I Thess. 2:14-16 cf. Acts 13:45,46; Phil. 1:5,6 cf. Acts 16; 1 Corin. 12:13,27 cf. Acts 18.

The rapture of the "church which is His Body" will be pretribulational. Christ will come to receive the members of His Body to Himself. I Thess. 4:13-18; Phil. 3:20,21; I Corin. 15:51-53.

The Second Coming of Christ to the earth will be premillennial. In this coming He will set up His millennial kingdom, over which He will reign. Zech. 14:4,9; Acts 1:10,11; Rev. 19:11-16; Rev. 20:4-6.

All saved persons have been made members of the Body of Christ by one divine baptism (I Cor. 12:13). By that one baptism every member of the Body of Christ is identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. In the light of the statement concerning the "one" baptism in Eph. 4:5, the statements concerning baptism in Col. 2:12 and Romans 6:3,4, and Paul's statements in I Cor. 1:17 that "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel," we conclude that water baptism has no place in God's spiritual program for the Body of Christ in the day of grace.

The mission and commission of the church which is His Body is to proclaim the message of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:14-21) and to preach Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. Romans 16:25; Eph. 3:8,9; Col. 1:24-29.

The Lord’s Supper

The communion of the Lord's Supper as revealed through the Apostle Paul in I Cor. 11:23-26 is for members of the Body of Christ to observe in remembrance "until He comes."

All of the sign gifts of the Acts period such as tongues, prophecy, and healing (1Cor. 12:1-31), being temporary in character, have ceased (1Cor. 13:8-11). Presently, and until the catching away of the One Body, there are only two offices in the Body of Christ. These offices being the office of bishops and the office of deacons (1Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). Faithful men (2Tim 2:2) hold these offices of trust and responsibility to serve and rule. (1Tim 5:17)

All Christians are called with a holy calling, and are to walk after the spirit, not after the flesh. They are to live in the power of the indwelling spirit so as not to fulf ill the lust of the flesh. The Adamic nature is never eradicated in this life, but can be kept in subjection by the enabling power of the Lord in the life of the yielded believer. Rewards are promised for all faithful service and holy living. Rom. 6:12,13; Rom. 8:4; Rom. 12:1-11, Rom. 13; Rom. 14; Gal. 5:16,25; Col. 3:1-17.

Berean Bible Church - Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
www.Grace2day.com