THE BIBLE
We believe that the Scriptures in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired of God, error-free in the original writings, and the supreme authority of faith and practice for the believer in Jesus Christ. Being the eternal Word of God, the Scriptures speak with fresh power to each generation, to give wisdom that leads to salvation, that men may serve Christ to the glory of God.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 40:8)
GOD
We believe there is but one living and true God: immortal, invisible, immutable, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent; who is one in essence, while eternally existing in three distinct Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Though each Person of the Godhead possesses one and the same nature, and though each deserves our worship and obedience, each functions differently in respect to God’s dealings with man.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
THE FATHER
The first Person of the Trinity orders and directs all things according to His own purpose, pleasure and grace. He has decreed all things that come to pass for His own glory. He graciously involves Himself in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
(Matthew 6:9; John 5:19-24; Ephesians 1:3-6)
THE SON
Jesus Christ is both the eternal Son of God and virgin-born Son of man. Fully God and fully man, He surrendered nothing of His deity during His earthly life. Having led a sinless life, He satisfied the Father’s justice concerning sin by His substitutionary death. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His physical ascension, and His visible return to this earth in power and glory to establish His earthly kingdom.
(John 1:1, 14-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Hebrews 2:17-18; Romans 3:24-26; Colossians 2:9)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity who executes the will of God with relation to all mankind. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation as well as indwells, sanctifies, instructs, and seals them unto the day of redemption. It is the Holy Spirit who also empowers the church to live a lifestyle pleasing to God, endowing it with special gifts which equip believers to serve others both inside and outside the body of Christ.
(John 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:16-25)
THE NATURE OF MAN
We believe that man (male and female) was directly created in the image of God to enjoy His fellowship and to fulfill God’s will on this earth. In Adam, all mankind fell into sin; consequently all men are spiritually dead and subject to the certainty of both physical and spiritual death apart from Jesus Christ. The fall of man was a once-for-all historical fact. Its spiritually deadening effect spread to all men, each of whom is born with a sinful nature and sins habitually in thought, word and deed. Man can do nothing to merit salvation.
(Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; 3:1-24; Romans 1:18-32; 3:10-23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-9)
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. All who believe in Him are declared righteous by the Father on the grounds of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. They are thereby the children of God forever and members in the one true church, the Body of Christ. This salvation results in righteous living and good works as the believer submits their life to Christ, the direction of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God.
(Ephesians 2:8-10; Acts 4:12; John 1:12; 3:16; 5:24; 14:6 Romans 3:21-26; 4:4-5; 5:1; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4;
Titus 3:4-7)
THE CHURCH
We believe that all who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit belong to the one true church and are directed by the Scriptures to associate themselves in local, visible churches. The local church is the only visible representation of Christ’s invisible church and consists only of regenerated believers. Fellowship Bible Church Jonesboro is autonomous in its relationship, meaning it is not regulated in any way by a denominational organization. The church will be elder led, not congregationally governed, appointing its own members to the biblical offices of elder and deacon (see Doctrinal Statement: Leadership below). The church’s mandate is to lead men to Christ and mature them in the faith.
(1 Corinthians 12:13; Matthew 16:13-20; 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-47; 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 2:19-22)
THE FUTURE
We believe that the next great event of human history will be the personal return of Jesus Christ. This is the blessed hope, for which all those who love Jesus Christ yearn. Though the time of Christ’s return is a mystery known only to the Father Himself, we believe that it is as sure as Jesus’ first coming was fact. We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the unsaved; the saved unto the resurrection of life everlasting in the presence of God and the unsaved unto the resurrection of damnation.
(Titus 2:11-15; Matthew 24:30-44; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-3; Revelation 19:11-16)
THE ORDINANCES
The Bible sets forth two ordinances, the Lord’s Supper and water baptism.
The Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated regularly as a memorial of Christ and His death on the cross, an expression of fellowship that believers share with one another, and a proclamation of the gospel message. We believe the Lord’s Supper is open to all who meet the prerequisites outlined in Scripture. They are: first, that one personally knows Jesus Christ as Savior, and secondly, that they have a cleansed life.
(1 Corinthians 11:23-34; Matthew 26:26-29)
We believe in believer’s baptism. Water baptism is an outward testimony of a person’s belief in Christ. Having believed in Christ for salvation, a person is then to be baptized in obedience to Jesus’ command. Immersion is the ideal means set forth in Scripture.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47)
LEADERSHIP
We believe the church is to be governed by a board of Elders, biblically qualified and selected to lead the church. This type of government is clearly presented in Scripture.
As churches were established in the faith, and when more than one person became qualified, Elders were appointed to continue the pastor/teaching ministry in each local church. To the Elders was given the ultimate responsibility for the oversight of that particular church body, and the shepherding of its members.
(1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)
ELDER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Elders have overall responsibility for oversight and direction of the church. They are to seek in all matters the mind of Christ (who is the Head of the Church) through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. They must be able to teach and exhort the church in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict the truth. Elders are to lead by example and will provide instruction for the maintenance of healthy relationships within the church. They will appoint deacons as is necessary to accomplish the mission of the church.
(Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Titus 1:9).
ELDER APPOINTMENT
Elders are to be appointed by the incumbent Elders as vacancies occur or as the need arises.
(Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)
Each nominated Elder shall be confirmed by the membership as follows:
Announcement and presentation of a nominated Elder will be made to the church during a Sunday morning service or during a special meeting called for this purpose.
Following a period (usually 1-2 weeks) which allows for consideration and the opportunity for members to provide feedback to the Elders if appropriate, the members shall indicate, by signed ballot, their willingness to follow the leadership of the nominated Elder. (Hebrews 13:17)
If evidence of unwillingness to follow occurs, the incumbent Elders shall determine the validity of the objection(s).
If it is determined that the nominated elder is unqualified to serve, the nomination shall be set aside.
The appointed Elder shall be ordained before the church by the laying on of hands. (1 Timothy 5:22)
ELDER ACCOUNTABILITY:
Accusations or criticisms of an Elder will be received according to 1 Timothy 5:17-22. If the Elder is guilty of an offense, he shall be counseled by the other Elders with a view to restoration (Galatians 6:1-2). If the erring Elder continues to sin, he is to be removed from office and restored according to Matthew 18:15-17.
Statement on Baptism
This Statement on Baptism is largely adapted from Heartland Community Church in Rockford, IL. We appreciate the Statement’s clarity and affirm all that you will find below.
Baptism is an essential “first step” for a believer who seeks to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. In taking it, he reveals that a coup has taken place in the secret recesses of his soul. The government of self has been toppled and overthrown. In its place, a new authority now reigns and rules. It is Christ, the living Lord!
We at Fellowship Bible Church of Jonesboro uphold the act of baptism as a sacred, uncompromisable injunction of the Scripture. Every believer, serious in his or her faith, will also be serious about baptism. It is the “badge” of our identity with Christ. In many ways, baptism is to Christianity what a ring is to marriage. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. And the picture portrayed in baptism declares a variety of scriptural truths:
It proclaims Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
It serves public notice to the world of one’s new life in Christ (Matthew 10:32).
It pictures a believer’s death to sin and his resurrection to a spiritual life and lifestyle through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:3-7, 10-11).
The command of Scripture is “be baptized.” By it, we both please the Lord and declare His reality in our lives and to the world.
Therefore, we encourage all of our members to participate in baptism by immersion after they have been born again.
Here are a few frequently asked questions to help clarify our position:
What is the significance of believer’s baptism?
Believer’s baptism is the way a person makes a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. By being baptized you are proclaiming that you are a follower of Jesus Christ, that Jesus is the Savior and Lord of your life, and that to the best of your ability you want to live your life in a way that pleases him. Baptism is what separates those who are spectators from those who have decided to get in the game.
Why is baptism so important?
At the very beginning of his ministry Jesus himself was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21, 22; John 1:31-34). His last words to his friends before he ascended to heaven were the command to “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19b-20a). In the New Testament baptism followed conversion so closely that the two were considered part of one event (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). At Fellowship Bible Church of Jonesboro we understand Scripture to teach that the act of baptism does not produce grace and bring about salvation, but rather it is an outward sign of an inward work of grace that has already taken place (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 6:3-6).
Who should be baptized?
Thoughtful and committed Christians have disagreed about this question for centuries. Fellowship Bible Church of Jonesboro understands the Scriptures to teach that baptism is an expression of the commitment of the person being baptized. That is why we call it “Believer’s Baptism.” It is an expression of a person’s faith in Christ and a desire to follow Christ. Therefore, baptism ought to be restricted to someone who is mature enough to make that decision and that commitment. Baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Christ alone for their salvation (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 18:8; 19:4; 22:16).
If I was baptized as an infant, should I be baptized again?
Yes. If you were baptized as a child, it was the intent of your parents that you would one day be a follower of Christ. Your baptism as an adult can be viewed as the fulfillment of your parents’ wishes. If you have made a faith commitment to Christ as a mature person, then we encourage you to be baptized again as an adult. This is an expression of your choice to follow Christ.
How much water does it take to get baptized?
There are many modes or methods of baptism. Some churches practice sprinkling, some pour water on the one being baptized and other immerse. It is the understanding of Fellowship Bible Church of Jonesboro that the method of immersion best fits the symbolism (the word means “to dip or immerse” and also “to purify”). Going all the way under the water symbolizes the fact that you identify with Jesus in his death and burial, and as you come up out of the water you identify with Christ in his resurrection (Romans 6:4-7). Furthermore, the Greek word for baptism means “to submerge, plunge, drench, saturate, dip.” (Arndt and Guingrich, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p.131).
Is baptism a guarantee of getting into heaven when I die?
No, it is not. God offers his forgiveness and salvation as a free gift of grace. We receive his gift by faith. We cannot earn it by being baptized. If you have been counting on the fact that you were baptized as an infant as a ticket into heaven you have misunderstood what baptism is all about. Having water sprinkled on your head when you are a few weeks old will not get you into heaven. You can’t get into heaven by being baptized. You are saved by faith, not by baptism. (John3:16; Romans10:9, 13, 11:6; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8,9)
Can I make it into heaven even if I say no to baptism?
Yes, but we at Fellowship Bible Church of Jonesboro would have a concern as to why you would not want to be baptized. Jesus clearly commands his followers to be baptized as a way of declaring their devotion to him. Baptism is the first thing Jesus asks you to do in obedience to him. Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching…He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” (John 14:23a, 14:24a)
