This What We Teach page presents the convictions of Fellowship Bible Church (FBC) regarding the theological truths of the Bible.  These convictions are divided up into two categories:

Our position on doctrine at FBC is that “doctrinal truth does matter.”  We believe that to avoid teaching doctrine for fear that “doctrine divides” or is “controversial” does a great disservice to the people of God.  It leaves them as spiritually immature children who are then vulnerable to false teaching.  (Ephesians 4:11-14)

However, not all theological truths of the Bible are of the same importance.  This is why we believe that the early church father, Augustine, said it well when he stated, “In the essentials—unity, in the non-essentials—liberty, but in all things charity.”

At FBC we encourage a level of doctrinal tolerance.  However, there are some essential, fundamental truths of the Christian faith, which a person (or church that FBC would associate with) must affirm if he or she desires to consistently fellowship and minister with our church body.  These are listed under The Fundamentals of the Faith.  They are spelled out in greater detail in the What We Teach section of this booklet.

The non-essential, secondary truths of Scripture are such only because they are not essential and fundamental truths that a person must believe to become a Christian.

However, even strong evangelical scholars throughout the centuries have had differing views on these non-essential, secondary teachings of Scripture.  Although the convictions of FBC on these theological issues are given in the What We Teach section of this booklet, our overall position on such issues is to “Agree to disagree in an agreeable way.”

There will be those who choose to fellowship with us at FBC who do not agree in all points with our doctrinal teaching position on these non-essential, secondary truths of Scripture.  We welcome these to participate freely with us! However, those in a leadership or teaching position in the church who hold to a different view than FBC on a non-essential, secondary issue are not allowed to teach or counsel others contrary to what we believe the Bible communicates.

The central ministry of FBC is the continuous imparting of the biblical truth to the people of God in order that they may know God and serve Him in worship and ministry.  It is our prayer that this What We Teach booklet will encourage our body to greater study of the Word of God, a more accurate understanding of God and a practical application of His truth to their daily lives.

The following essential, fundamental truths of the Christian faith must be affirmed in order to have consistent unity and fellowship together:

1. We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

2. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory.

 

3. We believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit and His present ministry of indwelling every Christian and enabling them to live a godly life.

 

4. We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God.

 

5. We believe that all men are lost sinners and must turn to Christ alone in saving faith through regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

 

6. We believe in the bodily resurrection of both believers and unbelievers; the believers to eternal life with Christ and the unbelievers to eternal punishment in hell.

 

On the following What We Teach pages, you will find what we believe as a church. They are set up as 3 different pages. Here is a summary of what is on each page: