CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

ABORTION

We teach that God alone is responsible for life and death (1 Samuel 2:6).  Because all human life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5), the abortion of a child for any other reason than to save the life of the mother is murder (Exodus 20:13).  God does forgive those who have committed this sin when they come to Him in genuine confession and repentance (1 John 1:9).

BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

We teach that the original autographs in the original languages (i.e. Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek) are the very Word of God and without error.  Although we do not have in our possession the original documents, God in His providence has preserved thousands of subsequent manuscript copies from various text-types, which although do not agree identically at every place, accurately reflect the original documents.  (The small percent of textual variations has absolutely no bearing on any significant doctrine).

We teach that from these various manuscripts we do possess, there are many traditional and contemporary English versions that have been accurately translated and can be looked upon as being reliable conveyers of God’s Word to mankind.  At Fellowship Bible Church those in official teaching positions shall use as their primary text a reliable Bible version that follows a more literal word-for-word translation of the original languages (e.g. KJV, NKJV, NASB, etc.).

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

We teach the need for church discipline and restoration of sinning members of the congregation in accordance with the standards of Scripture (Proverbs 27:6; Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 2:7-8; Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16).  For a fuller explanation of the church discipline/restoration process see Fellowship Bible Church Bylaws.

CREATION

We teach that God created out of nothing the physical universe and all that it contains, including angels, in six literal twenty-four hour days without any evolutionary process (Genesis 1:1-31; Exodus 20:11; 31:17; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:3).  God also sustains His creation for His own purposes (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3).

DEMON POSSESSION/OPPRESSION

• DEFINITION:

 

Demon possession occurs when one or more evil spirits completely control a person.  The demon is able to dominate the person’s speech, actions and body.

Demon oppression is the influence of evil spirits on a person in a wide variety of ways that is short of actual possession and total control.

• UNBELIEVERS

We teach that God sovereignly allows unbelievers to be both possessed and oppressed by demons (2 Chronicles 18:2; Matthew 8:28).

• BELIEVERS

Possession: We teach that it is not possible for a true Christian to be completely possessed and controlled by a demon.  The believer’s new master is Christ through the indwelling Spirit of God (Matthew 6:24; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 John 4:4).  There is no instance in the Bible where anyone casts demons out of a believer.

Oppression: We teach that God sovereignly allows believers to be oppressed by Satan and his demons (Luke 22:31; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 5:8).

• PROTECTION

We teach that modern-day “Deliverance Ministries” are not in accordance with the Word of God.  When Christ and the Apostles cast out demons they were authenticating messianic and apostolic credentials, not establishing a normative pattern for believers to follow.  Nowhere in the Scriptures are believers instructed to talk to, confront or “exorcise” demons (2 Peter 2:10; Jude 8).  Rather, the emphasis is on the following:

• Be aware of Satan’s methods (2 Corinthians 2:11).
• Submit to God and resist Satan (James 4:7).
• Live a holy life and confess sin (Ephesians 4:27; 1 John 1:9).
• Put on the full armor of God to stand defensively in the provisions of God (Ephesians 6:11-20).

FAMILY

• GOAL OF THE FAMILY

The ultimate goal of the Christian home is to glorify God. This will be accomplished as each individual fulfills his or her God-given role and responsibilities.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• HUSBANDS AND FATHERS

We teach that as the head of the home, God has given the husband/father the ultimate authority and responsibility for the family in all matters (Ephesians 5:23; 6:4).

We teach that the husband is to be the spiritual leader in the home.  He is to love his wife with a Christ-like love by sensitively communicating with her, protecting her purity and encouraging her spiritual growth (Ephesians 6:28-29; 1 Peter 3:7) and also to love his children.

We teach that the husband/father is to provide for the material needs of his household (1 Timothy 5:8).

We teach that God has given to fathers the primary responsibility for the spiritual instruction and discipline of their children in order to be faithful followers of Christ.  Fathers must not surrender this responsibility to their wives, another adult, or to any organization such as the church, Christian school, etc (Deuteronomy 6:5-6; Ephesians 6:4).

• WIVES AND MOTHERS

We teach that as the helpmeet, the wife is equally created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27; 2:20-23) and is equal in her standing in Christ (Galatians 3:28).  Although equal with men as far as identity and person, she is called to lovingly take a submissive role under her husband’s leadership (Ephesians 5:22-23; Titus 2:4-5).  This is not a “doormat devotion,” but rather loving service and mutual submission.

We teach that the primary means by which mothers can have an influence for the kingdom of God is by lovingly raising their children (Titus 2:4-5).  Mothers are equally important as they share the labors alongside fathers in the administration of this great task.

• CHILDREN

We teach that children are to honor and obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20).

GIVING

We teach that biblical giving is first a matter of one’s own heart before God, offering back to the Lord a portion of the resources that He has entrusted to each individual believer.

Therefore, each believer is accountable directly to God for giving to the work of His kingdom here on earth.

We teach that the New Testament pattern of giving is not “tithing” (i.e. giving ten percent), but is to be according to the following biblical principles:

• Giving is investing with God (Matthew 6:19-20, 33; Acts 20:35; 1 Timothy
  6:17-19).
• Giving is to be done from a loving, willing and grateful heart (Matthew 10:8;
  2 Corinthians 8:10-12; 9:2, 7).
• Giving is to be personally determined (Matthew 6:3-4; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
• Giving is to be sacrificial (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4; Hebrews 13:16).
• Giving is to be proportionate (Luke 12:48; 19:8; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2
  Corinthians 8:3, 11-12).
• Giving is to be generous (2 Corinthians 8:2-5; 9:5-6).
• Giving is to be planned and regular (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
• Giving is to be in response to need (Acts 11:28-30).
• Giving generously results in blessing (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Philippians
  4:17-19).
• Giving affects spiritual riches (Luke 16:10-13; 19:17-19; 1 Corinthians 4:2).

In accordance with the above principles, Fellowship Bible Church will not use guilt or coercion to collect funds, but will make the needs of the church known to the body so that God may move in the hearts of His people to give to His work and for His glory.

GOVERNMENT/POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT

We teach that God is the author of government and sovereignly controls those who are in power (Romans 13:1).  God has established government to reward those who do good and to punish the guilty (Romans 13:3-4).  Therefore, the responsibility of believers is to pray for and submit to their governmental authorities (Romans 13:5-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17), which includes paying taxes (Matthew 17:24-27; Romans 13:6-7).

We teach that the only time believers must disobey the government (i.e. civil disobedience) is when the government requires actions that violate a clear command of Scripture (Acts 4:19-20).  At this point believers must be prepared to suffer the consequences of that disobedience.

We teach that there is to be a separation between church and state.  Fellowship Bible Church shall not participate in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) or endorse any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

We teach that the church shall address any political, social and moral issue consistent with Scripture in order to fulfill our mandate to be “salt and light” to a lost world (Matthew 5:13-16).

HOMOSEXUALITY

We teach that the Scriptures condemn homosexuality.  This is not cultural, but expresses God’s attitude towards that which violates His original design (Genesis 19:4-11, 23; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9; Jude 7).  Just as with any other sinner saved by grace, Christ’s cleansing and power is sufficient to enable a person to begin and live out a new life in Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 10:13).

LAWSUITS

We teach that believers should not sue or go to court against another believer (1 Corinthians 6:1,7).  If at all possible, believers should seek to settle out of court (Matthew 5:25, 40; Romans 12:18).  Where personal reconciliation cannot be accomplished the matter should be brought to the church Elders to be resolved according to biblical guidelines (Matthew 18:15-17).

MARRIAGE/DIVORCE/REMARRIAGE

• MARRIAGE

We teach that God instituted marriage as both a covenant (leave and cleave) and a consummation (one flesh).  His original plan was for one man and one woman to remain together permanently for life, and to enjoy the deepest level of spiritual, emotional and sexual intimacy and oneness (Genesis 1:27; 2:23-24).

We teach that believers are to marry only other believers (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14).

We teach that when conflicts arise in a Christian marriage relationship both spouse’s should submit to the Word of God and the Spirit of God and address the situation among themselves.  If further help is needed, medical problems excluded, only biblical counseling should be sought out (2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12-13).  In extreme situations, such as physical abuse, etc., which cannot be allowed to continue, a temporary “remedial separation” may be advisable.  This separation would include mandatory biblical counseling and be under the loving oversight of the Elders to insure that appropriate changes are taking place toward the goal of reconciliation.

• DIVORCE

We understand that the issue of divorce and remarriage is a very controversial, and sometimes volatile, one in the body of Christ.  Not all divorce/remarriage situations fit neatly into a few select Bible texts. However, the biblical passages on this subject do give us the framework necessary to think critically through every situation so as to arrive at a biblical response.  We teach the following on divorce and remarriage:

We teach that God hates divorce because it is in violation of God’s expressed purpose for the intimate unity of the marriage bond (Malachi 2:16; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6).  Therefore, all believers considering divorce should have the same attitude toward divorce, as does God.

We teach that whereas all divorce involves sin, and is a departure from the divine ideal, however, not all divorce is sinful (Ezra 9-10; Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:8; 31:31-32).  Divorce is the complete dissolution of the marriage, both legally and in the eyes of God.  It is permitted in the Scripture as an accommodation to man’s sin for the protection of the “faithful spouse” (i.e. the one not violating the biblical reasons stated below), due to the other spouse’s “hardness of heart” to God (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Matthew 19:8).

We teach that the Bible permits divorce for two explicitly stated reasons.  But even then, it is never required.  Restoration, if sin is repented of and not continual, always remains preferable (Matthew 6:12; 18:21; Mark 11:26; Luke 17:3ff; Ephesians 4:32).

We teach that the two biblical reasons for divorce are:

1) Sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32; 19:9): all kinds of unlawful sexual intercourse that involves such things as adultery, incest, homosexuality, prostitution and bestiality.  In the Old Testament adultery would always dissolve the marriage because the adulterer would be put to death leaving the faithful spouse free to remarry (Leviticus 20:10).

2) Desertion by an unbelieving spouse who initiates the divorce (1 Corinthians 7:12-15).

• REMARRIAGE

We teach that remarriage after divorce, or to a divorced person, is biblically permitted for the following reasons:

1) The divorce is based on biblical reasons stated above (Matthew 19:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15, 26-28).

2) The former spouse has died (Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:39).

3) The former spouse has remarried, thus making reconciliation impossible (Deuteronomy 24:4).

4) When the divorce was prior to salvation (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-7).

5) According to 1 Corinthians 7:11 when two believers are divorced for unbiblical reasons, though the marriage is dissolved, both spouse’s are to either:

a) Remain unmarried: until the former spouse dies, remarries or commits adultery in order to not preclude any possibility of God changing his/her heart and behavior, thus making reconciliation possible.

b) Be reconciled to his/her former spouse.

We teach that believers who pursue divorce for unbiblical reasons are subject to church discipline, in order to bring about repentance and reconciliation, because they openly reject the Word of God, (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13). According to Matthew 18:17, the spouse who refuses to repent and be reconciled is to be excommunicated and treated as an “unbeliever.”  In the above situation, according to 1 Corinthians 7:15, it may be possible for the faithful spouse to eventually remarry.

However, we teach that each situation needs to be dealt with on an individual basis.  Before a Fellowship Bible Church Pastor would agree to perform a wedding under these circumstances, the Pastor and Elders, applying biblical principles, would evaluate the individual situation.  Such considerations would include:

a) Every effort has been made by the faithful spouse to forgive and restore the marriage.  If not, the Elders will help to bring reconciliation.

b) The length of time that has elapsed since the dissolution of the marriage.

c) The faithful spouse’s purity of life, etc.

d) The faithful spouse has prayerfully sought the mind of the Lord to ensure that his/her conscience is clear before God.

We teach that when a marriage is dissolved by divorce for unbiblical reasons, the first person to remarry commits the act of adultery (Matthew 19:9; Mark 10:11-12), and the person who marries that person also commits the act of adultery (Matthew 5:32; Luke 16:18), due to fact that the divorce was for an unbiblical reason.  However, this second marriage makes reconciliation to one’s first spouse impossible (Deuteronomy 24:4).  Therefore, the second marriage is to remain and the couple is to commit themselves to fidelity and serving Christ through their current marriage.

We teach that the sins committed in an unbiblical divorce and/or remarriage are not unpardonable sins.  God forgives those committing such sins when genuine confession and repentance have taken place (1 John 1:9).  Therefore, it is essential that the local church help them rebuild their lives and be a place of healing and support by demonstrating to them God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness and acceptance.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP

We teach that a man who has been divorced and remarried is not automatically disqualified from church leadership.  The phrase “the husband of one wife”(or a one-woman man) in 1 Timothy 3:2, 12 and Titus 1:6, does not mean that a man cannot have had a divorce and remarriage in his past since none of the other qualifications listed refer to specific acts in the past (either before or after salvation).  These passages refer to the character qualities that currently characterize the man’s life, not his marital status or what may have transpired in his past.

We teach that where there has been a divorce and remarriage in a man’s past, because of the public nature of divorce, the Elders may restrict for a period of time, his involvement in leadership until it can be observed and proven that his present marriage is characterized by Christ-like devotion and sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25-33).

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We teach that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints.  In the early church the Holy Spirit gave two kinds of gifts: miraculous sign gifts and ministering gifts:

• MIRACULOUS SIGN GIFTS

We teach that the miraculous sign gifts (such as the gifts of prophecy, speaking in tongues and its interpretation, healing, casting out demons, raising the dead, etc.) were given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the Apostles’ message as divine truth (2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 2:3-4).  With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man’s message (1 Corinthians 13:8-12).  Therefore, the miraculous sign gifts were never intended to be normative or characteristic of the lives of believers throughout the age of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Hebrews 2:1-4).

We teach that just because someone may appear to exercise miraculous sign gifts it does not prove that these are from God (Matthew 7:21-23; 1 Corinthians 13:13-14:12; Revelation 13:13-14). Even the Apostles, who had the miraculous sign gifts, did not use them outside their biblical purpose (1 Corinthians 14:18; 1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20).

We teach that even after the church age, when God again sovereignly enables his two witnesses to do miraculous signs, the uniqueness of the situation is evident (Revelation 11:3-13).

We teach that the gift of tongues was the supernatural ability to speak in real human languages not understood by the speaker, yet known by some present.  It was not an “ecstatic” unknown private prayer language for the benefit of the individual believer, nor a sign of the filling or baptism of the Holy Spirit (i.e. second blessing), but a sign to unbelievers (Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 14:21-22).

We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today but that God does hear and answer prayer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7-9; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15).

• MINISTERING GIFTS

We teach that the only gifts in operation today are the ministering gifts given to equip believers for the continual building up of the body of Christ (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12: 1-7, 12-27; Ephesians 4:7, 12-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

WOMEN’S ROLE IN THE CHURCH

We teach that both men and women are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and are equal in their intrinsic worth in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28-29).  Whereas there is an equality with men and women before the Lord, God has also created them to fulfill different, but complementary God-given roles, which are rooted in their unique sexual identity (Genesis 2:17-25; 1 Corinthians 11:3).

We teach that although women fulfill a vital role in using their God-given spiritual gifts in Christ’s church (Acts 9:36-42; 16:13-15; 18:1-2, 18, 24-28; Romans 16:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:5), the official leadership of the church is to be filled by biblically qualified men called Elders and Deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9).

We teach that the word “servant” in Romans 16:1 does not designate an official position (i.e. deaconess) in the church, and the word “women” (NASB) in 1 Timothy 3:11 is a reference to the wives of the deacons.

We teach that women are able to serve in church leadership roles to children and to other women (Titus 2:3-5).  They may also serve in certain capacities when men are present (e.g. reading Scripture in public, share testimony, share observations in Bible Study Groups, husband-wife counseling/discipleship team—Acts 18:26, etc.).  However, women are not to teach (i.e. instruct in doctrinal matters) a man or have authority over him (1 Timothy 2:11-15).

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