Confession of Faith
The Scriptures
We believe the Holy Bible was verbally inspired and the product of Spirit-controlled men, and that each word in the original writing was chosen by God. Therefore, it is true without error and is the complete written revelation of God. We believe the Bible is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. John 15:3, 12:47-50, 17:17; II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:10-21
The True God
We believe there is one living and true God: an infinite Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all praise, honor, confidence, and love. We believe in the unity of the Godhead; there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in divine perfection and executing distinct, but harmonious offices, in the great work of redemption. Exodus 20:2, 3; I Cor. 8:6; I John 5:7, 4:24; Revelations 4:11
Of God the Father
He is the first person of the trinity and is without beginning or end. He is incomprehensible and yet He revealed Himself to man. He is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is both the judge and redeemer of mankind. He is actively working everything for His glory and the good of the redeemed. Gen 1:1 Romans 8:28 John 3:16 Job 11:7 Isaiah 40:18 John 14:7 I John 5:20 Romans 1:19-21
Of Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is Deity from all eternity, and by a miraculous birth He took to Himself a perfect human nature. He is therefore God and man, the two natures being inseparably united in one glorious person. We believe Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life. Isa.7:14;9:6; Lk. 1:35; 2:11; John 17:5; Heb. 1:1,2; 2:9-16
Of the Holy Spirit
We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit. We believe He dwells in every believer at salvation, and by His work unites every believer to Christ in one body, and seals them till the day of redemption. 1 Cor. 12:13; 6:19; Eph 1:13
The Creation
We accept the Genesis account of creation completed in 7 literal days and we believe mankind came into being by direct creation. Genesis 1, 2; John 1:3; Colossians1:16-17
The fall of Man
We believe man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker. Through the voluntary transgression of God’s law, man fell from his sinless and joyous state. The consequence of man’s original transgression is all mankind are conceived in sin and are sinners by choice, and therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 1:18, 1:32, 3:10-15, 5:12,19
The Atonement for Sin
We believe the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the finished work of Jesus Christ, who freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, and by His death on the cross, burial and resurrection, made a full atonement for our sin. He is now enthroned in heaven and is in every way, an all sufficient Savior. Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; Acts 13:11; Romans 3:24; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8
Salvation Through Faith
We believe all have sinned and are in need of a Savior. Salvation cannot be obtained by works or efforts but is of God by grace through faith, by believing in the death, burial and resurrection of God's only Son, Jesus Christ. Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord, believing in the work of Christ, will be saved. Romans 3:23; Romans 10:9-13; John 3:3, 6-8; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 6:23; II Corinthians 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13; II Peter 1:4; I John 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9
The Church
Universal Church - We believe the church, the body of Christ, to be composed of all genuine believers in Jesus Christ. Romans 12:5; Matt. 16:15-18; 1 Cor. 12:25-27; Eph. 5:25-32; 1 Peter 2:5
Local Church – We believe the local church, as described in the Bible, is made up of united believers who meet regularly for the purpose of worship, observance of the ordinances, proclamation of the gospel, and to support each other in their spiritual growth. 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Pet 5:2; 1 Cor. 1:10
Baptism and The Lord’s Supper
We believe Christian Baptism is the total immersion of the believer in water as an outward witness of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe baptism should be completed by the believer as soon as possible after they receive salvation. As an organization, we require Christian Baptism before becoming a legal member of Shelby Bible Church. Matthew 3:16; John 3:22-23; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5
We believe the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He returns, is open to believers in Christ, and should be preceded, always, by self-examination and repentance for sin. I Cor. 11:23-30
Marriage and Human Sexuality
We affirm God created mankind as male and female and a person’s biological sex at birth is a divine gift from God and should not be altered or denied, but embraced for the Glory of God. We affirm marriage was designed by God to be the lifelong union of a man and woman, with each having unique and complementary roles of equal importance. We affirm the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church. We affirm any sexual act outside of the marriage covenant is a violation of God’s order and is sinful.
Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4; Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; I Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23
The Return of Christ and Final Judgement
We believe in the literal, physical return of Christ and the physical resurrection of the saints; that Christ will reign supreme and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord, to the Glory of the Father. We believe Jesus Christ will judge all humankind regarding their eternal existence. The saved will be rewarded and spend eternity in joyful union with God. The unrepentant lost will be condemned to eternal separation from God, and cast into the Lake of Fire that was originally intended for Satan and the demons.
I Corinthians 15:4; Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matt 7:21-23; 1Cor. 3:11-15; Rev 20:10-15; Rev 21:1-8