Statement of Faith

We affirm the 5 fundamentals of the faith: 

1.   The Inerrancy of Scripture 

2.   The Virgin Birth of Christ 

3.   The Substitutionary Atonement of Christ 

4.   The Bodily Resurrection of Christ 

5.   The Reality of the Miracles of Christ 

Statement of Biblical Authority 

We believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God. God has  spoken to the world in the person and work of Jesus Christ, which is accurately and  authoritatively revealed in the Bible. The Bible serves as the final authority of the  Church and individual believer. The Bible is superior to tradition in every possible way.  

We believe in one triune God who is eternal, self-existent, infinite, and immutable. God  exists as one essence and three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy  Spirit. Each are fully God.  

We believe that God, being sovereign, exercises supreme and absolute control over all  creation. We believe that the universe was created by the express Word of the  Sovereign God, and not by chance of an evolutionary process. 

We believe that all people are created in the image of God and possess dignity, value,  and worth as His image bearers. 

We believe all people were born with an inherited sin nature received from our common  ancestor, Adam. We believe that because of his nature and by his own choice, man is a  sinner, and he is totally incapable of reforming himself or ceasing from his sin by his  own power. We believe the only hope of deliverance for man is found in turning from  sin and trusting in Christ alone as Savior. We believe in the power of the gospel to open  the eyes of sinners to the truth and beauty of Christ. We believe that salvation is by  grace, through faith. 

We believe that only through the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross  can a man be delivered from God’s righteous wrath and judgment against sin. We  believe that salvation is purposed by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and applied  by the Holy Spirit. 

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We believe that the Holy Spirit awakens the mind and heart of unbelievers, to the  awareness of sin, by convicting them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy  Spirit illuminates Scripture to reveal the sinfulness of man and the beauty of Christ. The  Holy Spirit draws sinners to Christ and awakens faith. Justification is applied to us by  the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is given to us and worked in us by the Holy Spirit. The  Holy Spirit brings assurance of salvation to believers.  

We believe that salvation is a supernatural miracle, wrought by God, and it establishes  an eternal relationship that can never be broken. We believe that, “He who began a  good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” We believe that  those who turn away from the faith or apostatize, “went out from us, but they were not  of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out,  that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”  

We believe that all those who reject Jesus Christ as their Saviour are already  condemned (John 3:17-18). We believe that Heaven and Hell are literal and eternal. 

We affirm the following statement on Marriage and Sexuality: 

It is the biblical position that marriage involves the union of one man and one woman in  permanent sacred fidelity. Though various cultures and customs have evolving  definitions of marriage, it is God alone who has ultimate authority to prescribe and  describe the marital relationship (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:1-9, Mark 10:1-12). 

Furthermore, sexual intimacy is only properly exercised and pursued within the  confines of this marital relationship. Sexual immorality, defined as any sexual activity  outside of the boundaries of the sacred marital relationship between one man and one  woman, is clearly and expressly prohibited by the Lord (Matthew 15:19, 1 Corinthians  6:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 13:4). 

As a consequence, the Church regards any and all forms of sexual immorality,  including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality,  incest, pornography or even lustful intent toward such, as sinful and ultimately  unsatisfying. Moreover, the Church also regards as sinful the intent or desire to  surgically alter one’s biological sex to a different sex. Since the body is a creation of  God, the Church holds sexual identity to be biologically determined, and associated  gender norms are to be observed as appropriate to biblical standards. Disagreement  with one’s biological sex only leads to spiritual confusion and emotional chaos  (Genesis 1:27, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). [All references to man and  woman in this statement are referring to those who were born biologically as male and  female.] 

Though sinful sexual expression is egregious (as is all sin), the gospel provides  redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking mercy and  forgiveness through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:3-7). 

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Furthermore, there is a difference between temptation and unrepented sin. Jesus was  tempted in all ways as we are, yet He never sinned. Members, employees, volunteers  and attendees of the Church wrestling with all manner of sexual temptation will find a  Church ready to point them to Jesus and join with them to fight for their obedience to  Christ. Jesus called the weary and heavy-laden to Himself. As a church desiring to  

follow Christ fully, the Church will be a safe place for men and women fighting sexual  temptations of all kinds. For those fighting temptation and repenting of sin, the Church  will provide love, care and direction (Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews  2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16). 

[This] Statement on Marriage and Sexuality does not provide grounds for bigotry,  bullying or hate, as we fully believe that every person must be afforded compassion,  love, kindness, respect and dignity, regardless of his or her lifestyle. Hateful and  harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated as  sinful and are not in accordance with the Scriptures nor the doctrines of the Church. https://thevillagechurch.net/about/beliefs/bylaws/#9.3 

We believe in the wisdom of Theological Triage as laid out by Al Mohler: 

First-level theological issues would include those doctrines most central and essential  to the Christian faith. Included among these most crucial doctrines would be doctrines  such as the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, justification by faith, and  the authority of Scripture. 

These first-order doctrines represent the most fundamental truths of the Christian faith,  and a denial of these doctrines represents nothing less than an eventual denial of  Christianity itself. 

The set of second-order doctrines is distinguished from the first-order set by the fact  that believing Christians may disagree on the second-order issues, though this  disagreement will create significant boundaries between believers. When Christians  organize themselves into congregations and denominational forms, these boundaries  become evident. 

Christians across a vast denominational range can stand together on the first-order  doctrines and recognize each other as authentic Christians, while understanding that  the existence of second-order disagreements prevents the closeness of fellowship we  would otherwise enjoy. 

Third-order issues are doctrines over which Christians may disagree and remain in  close fellowship, even within local congregations. 

https://albertmohler.com/2005/07/12/a-call-for-theological-triage-and-christian-maturity 4

We reject legalism in all its forms. We embrace Christian Liberty as expressed in  Scripture. We reject Theological Liberalism.  

While we embrace authenticity, humor, irony, and appropriate sarcasm, we believe we  must engage others in a respectful way. We believe in Biblical correction, instruction,  and rebuke. We do not shy back from challenging sin within and without or from being  challenged, ourselves.  

We believe that IFB pastors and members, as well as progressive Christians with whom  we disagree, must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity,  regardless of their belief or behavior. 

We are committed to maintaining Christian integrity and testimonies through our  personal lives, ministries, and social media interactions. 

We exist to help and encourage those whose lives have been negatively affected by  fundamentalist legalism in the church and to challenge those who promote tradition  over Scripture. 

We affirm this statement and acknowledge that participation and fellowship within the  RFP Network of Podcasts is contingent upon faithfully representing this basic set of  beliefs.