What We Believe
Bay Area Chinese Bible Church
Coastline Christian Schools*
Tiny Treasures Preschool
ARTICLES OF FAITH
Last revised: 2016 FEB 21 – final
1. THE BIBLE
We believe the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the only written revelation from God. It is therefore without error in the original writings, infallible, and the final authority for what we believe and how we live.
2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21
2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21
2. GOD
We believe in one God, the Creator of the universe, eternally existing in three persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory.
Matt 28:19; 1 Tim 2:5; Eph 4:6; John 1:1; Acts 5:3-4
Matt 28:19; 1 Tim 2:5; Eph 4:6; John 1:1; Acts 5:3-4
3. JESUS CHRIST
We believe the Son retained His deity when He became man through a miraculous conception and Virgin Birth. He lived without sin and died as our substitute. The Father showed that He accepted this sacrifice by the bodily resurrection. Christ ascended to Heaven, where He is our mediator, intercessor, and advocate.
John 1:1-2,14; Luke 1:30-35; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24; Acts 1:9-10; Rom 8:34
John 1:1-2,14; Luke 1:30-35; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24; Acts 1:9-10; Rom 8:34
4. THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He is the supernatural agent in the new birth. He baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ, lives in them, and teaches them.
John 16:8; Rom 6:3-4; 1 John 2:27
B. We believe that God, in His wisdom and sovereignty, bestows through the Holy Spirit spiritual gifts to believers. They are to use their gifts in love to build up the body of Christ.
Rom 12:4-8; Eph 4:8-14; 1 Cor 12--14
John 16:8; Rom 6:3-4; 1 John 2:27
B. We believe that God, in His wisdom and sovereignty, bestows through the Holy Spirit spiritual gifts to believers. They are to use their gifts in love to build up the body of Christ.
Rom 12:4-8; Eph 4:8-14; 1 Cor 12--14
5. HUMANKIND
We believe that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. Adam's sin affected all areas of our lives and separated us from God. By ourselves, we are unable to restore our original relationship with God.
Gen 1:26-27; Rom 3:20-25; 5:12
Gen 1:26-27; Rom 3:20-25; 5:12
6. CIVIL GOVERNMENT
In principle, we believe government is appointed by God for good to restrain evil, therefore, it is to be obeyed, except if it violates God's laws.
Rom 13:1-7; 1 Tim 2:1-3; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet 2:11-17; Acts 5:29
Rom 13:1-7; 1 Tim 2:1-3; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet 2:11-17; Acts 5:29
7. MARRIAGE
We believe God instituted marriage as a lifelong monogamous relationship between a man and a woman.
Gen 2:23-24; Matt 19:3-6
Gen 2:23-24; Matt 19:3-6
8. SALVATION
We believe God loves every person. He cares about human life from conception to death. God has dealt with humankind through faith throughout history. The basis of salvation of the Old and New Testament believers is the work of Christ. Christ died on the cross for the sins of every individual. Every person can receive the free gift of salvation by believing that Christ was their substitute for sin.
Eph 2:1-9; John 1:12-13; 1 Tim 4:10; Heb 11:6
Eph 2:1-9; John 1:12-13; 1 Tim 4:10; Heb 11:6
9. ETERNAL SECURITY
We believe all who genuinely accept Christ are saved and secured forever by God’s power. God has given us this assurance through His Word.
John 6:37-40; 10:27-29; Rom 8:38-39
John 6:37-40; 10:27-29; Rom 8:38-39
10. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that we should live to please God by daily surrendering our lives to Him. We are to grow in Christian maturity by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:16-26
Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:16-26
11. THE GREAT COMMISSION
We believe that it is our responsibility to present the gospel and to make disciples in all the world.
Matt 28:18-20
Matt 28:18-20
12. THE CHURCH
We believe in a universal church that is composed of all believers from the day of Pentecost to the Rapture. Local churches are composed of believers who choose to identify themselves with a particular assembly.
1 Cor 12:12-14; Acts 14:27; Rom 16:5
1 Cor 12:12-14; Acts 14:27; Rom 16:5
13. CHURCH ORDINANCES
We believe in two ordinances, which have symbolic value, but no saving merit. Baptism, best practiced by immersion, is a testimony of a person’s faith in Christ. The LORD’s Supper is a remembrance of Christ’s death until He returns.
Matt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-32
Matt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-32
14. SATAN
We believe Satan is a fallen angel, the originator of sin, who will be eternally punished.
Job 1:6-7; Rev 20:10
Job 1:6-7; Rev 20:10
15. THE RETURN OF CHRIST
We believe Christ can return at any time for those who belong to Him. Before He returns again to set up His rule on earth, it will experience a period of judgment.
1 Thess 4:13-18; Zech 14:1-11; Rev 22:20
1 Thess 4:13-18; Zech 14:1-11; Rev 22:20
16. ETERNITY
We believe that people have an eternal existence after they die. Those who belong to Christ will live in His presence forever. Those who do not belong to Him will be eternally separated in a conscious state of misery.
1 Thess 4:16-17; Rev 20:11-15
1 Thess 4:16-17; Rev 20:11-15
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* Formerly Chinese Christian Schools
✞ The PDF version shall always prevail in case of any discrepancy or inconsistency between PDF and its Web versions.
| Articles of Faith | REV 2016 Feb 21 |
