Doctrinal Statement

Introductory Remarks

As a church family, we strongly believe that sound doctrine (teaching) is important. Paul wrote to Timothy, "watch your life and doctrine closely." ( I Timothy 4:16). The following are nine major teachings which summarize the theological content of the bible and the theological position of Valley Bible Church.

The Word of God (Bibliology)

We believe the Bible is God's only written revelation to men. In the original writings it is free from all error (there are no mistakes in the Bible; Matthew 5:18). Each and every word of Scripture is God-breathed (II Timothy 3:16). God controlled the men who wrote the Bible and its words are exactly what God wanted said (II Peter 1:21) We acknowledge and desire to submit to the authority of God's Book in all areas of our church and private lives.

God (Theology Proper)

We believe in one sovereign, eternal God existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17; II Corinthians 13:14). God is all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing, and all-loving. He is eternal, holy, just and unchanging ( (I Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 145). He is our comfort and strength, and we declare our love for and allegiance to Him.

Jesus Christ, the Son (Christology)

God became man and lived on this earth. He was born of the virgin Mary, and men beheld His glory (John 1:14). The attributes of both natures (fully man and fully God) belong to Him. His name is Jesus (meaning "Jehovah is Salvation") and Christ (meaning the "Messiah"). He is our Savior (I Corinthians 15:3), our Lord (John 20:28), our God and our coming King ( Revelation 19:16). Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, was buried and was resurrected bodily on the third day, ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God. (I Corinthians 15, Acts 1:9, Ephesians 1:20).

Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)

The Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19). He is God (Acts 5:3,4). He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11), and is the supernatural agent in regeneration at salvation (Titus 3:5). He baptizes all believers into the universal Church (I Corinthians 12:13) and He indwells all believers and marks them as His own (I Corinthians 6:19). He fills and empowers all believers who are yielded to Him and subject to His will (Ephesians 5:18), enabling believers to grow in maturity and conformity to the image of Christ and to grow in love for God and their fellow man (Colossians 1:28-29; Ephesians 3:16-19). He gives gifts as He chooses to each believer to be used for the building up of the body (I Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:7-16; Romans 12:3-8).

The Church (Ecclesiology)

The Church universal includes all who have put their faith in Christ, from Pentecost to that time when Jesus returns. We emphasize the need for a strong local church in which God is worshipped, His Word is taught, and believers minister to one another and reach out to those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ ( Ephesians 4:11-16). We believe that Christ committed two ordinances to the local church as an outward sign of the inward reality of salvation and they are observed in obedience and remembrance until Christ returns ( Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). We believe the church is governed by a plurality of elders ( 1 Timothy 3:1-14; 1 Peter 5:1-3).

Angels and Satan (Angelology)

Although we may not have seen angels or demons or Satan, we believe they exist ( Matthew 18:10). We believe in angels of God which are spirits ministering to us, the heirs of salvation ( Hebrews 1:14). The Scriptures tell of the fall of Satan ( Isaiah 14:12-15). Satan originated sin in the world and through the permissive will of God, he and his demons now rule this world as usurpers ( II Corinthians 4:4). Satan was defeated at the cross and will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever ( Revelation 20:10). This will take place at the end of time as we know it.

Man (Anthropology)

Man was created in the image of God to enjoy friendship with Him ( Genesis 1:26). Man sinned and his fellowship with God was broken ( Genesis 3). Man is now deceitful and desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9). He has the capacity for all sin and lives his life independent of his Creator. In his natural rebellious state, his destiny is to spend eternity totally separated from God in the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels ( II Thessalonians 1:8; Revelation 20:11-15).

Salvation (Soteriology)

God made salvation available to all men ( John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4,6, 1 Timothy 4:10). All men are dead in their trespasses and sins ( Ephesians 2:1,2). A dead man can do nothing to help himself. God became a man and died upon a cross, was buried and rose from the dead ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-5). By this process, Christ became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ( II Corinthians 5:21). We, by the non-meritorious act of faith (belief, trust) put our confidence in Jesus, and He gives us everlasting life ( Ephesians 2:8,9; John 5:24). We are sanctified in our present experience as we are renewed toward the image of God, and are enabled to die to sin and to live to righteousness ( Romans 6:12-22, Romans 8:29, Ephesians 4:13). Every true believer can have the assurance that his salvation is certain for eternity ( John 1:12-13, 1 Peter 1:3-5, 1 John 5:10-13; John 20:31).

End Times (Eschatology)

We believe in the personal and imminent return of Christ. At the end of this age, Christ will come to earth after a seven year period of tribulation and set up His Millennial Kingdom. After this one thousand year period, Satan will be judged and cast into the lake of fire; unbelievers will likewise be judged at the "great white throne." Believers will have their works judged at the judgment seat of Christ ( I Corinthians 3:10-15, II Corinthians 5:10). Then the new heavens and the new earth will appear and all true believers shall worship and serve God forever ( Revelation 19-22).

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