The teaching of Foothills Bible Church is based on the Scriptures. Article VI from our Constitution serves as our STATEMENT OF FAITH, and it reflects those doctrines that the elders and congregation consider essential to understanding, teaching, and practicing God’s Word.
SCRIPTURES
We teach that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man. The sixty-six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the verbal, plenary (inspired in word and equally in all parts) Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Bible is objective, propositional (contains definite, objective statements) revelation (1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13), fully inspired (God-breathed) and inerrant in the original documents (Psalm 19:7-9; 2 Timothy 3:16). God “breathed out” His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man (2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:15-16). The Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice. God communicates with His people through the Scriptures (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21), not by personal or private “revelations.” True faith and growth come by the Word of God (Romans 10:17; John 17:17). The Bible’s central theme is God’s redemptive plan in Jesus Christ (Luke 24:44-46; John 5:39; Hebrews 1:1-2).
GOD
We teach that there is one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4) an infinite, all-knowing Spirit (Psalm 90:2; John 4:24), perfect in all His being, attributes, and ways (Matthew 5:48). He is one in essence (Deuteronomy 6:4), eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14) – each equally deserving worship and obedience (John 20:28; cf. John 17:5 with Isaiah 42:8; Acts 5:3-4; 7:51; Ephesians 4:30). God is completely holy, all-glorious, and sovereign in all things (Isaiah 6:1-3; Psalm 115:3; Job 42:2).
GOD THE FATHER
God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:5-6, 11). God is the creator of all things, having made the universe in six literal days (Genesis 1:1-31; Acts 17:24; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 45:22; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 4:10). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator, He is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6; Acts 17:28-29), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11-12, 14). He continually directs and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:13), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17; Romans 1:20; Romans 2:15-16). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 3:16); He adopts as His own all those who come to Him (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).
GOD THE SON
Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9, 10). All things created by God the Father occurred through His Son. It is through Christ all things continue in existence and in operation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2). In the incarnation (God becoming man), Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God-man (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9). Jesus Christ represents true humanity and true deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 1:1, 14; 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians 2:9). In His incarnation, Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin, Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23,25; Luke 1:26-35); The purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem people, and rule over God’s kingdom (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:29; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19). The death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross was an actual and particular atonement, accomplishing the redemption of His own through the shedding of His blood. His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory (appeased God’s wrath on behalf of the elect), and redemptive (Matthew 1:21; John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; Colossians 1:20-22; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Peter 2:24). On the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and placed into the family of God (John 17:3; Romans 3:25-26; 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18). The believer’s justification is made sure by Christ’s literal, physical resurrection from the dead, and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father. It is before the Father’s throne He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; 7:55-56; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 4:14-15; 7:25; 9:24; 10:12; 1 John 2:1). In the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that He has accepted the once-for-all sacrificial work of Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers (John 5:26-29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20,23). Jesus Christ will receive the Church to Himself at the end of this age (John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; Revelation 3:10) in “The Rapture.” There will then be seven years of the Tribulation Period in which God’s wrath will be poured out on mankind in various ways (Revelation 6-18). Then, returning in power and glory, Jesus will establish His Millennial Kingdom (Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 19:11-20:6). It is Christ who will judge all mankind (John 5:22-23): believers (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10); the living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matthew 25:31-46); the unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15).
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13-14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). He possesses all the divine excellencies and is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; and Jeremiah 31:31-34 with Hebrews 10:15-17). It is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the divine will with relation to all mankind. He demonstrates His sovereign activity in creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the written revelation (2 Peter 1:20-21), the work of salvation (John 3:5-7) and the resurrection (Romans 1:4; 8:11). A unique work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16-17; 15:26; Acts 2:1-4; 41-47) to initiate and complete the building of the body of Christ, which is His church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7-9; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22). The Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign agent in placing believers into the body of Christ, baptizing them in regeneration (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them to the day of redemption (John 16:7-15; Romans 8:9; 15:16; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God’s revelation, the Bible. Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 2:20, 27). The Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies not Himself but Christ by these gifts, implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the faith (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Thus, the Holy Spirit is sovereign in bestowing all these gifts for the perfecting of the saints. According to Scripture, the “sign gifts” of speaking in tongues, healings, and miracles were for the purpose of authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth. They were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of all believers, nor should they now be sought after as special works of God’s power (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Hebrews 2:1-4).
ANGELS
We believe that God created angels as spiritual beings to glorify and serve Him. Angels also act as God’s messengers and minister to believers. Although powerful, they are never to be worshipped (Colossians 1:16; 2:18; Psalm 103:20; Hebrews 1:13-14; Revelation 22:8-9). Satan, an angel of high rank, led many angels in a rebellion against God, bringing judgment against himself and his followers (Isaiah 14:1215; Ezekiel 28:12-19; John 16:11; 2 Peter 2:4). Satan tempted Adam and Eve into rebellion against God (Genesis 3:1-19; 2 Corinthians 11:3) and continues, with other fallen angels (demons), to deceive and tempt all of mankind and actively oppose the purposes of God (2 Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 12:9). By His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus Christ defeated Satan and his demons; they will be thrown into the lake of fire forever at the last judgment (Matthew 25:41; John 12:31-32; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10).
ORIGINS
We believe that God spoke the heavens, the earth and all living things into existence in six days. God directly created the original kinds of plants and animals and ordered them to reproduce after their kind. In its original form, the creation was very good and untouched by sin. Man is unique, created in the image of God, and did not originate from any other living thing (Genesis 1 & 2; 5:1-2; 9:6; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 33:6-9; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17).
SIN
We believe that God created Adam and Eve, the first humans, without sin and in perfect fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:26-28, 31; 2:18-24; James 3:9). They chose to sin by disobeying God and incurred His judgment. Their sin separated them from Him and brought suffering and death upon themselves, their descendants, and the whole creation (Genesis 3; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:5; Romans 8:20-22). Mankind’s continued unbridled wickedness brought further judgment, which destroyed the earth in a world-wide flood (Genesis 6-8; 2 Peter 2:4-5). After the flood, mankind’s continued rebellion at Babel brought God’s judgment in confusing their language and scattering them over the face of the earth (Genesis 11:1-9; Luke 1:51). We inherit Adam’s sin nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12), are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), and are sinners ourselves (Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12). Consequently, none of us are able by our efforts to reconcile ourselves to God (Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:8).
SALVATION
Salvation from sin and death is wholly of God by grace on the basis of redemption by Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, through faith alone and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
ELECTION
Election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates and saves (John 3:1-8; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:1-2). Such election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7; Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11) and to trust Christ as Savior and Lord (John 3:16-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Colossians 2:6). The pure grace and mercy that God grants to totally depraved sinners is not related to any initiative of their own part nor to God’s anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign will (Romans 9:10-18; Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2). God is truly sovereign, but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Romans 11:33-36). His sovereignty always exalts the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9). God’s election of sinners does not minimize a believer’s responsibility to evangelize, but rather intensifies that privilege (Romans 10:14; 2 Timothy 2:10). Both sovereign election on God’s part (Ephesians 1:4, 11; John 6:44; 15:16; Acts 13:48; Romans 9:18), and man’s responsibility to repent and believe the gospel (Ezekiel 33:11; Matthew 23:37; Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 2:1; 3:9) are equally taught in Scripture.
REGENERATION
Regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24; James 1:18), when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10).
JUSTIFICATION
Justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares man righteous. This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation (credit to one’s account) of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (Romans 5:17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is both “just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). Justification is a declaration of right standing before God, not an infusing of righteousness within the believer (making a believer righteous).
SANCTIFICATION
Every believer is sanctified (set apart) positionally to God at the moment of justification, declared to be holy and a saint. This sanctification is instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2). There is also, by the work of the Holy Spirit, a progressive sanctification by which the lifestyle of the believer is brought into increasing conformity to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to obey the Word of God and, through faith, and to grow in holiness and conformity to the will of God. The believer is commanded to “put off” the old lifestyle, and with a renewed mind, “put on” the new lifestyle (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23). Every saved person is involved in a daily conflict – the new creation in Christ doing battle against the selfish desires of the flesh – but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle against the flesh nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely ended (Romans 6-7; Galatians 5:16-25; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9-10; James 1:14-15; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 1:9; 1 John 3:5-9).
SECURITY
All the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power, will persevere in their love for Christ, secure in Him forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Jude 24). Such security belongs only to true believers in Christ, not merely those who claim “faith.” Those habitually deny the Lord by their unrepentant sinful conduct have no real claim to security (John 6:66; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:19).
ASSURANCE
It is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word (1 John 5:13). Assurance is not found in boasting of any personal effort or work(s), yet comes in trusting the promises of God (John 5:24; Romans 8:1, 31-39) and its regenerating power in one’s life (1 John 2:3-5; 3:9-10; 3:23-24). Godly love and obedience bolster one’s confidence that he/she is a child of God.
HOLINESS
Separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments. The Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5). Out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and not bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. Separation from apostasy, and worldly and sinful practices, is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11). Believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2). As the Christian walks in the Spirit, the Spirit’s fruit will be exemplified in his life (Romans 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10; Galatians 5:22, 23).
FAMILY
We believe that God created and blessed the family as the foundation of society. Marriage unites one man and one woman in a lifetime commitment to each other (Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-6). Marriage provides for intimate companionship, pure sexual expression (Genesis 2:25; Ephesians 5:31-33), procreation, and reflects the relationship of Christ and the church (Genesis 1:28; Proverbs 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5). A husband is commanded to love his wife as Christ loved the church. A wife is commanded to submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33). Children are a gift from God and are fully human from conception (Psalm 127:3; 139:13-16). Parents are to train their children by modeling a godly life, teaching them the Scriptures, disciplining them in love, and providing them a resource of wisdom and counsel (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Proverbs 1:8-9; 13:24; 22:6). Parents are to care for the needs of their children (2 Corinthians 12:14; Ephesians 6:4). Children are to obey their parents with respect and honor, caring for them in the time of their dependency and old age (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 23:22; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20; 1 Timothy 5:8).
THE CHURCH
We believe that Christ established the church and is the Head of the church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). The church comprises believers from its beginning at Pentecost until the return of Christ (Acts 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the church carries out Christ’s work in the world (John 15:26; Acts 1:8). The purpose of the church is to worship, praise, and glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Christ Jesus to the entire world (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8); by teaching His Word (Colossians 1:24-28; 1 Timothy 4:11); by seeking Him through earnest prayer (Acts 2:42); by equipping the saints to walk, serve, and fellowship in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42-46; Ephesians 4:1116; 1 Corinthians 14:26); and by keeping the ordinances (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25; Matthew 28:19). We believe that the Lord gave two ordinances to the church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is for believers and is a public testimony of faith in Christ in obedience to His command (Matthew 28:19). Baptism identifies the believer with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Colossians 2:12) and is best represented by immersion (Acts 8:36-39). The Lord’s Supper is the believer’s remembrance of our Lord’s death until He comes and should be preceded by careful spiritual self-examination of the participant (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28). We believe that the church is expressed in local congregations of believers established under the headship of Christ and the authority of Scripture (Galatians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 1:11). Individual congregations are to be governed by elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7), men meeting biblical standards, who are responsible to guard the purity of church doctrine (Titus 1:9), to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3), and to oversee church matters (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17). Deacons are responsible for assisting the elders in the work of the ministry (Acts 6:1-6; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
FBC | FOOTHILLS BIBLE CHURCH 