WHAT WE BELIEVE
Statement of Faith of the Bible Baptist Church of Thessaloniki.
I. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Scriptures or Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the very Word of God, and that it is the center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all Christian conduct, doctrine, or creed must be tested. Written by holy men guided by the Holy Spirit, the Bible is true, infallible and unchangeable.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Peter 1:19-21, Acts 1:16, Acts 28:25, Psalm 119:160, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130, Luke 24:25-27, John 17:17, Luke 24:44-45, Psalm 119:89, Proverbs 30:5-6, Romans 3:4, 1 Peter 1:23, Revelation 22:19, John 12:48, Isaiah 8:20, Ephesians 6:17, Romans 15:4, Luke 16:31, Psalm 19:7-11, John 5:45-47, John 5:39
II. THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit. The Creator and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, indescribable in Glory and Holiness, and worthy of all glory, honor, worship and love. Triune, Father, Son and Spirit, a Trinity of one essence and inseparable. Each person functions with His own dignity in harmony and agreement with the other two persons, in the redemptive work of salvation for the human race.
Exodus 20:2-3, Genesis 17:1, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 4:6, John 4:24, Psalm 147:5, Psalm 83:18, Psalm 90:2, Jeremiah 10:10, Exodus 15:11, Revelation 4:11, 1 Timothy 1:17, Romans 11:33, Mark 12:30, Matthew 28:19, John 15:26, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 1 John 5:7, John 10:30, John 17:5, Acts 5:3-4, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, Philippians 2:5-6, Ephesians 2:18, 2 Corinthians 13:14.
III. JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the eternal Son and Word of God, that He was not made but born of the Father, who took on human nature without His Divine nature being altered, undertook the work of salvation for humanity, fulfilling this completely through His sacrificial death on the cross. That He is the Son of God and God the Son. That He was buried, rose bodily from the tomb as He foretold, and that He ascended into Heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father as High Priest and intercedes for us. That He is the only Mediator between God and men and that there was not, is not, nor will there be another Mediator for humanity.
John 1:1-3, John 6:62, John 8:58, John 17:5, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3, John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Philippians 2:6, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 10:5, 1 John 4:2, Hebrews 7:25, 1 Corinthians 15, Psalm 110:1, Ephesians 1:20, Hebrews 8:1, Romans 8:34, 1 Timothy 2:5, Acts 4:12.
IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same essence. That in His relationship with the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled. That He convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment. That He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel. That He is the agent in regeneration and that He seals, endows, guides, teaches, testifies, sanctifies and helps the believer.
John 14:16-17, Matthew 28:19, Hebrews 9:14, John 14:26, Luke 1:35, Genesis 1:1-3:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:7, John 16:8-11, John 15:26-27, Acts 5:30-32, John 3:5-6, Ephesians 1:13-14, Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 11:16, Luke 24:49, John 16:13, John 14:21, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2, Romans 8:26-27
V. THE DEVIL
We believe that the Devil or Satan was created as an angel and that he enjoyed Heavenly Glory. That he fell due to pride and rebellion. That he is the enemy of every person, the ruler of false religions and lord of the antichrist. That in the final judgment his knee will bow and he will confess that Jesus is Lord. Finally he will be cast into the lake of fire which is prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:14-17, Revelation 12:9, Jude 6, 2 Peter 2:4, Ephesians 2:2, John 14:30, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5, Matthew 4:1-3, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 3:8, Matthew 13:25, 37-39, Luke 22:3-4, Revelation 12:10, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Mark 13:21-22, 1 John 4:3, 2 John 7, 1 John 2:22, Revelation 13:13-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11, Revelation 19:11,16,20, Revelation 12:7-9, Revelation 20:1-3, Revelation 20:10, Matthew 25:41
VI. CREATION
We believe in the biblical account of Creation. That it is true exactly as described in the Bible. That it has no allegorical meaning or that it is mythical, but that historically-grammatically it is the creative act of God. That man was created directly by God and did not evolve from any previous species of life. That all humanity are descendants of the historical persons Adam and Eve, and that they are the first parents of all humanity.
Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11, Acts 4:24, Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 11:3, John 1:3, Revelation 10:6, Romans 1:20, Acts 17:23-26, Jeremiah 10:12, Nehemiah 9:6, Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:21-23
VII. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created pure, and that by his own will he fell from the state of innocence, and thus all humanity is now in a state of sin, without any excuse.
Genesis 3:1-6,24, Romans 5:12, Romans 5:19, Romans 3:10-19, Ephesians 2:1,3, Romans 1:18, Ezekiel 18:19-20, Romans 1:32, Romans 1:20, Romans 1:28, Galatians 3:22
VIII. THE VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus Christ was miraculously conceived in the womb by the Holy Spirit and was born in the flesh from the virgin Mary who had no physical relationship or contact with a man, until she gave birth to her firstborn son Jesus.
Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:35, Mark 1:1, John 1:14, Psalm 2:7, Galatians 4:4, 1 John 5:20, 1 Corinthians 15:47
IX. SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of believers comes only from the grace of God the Father through the Son of God Jesus Christ, who by the will of the Father came to earth and through obedience unto death fully paid for our sins, and that His sacrifice was not an act for imitation or an example, but was, is and will be the means of payment for the sins of humanity. That faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation given to humanity. That salvation is free to all through the Gospel and that the immediate duty of all is to receive it by faith. That it is provided even to the greatest sinner, and that only the willful rejection of the Gospel involves us in eternal condemnation.
Ephesians 2:8, Acts 15:11, Romans 3:24, John 3:16, Matthew 18:11, Philippians 2:7, Hebrews 2:14, Isaiah 53:4-7, Romans 3:25, 1 John 4:10, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 10:18, Philippians 2:8, Galatians 1:4, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18, Isaiah 53:11, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Corinthians 15:20, Isaiah 53:12, Hebrews 9:12-15, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 1:2, Titus 1:1, Romans 8:29-30, Matthew 11:28, Isaiah 55:1, Revelation 22:17, Romans 10:13, John 8:37, Acts 2:38, Isaiah 55:7, John 3:15-16, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Ephesians 2:4-5, John 5:40, John 3:18, John 3:36
X. GRACE AND REGENERATION
We believe that in order for man to be saved he must be born again. That this new birth is a new life in Jesus Christ. That it is instantaneous and not a process and that the believer can have eternal life from that moment. That the new creation comes in a way we do not understand, not from customs, not from traditions, not from character, nor by human will and works, but entirely from the Grace of God through faith in the person and sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit works to regenerate us, giving life to our own dead spirit.
John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Luke 5:27, 1 John 5:1, John 3:6-7, Acts 2:41, 2 Peter 1:4, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Colossians 2:13, John 1:12-13, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:9
XI. JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the greatest blessing of believers in the Gospel is their justification before the righteous Judge Father. That justification includes the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life. That our justification has nothing to do with our good works, but is entirely based on the grace of our Lord through our faith.
Acts 13:39, Isaiah 53:11, Zechariah 13:1, Romans 8:1, Romans 5:9, Romans 5:1, Titus 3:5-7, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 2:4, Galatians 3:11, Romans 4:1-8, Hebrews 10:38
XII. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are two inseparable obligations, so that with our own understanding of sin and condemnation, we repent from this life of sin and believing in the justification offered only by Jesus Christ we receive salvation.
Acts 20:21, Mark 1:15, Acts 2:37-38, Luke 18:13, Romans 10:13, Psalm 51:1-4, Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 55:6-7, Luke 12:8, Romans 10:9-11
XIII. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that every new believer should be baptized as a testimony and not for salvation. Baptism takes place in water and must be by immersion and emersion of the believer in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, so that we show the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our Lord.
We believe in the “Lord’s Supper” or “Communion,” which should be received frequently, according to what the local church leadership decides, in remembrance of the sacrificial death on the cross and not for salvation. That it has no miraculous or magical power and that it is done as a remembrance and testimony of our faith.
Acts 8:36-39, Matthew 3:6, John 3:23, Romans 6:4-5, Matthew 3:16, 28:19, Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:12, Acts 2:41-42, Matthew 28:1, 9-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-28
XIV. THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
We believe that the Saints are true believers who hold the faith until the end. That persistent and steadfast adherence to Christ is the main characteristic that distinguishes them from false confessors. That the Lord watches over their welfare. That they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
John 8:31-32, Colossians 1:21-23, 1 John 2:19, Matthew 13:19-21, Romans 8:28, Matthew 6:20, Psalm 121:3, Hebrews 1:14, 1 Peter 1:5, Philippians 1:6, John 10:28-29, John 18:8, Romans 8:35-39
XV. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS
We believe that there is a great difference between the righteous and the unrighteous. That the righteous are justified through faith in the name of Jesus Christ and cleansed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. These are the only righteous before God inheriting His Kingdom. While those who remain in unbelief and do not receive the Divine grace through Jesus Christ are not justified before God the Father and are subject to eternal condemnation.
Malachi 3:18, Genesis 18:23, Romans 8:17-18, Proverbs 11:31, 1 Peter 1:18, Romans 1:17, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Acts 10:34-35, 1 John 2:29, 2:7, Romans 6:16, John 5:19, Galatians 3:10, Romans 7:6, 6:23, Proverbs 14:32, Luke 16:25, Matthew 25:34,41, John 8:21, Luke 9:26, John 12:25, Matthew 7:13-14
XVI. GOVERNMENT
We believe that government is in its position only by Divine appointment for human society. That we must pray for those who govern, honor them conscientiously and obey them without, however, showing disobedience to God Almighty.
Romans 13:7, 2 Samuel 23:3, Exodus 18:21-22, Acts 23:5, Matthew 22:21, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13,14, 1 Peter 2:17, Acts 4:19-20, Daniel 3:17-18, Matthew 10:28, 23:10, Philippians 2:10-11, Psalm 72:11
XVII. THE CHURCH
We believe that the church of Christ consists of all born-again believers. That this church is manifested in the assembly of all born-again and baptized believers who are members of a local congregation, which has Jesus Christ as its head. That the church holds the principles of Christ, is governed by His laws, exercises the gifts, rights and freedoms given to it through His Word. That its ordained leaders are pastors or elders, whose conduct, qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the New Testament. That the local church has every right to be self-governing, free from any interference from any hierarchy of individuals or organizations, and that the one and only “Head” of it is Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. That it is biblical for local churches to help each other and cooperate with one another for the advancement of the faith and for the spread of the Gospel. That each local church judges for itself the methods of cooperation regarding matters of membership, order, government, disc
Acts 2:41-42, 1 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:11, 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-11, Acts 14:23, 6:5-6, 15:22-23, 20:17-28, 1 Timothy 3:1-3, Matthew 28:19-20, Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 5:23-24, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Acts 15:22, Jude 3, 4, 2 Corinthians 8:23-24, 1 Corinthians 16:1, Malachi 3:10, Leviticus 27:32, 1 Corinthians 16:2, 6:1-3, 5:11-13
XVIII. THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH AND BELIEVERS
We believe that the true mission of the church is found in the commission given to it by Jesus Christ, to preach the Gospel to the whole world.
To make disciples and baptize those who confess faith in Jesus Christ. To teach and guide believers as He taught us.
We believe that believers should help each other, support missionaries, and also that each believer should contribute to the church with his talents, his gifts and with all the help he can offer, whether spiritual, physical, or financial.
Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, John 20:21, Romans 10:13-15, 2 Corinthians 8:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Leviticus 17:30, Malachi 3:10, Acts 4:34,35,37
XIX. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe in the second coming of Christ. That the dead in Christ will be raised first and then we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we will always be with the Lord.
That the antichrist will be cut off after seven years with the return of the Lord together with His saints to earth, and then the Lord will take the throne of David to reign for a thousand years. Afterwards will come the final resurrection and judgment of the living and the dead, then the Devil and his angels will be cast into the eternal lake of fire.
Matthew 28:6-7, Luke 24:39, John 20:27, 1 Corinthians 15:4, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:2, 4-6, Acts 1:9-11, Luke 24:51, Mark 16:19, Revelation 3:21, Hebrews 8:1, 12:2, 8:6, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 2:1, Hebrews 2:17, 5:9-10, John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Matthew 24:27, 24:42, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Philippians 4:20-21, Luke 1:32, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Isaiah 11:4-5, Psalm 72:8, Revelation 20:1-4, 20:6