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        What We Believe

        What We Believe Mission
        Statement        		 What is a Bible Church?

        WHAT WE BELIEVE

        WE BELIEVE the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings and of supreme and final authority in faith and life.

        WE BELIEVE in one God, eternally exising in three Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

        WE BELIEVE that God the son became flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, and who is true God and true man.

        WE BELIEVE that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.

        WE BELIEVE in the personal, bodily, visible and premillennial return of Jesus Christ.

        WE BELIEVE that whoever by faith receives Jesus Christ as his or her Savior becomes a child of God. This salvation is not the result of any human effort, merit, or ancestry.

        WE BELIEVE that all true believers are kept eternally secure by the power of God through the new birth, the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit, and the intercessions of Christ.

        WE BELIEVE in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost.

        A COMPLETE DOCTRINAL STATEMENT IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.


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        Mission Statement

        The Byron Center Bible Church exists to bring glory to God by calling people to follow Jesus Christ through reaching out to our community with the message of God's tansforming love, teaching the truths of God's Word, and nurturing mutual support among believers.

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        NOTE: The following article was taken from a pamphlet of the same name distributed by the Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA).

        What is an Independent Fundamental Church?

        Local churches have been in existence since the time of Christ. Groups of believers gathered together to form local congregations. Through the years some churches have identified with various denominational groups, However, there have been independent churches during each period of church history. Such churches continue to flourish throughout many parts of the world today, effectively ministering God's Word.

        What are the distintives of an independent, fundamental church? Here are our biblical criteria for such a church.

        I. A Church That is Independent

        The churches established by the first century apostles of Christ began as independent churches. They were free from outside control over the affairs of the local church. Each local church was a self-governing body, chose its own officers (Acts 6:1-6), a nd exercised its own discipline (1 Corinthians 5:13). Internal problems were handled by the individual congregation (1 Corinthians 6:1-5). Preservation of pure doctrine was the responsibility of the local assembly (1 Timothy 3:15, Revelation 2:14-16).

        Following this pattern, today's independent church depends upon the Holy Spirit's direction (Acts 13:1-3), chooses its own name, government, and programs. It is free to call its own pastor and invite into the pulpit any speakers it deems sound in the fai th.

        Another important characteristic is the liberty enjoyed in the manner of missionary support. Independent churches are free to seek God's direction in supporting those ministries they find acceptable. The primary aim of all missionary and evangelistic ef fort is personal salvation and discipleship through Christ.

        The independence of a church simply enhances its dependence upon the Lord. Each church looks to Him for the provision of its every need. This encourages prayers, faith and spiritual growth among its members.

        An independent church is not only self-governing, it is also self-supporting through the free-will offerings of its constituents (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

        II. A Church That is Fundamental

        A fundamental church is one that stands for the historic fundamental of the faith, upholding biblical authority versus human theories. To be fundamental means to be believe in and proclaim those beliefs such as:

        • The verbal plenary inerrant inspiration of the Bible
        • The virgin birth, absolute deity and sinless life of Jesus Christ
        • The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ to provide salvation for all
        • The person and work of the Holy Spirit
        • The reality of Satan and his destructive work today
        • The personal and bodily return fo Jesus Christ
        • The bodily resurrection of all men; some to eternal life and some to everlasting punishment

        III. A Church That is Bible Centered

        An independent fundamental church emphasizes the use of the Bible in the regular church services. The Bible is revered as the guide for daily Christian faith and living.

        The pastor preaches directly from the Bible in his pulpit ministry. The educational program of the church is likewise centered in the Bible and is designed to develop biblical values and standards by which to live. Sunday school teachers instruct from i t. Teaching materials are based on it. Youth programs utilize it.

        IV. A Church With Distinctive Emphases

        In addition to the things already mentioned, there are five additional distinctives of independent fundamental churches.

        A Unique Church Membership
        A personal experience of the new birth is a prerequisite to church membership. Independent fundamental churches require testimony of one's salvation before membership.

        Observance of Two Ordinances
        All who are truly born-again are invited to remember the Lord at the communion table, regardless of church membership. All believers are encouraged to follow the biblical teaching regarding water baptism as a testimony to their faith in Christ.

        Scriptural Giving
        Financial support for the local church is received from the free-will offerings of those attending in accord with 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

        Independent but Not Isolated
        Independence does not mean isolation. Independent churches try to obey the "one anothers" of the Bible to develop a spirit of interdependence. According to the Scriptures, all who have trusted Christ as Savior belong to the "body of Christ" (Ephesia ns 1:22-23). In a spirit of oneness, many independent churches are involved in a vast network of fellowship, such as the Independent Fundamental Churches of America (see below).

        Spiritual Unity of All Believers
        The body of Christ transcend all earthly denominations and organizations (Ephesians 1:22-23). It is composed of all who have trusted Christ as Savior, regardless of organizational affiliation (1 Corinthians 12:13).

        Independent fundamental churches strive to be loyal to Christ and his Word rather than to any organization. They seek to establish, preserve, and expand local churches according to the New Testament pattern (Matthew 28:18,20; Acts 13:3-4).

        Independent Fundamental Churches of America

        The Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA) is an association of independent, fundamental chuches. The IFCA recognizes and upholds the independence and autonomy of the local body of believe rs. The IFCA promotes and offers the following to member churches:

        • Fellowship among fundamental churches
        • Support services to local churches and pastors
        • Publications
        • Outreach

        If you would like more information about the IFCA, please write or call them at:

        Independent Fundamental Churches of America
        P.O. Box 810
        Grandville, Michigan 49468-0810 U.S.A.
        Phone: (616) 531-1840 or (800) 347-1840
        FAX (616) 531-1814

        Or, visit their home page at http://www.ifca.org

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