Independent Baptist

Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI)

The BBFI Handbook

Statement of Faith
We are Bible Believing Baptists. A Bible Believing Baptist is one who believes in a supernatural Bible
preserved for us in the King James Version, which tells of a supernatural Christ, Who had a
supernatural birth, Who spoke supernatural words, Who performed supernatural miracles, Who lived a
supernatural life, Who died a supernatural death, Who rose in supernatural power, Who ascended in
supernatural splendor, Who intercedes as a supernatural priest and Who will one day return in
supernatural glory to establish a supernatural kingdom on the earth.
Of The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any
admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only
complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the
supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
1. By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which,
as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
2. By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally
inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89,105,130,160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:31; 24:25-
27,44-45; John 5:39,45-47; 12:48; 17:17; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Romans 3:4; 15:4; Ephesians
6:17; 2Timothy 3:16-17; 1Peter 1:23; 2Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19

Of The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker
and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible
honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in
the great work of redemption.
Genesis 17:1; Exodus 20:2-3; 15:11; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew
28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 11:23; 1Corinthians
12:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 4:6; Philippians 2:5-6;
1Timothy 1:17; 1John 5:7; Revelation 4:11

Of 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 nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He
restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of
righteousness; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is
the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the
believer.
Genesis 1:13; Matthew 3:11; 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; 3:16; 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5-6;
14:16-17,26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11,13; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:14,16,26-27; Ephesians
1:13-14; 2Thessalonians 2:7,13; Hebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:2

Of The Devil, Or Satan

We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to
be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the
power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of
God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of
the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness - destined
however to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell,
a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:25; 25:41; 27:39; Mark 13:21-22;
Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; 2Corinthians 11:13-15; 1Thessalonians 3:5;
2Thessalonians 2:8-11; 1Peter 5:8; 2Peter 2:4; 1John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; 2John 7; Jude 6;
Revelation 12:7-10; 13:13-14; 19:11,16,20; 20:1-3,10

Of The Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically
or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that
man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development
through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was
made directly and God’s established law was that they should bring for only "after their kind." Since
God created mankind into genders distinctly male and female, we believe that the only legitimate
marriage is that between a man and a woman. He has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be
engaged in outside of marriage. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality,
bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We
believe that God rejects any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.
Genesis 1:1,11,24,26-27; 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3;
Acts 4:24; 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 10:6

Of The Fall Of Man

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary
transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now
sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or
excuse.
Genesis 3:1-6,24; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:18,20,28,32; 3:10-19; 5:12,19; Galatians
3:22; Ephesians 2:1,3
Of The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a
virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both the Son of
God, and God, the Son.
Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthews 1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:14;
Galatians 4:4; 1Corinthians 15:47; 1John 5:20

Of The Atonement For Sin

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of
God, Who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the
divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our
sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the
voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord,
bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in
heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in
every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all sufficient Savior.
Isaiah 53:4-7,11-12; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25;
Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2

Of Grace In The New Creation

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in
Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses
and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the
new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character,
nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine
truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy
fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3,6-7; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:23; 2Corinthians 5:17,19; Galatians
5:22; Ephesians 2:1; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; 1John 5:1

Of The Freeness Of Salvation

We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel;
that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and nothing
prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary
rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-18,36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29-30;
10:13; 1Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 3:12; 1Thessalonians 1:4;
1Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; 1Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17

Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is
Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of
righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have
done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
 Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:1; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 4:1; 5:1-9; 8:1;
Galatians 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38

Of Repentance And Faith

We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in
our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and
helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition,
confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and
openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.
Psalm 51:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans
10:9-11,13

Of The Church
We believe that a Baptist church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of
faith and fellowship of the Gospel, said church being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the
divine and eternal grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts,
rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are pastors or elders
whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures.
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained
distinct and separate spiritual functions of men and women in the home and in the church. The husband
is to be the leader of the home and men are to hold the leadership positions (pastors and deacons) in the
church. Accordingly, only men are eligible of licensure and ordination for pastor by the church.
We believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual
disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not
believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the absolute right of self
government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the
one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to
cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every
church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of
membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is
final.
Leviticus 27:31; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 6:5-6; 14:23; 15:22-23;
20:17-28; 1Corinthians 5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4,8-11; 16:1-2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11;
5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; 1Timothy 3:1-13

Of Baptism And The Lord's Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and
beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin
and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the
Lord's supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine
are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Matthew 3:6; 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5;
1Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12
Of The Perseverance Of The Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to
Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special
Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto
eternal salvation.
Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:20; 13:19-21; John 8:31-32; 10:28-29; 16:8; Romans 8:28,35-39;
Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 1:14; 1Peter 1:5; 1John 2:19

Of The Righteous And The Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that
such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our
God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in
His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in
the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 7:13-14; 25:34; Luke 9:26;
16:25; John 8:21; 12:25; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:17; 6:16-18,23; 7:6; 1Corinthians 15:22;
Galatians 3:10; 1Peter 4:18; 1John 2:7,29; 5:19

Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human
society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in
things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the
coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Exodus 18:21-22; 2Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts
4:19-20; 23:5; Romans 13:7; Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; 1Peter 2:13-14,17
Of The Resurrection And Return Of Christ And Related Events
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the
Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "The third day according to the Scriptures"; that He
ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God"; that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God"; "that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so
come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven," bodily, personally, and visibly; that the
"dead in Christ shall rise first"; that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last trump"; "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David";
and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His
feet."
Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:4-5; Matthew 24:27,42; Matthew 28:6-7; Mark 16:6,19; Luke 1:32;
Luke 24:2,4-6,39,51; John 14:3; John 20:27; Acts 1:9,11; 1Corinthians 15:4; Philippians
4:20; 1Thessalonians 4:16; 1Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9; 8:1; 9:28; 12:2

Of Missions
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given
to the churches.
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you and, lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
John 20:21, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth."
Romans 10:13-15, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall
they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they
have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they
be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring
glad tidings of good things!"
Of The Grace Of Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith.
2 Corinthians 8:7, "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and
in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the
first day of the week.
1Corinthians 16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath
prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
Under Grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe - "Abraham GAVE the tenth of the spoils," - Hebrews
7:2,4 - and this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the new Testament; Jesus
said concerning the tithe, "these ought ye to have done", Matthew 23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church.
Leviticus 27:30, "The tithe ... is the Lord's."
Malachi 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and
prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour
you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the church.
Acts 4:34,35,37, "And brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the
apostles' feet ... Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it AT THE APOSTLES' FEET."
Source: BBFI Handbook (pg.19-29), 1993