OUR STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES - WHAT WE PRACTICE
Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven principles:
B - Biblical Authority We believe the Bible is God's final authority for us. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What does the Bible say?". We practice daily Bible reading, studying and memorization. No person or council of people can ever supersede the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16)
A - Autonomy of the Local Church We believe that the local church is an independant body of believers which is accountable to God alone. No person or council of people can dictate what a local church should do. (Matthew 18:15-17; Col. 1:18)
P - Priesthood of the Believer We believe that every believer is a priest. The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to "full time" Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice this truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. As a priest, each believer may personally enter the presence of God through the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5-9; Rev. 1:6)
T - Two Church Offices We believe that the Bible teaches that there are two church offices ordained by God for the spiritual and practical needs of the local church. The office of elder and deacon. (1 Timonthy 3:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
I - Individual Soul Liberty We believe that every individual has the liberty to believe as his/her conscience dictates. A person cannot be forced against his/her will to believe in something. (Romans 14:5-12)
S - Saved Church Membership We believe that the prerequisite to local church membership is evidence of salvation by faith in Christ. (Acts 2:42-47)
T - Two Church Ordinances We believe that the Lord Jesus gave to the local church two church ordinances that must be obeyed. The two ordinances are Believer's Baptism, and the Lord's Table. (Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-31)
S - Separation of Church and State We believe that the church and the government form two separate spheres of authority and accountability. Neither one should ever attempt to control the other. (Matt. 22:15-22)
LIFESTYLE STATEMENT
In view of the need for Christian churches to maintain Biblical standards in a secular society, we, the members of Faithway Baptist Church hereby affirm the following statment on Christian lifestyle:
1. We affirm that the Bible clearly reveals God's will for the lifestyle of His redeemed people. We deny that Biblical standards in such areas as the family and sexuality are outdated in modern times. (Deut. 4:2; Ps. 119:89; Matt. 5:17-19; Mark 13:31; Romans 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:6-11)
2. We affirm that human sexuality is a good gift from God to be received with thanksgiving. We deny that sexual acitivty outside of marriage is necessary for the full development of human personhood. (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18-25; Proverbs 5:18-19, Song of Solomon; Hebrews 13:4)
3. We affirm that in the Bible, God defines marriage as a life-long, exclusive covenant between a man and a woman. We deny that same-sex relationships constitute marriage in the Biblical sense. (Genesis 2:24; Matt. 19:3-9; Romans 7:2,3)
4. We affirm that only within marriage as defined in #3 above, is sexual activity pleasing to God. We deny that homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, bestiality adultery, pre-marital sex or pornography is pleasing to God. (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18; Matt. 5:27-30; Romans 1:26,27; 1 Cor. 5:1,2; 9-13; 6:9,10; 7:3-5, 8, 9; Eph. 5:3-5; 1 Thes. 4:1-8)
5. We affirm that the above four guidelines are clearly based on Scripture and therefore constitue the will of God for the members of Faithway Baptist Church, and we further affirm that the above four guidelines shall serve as the basis for pastoral care and church discipline. We deny that the use of the above four guidelines is motivated by anything other than a reverant fear of Almighty God our Maker, Redeemer and Judge, and our sincere desire to obey His commandments revealed in Scripture.