The Godhead
Terms Defined
The terms "Trinity" and "persons" as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from "gods many and lords many." We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural.
Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16-17
Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead
Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained.
Luke 1:35;1 Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; Matthew 28:19 ; 2 Corinthians 13:14 ;1 John 1:3-4
Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Accordingly, therefore, there is that in the Father which constitutes him the Father and not the Son; there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Spirit which constitutes Him the Holy Spirit and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore the Father is the Begetter, the Son is the Begotten, and the Holy Spirit is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one.
John 1:18; John 15:26; John 17:11; John 17:21 ; Zechariah 14:9
Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are never identical as to Person; nor confused as to relation; nor divided in respect to the Godhead; nor opposed as to cooperation. The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son as to relationship. The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, but the Son is from the Father, as to authority. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, cooperation and authority. So, neither Person in the Godhead either exists or works separately or independently of the others.
John 5:17-30 ; John 5:32 ; John 5:37; John 8:17,18
The terms "Trinity" and "persons" as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from "gods many and lords many." We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural.
Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16-17
Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead
Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained.
Luke 1:35;1 Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; Matthew 28:19 ; 2 Corinthians 13:14 ;1 John 1:3-4
Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Accordingly, therefore, there is that in the Father which constitutes him the Father and not the Son; there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Spirit which constitutes Him the Holy Spirit and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore the Father is the Begetter, the Son is the Begotten, and the Holy Spirit is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one.
John 1:18; John 15:26; John 17:11; John 17:21 ; Zechariah 14:9
Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are never identical as to Person; nor confused as to relation; nor divided in respect to the Godhead; nor opposed as to cooperation. The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son as to relationship. The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, but the Son is from the Father, as to authority. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, cooperation and authority. So, neither Person in the Godhead either exists or works separately or independently of the others.
John 5:17-30 ; John 5:32 ; John 5:37; John 8:17,18
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
All believers are entitled to and should expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the power for life and service, the giving of the gifts and their uses for the work of the ministry.
Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
This experience is distinct from and comes after the experience of the new birth.
Acts 8:12-17; Acts 10:44-46 ; Acts 11:14-16 ; Acts 15:7-9
With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as:
an overflowing fullness of the Spirit John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8.
The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with new tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance.
Acts 2:4
Speaking in a new tongue in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use.
1 Corinthians 12:4-10; 1 Corinthians 12:28
Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
This experience is distinct from and comes after the experience of the new birth.
Acts 8:12-17; Acts 10:44-46 ; Acts 11:14-16 ; Acts 15:7-9
With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as:
an overflowing fullness of the Spirit John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8.
- a deeper reverence for God, Acts 2:43 ; Hebrews 12:28
- an increased consecration to God and dedication to His work, Acts 2:42
- and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost, Mark 16:20
The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with new tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance.
Acts 2:4
Speaking in a new tongue in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use.
1 Corinthians 12:4-10; 1 Corinthians 12:28
Statement of Marriage and Sexuality
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.
Genesis 2:18-25
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a natural born man and a natural born woman who are married to each other.
1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a natural born man and a natural born woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, or use of pornography is sinful and offensive to God.
Matt. 15:18- 20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Building For Christ Ministry as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to Building For Christ Ministry members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Building For Christ Ministry in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality.
Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Building For Christ Ministry.
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.
Genesis 2:18-25
We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a natural born man and a natural born woman who are married to each other.
1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a natural born man and a natural born woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, or use of pornography is sinful and offensive to God.
Matt. 15:18- 20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Building For Christ Ministry as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to Building For Christ Ministry members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Building For Christ Ministry in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality.
Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Building For Christ Ministry.
Statement on Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. Psalms 139
Statement on Final Authority
Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Building For Christ Ministry’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Senior Pastor is Building For Christ Ministry’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s application.