GBC Statement of Faith #1

 “We believe in the Holy Scripture.  Accepting fully the writings of the Old and New Testaments as the inerrant Word of God, verbally inspired in all parts and therefore altogether sufficient as our only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice.  We believe the King James Version to be the Word of God inerrant and preserved of God according to promise.”

GBC Statement of Faith

This basic statement of faith is probably about 20 years old.  Our pastor typed up the first copy sometime after we moved into the new auditorium in 1980 and it's been revised a little along the way (shortened some of the points).  We do keep copies in the office to give to folks (usually visitors) who want to know our basic doctrinal foundation. 

Definitions:

Holy : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness

Scripture : the books of the Bible;   a passage from the Bible ;   a body of writings considered sacred or authoritative

Testament : a covenant between God and the human race

Covenant : a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action

Inerrant : free from error

Inspired :

Greek: theopneustos

"Inspired by God" (Theos, "God," pneo, "to breathe"), is used in 2Ti 3:16, of the Scriptures as distinct from non-inspired writings. 

Sufficient: enough to meet the needs of a situation

Infallible : incapable of error

Authoritative : having or proceeding from authority : OFFICIAL

Rule : a prescribed guide for conduct or action

Preserved : to keep alive, intact, or free from decay

 Therefore:

1. We accept that the bible  (Old and New Testament) is free from error.
2. We know that the Bible is written down by man but is the actual Words of God, from God.
1. It is verbal plenary (complete or full) inspiration.
2. Inspiration is when God takes a blank piece of paper (papyrus, vellum, etc.) and uses men to write His words.
3. Preservation is when God takes those words already written and uses men to preserve them to today.
3. The Bible is all we need as our only rule (not a book of don’ts).  It is the perfect source of what we believe and our guide to how we should live our lives.
1. B.I.B.L.E. = Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
2. Contains all of the instructions for the Church

Verbally Inspired 

This is a reference to what we believe that God literally inspired the words of Scripture not just the thoughts.  There are some who believe that inspiration refers to a moving in the heart of a writer so that his thoughts were inspired to write.  We believe that God inspired the very words of Scripture.  Sometimes we follow the word, verbal with the word, plenary.  This word means that the Scripture is complete (or full).  To not believe in the plenary Scripture is to leave the door open for new revelation.  This means that men today could claim that God has inspired them and they are speaking for Him.  We believe that God has given us a completed revelation of all that He intends for us to know in the Bible.

(Psa 119:160 KJV)  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

(Prov 30:5a KJV)  Every word of God is pure:

(2 Tim 3:16 KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(2 Tim 3:17 KJV)  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

(2 Pet 1:19 KJV)  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

(2 Pet 1:20 KJV)  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

(2 Pet 1:21 KJV)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.