In order to insure that there is harmony in the area of biblical beliefs, the following is an abbreviated doctrinal statement. The scriptures are included to help you now and for further reference.

I. THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Scriptures consist of both Old and New Testaments of the Bible. We believe that this written revelation alone is the supreme and only authority for life and godliness. We believe in verbal (the individual words) and plenary (the whole context) inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 119:89) of scripture. We believe that all other authorities (traditions, other religious books, religious leaders) are subservient to the Holy Bible.

II. THE LORD GOD (THEOLOGY PROPER)
We believe that God is the almighty, supreme and sovereign Master of all realms whether in heaven or earth; whether temporal or eternal (Psalm 135:5-7). In loving grace He condescends to involvement in the affairs of those who belong to Him (Isaiah 57:15-18). He is spirit and desires worship and obedience of the creatures made in His image: mankind (John 4:24).

THE TRINITY: Although God is one in essence (Deuteronomy 6:4), the scriptures clearly reveal that He is triplicate in regard to His person. The Hebrew word for God is "Ellohim" ("El" meaning God; "him" is a plural suffix) indicating this incomprehensible truth. We believe that God exists eternally in three persons as revealed in the scriptures: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 5:7).

III. THE LORD JESUS (CHRISTOLOGY)
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ who is eternally God the Son (John 1:1-3, 10:30; Hebrews 1:8-12). We believe in the pre-incarnate deity of God the Son (John 8:58, 17:5), His entry in to the world as the person of Jesus Christ by virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-20) ans His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15). We also literally believe in the Lord Jesus' miracles, teachings, sacrificial death on the cross, bodily resurrection from the dead and physical ascension into heaven (1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Acts 1:9-11). We believe that during this current Church Age, He is seated at the Father's right hand in heaven interceding for believers (Romans 8:34) and awaiting His imminent return for believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and eventual return to earth to reign (Revelation 19:11-20:4).

IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT (PNEUMATOLOGY)
We believe in the eternal person of the Holy Spirit as member of the triune Godhead as set forth in the scriptures (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). We believe His Church Age ministries are to: (1) Convict the world of sin, judgement and righteousness (John 16:8-11); (2) To regenerate (Titus 3:5), indwell (John 14:16-17), baptize (1 Corinthians 12:13) and seal (Ephesians 1:13-14) all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior. We believe that He also equips believers with one or more spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11) which is (are) to be used in the church to build up other Christians and glorify God (Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11)*. The believer is commanded to be filled with the Spirit (controlled by Him) (Ephesians 5:17-21). When this is done, the believer can produce Christ-like qualities (Galatians 5:16-25). When the believer is not "walking in the Spirit," the Holy Spirit is grieved (Ephesians 4:30-32) or quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

NOTE: We believe that speaking in tongues is not required to evidence salvation or spiritual maturity (1 Corinthians 12:28-31). Further more, we believe tongues was primarily a spiritual gift used by God in the early stages of the Church Age. Even then this gift was abused and a source of great problems in the church (1 Corinthians 12:3). Tongues was always to be tested by the biblical standard of 1 Corinthians 14:26-40. If it failed these God-given tests, it was to be rejected and forbidden. We believe that over-emphasis in this (or any) gift(s) is improper and unbiblical.

V. MAN (ANTHROPOLOGY) AND SIN (HAMARTIOLOGY)
We believe that man was created in God's image (Genesis 1:26 - 2:7). Man was to rule and reign over God's earthly creation (Genesis 2:15-20). Through temptation man sinned deliberately and willfully (Genesis 3:1-7), thereby bringing death into God's creation (spiritual death immediately, Genesis 3:7-9 and physical death eventually Genesis 5:5). Since that time sin (rebellion against God and His Word) has been passed to all mankind (Romans 5:12, 17-19) so that all are born under the curse of sin (Romans 3:23) and are in need of salvation (Romans 3:10-20). Sin not only affected man, but brought the whole creation under a curse (Genesis 3:12-24). Therefore, the animal kingdom and plant kingdom, as well as humanity, was plunged into chaos (Romans 8:20-22). Man's eternal destiny depends totally upon whether or not he/she has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for personal salvation (John 1:12; 3:3-7, 36). Those who receive Christ are assured of eternal life (1 John 5:11-13). Those who reject Christ are assured of everlasting punishment from the presence of God (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

VI. SALVATION (SOTERIOLOGY)
We believe that there is only one way for a person to have their sins forgiven in the sight of God and to be certain of eternal life with Him after physical death. The scriptures teach that there is no salvation in any other way than through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Christ's death on the cross was sacrificial and vicarious for sinners (Romans 3:21-26; 1 Corinthian 15:3). The blood shed by Jesus Christ made full atonement of man's sin (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 9:22-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19). The merits of Christ's work on the cross are imputed to anyone who trusts Jesus Christ alone for salvation (by faith personally receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) (Romans 3:21-22; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-13). All who repent and believe upon the Lord Jesus for salvation (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38) are granted eternal life as a free gift from God (Romans 6:23). God also imputes to each believer the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). According to God's Word, salvation is a permanent and irrevocable gift of God (Romans 11:29) enabling the believer to know for certain his/her eternal destiny (1 John 5:11-13).

VII. THE CHURCH (ECCLESIOLOGY)
We believe that the Church is a New Testament spiritual organism (people, not a building or denomination) which began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The Church is called "a body" (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) and is composed of all true believers regardless of race, social status, background, or religious affiliation (Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:11). We believe the Church Age is a special time in the plan of God where He is graciously calling out of the Gentiles (non-Jews) a people of His own (Acts 15:14). Both Jews and Gentiles must now be saved the same way: through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16). The Church Age will end at the time when Christ returns in the clouds and calls the Church out of the world (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We also believe that God designs for there to be "local churches" made up of "born-again" (John 3:3-5) believers who gather for worship in specific geographic locations ( Hebrews 10:24-25). The purposes of a local church are (Ephesians 4:11-16): (1) worship, (2) training in the scriptures, (3) evangelism, (4) fellowship, and (5) edification.

VIII. FUTURE THINGS - END TIMES (ESCHATOLOGY)
We believe in a Sovereign God who is moving all earthly history toward an ultimate conclusion which will bring Him universal glory (Revelation 21:1-8). This conclusion will be the rewarding of righteousness and compete banishment of sin and rebellion (Revelation 22:12-15). Since we interpret the scriptures literally (unless we have specific sanction to do otherwise), the following seems to be a probable agenda for the end times:

1. The imminent removal of believers (the Church) from earth (1 Thessalonians 4:13- 18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54). A. Believers from the Church Age go to the Judgement Seat of Christ for rewards for service done during their lives ( Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). B. This removal of believers paves the way for Satan to accelerate his evil program on earth (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).
2. The signing of a covenant between Satan's political ruler (the Beast of Revelation) and the nation of Israel (Daniel 9:24-27). This begins the Tribulation Period (Daniel's 70th Week) described in Revelation 4-19. This will be a 7 year period of time where God will deal in great judgement with the earth, the latter half of which is referred to as "The Great Tribulation" (Matthew 23:15-22).
3. The culmination of the Tribulation Period with the visible, physical personal return to earth of the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:11 - 20:3).
4. The establishment of Christ's "millennial kingdom" on earth (Revelation 20:4).
5. The final judgement of the lost and sentencing of them to the Lake of Fire for eternity (Revelation 20:7-15).
6. The passing away of the current heavens and earth and establishment of the "new" creation (Revelation 21:1).
7. The "eternal state" of worship, service, praise, and fellowship with God and His saints (Revelation 21:2 - 22:5).

IX. THE ORDINANCES:
We believe the Lord Jesus commanded that two specific ordinances be maintained by believers: baptism and communion.

1. BAPTISM: Baptism is an act of obedience to be done by all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). It does not remove sins but is a public testimony of one's faith in the Lord Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Since only immersion can adequately demonstrate this, it is the mode to be used. Baptism should be done as soon after salvation as possible (Acts 2:38-47, 8:26-40) by those who have experienced receiving Jesus by faith. Since infant baptism is not found in the scriptures, it is not practiced here although child-dedications by godly parents are encouraged (Mark 10:13-16).

   NOTE: In the scriptures the original Greek work for baptism is (bap tid zo) which means to "immerse into." Another word (ran tid zo) is used to speak of sprinkling. The former word is always used when speaking of believer's baptism while the latter never is.

2. COMMUNION: Communion is to be practiced by believers as we wait upon the Lord's return (Matthew 26:26-30). It is to be done in remembrance of the great price Christ paid for our sins (Luke 22:14-20). Communion (or the Lord's Table) does not impart grace or forgiveness or any such thing through one's participation (1 Corinthians 11:23-32). In fact, unbelievers should not participate and believers are to closely examine their lives prior to participation (1 Corinthians 11:23-32). At Bayview, we remember this ordinance once a month (usually the first Lord's Day of the month).