STATEMENT OF FAITH
In essential beliefs we have unity, in non-essential beliefs we have liberty, and in all our beliefs we show love and grace.
As a local church we recognize that Christians exist around the world who do not agree on every detail of doctrine. Our unity as a church universal is based solely on the person and work of Jesus and not on absolute agreement of other doctrines outside the atoning work of Jesus.
We encourage you to examine our positions so that you completely understand what FBC Westlake considers to be essential beliefs. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to approach any of our deacons or our pastor.
As a local fellowship of believers, we at FBC Westlake hold to the following doctrinal beliefs:
ABOUT GOD…
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
ABOUT CHRIST….
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus, while upon the earth, was God revealed in the flesh. He was both fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, died a substitutionary death on the cross, was resurrected bodily from the grave, ascended to heaven, and currently sits at the right hand of God. He is coming again personally and visibly to claim His bride, the Church, and will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 52:12-53:12; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 20:28; 26:37-39; John 1:1-18; 1:29-34; 10:30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT…
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift(s) when they are saved to be used in ministry to others. As Christians, we seek to live daily under His control.
John 16:7-13,14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
ABOUT THE BIBLE…
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
Psalm 12:6; 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13,3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21
ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS…
People are made in the spiritual image and likeness of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. However, through the original disobedience of the first humans, mankind fell from His creator and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death. He became corrupt in his whole nature through an attitude of disobedience God calls sin. Because every person is marred by sin, all of mankind is therefore separated from God and without hope apart from salvation through Jesus Christ. God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. He created marriage to be exclusively the union of one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union. 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 ages, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage of condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1,2; Romans 3:23; 5:12-21, Psalm 139
ABOUT SALVATION…
Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
John 1:12; 10:28,29; 14:6; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8,9; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
ABOUT ETERNITY…
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation that is found in Jesus alone. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15
ABOUT THE CHURCH…
The church (composed of all believers throughout the world) is the spiritual organism of which Christ is the Head. The church universal is a collection of local churches that have unity not in every detail of philosophy and doctrine but in a common head, Jesus Christ, and a common mission. The local church (a portion of the body of Christ) is an autonomous (self-ruled) group of believers who have organized themselves to do the work of God’s ministry. The Church exists to worship God, disciple and care for believers, and to evangelize a lost world. The two church ordinances in which all believers are to participate are water baptism (by immersion) and communion.
Matthew 3:13-17; 16:13-19; 28:18-20; Mark 14:22-26; Acts 2:38; 8:38-39; 18:8; 20:17-18,28; Romans 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11; 1 Peter 5:12