About Decatur Bible Chapel - Doctrinal Statements of Faith

The Scriptures

We believe that both the Old and New Testament are verbally inspired by God and without error in the original writings. We therefore hold the Bible to be the absolute, sole and final authority in all matters relating to doctrine, practice, faith, life and prophecy. II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:20-21

GOD

We believe that there is only one true and living God existing in three persons - Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and that these three are ONE GOD, having precisely the same nature and attributes, power and glory. Matthew 3:16, Matthew 28:19

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary and shed His blood on Calvary as a vicarious substitute. He was buried, rose again bodily and ascended to God the Father according to the scriptures. Matthew 1:18-25, John 1:14, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 4:14-15

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person. He is God and is co-existent with the Father and the Son. He convicts men of sin, righteousness and judgment. He regenerates, seals, permanently indwells all believers and baptizes them into the body of Christ. John 14:17, John 16:7-10, Eph. 1:13-14, I Corinthians 12:12-14

Man

We believe that man was created innocent by God. Adam, the first man, sinned by disobedience, and this act resulted in the fall of mankind and incurred both physical and spiritual death for all. Man now possesses an utterly depraved nature. Through the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, man can have new life and live in eternal fellowship with God. John 3:16; Romans 3:10, 23; Romans 5:121

The Church

We believe that the Church is composed of all believers in the Lord, Jesus Christ, Who is the head of the Church. Ephesians 4:1-6 We believe that Jesus Christ will come in the air and that all believers, both dead and alive, will be translated to meet him there. We also believe that at the end of the seven-year tribulation, Christ will literally and visibly descend from Heaven with the Saints to establish His millennial Kingdom on earth. I Thessalonians. 4:13-18, Rev. 20-5,6.

The Second Coming Of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ will come in the air and that all believers, both dead and alive, will be translated to meet him there. We also believe that at the end of the seven-year tribulation, Christ will literally and visibly descend from Heaven with the Saints to establish His millennial Kingdom on earth. I Thessalonians. 4:13-18, Rev. 20-5,6