What we believe at Waterbrook Bible Fellowship
Often, we are asked, “What are your basic beliefs?” We always start by saying that we believe that the Bible is God’s Word and is to be interpreted by the literal method, where the rules of grammar, literature, history and culture are consistently applied. In this way, we can accurately understand the author’s meaning, and properly apply the Bible’s principles.
We believe that the Scriptures in all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired of God, error free in the original manuscripts, and the supreme authority of faith and practice for followers of Christ.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 4:12)
We believe there is one living and true God, who is one in essence, while eternally existing in three distinct persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
- The Father (Matthew 6:9, John 5:19-24, Ephesians 1:3-6)
The first Person of the Trinity orders and directs all things according to His own purpose, pleasure and grace. He has decreed all things that come to pass for His own glory. He graciously involves Himself in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. - The Son (John 1:14-18, I Corinthians 15, Hebrews 2:17-18, Romans 3:24-26, Revelation 20:11-15, Colossians 2:9) Jesus Christ is both the eternal Son of God and virgin-born Son of man. Fully God and fully man, He surrendered nothing of His deity during His earthly life. Having led a sinless life, He satisfied the Father’s justice concerning sin by His death. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His physical ascension, and His visible return to this earth to establish His earthly kingdom.
- The Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 2:10, John 3:1-8, John 16:4-15, Ephesians 1:13-14, John 15:16, Galatians 5:16-25) The third Person of the Trinity executes the will of God in the world of men. It is the Holy Spirit who applies the salvation Jesus Christ secured through His death on the cross. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers the church to live a lifestyle pleasing to God, endowing it with special gifts
We believe that mankind was directly created in the image of God to enjoy His fellowship and fulfill His purposes on earth. However, in Adam, all mankind fell into sin; consequently all people are spiritually dead and subject to the certainty of both physical and spiritual death apart from faith in Jesus Christ.
(Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 1:18-32, 3:10-23)
We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. All who believe in Him are declared righteous by the Father on the grounds of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection, being regenerated by and baptized in the Holy Spirit.
(John 1:12, 3:16, 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9)
We believe that all who are “born again” by the Holy Spirit belong to the one true church and are instructed by the Scriptures to associate themselves in local, visible churches.
(Acts 2:41-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 12-14)
We believe the next great event of human history will be the personal return of Jesus Christ (Rapture) . This is the blessed hope for which all those who love Christ yearn. While the exact time of Christ’s return is unknown, it is imminent and certain.
(Matthew 24-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
We believe that Jesus Christ leads the local church through a plurality of elders who have been called, gifted, and appointed by Him. By seeking the mind of Christ, depending upon the Holy Spirit and diligently examining the Word of God, the elders provide spiritual oversight and direction for the church. The qualifications of elders are character-based as defined in 1 Timothy and Titus.
(1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 6:1-6)
#1: Baptism (Matt. 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-7)
We believe that baptism is an essential “first step” for all who having believed in Christ for salvation, desire to walk as His disciple. Baptism is a clear injunction of the Scriptures which outwardly expresses the inward reality of new life in Christ. Our method of baptism is immersion as described in the New Testament and practiced in the early church.
*See more on baptism in our “Baptism Basics” information page.
#2 : Communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ and His redemptive death. It is also an expression of our fellowship with one another. In communion we are reminded of Christ’s first coming, and encouraged to look forward to His coming again.
Baptism
