What We Believe - Trinity Bible Church Statement of Faith

Question 1

What is the Statement of Faith at Trinity Bible Church?

Accepted Answer

Trinity Bible Church's Statement of Faith contains the core beliefs that Trinity Bible Church affirms, based on our understanding of what Scripture teaches about God, mankind, the Church, and the good news we want to share.

Question 2

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about the Bible and Scripture?

Accepted Answer

We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments to be the full record of God's self-disclosure to mankind. Different men, while writing according to their own styles and personalities, were supernaturally moved along by the Holy Spirit to record God's very words, inerrant in the original writings. Therefore, those applying themselves to study its literal, historical-grammatical context can accurately understand God's Word. Scripture is fully trustworthy as our final and sufficient authority for all of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

Question 3

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about God / the Trinity?

Accepted Answer

We believe in the one living and true God, eternally existing in perfect unity as three equally and fully divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). Each member of the Godhead, while executing distinct but complementary roles in redemptive history, has precisely the same divine nature, attributes, and perfections, and is equally worthy of worship and obedience. God is spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

Question 4

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about God the Father?

Accepted Answer

We believe God the Father created all things for His glory according to His own will (Revelation 4:11), through His Son, Jesus Christ. He upholds all things by the Word of His power and grace, exercising sovereign headship over all creation, providence, and redemption (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3).

Question 5

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about Jesus Christ / God the Son?

Accepted Answer

We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He is the eternal second Person of the Trinity who, in the fullness of time, took on human nature through the miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, yet without sin. In His life on earth, He perfectly obeyed the law of God and fulfilled all righteousness on our behalf. He performed many miraculous signs. He was crucified, died, and was buried. He bodily rose from the dead on the third day and ascended into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father, serving as our great High Priest. He is the only mediator between God and man. He will personally and bodily return to the earth as King and Judge (Philippians 2:5-11; John 1:1-14; Matthew 1:18-23; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:5).

Question 6

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about the Holy Spirit?

Accepted Answer

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ during this age. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He draws the unredeemed to repentance and faith, and at salvation imparts new spiritual life to the believer, bringing that person into union with Christ and the Body of Christ. He indwells, seals, illumines, guides, teaches, and empowers the believer for godly living and ministry. He gives spiritual gifts to each believer for building up the body of Christ.

Question 7

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about mankind and sin?

Accepted Answer

We believe that God created mankind — male and female — in His own image and likeness, free of sin, to glorify Himself and enjoy His fellowship. Tempted by Satan, but in the sovereign plan of God, man freely chose to disobey God, bringing sin, death and condemnation to all mankind. All human beings, therefore, are born with a sinful nature and stand guilty before God, in need of a Savior.

Question 8

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about salvation?

Accepted Answer

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as the substitutionary atonement in our place, and that salvation is found in none other than Jesus Christ. Before Creation, God chose those who would be saved and granted this unearned grace solely based on His own sovereign will and purpose. Salvation is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Repentance and faith are both gifts from God and the responsibility of every person. Once a person is truly saved they are sealed by the Holy Spirit and cannot lose their salvation.

Question 9

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about the Church?

Accepted Answer

We believe that upon placing one's faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, the believer becomes part of the Body of Christ, the one universal Church, of which Jesus Christ is the Head. The Scriptures command believers to gather locally in order to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, the ordinances of baptism and communion, fellowship, service, and the mission of making disciples. Each local church is self-governing and free from any external authority or control. The New Testament office of elder is reserved for qualified men who lead and shepherd the local church.

Question 10

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about the family?

Accepted Answer

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. Marriage is a covenant relationship between one man and one woman, reflecting the relationship of Christ and His Church. Husband and wife are of equal worth before God and complement one another in distinct roles: the husband is called to lead, love, and provide for his wife and family in a Christ-like manner, while the wife is called to respect and support her husband's leadership. Children are a heritage and gift from the Lord, to be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Question 11

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about missions and evangelism?

Accepted Answer

We believe it is the aim, duty, and privilege of every believer and local church fellowship to glorify God by responding as active participants in Jesus Christ's Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). We believe the primary focus and priority of this call is centered on proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are lost, both locally and to the ends of the earth.

Question 12

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about end times and things to come?

Accepted Answer

We believe in and expectantly await the glorious, visible, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed hope of His return has vital bearing on the personal life, service, and mission of the believer (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost. The lost will be raised to face judgment and eternal separation from God; the saved will be raised to enjoy eternal life with God.

Question 13

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about baptism and communion?

Accepted Answer

Baptism and communion are the two ordinances required in the church. We believe that Christian baptism by immersion in water is a public identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and is a testimony of a person's faith in Christ. It is reserved for those who have personally trusted in Christ as Savior. Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is a remembrance of Christ's body and blood given for us, and is a proclamation of His death until He comes. It is intended for believers who have examined themselves and are walking in fellowship with God.

Question 14

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about spiritual gifts?

Accepted Answer

We believe that at salvation, God gives every believer one or more spiritual gifts for use in building up the Body of Christ. We believe the sign gifts — including tongues, prophecy, healing, and miracles as described in the New Testament — served the specific purpose of authenticating the apostles and their message during the founding of the church. We believe these sign gifts have ceased as the church has been established and the canon of Scripture has been completed. The remaining gifts of the Spirit continue to be given and are to be actively used for the edification of the church.

Question 15

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about creation and evolution?

Accepted Answer

We believe that God created the universe ex nihilo (out of nothing) and that God's creative work as revealed in Genesis 1-2 is historical and factual. We hold that mankind was created uniquely and directly by God and did not evolve from lower life forms. We believe that the age of creation is a secondary matter on which Bible-believing Christians can differ; however, we firmly hold that God is the sole and sovereign Creator and that all of creation reflects His glory.

Question 16

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about the eternal security of the believer?

Accepted Answer

It is God's divine decision to save a person, and it is God's kindness, forbearance, and patience that lead that person to repentance (Romans 2:4). All glory for the salvation and security of every believer belongs solely to God. Those who are genuinely saved are kept by God's power and sealed by the Holy Spirit, ensuring they will never ultimately fall away from the faith or lose their salvation.

Question 17

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about the roles of men and women in the church?

Accepted Answer

We believe that men and women are equal in value, dignity, and worth before God, but have been designed by God with complementary differences and roles. Within the local church, the offices of elder and pastor are reserved for qualified men who meet the biblical requirements (1 Timothy 2:11-15; 3:1-7). Women are encouraged to use their gifts to serve in many vital ministry roles within the church, and their contributions are deeply valued and necessary for a healthy, flourishing body.

Question 18

What does Trinity Bible Church believe about worship?

Accepted Answer

The chief purpose of mankind is to glorify God by loving Him with the entire heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5; Isaiah 43:7; Matthew 22:37). All believing men, women and children are to offer their whole lives as living sacrifices to God in every area of life. Corporate worship is central to the life of the local church and is to be biblically grounded, God-centered, and Christ-exalting.

Question 19

What denomination is Trinity Bible Church?

Accepted Answer

Trinity Bible Church in Edwardsburg, Michigan is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA). The EFCA is a fellowship of autonomous churches united around a common statement of faith, committed to the authority of Scripture and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Question 20

Where is Trinity Bible Church located and when do services meet?

Accepted Answer

Trinity Bible Church is located at 69950 M-62 on the corner of May Street and M-62 in Edwardsburg, Michigan 49112. Services are held every Sunday. Family Bible Fellowship (a time of fellowship and Bible discussion) meets at 8:45 AM, followed by the main worship service at 10:00 AM. The church serves families from Edwardsburg, Niles, Granger, South Bend, Elkhart, and the surrounding Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana area.

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