Do you know what you believe? Do you know where Bluelick Bible Church stands on the moral issues of our day? Do you know the basic doctrine to which all members of Bluelick Bible Church should be agreed?
This series of lessons will deal specifically with the Articles of Faith and Bylaws of our church. We shall see that the Bible is the foundation upon which we stand and what we believe. In these last days when people “will not endure sound doctrine;”we need to “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2Tim. 4:3a, 2). In short, we need to know what we believe and be ready to defend our faith from God’s Word.
May the Lord use His Word to strengthen you in the faith and equip you to be “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”(1 Pet. 3:15).
Article 1: Name “The name of this church shall be Bluelick Bible Church, located at 1138 W. Bluelick Road in Lima, Allen County, Ohio, and is incorporated in the state of Ohio. Be it resolved that Bluelick Bible Church be known as an independent, fundamental Baptist church.”
1. Why is the word “independent” significant in identifying the type of Baptist church we are? Consider Ephesians 5:22 -24; Colossians 1:18.
2. Do you know what the fundamentals of the faith are? Use the following scriptures to identify 5 fundamentals of the faith:
a. John 1:1, 14; 20:28; Hebrews 1:8 – 9. _______________________________________________
b. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27. _______________________________________________
c. Romans 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12 – 14. _______________________________________________
d. Luke 24:36 – 46; 1 Corinthians 15:1 – 4, 14 – 15. _______________________________________________
e. Psalm 12:6 – 7; 2Timothy 3:16 – 17; 2 Peter 1:20 – 21. _______________________________________________
Note: “The name “Baptist” was first given, in ridicule, by Pedo-baptist opponents of the people who rejected the baptism of babies. Like the cross, the name has been changed from a mark of shame to a badge of honor.
The distinguishing principles of the people called “Baptists” will be born out in our study of our Statement of Faith and Bylaws but may be summed up as follows:
· The Scriptures, the only authoritative guide-book for our faith life. There may be no appeal from, or addition to, their precepts and principles.
· The individual and direct access of every soul to God: none between man and God, save only the God-man.
· The complete separation of church and state in their respective fields; the church dealing with religious, the state with civil affairs.
· The simple polity of the church’s government; each church autonomous and self-governing.
· The baptism of believers only, or a regenerate church membership. Incidentally, they believe in baptism by immersion only, according to the Scriptures, as symbolizing the death, burial and resurrection of Christ; and that the Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance. “ - from The People Called Baptists by George W. McDaniel
Article II: Purpose/Mission Statement “The purpose of Bluelick Bible Church shall be the preaching and teaching of the Word of God for the salvation of the lost, the edification of the saints, the worldwide proclamation of the gospel.
3. Where did the purpose statement originate from? See Matthew 28:18 – 20 & Acts 1:8.
Article III: Declaration of Faith “This church receives the Bible as the all sufficient basis of faith, doctrine, and practice (John 17:17; Proverbs 30:5, 6).”
4. According to John 17:17 what is God’s Word? What useful purpose does it play in our lives?
5. What does Proverbs 30:5, 6 tell you about God’s Word?
6. Read 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. “The Bible (Scripture) as the all sufficient basis of faith, doctrine and practice”; what is doctrine?
7. Why is doctrine important?
8. The Bible is “the all sufficient basis of faith:” How does the Bible say that faith is established in our lives? See Romans 10:14 – 17 & Ephesians 2:8.
9. How practical is the Bible for our everyday living? Why is it important to know what the Bible says? See Psalm 119:9-11 & Psalm 1.
10. What habit do we need to develop with God’s Word? See Acts 17:11; James 1:22-25; Joshua 1:8.
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