Statement of Faith

The Bible
We believe the Bible in its original manuscript is the only inspired, infallible and inerrant Word of God, and supreme and final authority in faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:105).

The Trinity
We believe there is one God, externally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Galatians 4:6).

Jesus Christ
We believe Christ, fully man and fully God, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died on a cross so that we could be reconciled to God through His blood shed for us. We believe that after three days Christ was bodily resurrected, and after appearing to many witnesses, rose to heaven where He rules in glory at the Father’s right hand. We believe that reconciliation to God comes only through repentance of sins and the belief in the atoning death and resurrection of Christ (John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10; John 1:1-2).

Satan
We believe Satan is the chief enemy of God and our souls, and that while he continues to rule this present world he has been defeated by Christ’s atoning death and resurrection (1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9).

Humanity: Sin
We believe all men are born sinful and that there is no way to be reconciled to God by our own efforts or by good works (Romans 3:23; Psalm 51:5).

Humanity: Marriage
We believe 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 (Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 19:4). We believe God 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 (Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 6:16-18).

Sanctification
We believe a believer may live a victorious life by obedience to the Word of God through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:37-39; John 8:36).

Resurrection
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all, and a final judgment. We believe all will either spend eternity in heaven with Christ, or in hell (Hebrews 9:27-28; John 11:25).

Sacraments
We believe baptism by immersion and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper are the only ordinances commanded by the Lord Jesus to be observed by His people until He comes again (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The Church
We believe the church is a living spiritual body of believers, with Christ as its head. We believe the local assembly is an organized body of believers in Christ who have been baptized by immersion upon their confession of faith. We believe the local church is governed by its members, and not by any outside authority (Ephesians 1:9-10; Acts 2:28; Acts 2:42-47).

Teaching
The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe.  For purposes of Forestdale Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, our Board of Elders constitutes the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).

Evangelism
We believe God has laid upon the church the task of proclaiming to a lost world the good news of the Gospel. Our prayer would be that human betterment and social improvement would be the effects of the application of such a Gospel (Acts 5:42; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7).