Doctrinal Statement

The Bible

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by the verbal plenary inspiration of God and are inerrant. They lead to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and serve as the authoritative guide for Christian understanding, life, and ministry. Scripture is not to be added to, superseded, or changed by tradition or supposed later revelation. Every doctrinal formulation must be tested by the full counsel of God in the Holy Scriptures. Correct understanding depends upon the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

God

There is one God, infinite, eternal, almighty, and perfect in holiness, truth, and love. In the unity of the Godhead are three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-existent, co-equal, and co-eternal. God created heaven and earth by His Word, sustains all creation, and made man for fellowship with Himself and for the praise of His glory. We affirm the historicity of the first eleven chapters of Genesis.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ the Son is fully God and fully man, mankind’s only provision for forgiveness and redemption. He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived in perfect obedience, shed His blood as the vicarious atonement for the sins of mankind, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return in glory. He is the Head of the Church and reigns at the right hand of the Father.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; unites believers to Jesus Christ; brings about the New Birth; indwells the regenerate; produces spiritual fruit; and enables growth in sanctification. He inspired the biblical writers, empowered the ministry of Christ, filled the Church at Pentecost, and will transform believers into the likeness of Christ’s glorious body.

Man, marriage, and moral life

Man was created male and female in the image and likeness of God. Through original sin, mankind fell from God and became corrupt in nature, incapable of returning to God apart from salvation in Jesus Christ.

God creates each person as male or female. These distinct and complementary sexes reflect His image and purpose. Marriage is the covenantal union of one man and one woman. Sexual intimacy is reserved for that marriage covenant, and Scripture identifies sexual activity outside it as sin.

Salvation

Salvation is the gift of God, provided solely by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection. Those who recognize their need and look to Christ and His atoning work are born anew unto eternal life by the Holy Spirit. There is no other name by which mankind may be saved.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit

Every believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ at the moment of regeneration.

The Great Commission

The fulfillment of the Great Commission is the responsibility of all believers. Christians are to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send laborers into the world to preach the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches.

The Church

The Church is the Body and future Bride of Christ, dedicated to the worship and service of God, the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and good works. Its primary task is to teach all nations and make disciples, bringing the Gospel into every aspect of life and thought.

Satan

Satan was created as a perfect angelic being, rebelled against God, became the adversary of God and His people, and leads the fallen angelic host. He was defeated and judged at the Cross and awaits his final doom.

Final events

Jesus Christ will return for His Church. Scripture teaches the tribulation, the visible return and millennial reign of Christ, the final judgment, the eternal punishment of those outside Christ, and the everlasting presence of the redeemed with Christ in the New Jerusalem, the new heaven, and the new earth.

Questions about doctrine are welcome. Contact TMBC or review the college vision and emphases.