"By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us,
guard the good deposit entrusted to you."
guard the good deposit entrusted to you."
2 Timothy 1:14 (ESV)
What We Teach
At Southeast Valley Bible Church, we consider it important to express clearly and publicly what we believe God has revealed to us in the Scriptures. We believe there are core truths that are central to the Christian faith. While we acknowledge differences of opinion exist on numerous questions of doctrine and biblical interpretation, we consider these core truths to include a high view of Scripture, and salvation through faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone.
With a high view of Scripture, and a firm grasp of the key elements of our salvation and Christ’s person and work, we are ready to continue to grow in our understanding. Understanding our salvation as outside of us leads us to be transparent and open to explore the meaning of Scripture, without having to be defensive over different views. We welcome a robust and healthy discussion of the Bible from the viewpoint of discovering the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. God’s Word alone is inerrant and infallible, not our interpretations of it. Thus, we will always be open to correction from Scripture and will refine our statement of faith as the Spirit teaches and guides us.
While we recognize that differences of opinion and interpretation do exist among the people of this local church, and that robust, yet humble, discussion and debate on these matters is spiritually healthy, nothing contrary to our core beliefs will be publicly promoted. See below for a complete statement of what we teach.
I. The Scriptures
We believe that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are verbally and plenary inspired; that they contain truth without any mixture or error in the autographs; that they are infallible and inerrant in all matters of which they speak; and that they constitute God’s complete revelation and are the sole authority for faith and practice. We further believe that the Scriptures are to be interpreted according to a grammatical-historical hermeneutic. This demands that we understand the Bible literally when it speaks, for example, of the creation of the world in six solar days, the existence of Adam and Eve as the progenitors of the human race, the global deluge of Noah’s day, the creation of nations at Babel by means of language diversification, and the personal existence of an evil being called Satan. (2 Timothy 3:15-4:2; 1 Peter 1:10; 2 Peter 1:15-21; Proverbs 30:5-6; John 10:35; Romans 2:12; Luke 24:25)
II. The Godhead
We believe that there is one God existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one in essence and co-eternal/co-equal in every divine attribute. (Deut. 6:4; John 4:24; Psalms 90:1-2; James 1:17; Matthew 3:16-17;Matthew 28:19)
III. The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, being 100% God and 100% man, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death, arose bodily from the grave, ascended to heaven, now intercedes for believers and will come again in the pre-tribulation, pre-millennial appearing. (John 1:1; Matthew 1:18-25; Hebrews 9:26-28; Luke 24:5-7, 36-40; Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 5:1-10; 1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 1:1-10)
IV. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the person in the Godhead who restrains evil, convicts of sin, bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony, is the agent in the new birth, indwells the believer, baptizes into the Body of Christ, and fills believers for spiritual service. We believe that Apostolic gifts such as tongues, healing, and sign miracles, while practiced in the early church, are not normative for today. However we do believe that God may heal the sick and afflicted in accord with His own will. (John 15:26; John 16:7-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18)
V. The Fall of Man
We believe that Adam was created in innocence and by a voluntary transgression fell; that when Adam fell, mankind fell; that man is born with a sinful nature and spiritually dead; that he is totally depraved and unable to effect his own salvation. (Genesis 1:27-31; 2:16-17; 3:6-24; Romans 5:12; John 3:6; Psalms 51:5; Isaiah 53:6; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:19-32; 3:19; Galatians 3:22)
VI. Salvation
We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone (demonstrated through repentance of sin), in Christ alone. This is based on the finished work of Christ, by which Christ fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God; and that believers are kept by the power of God and that the mark of genuine salvation is their perseverance in Faith, to the end. (Romans 3:24-26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; Titus 3:5; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9, 10-13; John 3:16; John 10:27-29; 1 John 5:1).
VII. Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is positional in that one is established in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts Christ as Savior; that it is a process as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the believer; that it is practical through a progressive work and that it is future when in heaven we will be delivered from all sin. (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 1:4-6; Proverbs 4:18; Hebrews 6:1; 2 Peter 1:5-8; 1 John 2:29; Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 6:18)
VIII. We Believe That Biblical Separation Includes:
1. Separation of Church and State (but not government separated from its Scriptural foundations, here we simply mean that there should be no state-sponsorship, or liscensure demanded for the existence of a "state-approved" church. This also does not mean that the local church should in no way impact the state. By God’s grace, we will!)
2. Separation of the local church from any affiliation or fellowship that denies the basic fundamentals of the faith and from those groups that are tolerant and supportive of ecumenism.
3. Separation from sinful actions and attitudes as defined by God’s Word. (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-15; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians. 1:6)
IX. The Church
We believe in the church as a living, spiritual body of which Christ is the head; and of which all regenerate people of this age are a part; that the church is peculiar to the age of grace and is completely distinct from Israel; that the local church is a group of believers, immersed on profession of faith and associated for the purpose of glorifying God through worship, instruction, fellowship and evangelism; that local churches have the absolute right to self-government free from interference of any hierarchy; that its only Scriptural officers are Pastor(s) (Also called "Elder(s)" and/or "Bishop(s)") and Deacons, whose qualifications , claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus; that every believer should align himself with a local church and give cooperation to its ministries. (Matthew 16:16-18; 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 1:1-13; 11:2; 23-34; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:21-23; Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Acts 20:17, 28)
X. The Ordinances
We believe that there are two ordinances for the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper; that baptism is by single immersion for believers and is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership, that the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the Lord’s death until He comes again and should be preceded always by a solemn self-examination, and that these ordinances are to be performed only under the authority of the local church. (Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:5-6; 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:41-42, 1 Corinthians 11:26-28)
XI. The Great Commission
We believe that the Great Commission is a divine commandment for this age, and as such primarily involves evangelism and church planting at home and abroad. (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24: 46-48; John 17:18; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 15:6)
XII. Last Things
We believe in the pre-tribulation and pre-millennial return of Christ; that after the rapture of the church there will be seven years of tribulation on earth; that this will be followed by the personal visible return of Christ to put down His enemies and set up a thousand years millennial reign; that at the end of this reign, Satan will be loosed for a season and then cast into the lake of fire, that at this time the second resurrection for all unsaved will take place; that they will be judged at the Great White Throne and will be condemned to eternal torment in the lake of fire; that Christ will reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords with the righteous eternally. (Matthew 28:6-7; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-58; Matthew 24:21, 22; Revelations 7:14; Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Revelations 20:11-15; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:23; Revelations 21 - 22.)
With a high view of Scripture, and a firm grasp of the key elements of our salvation and Christ’s person and work, we are ready to continue to grow in our understanding. Understanding our salvation as outside of us leads us to be transparent and open to explore the meaning of Scripture, without having to be defensive over different views. We welcome a robust and healthy discussion of the Bible from the viewpoint of discovering the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. God’s Word alone is inerrant and infallible, not our interpretations of it. Thus, we will always be open to correction from Scripture and will refine our statement of faith as the Spirit teaches and guides us.
While we recognize that differences of opinion and interpretation do exist among the people of this local church, and that robust, yet humble, discussion and debate on these matters is spiritually healthy, nothing contrary to our core beliefs will be publicly promoted. See below for a complete statement of what we teach.
I. The Scriptures
We believe that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are verbally and plenary inspired; that they contain truth without any mixture or error in the autographs; that they are infallible and inerrant in all matters of which they speak; and that they constitute God’s complete revelation and are the sole authority for faith and practice. We further believe that the Scriptures are to be interpreted according to a grammatical-historical hermeneutic. This demands that we understand the Bible literally when it speaks, for example, of the creation of the world in six solar days, the existence of Adam and Eve as the progenitors of the human race, the global deluge of Noah’s day, the creation of nations at Babel by means of language diversification, and the personal existence of an evil being called Satan. (2 Timothy 3:15-4:2; 1 Peter 1:10; 2 Peter 1:15-21; Proverbs 30:5-6; John 10:35; Romans 2:12; Luke 24:25)
II. The Godhead
We believe that there is one God existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one in essence and co-eternal/co-equal in every divine attribute. (Deut. 6:4; John 4:24; Psalms 90:1-2; James 1:17; Matthew 3:16-17;Matthew 28:19)
III. The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, being 100% God and 100% man, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death, arose bodily from the grave, ascended to heaven, now intercedes for believers and will come again in the pre-tribulation, pre-millennial appearing. (John 1:1; Matthew 1:18-25; Hebrews 9:26-28; Luke 24:5-7, 36-40; Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 5:1-10; 1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 1:1-10)
IV. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the person in the Godhead who restrains evil, convicts of sin, bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony, is the agent in the new birth, indwells the believer, baptizes into the Body of Christ, and fills believers for spiritual service. We believe that Apostolic gifts such as tongues, healing, and sign miracles, while practiced in the early church, are not normative for today. However we do believe that God may heal the sick and afflicted in accord with His own will. (John 15:26; John 16:7-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18)
V. The Fall of Man
We believe that Adam was created in innocence and by a voluntary transgression fell; that when Adam fell, mankind fell; that man is born with a sinful nature and spiritually dead; that he is totally depraved and unable to effect his own salvation. (Genesis 1:27-31; 2:16-17; 3:6-24; Romans 5:12; John 3:6; Psalms 51:5; Isaiah 53:6; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:19-32; 3:19; Galatians 3:22)
VI. Salvation
We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone (demonstrated through repentance of sin), in Christ alone. This is based on the finished work of Christ, by which Christ fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God; and that believers are kept by the power of God and that the mark of genuine salvation is their perseverance in Faith, to the end. (Romans 3:24-26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; Titus 3:5; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9, 10-13; John 3:16; John 10:27-29; 1 John 5:1).
VII. Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is positional in that one is established in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts Christ as Savior; that it is a process as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the believer; that it is practical through a progressive work and that it is future when in heaven we will be delivered from all sin. (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 1:4-6; Proverbs 4:18; Hebrews 6:1; 2 Peter 1:5-8; 1 John 2:29; Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 6:18)
VIII. We Believe That Biblical Separation Includes:
1. Separation of Church and State (but not government separated from its Scriptural foundations, here we simply mean that there should be no state-sponsorship, or liscensure demanded for the existence of a "state-approved" church. This also does not mean that the local church should in no way impact the state. By God’s grace, we will!)
2. Separation of the local church from any affiliation or fellowship that denies the basic fundamentals of the faith and from those groups that are tolerant and supportive of ecumenism.
3. Separation from sinful actions and attitudes as defined by God’s Word. (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-15; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians. 1:6)
IX. The Church
We believe in the church as a living, spiritual body of which Christ is the head; and of which all regenerate people of this age are a part; that the church is peculiar to the age of grace and is completely distinct from Israel; that the local church is a group of believers, immersed on profession of faith and associated for the purpose of glorifying God through worship, instruction, fellowship and evangelism; that local churches have the absolute right to self-government free from interference of any hierarchy; that its only Scriptural officers are Pastor(s) (Also called "Elder(s)" and/or "Bishop(s)") and Deacons, whose qualifications , claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus; that every believer should align himself with a local church and give cooperation to its ministries. (Matthew 16:16-18; 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 1:1-13; 11:2; 23-34; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:21-23; Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Acts 20:17, 28)
X. The Ordinances
We believe that there are two ordinances for the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper; that baptism is by single immersion for believers and is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership, that the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the Lord’s death until He comes again and should be preceded always by a solemn self-examination, and that these ordinances are to be performed only under the authority of the local church. (Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:5-6; 28:19; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:41-42, 1 Corinthians 11:26-28)
XI. The Great Commission
We believe that the Great Commission is a divine commandment for this age, and as such primarily involves evangelism and church planting at home and abroad. (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24: 46-48; John 17:18; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 15:6)
XII. Last Things
We believe in the pre-tribulation and pre-millennial return of Christ; that after the rapture of the church there will be seven years of tribulation on earth; that this will be followed by the personal visible return of Christ to put down His enemies and set up a thousand years millennial reign; that at the end of this reign, Satan will be loosed for a season and then cast into the lake of fire, that at this time the second resurrection for all unsaved will take place; that they will be judged at the Great White Throne and will be condemned to eternal torment in the lake of fire; that Christ will reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords with the righteous eternally. (Matthew 28:6-7; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-58; Matthew 24:21, 22; Revelations 7:14; Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Revelations 20:11-15; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:23; Revelations 21 - 22.)
