Of the Authority of the Scriptures
The Holy Scriptures shall be accepted as final authority on matters relating to faith and practice by the members of Harvest Bible Church.
We believe that the Holy Bible is supernaturally inspired and was written by men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. It has truth without any admixture of error and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man. It is the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
- By "The Holy Bible", we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which was originally written. It does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but is the very Word of God.
- By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psalm 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 17:17; Proverbs 30: 5, 6; Romans 3:4; I Peter 1:23; Revelation 22:19; John 12:48; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17; Romans 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psalm 19:7-11; John 5:39, 45-47.
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God. He is the infinite, intelligent Spirit who is the maker and supreme Ruler both of heaven and of earth. God is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, worship, and love. In the unity of the Godhead, there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are equal in perfection and execute distinct, but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Exodus 20:2-3; Genesis 17:1; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; John 4:24; Psalm 147:5; Psalm 83:18; Psalms 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 15:11; Revelation 4:11; I Timothy 1 :17; Romans 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; I Corinthians 12:4-6;1 John 5:7; John 10:30; John 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; I Corinthians 2:10-11; Philippians 2:5-6; Ephesians 2:18; II Corinthians 13:14.
We believe that God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-wise. God is Father to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:1 1ft.; 20: 1ft.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3, 15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10: 10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7: 11; 23:9; 28: 19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17: 1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8: 14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1: 15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:19; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.
Of God the Son
We believe that Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God the Father, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience and in His substitutionary death on the cross. He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before the crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father where He is the one Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person has reconciled God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6, 19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5,21-22;20:1-20, 28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5, 20; Romans 1 :3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3, 34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15: 1-8, 24-28; 2 Corinthians 5: 19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1: 13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3: 16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15, 24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16;5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
Of God The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person and is equal with God the Father and God the Son. He has the same nature with the Father and Son. He was active in creation. He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled. He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness .The Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony. He, as well, is the agent in the new birth. He seals, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer.
John 14:16-17, 26; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; Luke 1 :35; Genesis 1 :1-3; II Thessalonians 2:7; John 16:8-11; John 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1 :8; Luke 3:16; John 1 :33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; John 16:13; John 14:26; Romans 8:14, 16; II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1 :2; Romans 8:26-27.
Of The Devil Or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors. Through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and brought with him a host of fallen angels. He is now the malignant prince of the power of the air and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power behind present apostasy, the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all powers of darkness. He is destined however to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son and to the judgment of hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Revelation 12:9; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; John 14:30; I Thessalonians 3:5; Matthew 4:1-3; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; Matthew 13:25, 37, 39; Luke 22:3-4; Revelation 12:10; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Mark 13:21-22; I John 4:3; II John 7; I John 2:22; Revelation 13:13-14; II Thessalonians 2:8-11; Revelation 19:11, 16, 20; Revelation 12:7-9; Revelation 20:1-3, 10; Matthew 25:41.
Of Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of the six days of creation. It is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively. Man was created directly in God's own image and after His own likeness. Creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms. All animal and vegetable life was made directly and God's established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind."
Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16-11; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Acts 11:23-26; Jeremiah 10:12; Nehemiah 9:6; Genesis 1:26-21; Genesis 2:21-23; Genesis 1:11, 24.
Of The Fall Of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence by his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state. All mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice. Therefore, they are without defense or excuse. This means that all of mankind inherited a sinful nature from Adam, which is known as original sin resulting in spiritual and physical death. However, each person is responsible for his actions because of his willful rebellion against God. Man is completely sinful and cannot save himself. He is total depraved. It is only by the mercy of God that men can be saved.
Genesis 3: 1-6, 24; Romans 5:12, 19; Romans 3: 10-19; Ephesians 2: 1, 3; Ezekiel 18: 19, 20; Romans 1:18-32; Galatians 3:22; Romans 3:9-23.
Of The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ, God’s son, was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner. He was born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man ever was or can ever be born of a woman. He is both fully God and fully man.
Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 1:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psalm 2:1; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:20; I Corinthians 15:41.
Of The Atonement For Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is completely of grace through the intercessory work of the Son of God. Jesus Christ was appointed by the Father. Jesus freely took upon Himself our nature, yet He was without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins. His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place. He was the just dying for the unjust. Christ, the Lord, bore our sins in His own body on the tree, rose from the dead, and is now enthroned in heaven. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; John 3:36; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; Romans 3:25; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21; John 10:18; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 1 :4; I Peter 2:24; I Peter 3:18; Isaiah 53:11; Hebrews 12:2; I Corinthians 15:20; Isaiah 53:12; Hebrews 9:12:15; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:2.
Of Grace In The New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again. At the new birth, the individual is a new creation in Christ Jesus. It is instantaneous and not a process. In the new birth the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God. Salvation is brought completely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth. Evidence of the new birth appears in the fruits of repentance, faith, and obedience to God’s Word.
John 3:3; I Corinthians 5:17; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 2:41; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; II Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13; John 1:12-13; Galatians 5:22, 23; Ephesians 5:9.
Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We believe in God's electing grace. The blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to repent of one’s sins in obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth to come to Christ, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel. This rejection results in eternal condemnation.
I Thessalonians 1 :4; Colossians 3:12; I Peter 1 :2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29-30; Matthew 11 :28; Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13; John 6:37; Isaiah 55:6; Acts 2:38; Isaiah 55:7; John 3:15-16; I Timothy 1.15; I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; John 5:40, John 3:18, 36.
Of Justification
Justification is the forgiveness of sin and the removal of the consequences of it to those who call on the Lord to be saved. This blessing is bestowed upon the believer not in consideration of any works of righteousness on his part, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood. His righteousness is imputed to us. This imputing refers to God giving the righteousness of Christ to believers. When God the Father looks at believers, He sees the righteousness of Christ and not their sin.
Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 8:1; Romans 5:1,9; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Romans 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:38; Ephesians 2:8-9.
Of Repentance And Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations of one who is truly repentant. The Holy Spirit brings conviction of guilt from sin and a realization of the danger of eternal judgment and the total helplessness of saving ourselves. The way of salvation is by Christ alone. We turn to God with a broken heart over our sin, confess to Him our sinfulness, and plead for mercy. At the same time, we whole-heartily receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and openly confess Him as our Lord .
Acts 20:21; Mark 1 :15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Romans 10:13; Psalm 51 :1-4, 7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Romans 10:9-11.
Of The Church
We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the universal church. The universal church is composed of born again believers in Jesus Christ from all nations. The local church is the visible aspect of the universal church in a particular location. The local church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel. It is to observe the ordinances of Christ: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The church is governed by the Word of God. The church officers are pastors (elders) and deacons, whose qualifications and duties are clearly defined in scripture. We believe the true mission of the church is found in the great commission: make disciples, build up the church and to teach and instruct from God’s Word. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations. We believe the head of the church is Christ. It is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel. The local church decides which churches to cooperate and fellowship with, as well as on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, and benevolence.
Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11; I Corinthians 12:4, 8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; I Timothy 3:1-13; Matthew 28:19-20; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23-24; I Peter 5:1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3,4; II Corinthians 8:23-24; I Corinthians 16:1; Malachi 3:10; Leviticus 27:32; I Corinthians 16:2; I Corinthians 6:1-3; I Corinthians 5:11-13.
We believe Christian baptism is to show forth in a solemn and beautiful picture our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It shows our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is done by immersion in water.
The Lord's Supper, enjoyed by true believers, is to commemorate together the death and resurrection of Christ and His precious blood that washes away sins. It must be preceded by solemn self-examination.
Neither of these ordinances, add to or produce salvation.
Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 34:6; John 3:23; Romans 6:4-5; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:1, 9-20; I Corinthians 11:23-28.
Of Perseverance Of The Saints
We believe real believers endure to the end (death or Rapture). Their persevering in the faith is the grand mark that distinguishes them from false professors. We believe a special Providence watches over their welfare and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
John 8:3-32; Colossians 1:21-23; I John 2:19; Matthew 13.19-21, Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:20; Psalm 121:3; Hebrews 1:14; I Peter 1:5; Philippians 1:6; John 10.28, 29; John 16:8; Romans 8:35-39.
Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society. Our government leaders are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed. The only exception is in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:7; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14, 17; Acts 4:19-20; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 23:10; Philippians 2:10-11; Psalm 72:11.
Of The Resurrection And Return Of Christ And Related Events
We believe in and accept the scriptures’ teaching of Christ and end times at their face and full value. Concerning the resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily from the grave. He, alone is our, "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God” and that, “this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” We believe that,“ the dead in Christ shall rise first," and that the living saints, "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;” Furthermore, “that the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of His father David;” and that, "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet.” This means that we hold to a pre-tribulation, pre-millennial view. We believe that the rapture will take place first, then the tribulation. The tribulation is a seven-year period when God judges the nations as well as brings his people, Israel, back to Him. When the tribulation has ended, Christ will return to earth for the Battle of Armageddon to destroy the anti-christ and his army. The Lord will establish an earthly kingdom in which He will rule from David’s throne in Jerusalem for 1,000 years. After the 1,000 years have ended, Satan will be loosed for a season to tempt those who have been born and lived during this time. Satan will gather the nations and God will devour them with fire. The Lord will sit on the “Great White Throne” to judge the nations and those who are lost. They, along with Satan, will be cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity. The Lord will destroy the heavens and earth with fire and create new ones. There will be an end to sin and death.
Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2, 4-6; Acts 1 :9,11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9-10; 8:1; 9:28; John 14:3; I Thessalonians 4:16,17; Matthew 24:27,42; I Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-53; II Peter 3:10-13; Philippians 4:20-21; Luke 1:32; I Corinthians 15:25; Isaiah 11:4-5; Psalm 72:8; Revelation 20:1-4,6.
Of Missions
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable. This commission was given to the churches to preach the gospel to all nations. We want to support and send out missionaries and church planters in the states and overseas.
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Romans 10:13-15.
Of The Grace Of Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the basic acts of Christian obedience. By giving our tithes, we acknowledge that the Lord owns all of our possessions. Out of love, we desire to give back to the Lord. Based on biblical principles given in the Old Testament, giving ten percent of our finances is a minimum that we should start with. Offerings are anything above our tithe. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. Because of this truth, we believe that we should give according to how the Lord has blessed us.
Matthew 23:23; II Corinthians 8:7; Acts 4: 34,35,37; I Corinthians 16:2; Hebrews 7:2,4; Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10
Of Religious Liberty
The church and state should be separate. The state gives to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom, no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than anyone else. Civil government is ordained of God. It is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience to it in all things not contrary to the Word of God. The church should not resort to civil power to carry on its work. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal. This implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24, 16:26; 22:21, John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1, 13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
Of Biblical Separation
We believe both in personal and ecclesiastical separation. The doctrine of biblical separation is based on the holiness of God. When a person or object is referred to as being holy in the Bible, it meant that it was set apart for a special purpose. There should be a distinct difference from the holy and unholy, the clean and unclean. God is referred to as being Holy and separate from sin. God demands that believers be like Him. They are to be separate themselves from sin and the world.
Believers are to not only separate themselves from sin and the system of this present age, they are to separate themselves from false doctrines and heresies. The Word of God is to remain pure from false teachings and doctrines, because Satan seeks to pervert the Word of God. The believer has been entrusted with the Word of God, which means it is each one of our responsibilities to keep His Word pure. Believers have the responsibility to not fellowship with believers who are in disobedience to God’s Word. There is a difference between someone who is struggling with sin and a person who has hardened his heart against God’s Word.
When we separate from those who are in sin, we do it hoping that they will repent of their sin. This church will separate itself from sin, the world, false doctrines, and any church or “Christian” organization that are not obeying the Word of God which means we will not collaborate with them in the work of the “Great Commission”.
Psalm 99:1-3; Isaiah 6:1-5, 57:15; I Peter 1:15-16; I John 1:5, 2:1; Matthew 5:48; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 1:4; I Corinthians 5:9-13; II Thessalonians 3:6-14; Titus 3:10-11; I Timothy 6:3-5; II Timothy 2:16-26; Galatians 1:6-12; II John 6-11; Jude 10-16; II Corinthians 6:10-14; James 4:4
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