What we believe
At Charleston Bible Church, we strive to be an Acts 2:42 church. In that passage, we see clearly the priorities of the early church, their non-negotiable practices: “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
The Apostles’ Teaching
A focus on the Word of God, which is “inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” – II Timothy 3:16.
Fellowship
A focus on caring relationships and partnership in service; these are crucial to growing in Christ. Jesus said the second greatest commandment (behind loving God with all we are) is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” – Matthew 22:39. When we move from simple friendship to serving each other, we have true fellowship. Plus, it’s just fun!
The Breaking of Bread
A focus on worship and witness; the breaking of bread refers directly to communion, instituted by Jesus at the last supper: “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me’” – Luke 22:19. This speaks of the exaltation of Christ, and we actively exalt Christ through our worship and through our witness (evangelism).
Prayer
A focus on a continual minute by minute dependence on God for guidance and wisdom; you will find through our prayer meetings, teaching on prayer, days of prayer and fasting, and our encouragement toward lives of prayer that we at Charleston Bible Church are people of prayer. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Paul gives us the exhortation to “Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17), and we intend to do just that.
Statement of Faith
THE BIBLE
We believe the whole Bible is verbally and fully inspired by God and without error in the original writings and is the supreme and final authority in faith and life.
John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21
GOD
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
JESUS, GOD THE SON
We believe that Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary and is true God and true man.
Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 14, 18
We believe that Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead, that He ascended into Heaven, and that is now living there for us as Savior, High Priest, and Advocate.
Matthew 28:5-6; Hebrews 4:14, 7:25; 1 John 2:2
We believe in the personal, bodily, and pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ; that Christ will reign in righteousness and peace over an earthly literal millennial kingdom
Zechariah 14:4-11; Matthew 24:15-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelations 20:1-6
GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world and convicts men of sin. He also regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior, baptizes them at the moment of regeneration into the body of Christ, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts on each one, and fills those yielded to Him.
John 3:8, 14:16-17, 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:4-13; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18
MAN
We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby caused physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God; that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.
Genesis 1:27; Psalms 51:5; Romans 3:23, 5:1, 12
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received through personal faith in Jesus Christ; that man is justified by grace through faith apart from works; that all true believers are kept secure in Christ forever and that nothing can separate them from the love of God.
John 10:27-30; Acts 13:33, 39; Romans 6:23, 8:1, 38, 39; Ephesians 2:8-10
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died in our place, shedding His blood for our sins on the cross and that all who believe in Him are saved.
Acts 16:31; Romans 3:24-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 2:24
We believe that all believers still possess a sinful nature, but full provision to overcome this sinful nature is provided through identification with Christ, knowledge of the Scriptures, and by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Romans 7:15-21, 6:1-11, 8:11-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13
ANGELS
We believe that angels are spiritual beings who were created, sinless personalities presently existing in both fallen and unfallen states. Satan, a fallen angel, is the originator of sin. He led our first parents into sin and now rules as the god of this world. Judged at the cross, he and his demons will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
Genesis 3:1-19; Isaiah 14:12-14; Hebrews 2:14; Revelations 20:10
THE CHURCH
We believe that the true church is the invisible body of Christ made up of all believers from the day of Pentecost until the Church is caught up into Heaven and that Christ ordained the observance of believer’s water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper until He returns.
Matthew 16:18, 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17