The Statement of Beliefs
The Statement of Beliefs are the doctrines that all members of Hills Bible Church affirm and believe.
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Bible – consisting of sixty-six books in the Old and New Testaments – is the authoritative Word of God. They are inspired and infallible in the original writings, and are therefore sufficient for all matters pertaining to life and godliness.
God
We believe in the One True, Eternal God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things. Though One, He eternally exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Man
We believe God originally created Man in His own image, free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his sinless state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, and are under condemnation.
Salvation
We believe that by His grace, God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to take upon Himself a human nature, yet without sin, to fulfill the law, suffer and die on the cross making atonement for our sins, and be raised again the third day from the dead for sinners. Salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit in which individuals repent from their sin and wholly trust in Jesus Christ alone.
The Church
We believe in the one universal Church, composed of all those who are in Christ and united to Him by faith. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and according to His commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into particular churches.
The Second Coming
We believe in the personal and visible return in glory of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. After His return He will send unbelievers to eternal punishment in Hell and believers to eternal life in Heaven.
The Doctrinal Statements
The Doctrinal Statements* are the doctrines that the Elders at HBC must subscribe to, and teach in accordance with. The Doctrinal Statements provide a more comprehensive summary of doctrine than the Statement of Beliefs.
- The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. They are and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to men; the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried. (Ps. 19:7; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Hebrews 1:1-2)
- God
There is but One God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all people owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. (Deut. 6:4; Ps. 145:3; John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; 1 Tim. 1:17)
- The Trinity
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being. (Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)
- Providence
God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any wise to be author or approver of sin nor to destroy the free will and responsibility of people. (Isa. 46:9-11; Prov. 16:33; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3; Jas. 1:13-15)
- God’s Sovereign Grace
By God’s sovereign grace, for the display of His glory, some are chosen to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of His glorious grace. This sovereign election – taking place before the foundation of the world – is solely out of God’s free grace and love, without anything in the individual as a condition or cause moving Him to choose them, and is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man. (Rom. 8:28-30; Rom. 9:6-18; 1 Cor. 1:27-29; Eph. 1:4-5, 11; 1 Thess. 1:4- 5; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim 1:9; 1 Pet. 1:2)
- The Freeness of Salvation
The blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his or her own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel. (Isa. 45:22; Isa. 55:1; John 6:47; Acts 17:30; Rev. 22:17)
- The Fall of Man
God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors. (Gen. 1:26-27; 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-19; Eph. 2:1-3)
- The Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the Law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day and ascended to His Father, at Whose hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe. (Isa. 53:10-12; John 1:1, 14; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 3:21- 26; 8:34; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Gal. 3:13; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 1:1-3)
- The Holy Spirit.
We believe that God the Holy Spirit brings glory to the Father and the Son. He applies the work of Christ to believers and distributes spiritual gifts to every believer according to His sovereign good pleasure for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. He is the Comforter, the Spirit of Adoption, the Seal of our Salvation and the Guarantor of our inheritance in Christ (John 14:16-17; 16:14; Acts 5:3; Rom. 8:14-17; Eph. 1:13-14).
- Regeneration
Regeneration is a changed heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, Who quickens the dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practise holiness. It is a work of God’s free and special grace alone. (Jn. 3:1-8; Eph. 2:1-6; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:3; 1 John 5:1)
- Repentance
Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy Spirit, made aware of the manifold evil of their sin, humbles themselves for it, with godly sorrow, hatred of it, and self- abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk before God so as to please Him in all things. (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; 11:18; 2 Cor. 7:10-11)
- Faith
Saving faith is the belief, on God’s authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness. (Rom. 3:27-28; 4:1-5; 4:17-25; 10:14, 17; Phil. 1:29; Eph. 2:8; Jas. 2:14-26)
- Justification
Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith alone. (Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:34; 10:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9)
- Sanctification
Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God’s Word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all disciples seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in heartfelt obedience to all Christ’s commands. (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:27-27; Jn. 17:17; Rom. 8:1-17; Gal. 5:13-24; 2 Pet. 1:3- 11)
- Perseverance of the Saints
Those whom God has accepted in the Beloved, Jesus Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (John 6:37-40; 10:28-29; Rom. 8:28-39; 1 Cor. 1:8-9; Phil. 1:6; 1 Jn. 2:19)
- The Church
The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its government. According to His commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into particular churches; and to each of these churches He has given needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which He has appointed. The regular officers of a Church are Elders and Deacons. (John 10:16; Acts 20:17, 28; Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 5:17-18; Tit. 1:5-9; Heb. 10:25)
- Baptism
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he or she is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his or her fellowship with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of giving themselves up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; 8:38-39; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 12:13)
- The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by His churches until He comes. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate His death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion with Him, and of their church fellowship. (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-34)
- The Lord’s Day
The Lord’s Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Col. 2:16; 3:16; Rev 1:10; Heb.10:24-25)
- Liberty of Conscience
God alone is Lord of the conscience and therefore the Christian is free from bondage to any doctrines and commandments of men, including those of elders and civil authorities, which are contrary to the Scriptures. Because civil authorities are ordained by God, subjection in all lawful things commanded by them ought to be yielded to by us in the Lord, not only to avoid possible punishment, but also for conscience sake. (Matt. 15:9; Rom. 13:1-7; 14:4; Acts 5:29; Col. 2:20-23 1 Pet. 2:13-14)
- The Resurrection
The bodies of mankind after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God – the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised. (John 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:12-28; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Phil. 1:23)
- The Judgment
Following the event in which Christ will descend from Heaven, God has appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when everyone shall receive according to their deeds; the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life. (Matt. 25:46; John 5:22, 27-29; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:6-11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 1:7; 7:13-17; 14:9-11)
*These Doctrinal Statements are drawn from the revised New Hampshire Confession of faith (1853) and the Abstract of Principles (1858), which are a faithful summary of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.