IBC Doctrinal Statement

All Board members, faculty, and staff subscribe to the following statement, and reaffirm this agreement annually.

1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God created man in his own image and likeness. Sin entered the world through one man, Adam, and subsequently passed to all men resulting in death and separation from God. Gen 1:1; Gen 1:26; Rom 5:12-14; Rom 3:23; Rom 6:23; Isa 59:2

2. God demonstrated his love for sinful people when He gave His Son, who became flesh and dwelt among us emptying Himself but never ceasing to be God. His Son, Jesus the Christ, died for our sins and rose again, with the result that all who believe in Him are saved from the penalty of sin, entirely apart from works, and have an incorruptible inheritance reserved for them in heaven, guaranteed by the Holy Spirit, Himself God.

John 3:16; John 1:14; Phil 2:7-8; Heb 1:8; Rom 4:2,5; Acts 16:31; I Cor 15:1-4; Eph 2:8-9; I Peter 1:3-4; Eph 1:13-14; Acts 5:3-4.

3. Man learns of God’s plan by revelation which was recorded in the Holy Scriptures, which are given by inspiration of God and are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. The Word of God is alive and powerful and produces new birth, sanctification, cleansing, growth, and victory in believers who hear and do it.

I Cor 2:9-10; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4;12; I Pet 1:23-25; John 17:17; Eph 5:26; I Pet 2:2; Eph 6:17; James 1:22.

4. The Holy Spirit, Himself God, convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, regenerates, baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ, indwells believers, fills believers, seals believers, and distributes spiritual gifts. Acts 5:3-4; John 16:8; Tit 3:5; I Cor 12:13; John 14:17; Eph 5:18; Eph 1:18; I Cor 12:11.

5. All believers are baptized into the church,, the Body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the head. Believers should assemble together, exhorting one another, each one ministering his spiritual gift, so that the Body will grow. Local churches should have biblically qualified leaders who should take heed to themselves and to the flock. I Cor 12:13; Col 1:18; Heb 10:25; I Pet 4:10; Eph 4:16; I Tim 3:1-13; Acts 20:28.

6. After His resurrection Jesus ascended bodily into heaven, and it was promised that He would return in like manner. The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout. The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. A period of great tribulation is promised, after which people will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And the souls of those who were beheaded for their witness to Jesus during the tribulation will later live and reign with Christ for a thousand years. No one knows the day and hour of Christ’s return, but a crown of righteousness is promised to all who love his appearing. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Acts 1:9-11; I Thess 4:16-17; Mat 24:9; Mat 24:29; Rev 20:4; Mat 24:36; 2 Tim 4:8; I Cor 16:22.