What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of Island City Baptist Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

The Holy Bible, divinely inspired and authored by God, written by man, is a flawless source of divine guidance and truth, serving as the supreme standard for Christian beliefs and conduct. It testifies to Christ as the central figure in divine revelation.

There is one living and true God, intelligent, spiritual, and personal, who is the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. This God is infinite in holiness, possesses all perfections, is all-powerful and all-knowing, and reveals Himself as the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct attributes but a unified nature.

Jesus is the eternal Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, obeyed divine laws, and offered Himself as a substitute for humanity's redemption through His crucifixion. After His resurrection, He ascended to heaven and currently serves as the Mediator between God and humanity. Christ will return to judge the world and is present within all believers as their living Lord.

Man is a special creation of God, made in His image, designed as male and female.  In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Only through God's grace can humans fulfill their intended purpose and have fellowship with God. The sanctity of human life is evident as God created man in His image and Christ died for all, emphasizing the dignity and worth of every person, regardless of race, deserving respect and Christian love.

Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour.

B. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.

C. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.

D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.

A New Testament church is an independent local assembly of baptized believers who are united by faith and fellowship in the gospel. They observe the ordinances of Christ, follow His teachings, and aim to spread the gospel worldwide. Each congregation operates democratically, with every member accountable to Christ. The church has two scriptural offices: pastor/elder/overseer and deacon, with the pastoral role reserved for qualified men. Additionally, the New Testament refers to the Church as the Body of Christ, encompassing all redeemed individuals from every nation and era.

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It symbolizes the believer's faith in Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, signifying their death to sin and new life in Jesus. It also testifies to the believer's faith in the final resurrection. Baptism is a prerequisite for church membership and participation in the Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper is an act of obedience in which church members remember Christ's death and look forward to His return by partaking of bread and wine.

Every follower of Christ and every church has a duty and privilege to make disciples of all nations. The new birth, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, instills a love for others and necessitates missionary efforts, as commanded by Christ. This duty includes verbally sharing the gospel, living a Christian lifestyle, and employing other methods aligned with the message of Christ to bring the lost to faith in Him.

Christians believe that all blessings, both material and spiritual, come from God, and they have a responsibility to share these blessings with others. They see themselves as stewards of God's gifts and are obligated to serve Him by dedicating their time, talents, and possessions for His glory and the benefit of others. Following scriptural guidance, they are encouraged to give cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and generously to support the spread of the gospel.

Christ's followers should organize associations and conventions when needed to promote cooperation for the advancement of God's Kingdom. These organizations have no authority over churches but serve as voluntary and advisory bodies to coordinate the efforts of believers effectively. Members of New Testament churches should work together to support missionary, educational, and benevolent activities for the expansion of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity is seen as spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation among different groups of believers. Cooperation between Christian denominations is encouraged as long as it aligns with the purposes of Christ and doesn't compromise their loyalty to Him and His Word as found in the New Testament.