MIBC

The Scriptures — The Holy Bible

 

WE BELIEVE in the verbal (every word) and plenary (complete) inspiration (God-breathed) of the Holy Scriptures. The collective Bible, the Old and New Testaments, is completely and equally inspired. The words themselves are inspired and preserved in full authority as the Textus Receptus, which is the collection of the original writings, including all versions translated from the Textus Receptus. (1 Cor. 2:10-13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)

The Trinity

 

WE BELIEVE the trinity is God as a unity of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three are equally God and consequently One God, each sharing in the divine attributes and yet distinguishable in relation to each other, each with a distinct personality forming the Godhead. While this may be difficult for humanity to comprehend, the Trinity is indeed the truth because the Bible teaches it. (Matt. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 John 5:7)

Deity of Christ

 

WE BELIEVE Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God Who took on flesh and became a man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of a Virgin. Jesus came to the earth to reveal God and to redeem mankind. He did this through his death and shed blood on the cross, which was the sufficient sacrifice and substitute for remission of all man’s sins. (Matt. 1:20-23; John 1:1- 2, 14; Luke 1:35; Rom. 3:25; Gal. 4:4-5; Eph. 1:7; Phil. 2:5-8; Titus 2:13-14)

Resurrectoin

 

WE BELIEVE Jesus Christ’s literal, physical, bodily resurrection makes sure our justification. He ascended into Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of the Father where He is our High Priest, Intercessor, Mediator, and Advocate. (Luke 24:39; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 3:24; 8:34; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 1:3; 4:14; 7:25; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; 1 John 2:1)

Salvation

 

WE BELIEVE salvation is a gift from God wholly of grace received by faith in the Blood of Christ. Jesus Christ voluntarily took upon Himself our nature yet without sin. Jesus Christ, being perfect and without sin, shed His blood to fully satisfy the demands of God regarding sin. Thus, salvation is a free gift through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ who shed His blood once and for all for our sins. All who receive this gift are eternally secure in Jesus Christ. (John 10:28-29; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-13; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7)

Eternal Security

 

WE BELIEVE all believers are secure forever from the moment of regeneration. The believer’s salvation is guaranteed and cannot be lost under any condition. This security is kept by the power of God, not by the power of man. Sin in a believer’s life does not disrupt this security, sin disrupts fellowship with God. Nowhere in the Word of God is the believer allowed to use Christian “liberty for an occasion of the flesh.” (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1-2; 13:13-14; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-2; Jude 1: 24-25)

Separate

 

WE BELIEVE a born-again believer is obligated by Scripture to separate from worldly practices and sin, and separate unto God. Believers are commanded to be clean in body and mind. (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 6:14; 7:1; 10:5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11)

Baptism

 

WE BELIEVE spiritual baptism is the believer’s identification with Jesus Christ and it precedes water baptism, where water baptism is a picture of spiritual baptism. Spiritual baptism is the believer’s new birth, salvation through Jesus Christ. Spiritual baptism in Christ is pictured in water baptism as the believer’s death to sin and life to Christ. A sound illustration of spiritual baptism is seen in Acts 10:43- 45, then water baptism in Acts 10:47. (Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27)

Forgiveness

 

WE BELIEVE forgiveness is to give up resentment or desire to punish. God in His marvelous grace forgives the believer’s penalty for sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The unsaved needs forgiveness because sin leads to eternal punishment in Hell, whereas forgiveness leads us to eternal life in Heaven. The saved needs forgiveness because sin alienates from God, whereas forgiveness restores relationship and fellowship with God. (Gen. 2:17; Acts 13:37-39; 26:15-18; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 1:7; 2:12-13, 17-19; Col. 1:14; 2 Thes. 1:8-9; Titus 3:7; I John 1) 

Autonomous

 

WE BELIEVE the New Testament Church is an independent, autonomous, visible, voluntary, organized body of born-again and baptized believers united together for the purpose of worship, edification, ordinances, fellowship and service. The church was established by Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry and empowered by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost; Jesus Christ being the Head of the church. The church should be internally self-governing, financially self-sustaining, and externally self- propagating. (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:41-47; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim. 3:1-15)

Ordinances

 

WE BELIEVE there are two ordinances in the Lord’s churches: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 8:12, 38; Rom 6:4; 1 Cor. 5:11-13; 1 Cor. 11:1, 2, 17-20, 23-32, 26)

Theocracy

 

WE BELIEVE the New Testament Church government is a theocracy shepherded by the pastor, governed and supported by the membership who congregationally has the authority over discipline and doctrine. The church is independent of popes, bishops, associations, conventions, councils and its agencies that would seek to exert control over its operations and functions. (Matt. 18:15-17; Acts 2:15-23; 6:2-6; 15:1-30; 1 Cor. 5:12-13; Rev. 2:2) 

Pre-Millenial

​

WE BELIEVE the literal, bodily, personal, Pre-tribulation, Pre-millennial and imminent coming of Jesus Christ to rapture the church before the wrath of the Tribulation and will return before the Millennial Kingdom is established where Jesus will physically reign and live on earth for one thousand years. (1 Cor. 15:51-57; 1 Thes. 1:9-10; 4:13-18; 5:1-9; Titus 2:13)