Who Are We?

The Bible
We believe that the Bible was written by divinely inspired men and is God’s revelation of himself and his will to man. The Bible in its entirety is the Word of God, and as such is wholly true in everything it affirms. The Scriptures are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; Ps. 18:30; 119:96)
The Trinity
We believe that the Godhead exists eternally in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and that these three are one God, and are worthy of precisely the same confidence, obedience, and worship. (Matt. 28:18-19, Mk. 12:29, Jn. 1:14, Acts 5:3-4)
Creation
We believe that God created all things and that by his sovereign power he continues to sustain his creation. (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:17)
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ in the flesh was fully God and fully man, that he was born of a virgin and that he lived a sinless life, in which he taught and worked mighty works and wonders and signs as recorded in the four gospels, that he was crucified, died as a penalty for our sins and was later raised from the dead bodily on the third day. Later, he ascended to the Father’s right hand where he is head of the church and intercedes for believers, and from whence he is coming again personally, bodily, and visibly to this earth to set up his millennial kingdom. (Heb. 1: 2; 4:15; 1 Cor. 15:3-8; Rom. 8:34; Matt. 16:27)
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person, is God, and possesses all the divine attributes. He convicts the world of sin. He indwells all believers and baptizes and seals all believers at the moment of salvation. He uniquely endows each believer with gifts for the building up of the body. He guides believers in understanding and applying the Scriptures and empowers us to lead a life of Christ-like character. (Jn. 16:7-15; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 15:3-8; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:30; Jn. 16:13, Gal. 5:22-23)
Sin
We believe that all men have defied God and have chosen to go their own independent way and, thereby, stand condemned by God. We believe that God, by his sovereign choice and his love for mankind, sent Jesus into the world to bring people back into fellowship with God, and that this salvation, with its forgiveness of sin, is a gift, wholly a work of God’s grace, not the result of human works, and that this salvation must be personally appropriated by repentance and faith. We believe that a true believer is eternally secure, that he cannot lose his salvation, but that sin may interrupt the joy of his fellowship with God and bring the loving discipline of his heavenly Father. (Rom. 3:23; 5.8; Eph. 2:8; Mk. 1:15; 1 Jn 5:12-13; Jn. 10:28; Heb. 12:5-6)
The Church
We believe there is one church universal, which is comprised of all who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. The Scriptures command believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, the teaching of the Word, observance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, fellowship, service to the body, and outreach to the world. Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to these commands, there is the local expression of the church. Under the watch care of elders and deacons, its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying God. (Rom. 3:22;
Acts 2:42-47; Matt. 28:19; Lk. 22:19; Heb. 10:24-25; Gal. 6:10; Acts 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3; 1 Jn. 4:7; Eph. 3:21)
Baptism
Baptism is for believers. A believer is someone who has realized that their sin separates them from God and places them under the wrath of God. They have given up all efforts to reach God through good works or religious activities. They have concluded that only Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for their sins can bridge the gap between them and God. A believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone for their salvation and has chosen to follow Him as their Lord. Baptism, then, is no more or less than an outward symbolic gesture that the believer makes to testify to the world that he or she has been saved. Baptism does not provide salvation in any part. (Matt. 28:16-20; Acts 2:41; 8:12; 10:47-48; Rom. 6:1-11; Eph. 2:1-10;
Membership
The members of Family Church have committed themselves to our membership covenant and statement of faith. New membership classes are offered in person or online and are initiated by the prospective member asking an elder. The prospective members and the class teacher will arrange to meet twice for two hours per meeting. This class is intended to inform you about Family Church as well as help us get to know one another. At the end of the class, at the elder’s discretion, the prospective members will be invited to sign the Membership Covenant and Statement of Faith. For questions, please contact
Stephen Bradley at 252-375-3956 or [email protected].
Women in Leadership
The Family Church Perspective on Women in Leadership.
Church Discipline
The Family Church Redemptive Church Discipline Procedure.
Harassment and Abuse
The Family Church Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control Policy.
Sexuality
On human sexuality, Family Church ascribes to The Nashville Statement.
Cooperation and Affiliation
Family Church is a cooperating member of the Southern Baptist Convention and Family Church accepts “The Baptist Faith and Message, 2000” as a general statement of our faith.