Statement of faith

Working document

The Word of God. We believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, complete as a revelation of God’s will for salvation, and the supreme and final authority in faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21)

The Bible is the living word of God. It is infallible, authoritative and everlasting and is the foundation of all Christian doctrine. (Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21)

The Trinity. We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, sharing the same nature and attributes. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Mt 3:16-17; 28:19)

God the Father. We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe He concerns Himself mercifully in affairs of men, hears and answers prayers, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Jn. 16:23-27; Gal 4:4-6; Eph. 1:3; 17-23)

God the Son. We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s eternal Son. He is true God and true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We also believe in His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, His priestly intercession in behalf of His people, and His personal, visible return from heaven. (Mt. 1:18-23; Lk. 24:1-8; Jn. 1:1, 14; Acts 1:11; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:24-25; 1 Jn. 2:1; Rev 19, 20) Jesus We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God; we believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, victorious and atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension to the right hand of the Father, constant intercession and His imminent return.

God the Holy Spirit. We believe the Holy Spirit is a person and is fully God. He regenerates, baptizes into the body of Christ, indwells every believer, guides and empowers believers, and gives gifts to all believers to be used in ministry so that the church fulfills its mission on earth. (Mt. 28:19; Jn. 3:5; 16:13; Acts 1:8 ;5:3-4; 1 Cor. 6:11, 19; 12:4-13; Eph. 3:16; 4:1-16)

In the person and work of the Holy Spirit with His fruits and gifts available in the Church.

Man. We believe God created man, male and female, in the image of God and free from sin. We further believe that man, because of his fall in Adam, is a sinner by nature and choice and is therefore spiritually dead, in need of salvation. (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7-3:19; Rom. 3:23; 5:12-21; 6:23)

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting separation from God.

Salvation. We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We further believe that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, was purchased by Christ on the cross, and is received by man through faith, apart from any human merit, works, or ritual. Salvation results in righteous living, good works, and proper social concern. (Jn. 1:12; 3:3-7; 5:24; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 Tim. 2:5)

Church. We believe that the church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the head. We believe in the church being the body of Christ, and each member being an active part of a local church, fulfilling the Great Commission. The true church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. This body expresses itself in local assemblies whose members have been baptized upon a credible confession of faith and have associated themselves for worship, instruction, evangelism, and service. We believe the
ordinances of the local church are baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  We also believe in the interdependence of local churches and the mutual submission of believers to each other in love. (Mt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2:41-47; Eph. 5:21; Col. 1:18; Heb. 10:24-25)

Separation of Church and State. We believe that each local church is self-governing in function and must be free from interference by any external (outside of the church) or political authority. We further believe that every human being is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life, and that each should be free to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. (Mt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1; 1 Tim. 2:1-6)

Christian Conduct. We believe that the supreme task of every believer is to glorify God in his life. The believer should live blamelessly before the world, be a faithful steward of his possessions, and seek to obtain for himself the full stature of maturity in Christ. (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 6:6-9; 1 Pet. 1:14-15)

Last Things. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved and lost, the eternal conscious existence of all men either in heaven or hell, and in divine judgments, rewards, and punishments. (Jn. 5:29; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 15:51-58; 2 Cor. 5:6-10; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Jn. 8; Revelation 19, 20)

We Share the Good News
We are called to spread the gospel to people who don’t yet follow Christ.
(Psalm 96:3; Matthew 5:14; 28:18-20; 1 Peter 3:15)We Share the Good News

GETTING STARTED Tips for Success at Bible college DRAFT

Christian Leadership Institute ten tips for success

1. Set realistic expectation
2. Stay on track
3. Ask for help
4. Adject your load
5. Cut costs
6. Server under a local mentor
7. Get a friendly critic
8. Walk with god
9. Relish relationships
10. Serve actively

International Bible college tips for success

Walk with god
Get involved in a church
Serve others
Be teachable
Find a godly mentor
Make sure your best friends love jesus
Do not be afraid to ask for help if you are struggling
Work hard and trust God for a future

https://unlockingthebible.org/2017/09/20-tips-for-the-christian-college-student/
http://www.charisbiblecollege.org/blogs/charis-blog/2015/9/2/6-tips-for-college-success#
https://gobbc.edu/admissions/funding-your-education/tips-for-college-success/
https://www.howtolearn.com/2016/07/best-5-success-tips-for-christian-college-students/

Walk with God  Be Christ-centered

Schedule time each day to read the Word meditating on its truths (Psalm 1), pray, and listen to God. Don't allow your free time to be dominated by comfort or directed by convenience.http://www.charisbiblecollege.org/blogs/charis-blog/2015/9/2/6-tips-for-college-success#
Do whatever it takes to get the most out of your walk with God. Discipline yourself to get adequate sleep each night. Don't stay up all night watching movies just because there is no one around to tell you not to. Any time left on your schedule is your discretionary time. Have fun. Try new things, Visit new places, just remember to keep your priorities in order.
http://www.charisbiblecollege.org/blogs/charis-blog/2015/9/2/6-tips-for-college-success#
Bolster your faith by connecting with other Christians.  https://www.howtolearn.com/2016/07/best-5-success-tips-for-christian-college-students/

Knowing Jesus is infinitely more rewarding than any possession, relationship, experience, or temporary pleasure.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

 call on God and tap into His infinite power and wisdom.
Your faith in Christ does not exempt you from hard work, but it does avail you to God’s strength.  Reliance on God’s strength is especially important as you encounter new challenges in college. You will need strength to handle increasing academic demands, to balance work and class schedules, and to cope with the stresses encountered by many college students. On your own, you can feel overwhelmed.  However, you are not alone.  Embrace your identity in Christ and rely on Him.
https://www.howtolearn.com/2016/07/best-5-success-tips-for-christian-college-students/

Get involved in a church
The gospel of Jesus is bigger than you and your friends who are just like you; it encompasses people of all ages, ethnicities, languages, and nations. The church – not a campus ministry – is home-base for the Christian. Find a local, life-giving church and become a part of a spiritual community
http://www.charisbiblecollege.org/blogs/charis-blog/2015/9/2/6-tips-for-college-success#

Escape the artificial bubble you live in and enter the real world by getting to know people in your church. You might be surprised how your appreciation of Christ deepens as you see faithful believers enduring hardship, serving others with their gifts, and shining the light of Christ in the world.
https://unlockingthebible.org/2017/09/20-tips-for-the-christian-college-student/

Be teachable
Let every person and situation in your life be an opportunity to learn and grow.
You have the greatest teacher living in you—the Holy Spirit. He knows everything. The Bible tells us He will teach and remind us of everything we need know (John 14:26; I John 2:20, 27).


Serve others
The Bible instructs Christians to work as though we are working for the Lord rather than for men (Colossians 3:23).
secular culture tells us to live for ourselves, but doesn’t tell us how doing so often leaves us miserable and broke. We were created for more than to please our senses; we were created to love God and others (Matthew 22:37-39).

That’s why serving in diverse ways is crucial. Service might be volunteering at church, helping organize a food drive for the poor, being a friend to someone in need, going on a missions trip, or any number of other opportunities. We all need to remember we aren’t the center of the universe. In doing this, you will learn what your gifts and passions are, and you may even be called into full-time ministry
https://unlockingthebible.org/2017/09/20-tips-for-the-christian-college-student/

Find a godly mentor
If you only hang out with people your age, you will be caught in an echo chamber of unexperienced voices. Seek godly mentors who are older than you and have real-world experience. Sure, they may not be as “cool” as your peers, but they can help think long-term. Learn how to distinguish wise advice from foolish advice.

Make sure your best friends love jesus

Find a local church, get connected, and attend on weekends when you are on campus. Christian friendships will keep you Christ-centered and make bible college more enjoyable.
https://www.howtolearn.com/2016/07/best-5-success-tips-for-christian-college-students/

You can be kind and friendly to everyone, but your inner circle of relationships requires a greater measure of discretion and judgment. Jesus had different levels of relationships: the multitude, the seventy, the twelve, His inner circle (Peter, James, and John) and His best friend—John. It should be no different with us.

Look for friends who have similar values, goals, and beliefs as you. Proverbs 27:17 says that iron sharpens iron. You need to find friends who will "sharpen" you spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Find friends who will challenge you to succeed and fulfill your potential.

"Do not be deceived: evil company corrupts good habits" (I Corinthians 15:33).
http://www.charisbiblecollege.org/blogs/charis-blog/2015/9/2/6-tips-for-college-success#

Do not be afraid to ask for help if you are struggling

Ask for clarification of class material and get help on assignments in chat, Doing so will increase your academic understanding and will allow you to build a network of faculty
Understand that you likely will encounter struggles during bible college. When you do struggle, ask God what He wants you to learn.  He may use a struggle to teach you to rely on Him more.

God may use your struggles in a class to give you the incentive to further develop your academic success skills and abilities.  He may use financial struggles to teach you to manage your money.  He may use a struggle to smooth out a rough spot in your character.

Regardless of the reason, believe that God has a purpose for allowing the struggle.  Pray to God and ask Him to reveal His purpose. And remember that God is with you in the struggle. If you trust Him, He will use the struggle for your ultimate good.
https://www.howtolearn.com/2016/07/best-5-success-tips-for-christian-college-students/

Work hard and trust God for a future

The ABC’s:

Ask: Pray and specifically ask God and others to reveal to you how you may life the “results not excuses lifestyle.”

Be accountable: Make yourself accountable to someone on deadlines you set.  Make small commitments and get those results and reward yourself when you accomplish intermediate goals.

Commit to really becoming ALL that God created you to be.  Look at your life as being a steward.  God has entrusted you with talents, opportunities and specific tasks.

https://gobbc.edu/admissions/funding-your-education/tips-for-college-success/