The Board of Elders has adopted the following doctrinal statement. It is intended to summarize, but not comprehensively review, the basic doctrinal specifics emphasized at Peninsula Bible Church. It is subscribed to by the elders and the pastoral staff, but agreement with all its statements is neither required nor expected of those worshipping or seeking the Lord with us. We believe that the Christian faith is a progressive, individually unique, process in which we are all at different points. Wherever you are in this process, you are welcome to fellowship with us.
1) Concerning the Bible
We believe that the original writings of both Old and New Testaments were breathed out by God to prophets, apostles, and apostolic associates by means of the Spirit, who chose the words employed according to the personality and background of the human author, and that these writings were without error and are of supreme and final authority in the lives of believers in any age.
2) Concerning God
We believe there is but one true God, who eternally exists as three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who share in the work of creation, maintenance of the universe, redemption and judgment.
3) Concerning Man and His Need
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but because of Adam’s sin that image was damaged, and that all human beings are now born with a sinful nature, are unable to function in moral responsibility before God, and need a spiritual regeneration before they can become what they were meant to be.
4) Concerning the Son
We believe that the Eternal Son entered the human race as the virgin-born son of Mary, was named Jesus, fulfilled Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, was rejected by Jewish leaders, condemned by Pontius Pilate, crucified by the Romans, buried in a borrowed tomb, but on the third day rose from the dead in accordance with the predictions of the Old Testament Scriptures.
5) Concerning Redemption
We believe Jesus died upon the cross as a sinless substitute for sinners of all ages and times, and that the Father was thus, by means of the Spirit, reconciling the world to Himself, and all who receive the risen Jesus as Lord, by faith, are spiritually born into the family of God.
6) Concerning the Holy Spirit
We believe that the resurrected Jesus ascended to heaven and on the Day of Pentecost sent the Holy Spirit to indwell, guide, teach, and empower all who believe by imparting to them the life of Jesus, so that they may live godly lives and engage in loving service to any who are in need.
7) Concerning the Church
We believe that the Church consists of all who have been regenerated by the Spirit, and finds expression as local churches, operating under the direction of Jesus as Lord and Head of his body, through elders, pastor-teachers, and evangelists, who equip the saints to fulfill the work of the ministry as described in the Scriptures given by the prophets and apostles.
8) Concerning Ordinances
We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the churches during the present age, but are not to be regarded as a means of salvation.
9) Concerning the Christian's Responsibility
We believe that though all believers have been made new persons in Christ, they are yet capable of acting on the urges of the sinful nature (the flesh) with which they were once identified, but that when they do so they can only produce works which are not pleasing to God. They can choose, rather, to rely on upon the Spirit and His love, and thus produce works that glorify and please the Father.
10) Concerning the Future
We believe that Jesus the Christ (Messiah) will return to this earth in visible, human form in a cataclysmic series of events that will affect the world, the Church, and the nation of Israel; judging the evil of the world, calling the Church into eternal companionship with Himself, and recalling Israel, through judgment and cleansing, into fulfillment of the prophetic promises of a restored kingdom of David upon the earth, lasting for 1000 years.
11) Concerning the Millennium
We believe that the prophetic predictions of the kingdom are intended to describe both the present spiritual blessings upon the Church and a future literal establishment of a kingdom for Israel, and that at the end of the millennium the earth and its inhabitants will experience a final resurgence of evil, which will be overcome by God, and a new heaven and earth created, in which righteousness shall eternally dwell.
12) Concerning the Resurrection
We believe that all human beings will be raised from the dead, at their proper time, to participate either in the eternal life prepared for those who have been redeemed, or to participate in the eternal punishment reserved for the devil and his angels.
Note: This Statement of Faith was printed on the PBC Church Telephone Directory in 1989.
