1: Beliefs | FBC Fortuna

Our Doctrine | Reformed Baptist

We love God and we love His word. Therefore, our preaching and teaching is firmly rooted in the Bible. We are also confessional because of the confusion that many people have about interpreting the Bible. Therefore, we subscribe to The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession as our confession of faith. Even though there may be some disagreement among members about certain doctrines, the 2LBCF is the extent of disagreement that we can maintain while holding onto unity and fellowship.

Level of Subscription to the Confession

As a church we have adopted a “subscription of unity” for all church members. Our Church Officers (Elders and Deacons) are expected to have a “full subscription.”

Subscription of Unity

The goal of membership subscription is for all church members to agree wholeheartedly with the entire confession of faith.
All church members should agree not to teach against the confession of faith, distribute literature against it, or campaign against it on social media, etc.
They must agree not to cause divisions or strife in the church about anything in the confession of faith.
And they must not be hardened in their opposition to anything in the confession of faith, but have a teachable spirit, willing to sit under and learn from those who teach everything in the confession of faith.

Full Subscription: Affirm every doctrine in our church’s confession of faith.

Consistent with our confession and practice, we allow into membership those who are still working out their own understanding of our confession. At the same time, those who are in clear disagreement do not receive an Elder’s recommendation for membership. It should be noted that while incoming members may be still working on their understanding of the confession, the Elders and Deacons (office holders) are to be in full subscription with the 2LBCF. Our aim is to protect the unity of the church.

Although reading the 2LBCF will provide a detailed explanation of our theology, here are five doctrines (teachings) that are fundamental to our theology. While we have clear boundaries of doctrinal agreement, we still find ways to be charitable in areas of disagreement. These five areas of doctrine give a clear understanding of the beliefs that influence the preaching, teaching, and ministries of our church.

Read the Original 1689 Second London Baptist Confession here.

Read the Modern version here.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

We believe that in the beginning, God created everything. Not only did God create everything, but because he is good, he also gave us the law (explicitly and on the heart). The demand of the law was perfection. Failure to obey the law perfectly came with the penalty of death. But the reward of obedience was life. Instead of obedience we (through the first man Adam) chose to disobey the law. We chose to sin, and because of sin, the world was broken. Sin is any thought, deed, or action that opposes the will or law of God and is consequently worthy of death. Therefore sinners, who are condemned to death are in need of forgiveness of sin and salvation from death (the wrath of God). The good news (gospel) is that sinners can be forgiven of their sins and saved from death, sin, and God’s wrath through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone (see below). Those who have been saved from the consequences of their sin (death) must now obey the gospel in this way:

Repent (turn from your sins to Jesus)
Confess (make publicly known) your sins.
Believe that Jesus Christ is God.
Be Baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Commit yourself to a local body of believers (a church).
Make Disciples of all nations as a part of the local church.

Regenerate Church Membership

The most significant mark of being Baptist is holding to believer’s baptism: the belief that only those who personally confess Christ should be recognized as saved and therefore baptized. Therefore, we also hold to the historic Baptist teaching that church membership is for the regenerate (new life). That means we affirm that every Christian must be a member of a local church to be obedient to Christ. Membership is not just a name on a list; it includes a confession, participation in the ordinances (baptism and the Lord's Supper), and evidences of grace (sanctification). Here are explanations of these three marks of a regenerate church member.

A Confession of Faith
Both a confession of sin and a confession (declaration) of who Christ is (See We Believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ). Acts 2:41, 47b.

Participation in Baptism & Communion (Lord’s Supper)
Baptism is the first act of obedience and the mark of entrance into the church. The Lord’s Supper is the mark of continued belonging to the church. The 1689 Baptist Confession reads as follows:

Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ. To those baptized it is a sign of their fellowship with him in his death and resurrection, of their being grafted into him, of remission of sins, and of submitting themselves to God through Jesus Christ to live and walk in newness of life (2LBCF 29.1).

The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night he was betrayed. It is to be observed in his churches to the end of the age as a perpetual remembrance and display of the sacrifice of himself in his death. It is given for the confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits of Christ’s death, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, and their further engagement in and to all the duties they owe him. The supper is to be a bond and pledge of their communion with Christ and each other (2LBCF 30.1).

Evidences of Grace (Sanctification)
A Christian will bear good fruit. This does not mean that a Christian is presently perfect. But the call is to lead a life that is in step with the commands of Christ and his call for godliness. A Christian who bears no fruit is no Christian at all. But praise be to God, he promises to produce in us the fruit of sanctification through the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthains 6:9-11).

The Five Sola's of the Reformation

The Reformation of the 1500’s brought a renewed vision to what the Church is. Every ‘protestant’ church today is a result of this great reformation. Although there are many different events that happened within the Reformation era, five beliefs could be summarized from those changes that still influences churches around the world today. We too believe and hold to these Five Solas.

Sola Scriptura

Scripture Alone

2 Timothy 3:16–17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV)

We Affirm: that the Scriptures have the full final authority on all church’s doctrines
and practices.
We Deny: that our confession or any church member (including the elders) stands in authority over the Scriptures.

Sola Gratia

Saved by Grace Alone

Ephesians 2:8–9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV)

We Affirm: that God on his own free will offers salvation.
We Deny: that man can save himself without this grace.

Sola Fide

Saved through Faith Alone

Galatians 2:16 - yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (ESV)

We Affirm: that man is saved by having faith (trusting belief) in the work and person of Jesus Christ.
We Deny: that faith is alone; that faith does not produce good works.

Solus Christus

Saved in Christ Alone

Acts 4:11–12 - This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (ESV)

We Affirm: that Jesus (truly God and truly man) is the only worthy mediator between God and man.
We Deny: that anyone can be saved without a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria

For the Glory of God Alone

Ephesians 3:20–21 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

We Affirm: that God alone is worthy of all glory, honor and praise, and is working all things to the praise of his glorious grace.
We Deny: that God needs man or any created thing to be worthy of praise, glory and honor.

The Doctrines of Grace (Reformed Theology)

Salvation is clearly taught in the Scriptures. However, there are certain doctrines that have caused theological division over the 2000 years of Church History. Although there is a certain amount of acceptable disagreement, we have come to believe that the Doctrines of Grace are the true and consistent teaching of the Scriptures. It is not necessary to completely understand the Doctrines of Grace when becoming a church member. However, it is necessary that you are not strongly opposed to these teachings. We are patient with those who are taking time to fully comprehend and internalize these distinctives. The Doctrines of Grace are also known as Calvinism (so called after John Calvin). The doctrines of Grace have often been explained with the acronym of T.U.L.I.P.

Total Depravity

John 3:3; 6:3

Ephesians 2:1–3 - And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (ESV)

We Affirm: that, even though broken through sin, man still reflects the image of God (imago dei).
We Deny: that man is either able or willing to save himself.

Unconditional Election

John 6:65; 15:16

Matthew 22:14 - For many are called, but few are chosen.” (ESV)

Romans 8:29–30 - For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (ESV)

We Affirm: that God freely chooses to save some.
We Deny: that God’s election limits man’s responsibility or is based on some attribute of those elected.

Limited Atonement (Particular/Definite Redemption)

Leviticus 16; John 3:16; Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; Acts 13:48

John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)

John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (ESV)

Leviticus 16 (Day of Atonement)

We Affirm: that Jesus’ substitutionary atonement on the cross is sufficient to save all but is only applied to the elect.
We Deny: that blood is applied to all before they are born again, or any form of universal salvation (universalism).

Irresistible Grace

John 6:37, 39, 44; Romans 8:30; Galatians 1:15; Philippians 2:12-13

John 6:37–40 - All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV)

John 6:44 - No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. (ESV)

We Affirm: that those who God effectually calls will be saved, while his general call demonstrates the weakness of man to save himself.
We Deny: that the gospel call to the whole world is insincere.

Perseverance of the Saints

John 6:66-71; 17:12; 10:28; Romans 8:38-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5; 5:10; 1 John 2:19

John 10:27–29 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. (ESV)

We Affirm: that those whom God has saved can have assurance of their salvation which cannot be lost.
We Deny: that man who did not earn his salvation can lose his salvation. We also deny cheap grace which is a license to sin (antinomianism).

The Great Commission

Evangelistic

Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:6; Romans 10:13-17; 2 Timothy 4:1-5

In light of these first four (4) doctrines, we can now go with greater boldness and confidence in proclaiming the gospel. This confidence does not come from man-centered evangelism, but with an assurance that the gospel call will be heard and responded to. In fact, there is no salvation without the preaching of the Gospel (special revelation). This makes God’s commands to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20) and to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:6) a freedom and not a weight. We are called to be faithful, not to produce “results.” Nevertheless, we still proclaim the gospel with boldness, conviction, and sincerity.

We believe both of these commands (to proclaim and disciple) are still applicable for the church today. Any teaching that affirms God’s sovereignty and election can never be applied in contradiction to man’s responsibility to proclaim and respond to the gospel message. Any theology that divorces election from evangelistic fervor is corrupt. Any teaching that opposes God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility is anti-Christ. Therefore, we unashamedly and wholeheartedly participate in evangelism at home, in the community, and through evangelistic missionary work abroad (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:6; Romans 10:13-17; and 2 Timothy 4:1-5).

Bylaws

501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation

First Baptist Church of Fortuna, California

First Baptist Church of Fortuna, California is a California nonprofit religious corporation, recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1). Article I Section 2

As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation we are obligated to have bylaws. These bylaws clarify the legal and certain theological responsibilities that we as a church have towards each other and those outside the church. However, the Bible supersedes any item contained within these bylaws. A copy of our bylaws will be made available upon request.