We believe in the absolute, verbal inspiration of the sixty-six books of the Bible. The Old and New Testaments are inerrant in the original writings, and they are the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We believe that the Masoretic Text of the Old Testament and Textus Receptus of the New Testament are the preserved Word of God. It is our practice to use only the King James Version.

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe in direct and instant creation that was completed in six literal, twenty-four-hour days. We reject any theory of evolution.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. This redemption was accomplished through His death on the cross, and was made sure to us by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration and sanctification, indwelling equally and permanently in every believer and sealing him unto the day of redemption.

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to sinful man by grace and received solely by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. All who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood.

We reject all theories, philosophies, and theologies that are inconsistent with the Bible. We reject the systems of Calvinism and Arminianism. We conclude biblically that Christ died for all men and that salvation is appropriated, by individual choice, by faith in Jesus Christ. We reject an “unconditional election” to Heaven and a predetermined sentence to Hell as being unbiblical. We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again of the Holy Spirit, are the children of God, and are eternally secure.

We believe in a literal devil who was an agent in the fall of man. He is presently the prince of this world, but ultimately he will be judged and eternally punished.

We believe that a New Testament Baptist church is a local assembly of baptized believers, assembled for worship, edification, and obedience to the Great Commission. Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are the only two ordinances of the church. Pastor and deacon are the only valid offices.

We believe all believers should honour the Lord by a life of separation from the world’s philosophies and practices. This separation should affect the believer morally, personally, and ecclesiastically. We stand in opposition to the Ecumenical Movement, New Evangelicalism, Neo-Orthodoxy, the Charismatic Movement, and Cooperative Evangelism between churches who are not of the same faith and practice.

We believe that the rapture is imminent and will be followed by a literal seven-year period of tribulation upon this earth. This tribulation time will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth to introduce a literal millennial reign.

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men - the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgement and everlasting punishment. We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell.

 

Concerning The Doctrine of Repentance: Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) Salvation is the gift of God brought to sinful man by the grace of God, and received by repenting of offending God by our sin. 

Concerning Calvinism: We reject Calvinism as heresy. John Calvin said, "We call predestination God's eternal decree, by which He compacted with Himself what He willed to become of each man. For all are not created in equal condition; rather, eternal life is foreordained for some, eternal damnation for others.” If that is not heresy, what does one have to do to be guilty of heresy?

The Bible plainly teaches that Christ died for all men. We reject Calvinism’s "unconditional election" to Heaven and a predetermined sentence to Hell as being heresy, and so does God. We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again of the Holy Spirit, are the children of God, and are eternally secure.

Concerning Para-Church Ministries: We believe that a New Testament local church is an assembly of baptized believers, assembled for worship, edification, and obedience to the Great Commission. Baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper are the only two ordinances of the church. The pastor and deacon are the only valid officers. There are no scriptural grounds for any ministry to exist outside of the authority God has invested in the local church.

Concerning The Universal Church Myth: We reject the theory of a “universal church”as being an unscriptural theory that has been used to help usher in the day of apostasy in which we live. The local church is the only means that God has given for the preaching of the Gospel. First Timothy 3:15 was penned,“...that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 

Concerning Separation: We believe all believers should honour the Lord by a life of separation from the philosophies and practices of the world. We are also commanded to separate from false teachers, and disobedient Christians.

Concerning Tongues: We are neither charismatic in our style of service, or doctrine. We do not believe that speaking in tongues has anything to do with the local church age. We do not believe that God is giving us further revelation than what has already been given to us in the Bible. The pope cannot speak ex cathedra and the charismatics do not receive a "word of knowledge" as being a new revelation. We believe in eternal security; that once someone accepts Christ as their Savior, they are eternally "kept" by the Holy Spirit and the intercessory work of Christ before the throne of God. 

Concerning The Return of Christ: We believe in the imminent rapture of the believers of this current age, followed by a literal seven-year period of tribulation upon this earth. This tribulation time will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth to introduce a literal millennial reign.

Concerning Heaven And Hell: We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell.

Concerning Dispensationalism: We are concerned that the Scriptures are accurately presented therefore, we are not ashamed of the terms "dispensation" or "dispensational." The term is a perfectly good New Testament word selected by the Spirit of God to describe the stewardships, administrations or dispensations that the Godhead established in the decree for mankind. We are traditional biblical dispensationalists believing that a consistent literal interpretation of Scripture produces a consistent dispensationalism. We are careful to interpret Scripture literally whenever it it obviously literal. We believe that dispensationalism is the logical product of literal interpretation. We accept the normal usage of language as God's intention for human readers. We reject the extreme views of"hyper-dispensationalism."

Concerning The Apostasy of Our Day: Revelation 3:14 tells us that the rebukes concerning the condition of the churches in our Laodicean age are directed to the pastor of the church. God warned that the standards of the Word of God would be set aside in an effort to be “increased” in attendance. The Bible also says, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19).

Concerning Numerical Growth: By the grace of God we are determined not to compromise any part of the Word of God to appease the wishes of anyone on earth, be he unsaved or professed Bible believer. We will preach the whole council of God straight and plain so that none will misunderstand. We will not sacrifice the favour of the Lord so that we may win the favour of any person or to satisfy our desire to see the attendance grow.  

The Bible says, “Better is little with the fear of the LORD…” (Proverbs 15:16) In Psalm 119:141 the Psalmist said, “I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.” Jesus' definition of success is found in Luke 19:17 where He said, “Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little…” 

WITH GOD’S HELP...We will not compromise the Word of God to grow numerically. We will not compromise the Word of God to keep anyone from leaving FHBC. We will not ignore the Scriptures concerning church discipline to keep the numerical attendance from dwindling. We will not accept disgruntled church members from other fundamental churches unless they get things right with the pastor and the people at the other church.

Concerning Local Church Membership: Some books of the Bible were written directly to the pastor. (Example First and Second Timothy and the seven churches in Revelation.) First Corinthians was written, “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord...” It is to all Christians, not just pastors and leaders, that the Bible says in First Corinthians 4:2 it is required that all should, “...be found faithful.”

There are many spectators at a ball game, they come and go as they please, however, the team members must be faithful to all the games and follow whoever is in charge of the organization. God expects no less for those who would have the privilege of being members in His local churches. Those who are not committed to God’s program at FHBC are welcome to be spectators. Those who join FHBC must agree to “support” the pulpit ministry of the church. (Example - doctrine/standards/separation/tithing and philosophy of ministry.)

Concerning Modesty: In recent years modesty has become an non-issue in many churches. That is not the case at FHBC. The Bible says in First Timothy 2:9, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel...” It is the God-given responsibility of the pastor to teach what “modesty” is. 

Romans 12:1,2 says,“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the  mercies of God, that ye present (show) your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable (logical for one who reasons it out)service. And be not conformed (to fashion one’s self to another’s pattern) to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Second Corinthians 5:20  tells us that, “...we are ambassadors for Christ.” As ambassadors for Christ the Bible clearly teaches that women are to adorn themselves in “modest apparel.”Therefore, when in public, ladies who are members at FairHavens Baptist Church are asked not to wear pants. Dresses and skirts should be long enough to completely cover the knees when standing or sitting.  (Slits should be no higher than the knee). 

Clothing should not be tight to draw attention to the body. The neckline of dresses and blouses should not be revealing or suggestive. 

It is a matter of the heart! Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” God commands Christians, both men and women, to present our bodies, “…acceptable unto God.” (Romans 12:1). All Christians who truly love the Lord will have a heart that desires to be “acceptable unto God,”in every aspect of our journey on earth. We make absolutely no apology for taking a Bible stand on the subject of modesty.

Men’s dress standards have not deteriorated in recent days as much as women’s attire; however, as “ambassadors for Christ” men should dress like Christian gentlemen when in public. Tight, formfitting clothes are not “acceptable unto the Lord” for men or women. Hair should be clean and well groomed. It should be tapered, off the ears and off the collar and should not in any way be identifying with styles that have been set by the godless standards of this world.

Concerning Worldliness: We preach without apology against today’s modern culture of wordiness. (i.e. worldly music, worldly movies, dancing, drinking of alcoholic drinks, sex outside of marriage, adultery, sodomy, pornography and anything else that is contrary to the teachings of the Word of God).

Concerning God’s Purpose For FHBC: The Bible says, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19). In recent years the enemy has come in like a flood in our fundamental, independent, Baptist churches. The focus in many churches has changed from honouring God to building the attendance.  The Bible says, “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” (Proverbs 15:16). We believe one of God’s purposes for FairHavens Baptist Church is to be an example of a healthy church with a God-honouring philosophy of ministry in our present day of apostasy.

Concerning  Our Youth: The Bible says, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (First Timothy 4:12).  At FHBC our young people can be totally involved in the ministry. They are taught commitment and Christian Character.

We teach our young people to learn, and to be involved in God’s plan for their lives.“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”  (Ephesians 5:17).

We teach our young people to strive to maintain a high standard of Christian living. “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” (Ephesians 4:1).

We teach our young people the importance of high Christians standards. The first thing God lists in the following Scripture that we should add to our lives following our salvation is standards that would please God. Second Peter 1:5-10 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue;” (STRONGS- “Any particular moral excellence, as modesty…”).

We teach our young people the importance of following God’s chain of command. First Corinthians 16:15,16 - “I beseech you, brethren,…that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.”

Hebrews 13:17 - “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Hebrews 13:7 - “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow,  considering the end of their conversation.” 

Hebrews 13:24 - “Salute (Strong’s- “to receive joyfully”) all them that have the rule over you…”

We teach our young people to be faithful in attendance and to the program of the local church. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

We teach our young people to be loyal to the pulpit ministry of the church.

MEMBERS AT FHBC MUST BE A PATTERN FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE

It is very important to have all of our adult membership agree to help set a good example for our youth. The Bible says, “…the aged men…the aged women…In all things shewing thyself a pattern…” (Titus Chapter Two). Adults should strive to be a pattern for our youth in attitude, attendance, appearance, and in their activities.