Doctrinal Statement
Northern Plains Independent baptist fellowship
Doctrine of the Bible
We believe the Bible is the verbally, plenary inspired Word of God as contained in the original manuscripts, and as preserved in those translations that have proved themselves trustworthy through the test of time and attack. We believe that all portions of the Scriptures are equally inspired and contain no contradictions, and they are the only rule of faith and practice for the believer and the church. We believe that the canon, 66 books of the Bible, is complete and nothing should be added or taken away. We believe that every autonomous local church has the right to choose which translations they allow in their church, but as a fellowship we agree to use the King James Version in our meetings and camping program (II Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; II Peter 1:20-21; Revelation 22:18-19).
Doctrine of God
We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe these three are one with the same attributes: omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal, immutable, love, just, and his fundamental attribute: His holiness. (Genesis 1:25; John 1:1; John 14:16-17; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 15:4).
Doctrine of Jesus Christ
We believe in the essential deity and virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary without a human father, and is therefore 100% God and man, perfectly joined together. We believe that He is man’s only hope of salvation from sin and is the only mediator between God and man. He shed His blood and died and was raised from the dead on the third day according to Scripture. We believe that His return for His church, the body of Christ, is imminent. Following seven years of tribulation He will, with His saints, set up His millennial kingdom on earth for 1,000 years. (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-4; Romans 8:11; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:4-6).
Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and Son. We believe that He came to earth on the day of Pentecost in fulfillment of Christ’s promise. Until this time, we believe his ministry was a temporary filling. Today He convicts, regenerates, indwells, seals, fills, empowers, and guides believers of the age. We believe that the Holy Spirit will never lead you to do or believe anything that is contrary to the written Word of God. We reject the charismatic movement and all of their unscriptural practices (John 16:13-17; John 3:3-5; Acts 1-8; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18; Acts 2:1-4).
Doctrine of Man
We believe that God created man in His own image, with a free will, and that man voluntarily sinned. This willful act brought on physical as well as spiritual death. We believe that every man is born with a sin nature and is totally depraved. If man doesn’t repent of his sin and receive Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, he is doomed for eternity to a sinner’s hell (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 51:5; Luke 16:23; Revelation 21:8; Romans 3:10-23; Romans 5:12; Revelation 20:11-15).
Doctrine of Salvation
We believe that a person is saved when he repents of his sin and exercises faith by accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. The believer is then indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and is eternally secure by the finished work of Jesus Christ. The basis for our salvation is the shed blood of Christ, which was voluntarily shed for our past, present, and future sin. It also entails a perfect standing before God in Christ and the changing of our corrupt bodies into glorified bodies like His. We also believe that man’s eternal destiny is sealed at the time of his death, and he will appear at one of two judgments: the Bema Seat for believers, or the Great White Throne for unbelievers (1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 10:9-13; John 3:16; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:27: Revelation 20:12-15; Revelation 21:8).
Doctrine of Last Things and Future Events
We believe the next scene on earth is the personal, bodily, pretribulational, premillennial, imminent return of Christ for His Bride, the church. We believe in present day circles this event is called the rapture. Following this event there will be seven years of tribulation such as this world has not known since the Flood. The nation of Israel dominates the scene with the Antichrist. At the end of this seven years, Christ will return with His saints to conquer and destroy the forces of evil. He will set up a millennial kingdom and reign on the earth for 1,000 years. At the end of this era, Satan will be loosed for a season then cast into the lake of fire eternally. The Great White Throne Judgment then occurs. After this a new heaven and earth will come into the scene (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1-22; Daniel 9:24-27; 12:11-12).
Doctrine of Satan and Fallen Angels
We believe that Satan is a created being who sinned and became the enemy of God and is the chief adversary of God’s children. He seeks to keep men from coming to the Lord and when this fails, he seeks to weaken the testimonies of Christians. He has at his command a large host of fallen angels, or devils, to carry out his purposes. He does not have the attributes of God and can be overcome by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is eternally doomed in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-14; Revelation 12:10; 20:10).
Doctrine of Separation
We believe that God commands Christians and the church to be a separated body from the world. This separation is from all forms of apostasy and religious inclusivism. We reject the ecumenical movement that joins all churches together regardless of doctrine or practice. A church should enjoy fellowship with churches of like faith and practice but should have no part in any council of churches or organization that exercises authority over them or is ecumenical in its nature. We believe that Christians are to be personally separated from worldly practices that hinder spiritual growth or affect their being used in serving through the local church (2 Corinthians 6:17-18; 7:1; 1 John 2:15-16; Proverbs 23:31-35; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 6:19-20; Romans 1:27-32).
Doctrine of Civil Government
We believe civil government is of divine appointment for the good of society. We believe elected officials should be prayed for and conscientiously obeyed except when they oppose the Word of God (Romans 13:1-7; Acts 23:5; 5:29).