About Winchester Bible Church

1.

We believe the Bible as God’s written Word that is without error and useful for teaching, correction and inspiration, to practice and live a godly life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Bible is to be received as the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. The Holy Spirit moved upon the writers of the Old and New Testament and inspired them as they wrote the Words of God. God’s revelation in Christ and in scripture is unchangeable. Through scripture, the Holy Spirit still speaks today. (II Tim. 3:13-17; Heb. 4:12; Psalm 119:89, 105; I Pet. 1:23-25; Gal. 1:8, 9; Matt. 5:18; Isa. 40:8)

2.

We believe God is the creator of all things and exists eternally in three distinct personalities: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (II Corinthians 13:14)

By His Word all things were created and through the power of His Word all things are held together. God the Father in unity with the Son and Holy Spirit spoke all this into existence including but not limited to: light, darkness, day, night, seasons, land, water, creatures living in the water, and creatures living on land. The final and highest creation of God was to make man in his own image. (Gen 1:1-27; Colossians 1:15-17)

4.

We believe that God sent His Holy Spirit, after Jesus returned to heaven to accomplish the new birth process in us by making our relationship with God personal, producing within us the fruit of the Spirit and empowering us with gifts for ministry so that the love of Christ may be evident to all. (John 16:12-16)

The infilling of the Holy Spirit is for all believers who desire it. The Holy Spirit’s ministry to the body of Jesus Christ gives power to live, witness, proclaim the gospel and to make disciples. The Holy Spirit gives us power to cultivate a Christ-like character through the Fruit of the Spirit and to build up and mature the church through the miraculous gifts and ministries in this present day. (John 15:8-10; I Cor. 12:13; John 3:5, 6; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:38, 39; Luke 11:9-13; Joel 2:28, 29; I Cor. 12-14; Heb. 2:4)

5.

We believe that prayer is a vital means (along with Bible study, worship and fellowship) by which we develop a personal relationship with God and the basis from which all significant ministry flows out of the church. (Luke 11:1, Acts 2:42)

The local church is a body of believers brought together by the Holy Spirit as a visible part of the body of Christ and His church universal. The church is responsible to faithfully proclaim the whole Word of God in fulfilling the Great Commission, properly administering the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s table and humbly submitting to discipline, all for the glory of God. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Rom. 12:4, 5; I Cor. 12:27; Eph. 2:22; I Pet. 2:5, 9, 10; Titus 2:14)

6. Marriage & Family

Appendix

A.  Acts 20:28 So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock-his church, purchased with his own blood-over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.” (2) So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guest in his home, and he must be able to teach. (3) He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. (4) He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. (5) For is a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? (6) An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. (7) Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

Titus 1:6-9 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. (7) An elder is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. (8) Rather, he must enjoy having guest in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. (9) He must have a strong belief in the trust worthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
1 Peter 5:1-4 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you; (2) Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly-not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. (3) Don’t lord over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. (4) And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

B. 1 Timothy 5:19-21 Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. (20) Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others. (21) I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.