What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of Intentional Love Baptist Church based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

PRINCIPLES OF FAITH
 
We affirm that the Holy Bible is God’s revelation to humankind, and that it is inspired by God, it is without error (in the original manuscripts), it is an accurate record of the history and future of mankind, and that it depicts the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Savior of all mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ, and is therefore the sole basis for our faith.
 
We regard the scriptures of the Holy Bible as authoritative in all matters of faith, practice, and principle. This Church affirms as our doctrinal statement The Baptist Faith and Message of the Southern Baptist Convention as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000 (http://www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp).

There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise.  God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom,  justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

God has revealed himself to us through his son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, the holy scriptures, and through all of creation itself.

Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created without sin and appointed as caretakers of the rest of God's creations.

When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time.

Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God. He lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. God raised him from the dead and now, by grace, offers as a free gift eternal life to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. That is why salvation can be found in Christ alone.

The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is returning one day to judge both the living and the dead and to usher in the fullness of God's kingdom on earth. 

WE, THE PASTORS AND ELDERS OF ILBC, COVENANT TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
 

• To intentionally love God, love others and love the lost. (1 Cor.13; 1 John 3&4; Luke 10:27).
• To strive to meet, as well as select Pastors/Elders that meet, the qualifications described in the Scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
• To continually and prayerfully seek God’s guidance for Intentional Love BC, and to steward the resources entrusted to the church to the best of our abilities (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
• To care for the church and seek her growth in grace, truth, and love (Matthew 28:16-20; Ephesians 4:15-16 Colossians 1:28; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
• To provide teaching and counsel from the entirety of Scripture (Acts 20:27-28; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 2:1).
• To equip the members of the church for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16).
• To be on guard against false teachers and false teachings (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 1 John 4:1).
• To lovingly exercise church discipline when necessary, for the glory of God, for the good of the one disciplined, and for the health of the church as a whole (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20).
• To set an example by joining the members in fulfilling the obligations of church membership stated below (Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 5:3).

 
WE, THE MEMBERS OF ILBC, COVENANT TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
 

• I will bring glory and honor to our Lord by striving to love God intentionally through worship, obedience to His Word, service inside and outside of the church, spiritual formation (such as regular Bible reading, pursuing the spiritual disciplines, and participation in the Lord’s Supper), sharing the gospel with others, and by living a life that brings honor to Christ. I understand that I am called to honor Christ in every stage and season of my life whether it is in singleness, in dating, in friendship, in marriage, in parenting, in my job, in retirement, etc.

 

• I will protect the unity of my church by loving other members intentionally, actively participating in a small group, refusing to gossip, following the leaders, encouraging other members to grow in their faith, and by living in a way that does not bring disrepute to the gospel or ILBC. We will hold each other accountable in this unity and covenant, following the teachings of scripture as described in the ILBC constitution, practicing forgiveness, extending grace and mercy, and realizing that the goal of accountability is for restoration and not condemnation.

 

• I will share the responsibility of my church by praying for its growth, by inviting the unchurched to attend and loving them intentionally, by warmly welcoming those who visit, and by seeking to make disciples of all nations.

 

• I will serve the ministry of my church by discovering where God wants me to serve, by discovering my gifts and talents, by being equipped to serve by my pastors, and by developing a servant’s heart.

 

• I will support the testimony of my church by attending faithfully, by living a godly life, not teaching doctrine contrary to ILBC’s beliefs, and by giving regularly. I understand that if I relocate and am unable to attend ILBC, I should inform them of my move and find another Bible-believing church to unite with in faith, service, love, and life.