Berean Distinctives
Complementarian
We believe that there are clear and distinctive roles between men and women in the New Testament church. Men are called to be the primary leaders in the home and the church.
Women are called to a complimentary role as suitable helpers as originally ordained in the garden of Eden. We believe that this is not a distinction of value or quality but of role and function.
Women are called to serve as deacons or any other roles in the church other than elders or pastors, or any position that will require a regular teaching role over men.
1 Cor 14:34-36; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Pet 3:1; 1 Tim 2:11-15
We believe that there are clear and distinctive roles between men and women in the New Testament church. Men are called to be the primary leaders in the home and the church.
Women are called to a complimentary role as suitable helpers as originally ordained in the garden of Eden. We believe that this is not a distinction of value or quality but of role and function.
Women are called to serve as deacons or any other roles in the church other than elders or pastors, or any position that will require a regular teaching role over men.
1 Cor 14:34-36; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Pet 3:1; 1 Tim 2:11-15
Lordship Salvation
We believe that faith without deeds is dead and that true faith is always accompanied by genuine evidence. Martin Luther is quoted in saying, “Faith alone is that which saves; but faith which saves is never alone.”
All members in the church, local or universal, must have Jesus as Lord as well as a savior as a genuine evidence of saving faith. Good works is not simply a production of a man’s will.
We believe that the will of man to produce fruits is a direct result of the regeneration that took place by faith and by faith alone.
Matt 3:8; 6:15-27; James 2:14-26
We believe that faith without deeds is dead and that true faith is always accompanied by genuine evidence. Martin Luther is quoted in saying, “Faith alone is that which saves; but faith which saves is never alone.”
All members in the church, local or universal, must have Jesus as Lord as well as a savior as a genuine evidence of saving faith. Good works is not simply a production of a man’s will.
We believe that the will of man to produce fruits is a direct result of the regeneration that took place by faith and by faith alone.
Matt 3:8; 6:15-27; James 2:14-26
Open But Cautious – Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God distributes Spirit-empowered gifts to the church for the purpose of building the church up.
We believe these gifts are diverse, distributed according to God’s own will and wisdom, given to all believers in some measure, and are for the purpose of edifying the universal and local church.
We believe that the scripture do not restrict the presence of these gifts in this present age therefore we are open but cautious when it comes to the supernatural gifts (i.e., prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, miracle working, and distinguishing spirits).
However, we believe that the primary purpose for these supernatural gifts were to validate the apostolic witness and authority as the new covenant revelation was being given.
We believe that in the case of legitimate manifestations of miraculous gifts, any and all Scriptural guidelines pertinent to their use are to be strictly observed.
Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 7:7-9; 12:1-31; 13:8-10; 14:1-40; 2 Cor 12:12; Eph 4:7-13; Heb 2:1-4; 1 Pet 4:10, 11
We believe that God distributes Spirit-empowered gifts to the church for the purpose of building the church up.
We believe these gifts are diverse, distributed according to God’s own will and wisdom, given to all believers in some measure, and are for the purpose of edifying the universal and local church.
We believe that the scripture do not restrict the presence of these gifts in this present age therefore we are open but cautious when it comes to the supernatural gifts (i.e., prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, miracle working, and distinguishing spirits).
However, we believe that the primary purpose for these supernatural gifts were to validate the apostolic witness and authority as the new covenant revelation was being given.
We believe that in the case of legitimate manifestations of miraculous gifts, any and all Scriptural guidelines pertinent to their use are to be strictly observed.
Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 7:7-9; 12:1-31; 13:8-10; 14:1-40; 2 Cor 12:12; Eph 4:7-13; Heb 2:1-4; 1 Pet 4:10, 11
Elder-Run Church
We believe the church should be ruled by a plurality of elders under the Headship of Christ. We believe that there are two offices in the church, elder and deacon.
The elders focus is on the ministry of the Word, shepherding, ruling and prayer. While each elder has specific gifts and abilities, no one elder has more authority than the others.
The deacons are servants whom are called to focus primarily on the building up of the body of Christ through various services.
Acts 14:23, 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1,2
We believe the church should be ruled by a plurality of elders under the Headship of Christ. We believe that there are two offices in the church, elder and deacon.
The elders focus is on the ministry of the Word, shepherding, ruling and prayer. While each elder has specific gifts and abilities, no one elder has more authority than the others.
The deacons are servants whom are called to focus primarily on the building up of the body of Christ through various services.
Acts 14:23, 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1,2
Church Discipline
We believe in the practice of church discipline. Christ wants His church to be pure from sin, error and division.
We believe in the regular oversight in the life of the church members by the elders and the fellow members in the church.
Matt.18:17,18; 1 Cor.5:1-13, 2 Cor.2:6, Titus 3:10, 2 Thes.3:6-15, 1 Tim.5:20, Heb.12:11
We believe in the practice of church discipline. Christ wants His church to be pure from sin, error and division.
We believe in the regular oversight in the life of the church members by the elders and the fellow members in the church.
Matt.18:17,18; 1 Cor.5:1-13, 2 Cor.2:6, Titus 3:10, 2 Thes.3:6-15, 1 Tim.5:20, Heb.12:11
Doctrines of Grace
We believe and teach the Doctrines of grace clarified in the London Confession of Faith of 1689. By this we mean in particular the doctrines of total depravity, unconditional election, definite atonement, effectual calling, and the perseverance of the saints.
We believe that the doctrine of salvation clarified in these doctrines best summarizes the teachings of scripture, and is most consistent with the nature of God.
Rom. 3:10-23, Rom. 9:13-23, Eph. 4:18, 1 Cor. 2:14, 2 Thes. 2:13, Eph. 1:4,5,9,11, Romans 11:5, Gal. 1:4,5; Romans 8:33,34, Eph.1:12,19, 2 Thes.1:11, 1 Peter. 1:5, Phil.1:6,19, Rom. 8:38,39
We believe and teach the Doctrines of grace clarified in the London Confession of Faith of 1689. By this we mean in particular the doctrines of total depravity, unconditional election, definite atonement, effectual calling, and the perseverance of the saints.
We believe that the doctrine of salvation clarified in these doctrines best summarizes the teachings of scripture, and is most consistent with the nature of God.
Rom. 3:10-23, Rom. 9:13-23, Eph. 4:18, 1 Cor. 2:14, 2 Thes. 2:13, Eph. 1:4,5,9,11, Romans 11:5, Gal. 1:4,5; Romans 8:33,34, Eph.1:12,19, 2 Thes.1:11, 1 Peter. 1:5, Phil.1:6,19, Rom. 8:38,39
Marriage
We believe that marriage is to be solely between 1 man and 1 woman, and that the marriage relationship formed between a husband and his wife is to portray the relationship between Christ and His church.
Marriage is sanctioned by God, joining one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union. These two binary genders are God-given and immutable. God hates divorce, and does not recognize it except under certain conditions.
Gen. 2:18-24, 1 Peter 3:7, Eph. 5:18-33, 2 Cor. 6:14, Heb. 13:4
We believe that marriage is to be solely between 1 man and 1 woman, and that the marriage relationship formed between a husband and his wife is to portray the relationship between Christ and His church.
Marriage is sanctioned by God, joining one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union. These two binary genders are God-given and immutable. God hates divorce, and does not recognize it except under certain conditions.
Gen. 2:18-24, 1 Peter 3:7, Eph. 5:18-33, 2 Cor. 6:14, Heb. 13:4
Credo-baptists
We believe that Christian baptism is the immediate step of obedience taken following belief, and is thereby reserved solely for those who have placed their faith in Christ.
Therefore, in regard to Paedo-Baptists (those who practice infant baptism), there is no saving faith or proclamation of belief in the infant, invalidating the baptism.
Further, we believe that the correct mode of baptism is found in full immersion. Please refer to the article “The Relationship Between the Ordinances” for more.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12
We believe that Christian baptism is the immediate step of obedience taken following belief, and is thereby reserved solely for those who have placed their faith in Christ.
Therefore, in regard to Paedo-Baptists (those who practice infant baptism), there is no saving faith or proclamation of belief in the infant, invalidating the baptism.
Further, we believe that the correct mode of baptism is found in full immersion. Please refer to the article “The Relationship Between the Ordinances” for more.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12
Sanctity of Life
We believe in the sanctity of life from conception. God is the author and creator of human life and has embedded His own likeness in mankind. This gives inherent sanctity and distinction of human life from all other creatures and animals of the earth. Furthermore, God sees individual personhood from the womb. Christ’s life validates human life beginning at conception. Thus, we believe life should be protected, cherished, and respected at every stage, from conception to natural death, with a recognition that God alone has the authority to give and take life. Regardless of the circumstances of conception, abortion should be rejected.
Psalm 139:12-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Isaiah 44:24; Job 31:15; James 3:9-10; Psalm 127:3-5; Exodus 21:22-25.
We believe in the sanctity of life from conception. God is the author and creator of human life and has embedded His own likeness in mankind. This gives inherent sanctity and distinction of human life from all other creatures and animals of the earth. Furthermore, God sees individual personhood from the womb. Christ’s life validates human life beginning at conception. Thus, we believe life should be protected, cherished, and respected at every stage, from conception to natural death, with a recognition that God alone has the authority to give and take life. Regardless of the circumstances of conception, abortion should be rejected.
Psalm 139:12-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Isaiah 44:24; Job 31:15; James 3:9-10; Psalm 127:3-5; Exodus 21:22-25.