Docrinal Statement Summary
IZMIR INDEPENDENT PROTESTANT CHURCH (BAPTISTS)
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT SUMMARY
1. GOD
We believe in one God who has revealed himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
2. THE BIBLE
We believe in the living Word of God which consists of the 66 books of the Bible (Tevrat, Zebur, İncil).
3. HUMAN SINFULNESS
We believe that man was created in the image of God and was holy and pure, but by his own choice he was deceived by Satan and disobeyed God and sinned.
4. GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION
We believe that Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins while we were still sinners, and that he rose from the dead to give us eternal life.
5. ACCEPTANCE OF SALVATION
We believe that everyone who is sorry for their sins and believes that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, and that God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day, and accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior receives salvation as a free gift. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly based on grace.
6. NEW BIRTH AND CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that everyone who has believed has changes in their heart and life that are evidence of the new birth.
We believe that those who have become righteous through Jesus Christ and received the Holy Spirit have new goals, desires, and a new and victorious outlook on life due to their new position.
7. WATER BAPTISM
We believe that water baptism is a command of Christ and one of the important ceremonies of the church.
8. THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that the Lord’s supper is a command of Christ and one of the important ceremonies of the church.
9. THE FRUIT AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit gave various gifts to the church on the day of Pentecost for the foundation of the church and for the growth of believers. We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the indwelling of the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, in believers which Jesus promised.
We believe that all believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit who indwells them, and that they should live in a manner worthy of this.
We also believe that the fruit of the Spirit should be seen in believers’ lives.
10. THE CHURCH
We believe in the church which is the body of Jesus Christ and is composed of believers in Him.
11. THE STATE
We believe that government leaders exercise their God-given authority for the good and orderliness of society.
12. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ will return visibly soon.
13. DIVINE JUDGMENT
We believe that all people will stand before God in judgment of their good and evil deeds. The judgment will be based on the individual’s faith.
14. HEAVEN AND HELL
We believe that people will go to either heaven or hell based upon their faith.