Every church operates based on core convictions, whether explicitly stated or implicitly understood. At Countryside Bible Church, our foundational distinctives are: a high view of God and a high view of Scripture.
While God is intimately accessible to us as our Father, Scripture also reveals Him as the transcendent Sovereign, exalted above all. We must approach God with profound reverence and respect, never taking Him lightly. God's transcendence is reflected in His holiness, encompassing both His moral purity and His majestic authority. He is distinct from and exalted above all else in the universe. Our highest aspiration in worship is to acknowledge and celebrate God's transcendence. We desire to worship Him with reverence and awe, recognizing His majesty and separateness. Only by understanding God's transcendence can we truly appreciate the profound grace of the Gospel, which reconciles us to such a magnificent and awe-inspiring God.
A high view of God compels us to emphasize several necessary implications.
We reject theologies that suggest man or even Satan has ultimate control. We believe God is absolutely sovereign over all of creation, as declared in Psalm 103:19 Yahweh has established His throne in the heavens, And His kingdom rules over all. God possesses supreme and unrestricted power and freedom to act. Sovereignty is inherent in God's very nature—He rules simply because He is God. Providence refers to the active outworking of God's rule, whereby He governs every detail of His creation.
Our high view of God leads us to believe that salvation is entirely God's work. God alone initiates and accomplishes spiritual regeneration, a miraculous act of new life imparted by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Scripture describes this divine work using powerful metaphors: resurrection from spiritual death, new creation, and spiritual birth.
While we benefit greatly from gathering for worship, our primary purpose in worship is to glorify God. Our services are therefore designed to center on Him.
Our profound respect for God extends to His Word, the Bible. The church itself exists to uphold and defend the truth of Scripture, as Paul describes in 1 Timothy 3:15 the pillar and support of the truth. This truth is found solely in God's eternal Word. As a pillar, the church supports the truth by teaching it faithfully. As a foundation, the church upholds the truth by defending it and passing it on to future generations. Our commitment to being a biblical church is rooted in a high view of Scripture. We believe that God has exalted His Name and His Word above all things. A high view of Scripture means we believe and teach several crucial attributes of God's Word.
According to 2 Timothy 3:16, all Scripture is 'God-breathed,' signifying that it is of divine origin. Every word of Scripture is the product of God's inspiration.
In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul also insists that all Scripture is profitable, useful, and beneficial. We don’t make the Bible relevant—it simply is relevant! Since God has breathed out His words to us, how could anything be more relevant?
In 2 Timothy 3:15, Paul describes Scripture as “able to make you wise unto salvation.” In verse 17, he adds that the Scripture is sufficient to make us adequate, which means “capable, proficient, able to meet all demands.” And Scripture fully equips us for every good work—it completely outfits us for spiritual service. It is a sufficient resource for the Spirit for our salvation and sanctification.
Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:1-2, commands pastors and elders to 'preach the Word,' employing the Greek term that signifies a formal and authoritative proclamation, similar to the message of a royal herald. Biblical preaching is not merely a conversation but a proclamation of God's message that demands to be heard and obeyed.
Per Paul's instructions in 1 Timothy 4:13-16, the primary focus of our church services is the exposition of Scripture. This emphasis reflects the conviction of the Reformers that the primary purpose of church gatherings is the preaching and teaching of God's Word. We believe that when Scripture is proclaimed, God speaks to His people.
We adhere to the Regulative Principle of Worship, which asserts that only those forms of worship explicitly commanded or sanctioned by Scripture are acceptable. This principle stems from Sola Scriptura, the belief that the Bible is the sole and supreme authority for faith and practice. The Second Commandment warns against the dangers of worshiping God in ways not prescribed by Him. The Regulative Principle asks: 'Does Scripture command or sanction this practice?' If not, it is not permissible in our corporate worship. Accordingly, our worship services include the following elements: Singing Scripture-based hymns and songs. Praying in accordance with Scripture. Reading and teaching Scripture. Giving offerings to support the ministry of the church. Observing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper. These biblically mandated elements lend solemnity to our worship while also providing assurance that we are honoring God through our service.
Following the pattern observed in Old Testament worship and in the ministry of Jesus, we prioritize the systematic and consecutive exposition of Scripture in our services. Reading and explaining the Law and Prophets in Old Testament worship was a consistent practice. Jesus Himself actively participated in synagogue services centered on the reading and exposition of God's Word. Similarly, Paul instructed Timothy to prioritize reading, explaining, and applying Scripture during church gatherings. This consistent and systematic teaching pattern of God's Word is evident throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament to the New Testament epistles.
We believe every biblical text has one unchanging meaning, determined by the human author's intended meaning and guided by the Holy Spirit. This meaning is conveyed through the text's words, grammar, and literary context. While understanding Scripture can sometimes be challenging, we seek to interpret it accurately through careful exegesis. This involves examining the text's historical and literary context, considering grammar, vocabulary, and cultural background factors. We interpret Scripture literally, meaning we strive to understand the text in its most natural and straightforward sense while recognizing the use of literary devices such as figures of speech, allegories, and symbols. However, we always seek to interpret the text in a way consistent with the author's intended meaning and the overall context.
A high view of Scripture necessitates that we adhere to its teachings on all matters, even those that may be controversial or countercultural. We recognize that our understanding of Scripture may differ from secular and theological prevailing views. The following is not an exhaustive list but rather examples of how a high view of Scripture should shape our thinking on contemporary matters.
We believe that those who have been saved by God's grace through faith in Christ are transformed into new creations. This transformation is evident in their submission to Christ and obedience to God's Word. While all Christians continue to struggle with sin, even at times significantly, a genuine Christian life is characterized by a progressive decrease in sin and a growing pursuit of holiness.
We affirm that Genesis presents a literal and historical account of God's creation in six days. We teach, therefore, that God created everything in six literal days. We reject theistic evolution and other interpretations that undermine the historical accuracy of the creation account.
The gift of tongues, as described in the New Testament, refers to the miraculous ability to speak in unknown languages, enabling the proclamation of the Gospel to diverse audiences. This was a unique manifestation of God's power during the early church, serving to authenticate the Apostles' message. We do not believe that contemporary experiences of 'speaking in tongues' align with the biblical description of this gift. These experiences often involve ecstatic utterances that lack intelligible meaning and do not fulfill the purposes outlined in Scripture.
We believe God created humanity in His image, male and female. This reflects the inherent distinction between the sexes established by God at creation. We understand gender to be determined by biological sex at birth. We believe that God designed sexual intimacy to be expressed within the context of marriage between one man and one woman.
There are two primary reasons parachurch ministries have arisen: 1) Local churches have failed to do what God has commanded, and 2) They specialize in areas that may be beyond the scope or capacity of local churches. Involvement in the local church must take priority over parachurch ministry involvement. Active participation in a local church is essential for spiritual growth and discipleship and is mandated in Scripture, while involvement in parachurch ministry is optional. We also believe those involved in parachurch ministry should be accountable to the leadership of a local church and must operate according to the Word of God.
We believe marriage, as a gift of God's common grace, is a foundational societal institution. As the Creator of marriage, God alone defines its nature and purpose, as revealed in His Word. Scripture teaches that marriage is a public, lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Divorce is permitted only in specific circumstances outlined in Scripture, such as unrepentant sexual immorality or abandonment by an unbeliever. Sexual sin, whether in thought or deed, is a serious transgression against God. God intends for the marriage of believers to reflect the loving relationship between Christ and His church, nurtured through obedience to God's Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The mental health fields of modern Psychology and Psychiatry were established by secular practitioners who often hated God. God’s mercy and grace are sufficient to help people deal with all spiritual problems and sinfulness. While psychiatric and psychological practices may correctly identify and classify spiritual difficulties, they don't provide scripture-based remedies and are inadequate for addressing spiritual concerns. The field of psychology often misclassifies sins as medical conditions and interprets sin-based bondage as addiction. The mental health field encompasses over a hundred distinct and often conflicting theoretical approaches to treating spiritual challenges. Time has demonstrated that psychology and psychiatry are ineffective disciplines that fail to deliver biblical answers to humanity's fundamental spiritual requirements.
People experience two general kinds of difficulties: Those affecting the body and those affecting the spirit. While medical practitioners primarily treat physical conditions, mental health professionals address psychological and spiritual challenges. These domains can interact - spiritual distress may manifest physically, and physical ailments can impact spiritual well-being. Psychiatric medications can at times, serve as a beneficial tool, a gracious provision from God. Such medications may help manage symptoms temporarily while deeper spiritual support and counseling are provided. However, medication alone cannot resolve underlying spiritual concerns.
The Bible teaches that all humans are descended from Adam and Eve, making us one human family. The concept of "race" as a distinct biological category has been largely discredited by scientific and anthropological research. It is primarily a social construct used to categorize and sometimes discriminate against groups of people. Racism, at its core, is hate. The Bible emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves, regardless of their background or appearance. It condemns all forms of prejudice and discrimination, reminding us that all humans are created in the image of God and possess inherent dignity and value.
Both men and women are created in God's image and possess equal spiritual standing before Him. However, Scripture outlines distinct roles for men and women. In the home, Scripture presents the husband as the loving and gracious leader, with the wife submitting to his leadership. Similarly, while women serve in many valuable ways within the church, Scripture restricts them from teaching or exercising authority over men.
The Bible teaches that all humanity descended from Adam and Eve, is created in God's image and equally in need of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We are called to glorify God by loving Him and obeying His Word. We believe concepts like social justice, intersectionality, and critical race theory are unbiblical and follow worldly theoretical frameworks. These frameworks are rooted in perspectives that emphasize inherent systemic injustice rather than the inherent sinfulness of all humanity. The Bible emphasizes that all people are created in God's image and possess inherent dignity and value. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, extending forgiveness and grace to all, recognizing the inherent value of each individual as a creation of God.
We believe Scripture provides all that is necessary for spiritual growth and maturity. Therefore, our teaching and counseling are exclusively based on God's Word. We do not believe that secular psychology offers legitimate solutions for spiritual sanctification.
While not explicitly mandated by Scripture, Christian traditions can enrich the life of the church. However, traditions must always be subordinate to Scripture and should never be grounds for judgment or condemnation of others.
While music can be a valuable tool in worship, it is important to remember that true worship is an expression of the entire Christian life. Worship is an act of the heart directed towards God. Music itself does not worship; people worship. All forms of worship must align with the principles outlined in Scripture. The Old Testament provides numerous examples of worship in the Psalms and Chronicles. In the New Testament, Colossians 3:16 highlights the purpose of music within the church: to teach and admonish one another through songs and hymns. While various musical styles exist, our goal at Countryside Bible Church is to select music that effectively engages the congregation in focusing on God: His character, His works, His will for our lives, and His plan for the future.
Reach out to us to learn more about Countryside Bible Church and what we believe