DOCTRINAL STUDIES BIBLE CHURCH ("DSBC")
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
What are DSBC's beliefs on salvation?
Salvation is offered as a free gift to whosoever will believe the gospel (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 1:16). The gospel is specifically defined as the death burial and resurrection of Christ (1Cor 15:3-4). We believe Christ died for the sins of all, that any who will believe will be saved and that all men are lost and need to be saved. Doctrinal Statement
Why does DSBC teach verse by verse - why don't you have a "preaching" on a specific subject?
The Bible is written verse by verse and we consider verse by verse to be the most effective means of uncovering the message of the scriptures. We use a hermeneutic (laws of biblical interpretation) approach called I.C.E. Isogogics is the historical context of the bible; Categories are the compilation and condensing of all the verses that deal with a particular subject into principles that fully explain the issue. Exegesis is the verse by verse translation of the scriptures from the original languages. Preaching a topical sermon is also a valid method for expounding the scriptures. Audio & Textual Studies
Does DSBC have any basic covenants or doctrines that as a church body are believed as a "must" in order to be a Christians? Ex: smoking, drinking, etc.?
The only “must” we believe in, to be a Christian is to believe in the gospel for salvation. This must be distinguished from growth as a Christian, after salvation. Issues of personal sin are overcome by spiritual growth and are primarily issues dealt with between the believer and the Lord. Privacy of the Priesthood allows believers to work out their own salvation without judging from others. This does not preclude love, concern and even confrontation of believer’s who are destroying themselves through sin. Also when personal sins of a believer begin to affect the church, intervention may be necessary. Smoking and drinking are not specifically prohibited by the Bible and the believer is cautioned to use these substances with caution and moderation as they become sins when connected to addictions.
What are DSBC's beliefs on giving? Does DSBC believe in tithing 10%?
We believe that tithing was a required Jewish income tax for all citizens and was not 10% but was closer to 30%. Old Testament “giving” was in addition to the tithe (Deut 12:11). New Testament giving is a response to God’s grace and is not commanded. All giving is to be voluntary, without compulsion or grief (2Cor 9:7). God desires gifts from His children who love Him, who are grateful for His grace and want to participate in His work. It is God’s desire that we have generous hearts, willing to give all that we have and that the gift itself is not important (Lk 21:2-4 - widow’s mite). The teaching of mandatory tithing creates a legalistic environment that hinders the believer’s freedom to give from proper motivation. Doctrinal Statement
Why does DSBC have the "Lord's Supper" only once a month?
The Bible does not mandate a schedule for the Lord’s Supper. (DSBC refers to this as the Eucharist). In 1Cor 11:26 it is stated “as often as you drink it” indicating an openness for scheduling the ceremony. Each church is allowed to celebrate the Eucharist as they deem appropriate. We at DSBC believe that the first Sunday of the month is the appropriate time for us to worship through the Lord’s Supper.
Exactly what does "non-denominational" mean?
Non denominational indicates that there is no affiliation with a denomination. We are an independent, free standing entity without connection or obligation to a higher organization.
Please explain "salvation" and why I need it.
Salvation is the act of God delivering a person out of the condemnation that all men inherit because of Adam’s sin. When Adam sinned, God counted it as if all who would come from Adam (whole human race) had sinned (Rom 5:12). His sin caused him to die spiritually and “become” unrighteous. Inheriting His sin and its results causes us to be “born” spiritually dead and unrighteous. Since everyone is born under condemnation, everyone must be saved to escape condemnation. The work of Christ described in the gospel (1Cor 15:3-4 death, burial & resurrection of Christ) satisfied God’s Justice on our behalf (Rom 4:25) Doctrinal Statement.
Can "salvation" ever be taken away? Once saved, always saved?
Salvation is a free and permanent gift of God. Once salvation is received; it is never taken away. At the moment of salvation, God performs 50 different and permanent acts on our behalf. These acts of God can never be changed even by God Himself since He has given His word. One of these acts is adoption, the making of the new Christian a son of God and part of His own household. Having become our Father we have the security of His parental love. Before we are saved God deals with our sins as a Judge. After we are saved, we have passed beyond judgment and He deals with our sins as a loving Father who corrects His children to train them in righteous living, but His correction never involves loss of salvation (Jn 10:28-29; Rom 8:38-39; 1Cor 3:13-15) Doctrinal Statement
Do you have to be baptized once you are saved? Do I have to give up anything in order to be saved or to keep it?
Baptism is a ritual often practiced after salvation as a declaration of our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is not necessary for salvation and in fact is not allowed to be added to the gospel of salvation. Only the work of Christ forms the basis of our salvation and God will not allow man to add His works (Eph 2:8-9). Giving up sins and addictions is achieved through spiritual growth and has bearing on your temporal fellowship status but absolutely no bearing on your saved status.
Do I need to pray a certain prayer - like asking Jesus into my heart - in order to be saved?
God does not require a person to pray a formula prayer in order to be saved. We are saved because we believe the gospel not because we pray. Some teach the “sinner’s prayer” which acknowledges our faith in the gospel and is entirely appropriate as an expression of our salvation but never part of the means. The popular “asking Jesus into your heart” is an apostate teaching and does not provide salvation. No one is saved by asking Jesus into their heart, because the only means of salvation is by believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While this might appear to be splitting hairs, God is very specific about what we must do to be saved and therefore we must be specific about what we believe in order to be saved.
What programs do you offer and for what age groups?
We offer worship and learning experiences for all ages. We minister to nursery, pre-school, school age, teen and adults during our Sunday and Wednesday services. We also offer Tuesday night and Saturday night service. Our goal is to start in the nursery teaching God’s character, pre-school teaching God consciousness, school age teaching salvation, teens teaching Christian doctrines and adults teaching the whole realm of Bible doctrine. We intend to minister to all who attend from the cradle to the grave preparing them for personal victory and the work of the ministry.
Do visitors have to hold up their hands or stand and be recognized during a service?
Each pew contains a visitor card that can be filled out and placed in the offering plate as it passes. We seek to extend God’s love and grace to all visitors but do not want to embarrass them by singling them out during the service. We are eager to follow up when a visitor indicates on the card a desire to speak to the pastor or deacons.
Does your Church have "visitation" - for the "sick" or the "needy" or for "non-attendance"?
We try to be aware of the status of all of our regular members. We believe God has supernaturally gifted some believers to minister to the sick and needy. We don’t teach the traditional view that the pastor should visit the sick, but believe the gift of mercy, exhortation and helps are far more effective for ministry to these believers. We also do not practice the traditional form of visitation where a team of believers canvass neighborhoods to invite people to church, although we don’t object to the practice.
Does the Church have: Sunday night and Wednesday night services? Any other night services; choir; drama; etc.?
Our church meets 4 times during the week. Sunday morning (not Sunday night), Tuesday night, Wednesday night and Saturday night. We feel that Sunday night should be used as a time for family and rest. Schedule
What can I expect from the Church? What does the Church have to offer me? AND what will the Church expect from me?
Every member can expect the church to provide in-depth spiritual food for spiritual growth, opportunity for corporate worship and praise through music, the ministry of all the spiritual gifts, prayer for specific needs, opportunity for giving, opportunity for service and fellowship with other believers. The church expects each believer to be consistent in their learning of the word, commitment to spiritual growth unto maturity, determination to identify their spiritual gift, consistency in prayer for all believers, willingness to serve in ministries, generosity in giving and Christian conduct as described in the Holy Scriptures.