Our Beliefs

The following is a summary of what we believe at Bible Baptist Church of West Chester. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

The Bible
We believe in the divine inspiration and authority of the Scriptures, meaning the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament; consequently, the Bible is the Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20,21).
God

We believe that there is only one living and true God, and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Exodus 20:2,3; 1 Corinthians 8:6, John 5:7).

Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God became a man, being born of a virgin, but without surrendering His deity. Furthermore, we recognize that He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for mankind’s sin, rose again from the grave, and ascended back into Heaven (John 1:1,2).
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, co-equal with the Father and Son and that He convicts of sin, indwells the believer, and empowers right living (John 14:16,17; Romans 8:14-27; Ephesians 1:13,14).
Sin
We believe that man was created in the image of God under His authority but chose to sin against God bringing about just condemnation through physical death and eternal judgment. Apart from salvation by God, all people are condemned because all have sinned (Genesis 3:1-6; Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 5:10-19; Genesis 3:24).
Salvation
We believe that the only rescue from the condemnation of sin is through salvation by Jesus Christ who voluntarily became a man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay for mankind’s sin, and rose again from the dead. This salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace received only by placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The Local Church
We believe that a local church is an autonomous, self-governing congregation of immersed believers observing the ordinances of Christ and governed by His Word. Furthermore, we believe that the local church has two offices: pastors and deacons (Acts 2:14; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22,12, 4:11, 5:23,24; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Timothy 3; 2 Timothy 3:17; Colossians 1:18; Acts 15:13-18).
The Ordinances
We believe that baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances given to the church in this age (Acts 8:26-39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28).
The Return of Jesus Christ

We believe in the future rapture of the church by Jesus Christ followed by seven years of tribulation and then the personal return of Jesus Christ to this earth to set up His millennial kingdom (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 19:11-21, John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Eternity
We believe every person will spend eternity in one of two places. Eternal life in heaven awaits those who have placed their faith in Jesus for salvation from sin, and eternal judgment in hell is reserved for those who have not put their faith in Christ (John 14:1-6; Psalm 16:11; Philippians 1:21,23; Psalm 9:17; John 8:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:10-15; Romans 1:19,20, 2:1; Acts 4:12).