• Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writing, infallible and God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16–17; 2 Pet 1:20–21; Matt 5:18; John 16:12–13). The Bible is made up of 66 books (39 in the OT and 27 in the NT) and contains the complete Word of God.

 

• The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit  -  co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut 6:4; 2 Cor 13:14, et al.).

 

• Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (John 1:1–2, 14; Luke 1:35).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished man's redemption for those who believe and have placed their faith and trust in Him as Lord and personal Savior. Jesus accomplished this redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary, sacrifice; and, that man's justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Rom 3:24–25; 1 Pet 2:24; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:3–5).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, whereas as our High Priest, He fulfills our need for reconciliation, intercession, and advocate (Acts 1:9, 19; Heb 9:24; 7:25; Rom 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2).

 

• The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, and dwelling, and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8–11; 1 Cor 12:12–14; 2 Cor 3:6; Rom 8:9; Eph 1:13–14).

We believe that He is the divine teacher who guides believers into all truth; and that it is the privilege and blessing of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (John 16:13; Gal 5:22–23; Eph 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27). A second baptism in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues is not necessary for salvation, nor for holy living, and this mandate by  some is not supported in Scripture (see "The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts" below).

 

• Creation

All things in the universe were created and made by God in the six literal days of the creation week as described in Genesis 1:1–2; 3; and confirmed in Exodus 20:8–11. The creation record is factual, historical, and distinct; thus, all theories of origins or development which involve evolution in any form are false. All things which now exist are sustained and ordered by God’s providential care (see also John 1).

 

• The Total Depravity of Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that man is totally depraved, and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen 1:26–27; Ps 51:5; Rom 3:22–23; 5:12; Eph 2:1–3, 12).

 

• The Two Natures of the Believer

We believe that every saved person possesses two natures, with provision made for the victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; and that all claims to the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural, even alongside the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Rom 6:13; 8:12–13; Gal 5:16–25; Eph 4:22–24; Col 3:10; 1 Pet 1:14–16; 1 John 3:5-9).

Although God is fully and completely the instrument and source of change in man's character, man does partner with God in the sanctification process through obedience and repentance (confession) (Ps 103:12; Eph 2:10; Phil 1:6; 2:12; 1 John 1:9).

• Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone - all to the glory of God alone (John 1:12; Eph 1:7; 2:8–10; 1 Pet 1:18–19 ... Five Solas).

 

• The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

We believe that all the elect and thus redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are secure in Christ forever (John  6:37–40; 10:27–30; Rom 8:1, 38–39; 1 Cor 1:4–8; 1 Pet 1:5).

We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word; which also clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an association to the flesh (Rom 13:13–14; Gal 5:13; Titus 2:11–15).

 

• Missions, Outreach, and Evangelism

We believe that it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and by word to the truths of Holy Scripture and to seek to proclaim the Gospel to all mankind. As born-again believers we are blessed with the privilege of participating in God's eternal work to redeem the lost and nurture the saved until the day of Christ (Matt 28:18–20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Rom 10:14–15; 1 Cor 3:5–17; 2 Cor 5:19–20; Phil 1:6, 9–11).

FBC Norway is on fire for the mission to "Make Christ Known" in Norway and beyond. We do this by evangelizing the lost and discipling the saved. Anything less than this mandate for church life results (or can result) in the discipline of our Father who desires the best for us (Matt 5:13; 12:30; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 John 3:10; Rev 3:15–16).

FBC Norway supports several independent missionaries and para-church ministries in addition to the SBC  Cooperative Program (NAMB-North America and IMB-International), including ministries in Romania, Japan, Ecuador, and El Salvador.

 

• The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts

We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; and that the gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers are sufficient for the perfecting of the Saints today; and that speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established (1 Cor 12:4–11; 2 Cor 12:12; Eph 4:7–12).

The power of God to live a fruitful and holy life are not found in the miracle gifts, but in the miracle of God's love and desire for His Bride to bring Him glory through faith and obedience (Eph 5:25–32).

We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; James 5:14–15; 1 John 5:14–15). It is also worth noting that the James 5 texts speaks to a spiritual healing far more than a physical healing.

 

• The Church

We believe that the church, which is the body and espoused Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made-up of all born-again persons of this present age as well as of the historical catholic (universal) Church (Eph 1:22–23; 5:25–27; 1 Cor 12:12–14; 2 Cor 11:2).

Although it is true that the early church met mainly in homes, we believe that the established and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28–32; 1 Tim 3:1–3; Titus 1:5–11).

We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free of any external authority or control (Acts 13:1–4; 15:19–31; 20:28; Rom 16:1, 4; 1 Cor 3:9–16; 5:4–7, 13; 1 Pet 5:1–4).

 

• Church Polity

The governance of FBC seeks to adhere to a "pastor-shepherded, elder-led, deacon-served, deaconess-supported (no political voice), and congregation-approved" balance, whereas the vision and direction of the church is given by God to the pastor, confirmed by the elders (spiritual leaders) and the mission/vision is lived out by the congregation (of which the pastor, elders, and deacons are a part). For balance,

FBC holds to a congregational form of polity, yet operates in an elder-led leadership style. Finally, Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and the Word of God has the final say in all matters.

 

• Two Ordinances

We recognize the ordinances of water baptism by complete immersion and the Lord's Supper as a scriptural means of testimony for the church in this age (Matt 28:19–20; Acts 2:41–42; 18:8; Rom 6:3–11; 1 Cor 11:23–26).

In cases where full immersion is not possible due to physical or emotional restrictions, accommodations can be made just as long as the heart is aligned as to the theological reasoning for immersion (baptizo).

FBC observes communion in an open-table setting. If you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ of like theological standing and are visiting our church, you are welcome to observe and participate the Lords Supper with us. Lutherans (consubstantiation) and Roman Catholics (transubstantiation), because of your difference in beliefs, should not participate due to matters of conscience.

 

• Dispensationalism/Covenant Theology

We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense revealed divinely determined dispensations, or rules of life, which define man's responsibilities in successive ages. God does not change.

These dispensations are not ways of salvation but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these, the Age of Law, the Age of the Church, and the Age of the Millennial Kingdom, are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture (John 1:17; 1 Cor 9:17; 2  Cor 3:9-18; Gal 3:13–25; Eph 1:10; 3:2–10; Col 1:24; Heb 7:19; Rev 20:2–6). We are presently serving our Lord in what is called the Age of Grace (aka the Age of the Church).

 

• Historical Covenants

Additionally, we believe that Scripture also speaks to historical covenants, and this is not in competition with traditional dispensationalism. Throughout Scripture God has made covenants with various men, for the ultimate purpose of receiving the glory that is only due Him.

These are the Adamic Covenant (Gen 1:26–30; 2:16–17), the Noahic Covenant (Gen 9:11) the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 12:1–3; Rom 4:11), the Palestinian Covenant (Deut 30:1–10), the Mosaic Covenant (Deut 11), the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7:8–16; Luke 1:32–33; Mark 10:47), and the New Covenant (Jer 31:31–34; Matt 26:28; Heb 9:15).

 

• Satan and His Role in Eternity

We believe that Satan (Lucifer), is a fallen angel, the author of sin and the cause of the fall; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and of man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. He holds no power beyond that which is allowed by God for His eternal purposes (Job 1:6–7; Isa 14:12–17; Matt 4:2–11; 25:41; Rev 20:10).

 

• The Return of Christ

We believe in the Blessed Hope, the personal, imminent, pre-tribulation and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His subsequent return to earth, with His Saints, to establish His Millennial Kingdom (Zech 14:4–11; 1 Thes 1:10; 4:13–18; 5:9; Rev 3:10; 19:11–16; 20:1–6).

It is worth noting that there are those who hold to a mid-tribulation or post-tribulation understanding of Scripture. Ultimately, only God knows the day and the hour of Christ’s return (Matt 24:36). The importance here is unity in the faith according to Ephesians 1. We are instructed to be ready for Christ’s return, whenever that will be (Luke 12:35–48).

 

• What the Bible Says About Eternity

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matt 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25–26; Rev 20:5–6, 12–13).

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thes 4:16–17; Rev 20:4–6).

We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain after death, in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when, with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment (Matt 25:41–46; Mark 9:43–48; Luke 16:19–16; 2 Thes 1:7–9; Jude 6–7; Rev 20:11–15).