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Melba BIBLE Church
POSITIONAL STATEMENTS & ORDINANCES
(Practices and Beliefs)

Melba Bible Church members, leaders, teachers, and employees will hold fast to and abide by the practices, beliefs, and applications of God’s Word as noted below:

Code of Conduct

Attendees & visitors of all ages are expected to treat each other and our host facility/staff (Melba Senior Center) with courtesy and respect. This includes, but is not limited to, cleaning up after themselves, not talking loudly in areas where church is in session, refrain from using foul language, inappropriate clothing and honoring the rules leadership has placed for MBC services. All attendees and visitors are expected to refrain from exhibiting any behavior contradictory to the MBC Statement of Faith & Positional Statements and Ordinances (Gal 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 14:40, Matthew 7:12, 1 Timothy 2:9, Deuteronomy 22:5, Philippians 2:4-5).

It is the desire of the elders & pastoral staff to understand the heart of the individual that deviates from our Statement of Faith & Positional Statements and Ordinance’s and will be addressed on an individual basis. The board retains the authority to assess further attendance of the individual.

1) Members of Melba Bible Church embrace and support all aspects of the Melba BIBLE Church: Statement of Faith.

2) We believe humanity was created by the direct act of God and was made in the image and likeness of God, but through transgression fell and became depraved in nature and sinful in conduct. In one’s natural state, humanity is sinful apart from saving grace, and consequently is in need of salvation. (Gen. 6:5; Ps. 14:2,3; Matt. 15:19; Rom. 3:9-23)

3) We believe Sanctification is the purifying of the believer’s heart by faith and the enduement of power by the Holy Spirit, whereby he is enabled to love God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and his neighbor as himself (Lev. 11:44, 45; Luke 1:73-75; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; Heb. 10:14-15, Heb. 13:12). The Holy Spirit works in a believer through the process of sanctification, and indirectly by a “Christ-like life”, and not by any special manifestations or gifts, such as speaking in unknown tongues.

4) We believe the New Testament teaches that there is one true Church, which is made up of those who have been born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4).

5) We believe the New Testament also teaches that there is a “Local Church”, frequently referenced to as the “Body of Christ”. Christ is head of the church, believers make up the body, and qualified men who willingly submit themselves to God’s divine order, are called to lead the local body under Christ’s divine inspiration (Col. 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-12; Titus 1:5). Melba BIBLE Church will reference these men as Elders and Deacons. Elders and Deacons will be unified in spirit. Elders will primarily focus on the Spiritual needs and overall well-being of the church body, while Deacons will focus on the functioning of the body. The Pastor is an Elder, who has an enhanced burden to proclaim God’s Word and Shepherd the Sheep (Respective duties are more fully discussed in the Melba BIBLE Church By-Laws.

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

7) We believe the second coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is imminent and visible. The children of God are admonished to look for the personal coming of Christ with confident hope, and with the assurance that at His appearing they will become the joyful partakers of His glory in the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world (Dan. 7:13,14; Matt. 24:30,31; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; Rev. 22:20).

8) We believe the Scriptures affirm the resurrection of the body, the judgement of all mankind, the everlasting punishment of the wicked, and the eternal blessedness of the righteous (Ps. 9:17; Matt. 24:46; John 5:28,29; 14:1-3; Rom. 14:10; I Cor. 15:52-55; II Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12,13; 21:8).

9) We believe the Bible teaches divine healing and we encourage prayer of faith for the healing of the sick (James 5:14-16; Luke 9:2; 10:9; and Acts 4:10,14).

10) We believe water baptism is an outward testimony of the saving work of grace wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit and is the privilege and responsibility of all believers (1 Peter 3:21; Rom. 6:3-4), as demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 3:13-16, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22).

11) We believe the Lord’s Supper represents the New Covenant and our redemption through Christ’s death and is a means through which God gives grace to the heart when received in faith. This ordinance should be reverently and frequently observed by Believers in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Matt. 26:26-29; I Cor. 11:23-29).

12) We believe all who are saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon the Lord Jesus Christ. If one is truly “Born Again”, God commands that there be separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; II Cor. 6:14-7:1; II Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11).

13) We believe the Genesis account of creation and reject “evolution” and/or “big bang” as unscriptural theories of origin (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11).

14) We believe God has ordained three basic institutions of authority: (1) the home; (2) the Church; and (3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the Church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; I Pet. 2:13-14).

15) We believe God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

16) We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one biological man and one biological woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (I Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

17) We believe any form of sexual immorality (including homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 6:9-10; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4).

18) We believe God’s plan is that the marriage relationship be permanent, and that the Bible permits divorce and remarriage only on the basis of immorality (Mal.2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3). It is not in keeping with God’s Word for a saved person to marry an unsaved person (II Cor. 6:14-18).

19) We believe every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Melba Bible Church.

20) We believe all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. The unborn child is a living human being and abortion constitutes the unjustified taking of human life. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies, due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable (Ps 139, Isa. 44:24; 49:1,5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).

21) We believe God has given the Church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, we must use all available means to take the Gospel to all people everywhere (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20).

22) We believe Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the Church to resolve personal disputes. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company so long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (I Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).

23) We believe every Christian, as a steward of that portion of material wealth entrusted to him by God, is obligated to support their local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings (time, talent, & treasure) for the support of the Church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a person relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17-18; I John 3:17).

24) We believe in order to preserve the function and integrity of Melba BIBLE Church as the local “Body of Christ”, and to provide a biblical role model to the Melba BIBLE Church members, non-members, visitors, and the community. It is imperative that all Church leaders, teachers, volunteers, and employees of Melba BIBLE Church agree with and abide by the Church Covenants and this Positional Statement (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; I Thess. 5:22).

25) We believe the local Church has responsibility to every member AND every member has responsibility to the local Church (I Cor. 12; Col. 3: 12-17; 4:2-3; II Thess. 5:11-22)

26) Accountability, admonishment, confession, and forgiveness amongst believers is taught and practiced throughout the New Testament, and Melba BIBLE Church will practice this discipline in love and for the edification of the body of Christ. (Col. 1:28; 3: 13-14, 16; I Thess. 5:12-15; II Thess. 3:6-15)

27) The Church Covenants and this Positional Statement do not exhaust the extent of our beliefs.

28) The Bible, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Melba BIBLE Church’s faith, doctrine, membership, practice, policy, and discipline, Melba BIBLE Church Elders (in consultation with Church Deacons) is Melba BIBLE Church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

29) We believe church discipline is biblical and exemplified for the purpose of protecting and strengthening the church, restoring the sinner to a right walk with God, and renewing fellowship among the church members (2 Cor 2:6-10, Titus 2:15, 2 Thes 3:14-15, Rev 2:2, 2 Cor 10:8). Discipline is exercised only out of love, toward a member for outward, unrepentant sin (Cor 5:13). Matt 18:15-20 outlines the process, always starting private first, and the goal being reconciliation and forgiveness with God & believers. (2 Cor 2:7-9, Psalm 103:8, 2 Cor 13:5).
(Ratified 2/20/23, Updated 01/15/24)

Melba BIBLE Church
(Statement of Faith)

Members of Melba BIBLE Church are united in their belief of the following:

GOD: We believe in one God (Deut. 6:4) who is Holy (Rev. 4:8), Love (1 John 4:8), infinitely Perfect (Matt. 5:48), Creator of all things (Gen. 1:1), never changing (Mal. 3:6). God has limitless knowledge (Ps. 139:4) and sovereign power (Ps. 103:19); and God is an eternal loving unity of three equally divine Spiritual Beings: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19, 1 Cor. 13:14).

JESUS CHRIST: We believe Jesus Christ is the incarnate Son of God (Luke 1:35), fully God and fully man, two natures in one person (Col. 2:9). Jesus – Israel’s promised Messiah – was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Matt. 1:20-25). He lived a sinless life (Heb. 4:15), was crucified John 10:15, Rom. 5:8), arose bodily from the dead (Rom. 1:4, 1 Cor. 15:20), ascended into heaven (Luke 14:51), and sits at the right hand of God (1 Peter 3:22) as High Priest and Advocate of all Believers Heb. 4:15-16, 1 John 2:1-2).

HOLY SPIRIT: We believe the Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:14), regenerates sinners (Rom. 8:11), intercedes for believers (Rom. 8:26-27), and by Him believers are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God (Rom. 8:15-17, Gal. 4:4-7). He also indwells (2 Cor. 1:22), illuminates, guides (John 16:7), comforts, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living, service, and communion with God (Gal. 5:16, 5:22-26, 2 Thess. 2:13). The Holy Spirit also convicts humanity in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8).

BIBLE (Holy Scripture): We believe Holy Scripture, as originally recorded and providentially preserved, is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The 66 books of the Bible constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) written revelation of God to humanity (John 17:17). When a person is empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Word of God comes alive through words of the Bible, and God impacts a person’s soul (Heb.4:12). Holy scripture is not to be confused with the WORD, which became flesh in Jesus Christ and shown the Glory of God to humanity (John 1:1; John 1:14).
The Bible, as spiritually and verbally inspired by God, (1) is without error in the original writings (Matt. 5:18), (2) is complete and not needing of additional writings (Rev. 22:18), (3) is used by God to reveal Himself and His will for redemption in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:23), (4) is the written authority in this world by which human knowledge, belief and endeavor should be judged (Heb. 4:12). Therefore, the Bible is to be believed in all that God teaches, obeyed in all that God requires, and trusted in all that God promises (Ps. 19:7-11). The eternal and perfect truth of God, as He reveals in Holy Scripture, stands in judgement and guidance of humanity; never does humanity stand in judgement of Holy Scripture (Rom. 15:4, 1 Tim. 6:3-5).

SIN & HUMANITY: We believe that God created Adam & Eve in His image (Gen. 1:26), but they sinned by disobeying God’s command to not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). As a result of their disobedience, sin nature entered humanity (Rom. 5:12). Consequently, every human being is born with a sinful nature (Ps. 51:5) and sins against God (Rom. 3:1-19), causing us to be spiritually dead and alienated from God (Is. 59:2). Because every person is spiritually dead in their sin (Rom. 5:12), we are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through our own efforts (Acts 4:12). Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled, and renewed (2 Cor. 5:18).

SALVATION: We believe that Jesus Christ, as Humanity’s representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins (Rom. 8:1-3). His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only means of salvation and eternal fellowship with God. If a person has faith (Eph. 2:8-9) in Jesus Christ, then that person is spiritually Born Again (John 3:16). They are saved from Hell and eternal wrath of God, and immediately enter into a living eternal relationship with God in Jesus Christ. No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are Born Again through Jesus Christ.

JUSTIFICATION and SANCTIFICATION: Every believer, as a child of God (John 1:12) is sanctified (set apart) unto God (1Cor. 1:30, 6:11, Heb. 2:11) and is declared righteous by justification through the transfer of sin’s guilt and debt onto Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 2:24) and imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the Believer (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21). From the perspective of God, the spiritual position of a saved person is the same as Christ’s position (John 17:19; Eph. 4:24). We believe however that a person retains the sin nature (exhibited in varying degrees) in their fleshly body, which cannot be fully eradicated in this life (Rom. 6:1-22; Rom. 7:21-24). Therefore, the standing of a Christian’s soul in Christ is perfect (1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 10:14). Yet, there is a progressive sanctification wherein the Christian is to “grow in grace”, “grow in faith”, and to “be changed” by the power of the Spirit (Phil. 1:6, 3:12).

BAPTISM AND COMMUNION: The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances for Believers in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Baptism (Matt. 28:19-20) and Communion (Matt. 26:26-28) are visibly and tangibly expressed in the Gospel (Acts 2:38-42, 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Though they are not the means of salvation (Mark 16:16), when celebrated and embraced by the Church in genuine faith, God confirms and nourishes the Believer through the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

ABIDING IN CHRIST: Jesus walked in this fallen world, giving us a perfect example of glorifying God (John 17:4), communion with God, and personified of Grace & Truth (John 1:14). Every Born Again (Believer) is called to “Abide in Christ” (John 15:5), which causes our relationship with God and people to be Christ-like. When a Believer abides in Christ, Christ’s attributes are exhibited through the believer, and fruit of the spirit is produced, and God is glorified (John 15:7-8). When a Believer abides in Christ, God is glorified. When abiding Believers unify as the Body of Christ (Church), God is glorified (John 17:20-23, Col. 3:12-17).

THE CHURCH: We believe that Believers across the world are spiritually united as the one true Church and Bride of Christ (Eph. 5:27, Rev. 19:7). We believe the local church is a “Living Body” comprised of numerous united Believers, unified under the headship of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23), and every Believer is called to fulfill a significant responsibility within that body (1Cor. 12-14),
Melba BIBLE Church is a unified group of local Believers, united first and foremost by our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are committed and dedicated to Christ’s Lordship and “Living Body”. We trust that Christ will keep the local body alive and healthy when Believers abide in Him, while embracing and engaging every uniquely gifted and created Believer.

MEMBER COMMITMENT: Melba BIBLE Church is a unified group of local Believers (Eph. 5:22), united first and foremost by our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). We are committed and dedicated to glorifying God (Ps. 96:1-9, Is. 43:7) under Christ’s Lordship (Matt. 16:18). We trust that Christ will keep the local body alive and healthy when Believers abide in Him (Acts 2:42, 20:28), while embracing and engaging every uniquely gifted and created Believer (1Cor. 12:1-14:40, Eph. 4:1-16, Col. 3:1-17, 4:2, 4:5-6).
To affirm and sustain a healthy local “Body of Christ”, every member of Melba BIBLE Church will pledge their commitment to the covenants of this document.

(Ratified 2/20/23)