What We Believe
ABOUT THE BIBLE - WORD OF GOD
The Bible is God's Word to all men. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance
of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth and final authority for Christian beliefs and living.
Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. The Bible helps us navigate
through all of life’s challenges, and all of the cultural changes we face each day
2 Timothy 3:16 / 2 Peter 1:20-21/ 2 Timothy 1:13/ Matthew 5:18 / Romans 15:4, Psalm 119:105
ABOUT THE TRINITY
There is one living and true God eternally existing in three persons, and these three are co-equal and
are one God.
Genesis 1:1; 26 / Matthew 28:19-20 / 2 Corinthians 13:14
ABOUT GOD
God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. God is the
Creator and Ruler of the universe. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, He hears and
answers prayers, and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:1 / Exodus 34:6-7 / Isaiah 37:16; 63:16 / Jeremiah 23:23-24 / Matthew 6:9-15
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life, died for sinners,
rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and He will return to the earth one day.
Matthew 1:22-23 / Isaiah 9:6 / John 1: 1-5; 14:10-30 / Hebrews 4:14-15 / Romans 1:3-4 /
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make
men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian and gives power for
living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
John 14:26 / Romans 8:9 / 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 / Ephesians 1:13-14/ 2 Corinthians 3:17/
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by good works. Only by
trusting in Jesus Christ as God's only offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin's penalty.
Eternal life with God begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Salvation
is by faith alone in Christ alone.
Romans 6:23/ Ephesians 2:8-9/ John 1:12, 14:6/ Titus 3:5/ Galatians 3:26/ Genesis 1:26-27 /
ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for
eternity. Salvation is begun and maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort
of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.
John 10:29 / II Timothy 1:12 / Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14 / I Peter 1:3-5
ABOUT HUMAN DESTINY
We believe that at death all believers enter the presence of God and all unbelievers are separated
from God and that these estates, known as heaven and hell, are eternal and irrevocable.
2 Corinthians 4:18 / Ephesians 6:12 / Acts 17:24-25 / Colossians 1:16 / John 14:2-3 / Mark 9:47
ABOUT THE CHURCH
The church is a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head. The local church consists of a
company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible confession of faith and associated for
worship and fellowship. The primary task of the local church is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ
to a lost world.
Colossians 1:18 / Ephesians 2:19-22 / Hebrews 10:24-25
ABOUT THE ORDINANCES
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church:
Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
What Is The Meaning of Baptism?
1. Baptism illustrates Christ´s burial and resurrection. "Christ died for our sins... He was buried...
and He rose again." I Corinthians. 15:3-4
"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised
with Christ." Colossians. 2:12
2. Baptism illustrates my new life as a Christian. "When someone becomes a Christian he
becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!"
2 Corinthians. 5:17
"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead... so also we may live a new life!" Romans. 6:4
3. Baptism doesn´t make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not
"save" you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it´s the
outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... it is the gift of God - not by works,
so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
At IBC, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning
of baptism before we baptize them. Some churches practice a "baptism of confirmation" for
children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the
behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old
enough to take his own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years
after the Bible was completed.
Can My Family Be Baptized Together?
Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally
placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time.
Children who wish to be baptized are asked to meet with our Pastor for a pre-baptism conversation.
However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family
tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other family members to
accept Christ, particularly children. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience.
The Lord's Supper
We believe that the Lord's Supper is a reminder of what Jesus did in the past, a symbol of our
present relationship with Him, and a promise of what He will do in the future.
The bread and wine are memorials of what Jesus did on the cross.
Luke 22:19-20 / 1 Corinthians 11:26
The Lord's Supper looks back to the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. But, Jesus was dead for
only 3 days before He ascended into heaven to be with God the Father. The Lord's Supper helps
us look upward to Christ. (Galations 2:20 / Ephesians 2:6) And it also helps us look inward,
pausing to think of what kind of home we are giving Jesus. And then, it helps us look forward.
The apostle Paul wrote, "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the
Lord's death until He comes." 1 Corinthians 11:26
By partaking in the Lord's Supper, we symbolize Jesus' presence in our life.
IBC is a congregationally governed body of believers who follow the leadership of our Pastor as
God guides him. We ascribe to the Baptist Faith and Message.
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"Go into all the world and make disciples..."
90 E. 14th St.
San Angelo TX 76903
325-653-3361
The Bible helps us navigate through all of life's challenges
