The Gospel Furthering Fellowship stands unequivocally for the following beliefs:


SCRIPTURES:
We believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the 66 books comprising the Old and New Testament, inspired by God and inherent in the original writing. We believe that they are the supreme and final authority in doctrine, faith, and life. Psa. 19:7, 119:9; Matt. 5:18; John 16:12,13; Rom. 15:4; II Tim. 3:16,17; II Pet. 1:20, 21; 3:2.


GODHEAD:
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, Holy Spirit; co-equal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; 10:30; 17:1,3; Acts 5:3, 4; II Cor 13:14.


CHRIST'S PERSON AND WORK:

a. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true Man. John 1:1-18; Luke 1:26-35.

b. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. Rom. 3:24,25; 8:3; Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:3-5:24.

c. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven and in His present life there for us, as High Priest and Advocate. Acts 1:9,10; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:15; I John 2:1, 2.


HOLY SPIRIT'S PERSON AND WORK:

a. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person; that He is God, that He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, and that He is the Supernatural Agent in Regeneration by means of the word of God, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. John 3:5-7; 16:7-11; Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:9; I Cor. 6:19-20; 12:12-14; II Cor. 3:6: Gal. 5:16; Eph.1:13, 14; 4:30.

b. We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth; and, that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. John 16:13; I John 2:20,27; I Cor. 2:10-13; Eph. 5:18.

c. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of gifts, for the perfecting of the saints, and that speaking in tongues, and the working of miracles ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority established. We are not sympathetic to the present day tongues movement. We believe its tendencies are contrary to God's Word and, therefore, neither cooperate with those who practice tongues, nor retain as members any who participate in this movement. I Cor. 12:4-11; II Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7-12.


MAN:
We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned in Adam and thereby incurred, not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and are totally depraved, and that they must be born again to be accepted of God. John 3:1-21; Rom. 3:9-20, 22, 23; 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3, 12.


SALVATION:

a. 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 blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. Eph. 2:8-10; John 1:12; Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:17, 19.

b. We believe that all who receive Christ by faith become children of God; that they are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit and so secured in Christ forever. John 1:12, 13; I Cor. 6:19, 20; Eph. 1:13, 14; 4:30.

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


CHURCH:

a. We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ was begun at Pentecost; is composed solely of born-again believers of this age; is the Body and Bride of our Lord and is distinct from Israel. Acts 2:1-4; I Cor. 12:12-12; II Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:11-13; 5:23-32.

b. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly defined and taught in the New Testament Scriptures. Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11.


ORDINANCES:

a. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ordained water baptism by immersion as a testimony portraying the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Mark 1:8; Rom. 6:3, 4; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:11-13.

b. We believe our Lord instituted the Lord's Supper to commemorate His death till he comes. I Cor. 11:23-26.

c. Moreover, we believe that neither Water Baptism nor the Lord's Supper has any saving merit.


SEPARATION:

a. We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly, sinful pleasures, practices, and association is commanded of God. 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.

b. We believe that any ecumenical movement or mass evangelism effort which attempts to unite believers with unbelievers is not of God; and that the philosophies of neo-evangelicalism and reprobate believers are unscriptural and therefore separate ourselves from those who practice these errors. Eph. 5:11; Col. 3:16; I John 5:2, 3: II John 10; Jude 3, 4.


SATAN:
We believe that Satan is a personal being, a fallen angel, the prince of demons, the great enticer and deceiver, the god of this age, and the adversary of Christ and His Church, and that his destiny is eternal punishment. Job 1:6, 7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; II Cor. 4:3, 4; 11:14; I Pet. 5:8; Rev. 20:10.


SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST:
We believe in that "Blessed Hope", that personal, imminent, pre-tribulational and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His subsequent return to the earth, with His saints, to establish His Millennial Kingdom, Zech. 14:4-11; I Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6.


ETERNAL STATE:

a. 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.

b. Saints at death are consciously present with the Lord awaiting the reunion of the spirit, soul and body at the first resurrection to be glorified forever with the Lord. Luke 23:43; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; I Thess. 4:16, 17; Rev. 20:4-6.

c. Souls of unbelievers remain in conscious misery after death until the second resurrection, when with soul and body united they shall be cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer everlasting conscious punishment. Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6, 7; Rev. 20:11-15.


MISSIONS:
We believe that it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and by word to the truth of Holy Scripture and to seek to proclaim the Gospel to all mankind. Ezek. 3:18, 19; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:19, 20; John 10:21.


POSITION:
G.F.F. is a fundamental Baptist Mission serving the independent Bible and Baptist Churches, believing strongly in the centrality of the local church. Our cooperation with others is on a doctrinal basis.


PURPOSE:
There are many aspects of ministering to people. GFF will contribute in all areas but will give priority to spiritual needs. We believe the top priority ministry that God has given to us is to assist biblical local churches in the all encompassing mission of the church as follows:

1. EXALTING OF GOD. Bringing glory to our Lord, worshiping Him and putting Him first in our lives and ministries is the highest priority that we have. I Cor. 6:20; 10:31.

2. EVANGELIZING THE LOST. The missionary in a new work may have to spend a great deal of time and effort making, following up and developing contacts. He must be a witness in an organized door to door ministry as well as various other types of informal soul winning. II Tim. 4:5.

3. EDIFYING OF BELIEVERS. Those that come to Christ must be discipled and built up by the consistent teaching of the Word of God, Eph. 4:12, 16.

4. ESTABLISHING OF LOCAL CHURCHES. A fundamental church planted in every community, as the Lord leads GFF, is our primary goal. Every new believer discipled to the Lord, in His Word, and into the local body of believers was a top goal of Christ (Mt. 16:18) and Paul (Acts 13-28), therefore of G.F.F.

5. EDUCATING FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP. Local churches (Bible institutes sometimes assisting) have the responsibility to train and equip lay people for church ministries and Christian leaders such as pastors and missionaries. II Tim. 2:2.

6. EXTENDING MINISTRIES. The national churches should be trained not only to care for their own needs - leading, governing, financing and training their own people, but also reaching out in evangelism to the lost locally and in missions. The missionary will therefore produce multiplying national believers and local churches (Acts 1:8). G.F.F. is committed to serving the fundamental cause worldwide as the Lord leads, but the Mission will concentrate its ministry and workers in very needy Third World countries such as Africa, South America, the Island world and Asia.


PEOPLE:
G.F.F. is trusting the Lord for His choice dedicated workers with the following interests to help build church planting teams:

  • Church Planters/Evangelists
  • Pastors
  • Bible Teachers (Small group, Institutes, Colleges)
  • Youth Ministries
  • Children's Ministries
  • Administrators
  • Other Ministries
  • "Tent Makers"
©2008 Gospel Furthering Fellowship