The Gospel Furthering Fellowship stands unequivocally for the following beliefs:
SCRIPTURES:
a) We believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the 66 books comprising the Old and New Testament, inspired by God and inerrant in the original writing. We believe that they are the supreme and final authority in doctrine, faith, and life. Ps 19.7, 119.9; Matt 5.18; John 16.12,13; Rom 15.4; 2 Tim 3.16,17; 2 Pet 1.20,21; 3.2.
b) We believe that a literal, historical, grammatical interpretation of the Scriptures leads to a dispensational understanding of God’s plan for the ages. Consequently, we reject Reformed and/or Covenant Theology and Progressive Dispensationalism. 2 Tim 2.15; 1 Cor 10.32.
GODHEAD:
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and 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; 2 Cor 13.14.
GOD THE FATHER:
We believe that God the Father is spirit, eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and immutable. John 4.24; Rom 1.20; Ps 139; Mal 3.6.
CHRIST’S PERSON AND WORK:
a) We believe the Lord 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 the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, that He was buried and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made certain by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. Rom 3.24,25; 8.3; 1 Cor 15.3,4; Eph 1.7; 1 Pet 1.18-21.
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; 1 John 2.1,2.
HOLY SPIRIT’S PERSON AND WORK:
a) We believe the Holy Spirit is a person, and He is God. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. 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; 1 Cor 6.19,20; 12.12-14; 2 Cor 3.6; Gal 5.16; Eph 1.13,14; 4.30.
b) We believe He is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth. It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. It is possible to quench and/or to grieve the Holy Spirit; nevertheless, the believer remains saved and sealed unto the day of redemption. John 16.13; 1 Cor 2.10-13; Eph 1.13,14; 4.30; 5.18; 1 Thes 5.19; 1 John 2.20,27.
c) We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of gifts, for the perfecting of the saints. We believe the Holy Spirit endows believers with service gifts upon conversion. We believe the Bible does not support the authenticity of the sign gifts of prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, miracles and healing for today. We will not cooperate with those who participate in this movement. Rom 12.3-8; 1 Cor 12.4-11; 2 Cor 12.12; Eph 4.7-12.
MAN:
We believe God created all things in six twenty-four hour days, and that man was created in the image of God. Man sinned in Adam and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. All human beings are born with a sinful nature, and are totally depraved, and must be born again to be accepted of God. John 3.1-21; Rom 3.9-20,22,23; 5.12; 6.23; Eph. 2.1-3,12.
SALVATION:
a) We believe salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace, and is received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. John 1.12; Eph 1.7; 2.8-10; 1 Pet 1.17,19.
b) We believe that all who receive Christ by faith become children of God, and are secure in Christ forever. John 1.12,13; 1 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 the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. 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; 1 Pet 1.14-16; 1 John 3.3-9.
d) We believe that positional sanctification occurs at the moment of regeneration and that practical sanctification is to be progressive throughout the entire life-span of the believer here on earth. God’s provision for holy living is in the believer’s identification with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, resurrection and ascension, the indwelling person and power of the Holy Spirit and the believer’s yieldedness to Him, and to His Word. Evidence of this sanctifying work in the believer’s life will include support of a local church in time, talents, service, and financial support.
CHURCH:
a) We believe 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; 1 Cor 12.12-14; 2 Cor 11.2; Eph 1.22,23; 4.11-13; 5.23-32.
b) We believe the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly defined and taught in the New Testament Scriptures. Acts 14.27; 20.17,28-32; 1Tim 3.1-13; Tit 1.5-11.
ORDINANCES:
a) We believe 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. 1 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 all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. Separation from all religious apostasy, and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations is commanded by God. Rom 12.1,2; 14.13; 2 Cor 6.14; 7.1; 2 Tim 3.1-5; 1 John 2.15-17; 2 John 9-11.
b) We believe any ecumenical movement or mass evangelism effort that attempts to unite believers with unbelievers is not of God. We reject any philosophies which compromise Scriptural truth and separation from error. We therefore separate ourselves from any who practice these errors. Amos 3.3; Eph 5.11; Col 3.16; 1 John 5.2,3; 2 John 10; Jude 3,4.
SATAN:
We believe 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. His destiny is eternal punishment. Job 1.6,7; Is 14.12-17; Matt 4.2-11; 25.41; 2 Cor 4.3,4; 11.14; 1 Pet 5.8; Rev 20.10; John 8.44.
SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST:
We believe in the “Blessed Hope,” the personal, imminent, pre-tribulational and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones. We believe in His subsequent return to the earth, with His saints, to establish His millennial kingdom. Zec 14.4-11; 1 Thes 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; 2 Cor 5.8; Phil 1.23; 3.21; 1 Thes 4.16,17; Rev 20.4-6.
c) Souls of unbelievers remain in conscious misery after death until the second resurrection, when with the soul and body united they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment. They then 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; 2 Thes 1.7-9; Jude 6,7; Rev 20.11-15.
MISSIONS:
We believe it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and by word to the truth of Holy Scripture and to proclaim the Gospel to all mankind. Ez 3.18,19; Mark 16.15; Acts 1.8; 2 Cor 5.19,20; John 10.21.
MARRIAGE:
We believe that God decreed marriage and family. Marriage is the union of one man, who was born as a male from physical birth, and one woman, who was born as a female from physical birth, for life. By God’s design the marriage bond is only to be dissolved by death. The Bible is clearly against divorce and remarriage for those that are divorced. A divorced person is not qualified for pastoral or missionary service. Because the Bible defines marriage so clearly, we reject any effort to redefine marriage as between two of the same gender or involving animals, children or other things. Gen 2.18-25; Gen 2.24; Mal 2.16; Mark 10.7-12; 1 Cor 7.39; 1 Tim3; Rom 1.18-32.
POSITION:
Gospel Furthering Fellowship is a fundamental Baptist Mission believing strongly in the centrality of local churches and serving those such as fundamental, independent churches. Our cooperation with others is on a doctrinal basis.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of Gospel Furthering Fellowship is to assist as an arm of the local church in sending missionaries with the gospel of Jesus Christ to a spiritually lost world. We believe the primary ministry God has for GFF is that of starting and developing churches with the following priorities:
1. EXALTING OF GOD. Bringing glory to the Lord, worshipping Him and putting Him first is the highest priority. Col 3.17; 1 Cor 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 for Christ seeking to use any and all Scriptural methods to win people to the Lord. 2 Tim 4.5; 1 Cor 9.19-23,27.
3. EDIFYING OF BELIEVERS. Those that come to Christ must be discipled and built up by the consistent teaching of the Word of God. Rom 10.17; Eph 4.12,16.
4. ESTABLISHING OF LOCAL CHURCHES. A fundamental church in every community, as the Lord leads GFF, is a primary goal. This being the age of the Church, Christ has a special place in His heart for it (Matt 16.18). The Apostle Paul and early believers ministered to spread it everywhere they went, therefore expressing the high priority of the local church in missions. Acts 14.21-23.
5. EDUCATING FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP. GFF has the responsibility to assist local churches on the mission field in training and equipping lay people for the church and Christian leadership such as pastors and missionaries. 2 Tim 2.2.
6. EXTENDING MINISTRIES. Field churches should be trained not only to care for their own needs such as leading, governing, financing and training their own people, but also reaching out in evangelism, church planting and missions. Acts 1.8.