The following briefly summarises the doctrines fundamental to the gospel that every genuine Christian would believe. To be a member of FPBC a person must affirm these truths.
We believe the Bible is the work of God by inspiration through His Spirit by human writers. Scripture and all its parts, down to the very words of the original were given by divine inspiration. The whole of Scripture therefore is inerrant being free from all falsehood, fraud or deceit. It is the only word of God and is the supreme and final authority for Christian beliefs and living.
Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21
We believe that God is the one and only God who is eternally living in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit equal in deity and glory.
Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God. In the flesh, was both God and man; that he was born of a virgin and that He lived a sinless life, in which He taught and did mighty works, wonders, and signs exactly as revealed in the four Gospels; that He was crucified, died as a penalty for our sins, and was raised from the dead bodily on the third day. Later, He ascended to the Father’s right hand where He is head of the church and intercedes for believers and from whence He is coming again personally, bodily, and visibly to this earth to reign as King of Kings.
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 4:14-15
We believe that the Holy Spirit is equal in deity and person with God the Father and God the Son. As the living Holy Spirit, He moved the human authors of the Bible to write God’s Word. He makes people aware of their need for Jesus Christ, performs the miracle of the new birth, and comes to live in every Christian the moment they trust in Jesus Christ. He unites all Christians into one body of Christ, providing each of them with power for service, understanding of spiritual truth and comfort in life’s trials.
John 16: 7-13; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 1:13
We believe that God, by His sovereign choice and out of love for men, sent Christ into the world to save sinners.
Ephesians 1:2-5; 1 John 4:14
We believe that all men are created in the image of God, to be like Him in character. However, all men are lost sinners and are alienated from God making them liable for His judgement, and ultimately resulting in eternal death, apart from God’s salvation. Therefore, all men must turn to Christ in saving faith and repentance for regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Revelation 20:11-15
We believe that salvation is in the death of Jesus Christ. By His shed blood, the Lord Jesus Christ made a perfect atonement for sin, redeeming us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Men are saved and justified on the simple and single ground of the shed blood; and that eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Such salvation, with its forgiveness of sins, the gift of a new nature, and its hope of eternal life, is entirely apart from good works, baptism, church membership or man’s efforts and is of pure grace.
John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
We believe that all who receive Christ become joint-heirs with Christ; and at death, their spirits depart to be with Christ in a conscious blessedness; and at the rapture their bodies will be raised to the likeness of the body of His glory and dwell forever in His divine presence.
2 Corinthians 5:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
We believe that it is the goal of every Christian to grow in spiritual maturity through obedience to the Word of God and the indwelling Spirit.
Ephesians 4:13-16; 1 Peter 2:2
This is the teaching position of the elders of Fenton Park Bible Church, Rotorua. It is our document of unity. In order for the church to be of one mind, these are the positions we support. Although an individual can be a member of Fenton Park Bible Church and differ over portions of what we teach, our public ministry will reflect what is written below.
We teach that in order for us to “accurately handle the word of truth” even as Christ exemplified, the God-intended single, literal (natural, normal, plain) meaning of each passage of the Bible is to be discovered according to its context, original grammar and historical background, and its place in the unfolding of God’s revelation to us; and is further confirmed by testing Scripture with Scripture, knowing that God will never contradict Himself. Moreover, the applications of a passage must be defined, confined, and controlled by the God-intended single, literal meaning of that passage.
Matthew 4:5-7; 5:18, 27-28; 12:3, 7; Mark 12:26; Luke 22:37; 24:27; 1 Timothy 1:4, 8; 2 Timothy 2:15
We teach that Scripture is the final and completed revelation of God, which alone possesses God’s supreme authority and is not to be added to, subtracted from, or distorted; and Scripture alone is sufficient to lead the lost to salvation, and equip the saints for sanctification. No other source is binding or necessary for the church’s faith or practice, however helpful or spiritual it may be.
Deuteronomy 4:2; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 13:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:3, 20-21; Jude 3
We teach that God is to be worshipped and served on His terms and in the way He has prescribed in Scripture. Since no other source, besides the Scriptures, is binding or necessary in any degree for the church’s faith or practice, then nothing else should determine what ministries the church should do or how those ministries are to be done or evaluated. God’s prescriptions in Scripture are sufficient and not only determine what is to be done but combine to form boundaries of how it is to be done as well. Within those boundaries there is freedom of preference and creativity as long as they don’t violate any of God’s prescriptions or prohibitions for the church. This approach to ministry determines everything we do and why, including our preaching, music and other components of our Sunday services, and our counselling and evangelism.
Exodus 32:1-10; Leviticus 10:1-3; 1 Samuel 15:1-23; 1 Kings 12:26-13:10; 1 Chronicles 13:7-11; 2 Chronicles 34:1-35:27; Malachi 1:6-14; Matthew 5:19; 28:18-20; John 4:19-24; 1 Corinthians 11:27-32; 14:26-34
We teach that God’s creation of heaven and earth is thousands, not millions of years ago; out of nothing (“ex nihilo”) and in 6 consecutive 24-hour periods called “days.” Mankind, therefore, was created directly and immediately by God, male and female, in His image and likeness.
Genesis 1; 2:7, 15-25; Exodus 20:11; Romans 4:17; Hebrews 11:3; James 3:9
We teach that before the foundation of the world, God chose in Christ those whom He predetermined to call, draw, regenerate, justify, sanctify, and ultimately glorify. God’s choice was based entirely upon His own grace and mercy and not on anything initiated or done by the individual. All whom the Father savingly draws to His Son will come to faith. All who come in faith the Father will receive. Therefore, God’s sovereign election results in what He has planned beforehand. God exercises His sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, such as His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love, and does so without violating the volition (choice) of the individual, nor negating the responsibility of mankind to repent and trust in Christ as Lord and Saviour, and the responsibility of believers to evangelise the lost.
John 6:37, 44, 65; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:28-30; 9:6-24; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Matthew 28:19-20
We teach that anyone who genuinely trusts Christ is eternally secure, that they cannot lose their salvation, but that sin may interrupt the joy of their fellowship with God and bring the loving discipline of their Heavenly Father. Those who are truly saved will demonstrate this by an enduring faith in Christ and will bear fruit of obedience to Christ.
John 10:27-30; Romans 8:31-38; Colossians 1:23; 1 John 2:3-19
We teach that biblical eldership and deaconship constitute God’s ordained leadership roles for the local church. Elders (also called pastors) exercise shepherding oversight and spiritual care (i.e., lead, feed, guard, care, and train other leaders) over the local assembly of believers. Deacons provide practical and physical care for the assembly as a complementary team, with, and in submission to, the elders. Before any man may be appointed as an elder or deacon, he must be publicly recognized as meeting the biblical qualifications.
Acts 6:2-4; 14:23; 15:6-7; 20:17, 28-35; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:14; 5:17, 22-25; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:7, 17; James 5:14-15; 1 Peter 5:1-2
We teach that in the church, men are to be the leaders and teachers. Christian women have spiritual gifts and are expected to utilise them in ministering to the church, but not as elders, deacons, or in teaching roles over men.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
We teach that the New Testament requires that Christians have a regular and active commitment between the local church and the individual. This is consistent with the pattern of the early church. Submission to the loving care and instruction of biblically qualified elders is for the purpose of being equipped for the work of ministry for mutual edification unto corporate doctrinal and moral Christlikeness.
Matthew 18:17; Acts 2:41-42; 18:27; 1 Corinthians 5:2, 5, 7, 12-13; 11:18; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 5:12-13; Hebrews 10:25; 13:7, 17, 24; James 5:14
We teach that the purposes of church discipline are, out of love and seeking their good, to bring the professing believer who is clearly in sin to repentance and to protect the purity and witness of the church to the glory of God. The process of church discipline begins when a believer in the church (not just an elder or deacon) lovingly and privately confronts a fellow believer who is clearly in sin. If the sin is not repented of, then the matter should be widened to include one or two further godly believers who work together in private to gently admonish the sinning believer. If it becomes clear that the sinning believer refuses to repent, the matter should be raised with the elders to engage the church body to call the person to repentance and restoration. If the sinning believer refuses to listen to the church, after sufficient effort to restore them, they should be removed from membership. Such discipline is to be a regular, normal practice of the believer in the body. Great grace, humility, patience, care, discernment, and wisdom are to be exercised to ensure the steps are done properly and proceed at a rate that gives room for repentance but also protects the church.
Matthew 18:12-20; 1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1-6; Titus 3:9-11
We teach that marriage is to be held in honour among all. This in no way diminishes the importance of singleness in the Bible but reflects God’s design for marriage as a common good for the flourishing of mankind and the good of society. Marriage is the union of a male and a female for life for the purposes of intimacy, growth in personhood, and obedience to God and His command to be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over it. Christian marriage is to be between believers. A Christian couple seeking to marry should maintain a pure relationship, demonstrate maturity and responsibility, and accept the biblical roles of a husband and wife.
Genesis 1:28; 2:24, 25; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Hebrews 13:4
We teach that God hates divorce because it is a violation of His original plan and design for marriage. However, God allows divorce to protect the victim of sexual immorality. God also permits divorce in the case when an unbelieving spouse leaves the believing spouse. In cases of biblically legitimate divorce, pre-conversion divorce, or the death of the spouse, the believer is free to remarry. Divorce on unbiblical grounds is a sin requiring repentance. Divorce and remarriage on unbiblical grounds is viewed by God as an act of adultery.
Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 19:6, 9; 5:32; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:15, 20-27, 39
We teach that, in the home, the man is to provide headship and leadership for the family, loving his wife by sensitively communicating with her, protecting her purity, and encouraging her spiritual growth. He is responsible for overseeing the tangible needs of the household and the training of the children to be faithful followers of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23-29; 6:4; 1 Peter 3:7
We teach that women are created in the image of God and, as a result, are equal to men in significance and dignity, and in relation to salvation and standing with Christ. While equal to men in value and personhood, women have distinct and different roles. Generally, the primary focus of a wife is to care for the home and any children the Lord blesses a couple with.
Proverbs 31:10-31; Ephesians 5:22-24; 1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:3-5
We teach that spiritual gifts are special abilities distributed by the Holy Spirit to every believer at conversion according to God’s purpose and grace for the benefit of the body of Christ. Spiritual gifts enable us to serve one another, mature one another in the faith, and build up one another for ministry in the church, and ultimately to bring glory to God. Believers are to use their giftedness to serve the local church out of faithfulness to Christ and for God’s glory alone.
Romans 1:11-12; 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11
We teach that in the early church, God gave some revelatory gifts that involved direct divine revelation (such as prophecy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and messages in tongues). He also gave some miraculous sign gifts (such as healing, speaking in other languages/tongues, and the working of miracles) to confirm that the message given by an Apostle or prophet was truly from God. These revelatory and confirmatory gifts were temporary and served a unique purpose while the New Testament was still being written. Apart from the revelatory and confirmatory sign gifts, all the other spiritual gifts continue throughout the church age.
We teach that now, with the New Testament complete, Scripture alone is the test for truth. Because of this, the revelatory and confirmatory gifts are no longer necessary.
We teach that God still hears and answers prayer and may heal according to His will. But no one today has the spiritual gift of healings as seen in the early church.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3; 18:18-22; Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; 13:8-13; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:20; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 2:3-4; James 5:15; 1 John 5:14-15
We teach that prophecy in the Bible should be understood in its normal, plain sense, just like the rest of Scripture. The Bible speaks of Israel as a nation, distinct from the church. While the church has been joined in to God’s plan, the promises God made to ethnic Israel still stand and will be fulfilled in the future.
We teach that the church age will end when Jesus returns to take His church from the earth. At that time, Christians, both dead and alive, will be given resurrected bodies. Then will come seven years of judgment, known as the Tribulation on the earth, ending when Christ physically returns in power and glory to judge the nations and set up His kingdom on earth, ruling from Jerusalem on David’s throne for 1,000 years. Resurrected saints will share in this rule. All ethnic Israel still alive at the time will be redeemed and restored and dwell in the land God promised them. Under Christ’s rule, Satan will be bound, and the world will enjoy peace, justice, long life, and physical blessing upon the earth. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released for a short time and finally defeated and sent to eternal punishment. All unbelievers will be judged and also sent to eternal punishment. Then God will create a new heaven and a new earth, where there will be no sin or curse. The heavenly city will dwell upon the new earth, and the saints of all time will enjoy fellowship with God and one another forever.
Genesis 12:1-3, 7; Deuteronomy 30:4-6; 2 Samuel 7:16; Isaiah 35:1-9; 65:20-25; Jeremiah 16:14-15; 23:3; 31:31-34; Ezekiel 20:42-43; 36:24-38; 37:21-28; Daniel 7:18, 22; Zechariah 8:1-15; Matthew 19:28; 25:31-32, 41; Luke 4:16-21; John 14:1-3; 17:15; Romans 11:25-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:10; 5:10; 6:9-11; 7:14; 19:11-22:6
We teach that God has instituted three primary spheres of authority within human society: human institutions (such as the civil government), the family, and the church. Each sphere of authority has biblical limits that must be respected. God has granted authority to the civil government to rule the state for the primary purpose of punishing evil, deterring its effects, and rewarding those who do good. Believers are required to honour and pray for all those in authority, and submit to governmental authority within the parameters and limits of their sphere of authority. But God has not granted the government authority over the beliefs or practices of the church or over the biblical responsibilities or conscience of the individual. If a governing authority requires a believer to sin in any way, the believer should obey God rather than man. Likewise, the primary purpose of the church is to proclaim the gospel of Christ and allow Him to change society through the transformation of individuals.
Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17
We teach that God’s created design for sexual relations is to be expressed exclusively within marriage. Therefore, the Scriptures condemn all deviations from His original design for sexuality, including pre-marital sex, adultery, incest, pedophilia, homosexuality, transgenderism, polygamy, and bestiality. This condemnation is not cultural, but expresses God’s attitude towards behaviour that is a corruption of the image of God in mankind and violates His created design.
We teach that sex is a good and pleasing aspect of marriage, created by God for pleasure and procreation. Sexual desire is one of many human desires corrupted by sin for which God provides spiritual resources (the Holy Spirit, prayer, the careful application of the word, the church) to help transform and redeem human desire generally, and sexual desire specifically to be conformed to the image of God in Christ.
Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-25; Song of Solomon 3:6-5:1; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:1-12; Romans 1:24-32; 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 6:9-11; 7:1-16; Ephesians 4:20-24; 5:18-33; Hebrews 13:4
We teach that life begins at conception and that all children are a gift from the Lord (not just those ‘wanted’ or physically perfect).
Exodus 21:22-25; Psalm 139:13-16; 127:3
© Fenton Park Bible Church Rotorua 2025