We Believe

   Bancroft Congregational Church accepts the Christian Scriptures, known as the Holy Bible, as its authority in matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Its understanding of Christian truth as contained therein is set forth in the following Statement of Faith:

   We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:13-15; Isaiah 40:18-28); and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who is of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made (Isaiah 7:10-14; John 1:1-3, 14-18; Colossians 1:15-20); and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, sent from the Father and Son, and, who, together with the Father and Son, is worshipped and glorified (Matthew 28:19; John 14:15-17; 16:5-15; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 1:1-2). 

   We believe that the Providence of God, by which He executes His eternal purposes in the government of the world, is in and over all events; yet so that the freedom and responsibility of man are not impaired and sin is the act of the creature alone (Proverbs 2:7-8).

   We believe that man was made in the image of God, that he might know, love, and obey God, and enjoy Him forever; that our first parents by disobedience fell under the righteous condemnation of God; and that all men are so alienated from God that there is no salvation from the guilt and power of sin except through God’s redeeming grace.  (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:1-17; 3:1-24; Romans 1:18-32; 3:9-20)

   We believe that God would have all people return to Him; that to this end He has made Himself known, not only through works of nature, the course of His providence, and the conscience of the individual, but also through supernatural revelations made especially to a chosen people, and above all, when the fullness of time was come, through Jesus Christ, His Son.  (Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 3:1-12; Matthew 1:18-25; Mark 1:14-15; John 1:10-13; Luke 15:1-32; 19:1-10; 2 Peter 3:8-9)

   We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible are the record of God’s revelation of Himself in the work of redemption; that they were written by men under special guidance of the Holy Spirit, that they are able to make wise unto salvation; and that they constitute an authoritative standard by which religious teaching and human conduct are to be regulated and judged.  (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Revelation 22:18-19)

   We believe that the love of God to sinful men has found its highest expression in the redemptive work of His Son; who became man, uniting His divine nature with our human nature in one person; who was tempted like other men, yet without sin; and who by His humiliation, His holy obedience, His sufferings, His death on the cross, and His resurrection, became a perfect redeemer, whose sacrifice of Himself for the sins of the world declares the righteousness of God, and is the sole and sufficient ground of forgiveness and of reconciliation with Him.  (Isaiah 53:1-13; John 1:14-18; 3:16-17; Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 2 Hebrews 4:15; Corinthians 5:18-19a, 21; Philippians 2:5-8)

   We believe that Jesus Christ, after He had risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, as the one Mediator between God and man, He carries forward His work of saving men; and that He sends the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin, and to lead them to repentance and faith; and that those who through renewing grace turn to righteousness, and trust in Jesus Christ as their redeemer, receive for His sake the forgiveness of their sins, and are made the children of God.  (John 14:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 9:15)

   We believe that those who are thus regenerated and justified grow in sanctified character through fellowship with Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to the truth; that a holy life is the fruit and evidence of saving faith; and that the believer’s hope of continuance in such a life is in the preserving grace of God.  (John 3:1-8; Romans 8:1-17; 12:1-2; 15:15-16; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17; Ephesians 4:20-24; 5:8-14; 1 Peter 1:1-2)

   We believe that Jesus Christ came to establish among men the kingdom of God, the reign of truth and love, righteousness and peace; that to Jesus Christ, the head of this kingdom, Christians are directly responsible in faith and conduct; and that to Him all have immediate access without mediatorial intervention.  (Mark 1:14-15; 1 Timothy 2;5; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9-10)

   We believe that the Church of Christ, invisible and spiritual, comprises all true believers, whose duty it is to associate themselves in churches for the maintenance of worship, for the promotion of spiritual growth and fellowship, and for the conversion of men; that those churches under the guidance of the Holy Scriptures, and in fellowship with one another, may determine—each for itself—their organization, statement of belief, and forms of worship; may appoint and set apart their own ministers, and should cooperate in the work which Christ has committed to them for the furtherance of the Gospel throughout the world (Hebrews 10:24-25).

   We believe in the observance of the Lord’s Day as a day of holy rest and worship; in the ministry of the Word; and in the two ordinances which Christ has appointed for His Church: Baptism to be administered as the sign of cleansing from sin, of union to Christ, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit; and the Lord’s Supper as a symbol of His atoning death, a seal of its efficacy and a means whereby He confirms and strengthens the spiritual union and communion of believers with Himself.  (Exodus 20:8-11; John 3:22; Matthew 28:19-20;

Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

   We believe in the ultimate prevalence of the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth; in the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; in the resurrection of the dead; and in a final judgment, the issues of which are everlasting punishment and everlasting life (Revelation 19:11-16; 20:11-15).