VCF International Bible Academy (IBA)

(Statement of Faith)

I. Inspiration of Scriptures

We believe the Bible, including the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, is the inspired Word of God by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the final authority of our faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21)(All texts are quoted from the King James Version).

II. God

We believe in one God revealed in three coequal, distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit). (Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 2:13, 18; 1 John 5:7; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16, 26)

III. Divinity and Humanity of Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the eternal Son of God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born a virgin birth, lived a sinless life and became the only complete sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is both fully man and fully God. (Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; Luke 22:70; John 20:31; Ephesians 1:3; Matthew 1:18, 20; Luke 1:34, 35; John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 John 3:5; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:26-28; Hebrews 10:12; Romans 5:8, 9; 1 Peter 1:18, 19)

IV. The Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person in the Godhead and is active today. The Holy Spirit indwells and seals the believer at the moment of the new birth. We believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a subsequent experience after being born again and is available to all Christians to empower the believers to be witnesses for Jesus. We believe in, and encourage the use of the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. (1 John 5:7; John 14:16, 17, 26; Ephesians 4:30; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:2-4; Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-10)

V. Mankind

We believe that mankind (male and female), in their natural state are sinners, lost and without hope apart from God; and headed for eternal damnation and separation from God. (Ephesians 2:1-2; Romans 3:10, 23; Romans 5:12-19)

VI. Bodily Resurrection

We believe in the physical death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. He ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. (Luke 24:38-43; John 20:24-29; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Acts 2:29-33; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1)

VII. Salvation

We believe that salvation is received through repentance toward God, faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ and a heart-felt belief that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead through the power of the Holy Spirit. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man is clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ and becomes a child of God and co-heirs with Jesus, according to the hope of eternal life. This salvation is entirely by grace through faith and not by works. (Ephesians 2:6-9; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 8:9-11; Acts 3:19-20; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 10:8-13; Titus 3:5)

VIII. Jesus’ Return and subsequent Second Coming to the earth

We believe in the visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ to this earth to claim His Bride and to judge the world. (1Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:7; Ephesians 5:30-32; Revelation 19:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15)

IX. Church

We believe that the Church is Jesus Christ’s spiritual body on earth today. It consists of born-again believers and has both universal and local expressions. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-32; 1 Corinthians 12:27)

X. Christians

We believe that all believers are called Christians. (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16)

XI. A New Heaven & A New Earth and the Second Death

We believe that those believers written in the Book of Life will live with God forever and unbelievers will suffer the second death. The second death will be a place eternally separated from the presence of God and in the lake of fire and brimstone. (2 Peter 3:13; Philippians 1:23; Revelation 21:1, 3; Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8)

XII. Satan

We believe that Satan is a fallen, created being who is the “god of this world”. He and his well-organized army of demons are opposed to the Kingdom of God and continually work to defeat and destroy the Christians. Satan will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. (1 Corinthians 4:4; John 10:10; Ephesians 6:10-18; Revelation 20:10)

XIII. Ordinances

We believe that believer’s Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances of the church and should be conducted regularly. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:47-48; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)