our beliefs

God: We believe in one God who created all things and is infinitely perfect in both His love and His holiness (Deuteronomy 6:4). This one and only God eternally exists in three equally divine persons: the Father (Romans 1:7), the Son (Hebrews 1:8), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4). Each is co-equal and co-eternal in being, in nature, in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections (2 Corinthians 13:14).


The Bible: We believe that God has inspired the words preserved in the Scriptures: the Old and New Testaments, made up of 66 books. These writings alone constitute the verbally inspired Word of God, which is utterly authoritative and without error in the original writings (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; Revelation 22:18-19). The Bible is complete in its revelation of His will for salvation and is sufficient for all that God requires us to believe and do. While we affirm that, enlightened by the Spirit of God, we can know God’s truth confidently (John 16:12-13), we confess that both our finite mind and our sinful nature preclude the possibility of understanding God’s truth completely (1 Corinthians 13:12; James 1:5). The Bible is to be believed, as God’s instruction, in all that it teaches; obeyed, as God’s command, in all that it requires; and trusted, as God’s pledge, in all that it promises.


Jesus Christ: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became fully man without ceasing to be fully God (John 1:1,14, Colossians 2:9). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Luke 1:35) and lived a perfect, sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22) in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful human beings (John 14:9, Titus 2:14). Jesus accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as our substitutionary sacrifice, and our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3–5). He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9) and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as our Representative (Hebrews 9:24), Intercessor (Hebrews 7:25), and Advocate (1 John 2:1–2) and will return as King (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:16).


The Holy Spirit: We believe that God, the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8–11). His primary role is in regenerating and placing all believers into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). He is also teaching (John 16:13-14), enlightening (1 Corinthians 2:11-13), indwelling (Romans 8:9) and securing them until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).


People: We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, in His own image (Genesis 1:27). These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). But through Adam’s sin all people inherit a sinful nature, and are alienated from God (Romans 5:12). The consequence of sin is spiritual, physical and ultimately eternal death (Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). In and of themselves people are totally depraved and utterly unable to remedy their lost condition (Romans 3: 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3, 12).

 

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor doctrines of the church (Galatians 5:22-23; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; 1 John 3:14-15; Ephesians. 4:31).


Salvation: We believe that salvation is the gift of God offered by grace to every person and received by those who turn in personal faith to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Ephesians 2:8–10; John 1:12; Luke 13:3; Romans 10:9). Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus (Acts 4:12, John 14:6) whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (1 Peter 1:18–19).  We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (John 3:16, 1 John 2:2-3, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23).


Assurance of Believers: We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37–40; 10:27–30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; 1 Peter 1:5). It is the privilege of believers to rejoice and be confident in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which also clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for the flesh (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11–15).


The Church: We believe that the church, which is the body of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all genuine Christ-followers (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14). We are to gather together as a local church regularly for teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25). And, as His body, it is our responsibility to go and represent Christ in the world (Mark 16:15). As a church, we are autonomous, answering only and directly to Christ, the head (Acts 13:1-4; Colossians 1:18). We are governed and shepherded by a plurality of elders/overseers: (1 Peter 5:1-5; Acts 20:17, 28). Believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper are recognized as scriptural means of testimony for the church (Matthew 28:19; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).


Spiritual Gifts: We believe that every Christian has at least one spiritual gift which is a God given capacity to serve in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:11). These gifts help make each believer a unique member of the body. There is no particular gift that is essential, or that proves the presence of the Holy Spirit, and one’s spiritual gift is not an indication of their level of spirituality or maturity (1 Corinthians12:18-19, 29-30). Some gifts were foundational and/or intended as sign gifts to unbelieving Israel at the establishment of the church and are no longer prominent today (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 14:21-22). It is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gifts and grace that God has given them (Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10–11).


Christ’s Return: We believe that the next great event of human history, the blessed hope of every believer, is the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). While the exact time of Christ’s return is unknown, it is imminent and certain (James 5:8; Matthew 24).


The Eternal State: We believe in the physical resurrection of all human beings. We believe at death, every believer passes into the conscious blessedness and joy in the presence of Christ and there awaits the resurrection when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Revelation 20:5-6). We believe that the unsaved will remain under condemnation, and in misery, until the Great White Throne judgment. They will then be united with their body and be cast into the eternal lake of fire as their eternal conscious punishment, along with Satan and the fallen angels (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; John 5:28-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:10-15). 


Marriage: We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:23-25, Matthew 19:4-6).


We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman (Hebrews 13:4).


Sexuality: We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (Genesis 1:26-27).


We believe that any form of sexual immorality (such as adultery, fornication, cohabitation, homosexual behavior, rejection of one’s biological sex, use of pornography, etc.) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18-19; Galatians 5:19-21).


We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-2; Romans. 10:9-10).       


We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the ministry. (Galatians 5:22-23; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; 1 John 3:14-15; Ephesians. 4:31).


Sanctity of Life We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139.)


Gender Roles We believe that men and women were created by God for the purpose of reflecting His image and fulfilling the mission given to all mankind (Genesis 2:18-25). As such, both men and women play a vital role in building the community of worshipers we strive to be at Cape Bible Chapel.


While God has created men and women equally as image bearers and as coheirs with Christ, he also designed men and women to serve in complementary roles. Those roles are found within the family as well as within Church governance.


Within the family. God has called the husband to be the spiritual leader of the house. Consequently, God holds the husband responsible for lovingly serving and leading as a husband as well as a father (Ephesians 5:25-38, Ephesians 6:4, I Peter 3:7, etc.).


Within Church governance, we believe that God’s Word reserves the roles of elder and deacon for men who meet the qualifications laid out in Scripture (I Timothy 3:1-14, Titus 1:5-16). Similarly, we hold that only men are eligible for ordination by the church and qualified to exercise their authority by leading and teaching men’s or mixed adult worship services and adult Christian education classes.


Biblical Authority: These statements of what we believe do not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality and proper conduct of humanity, is the sole and final source of all that we believe.  For the purposes of church doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, our board of elders is the church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12).


Prohibitive Statement: Cape Bible Chapel is prohibited from participating in any activity that violates its written doctrines and beliefs.  In addition, Cape Bible Chapel is prohibited from allowing any of its assets to be used for any activity that violates its written doctrine and beliefs.

DOCTRINAL DISTINCTIVES

Cape Bible Chapel holds the theological distinctives represented below. The distinctives seek to reflect persuasions on certain scriptural subjects to help individuals understand where the Elders of Cape Bible Chapel stand on these matters and what they will hear as part of the preaching and teaching ministry of the church. While an individual is not required to agree on every matter listed below to be a member, it is important for the church to clearly communicate its theological perspectives.


The Chapel has long held distinct theological positions that have shaped the preaching and teaching of the Word. Therefore, the distinctives set forth below do not represent a change in theological positions as much as they represent The Chapel’s historical positions of what they believe is clear from Scripture.  


Furthermore, the elders desire to clearly communicate to members and potential members the biblical positions they will regularly hear communicated through the preaching/teaching ministry of The Chapel.


What is a distinctive? What does this mean for members of Cape Bible Chapel?

Doctrinal distinctives seek to provide further understanding on specific biblical positions of a local church on what they believe the scripture clearly communicates. Therefore, the “What We Believe” statements as well as our “Doctrinal Distinctives” lay out what we believe is clear from scripture and what will be theologically taught at Cape Bible Chapel. The elders realize that theological unity enhances our unity in the local body as we serve Christ together.


One of the requirements of becoming an elder in 1 Timothy 3 is to be “apt to teach.” Therefore, an individual who desires to become an elder at Cape Bible Chapel must be in complete agreement to both the “What we Believe” and “Doctrinal Distinctive” documents to be considered for the office of an elder at Cape Bible Chapel.


However, becoming a member does not force an individual to endorse every theological position or distinctive, but it does mean that each member will not seek to create disunity or division in the body over their personal theological differences. These statements of our belief will also regulate what will be taught throughout all ministries of The Chapel.


1. Biblical Interpretation of Scripture (literal, grammatical, historical interpretation):

Every biblical text has only one unchangeable meaning determined solely by the intent of the human author and ultimately the Holy Spirit. That meaning is expressed in letters, words, and grammar. However, Scripture’s meaning can be difficult at times to understand and therefore misunderstood, so it requires careful exegesis. Exegesis means “to draw out of.” Therefore, exegeting scripture is the careful analysis of a text within its context drawing out the meaning derived from the text itself in order to carefully apply for today.  


We seek to determine the meaning of every passage in Scripture by interpreting it literally, which simply means we follow the normal rules of interpreting any literature. We examine the language, grammar, words, culture, geography, and history in a process called the grammatical-historical method. There are figures of speech, allegories, symbols, and word pictures in the Bible just as exist in other literature. But as with other literature, we interpret the Bible in its simplest, most literal sense, unless there is authorial and contextual evidence not to do so. (2 Tim. 2:15)


2. Expository Preaching:

Expositional preaching is focused on making the main point of a biblical text or passage the main point of the sermon. It focuses on understanding a biblical text within its context and applying its meaning for today. The exposition and explanation of God’s word is one of the ways God has called the local church to grow its members into mature saints. Therefore, it is our aim to regularly teach through the Scripture expositionally during our time of corporate worship to reflect both the O.T. and N.T. style of teaching, explanation, and application of Scripture. Expository preaching reflects The Chapel’s commitment to the inspiration and sufficiency of Scripture and a commitment to a literal interpretation through a systematic approach to preaching through Scripture. (2 Peter 3:15-16; 1 Tim. 4:13-16; 2 Tim. 2:15; Deut. 1:1, 5; Neh. 8:1-8; Matt. 4:23; Luke 4:14-16, 20, 31, 44; 6:6; 13:10; John 18:20; 1 Thess. 5:27; cf. Col. 4:16)


A high view of Scripture compels us to believe and teach the straightforward statements of Scripture about controversial contemporary issues—even when a literal reading of Scripture disagrees with prevailing views, whether secular or Christian. The following is not a complete catalog of such issues but rather merely representative of how a high view of Scripture must inform our thinking.


3. Sufficiency of Scripture in Biblical Discipleship/Counseling:

We believe that God has provided us in the Scripture with everything necessary to nurture and sustain spiritual life. That means we are committed to teaching and discipling/counseling directly and exclusively from the Word of God. We do not believe that secular psychology has any legitimate role in the sanctification of the believer. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Ps. 19:7; 119:9,11; John 15:3; 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 5:14; 2 Tim. 4:2; James 1:21)


4. Creation:

We believe that the creation of the universe from nothing is neither allegory nor myth but a literal, historical event. The existence of all things is the result of the direct, immediate, creative acts of the triune God over six literal days (Genesis 1). Humanity—body and soul/spirit—was created by a direct work of God. Humans did not evolve from previously existing forms of life. The entire human race descended from the historical Adam and Eve, the first parents of the entire human race. (Genesis 1–2; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16–17; Gen. 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23,31; Ex. 31:17; Is. 44:24; 45:18; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6)


5. Election:

We believe and teach that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:4-11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Pet. 1:1-2).


We believe and teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezek. 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Rom. 9:22-23; 2 Thess. 2:10-12; Rev. 22:17). Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith, and all who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48).


We believe and teach that the unmerited favor God grants to totally depraved sinners in election is unconditional (Rom. 9:10-18; Eph. 1:4). That is, it is not conditioned on or related to any human initiative or to God’s anticipation of what they might do by their own will (Matt. 11:21) but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy (Eph. 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Pet. 1:2).


We believe and teach that election is not based merely on sovereignty in an abstract sense, as if God chooses in isolation from all that He is. God is truly sovereign, but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Rom. 9:11-16). A proper understanding of divine sovereignty in election will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character, as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:25-28; 2 Tim. 1:9).


6. The Church, Its Membership and Discipline:


The Church:

We believe and teach that the church is a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age (Eph. 2:11-3:6). The church is distinct from Israel (1 Cor. 10:32), a mystery not revealed until this age (Eph. 3:1-6; 5:32).


We believe and teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1) and that the members of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (1 Cor. 11:18-20; Heb. 10:25).


Local Church Membership:

We believe the Scripture communicates the necessity of church membership within the local church. Believers are commanded to fulfill the “one-another” principles within the context of the local church. (John 13:34-35; Gal. 5:13; 6:1-2, 10; Rom. 12:10,16;16:16; 1 Cor. 12:25-26; Heb. 3:13; 10:19-25; 1 Thess. 5:11; 4:18; Eph. 4:32; 5:21, 30; Col. 3:16; James 5:16)


A believer’s responsibility to the Elders of the church also communicates the necessity of church membership. (Heb. 13:7, 17) Shepherds in the church have been called to care for a particular flock in a particular place. An Elder will stand accountable for his service to a particular flock before Christ. (1 Peter 5:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:12-13)


From the beginning of the Church on the Day of Pentecost the church began recognizing those who were added to the church and saw a difference between those who were “in” and those who were “outside” the church. (Acts 2:41-47; 5:14; 1 Cor. 5:9-13; 1 Tim. 1:18-20)


The reality of Christian accountability necessitates membership. Matthew 18:15-17 must be understood in the context of local church membership. The church is called to monitor the purity of the church and its members so that the testimony of Christ will be upheld.


Church Discipline/Restoration: 

Any member caught in unrepentant sin, shall be subject to the admonition of the elders and the discipline of the church, according to the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15–17 and the example of scripture. Church discipline, then, should ordinarily be contemplated after individual private admonition has failed. Church discipline is God’s rescue mission for members of the church who are caught in sin. The goal of the discipline of a member is to restore their relationship with God and others by seeking to address unrepentant sin in order that the testimony of Christ is upheld in the church and community. (Gal. 6:1) – (The biblical process of church discipline is covered in our starting point class for those interested in joining The Chapel membership.)


7. Cessationism:

The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the Church through which the members serve one another and the world. Some of those gifts were temporary and are no longer given today. Some revelatory gifts such as words of knowledge, tongues, and interpretation were critical when the Church was without the written New Testament. Other foundational gifts, such as healing and raising from the dead, were used to confirm and validate the ministry of the apostles as the authentic founders of the Church (Hebrews 2:1–4; Acts 2:22; Mark 16:14–18; Matthew 10:8; 1 Corinthians 13:82 Corinthians 12:12)


We believe and teach that there were two kinds of gifts given to the early church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporality in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostle’ message: and ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary.


We believe and teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today, but that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted. In addition, we believe and teach that the gift of prophecy (in the sense of receiving new revelation directly from God), the gift of tongues, and the gift of the interpretation of tongues have all ceased. However, we acknowledge that miraculous gifts can be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers. The only gifts in operation today are the non-revelatory, equipping gifts given for edification. (Heb. 2:3-4; 2 Cor. 12:12; 1 Cor. 13:8-12; Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7-9; 2 Cor. 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15; 1 Cor. 13:13-14:12; Rev. 13:13-14; Rom. 12:6-8)


We believe that the gift of tongues was the miraculous, God-given capacity to communicate the truth of God's Word in human languages the speaker had never learned or studied. It was a manifestation of God's power and blessing to validate the gospel message the Apostles taught and to establish the early church. We believe that ecstatic outbursts and private prayer languages share nothing in common with the New Testament gift of tongues, and that they are unbiblical. (Acts 2:4-12; 8:15-17; 10:44-46; 19:1-7; Acts 14:3; 1 Cor. 14:22; 2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 14:5,13,27)

 

8. The Last Things:


The Rapture of the Church:

We believe and teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven-year tribulation (1 Thess. 4:16; Titus 2:13) to translate His church from this earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:15-5:11) and, between this event and His glorious second coming with His saints, to reward believers according to their works (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).


The Tribulation Period:

We believe and teach that immediately following the removal of the church from the earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18) the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; 12:1; 2 Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 16), and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matt. 24:27-31; 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 2:7-12). At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged (Dan. 12:2-3; Rev. 20:4-6). This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27; Matt. 24:15-31; 25:31-46)


The Second Coming and Millennial Reign: We believe in the imminent, pre-tribulational, premillennial return of Christ for His Church. At that moment the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies, and the living in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without tasting death. All believers shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the tribulation, the seventieth week of Daniel. (Daniel 9:25–27; Matthew 24:29–31; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:1–4, 6)


We believe at the end of the tribulation Christ will return physically to earth to render judgment and inaugurate the one-thousand-year millennial kingdom. Christ will establish Himself as King, sitting on the throne of David, as the nation of Israel is saved and restored to their land.


The millennium will be a time of peace, joy, righteousness, obedience, holiness, truth and fullness of the Holy Spirit. Satan will be bound during this time but released at the end when he leads a rebellion against Christ, only to be defeated and judged. As the millennium concludes, the unsaved dead of all ages are resurrected and judged at the great white throne. Following this, God will create new heavens and a new earth. (Psalm 24; Isaiah 9:3-7; 11:1-10; 32; 35; 61:7-10; 65; 66; Daniel 12:2-3; Joel 2:28-29; Micah 4:1-4; Zechariah 12:10-14; 14:4-21; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 1:32-33; Romans 11:25-27; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28; Revelation 19:11-21; 20-22)


9. Social Justice:


See below for a brief Biblical understanding of some of the social issues of our day.

SOCIAL ISSUES

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.

Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

 

… that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

holding fast to the word of life … Philippians 2:15-16a

 

Like the culture in Philippi in Paul’s day, we live in a crooked and twisted generation that continues to become more and more secular and godless as the days go by. Being watchful, we need to be aware of the false teachings our society is throwing at us. However, awareness is not enough. To be lights in this dark world, we also must courageously stand firm on the sufficient, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God.  As we function as light, we are to do so in love, not in anger or hatred.

 

A few of the prominent false teachings we are facing today are Critical Theory/Critical Race Theory, the Social Justice Movement, and the LGBTQ+ Movement.  The elders stand firmly against these and want to provide you with a brief biblical understanding so you can more effectively be a Gospel light in our fast-changing culture.  Much more could be said, but our goal is to give you a solid starting point so that you are not deceived.

 

Biblical Foundations:

  1. God is to be loved and honored above all else, and His Word is to be recognized as the supreme authority in our lives and basis for our beliefs and choices. (Matthew 22:37; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 1:1-2)
  2. God commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. We must show compassion and kindness to others like the Good Samaritan, who showed personal love to the man left beaten and suffering. All believers must treat every human being as made in God’s image and therefore worthy of respect. (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 22:39; James 3:9)
  3. Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor doctrines of the church (Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 4:6).


Cape Bible Chapel is called to faithfully teach Scriptural truths so we can become more like Christ, love one another, and not tear down one another. We are called to glorify God and be ambassadors for Christ to a lost world. We have a message of hope for all people, not just for this life, but for eternity.  

    1. We recognize the ideologies of Critical Theory and Critical Race Theory as anti-biblical, seeing people groups as either oppressed or oppressors. They presuppose that people are defined by their class, race, gender, or sexual identity rather than by their individual acts and attitudes. These theories cause division by placing guilt on groups rather than the individual. All racist behavior is sin but cannot condemn all white people or all black people or other groups as racist. God says each individual is important and will individually give an account. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
    2. Our identity is in Christ, not in an ethnic or social class or status. Through faith in Christ, we are reconciled to God and to each other. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28). We reject partiality because of ethnicity or socio-economic status or gender. “If you show partiality, you are committing sin.” (James 2:9). 

    1. In the Scriptures, we see God loves justice and calls us to do justice and to protect the least in our society (Isaiah 61:8a, Micah 6:8, Jeremiah 22:3a, James 1:27, Matthew 25:34-40). Biblical justice can be defined by the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and the two greatest commandments, to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-39). One author describes this godly justice as “living in right relationship with God and others; giving people their due as image-bearers of God.”
    2. The church as the Body of Christ is called to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23); preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2); declare the Gospel to a lost and dying world (Mark 13:10); and build up fellow believers in the faith (Hebrews 10:24-25), all of which will have an impact on our society. The Chapel’s mission statement reenforces these truths: “Cape Bible Chapel exists to be a gospel-centered community of worshippers on mission to make and multiply disciples of Christ in our neighborhoods, among the nations, and of the next generation.” In addition, each of us as followers of Christ are called to strive for biblical justice (Micah 6:8). Some ways we can do this are by voting, voicing concerns, and acting to alleviate injustices in this world in a lawful, respectful manner, never promoting hatred or violence toward those in authority (Titus 3:1-2).
    3. The Social Justice Movement redefines “justice” as: “Deconstructing traditional systems and structures deemed to be oppressive and redistributing power and resources from oppressors to their victims in the pursuit of equality of outcome.” (Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice by Scott David Allen). The movement is contrary to biblical Christianity and is characterized by power, privilege, oppression, and victimization. It focuses on identity markers such as class, race, gender, and sexual orientation, and it opposes the natural family and traditional sexuality. This movement has fully embraced the Critical Race Theory and demands equal outcomes not equal opportunities.
    4. The organization Black Lives Matter is a key player in the Social Justice Movement. While all black lives definitely matter, this organization is secular, atheistic, driven by a Marxist philosophy of class division (Critical Race Theory) designed to stir up hatred and violence. Also, the previously published doctrinal statement of Black Lives Matter promoted and defended sinful lifestyles such as homosexuality and transgenderism and attacked the biblical nuclear family. They also stand against some of the God ordained authorities within our society.
    5. There are other groups that are not part of the Social Justice Movement but promote hatred and violence which is directly contrary to the biblical mandate to show compassion, love, kindness, and dignity to everyone as image bearers of God. These are white supremacy groups (KKK, Proud Boys, etc.), Antifa, anti-Semitic organizations, and others that encourage hatred and violence toward individuals or other groups. These organizations and movements should be opposed prayerfully, peacefully, and lovingly.

    1. In this unbiblical movement, man’s identity is not rooted in the biblical concept of being made male and female in the image of God. Instead, individuals are encouraged to embrace their own chosen sexual identities instead of their God given biological ones. Proponents of the LGBTQ+ Movement accept all gender identities and encourage a variety of sexual behaviors that fall outside of biblical teaching. This is detrimental to not only individuals but also two of the basic foundations of our society, the family and the Church.
    2. Scripture teaches that the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union.(Genesis 2:23-25, Matthew 19:4-6).
    3. God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman (Hebrews 13:4).
    4. Any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God (1 Corinthians 6:18-19, Galatians 5:19-21).

For additional information on a biblical view of masculinity and femininity The Chapel affirms the Danvers Statement.


For additional information on a biblical view of sexuality The Chapel affirms the Nashville Statement.