Distinctives
Our distinctives help to convey the positions, practices, and personality of SVBC. Every local church has distinctives, whether they choose to put them into print or not. We have chosen to articulate and publish our distinctives as a means of candidly informing visitors and potential church members where our church stands on important issues pertaining to church life. We believe this helps people to make a well-informed decision relative to choosing a church home.
Inerrancy
We teach that the Bible in its entirety is wholly inerrant—without error—in everything that it affirms in the original manuscripts. The Bible does not claim to be exhaustive in every field of knowledge but that which it speaks of it is totally inerrant.
Creation
We teach that God spoke creation into being by the Word of His power. He created the heavens and the earth out of nothing (ex nihilo) in six literal twenty-four hour days. We reject every form of evolution and theistic evolution as being contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture.
Expository Preaching
We teach that the ministry of preaching and teaching is preeminent within the local church, and by preaching, we specifically mean expository preaching. Expository preaching can be defined as explaining Holy Scripture by setting forth its meaning, seeking to clarify anything which appears somewhat difficult to understand, and then making appropriate application (cf. Nehemiah 8:8). Our biblical exposition will essentially follow the usual pattern of selecting Bible books, teaching them in a verse-by-verse manner, paying especially close attention to certain key elements of the text for an accurate interpretive understanding, including (but not limited to) geography, historical background, manners and customs, word studies, grammar and syntax, and of course, both the far and near context of each passage. Our church must, through the impact of this particular approach, center its very life and ministry upon the centrality of God’s Word. Biblical exposition will be most prominently featured in our corporate services, but will also be pervasive within all aspects of our regular teaching ministries. The desired result of this crucial aspect of ministry is ultimately the maturing of the saints.
Biblical Eldership
We teach that Jesus Christ is the Head of His Church, and that He mediates His rule in the Church through biblically qualified elders. It is essential that the congregation affirm only those men who aspire, qualify, and faithfully serve in the function of an elder. Elders are commanded to oversee and shepherd the flock, and the congregation is commanded to submit to their loving leadership. The church functions best when the shepherds/elders lead in unanimity and the flock follows submissively.
Tongues and the Sign Gifts
We teach that the sign gifts, including the gift of tongues, were used for a number of purposes in Scripture: (1) to validate the gospel message and (2) to validate God’s messenger. Because the gospel message is contained in the full and sufficient Word of God (66 books), there is no need for sign gifts today. Furthermore, we believe that there are no more apostles nor New Testament prophets today. These offices ceased in the first century when they died.
Homosexuality
We teach that the God-ordained institution of marriage is between one man and one woman only. This is the way God intended marriage to be. All forms of homosexuality are sinful and contrary to the natural instinct that God placed in every man or woman. Those that live in homosexual lifestyles will not inherit the kingdom of God. Homosexuality is a sin that is forgivable if the sinner repents of that sin, turns from the lifestyle, and pursues a new way of life to the glory of God with the enabling grace of God the Holy Spirit.
The Sovereignty of God
We teach that God is absolutely and totally sovereign over everything. That God is sovereign means that He does what He wants, when He wants, with whom He wants, where He wants, all the time. He is always in control and he has ordained everything that happens. Every single event, circumstance, and moment in history has been foreordained by the sovereignty of God.
The Doctrines of Grace
We teach the historic doctrines of grace because these doctrines stem directly from God's Word. We unequivocally affirm the utter sovereignty of God in all things and, with that, the sovereignty of God in the sinner’s salvation. The doctrines of grace could be defined as follows: (1) the radical depravity of man — total inability; (2) the unconditional, unmerited, and undeserved election of God; (3) the definite atonement — particular redemption; (4) the irresistible grace — the sovereign calling of God; and (5) the preservation of the saints — and the perseverance of the saints; (6) the glory of God in everything. The Word of God clearly affirms these foundational principles and thus we boldly and joyfully proclaim them.
Women’s Role in Ministry
We teach that God has created all people in His image and therefore all humans are equal in importance before God. We also believe that God has placed the leadership role of the local church upon the men. Only men can serve as pastors and elders. Only men can preach and teach when the entire assembly is gathered. Women can teach other women and serve in a myriad of ways in the local church, but God has designated the men of the church to lead and serve in a Christ-honoring way.
Counseling & Psychology
We teach that the Bible is wholly sufficient for all of life and godliness. Therefore, the Bible has the answers for any and every problem that may arise. We find our wisdom and counsel from God’s Word and apply it to the specific counseling situation so that the Spirit-indwelt person can implement biblical principles and get to the root of the sin-issue and replace that sin with a Godly and holy virtue. We do not practice psychology, psychotherapy, or so-called "Christian psychology"; we practice biblical counseling.
Corporate Worship
We teach that our goal in our worship services is to glorify God, not to entertain people. We believe that acceptable worship to God comes from an obedient life and a pure heart. Our desire is to direct people’s focus toward God, rather than observing a performance. In order to guard the purity of our worship we invite only spiritually mature and qualified individuals to lead in our services. We believe that a variety of instruments and both traditional and contemporary songs can be utilized to the glory of God. However, we only use hymns, choruses, and songs that are doctrinally sound in their lyrics. We encourage all members of our congregation to exercise biblical deference in regard to issues of personal taste and preference in worship.
Church Membership
We teach that those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and who give clear witness to their salvation and evidence fruit of holiness should publicly be joined to a local church for the following reasons: (1) to be under the leadership and shepherding guidance of the elders; (2) to commit to regularly pray for, give to, and serve in that local church; and (3) to unite with other like-minded believers for the glory of God, the evangelization of the lost, and the maturing of the saved.
Church Restoration
We teach that the local church has the dual responsibilities of encouraging virtue and repressing vice. Jesus Christ commanded the Church to discipline itself following a specific pattern. Discipline should be a normal practice that begins with the loving confrontation of sin, and that first step is primarily the responsibility of the individual believers in the Body (not necessarily the leadership) toward one another. The goal of church discipline is the purity of the Church and the restoration of the sinning believer.
Church Growth
We teach that a church is growing when its members are increasing in their knowledge of God, personal holiness, and obedience to Biblical mandates. Evangelism is not the primary goal of our typical worship services. While we warmly welcome visitors and unbelievers, our focus is on pleasing God as a Church Body. We gather on Sunday for worship and edification, and we scatter during the week to evangelize. Therefore, we do not embrace the modern church growth movement that tends to assess growth in terms of attendance numbers, budgets, and buildings rather than the development of spiritual maturity and fruit.
Inerrancy
We teach that the Bible in its entirety is wholly inerrant—without error—in everything that it affirms in the original manuscripts. The Bible does not claim to be exhaustive in every field of knowledge but that which it speaks of it is totally inerrant.
Creation
We teach that God spoke creation into being by the Word of His power. He created the heavens and the earth out of nothing (ex nihilo) in six literal twenty-four hour days. We reject every form of evolution and theistic evolution as being contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture.
Expository Preaching
We teach that the ministry of preaching and teaching is preeminent within the local church, and by preaching, we specifically mean expository preaching. Expository preaching can be defined as explaining Holy Scripture by setting forth its meaning, seeking to clarify anything which appears somewhat difficult to understand, and then making appropriate application (cf. Nehemiah 8:8). Our biblical exposition will essentially follow the usual pattern of selecting Bible books, teaching them in a verse-by-verse manner, paying especially close attention to certain key elements of the text for an accurate interpretive understanding, including (but not limited to) geography, historical background, manners and customs, word studies, grammar and syntax, and of course, both the far and near context of each passage. Our church must, through the impact of this particular approach, center its very life and ministry upon the centrality of God’s Word. Biblical exposition will be most prominently featured in our corporate services, but will also be pervasive within all aspects of our regular teaching ministries. The desired result of this crucial aspect of ministry is ultimately the maturing of the saints.
Biblical Eldership
We teach that Jesus Christ is the Head of His Church, and that He mediates His rule in the Church through biblically qualified elders. It is essential that the congregation affirm only those men who aspire, qualify, and faithfully serve in the function of an elder. Elders are commanded to oversee and shepherd the flock, and the congregation is commanded to submit to their loving leadership. The church functions best when the shepherds/elders lead in unanimity and the flock follows submissively.
Tongues and the Sign Gifts
We teach that the sign gifts, including the gift of tongues, were used for a number of purposes in Scripture: (1) to validate the gospel message and (2) to validate God’s messenger. Because the gospel message is contained in the full and sufficient Word of God (66 books), there is no need for sign gifts today. Furthermore, we believe that there are no more apostles nor New Testament prophets today. These offices ceased in the first century when they died.
Homosexuality
We teach that the God-ordained institution of marriage is between one man and one woman only. This is the way God intended marriage to be. All forms of homosexuality are sinful and contrary to the natural instinct that God placed in every man or woman. Those that live in homosexual lifestyles will not inherit the kingdom of God. Homosexuality is a sin that is forgivable if the sinner repents of that sin, turns from the lifestyle, and pursues a new way of life to the glory of God with the enabling grace of God the Holy Spirit.
The Sovereignty of God
We teach that God is absolutely and totally sovereign over everything. That God is sovereign means that He does what He wants, when He wants, with whom He wants, where He wants, all the time. He is always in control and he has ordained everything that happens. Every single event, circumstance, and moment in history has been foreordained by the sovereignty of God.
The Doctrines of Grace
We teach the historic doctrines of grace because these doctrines stem directly from God's Word. We unequivocally affirm the utter sovereignty of God in all things and, with that, the sovereignty of God in the sinner’s salvation. The doctrines of grace could be defined as follows: (1) the radical depravity of man — total inability; (2) the unconditional, unmerited, and undeserved election of God; (3) the definite atonement — particular redemption; (4) the irresistible grace — the sovereign calling of God; and (5) the preservation of the saints — and the perseverance of the saints; (6) the glory of God in everything. The Word of God clearly affirms these foundational principles and thus we boldly and joyfully proclaim them.
Women’s Role in Ministry
We teach that God has created all people in His image and therefore all humans are equal in importance before God. We also believe that God has placed the leadership role of the local church upon the men. Only men can serve as pastors and elders. Only men can preach and teach when the entire assembly is gathered. Women can teach other women and serve in a myriad of ways in the local church, but God has designated the men of the church to lead and serve in a Christ-honoring way.
Counseling & Psychology
We teach that the Bible is wholly sufficient for all of life and godliness. Therefore, the Bible has the answers for any and every problem that may arise. We find our wisdom and counsel from God’s Word and apply it to the specific counseling situation so that the Spirit-indwelt person can implement biblical principles and get to the root of the sin-issue and replace that sin with a Godly and holy virtue. We do not practice psychology, psychotherapy, or so-called "Christian psychology"; we practice biblical counseling.
Corporate Worship
We teach that our goal in our worship services is to glorify God, not to entertain people. We believe that acceptable worship to God comes from an obedient life and a pure heart. Our desire is to direct people’s focus toward God, rather than observing a performance. In order to guard the purity of our worship we invite only spiritually mature and qualified individuals to lead in our services. We believe that a variety of instruments and both traditional and contemporary songs can be utilized to the glory of God. However, we only use hymns, choruses, and songs that are doctrinally sound in their lyrics. We encourage all members of our congregation to exercise biblical deference in regard to issues of personal taste and preference in worship.
Church Membership
We teach that those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and who give clear witness to their salvation and evidence fruit of holiness should publicly be joined to a local church for the following reasons: (1) to be under the leadership and shepherding guidance of the elders; (2) to commit to regularly pray for, give to, and serve in that local church; and (3) to unite with other like-minded believers for the glory of God, the evangelization of the lost, and the maturing of the saved.
Church Restoration
We teach that the local church has the dual responsibilities of encouraging virtue and repressing vice. Jesus Christ commanded the Church to discipline itself following a specific pattern. Discipline should be a normal practice that begins with the loving confrontation of sin, and that first step is primarily the responsibility of the individual believers in the Body (not necessarily the leadership) toward one another. The goal of church discipline is the purity of the Church and the restoration of the sinning believer.
Church Growth
We teach that a church is growing when its members are increasing in their knowledge of God, personal holiness, and obedience to Biblical mandates. Evangelism is not the primary goal of our typical worship services. While we warmly welcome visitors and unbelievers, our focus is on pleasing God as a Church Body. We gather on Sunday for worship and edification, and we scatter during the week to evangelize. Therefore, we do not embrace the modern church growth movement that tends to assess growth in terms of attendance numbers, budgets, and buildings rather than the development of spiritual maturity and fruit.