Understanding our Vision, Mission, Values and Beliefs

Our vision is to connect people to the love of God through biblical teaching, loving community, and relational small groups.

The Love of God is painted as all-encompassing, deeply personal, sacrificial, and eternally steadfast.

John 3:16 - Unconditional and infinite love:

Romans 5:8 - Sacrificial love:

Jeremiah 31:3 - Everlasting and Unfailing love:

Psalm 103:13 - Compassionate and Caring love:

Isaiah 43:1-4 - Personal and Intimate love:

1 John 4:7-12 - Transformative love:

Romans 8:38-39 - Comforting and Reassuring love:

Ephesians 2:4-5 - Merciful and Forgiving love:

This love is the foundation for the Christian faith and calls all believers to respond by loving God and loving others.

Our mission is to lead God’s people into an interactive relationship with him that brings about salvation, healing, and freedom which will lead them to empowered service and evangelism.

Define:

Salvation: Biblical salvation is the comprehensive work of God that rescues believers from the penalty, power, and presence of sin through faith in Jesus Christ. (It involves redemption, justification, sanctification and glorification.)

Healing: Biblical healing is a multifaceted concept encompassing: Physical healing, Emotional healing, and Spiritual healing. The Bible portrays God as a compassionate healer who cares for the whole person, providing comprehensive healing that touches every aspect of life.

Freedom: Biblical freedom is about being liberated from sin and its consequences, empowered to live a life of love, service, and righteousness through the grace of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Empowered Service: We are empowered to serve through the Holy Spirit, the example of Jesus Christ, through love, the Spiritual gifts, the word of God, and prayer. These elements work together to empower believers to serve others in a way that reflects God's love and purposes.

Evangelism: Evangelism is the act of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ with the aim of leading others to faith in Him. Evangelism is central to the mission of the Christian church, calling believers to actively share their faith and lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Our core values are worship, teaching, fellowship, unity, and evangelism.

Worship is expressed by _heartfelt praise_____ and through _everyday obedience__.

Teaching is best done through _engaging and interactive methods that cater to diverse learning styles_.

Fellowship is most impactful when _when individuals connect authentically, share experiences, and support one another_.

Unity comes when people __embrace diversity, practice empathy, and work together towards common goals_.

Evangelism is _sharing the transformative message of faith and actively inviting others to join the spiritual journey__.

At FFM, we believe that absolute moral truth exists and it is based on the Holy Bible.

We believe the Bible is the word of God and that God inspired the Biblical writers to write the scriptures.

1.The belief that absolute moral truth exists based on the Holy Bible is a central tenet of Christian theology. According to this view, moral truths are objective, unchanging, and rooted in the nature and character of God as revealed through Scripture. Here are key aspects of this belief and its biblical foundations:

1. God as the Source of Moral Truth:

In Christian theology, God is the ultimate source of moral truth. His nature and character define what is right and wrong.

Psalm 119:160 (ESV): "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever."

This verse emphasizes the eternal and unchanging nature of God’s word.

2. The Ten Commandments:

The Ten Commandments are seen as a clear articulation of absolute moral truths given by God.

Exodus 20:1-17 (ESV): The commandments include directives such as "You shall not murder," "You shall not commit adultery," and "You shall not steal," which are considered universally binding moral principles.

3. The Teachings of Jesus:

Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament reaffirm and expand upon the moral truths found in the Old Testament.

Matthew 5:17-18 (ESV): "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

Jesus confirms the enduring nature of God's moral law.

Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV): "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'"

Jesus summarizes the moral law, grounding it in love for God and neighbor.

4. Moral Absolutes in Scripture:

The Bible contains numerous moral absolutes that are presented as universally applicable and unchanging.

Romans 13:9-10 (ESV): "For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,' and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

Paul reiterates the absolute nature of these commandments, which are rooted in love.

5. The Role of Conscience and the Holy Spirit:

Believers are guided by the Holy Spirit and their conscience, which help them discern and adhere to absolute moral truths.

John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

The Holy Spirit guides believers into understanding and living out God’s truth.

6. Moral Relativism vs. Absolute Truth:

The Bible stands in contrast to moral relativism, asserting that truth is not subjective or situational but is grounded in God’s eternal nature.

Isaiah 5:20 (ESV): "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"

This verse warns against the dangers of moral relativism and the inversion of moral truths.

7. Biblical Justice and Righteousness:

The Bible upholds justice and righteousness as foundational to God’s character and His moral order.

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

This verse encapsulates the biblical call to live according to God's absolute moral standards.

Summary

The belief that absolute moral truth exists based on the Holy Bible includes the following key points:

God as the Source: God’s nature and character are the foundation of moral truth.Ten Commandments: Clear articulation of universal moral principles.Teachings of Jesus: Reaffirmation and expansion of moral truths.Scriptural Absolutes: Numerous unchanging moral directives in the Bible.Guidance of the Holy Spirit: Believers are led into truth by the Holy Spirit.Contrast with Relativism: The Bible opposes moral relativism, asserting absolute truths.Justice and Righteousness: Foundational elements of God’s moral order.

According to Christian theology, these principles underscore the belief in absolute moral truths that are unchanging and universally applicable, grounded in the eternal character of God as revealed through Scripture.

2.The belief that the Bible is the Word of God is a foundational tenet of Christian faith. This doctrine asserts that the Scriptures are divinely inspired, authoritative, and infallible in matters of faith and practice. Here are some key aspects and biblical foundations for this belief:

1. Divine Inspiration:

The Bible is considered to be divinely inspired, meaning that its human authors were guided by the Holy Spirit to write what God intended.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

This passage emphasizes that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for guiding believers.

2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV): "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

This verse underscores that the authors of Scripture were moved by the Holy Spirit to convey God's message.

2. Authority of Scripture:

The Bible is regarded as the ultimate authority for faith and practice, providing guidance for living a life pleasing to God.

Matthew 4:4 (ESV): "But he answered, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Jesus affirms the authority of Scripture as the word of God.

Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

The Bible provides guidance and direction for life.

3. Infallibility and Inerrancy:

Many Christians believe that the Bible is infallible (incapable of leading people astray in matters of faith and practice) and inerrant (without error in its original manuscripts).

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV): "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

This verse supports the belief in the reliability and truthfulness of God's word.

4. Transformative Power:

The Bible is seen as having the power to transform lives, convict of sin, and bring people to faith in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Scripture is described as powerful and able to penetrate the deepest aspects of a person’s being.

5. Jesus and Scripture:

Jesus Christ affirmed the authority of the Scriptures and often referenced them in His teachings.

John 10:35 (ESV): "If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—"

Jesus emphasizes the unbreakable nature of Scripture.

Luke 24:44 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.'"

Jesus affirms the fulfillment of Old Testament Scriptures in His life and ministry.

6. Scripture's Role in the Church:

The Bible plays a central role in the life of the church, guiding its teachings, practices, and mission.

Acts 17:11 (ESV): "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

The early Christians diligently studied the Scriptures to understand and verify the teachings they received.

7. Preservation and Transmission:

Christians believe that God has preserved His word through the ages, ensuring that the message of the Bible remains accessible and reliable.

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

This verse emphasizes the enduring nature of God's word.

Summary

The belief that the Bible is the Word of God encompasses several key aspects:

Divine Inspiration: The Scriptures are inspired by God, written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.Authority: The Bible is the ultimate authority for faith and practice.Infallibility and Inerrancy: The Scriptures are without error and reliable in their teachings.Transformative Power: The Bible has the power to change lives and bring people to faith.Affirmation by Jesus: Jesus affirmed the authority and fulfillment of the Scriptures.Role in the Church: The Bible guides the teachings, practices, and mission of the church.Preservation: God has preserved His word throughout history.

These points underscore the belief that the Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings, but the divinely inspired word of God, providing guidance, truth, and life to those who follow its teachings.

3.The belief that the Bible is the Word of God is a foundational tenet of Christian faith. This doctrine asserts that the Scriptures are divinely inspired, authoritative, and infallible in matters of faith and practice. Here are some key aspects and biblical foundations for this belief: 1. Divine Inspiration: The Bible is considered to be divinely inspired, meaning that its human authors were guided by the Holy Spirit to write what God intended. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." This passage emphasizes that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for guiding believers.2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV): "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." This verse underscores that the authors of Scripture were moved by the Holy Spirit to convey God's message.2. Authority of Scripture: The Bible is regarded as the ultimate authority for faith and practice, providing guidance for living a life pleasing to God. Matthew 4:4 (ESV): "But he answered, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Jesus affirms the authority of Scripture as the word of God.Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The Bible provides guidance and direction for life.3. Infallibility and Inerrancy: Many Christians believe that the Bible is infallible (incapable of leading people astray in matters of faith and practice) and inerrant (without error in its original manuscripts). Proverbs 30:5 (ESV): "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."This verse supports the belief in the reliability and truthfulness of God's word.4. Transformative Power: The Bible is seen as having the power to transform lives, convict of sin, and bring people to faith in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."Scripture is described as powerful and able to penetrate the deepest aspects of a person’s being.5. Jesus and Scripture: Jesus Christ affirmed the authority of the Scriptures and often referenced them in His teachings. John 10:35 (ESV): "If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—" Jesus emphasizes the unbreakable nature of Scripture.Luke 24:44 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.'" Jesus affirms the fulfillment of Old Testament Scriptures in His life and ministry.6. Scripture's Role in the Church: The Bible plays a central role in the life of the church, guiding its teachings, practices, and mission. Acts 17:11 (ESV): "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."The early Christians diligently studied the Scriptures to understand and verify the teachings they received.7. Preservation and Transmission: Christians believe that God has preserved His word through the ages, ensuring that the message of the Bible remains accessible and reliable. Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."This verse emphasizes the enduring nature of God's word.Summary The belief that the Bible is the Word of God encompasses several key aspects: Divine Inspiration: The Scriptures are inspired by God, written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.Authority: The Bible is the ultimate authority for faith and practice.Infallibility and Inerrancy: The Scriptures are without error and reliable in their teachings.Transformative Power: The Bible has the power to change lives and bring people to faith.Affirmation by Jesus: Jesus affirmed the authority and fulfillment of the Scriptures.Role in the Church: The Bible guides the teachings, practices, and mission of the church.Preservation: God has preserved His word throughout history.These points underscore the belief that the Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings, but the divinely inspired word of God, providing guidance, truth, and life to those who follow its teachings. 4o

God inspired the Biblical writers to write the scriptures

ChatGPT The belief that God inspired the biblical writers to compose the Scriptures is foundational to the doctrine of biblical inspiration. This doctrine asserts that although human authors physically wrote the Bible, they did so under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that their writings are the true and authoritative Word of God. Here are key aspects and biblical foundations for this belief: 1. Divine Inspiration of Scripture: The Bible explicitly states that its writings are inspired by God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."This verse emphasizes that all Scripture is "breathed out" by God, highlighting divine inspiration and its usefulness for guiding believers.2. Human Authors Guided by the Holy Spirit: Human authors were moved by the Holy Spirit to write God’s message. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV): "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."This passage indicates that the human authors of Scripture were "carried along" by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that their writings were divinely inspired.3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit played a crucial role in guiding the authors and ensuring the accuracy of their writings. John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide believers into all truth, which includes the inspiration of the Scriptures.4. Infallibility and Inerrancy: The doctrine of inspiration leads to the belief in the infallibility and inerrancy of the Scriptures, meaning they are without error in their original manuscripts and reliable in all they affirm. Proverbs 30:5 (ESV): "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."This verse underscores the trustworthiness and truthfulness of God's Word.5. Scriptural Testimony: Both the Old and New Testaments affirm their divine origin and authority. Psalm 119:160 (ESV): "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever." The psalmist highlights the enduring truth and righteousness of God's Word.1 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV): "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." Paul commends the Thessalonians for recognizing his teachings as the Word of God, not merely human words.6. Jesus’ Affirmation of Scripture: Jesus Christ affirmed the divine authority and inspiration of the Scriptures. Matthew 5:17-18 (ESV): "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."Jesus underscores the permanence and divine authority of the Old Testament Scriptures.7. Use in Teaching and Correction: Inspired Scriptures are vital for teaching, correcting, and training believers. Romans 15:4 (ESV): "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."Paul emphasizes that the Scriptures were written for the instruction and encouragement of believers.Summary The belief that God inspired the biblical writers to write the Scriptures is based on several key points: Divine Inspiration: All Scripture is "breathed out" by God.Guidance by the Holy Spirit: Human authors were guided by the Holy Spirit.Role of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit ensures the truth of the Scriptures.Infallibility and Inerrancy: The Scriptures are without error and trustworthy.Scriptural Testimony: Both Testaments affirm their divine origin.Jesus’ Affirmation: Jesus confirmed the authority of the Scriptures.Use in Teaching: The Scriptures are vital for teaching and guiding believers.These principles underscore the belief that the Bible is not merely a collection of human writings but is the authoritative and inspired Word of God, given to guide, teach, and transform believers.