Study Center Purpose Statement

Bible Study Center & Library

In God's Providence, He has given us here at First Baptist Church of Clarkston (FBC) an excellent church library that we can use to advance our knowledge and understanding of God's Word. In recognizing that fact, we want to be good stewards of what He has given as well as in having some kind of accountability to assure that we have books that promotes a clearer and accurate understanding of God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15) and godliness of life (Titus 2:11-12). We hereby lay down the following guidelines to meet those principles and begin by renaming it from “The Church library” to “The Bible Study Center & Library” that clearly express our goal and purpose of the library.

1. The Primary goal of any Church library is to increase, improve and enhance our understanding of God's Word. Therefore we will secure the better-tested commentaries, Greek and Hebrew helps, and books on biblical and doctrinal themes which the Bible addresses. (2 Timothy 3:16) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable <for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness”.

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2. Since the truth of God's Word is timeless and never ceases to be relevant for any age and culture, (1 Peter 1:25a) “But the word of the LORD endures forever”. (Isaiah 40:8) “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever”, we will secure books that are more enduring in nature, and avoid those that tend to be 'popular, trendy or faddish.' Than those that have been proven with the test of time.

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3. The Great Commission and Missionary work is vital to the life of any true church of Jesus Christ, (Matthew 28:19-20) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen”. We will secure books that promote and encourage a Biblical view of evangelism and Home and Foreign Missions work, which is three-fold; a) make disciples; b) baptize them; and c) teach them to know and obey the faith. We will avoid books that promote new and better ideas & techniques in evangelism and Missions that have no basis in the Word of God and are contrary to our understanding of the Work of Christ in the salvation of sinners.

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4. We are commanded to edify one another in the faith and be not given to vanity & fables. (1 Timothy 1:4) “nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith”. We will supply books that promote spiritual edification and avoid books that tend to simply 'entertain.' (Ephesians 4:29) no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers”.

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5. Understanding the Faith once delivered and to contend and defend it requires us to know and understand the Faith and be aware of those whose belief systems oppose and undermine our faith. (Jude 3b) “I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”. (1 Peter 3:15) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”. We will supply books on Apologetics and those that deal with the cults, occults and 'ism's' that are contrary to 'the faith' of Jesus Christ. We will also stock Polemic books that deal with errors and misunderstandings of the faith such as the ‘Health and Wealth gospel’, ‘Charismatic' and any other number of doctrinal issues that the body of Christ needs to be aware of, thus developing spiritual discernment within the believer, (Hebrews 5:14) “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”. (1 John 4:1) “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world”.

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6. We are exhorted to follow good and godly examples for our growth in Grace and edification, (1 Corinthians 11:1) “Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ”. (Philippians 3:17) "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk as you have us for a pattern”. We will equip the library with good biographies that promote the above guidelines and encourage all traits of godliness and sound doctrine, (Hebrews 13:7) "Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct”. We will avoid biographies that focus on merely achievements and Christian popularity, but rather focus on those that help us to stand firm in the faith and Christlike character.

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7. There are many themes to which the Bible addresses regarding Christian living. All center on the chief purpose of Christ saving us, to make us holy. The library will have many books that focus upon the subject of holiness, mortification of sin, how to manifest the fruit of the Spirit as well as any other subjects which the Scriptures speak too. We will avoid books that resemble the latest fad and those built on any author's clever originality or creativity and not to sound doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”. (2 Timothy 4:3) “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers”.

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8. With our understanding of the modem evangelical church today and its drift into ‘Pragmatism, User friendly, and Market driven’ concepts of doing Church and Worship, we will inoculate the church from this drift by supplying only books on church ministry and philosophy that can only be supported biblically. (Palms 127:1a) “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it”. Along with a God centered and biblical Worship, (John 4:23b-24) “when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”.

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