Maplewood Bible Chapel
 
History
 
“It only takes a spark to start a fire on the hearth.” The spark in the 1920’s that became Maplewood Bible Chapel began as a deep desire to honor God and His Son Jesus Christ in worship and ministry to the residents of the Maplewood area. Meetings began in Maplewood center in a rental facility. We later built at the present location and upon its completion moved in on May 1, 1938. The spark continues as a warm, hospitable fellowship of believers from various backgrounds united in Jesus Christ.
 
Leadership
 
We believe that the Bible teaches leadership by multiple elders in the local church. We are committed to this team concept of leadership. Each elder is appointed as a spiritual overseer to serve as a model and to function as a shepherd for the church. Together, the elders direct the overall ministry and affairs of the church.
 
Principles & Philosophy
 
Maplewood Bible Chapel is an independent church centered upon the teaching of the Word of God and committed to the development of mature Christians; the proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; and ministry to the needs of those in fellowship. In order to establish a more “closely knit” church family, it is not our aim to strive primarily for numerical increase. Instead, the quality of fellowship in Christ is most important to Him and to us as we work to develop committed individuals and strong Christian families.
 
Doctrinal Statement
 
1. We believe in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as inspired of God and without error in the original writings.
2. We believe in One God eternally existing in three equal persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe that God the Son became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit to be born of the Virgin Mary; and who is true God and true man.
4. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins as a substitutionary sacrifice and that He, physically, bodily, rose from the grave after three days according to the scriptures.
5. We believe in the personal, bodily, visible, pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ.
6. We believe that whoever by faith receives Jesus Christ as his or her Savior becomes a child of God. This relationship is not the result of human effort or merit, but solely through God’s grace.
7. We believe that all true believers are kept eternally secure by the power of God through the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit; and the intercession of Jesus Christ, as taught in Holy Scripture.