Our Name

Salem, Oregon derives its name from the Hebrew word shalom, which is commonly translated "peace," but which encompasses a wider sense of wholeness and completeness. Our hope is that through the ministry of Peace Bible Church, we will be able to bring God's true peace to our city--a peace that comes only through Jesus Christ. Consider these truths from the Scriptures:

• Jesus himself is called "our peace" (Ephesians 2:14), and we are taught that "since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). He has "reconcile[d] to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20).
• Churches are called to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3) as they carry out the work of God, and to "let the peace of Christ rule in [their] hearts" (Colossians 3:15).
• Christians are promised that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Our hope is that through Peace Bible Church we will be able to bring this message of peace to our city that is in great need of it. Although Salem is by its very name the City of Peace, many of our residents do not know Jesus Christ, and so "the way of peace they have not known" (Romans 3:17). 

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" (Isaiah 52:7)

Peace Bible Church is committed to living out the following core values:

• Proclaiming Christ. We want all that we do to focus on Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. We seek to exalt him in our gatherings and in our lives. "Him we proclaim..." (Colossians 1:28)
• Teaching the Bible's Big Story. We want to preach and teach the Scriptures as a unified whole, pointing to Jesus Christ. We see the Bible as having one divine author who worked through many human authors to tell God's story of redemption through Christ. "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27) 
• Welcoming Others. We want to practice Christian hospitality, opening our church and our lives to others in need, that they might thereby be introduced to the kingdom of God. "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God" (Romans 15:7).
• Sharing the Gospel Together. We want to do evangelism in community, sharing the gospel not as a program but as a way of life. We hope to do this together, that we might encourage and equip one another in the process. "...with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel..." (Philippians 1:27)
• Developing a Culture of Discipleship. We want to intentionally help each other to follow Jesus. We want discipling to simultaneously be both deliberate/intentional and organic/unstructured, as spiritual conversations and edifying relationships become a regular part of church life. "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up..." (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

There is nothing more important about a church than what it believes. Peace Bible Church holds to doctrinal positions that are historically Christian, Evangelical, and Baptist. As a Baptist Church, we believe that the Bible is the ultimate authority in all matters of belief and practice. Our doctrinal statement summarizes what we believe the Bible teaches about certain matters of importance to the church. You can find our doctrinal statement by clicking here. 

At Peace Bible Church, we define our relationship to one another through the use of a church covenant, which is a historic and useful practice of Baptist churches. Our covenant establishes the expectations and privileges of being a member of a local church, and helps to guide us as we seek to walk together in unity. You can find our church covenant by clicking here.

Peace Bible Church maintains fellowship with the Harbor Network and the Baptist Network Northwest.

Our sending church is Bethany Baptist Church of Salem, Oregon.