What We Believe

I.              The Doctrine of the Bible (Bibliology)

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God.  The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and, therefore, are the sole and final authority for faith and practice.  The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man.  The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning.  We believe that the original language Texts which have been Providentially preserved are the Old Testament Traditional Masoretic Hebrew Text that underlies the King James Bible, and the New Testament Traditional Greek Text (Textus Receptus) that underlies the King James Bible and that God has divinely preserved His Word for English speaking people in the King James Version of the Bible.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Psalm 12:6-7, Psalm 119:89, Matthew 5:18)

A.   Revelation – is that act of God by which He directly communicates truth not known before to the human mind.  Revelation discovers new truth, while inspiration superintends the communicating of that truth.  God has completed His revelation.  There is no new revelation of God today.  (1 Corinthians 13:10, Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18-19)

B.   Inspiration – literally means, “God-breathed”.  Inspiration is the breath of God expressing Itself through a chosen instrument, a human personality.  It is God speaking through men, and the Scriptures are therefore just as much the Word of God as though God spoke every single word of it with His own lips.  Inspiration is claimed for the original autographs (autographa), not for translating or copy (apographa).  (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

C.   Verbal means that inspiration extends to the very words themselves.  (Matthew 4:4, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, Matthew 5:18)

D.   Plenary means that inspiration extends to all parts of the Scripture, or Scripture in its entirety.  (2 Timothy 3:16)

E.   Inerrant means that when all the facts are known, and proper hermeneutical principles are applied, the Scriptures are wholly true in everything that they affirm, whether that affirmation has to do with doctrine, morality, history, or science.  Inerrancy is a necessary and logical deduction from the biblical teaching on inspiration.  (John 17:17, Titus 1:2, Psalm 33:4, 2 Timothy 3:16)

F.    Infallibility – The Word of God is not only without error, but is incapable of having error, due to the character and promises of God. (Psalm 12:6-7, Romans 3:4, Titus 1:2)

G.   Authoritative – God is the final authority for all mankind.  Since Jesus Christ was the full revelation of God, then Christ is the final authority.  His authority proceeds from His very nature, Who He is.  The same can be said about Scripture.  Since God is the final authority, the Bible must be the final authority because the Bible is the Word of God.  The two cannot be separated.  (John 1:1, 2 Timothy 3:15, John 14:9, 17:2; Matthew 11:27, 28:18; Colossians 2:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:16-19)

H.   Illumination – is the supernatural gift granted by the Spirit of God to the reader of Holy Scripture to enable him to lay hold on the divine message.  It is a divine action upon the mind of man.  It is God enlightening the Scripture to the reader.  The Holy Spirit is the ultimate Author of Scripture through the medium of inspiration.  He is also the ultimate Interpreter.  (Matthew 16:17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, 1 John 2:20, 27, 5:20)

I.      Preservation – God has repeatedly promised in both the Old Testament and the New Testament that He would preserve and keep every one of His Words as given to us in the original Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek texts; that, by His Providential care, God has kept His Word pure down through the ages as he promised.  This preservation extends to the King James Bible for English speaking people. (Psalm 12:6-7, 105:8, 119:11, 89, 152, 160, Matthew 5:17-18, 1 Peter 1:23-25)

 II.            The Doctrine of God (Theology)

We believe in one triune God (The Trinity), co-existing and eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.  (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

A.    His Existence – the Scriptures in no way attempt to prove the existence of God.  It is merely assumed and stated as fact.  He proves His existence through nature, the Bible and conscience.  (Psalm 90:2; Psalm 19:1; John 5:39; Romans 1:18-23)

B.   His Attributes – We believe that God has both natural and moral attributes.  The scriptures provide good insight to the believer concerning the attributes of Almighty God.  There is no one that can compare to God.  (Isaiah 40:18, 25)

1.    His Omniscience – This refers to the fact that God knows all things.  He has perfect knowledge.   (Isaiah 40:28; Psalm 147:4-5; Isaiah 55:8-9)

2.    His Omnipotence – This refers to the fact that God is all powerful.  There is nothing too difficult for our God.  (Genesis 18:14; Luke 1:37; Revelation 19:6)

3.    His Omnipresence – This refers to the fact that God is everywhere present.  It is impossible for man to hide from the presence of God.  (Psalm 139:7-13; Hebrews 13:5)

4.    His Eternality – God has no beginning and no end.  He is the Alpha and Omega.  (Revelation 21:6, 22:13)

5.    His Immutability – God never changes.  Unlike mankind God is consistent and stable in His nature.  (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)

6.    His Holiness – The attribute that stands out most prominent throughout the Scriptures is His Holiness.  (Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:16)

7.    His Grace and Mercy – Our God is a gracious and is full of mercy.  Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve and Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve.  Mankind deserves Hell but God in His grace gave His Son.  (Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 136)

8.    His Love – God’s very nature is Love.  He demonstrated His love for mankind by sending His only begotten Son.  (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; I John 4:8)

9.    His Justice – Although God is Love he is also just.  He cannot overlook your sin because He is just.  (Ezra 9:13; Revelation 15:3)

 

III.           The Doctrine of Christ (Christology)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the second person of the God head.  As such He is co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father.  Christ is identical in His very nature because He is God.  Jesus made the claim to be equal with the Father and the Father referred to Him as God.  (John 1:1, 5:18, 10:30, 14:11, 17:5; Hebrews 1:8)

A.   His Incarnation – We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men.  (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8)

B.   His Work – We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the member of the God head responsible for Creation.  We believe the universe was created in six literal, 24-hour periods.  We reject evolution, the Gap Theory and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. (Exodus 20:11; Matthew 19:4-5; John 1:1-4, 14; Colossians 1:16)  During His earthly ministry He performed miracles to demonstrate His power.  He restored sight, made the lame to walk, caused the blind to see, forgave sin and raised the dead.  (Matthew 11:5; Mark 2:5-7)

C.   His Death and Burial – We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross of Calvary as a vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice for all men.  We believe His perfect blood satisfied the demands of a Holy God.  His death was all sufficient and there is nothing to be added to or taken away for mankind to be saved.  We believe that after His death He was buried in a borrowed tomb.  (Genesis 3:15; Matthew 27:27-66; Romans 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; Hebrews 12:23-24; Revelation 19:13)

D.   His Resurrection – We believe that Jesus Christ rose triumphantly from the grave.  He demonstrated His power over sin, death and the devil.  Because of His resurrection we have faith of a future resurrection and it is the cornerstone of our faith.  (Matthew 28:1-10; I Corinthians 15)

E.   His Ascension – Webelieve that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.  (Acts 1:9-10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24; 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2)

 

 IV.          The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the God head.  As such He is co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father.  (John 14:16-18; Acts 5:3-4; I Corinthians 3:16-17)

A.   His Work – We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Person of the Godhead Who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption.  (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14)

B.   His Personality – He has personal characteristics such as intellect and emotions.  (1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 4:30)

C.   His Ministry – We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit.  He is also given the role of comforter (John 14:16; Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20,27)

D.   Equipping Believers with Spiritual Gifts – We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer.  God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry.  (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12)

E.   Sign Gifts – We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy (foretelling as opposed to forth-telling), and the gift of healing, were temporary gifts used during the infant stage of the church age and have ceased.  Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit.  Ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. I reject the unscriptural claims of the various charismatic movements concerning the Holy Spirit.  (1 Corinthians 1:22; 13:8-10; 14:21-22, Hebrews 2:3-4)

 

V.           The Doctrine of Satan

We believe that Satan is a created being.  He was created by God and had a lofty position.  He was filled with pride and wanted to be like the Most High.  He is a fallen angel who was expelled from Heaven when sin was found in him.  He is the author of sin and a catalyst of the Fall of Man.  He is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire.  (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10)

 

VI.          The Doctrine of Man (Anthropology)

The creation of man was a direct act of God almighty and man became a living soul when the breath of life was breathed into his nostrils.  (Genesis 1:26; 2:7)

A.   The Purpose of Man – We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; to enjoy fellowship and co-operation with Him, to have dominion over the earth and every living thing.  (Genesis 1:26-31)

B.   The Nature of Man – We believe that man is a trichotomy.  He has a body, soul and spirit.  God also gave man the ability to reproduce.  (I Thessalonians 5:23; Genesis 4:1-2)

C.   The Fall of Man – Through disobedience he fell, resulting in the loss of fellowship with God, the condemnation of the posterity of the Adamic seed, and the curse upon the creation over which he had dominion.  In Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God.  (Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23)

D.   Man’s Present State – Mankind are born sinners and condemned to death.  We are alienated from God because of our Sin.  We are without excuse and are helpless in any attempt to save ourselves.  The only hope for mankind is the free gift of Salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.  (John 3:18; Romans 10:9-13)

 

VII.         The Doctrine of Sin – (Hamartiology)

A.   The Origin of Sin – Sin originated with Satan and can be defined as any transgression of the Law.  God is a just God and cannot allow sin to go unpunished.  Thankfully, Jesus Christ paid the awful price for sin when He died upon the cross of Calvary.  (Genesis 3:1-12; Isaiah 14:12-17; II Corinthians 5:21)

B.   The Penalty for Sin – Sin results in death.  Both the physical and spiritual death are a result of Sin.  To the lost man, sin has kept him from having a relationship with God.  (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27; James 1:15; Revelation 20:11-15)

C.   Sin and the Saved Man – The saved man is saved from the penalty of sin but not the presence of sin.  When we sin we break fellowship with God and cannot have the communion with Him that he desires.  We have the promise of forgiveness and restoration through confession to our Advocate – Jesus Christ.  If sin is not confessed and dealt with it will lead to God’s hand of chastening upon us.  If we do not respond to the chastening of God the result may be death.  (I John 1:5-2:2; Psalm 66:18; Hebrews 12:4-11; I Corinthians 11:30)

 

VIII.       The Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology)

We believe that salvation is the free gift of God brought to all man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins.  This gift is available to all mankind and I reject the tenants of Calvinism.  Without salvation man will die and spend eternity in the Lake of Fire (Romans 10:9-17; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-21; Revelation 20:11-15)

A.   The mode of Salvation – Man is saved when he believes the Gospel message and places his complete faith and trust in the finished work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary.  There must be a recognition of one’s lost condition and need for the Saviour.  The Word of God is the source of faith required for Salvation.  (Acts 16:31; Romans 5:12, 19-21; 10:17)

B.   The Miracle of Salvation – Salvation is the miracle of the new birth.  We are born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible.  Man’s eternal destination is changed in an instant and he becomes a new creature.  (John 3:1-7; I Peter 1:23; II Corinthians 5:17)

C.   The Blessings of Salvation – Man has peace with God and his fellowship is restored.  We enter into the family of God and are declared just.  We become joint heirs with Jesus.  We have the promise of eternal security and a future home in Heaven.  (Romans 5:1; 8:17;  I John 1:7; Galatians 4:5-7; I Peter 1:3-5; John 14:1-3)

 

IX.          The Doctrine of The Church (Ecclesiology)

A.   We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is a New Testament institution, unknown to the Old Testament prophets and established by Jesus Christ.  Jesus is its sole Head and the church is made up of born-again, scripturally baptized persons who have voluntarily joined themselves together to carry out the Great Commission.  (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27)

B.   We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures.  (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)

C.   We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control.  (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

D.   We recognize water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper as the sole Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this dispensation.  (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:8; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)

E.  We believe there are two offices in the local church.  That of Pastor and Deacon.  The requirements for each office are set forth in the scriptures and must be adhered to.  (I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9)

 F.    We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us.  (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20)

G.   We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to financially support his local church.  I believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving.  I believe the work of God is to be financed by the people of God.  (Genesis 14:20; Exodus 36:3-7; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-12; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

H.   We believe in both personal and ecclesiastical separation and that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Saviour or Church.  God commands His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations, and to refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances.  (Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11)

 

X.           The Doctrine of Future Things (Eschatology)

We believe that the scriptures, concerning future things, should be interpreted literally and contextually.  I believe the rapture is pre-tribulation and pre-millennial and that it is the next event on God’s prophetic calendar.

A.   The Rapture of the Church – We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ, Who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation period.  (I Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; Titus 2:13; II Peter 3:1-13; Revelation 3:10)

B.   The Judgment Seat of Christ – We believe that every born again believer will stand before Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account for their life.  This judgment will not be to determine our salvation for that has been settled.  It will however, reveal our works and what sort they are.  This truth should motivate the believer to Godly living.  (I Corinthians 3:10-15; II Corinthians 5:10-13

C.   The Marriage of The Lamb – Immediately following the Judgment the bride of Christ (the Church) will be united with the bridegroom (Christ).  (Revelation 19:7-9)

D.   The Tribulation – Once Christ raptures the church the seven year tribulation period will begin as prophesied by Daniel.  It is during this time that God pours out his wrath and judgment upon the earth.  In general the judgment will be upon the ungodly and in particular it is upon Israel.  (Daniel 9:26-27; Revelation 6-19)

E.   The Second Advent of Christ – At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally, bodily, and visibly return with His saints, to judge the living nations, and establish His earthly Messianic Millennial Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel.  His foot will touch down on the Mount of Olives and the Battle of Armageddon will be fought where God will defeat the world powers.  (Psalm 89:3-4; Daniel 2:31-45; Zechariah 14:4-11; Matthew 25:31-34Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6)

F.    The White Throne Judgment – It is here that the lost will be judged.  They will be judged because they never trusted Christ as their personal Saviour.  Their names are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  The Bible says that they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.  They will be separated from God for all eternity and will suffer greatly.  This is the saddest judgment recorded in the Word of God.  (Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 22:13; 25:41; Mark 9:42-48)

G.   The Eternal State – After the millennial reign and The White Throne Judgment God will create a new heaven and a new earth.  For all eternity the redeemed will dwell in the presence of God Almighty.  (II Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21-22)