Doctrinal Statement
MAJOR DOCTRINES
BIBLIOLOGY
I believe in the verbal plenary inerrant inspiration of scripture (Every word God-breathed and kept free from error - 2 Tim. 3:16-17). God revealed His plan and purpose to man in the 66 books of the cannon (39 Old Test. & 27 New Test.). The writings were kept free from inconsistencies and contradictions in the original manuscripts by the Holy Spirit, even though human authors with individual writing styles were used to pen the books (2 Peter 1:20-21). The word of God is the final authority in faith and life. (Ps. 119:105, 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
THEOLOGY PROPER
I believe that God exists and I reject Atheism, Agnosticism, Evolution, Polytheism, Pantheism, and Deism in every form. God is a self existent (Exo. 3:14) spirit (John 4:24). He is immutable (Mal. 3:6) in His being, perfections, purposes, and promises. God is one numerically (Deut. 6:4) and in His essence, yet three in His persons (1 Cor. 11:3). God is truth meaning that He, not only can be trusted (Num. 6:23-19), but He is the source of all truth (John 14:1-2). God is love (John 4:8), not an emotional impulsive love, but an agape love that is a volitional choice. God is holy, set apart from moral evil and sin (Lev. 11:44-45), and set apart from His created creatures, exalted above them in infinite majesty (Isa. 57:15). God is eternal, not limited or bound by time, having no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2). God is immense, transcending spacial limitations, yet present in every point in space with His whole being (1 Kings 8:27). God is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-12). God is omniscient, knowing all things that exist in actuality (Psalm 139:1-4), knowing all things that could have been (Matt. 11:21), and all things future. God is omnipotent (Psalm 115:3), preserving the universe and is able to do whatever he wills, realizing that His will is limited by His nature (Heb. 6:18). One God exists in three persons - Father (1 Cor. 8:6), Son (Heb. 1:8-10) , and Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4). The three persons have distinct relationships, yet are equal in authority (Zech. 13:7 w/ 1 Cor. 11:3). God is sovereign, doing as He pleases, having both a directive and permissive will.
CHRISTOLOGY
I believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead and is, like the Father, eternal (having no beginning or end) (Jn. 1:1-2). He has life in Himself; it is not a derived life, but He is life (Jn. 8:58, Heb. 1:8). Jesus Christ was born of an actual virgin, having a true body of flesh and blood and a human soul and spirit through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:34-35). Jesus Christ is God, not simply God-like, but possesses the whole fullness of attributes which make God, God (Phil. 2:6). Jesus Christ is omniscient (John 2:25), omnipotent (Matt. 28:18), immutable (Heb. 13:8), and although His humanity is localized in Heaven, in His deity, He is omnipresent (John 14:23, Eph. 3:17, Col. 1:27, Rev. 3:20). When Christ came to earth, he took on a human nature (Phil 2:7) and He remains fully God and fully man. The two natures are united without loss of any essential attributes. The two natures cannot lose a single attribute or else it would destroy either the deity or humanity of Christ. As a man Christ could represent man and die as a man (Isa. 53:3-6), and as God, his death would have infinite value, sufficient enough to provide redemption for the sins of the whole world (Jn. 1:29). The death of Christ brought about a substitution (dying for and in place of us, (Matt. 20:28, 1 Tim. 2:6), redemption (having been bought with a price, 1 Cor. 6:20), propitiation (Romans 3:25, a sin offering that satisfied the demands of a righteous God), forgiveness (Col. 2:13), and Justification (Rom. 5:1). Christ fulfilled the offices of prophet (Acts 3:22-23), priest (Heb. 7:25-27), and king (Rev. 1:5, 19:16). Today Christ intercedes for the believers before the Father, waiting to one day return to set up His eternal kingdom on earth. When Christ “emptied Himself”, it was not of His deity. Christ merely surrendered the independent exercise of some of His powers. I believe in the impeccability of Christ (that he could not have sinned for He had no sin nature), but the purpose of the temptation was to show that he could not sin. (Phil. 2:7-8).
PNEUMATOLOGY
I believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. He possesses intellect (1 Cor. 2:10), knowledge (1 Cor. 2:11), a mind (Rom. 8:27), emotions (Eph 4:30), and a will (Acts 16:6). The Holy Spirit teaches (John 14:26), testifies of Christ (John 15:26), guides believers into truth (John 16:13), convicts (John 16:8), and commands (Acts 13:2). The Holy Spirit can be blasphemed, grieved, resisted (Acts 7:51), lied to, and of course, obeyed. The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4) and is eternal (Heb. 9:14). He has the same attributes as the Father and the Son: omniscience (1 Cor. 2:10), omnipotence (Gen. 1:2), omnipresence (John 14:17), eternity (Heb. 9:14), holiness (his very name), love (Gal. 5:22), and truth (John 14:17). His works include creation (Gen. 1:2), generating Christ (Matt. 1:20), inspiration of scripture (2 Pet. 1:20-21), regeneration (Titus 3:5), intercession (Rom 8:26), sanctification (2 Thess. 2:13), helping saints (John 14:16), sealing the believer as a sign of ownership (2 Cor. 1:22, Eph. 1:13), and illuminating the believer (Jn. 16:13-16), resurrecting Christ (Rom 1:4). The Holy Spirit baptizes (places into, immerses) all believers in this age into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13) and indwells all believers in this age at the point of salvation (Acts 2:41, 19:2, Eph. 1:13). The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the body for the edification of the body (1 Cor. 12:11, Eph. 4:12). Finally, the Holy spirit is spoken of as “proceeding from the Father and the Son” (John 15:26). This does not indicate subordination of the spirit to the other members of the Tri-unity, but an order of authority set up in the God-head (1 Cor. 11:3 w/ Phil. 2:6).
ANGELOLOGY
I believe that Angels are spirit beings that were created by God simultaneously and innumerable in number (Heb. 12:22). Angels have no physical bodies, yet are a higher order than man (Heb. 2:7). There are many different types of spirit beings, each with different ministries: Angels (Heb. 13:2), Cherubim (Ezek. 1), Seraphim (Isa. 6:2-6), Women (Zech. 5:9), etc. They do not marry or reproduce (Matt. 22:30). Angels’ ministry to believers is that of physical protection (Psalm 34:7), physical provision (1 Kings 19:5-7), encouragement (Acts 27:23-25), and direction (Acts 8:26). I believe Satan, a fallen cherub (Ezek 28:12-14), exists as a person. He is a spirit being that exhibits attributes of personality (Intellect, emotion, and will). Satan now accuses believers before the throne (Rev. 12:10) and schemes to defeat Christians (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan was originally placed in an exalted position and was called the “Anointed cherub”, yet fell as a result of pride (Ezek. 28). Satan is powerful, but restricted by and subordinate to God (Job 2:1-7). Satan will be cast out of Heaven at the mid point of the Tribulation (Rev. 12:7-9), and will give his power to the Antichrist (Rev. 13:4). Satan’s final home will be the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). Satan has many demons and fallen angels which do his bidding (Matt. 12:24-30). They are spirit beings which are powerful, but not omnipotent, and intelligent, but not omniscient. Fallen spirits cannot be redeemed as there is no scriptural evidence of salvation being provided for them in any way. A Christian cannot be possessed by a demon since he is already indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Jn. 2:10). Demons may influence and deceive believers, but through the power of the cross, the power of demons has been conquered (Matt. 8:29-33, James 2:19).
ANTHROPOLOGY
I believe that man was created by God on the 6TH literal day of creation (Gen. 1:26-31). God created man (male and female) as a unique being. Man was created in the image of God (spirit and soul) with a personality, will, moral nature, reason, and conscience (Gen 1:27, Luke 10:27). Scripture makes a distinction between the material (body) and non-material parts of man (soul and spirit - Heb. 4:12, 1 Sam. 16:7).
HAMARTIOLOGY
I believe that Adam and Eve were created without a sin nature, so their bodies, souls, and spirits were not contaminated with a innate desire to sin (Gen. 2:17, 1:31). When they sinned, they died spiritually and passed this spiritual death on to their offspring (Gen. 3:7, Rom. 5:12-17). All are born with a sin nature that is depraved and contaminates their will (Rom. 3:11), intellect (2 Cor. 4:4), conscience (Rom. 1:25-28), heart (Eph. 4:18), and total being (Rom. 1:18-3:20). Sin is the failure to conform to God’s standard (Rom. 3:23), and lawlessness or rebellion against God (1 John 3:4). Sin is imputed or charged to our account because we all sinned in Adam (Rom. 5:12, Heb. 7:9-10). Nothing we do can bring about salvation (Isa. 64:6), but it is far worse than that. The unregenerate have no desire to know the truth of Jehovah God; this is evident in Romans 3:11 where it states that “The one who seeks after God does not even exist”. The unregenerate man is spiritually dead, so to be saved, God must draw him (John 6:44) and create a seeker, making man spiritually alive (Eph. 2:1-5). Man who is regenerated is still capable of sin, but sin has no dominion over him (Rom 6:18, 8:2).
SOTERIOLOGY
I believe that salvation is by the grace of God through faith alone and all of that is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9). man cannot be saved by works. Man must repent of his sins, believe that Jesus is God and that He was crucified (died), buried, and resurrected (Rom. 10:9-10), and then put his trust in Jesus to save him and he will be saved (Acts 16:31).
ECCLESIOLOGY
The functions of the Local assembly are threefold: To worship (serve, fear, and bow down before God - Phil 3:3), to build, instruct, and edify the body (Eph. 4:12-13) through teaching, fellowship, and observing certain ordinances: Baptism (identifying with the death and resurrection of Jesus - Rom. 6:3-5) and the Lord’s Supper (memorial to the body and blood of Jesus - 1 Cor. 11:24-25), and finally evangelizing the lost (sharing the gospel (Mark 16:15).
ESCHATOLOGY
I Believe that there are two possible eternal destinies for man. Saved man will spend eternity with God and with His Son ruling and reigning unto the ages of the ages (Rev. 3:21, 21:3). Unsaved man will spend eternity in the lake of fire which was prepared for the Devil and his angels (Rev. 20:15). There will be various degrees of punishment (Matt. 11:22).
SECONDARY ISSUES
INTERPRETATION
There are several things that must be kept in mind for man to properly interpret and understand scripture. First, the Holy Spirit must illuminate the believer (whereby he is able to comprehend the meaning and impact of scripture) and guide him into the truth (1 Cor. 2:9-14). Second, man must interpret literally (the Bible says what it means and means what it says), realize that progressive revelation is a fact, (revelation is not given all at once), be dispensational in their interpretation (God deals differently with different stewards, in different times, with different laws), and finally interpret in historical and literary context.
HOLY SPIRIT
I believe that the indwelling and baptism of the Holy Spirit are permanent (Jn. 14:16). The filling of the Spirit is merely being led or controlled by the Holy Spirit instead of the flesh. It is a repeated act that is commanded (Eph. 5:18). I believe the “unpardonable sin” of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in Matthew 12:31-32 to be when Christ is present, teaching and performing miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, and someone ascribes his works to the power of Satan, they would be punished both in “this age” (law) and “the age to come” (the millennial reign) - the two times when this sin is possible.
THE CHURCH
I believe that the word ekklasia in the Greek means “a called out group or assembly” and usually refers to the New Testament Church but not always (Acts 7:38, Matt. 18:17, 16:18). Some references refer to a local church or congregation (Acts 8:1), and some refer to the universal church (1 Cor. 12:13). Context will determine which. The Church universal is made up of all men, women, and children in this present “Church Age” (Acts 1:5 w/2:1-11) who have put their trust in Jesus as Savior and have consequently been baptized (placed into) the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). The Church is the Bride and Christ is the Husband (Eph. 5:23, 25); the Church is the Body and Christ is the head (Col. 1:18); the Church is the building and Christ is the Chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20); and the Church is the flock and Jesus is the Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4). The Church is made up of Jews and Gentiles (1 Cor. 12:13, Acts 28:28) and is and remains a separate entity from Israel (Acts 15:14-17). The Church is not the Kingdom, for this is a Jewish Kingdom (Matt. 10:6-7). The Church age is a brief interlude in the time frame of the “Jewish 70 weeks of Daniel” (Acts 15:14-16). God turned His program, after the 69TH week, from the Jews to the Gentiles for a time. At the appointed time (which no one knows), God will turn again to His Jewish people for the last “week” - the tribulation. The Church age, which was a mystery and not revealed until Paul (Eph. 3:1-9), began on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit began baptizing (Acts 11:15, 1:5), and will continue until the rapture of the Church just before the Tribulation (2 Thess 2:1-8). The Church has several officers or leaders. An Elder is one who is a spiritually mature and respected member of the assembly (Titus 1:5-6, 1 Pet. 5:1-4). An Overseer is one who watches over the church like a shepherd (1 Tim. 3:1-7). Quite possibly elders and overseers can be used interchangeably, the first stressing the dignity of the office and the second emphasizing the work (Acts 20:17 w/ 28). Deacons and Deaconesses are to care for the physical needs of the congregation. They are, just as their name means: servants (1 Tim. 3:8-13).
2 PERSPECTIVES OF SALVATION
I Believe the word of God presents salvation from 2 different perspectives. Often there seems to be contradictions which can be easily understood by realizing what the perspectives are and what purpose they serve. First, is the perspective of the unregenerate who knows nothing about the plan of salvation and needs a Savior. God sends the Holy Spirit to convict of sin and opens their eyes to see their need (1 Cor. 2:14, Eph. 2:5). They then need a message that can be shared with them; one that tells of the Savior and how to reach that Savior. The entire book of John is written for this purpose (Jn. 20:30-31). That message is the good news of the power of God to bring about salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16). Once man is saved, however, God reveals His side of the story. He tells how the believer is chosen by God from before the foundation of the world to be saved (Eph. 1:4, Rev. 13:8, 17:8). This election was not because of any worthiness or ability in man (Eph. 2:8-9), nor was it because God saw who would believe (Titus 3:5) and chose us because we would choose Him. This is Biblically inaccurate (2 Thess. 2:13, Jn. 15:16). It is God who began the work of effacacious grace through the Holy Spirit and will also complete it (1 Thess. 5:24, Phil. 1:6). In God’s eyes, His work that He planned before the world began will be completed and none that He has chosen will be lost. They are eternally secure in their salvation (Jn. 6:37-44). Eternal life is just that…eternal. It is all the work of God.
STEP BY STEP PROCESS OF SALVATION
1. God elected some to be saved from before the foundation of the world according to His own purpose (Eph. 1:4, 6, 12, 14; 2 Tim. 1:9) and wrote their names in the Lambs Book of Life (Rev. 17:8, Luke 10:20).
2. God predestined the elect to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), and Christ to shed His blood and die on the cross for sins (Acts 21:22-23, 4:27-28).
3. God created innocent man and gave him a choice (Gen. 2:16-17).
4. Man fell and sin nature was passed upon all men (Rom. 5:12).
5. God reveals Himself to all men through an innate knowledge, through nature (Rom. 1:19-20) and through the general calling and enlightenment by the word (Jn. 1:7-9, 12:32, Matt. 22:14).
6. All men reject this message of Christ and twist their knowledge of God because their totally depraved natures dictate that they do so (Rom. 1:21-25).
7. God sends the Holy Spirit to work efficacious grace in the elect. The Holy Spirit calls and draws the elect (Jn. 6:44), opens his eyes, makes him alive (regeneration), and through the preaching of the word, the man believes and is saved (2 Tim. 2:10, Titus 3:5-7). None of the elect are lost in the process (Jn. 6:37).
8. God gives those who are not elect over to their “unapproved thinking” (Rom. 1:26-28, Jn. 6:65, 8:43, 12:39-40, 2 Tim 3:7). There is no injustice with God (Rom. 9:11-24).
9. Those who believe (the elect) are saved through the shed blood and sacrificial death of Jesus (1 Pet. 1:18-21, Heb. 9:11-13), redeemed (Bought out of the slave market of sin - Gal. 3:13, 1 Cor. 6:20), reconciled (Brought into communion with God - 2 Cor. 5:18-19), forgiven (Col. 2:13), justified (The demands of the law have been met - Rom. 5:9), regenerated (Life imparted - John 3:3), positionally sanctified (Made holy - Heb. 2:11, 1 Cor. 1:2), baptized (placed into) the body of Christ (Only applicable for Church age - 1 Cor. 12:13, Acts 1:5), indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-18), and adopted (Placed as sons - Rom. 8:15-17).
10. Believers receive a new nature which is free from the power and penalty of sin (2 Cor. 5:17, 2 Pet. 1:4, Rom. 6:6-14), but may still sin because of the presence of the old nature (1 Cor. 10:13, 5:11). The Christian life remains a struggle between the old nature (flesh) and the new nature. Complete sanctification will be realized when the Christian receives his new body (1 Cor. 15:50-54, 1 Jn. 3:2).
11. Saved man is kept and sealed by the Holy Spirit and cannot lose his salvation (Jn. 10:28, 6:37, Rev. 3:5, 2 Tim 2:13).
12. God uses believers to evangelize (Bear witness to the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the power of God to bring about salvation through His Son) the world, bringing about His eternal plan (Rom. 10:14-15, Acts 1:8).
DISPENSATIONALISM
I believe in a dispensational view of scripture , beginning with “Innocence” (creation to the fall), “Conscience” (fall to the flood), “Human Government” (flood to the giving of the law to Moses), “Law” (Moses to the cross - Col. 2:14), (Promise was added to the Law - Gal. 3:18-19), “Church” (Pentecost to the rapture), “Tribulation” (Revealing of the Antichrist - 2 Thess. 2:8 to the second coming/battle of Armageddon - Rev. 19:11ff), Millennial Kingdom (1,000 years - Rev. 20:1-7), “eternal state” (ages of the ages - Rev. 21:22). The next event is the rapture of the Church to be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16-17). No man knows the time that this will happen, but it could be anytime (Rev. 22:20, James 5:8). We will be changed and receive new bodies which will be forever be without sin (1 Cor 15:50-54). After the Rapture, the Church will stand before God at the bema seat (Rom. 14:10, I Cor. 3:13), to have our works judged as to whether they were good or worthless (2 Cor. 5:10). During this time, a 7 year tribulation will be upon the earth (Dan. 9:27, Rev 4-18). This will be for the purification of Israel (Rev. 7:14, 12:6, Matt. 24:21, Rom. 11:25), and the judgment of God on the Antichrist (Rev. 19:20, Dan. 9:27), and those who follow him (Rev. 9:4). At the mid point of the Tribulation, Satan will be cast out of Heaven (Rev. 12:7-9) and will give his authority to the Antichrist (Rev. 13:4), who will, in turn, break a covenant made with Israel (Rev. 12:6), set up the Abomination of Desolation, and turn his wrath on the Jewish people (Rev. 24:15-21). At the end of the 7 years, the Antichrist, under the power of Satan will gather the nations of the world together to wage war on Christ Himself (Rev. 15:13-14). Christ will come and utterly destroy His foes and set up His Kingdom (Rev. 20). Satan will be bound for the 1,000 years of the kingdom (Rev. 20:2, 7) then loosed to gather an army to march down on Jerusalem where Christ will be ruling. This is the Battle of Gog and Magog (Rev. 20:8-9). Christ will destroy Satan and his army in this final battle (Rev. 20:10) and then judge the world at the Great White Throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). There will then be a renovation of the old heaven and earth (2 Pet. 3:7, 12). God will then tabernacle with men in the New Jerusalem which will come down out of Heaven (Rev. 21:1-3).
BIBLIOLOGY
I believe in the verbal plenary inerrant inspiration of scripture (Every word God-breathed and kept free from error - 2 Tim. 3:16-17). God revealed His plan and purpose to man in the 66 books of the cannon (39 Old Test. & 27 New Test.). The writings were kept free from inconsistencies and contradictions in the original manuscripts by the Holy Spirit, even though human authors with individual writing styles were used to pen the books (2 Peter 1:20-21). The word of God is the final authority in faith and life. (Ps. 119:105, 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
THEOLOGY PROPER
I believe that God exists and I reject Atheism, Agnosticism, Evolution, Polytheism, Pantheism, and Deism in every form. God is a self existent (Exo. 3:14) spirit (John 4:24). He is immutable (Mal. 3:6) in His being, perfections, purposes, and promises. God is one numerically (Deut. 6:4) and in His essence, yet three in His persons (1 Cor. 11:3). God is truth meaning that He, not only can be trusted (Num. 6:23-19), but He is the source of all truth (John 14:1-2). God is love (John 4:8), not an emotional impulsive love, but an agape love that is a volitional choice. God is holy, set apart from moral evil and sin (Lev. 11:44-45), and set apart from His created creatures, exalted above them in infinite majesty (Isa. 57:15). God is eternal, not limited or bound by time, having no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2). God is immense, transcending spacial limitations, yet present in every point in space with His whole being (1 Kings 8:27). God is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-12). God is omniscient, knowing all things that exist in actuality (Psalm 139:1-4), knowing all things that could have been (Matt. 11:21), and all things future. God is omnipotent (Psalm 115:3), preserving the universe and is able to do whatever he wills, realizing that His will is limited by His nature (Heb. 6:18). One God exists in three persons - Father (1 Cor. 8:6), Son (Heb. 1:8-10) , and Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4). The three persons have distinct relationships, yet are equal in authority (Zech. 13:7 w/ 1 Cor. 11:3). God is sovereign, doing as He pleases, having both a directive and permissive will.
CHRISTOLOGY
I believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead and is, like the Father, eternal (having no beginning or end) (Jn. 1:1-2). He has life in Himself; it is not a derived life, but He is life (Jn. 8:58, Heb. 1:8). Jesus Christ was born of an actual virgin, having a true body of flesh and blood and a human soul and spirit through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:34-35). Jesus Christ is God, not simply God-like, but possesses the whole fullness of attributes which make God, God (Phil. 2:6). Jesus Christ is omniscient (John 2:25), omnipotent (Matt. 28:18), immutable (Heb. 13:8), and although His humanity is localized in Heaven, in His deity, He is omnipresent (John 14:23, Eph. 3:17, Col. 1:27, Rev. 3:20). When Christ came to earth, he took on a human nature (Phil 2:7) and He remains fully God and fully man. The two natures are united without loss of any essential attributes. The two natures cannot lose a single attribute or else it would destroy either the deity or humanity of Christ. As a man Christ could represent man and die as a man (Isa. 53:3-6), and as God, his death would have infinite value, sufficient enough to provide redemption for the sins of the whole world (Jn. 1:29). The death of Christ brought about a substitution (dying for and in place of us, (Matt. 20:28, 1 Tim. 2:6), redemption (having been bought with a price, 1 Cor. 6:20), propitiation (Romans 3:25, a sin offering that satisfied the demands of a righteous God), forgiveness (Col. 2:13), and Justification (Rom. 5:1). Christ fulfilled the offices of prophet (Acts 3:22-23), priest (Heb. 7:25-27), and king (Rev. 1:5, 19:16). Today Christ intercedes for the believers before the Father, waiting to one day return to set up His eternal kingdom on earth. When Christ “emptied Himself”, it was not of His deity. Christ merely surrendered the independent exercise of some of His powers. I believe in the impeccability of Christ (that he could not have sinned for He had no sin nature), but the purpose of the temptation was to show that he could not sin. (Phil. 2:7-8).
PNEUMATOLOGY
I believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. He possesses intellect (1 Cor. 2:10), knowledge (1 Cor. 2:11), a mind (Rom. 8:27), emotions (Eph 4:30), and a will (Acts 16:6). The Holy Spirit teaches (John 14:26), testifies of Christ (John 15:26), guides believers into truth (John 16:13), convicts (John 16:8), and commands (Acts 13:2). The Holy Spirit can be blasphemed, grieved, resisted (Acts 7:51), lied to, and of course, obeyed. The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4) and is eternal (Heb. 9:14). He has the same attributes as the Father and the Son: omniscience (1 Cor. 2:10), omnipotence (Gen. 1:2), omnipresence (John 14:17), eternity (Heb. 9:14), holiness (his very name), love (Gal. 5:22), and truth (John 14:17). His works include creation (Gen. 1:2), generating Christ (Matt. 1:20), inspiration of scripture (2 Pet. 1:20-21), regeneration (Titus 3:5), intercession (Rom 8:26), sanctification (2 Thess. 2:13), helping saints (John 14:16), sealing the believer as a sign of ownership (2 Cor. 1:22, Eph. 1:13), and illuminating the believer (Jn. 16:13-16), resurrecting Christ (Rom 1:4). The Holy Spirit baptizes (places into, immerses) all believers in this age into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13) and indwells all believers in this age at the point of salvation (Acts 2:41, 19:2, Eph. 1:13). The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the body for the edification of the body (1 Cor. 12:11, Eph. 4:12). Finally, the Holy spirit is spoken of as “proceeding from the Father and the Son” (John 15:26). This does not indicate subordination of the spirit to the other members of the Tri-unity, but an order of authority set up in the God-head (1 Cor. 11:3 w/ Phil. 2:6).
ANGELOLOGY
I believe that Angels are spirit beings that were created by God simultaneously and innumerable in number (Heb. 12:22). Angels have no physical bodies, yet are a higher order than man (Heb. 2:7). There are many different types of spirit beings, each with different ministries: Angels (Heb. 13:2), Cherubim (Ezek. 1), Seraphim (Isa. 6:2-6), Women (Zech. 5:9), etc. They do not marry or reproduce (Matt. 22:30). Angels’ ministry to believers is that of physical protection (Psalm 34:7), physical provision (1 Kings 19:5-7), encouragement (Acts 27:23-25), and direction (Acts 8:26). I believe Satan, a fallen cherub (Ezek 28:12-14), exists as a person. He is a spirit being that exhibits attributes of personality (Intellect, emotion, and will). Satan now accuses believers before the throne (Rev. 12:10) and schemes to defeat Christians (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan was originally placed in an exalted position and was called the “Anointed cherub”, yet fell as a result of pride (Ezek. 28). Satan is powerful, but restricted by and subordinate to God (Job 2:1-7). Satan will be cast out of Heaven at the mid point of the Tribulation (Rev. 12:7-9), and will give his power to the Antichrist (Rev. 13:4). Satan’s final home will be the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). Satan has many demons and fallen angels which do his bidding (Matt. 12:24-30). They are spirit beings which are powerful, but not omnipotent, and intelligent, but not omniscient. Fallen spirits cannot be redeemed as there is no scriptural evidence of salvation being provided for them in any way. A Christian cannot be possessed by a demon since he is already indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Jn. 2:10). Demons may influence and deceive believers, but through the power of the cross, the power of demons has been conquered (Matt. 8:29-33, James 2:19).
ANTHROPOLOGY
I believe that man was created by God on the 6TH literal day of creation (Gen. 1:26-31). God created man (male and female) as a unique being. Man was created in the image of God (spirit and soul) with a personality, will, moral nature, reason, and conscience (Gen 1:27, Luke 10:27). Scripture makes a distinction between the material (body) and non-material parts of man (soul and spirit - Heb. 4:12, 1 Sam. 16:7).
HAMARTIOLOGY
I believe that Adam and Eve were created without a sin nature, so their bodies, souls, and spirits were not contaminated with a innate desire to sin (Gen. 2:17, 1:31). When they sinned, they died spiritually and passed this spiritual death on to their offspring (Gen. 3:7, Rom. 5:12-17). All are born with a sin nature that is depraved and contaminates their will (Rom. 3:11), intellect (2 Cor. 4:4), conscience (Rom. 1:25-28), heart (Eph. 4:18), and total being (Rom. 1:18-3:20). Sin is the failure to conform to God’s standard (Rom. 3:23), and lawlessness or rebellion against God (1 John 3:4). Sin is imputed or charged to our account because we all sinned in Adam (Rom. 5:12, Heb. 7:9-10). Nothing we do can bring about salvation (Isa. 64:6), but it is far worse than that. The unregenerate have no desire to know the truth of Jehovah God; this is evident in Romans 3:11 where it states that “The one who seeks after God does not even exist”. The unregenerate man is spiritually dead, so to be saved, God must draw him (John 6:44) and create a seeker, making man spiritually alive (Eph. 2:1-5). Man who is regenerated is still capable of sin, but sin has no dominion over him (Rom 6:18, 8:2).
SOTERIOLOGY
I believe that salvation is by the grace of God through faith alone and all of that is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9). man cannot be saved by works. Man must repent of his sins, believe that Jesus is God and that He was crucified (died), buried, and resurrected (Rom. 10:9-10), and then put his trust in Jesus to save him and he will be saved (Acts 16:31).
ECCLESIOLOGY
The functions of the Local assembly are threefold: To worship (serve, fear, and bow down before God - Phil 3:3), to build, instruct, and edify the body (Eph. 4:12-13) through teaching, fellowship, and observing certain ordinances: Baptism (identifying with the death and resurrection of Jesus - Rom. 6:3-5) and the Lord’s Supper (memorial to the body and blood of Jesus - 1 Cor. 11:24-25), and finally evangelizing the lost (sharing the gospel (Mark 16:15).
ESCHATOLOGY
I Believe that there are two possible eternal destinies for man. Saved man will spend eternity with God and with His Son ruling and reigning unto the ages of the ages (Rev. 3:21, 21:3). Unsaved man will spend eternity in the lake of fire which was prepared for the Devil and his angels (Rev. 20:15). There will be various degrees of punishment (Matt. 11:22).
SECONDARY ISSUES
INTERPRETATION
There are several things that must be kept in mind for man to properly interpret and understand scripture. First, the Holy Spirit must illuminate the believer (whereby he is able to comprehend the meaning and impact of scripture) and guide him into the truth (1 Cor. 2:9-14). Second, man must interpret literally (the Bible says what it means and means what it says), realize that progressive revelation is a fact, (revelation is not given all at once), be dispensational in their interpretation (God deals differently with different stewards, in different times, with different laws), and finally interpret in historical and literary context.
HOLY SPIRIT
I believe that the indwelling and baptism of the Holy Spirit are permanent (Jn. 14:16). The filling of the Spirit is merely being led or controlled by the Holy Spirit instead of the flesh. It is a repeated act that is commanded (Eph. 5:18). I believe the “unpardonable sin” of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in Matthew 12:31-32 to be when Christ is present, teaching and performing miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, and someone ascribes his works to the power of Satan, they would be punished both in “this age” (law) and “the age to come” (the millennial reign) - the two times when this sin is possible.
THE CHURCH
I believe that the word ekklasia in the Greek means “a called out group or assembly” and usually refers to the New Testament Church but not always (Acts 7:38, Matt. 18:17, 16:18). Some references refer to a local church or congregation (Acts 8:1), and some refer to the universal church (1 Cor. 12:13). Context will determine which. The Church universal is made up of all men, women, and children in this present “Church Age” (Acts 1:5 w/2:1-11) who have put their trust in Jesus as Savior and have consequently been baptized (placed into) the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). The Church is the Bride and Christ is the Husband (Eph. 5:23, 25); the Church is the Body and Christ is the head (Col. 1:18); the Church is the building and Christ is the Chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20); and the Church is the flock and Jesus is the Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4). The Church is made up of Jews and Gentiles (1 Cor. 12:13, Acts 28:28) and is and remains a separate entity from Israel (Acts 15:14-17). The Church is not the Kingdom, for this is a Jewish Kingdom (Matt. 10:6-7). The Church age is a brief interlude in the time frame of the “Jewish 70 weeks of Daniel” (Acts 15:14-16). God turned His program, after the 69TH week, from the Jews to the Gentiles for a time. At the appointed time (which no one knows), God will turn again to His Jewish people for the last “week” - the tribulation. The Church age, which was a mystery and not revealed until Paul (Eph. 3:1-9), began on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit began baptizing (Acts 11:15, 1:5), and will continue until the rapture of the Church just before the Tribulation (2 Thess 2:1-8). The Church has several officers or leaders. An Elder is one who is a spiritually mature and respected member of the assembly (Titus 1:5-6, 1 Pet. 5:1-4). An Overseer is one who watches over the church like a shepherd (1 Tim. 3:1-7). Quite possibly elders and overseers can be used interchangeably, the first stressing the dignity of the office and the second emphasizing the work (Acts 20:17 w/ 28). Deacons and Deaconesses are to care for the physical needs of the congregation. They are, just as their name means: servants (1 Tim. 3:8-13).
2 PERSPECTIVES OF SALVATION
I Believe the word of God presents salvation from 2 different perspectives. Often there seems to be contradictions which can be easily understood by realizing what the perspectives are and what purpose they serve. First, is the perspective of the unregenerate who knows nothing about the plan of salvation and needs a Savior. God sends the Holy Spirit to convict of sin and opens their eyes to see their need (1 Cor. 2:14, Eph. 2:5). They then need a message that can be shared with them; one that tells of the Savior and how to reach that Savior. The entire book of John is written for this purpose (Jn. 20:30-31). That message is the good news of the power of God to bring about salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16). Once man is saved, however, God reveals His side of the story. He tells how the believer is chosen by God from before the foundation of the world to be saved (Eph. 1:4, Rev. 13:8, 17:8). This election was not because of any worthiness or ability in man (Eph. 2:8-9), nor was it because God saw who would believe (Titus 3:5) and chose us because we would choose Him. This is Biblically inaccurate (2 Thess. 2:13, Jn. 15:16). It is God who began the work of effacacious grace through the Holy Spirit and will also complete it (1 Thess. 5:24, Phil. 1:6). In God’s eyes, His work that He planned before the world began will be completed and none that He has chosen will be lost. They are eternally secure in their salvation (Jn. 6:37-44). Eternal life is just that…eternal. It is all the work of God.
STEP BY STEP PROCESS OF SALVATION
1. God elected some to be saved from before the foundation of the world according to His own purpose (Eph. 1:4, 6, 12, 14; 2 Tim. 1:9) and wrote their names in the Lambs Book of Life (Rev. 17:8, Luke 10:20).
2. God predestined the elect to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), and Christ to shed His blood and die on the cross for sins (Acts 21:22-23, 4:27-28).
3. God created innocent man and gave him a choice (Gen. 2:16-17).
4. Man fell and sin nature was passed upon all men (Rom. 5:12).
5. God reveals Himself to all men through an innate knowledge, through nature (Rom. 1:19-20) and through the general calling and enlightenment by the word (Jn. 1:7-9, 12:32, Matt. 22:14).
6. All men reject this message of Christ and twist their knowledge of God because their totally depraved natures dictate that they do so (Rom. 1:21-25).
7. God sends the Holy Spirit to work efficacious grace in the elect. The Holy Spirit calls and draws the elect (Jn. 6:44), opens his eyes, makes him alive (regeneration), and through the preaching of the word, the man believes and is saved (2 Tim. 2:10, Titus 3:5-7). None of the elect are lost in the process (Jn. 6:37).
8. God gives those who are not elect over to their “unapproved thinking” (Rom. 1:26-28, Jn. 6:65, 8:43, 12:39-40, 2 Tim 3:7). There is no injustice with God (Rom. 9:11-24).
9. Those who believe (the elect) are saved through the shed blood and sacrificial death of Jesus (1 Pet. 1:18-21, Heb. 9:11-13), redeemed (Bought out of the slave market of sin - Gal. 3:13, 1 Cor. 6:20), reconciled (Brought into communion with God - 2 Cor. 5:18-19), forgiven (Col. 2:13), justified (The demands of the law have been met - Rom. 5:9), regenerated (Life imparted - John 3:3), positionally sanctified (Made holy - Heb. 2:11, 1 Cor. 1:2), baptized (placed into) the body of Christ (Only applicable for Church age - 1 Cor. 12:13, Acts 1:5), indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-18), and adopted (Placed as sons - Rom. 8:15-17).
10. Believers receive a new nature which is free from the power and penalty of sin (2 Cor. 5:17, 2 Pet. 1:4, Rom. 6:6-14), but may still sin because of the presence of the old nature (1 Cor. 10:13, 5:11). The Christian life remains a struggle between the old nature (flesh) and the new nature. Complete sanctification will be realized when the Christian receives his new body (1 Cor. 15:50-54, 1 Jn. 3:2).
11. Saved man is kept and sealed by the Holy Spirit and cannot lose his salvation (Jn. 10:28, 6:37, Rev. 3:5, 2 Tim 2:13).
12. God uses believers to evangelize (Bear witness to the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the power of God to bring about salvation through His Son) the world, bringing about His eternal plan (Rom. 10:14-15, Acts 1:8).
DISPENSATIONALISM
I believe in a dispensational view of scripture , beginning with “Innocence” (creation to the fall), “Conscience” (fall to the flood), “Human Government” (flood to the giving of the law to Moses), “Law” (Moses to the cross - Col. 2:14), (Promise was added to the Law - Gal. 3:18-19), “Church” (Pentecost to the rapture), “Tribulation” (Revealing of the Antichrist - 2 Thess. 2:8 to the second coming/battle of Armageddon - Rev. 19:11ff), Millennial Kingdom (1,000 years - Rev. 20:1-7), “eternal state” (ages of the ages - Rev. 21:22). The next event is the rapture of the Church to be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16-17). No man knows the time that this will happen, but it could be anytime (Rev. 22:20, James 5:8). We will be changed and receive new bodies which will be forever be without sin (1 Cor 15:50-54). After the Rapture, the Church will stand before God at the bema seat (Rom. 14:10, I Cor. 3:13), to have our works judged as to whether they were good or worthless (2 Cor. 5:10). During this time, a 7 year tribulation will be upon the earth (Dan. 9:27, Rev 4-18). This will be for the purification of Israel (Rev. 7:14, 12:6, Matt. 24:21, Rom. 11:25), and the judgment of God on the Antichrist (Rev. 19:20, Dan. 9:27), and those who follow him (Rev. 9:4). At the mid point of the Tribulation, Satan will be cast out of Heaven (Rev. 12:7-9) and will give his authority to the Antichrist (Rev. 13:4), who will, in turn, break a covenant made with Israel (Rev. 12:6), set up the Abomination of Desolation, and turn his wrath on the Jewish people (Rev. 24:15-21). At the end of the 7 years, the Antichrist, under the power of Satan will gather the nations of the world together to wage war on Christ Himself (Rev. 15:13-14). Christ will come and utterly destroy His foes and set up His Kingdom (Rev. 20). Satan will be bound for the 1,000 years of the kingdom (Rev. 20:2, 7) then loosed to gather an army to march down on Jerusalem where Christ will be ruling. This is the Battle of Gog and Magog (Rev. 20:8-9). Christ will destroy Satan and his army in this final battle (Rev. 20:10) and then judge the world at the Great White Throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). There will then be a renovation of the old heaven and earth (2 Pet. 3:7, 12). God will then tabernacle with men in the New Jerusalem which will come down out of Heaven (Rev. 21:1-3).