The Holy Scriptures
I fully believe and accept the writings of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God. These writings, being the very Word of God are authoritative, infallible and inerrant. The Scriptures are authoritative in that they are the words of a sovereign and almighty God, and are to be believed and obeyed (Exodus 24:3; Deuteronomy 29:29; Luke 11:28, 16:27-31). The Word of God is infallible in that it is a sure and reliable guide in all matters of faith and practice and whatever other issues it addresses (Psalm 12:6, 93:5; Joshua 1:8). The Word of God is inerrant in that it is free from all falsehood or mistake; entirely true and trustworthy in all of its assertions (Psalm 18:30, 19:7-9; John 17:17).
The Holy Scriptures were given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). Inspiration is God’s superintending control of the human author in such a way that the human author, without loss of his own individuality, composes and records without error, in the words of the original autographs, God’s revelation to man. The person of the Godhead directly involved in this process is the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). The original autographs can be ascertained from the available manuscripts with great accuracy. No essential element of the Christian faith is affected by the absence of the original autographs; and this absence in no way renders the assertion of biblical inerrancy invalid or irrelevant.
The Holy Scriptures are both progressive and closed. They are progressive in that as each book was written throughout history, further revelation was given to man regarding the nature of God and His plan of salvation for man through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:10-12). The Holy Scriptures are closed in that there is no further revelation being given for this present evil age as is made clear by the warning issued in Revelation 22:18-19.
The Triune Godhead
I believe that the nature of God is that of a Trinity. God exists and functions simultaneously as three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:13-17).
The Creation
I believe that God created everything in a literal six day, twenty four hour day period by speaking it into existence (Genesis 1:31-2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Hebrews 11:3).
The Nature of Man
I believe that God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). This means God created man with intellect, emotion and will; so as to exist on a physical, psychological and spiritual level (Luke 2:52; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). This original condition enabled man to enjoy a positive and personal relationship with God and his fellow man.
The Plan of Salvation
I believe God’s plan of salvation consists of God’s loving response to the fallen condition of man. This lost standing is the result of Adam’s disobedience to the command of God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-7). Humanity’s alienation consists of a sinful nature that is spiritually dead; rendering man no longer capable of having a positive and personal relationship with God (Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 8:7). In regard to man’s interaction with his fellow man; a certain degree of beneficial relationship can exist due to the image of God remaining in man; in spite of it being marred and scarred by sin. Nevertheless, the horizontal realm of man is overwhemingly undermined and adversely affected by sin (Romans 3:9-18). I believe God’s plan of salvation is designed to restore that positive and personal relationship between God and man as well as between man and his fellow man (Matthew 22:35-40; Colossians 3:10-11; Romans 13:8-10).
The Person and Life of Jesus Christ
I believe that God’s plan of salvation requires the fulfillment of a redemptive purpose which only God Himself could carry out. As a result, the Second Person of the Triune God took upon Himself sinless humanity without ceasing to be God. Simply put, God the Son became God the Man (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9). He then lived a sinless life here on earth in order to qualify as the only One who could fulfill God’s redemptive purpose on behalf of a lost and fallen human race (Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:14-16, 9:11-12).
The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ
I believe the death of Jesus Christ, by means of His shed blood, fulfills the redemptive purpose of God in that it pays the penalty of sin for our fallen human race to an unlimited extent (1 Timothy 2:6; 2 Peter 2:1; Colossians 2:13-15). In addition, the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead fulfills the redemptive purpose of God in that it vindicates the person of Jesus Christ and validates the death of Christ (John 10:11-18; Acts 2:23-36; Romans 1:1-4). I believe the ascension of Jesus Christ fulfills the redemptive purpose of God in that it makes Him a perfect High Priest on our behalf (Hebrews 7:23-28).
The Requirement of Repentance and Faith
I believe that in order to personally experience God’s plan of salvation, every individual must make a decision to exercise repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15). Isaiah 53:6 describes the posture of fallen humanity as having turned its back on God. In order to experience God’s plan of salvation, of necessity, we must turn back toward God. This requires a change of mind which then positions an individual to come to Jesus Christ and place their faith in Him in order to receive the forgiveness of sin and eternal life, as a free gift of God’s grace, that only He can provide (Ephesians 1:7; John 3:16). When this requirement is genuinely met, a gradual and progressive change of behavior will be the inevitable result (Ephesians 2:8-10, 5:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:19). In other words, I believe that the relationship between conversion to Christ and a changed lifestyle is that of cause and effect (Luke 3:7-14; Acts 26:19-20).
The Church
I believe the fulfillment of God’s redemptive purpose through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ has established a New Covenant in which the people of God are to live and serve (Ephesians 2:11-12). The collective existence of God’s people on earth under the New Covenant is the Church, the body of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27).
The Church and Israel
I believe the existence of the Church in replacing Israel as God’s instrument for accomplishing His purpose on earth is temporary in nature (Romans 11:17-29)
The Great Commission
I believe that the temporary nature of the Church as God’s current instrument for fulfilling His purpose on earth is indicative of its unique character and design. It does not exist as a theocracy with geographical borders as Israel did under the Mosaic Covenant. The Church exists as a spiritually organic unity, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 7:15-20, 12:27; Colossians 1:18). It is comprised of individuals who have experienced a conversion to Christ. It is manifested in local fellowships within geographical nations (Acts 15:41, 16:5,16; Revelation 1:4,11,20). I believe this is precisely what Jesus meant when He predicted in Matthew 16:18 — . . . “I will build My church; and the gates of hades will not overpower it.” I also believe that this promise of our Savior to build His church is accompanied by a clear-cut, authoritative mandate for His followers, as to the specific means they must employ, in order to accomplish this all-important task. This mandate is given by our Lord in Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-49, and Acts 1:8. I believe that seeking to build Christ’s church and furthering the cause of Christ by any other means is contrary to the purpose of God for this present evil age (1 Corinthians 3:10-11).
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
I believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit as it pertains to God’s plan of salvation consists of convicting the world of sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:8-11). This occurs in conjunction with the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, whereby the elect are set apart from their unbelief to faith in Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13). At the moment of conversion to Christ, the Holy Spirit regenerates the individual believer (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5). In addition, the Holy Spirit baptizes every believer into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit indwells and seals the new believer until the day of redemption (Romans 8:7; Ephesians 1:13-14). I believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit, as it pertains to the Christian life, is the only source of true spiritual growth, as the Christian yields to His control (Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 5:18). I also believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit, as it pertains to Christian service, is responsible for imparting specific spiritual gifts to every individual Christian for the building up of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-12; Ephesians 4:7-16), as well as the furtherance of the gospel throughout the entire world (Acts 1:8).
The Ordinances
I believe the ordinances given by Christ to be practiced by His church are water baptism by complete immersion (Matthew 28:18-20), and the Lord’s Supper/Table, consisting of a partaking of the bread and cup (1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 11:20-34). The ordinances have no redemptive efficacy whatsoever, but are symbols of spiritual and historical realities. The performance of neither is necessary for salvation, but is a matter of obedience for those who are saved (Acts 8:29-39; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Luke 22:14-20). At the same time, it is equally undeniable that partaking in these ordinances brings a sense of blessing into the life of the Christian (John 13:17)
The Security of the Believer
I believe that once an individual truly experiences justification through faith in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on their behalf, that believer’s glorification is guaranteed (Romans 8:30); making them eternally secure in God’s grace (Romans 4:16).
The Perseverance of the Believer
I believe those who are being preserved by God’s power for a future glorification, will live an earthly life marked by perseverance in the faith (1 Peter 1:5). Those who make a false profession of faith, have not truly been justified by God’s grace. As a result, they are not being preserved by God’s power and will not persevere in the faith (1 John 2:19). Therefore, the relationship between preservation and perseverance is that of cause and effect; with the individual believer’s preservation by God’s power being the cause, and that individual’s perseverance in the faith being the effect.
The Rapture
I believe the Church age will end with an event described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. All true believers throughout Church history, whether dead or alive, will be “caught up” into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and from that point onward forever be with their Savior. The conditions on earth at the time of the Rapture will be negative, not positive (1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 4:1-5). A heresy insidiously prevalent in the church today, denies that this blessed event will even take place. I believe that those true believers who have been deceived by this demonic falsehood must repent of their sin in order to avoid becoming a part of the end time apostasy described in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.
The Tribulation
I believe the Rapture will be followed by a seven year period of God’s judgement upon the earth known as the Tribulation (Daniel 9:24-27). Even though the judgement will be comprehensive over the whole earth and involve the entire human race; the primary purpose of this period in God’s plan is two-fold: (1) to bring the nation of Israel to the point of repentance in regard to their rejection of Jesus as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:9-10; Joel 3:1-17) and (2) to make a final offer of the gospel to everyone alive at that time (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 7:4-17, 14:6-8). Ironically, this will also be the time for the rule and reign of Anti-Christ which will be terminated by the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 13:1-10, 19:11-20).
The Millennial Kingdom
I believe that a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth will serve as a fulfillment of all the promises made to the Jewish people throughout their history regarding a kingdom. (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Zechariah 14:9-11). It will bring an end to the rule of man on earth and usher in the rule of Christ as Israel’s Messiah (Daniel 2:35,44;7:13-14,27; Psalm 2:4-9; Revelation 11:15). The responsibility for establishing a theocratic rule over planet earth rests exclusively with Jesus Christ, who alone is Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Isaiah 11:1-10; Revelations 11:15-17, 19:11-16).
Judgement
I believe in a final judgement for both believers and unbelievers. For the Christian, this will take place at what is known as the Judgement Seat of Christ, in regard to the gain or loss of rewards and not salvation (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). The rewards will be gained or lost on the basis of properly motivated faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:1-5). All believers will have to give an account to God for their life as a Christian and the promise of God is that all believers, to one extent or another, will receive praise from God (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:5).
Judgement for the unbeliever will involve certain condemnation, damnation and eternal punishment in the lake of fire. This is referred to as The Great White Throne Judgement, and will occur immediately after the close of the Millennium and prior to the beginning of the eternal state (Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1).
Angels: Fallen and Holy
I believe God created a countless group of sinless spiritual beings known as angels. Lucifer, the highest in rank, sinned through pride, was judged by God, fell from his sinless state, and became Satan. A group of angels followed him in his rebellion against God and became demons (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; 1 Timothy 3:6; Revelation 12:4). I believe a large number of angels kept their holy state and are before the throne of God as those who worship and serve (Isaiah 6:1-3; Hebrews 1:14). When Satan successfully tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God (Genesis 3:1-7), he gained dominion over the earth and the human race, and became the god of this world (Job 1:6-7; Matthew 4:8-9; John 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19). Satan’s dominion exists under the authority of God who alone is sovereign (Job 1:8-12, 2:1-6). In fulfilling the redemptive purpose of God, Jesus Christ has defeated Satan at the Cross and is progressively reclaiming a fallen human race for Himself (Matthew 12:28-29; John 12:31-32; Ephesians 1:18-23; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:13-14, 2:13-15). The final phase of Christ’s victory over Satan will occur at the end of the Millennium when the devil will be cast into the lake of fire for his eternal punishment (Revelation 20:10). I believe that the primary task of individual Christians, in serving our Savior, consists of going into all the world and sharing the gospel for the purpose of making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18-20). As we do, both individually and collectively in local churches, we will be used by our Lord in the building of His church throughout the world (Matthew 16:18).