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Doctrinal Statement

BIBLIOLOGY-THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE

I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS GOD’S HOLY WORD. GOD HAS REVEALED HIS TRUTH TO MANKIND BY MEANS OF VERBAL, PLENARY INSPIRATION. THE BIBLE IS COMPLETE AND IS THE ONLY INFALLABLE AUTHORITY IN ALL MATTERS. BELIEVERS CAN UNDERSTAND THE WORD OF GOD BY THE ILLUMINATING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. GOD NOT ONLY GAVE HIS WORD, BUT HAS PRESERVED IT FOR ALL OF ETERNITY. THE KING JAMES VERSION IS GOD’S PERFECTLY PRESERVED WORD IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. (2 TIM. 3:16-17; MATT. 4:4; 24:35; PS. 12:6-7; 119:152&160; 2 PET. 1:19-21; JOHN 16:31)

  1. INSPIRATION- THE BIBLE IS “GOD BREATHED.” I BELIEVE GOD SPOKE THE ENTIRE BIBLE INTO EXISTENCE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE WRITERS OF THE SCRIPTURES CONTRIBUTED ANYTHING TO THIS ONE-TIME PROCESS OTHER THAN ACTING AS SCRIBES UNDER THE MIGHTY POWER AND DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (II TIMOTHY 3:16-17; II PETER 1:21)
  2. VERBAL- THE VERY WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURES ARE INSPIRED OF GOD. THIS COVERS THE THOUGHTS, IDEAS, CONCEPTS, LETTERS, AND EVEN THE PARTS THAT MAKE UP THE LETTERS. (II TIMOTHY 3:16)
  3. PLENARY- THE WORD OF GOD IS FULLY AND EQUALLY INSPIRED THROUGHOUT. THE BIBLE IS INSPIRED FROM GENESIS 1:1 THROUGH REVELATION 22:21. (II TIMOTHY 3:16; PROVERBS 30:5-6)
  4. INERRANT- THE WORD OF GOD IS WITHOUT ERROR IN ANY WAY. (PSALM 19:7-11; II TIMOTHY 3:16-17; PSALM 119:140)
  5. INFALLIBLE- THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT CAPABLE OF ERROR. (MATTHEW 5:17-18; JOHN 10:35; PSALM 19:7-11; PSALM 119:140)
  6. CANONICITY- THE HISTORICAL PROCESS WHEREBY GOD THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT CAUSED HIS PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE WHICH WRITINGS WERE THE VERY WORD OF GOD. THE CANON IS COMPLETE AND CLOSED. IT CONTAINS THE 66 BOOKS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. (PROVERBS 30:5-6; I JOHN 4:6; REVELATION 22:18-19)
  7. INTERPRETATION- THE BIBLE MUST BE INTERPRETED FROM A LITERAL, HISTORICAL, CONTEXTUAL, AND GRAMMATICAL SENSE WITH THE AID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I STAUNCHLY HOLD TO THIS TYPE OF SINGLE HERMENEUTIC. (II CORINTHIANS 4:2; I PETER 2:2; II TIMOTHY 2:15; II TIMOTHY 3:17)
  8. PRESERVATION (TRANSLATIONS)- I BELIEVE GOD IN HIS PROVIDENCE HAS PRESERVED HIS INSPIRED WORD THROUGH WHAT HAS COME TO BE KNOWN AS THE TEXTUS RECPTUS GREEK TEXT AND THE HEBREW MASORETIC TEXT. I ALSO BELIEVE THE AUTHORIZED KING JAMES VERSION OF 1611, AS EXPRESSED IN THE 1769  EDITION, IS THE ONLY RELIABLE AND AUTHORITATIVE ENGLISH TRANSLATION AND SHOULD BE USED EXCLUSIVELY IN GOD’S MINISTRY. (PROVERBS 3:5-6; PSALM 119:89, 152, 160; PSALM 12:6-7; LEVITICUS 3:17; PSALM 19:7-11; MATTHEW 5:18; LUKE 21:33)

THEOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF GOD

I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ONE TRUE GOD, ETERNALLY EXISTING IN THREE PERSONS- GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO ARE ETERNAL IN BEING AND EQUAL IN ESSENCE AND ATTRIBUTES. EACH PERSON OF THE TRINITY IS WORTHY OF THE SAME PRAISE, HONOR, AND WORSHIP. GOD IS THE INFINITE AND PERFECT SPIRIT IN WHOM ALL THINGS HAVE THEIR SOURCE, SUPPORT, AND END. (MATTHEW 28:19; GENESIS 1:1; JOHN 1:1; JOHN 14:11; JOHN 16:7)

  1. THE TRINITY OF GOD- THE TRINITY OF GOD IS HIS TRI-PERSONAL EXISTENCE AS FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT. IN THE NATURE OF ONE GOD, THERE ARE THREE ETERNAL DISTINCTIONS THAT ARE REVEALED TO US AS THREE EQUAL PERSONS. THE THREE PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD ARE ABSOLUTELY EQUAL IN ESSENCE. THIS ESSENCE EXISTS WHOLLY AND INDIVISIBLY, SIMULTANEOUSLY AND ETERNALLY. (MATTHEW 3:16-17; I JOHN 5:7; GENESIS 1:26; ACTS 5:3-4; ROMANS 1:7)
  2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD- GOD IS A SPIRIT. GOD IS NOT JUST A FORCE OR POWER. HE WILLINGLY INVOLVES HIMSELF IN THE DAILY LIVES OF MEN AND ESPECIALLY BELIEVERS. HE COMMUNICATES AND IS INVOLVED WITH MANKIND ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. GOD IS NOT IMPERSONAL SO THAT HE CANNOT BE REACHED. (GENESIS 2:15-16; GENESIS 3:8-9)
  3. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD-

*SOME OF THE NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF GOD ARE AS FOLLOWS-

A. ETERNAL-WITHOUT BEGINNING OR END, NOT BOUND BY TIME (HEBREWS 13:8; GENESIS 21:33; DEUTERONOMY 33:27; PSALM 90:1-2)
B. IMMUTABLE- DOES NOT CHANGE (MALACHI 3:6; JAMES 1:17)
C. INFINITE- HAVING NO LIMITATIONS OR BOUNDS (ROMANS 11:33)
D. OMNIPOTENT- ALL POWERFUL (JOB 42:2; GENESIS 1&2; JEREMIAH 32:17)
E. OMNIPRESENT- BEING PRESENT EVERYWHERE AT ALL TIMES (II CHRONICLES 2:6; PSALM 139:7-13; JEREMIAH 23:23-24)
F. OMNISCIENT- KNOWS ALL THINGS (HEBREWS 4:13; ACTS 15:8)
G. PERFECT- NO FLAWS OR ERROR IN HIM (DEUTERONOMY 32:4; PSALM 18:30)
H. SELF-EXISTENT- HIS BEING IS TOTALLY WITHIN HIMSELF (EXODUS 3:14; JOHN 5:26)
I. SOVEREIGN- SUPREME IN POWER AND AUTHORITY OVER ALL (GENESIS 45:5-8; PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11)

*SOME OF THE MORAL ATTRIBUTES OF GOD ARE AS FOLLOWS-

A. FAITHFUL- FULFILLING ALL HIS PROMISES (I JOHN 1:9; I CORINTHIANS 2:9; II THESSALONIANS 3:3; PSALM 36:5)
B. GRACIOUS- EXTENDING UNMERITED FAVOR (EPHESIANS 1:7; EPHESIANS 2:5-9)
C. HOLINESS- PERFECT PURITY, PERSONIFIED (REVELATION 4:8; ISAIAH 6:3)
D. JUSTICE- HE IS COMPLETELY IMPARTIAL (ROMANS 3:25-26; PSALM 89:14)
E. LOVE- GOD IS TRUE LOVE IN ITS PURIST FORM (I JOHN 4:8&16; ROMANS 5:8; JOHN 3:16)
F. MERCY- WITHHOLDING PUNISHMENT FROM THOSE WHO DESERVE IT, ON THE BASIS OF HIS FORGIVENESS (LUKE 6:36; DEUTERONOMY 4:31)
G. RIGHTEOUS- DEMANDING THAT ALL THINGS BE RIGHT (PSALM 89:14; PSALM 103:17; PSALM 145:17; GENESIS 18:25)
H. TRUTHFUL- CANNOT LIE AND IS THE EMBODIMENT OF ALL TRUTH (TITUS 1:2; JOHN 17:17; JOHN 8:42-47)

   4. MAN’S DUTY BEFORE GOD- I BELIEVE THAT ABOVE ALL, WE ARE TO FEAR AND OBEY GOD, THUS SHOWING OUR LOVE FOR HIM (ECCLESIASTES 12:13)

CHRISTOLOGY-THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST

I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST ETERNALLY EXISTS AS THE SECOND PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY, THAT HE HAS NO BEGINNING OR END, AND IS EQUAL IN ESSENCE AND POWER WITH THE FATHER. JESUS IS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. JESUS WAS AND IS SINLESS IN NATURE AND INDEED INCAPABLE OF SIN. JESUS MADE ATONEMENT FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD BY SHEDDING HIS BLOOD ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY. I BELIEVE THAT HE AROSE FROM THE GRAVE ON THE THIRD DAY AND ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, WHERE HE IS NOW PREPARING A PLACE FOR US AND MEDIATING BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. JESUS CHRIST CONQUERED DEATH, HELL, SIN, AND SATAN FOR ALL OF ETERNITY. (ACTS 1:1, 9-11; 2:27; 7:56; ISAIAH 53:10-12; MATTHEW 12:40; JONAH 2:2; ROMANS 5:8; 6:9; 1CORINTHIANS 15:3-8, 54-57; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21; COLOSSIANS 1:13-17; HEBREWS 1:8; 1 JOHN 2:2)

1. THE DIETY OF JESUS CHRIST- I BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST IS GOD BECAUSE THE HOLY SCRIPTURES REVEAL HIM AS:

A. ONE WITH THE FATHER- (JOHN 1:1; JOHN 10:30)
B. TRUTH- (JOHN 14:6)
C. SELF-EXISTENT- (JOHN 1:1-4; JOHN 5:21 & 26; JOHN 14:6)
D. RIGHTEOUS- (I JOHN 2:1)
E. OMNISCIENT- (JOHN 2:24-25; JOHN 21:17; COLOSSIANS 2:3)
F. OMNIPOTENT- (MATTHEW 28:18; PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21)
G. OMNIPRESENT- (MATTHEW 18:20; EPHESIANS 1:22-23)
H. IMMUTABLE- (HEBREWS 1:12; HEBREWS 13:8; MALACHI 3:6)
I. HOLY- (II CORINTHIANS 5:21; HEBREWS 7:26; I JOHN 3:5)
J. ETERNAL- (REVELATION 1:8; I JOHN 5:11; MICAH 5:2; JOHN 1:1-2; 8:58)

   2. THE HUMANITY OF JESUS CHRIST- JESUS CHRIST WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY. JESUS LIVED ON THE EARTH AS A MAN. CHRIST’S HUMANITY CAN BE SEEN IN THE SCRIPTURES, IN THAT HE HAD:

A. A MATERIAL BODY- (JOHN 2:21)
B. A SOUL AND SPIRIT- (JOHN 11:33; JOHN 12:27)
C. A PHYSICAL BIRTH- (LUKE 2:5-7,11,12 & 16; JOHN 1:14)
D. PHYSICAL GROWTH- (LUKE 2:40 & 52)
E. HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS AND LIMITATIONS SUCH AS HUNGER, THIRST, WEARINESS AND SLEEP- (MATTHEW 4:2; MATTHEW 8:24; JOHN 4:6; JOHN 19:24)

   3. AN EXPLANATION OF THE CONCEPT OF JESUS CHRIST, “THE GOD-MAN”-

JESUS CHRIST IS ONE INDIVISIBLE PERSON WITH TWO NATURES: TOTALLY HUMAN AND TOTALLY DIVINE. CHRIST WAS TEMPTED IN ALL POINTS AS A MAN, BUT BEING TOTALLY DIVINE, HE WAS INCAPABLE OF SIN. AT THE INCARNATION, JESUS GAVE UP THE INDEPENDENT EXERCISE OF HIS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES AND BECAME SUBSERVIENT TO THE FATHER’S WILL. (JOHN 8: 28-29; JOHN 10:18; PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8; HEBREWS 4:15; HEBREWS 7:26; JAMES 1:13)

   4. THE WORKS OF JESUS CHRIST-

A. HIS DEATH- JESUS CHRIST VOLUNTARILY GAVE HIMSELF AS A VICARIOUS ATONEMENT ON THE CROSS BEARING THE SINS OF THE WORLD. JESUS IS THE PERFECT SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS. HE WILLINGLY DIED ON THE CROSS, WAS BURIED, AND ROSE BODILY FROM THE TOMB. (I JOHN 2:2; HEBREWS 9:13-14; LUKE 23:46; I CORINTHIANS 15:3-4; II CORINTHIANS 5:21)
B. HIS RESURRECTION- JESUS CHRIST LITERALLY ROSE BODILY FROM THE GRAVE THREE DAYS AFTER HIS DEATH. HIS RESURRECTION IS A GUARANTEE OF THE FUTURE RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS AND IS THE REASON FOR OUR HOPE. (LUKE 24:39; I CORINTHIANS 15:3-4, 12-23; II CORINTHIANS 4:13; REVELATION 1:8)
C. HIS ASCENSION- JESUS BODILY ASCENDED BACK TO THE FATHER IN HEAVEN AFTER HIS FORTY DAY POST-RESURRECTION MINISTRY ON THE EARTH WAS COMPLETE. (ACTS 1:9-11)
D. HIS PRESENT MINISTRY- JESUS CHRIST IS NOW SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER WHERE HE SERVES AS OUR HIGH PRIEST. AS OUR HIGH PRIEST, HE IS THE ONLY MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. JESUS IS ALSO PREPARING A PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR THE SAVED. (JOHN 14:3; ROMANS 8:34; I TIMOTHY 2:5; HEBREWS 4:14-16, 7:17, 25 & 26)
E. HIS RETURN- CHRIST WILL RETURN IN THE CLOUDS TO RAPTURE HIS SAINTS AT THE DETERMINATE TIME OF THE FATHER. THE DATE OF HIS RETURN IS UNKNOWN BUT IMMINENT. AFTER A SEVEN YEAR PERIOD OF TRIBULATION, CHRIST WILL BODILY RETURN TO EARTH WITH HIS SAINTS TO ESTABLISH THE MILLENIAL KINGDOM OVER WHICH JESUS HIMSELF WILL RULE FOR A THOUSAND YEARS. (ACTS 1:11; I THES. 4:16-17;REVELATION 19:11; 20:6)

PNEUMATOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

I BELIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD, THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY, CO-EQUAL WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON. BEFORE THE THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, HE CAME UPON CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AND TEMPORARILY EMPOWERED THEM TO FULFILL GOD’S WILL AFTER WHICH HE WOULD LEAVE. DURING THE LIFE OF CHRIST, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME UPON MARY AT CONCEPTION, CAME UPON CHRIST AT HIS BAPTISM, LED CHRIST INTO THE WILDERNESS, EMPOWERED THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST AND WAS ACTIVE IN HIS RESURRECTION. HE IS AT WORK TODAY IN THAT HE CONVICTS MEN OF SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGEMENT, REGENERATES ALL BELIEVING SINNERS, SEALS AND INDWELLS BELIEVERS AS WELL AS TEACHES, GUIDES AND COMFORTS THEM. ALL TRUE BELIEVERS RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AT THE POINT OF SALVATION. BELIEVERS ARE COMMANDED NOT TO GRIEVE HIM, BUT TO SUBMIT THEMSELVES UNTO THE SPIRIT’S PURPOSES AND POWER. (EXODUS 31:3; I SAMUEL 10:10; I SAMUEL 16:14; PSALM 51:11; MATTHEW 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28; JOHN 14:7; 16:7-11 & 13; ROMANS 8:11; I CORINTHIANS 6:19; EPHESIANS 1:13; 5:18; II THESSALONIANS 2:7; TITUS 3:5)

1. THE DIETY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT- I BELIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD BECAUSE THE HOLY SCRIPTURES REVEAL HIM AS:

A. ETERNAL- (HEBREWS 9:14)
B. LIFE- (ROMANS 8:2)
C. TRUTH- (I JOHN 5:6)
D. LOVE- (ROMANS 15:30)
E. OMNIPOTENT- (GENESIS 1:2; LUKE 1:35)
F. OMNIPRESENT- (PSALM 139:7-10)
G. OMNISCIENT- (I CORINTHIANS 2:10-11)
H. ONE WHO PERFORMS THE WORKS OF GOD- (GENESIS 1:2)
I. ONE WHO IS EQUAL WITH GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE SON- (MATTHEW 28:19; II CORINTHIANS 13:14)

   2. THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT- THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON, NOT MERELY AN IMPERSONAL FORCE OR POWER.

*HE POSSESSES THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES OF PERSONALITY-

A. INTELLECT- (JOHN 14:26)
B. WILL- (I CORINTHIANS 2:10 & 14; 12:11)
C. EMOTION- (ACTS 5:3-9)

*HE PERFORMS ACTIONS-

A. COMFORTS- (JOHN 14:26)
B. TEACHES- (JOHN 14:26)
C. COMMANDS- (ACTS 8:29)
D. INTERCEDES- (ROMANS 8:26)
E. REPROVES- (JOHN 16:8)
F. GUIDES- (ROMANS 8:14)

   3. THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT-

A. CREATION- THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ACTIVE IN CREATION. (GENESIS 1:2; PSALM 33:6; 104:30)
B. INSPIRATION- THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ACTIVE IN INSPIRATION. (II PETER 1:20-21)
C. CONVICTION- HE CONVICTS THE WORLD OF SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGEMENT. (JOHN 16:7-11)
D. SEALING- HE SEALS THE BELIEVER UNTIL THE DAY OF REDEMPTION.(EPHESIANS 1:13; 4:30)
E. FILLING- THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TAKES PLACE AS WE YIELD OURSELF TO HIS CONTROL. (EPHESIANS 5:18; ACTS 2:4; 4:31)
F. ILLUMINATING- HE SHEDS SPIRITUAL LIGHT ON THE WORD OF GOD ENABLING THE BELIEVER OT UNDERSTAND THE WORD OF GOD.(JOHN 14:26; 16:13; I CORINTHIANS 2:14-16)
G. REGENERATING- THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH GIVES SPIRITUAL LIFE TO THOSE WHO WERE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS.
(JOHN 3:3-6; EPHESIANS 2:5; COLOSSIANS 2:13; TITUS 3:5)

   4. THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT- THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO EACH BELIEVER FOR THE PURPOSE OF EDIFYING THE LOCAL CHURCH. THESE GIFTS ARE GIVEN ACCORDING TO HIS SOVEREIGN WILL AND ARE NOT A BASIS FOR MEASURING SPIRITUALITY. EACH PERSON OUGHT TO USE THE GIFT OR GIFTS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN THEM IN ORDER TO BRING GLORY TO GOD. HE GAVE MIRACULOUS SIGN-GIFTS (TONGUES, HEALING, PROPHECY) TO THE EARLY CHURCH TO AUTHENTICATE THEIR MESSAGE. WITH THE DEATH OF THE APOSTLES, THESE GIFTS CEASED. THE CHARISMATIC USE OF TONGUES AND HEALING, AS WELL AS THE FALSE PROPHETS OF THE MORMON CHURCH AND THE FALSE OFFICE OF “APOSTLE” USED BY VARIOUS CULTS DO NOT FOLLOW BIBLICAL GUIDELINES AND ARE IN NO WAY ORDAINED OR APPROVED OF BY GOD.(ROMANS 12; I CORINTHIANS CHAPTERS 12, 13 & 14; EPHESIANS 4:11-12)

ANGELOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS

I BELIEVE THAT AT SOME POINT IN TIME THAT IS UNKNOWN TO MAN, GOD CREATED AN INNUMERABLE HOST OF PERSONAL SPIRIT BEINGS AND CALLED THEM ANGELS. THEY HAVE SUPERHUMAN INTELLIGENCE AND POWER. THEIR PRIMARY MINISTRY IS THAT OF SERVING AND GLORIFYING GOD. I BELIEVE THAT SATAN WAS ONE OF THOSE ANGELS WHO, BECAUSE OF HIS OWN PRIDE, REBELLED AGAINST GOD AND FELL FROM HIS ORIGINAL STATE, LEADING WITH HIM A GREAT HOST OF ANGELS GOD NOW REFERS TO AS DEMONS. SATAN AND HIS DEMONS ARE POWERFUL AND OPPOSE THE WORK AND PURPOSES OF GOD. SATAN AND HIS ANGELS WILL FIND THEIR ETERNAL DESTINY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE. (PSALM 103:20-21; 148:2-5; ISAIAH 14:12—21; EZEKIEL 28:14-16; EPHESIANS 6:11-12; HEBREWS 1:14; 2:7-9; II PETER 2:4; JUDE 6)

1. UNFALLEN ANGELS- ANGELS IN THEIR ORIGINAL, HOLY STATE ARE-

A. SPIRIT BEINGS- (PSALM 104:4; EPHESIANS 6:12)
B. HOLY- (MATTHEW 25:31)
C. PERSONAL BEINGS- (II SAMUEL 14:20; MATTHEW 28:5)
D. POWERFUL- (II PETER 2:11)
E. SUPERIOR- (PSALM 8:4-5; HEBREWS 2:7-9)
F. EVERLASTING- (LUKE 20:36)
G. CREATED BEINGS- (JOB 38:4-7; PSALM 148:2-5)
H. INNUMERABLE- (DANIEL 7:10)
I. DIFFERING IN RANK AND AUTHORITY- (EPHESIANS 6:12; ISAIAH 6:2)

   2. ANGELS AS MINISTERS OF GOD- ANGELS CAN BE FOUND IN SCRIPTURES MINISTERING IN THREE AREAS-

A. TO BELIEVERS THROUGH PROTECTION AND DELIVERANCE (ACTS 12:5-10; 5:17-20; PSALM 34:7; 91:11-12)
B. TO CHRIST THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE (MATTHEW 1:18-23; 2:13-15, 19-21; 4:11; ACTS 1:11; II THESSALONIANS 1:7-10)
C. TO GOD THROUGH PRAISE AND WORSHIP (JOB 38:7; ISAIAH 6:1-3; REVELATION 5:8-13)

   3. FALLEN ANGELS- SATAN AND HIS ANGELS IN THEIR UNHOLY, FALLEN STATE ARE-

A. POWERFUL- (MARK 5:2-5)
B. CREATED BEINGS- (JOB 38:6-7; PSALM 148:2, 5; COLOSSIANS 1:16)
C. SINFUL- (ISAIAH 14:12-14; EZEKIEL 28:11-19)
D. PERSONAL BEINGS- (JAMES 2:19; LUKE 8:27-33; MATTHEW 8:29-31)
E. SPIRIT BEINGS- (LUKE 7:21; EPHESIANS 6:12)

   4. ANGELS AS ENEMIES OF GOD- SATAN AND HIS ANGELS CAN BE FOUND OPPOSING THE WORK AND PURPOSES OF GOD IN THESE AREAS-

A. WARRING AGAINST BELIEVERS IN VARIOUS WAYS- (SOWING DOUBT AND DISCORD, AND LURING TO SIN) (GENESIS 3:1-5; I CHRONICLES 21:1-8; ACTS 5:3; II CORINTHIANS 2:10-11; EPHESIANS 4:26-27; 6:10-18)
B. HINDERING THE LOST FROM ACCEPTING THE TRUTH- (DECEIVING) (II CORINTHIANS 4:3-4; LUKE 8:12)
C. WARRING AGAINST GOD AND HIS WORKS- (GENESIS 3:4-5; JOHN 8:44; I CORINTHIANS 10:20-21; GALATIANS 1:6-8; EPHESIANS 6:12)
* CONCERNING DEMON OPPRESSION AND POSSESSION- IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR SATAN OR A DEMON TO POSSESS A BORN-AGAIN BELIEVER BECAUSE OF THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. DEMONIC ACTIVITY AND POWER IS A SERIOUS MATTER, HOWEVER, AND OUGHT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. CHRISTIANS NEED TO WALK SOBERLY, BUT NOT FEARFULLY, AS THE FORCES OF EVIL HAVE ALREADY BEEN OVERCOME BY THEIR SHIELD AND BUCKLER, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR SATAN AND HIS DEMONS TO POSSESS UNBELIEVERS. (JAMES 4:6-7;I JOHN 4:4; PSALM 18)

ANTHROPOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF MAN

I BELIEVE THAT MAN WAS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, BY GOD, ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CREATION, AND THAT HE WAS MADE IN THREE PARTS: BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT. HE WAS CREATED IMMEDIATELY FROM THE DUST OF THE GROUND, AND GOD BREATHED INTO HIM THE BREATH OF LIFE. MAN WAS CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE IN A STATE OF INNOCENCE. THIS IMAGE DOES NOT REFER TO A PHYSICAL RESEMBLANCE, BUT RATHER TO A PERSONAL RESEMBLANCE (INTELLECT, EMOTION, WILL) AND A MORAL RESEMBLANCE (HOLINESS AND THE ABILITY TO DISCERN RIGHT FROM WRONG). THIS IMAGE WAS MARRED BY THE FALL BUT WAS NOT LOST. THE FALL WAS THE RESULT OF ADAM’S DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD. ADAM’S SIN NOT ONLY MARRED THE IMAGE OF GOD IN MAN, BUT ALSO BROUGHT ABOUT SIN, JUDGEMENT, AND BOTH SPIRITUAL DEATH AND PHYSICAL DEATH UPON THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE. MAN NOW STANDS GUILTY BEFORE A HOLY GOD BECAUSE OF HIS SIN NATURE. HE IS UNABLE TO SAVE HIMSELF AND IS THEREFORE CONDEMNED TO ETERNAL PUNISHMENT AND SEPARATION FROM GOD IN THE LAKE OF FIRE. MAN IS TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OWN SIN AND CONDEMNATION. MAN’S ONLY HOPE IS TO REPENT OF HIS SINS AND TRUST JESUS CHRIST AS HIS SAVIOUR. (GENESIS 1:26-31; 2:7, 17-20; 3:1-19; 6:10; 9:6; JOHN 3:18; ROMANS 2:14-15; 3:10; 5:12; 6:23; I THESSALONIANS 5:23; JAMES 3:9; HEBREWS 4:12; ECCLESIASTES 7:29; REVELATION 20:14-15)

IMPORTANT ISSUES CONCERNING MAN-

  1. MAN WAS CREATED WITH DOMINION OVER THE ANIMALS. (GENESIS 1:26-28; PSALM 8:5-8)
  2. MAN’S BEING IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE PROCESS OF PROCREATION. (GENESIS 5:3; PSALM 51:5; HEBREWS 7:9-10)
  3. GOD CREATED WOMAN AS A HELPER FOR MAN. A MAN MUST THEREFORE MARRY A WOMAN, IF GOD SO LEADS HIM TO MARRY. IT NEVER WAS NOR EVER WILL BE RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD FOR MAN TO MARRY MAN OR WOMAN TO MARRY WOMAN. (GENESIS 2:18, 21-25; ROMANS 1:18-32)

HAMARTIOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF SIN

I BELIEVE THAT SIN OCCURS WHEN A MAN TRANSGRESSES AGAINST A HOLY GOD AND HIS LAW AND FALLS SHORT OF HIS PERFECT STANDARD. I BELIEVE THAT ALL HAVE SINNED AND HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF THIS STANDARD. SIN BEGAN WITH SATAN’S WICKED AND PRIDEFUL DESIRE TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD. SATAN THEN SINNED FURTHER WHEN HE TEMPTED ADAM AND EVE TO SIN IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN. AS A RESULT OF ADAM AND EVE’S SIN, SIN AND DEATH PASSED UPON THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE. SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL DEATH ARE THE RESULTS OF SIN. THE ULTIMATE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN IS PUNISHMENT IN THE ETERNAL LAKE OF FIRE. THE ONLY ESCAPE FROM SIN AND ITS TERRIBLE RESULTS IS SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

* EXAMPLES OF SIN- THE BIBLE ILLUSTRATES SIN IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING-

A. UNRIGHTEOUSNESS- (I JOHN 5:17)
B. FALLING SHORT OF GOD’S DIVINE STANDARD- (ROMANS 3:23)
C. DISOBEDIENCE- (JOHN 3:36; ROMANS 2:8; EPHESIANS 2:2)
D. DISTORTION OR TWISTING THAT WHICH IS RIGHT- (II SAMUEL 24:10;
II CHRONICLES 6:36-37; II PETER 2:15)
E. FAILURE IN DUTY- (LUKE 17:10)
F. GENERAL REBELLION AGAINST GOD- (JOB 34:37; ISAIAH 1:2, 4-5)
G. DECEPTION- (GENESIS 20:2-6; JOB 31:33)
* THIS LIST IS REPRESENTATIVE, NOT EXHAUSTIVE.

* IMPORTANT ISSUES CONCERNING SIN-

1. SIN’S ORIGINS-

A. IN THE UNIVERSE, SIN ORIGINATED WITH SATAN- (I JOHN 3:8; EZEKIAL 28:11-16; ISAIAH 14:12-14)
B. IN THE HUMAN RACE, SIN ORIGINATED WITH ADAM- (ROMANS 5:12-19)
C. IN THE INDIVIDUAL, SIN ORIGINATES IN THE HEART- (JAMES 1:13-15; MARK 7:21-23)

   2. SIN’S CONSEQUENCES-

A. PHYSICAL DEATH- THE DIMINISHING OF THE EARTHLY LIFE AS WE KNOW IT. (HEBREWS 9:27; JAMES 2:26)
B. SPIRITUAL DEATH- A SOUL FLOODING BLACKNESS RESULTING FROM A SEPARATION FROM GOD. (EPHESIANS 2:1-6)
C. ETERNAL DEATH- THE FINAL SEPARATION AND EVERLASTING TORMENT FOR ALL THOSE WHOSE SINS HAVE NOT BEEN FORGIVEN. (MATTHEW 7:23; 25:46; II THESSALONIANS 1:9; HEBREWS 6:2; REVELATION 20:10, 14 & 15)

   3. SIN AND THE BELIEVER-

A. BELIEVERS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN, BUT THEY ARE NOT YET FREE FROM ITS PRESENCE. (ROMANS 6:1-8; 7:14-25; 8:1; EPHESIANS 2:1-6)
B. BELIEVERS ARE OBLIGATED TO LIVE GODLY IN CHRIST JESUS, OBEYING THE HOLY WORD OF GOD. (I JOHN 2:1, 15-17; ROMANS 6:1-14; II TIM. 3:12; TITUS 2:12)

ESCHATOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF LAST THINGS

AT THIS POINT IN GOD’S PROPHETIC PLAN, ALL BELIEVERS OUGHT TO BE LOOKING FOR THE BLESSED HOPE AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. THE RETURN OF JESUS IS IMMINENT, PRETRIBULATIONAL, AND PREMILLENIAL, WITH THE TRIBULATION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS SEVEN YEAR PERIOD, THE LORD WILL RETURN TO THE EARTH THE SECOND TIME TO SIT ON THE THRONE OF DAVID AND RULE FOR A THOUSAND YEARS. THIS PERIOD IS FOLLOWED ONLY BY ETERNITY. (I CORINTHIANS 15:51-53; I THESS. 4:13-18; 5:9; REV. 19:11-21; 20:1-5)

  1. THE RAPTURE- THE RAPTURE IS THE PRETRIBULATIONAL, PREMILLENIAL RETURN OF CHRIST IN THE AIR TO CATCH AWAY THE DEAD IN CHRIST AND THOSE THAT ARE STILL ALIVE AND TAKE THEM TO HEAVEN. (I CORINTHIANS 15:51-52; I THESSALONIANS 4:16-18; TITUS 2:13)
  2. THE TRIBULATION PERIOD- IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS FROM THE EARTH, THERE WILL BE A SEVEN-YEAR PERIOD OF TRIBULATION. DURING THIS PERIOD THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL BE REVEALED, AND GOD WILL POUR OUT HIS WRATH ON ALL THE EARTH. THIS PERIOD WILL FINALLY CULMINATE WHEN CHRIST RETURNS FOR THE GREAT BATTLE, WHICH IS FOUGHT AT ARMAGEDDON. IT IS THERE THAT GOD WILL DESTROY THE FORCES OF THIS WORLD. (REVELATION 16:16-21)
  3. THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST- FOLLOWING THE RAPTURE ALL BELIEVERS WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. REWARDS WILL BE GIVEN BY GOD BASED ON THESE WORKS. (I CORINTHIANS 3:13-15; II CORINTHIANS 5:10)
  4. THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB- THIS IS A JOYOUS EVENT IN WHICH JESUS CHRIST WILL MARRY HIS CHOSEN BLOOD-BOUGHT, BORN AGAIN BRIDE, “THE CHURCH.” (EPHESIANS 5:27; REVELATION 19:7-8)
  5. THE MILLENNIUM- THIS IS A PERIOD OF A THOUSAND YEARS WHEN CHRIST, WITH THE BELIEVERS, WILL RULE AND REIGN ON EARTH, WHILE SATAN IS BOUND AND CAST INTO A BOTTOMLESS PIT. AT THE CLOSE OF THIS PERIOD, HOWEVER, SATAN WILL BE LOOSED FOR A SEASON AND WILL DECEIVE AND GATHER A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO REBEL AGAINST GOD; BUT OUR GREAT GOD HAS PROMISED VICTORY OVER THIS FINAL WICKED REBELLION. (REV. 20:11-15)
  6. THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT- THE UNSAVED OF THE WORLD WILL STAND BEFORE A THRICE HOLY GOD FOR THE FINAL JUDGEMENT. THEY WILL BE FOUND GUILTY AND BE IMMEDIATELY CAST INTO THE (LITERAL) LAKE OF FIRE, TO BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOREVER AND EVER. (REVELATION 20:11-15)
  7. ETERNITY- THE WICKED WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE, BUT GOD WILL BRING ABOUT A NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH FOR HIS CHILDREN TO ENJOY. IT IS THERE THAT CHRISTIANS WILL FIND THEIR FINAL RESTING PLACE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOREVER. (REVELATION 21:22)

SOTERIOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

I BELIEVE THAT SALVATION IS THE GIFT OF GOD, OFFERED TO MAN BY HIS GRACE, AND IS RECEIVED BY REPENTANCE TOWARDS GOD AND FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. MAN IS WITHOUT ANY HOPE OF SALVATION IN HIMSELF BECAUSE HE STANDS CONDEMNED BEFORE GOD. GOD IN HIS LOVE PROVIDED MAN WITH AN ESCAPE FROM THE RESULTS OF SIN BY SENDING HIS SON TO TAKE MAN’S PLACE. SALVATION IS NOT A PROCESS BUT IS AN INSTANTANEOUS EVENT IN THE LIFE OF A REPENTANT, TRUSTING SINNER. GOD IS NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL MIGHT BE SAVED. ONCE A PERSON HAS BEEN SAVED HE OR SHE IS ETERNALLY SECURE IN THE HOLLOW OF GOD’S HAND. (JOHN 3:16-36; 10:28; ROMANS 5:1-11; 6:23; 10:9-13; EPHESIANS 2:8-9; II PETER 3:9)

* IMPORTANT ISSUES CONCERNING SALVATION-

  1. CALLING- THE ACT OF GOD WHEREBY HE INVITES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED. (MATTHEW 11:28; JOHN 12:32; I THESSALONIANS 2:12; REVELATION 22:17)
  2. REPENTANCE- A MAN REPENTS WHEN HE TAKES SIDES WITH GOD AND HIS WORD AGAINST HIMSELF; HE MUST TURN FROM HIS SIN TO GOD, CHANGING HIS FORMER VIEWS AND IDEAS CONCERNING HIS SINFULNESS. (ACTS 3:19; II TIMOTHY 2:24-25; ROMANS 3:11; II CORINTHIANS 7:10)
  3. FAITH- THE PLACING OF ONE’S TOTAL TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST FOR SALVATION. (EPHESIANS 2:8; ROMANS 4:5; 5:1)
  4. REGENERATION- THE QUICKENING OF ONE’S SPIRIT; TO MAKE IT ALIVE. (EPHESIANS 2:1-9; ROMANS 4:5)
  5. REDEMPTION- CHRIST BUYS BELIEVERS BACK FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN WITH HIS OWN BLOOD. (MARK 10:45; EPHESIANS 1:17; I PETER 1:18-19)
  6. RECONCILIATION- THE RESTORATION OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD BY REMOVING THE SIN THAT SEPARATED US FROM HIM. (ROMANS 5:1,10; II CORINTHIANS 5:18; COLOSSIANS 1:21)
  7. JUSTIFICATION- GOD DECLARES THE SINNER RIGHTEOUS ON THE BASIS OF THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST. (ACTS 13:39; ROMANS 5:1)
  8. ETERNAL SECURITY- GOD HIMSELF KEEPS ALL TRUE BELIEVERS SAFELY SAVED FOR ALL OF ETERNITY. (JOHN 10:27-30; ROMANS 8:31-39; PHILIPPIANS 1:6;I PETER 1:5; EPHESIANS 1:13-14; 4:30)

ECCLESIOLOGY- THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

I BELIEVE THAT THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH IS A LOCAL ASSEMBLY OF IMMERSED BELIEVERS. THE CHURCH HAS A THEOCRATIC FORM OF GOVERNMENT, PRACTICES THE ORDINANCES OF BAPTISM (BY IMMERSION) AND THE LORD’S TABLE, AND HAS AS ITS OFFICES OF GOVERNMENT THAT OF PASTOR AND DEACONS. EACH LOCAL CHURCH IS TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IS TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE TO CARRY OUT THE GREAT COMMISSION AND FURTHER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. THE CHURCH IS GOD’S CHOSEN VESSEL TO CARRY OUT HIS WORK IN THIS AGE. THE CHURCH IS ONLY RELATED TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL IN THAT IT IS OFTEN SEEN AS A TYPE OF GOD’S OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE. THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS BASICALLY THREEFOLD. I IDENTIFY THESE THREE AS GLORIFYING THE FATHER (EPH. 3:21), NOTIFYING THE SINNER (MATT. 28:18-20), AND EDIFYING THE BELIEVER (EPH. 4:12-14).
(MATTHEW 16:18; 28:19-20; EPHESIANS 1:22-23; 4:12-14; I TIMOTHY 3:15-16)

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH- THE CHUCH IS CENTRAL TO GOD’S PROGRAM IN THIS PRESENT AGE. (ROMANS 1:7; I CORINTHIANS 1:2)

A. THE CHURCH BEGAN BEFORE THE DAY OF PENTECOST. (MATT.16:18)
B. EVERY BELIEVER NEEDS TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF A GOD-HONORING, LOCAL CHURCH. (ACTS 2:41-42; HEBREWS 10:23-25)

   2. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH-

A. BAPTISM IS IMMERSION INTO WATER- IT SYMBOLIZES THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. IT SYMBOLIZES THE DEATH OF THE OLD MAN AND THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST, AND IS FOR BELIEVERS ONLY. THE AUTHORITY TO BAPTIZE HAS BEEN DELEGATED TO SCRIPTURAL CHURCHES. THE ADMINISTRATOR, MODE, AUTHORITY AND CANDIDATE ARE ALL IMPORTANT ISSUES WHEN BAPTIZING PEOPLE. (JOHN 3:23; ACTS 8:36-40; ROMANS 6:1-6)
B. THE LORD’S TABLE IS A MEMORIAL OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST- IT IS A MEMORIAL OF THE BROKEN BODY AND THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. IT IS TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE LOCAL CHURCH AND FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH. I BELIEVE THE POSITION OF “CLOSED COMMUNION” IS THE BIBLICAL POSITION. I PERSONALLY PRACTICE CLOSED COMMUNION AND IF I WERE CALLED TO PASTOR, I WOULD ADMINISTER THE TABLE AS CLOSED AS I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAFEST POSITION. OPEN COMMUNION IS AN UNSCRIPTURAL AND DANGEROUS PRACTICE. (I CORINTHIANS 11:23-29; 11:2)

   3. THE AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH-

A. THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH IS CHRIST. (COLOSSIANS 1:18)
B. THE WORD OF GOD IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH.(ACTS 1:16, 20-22; II TIMOTHY 3:16-4:2)
C. THE CHURCH HAS TWO OFFICES: PASTOR AND DEACONS- THE PASTOR IS TO LEAD, OVERSEE, SHEPHERD, PREACH AND TEACH CHURCH MEMBERS. THE DEACON IS TO SERVE THE ASSEMBLY AND THE PASTOR. (ACTS 6:1-6; 11:30; 15:13-27; 20:28; EPHESIANS 4:11; TITUS 1:7-13; I TIM. 3:1; II TIMOTHY 4:2; I PETER 5:2)

   4. CHURCH DISCIPLINE- THE LOCAL CHURCH IS RESPONSIBLE TO MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE WITHIN ITS MEMBERSHIP FOR GROSS SINS COMMITTED, DIVISIVENESS, FALSE TEACHING, AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (I COR. 5:1-13)
A. THE PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE IS TO KEEP THE CHURCH PURE AND TO RESTORE THE BACKSLIDER. (GALATIANS 6:1-2)
B. THE PROCEDURES FOR CHURCH DISCIPLINE ARE CLEARLY DEFINED AND COMMANDED IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. (MATTHEW 18:15-20;I CORINTHIANS 5:1-13)

   5. IDENTIFYING MARKS OF A BAPTIST CHURCH-

B- IBLE IS THE AUTHORITY IN ALL CHURCH MATTERS
A- UTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
P- RIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER
T- O BECOME A MEMBER, ONE MUST BE SAVED AND SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED
I- MMERSION OF BELIEVERS AND LORD’S TABLE ARE THE ONLY TWO ORDINANCES
S- EPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, AS WELL AS, SEPARATION PERSONALLY AND ECCLESIASTICALLY
T- OTAL FREEDOM FOR INDIVIDUALS TO INTERPRET THE SCRIPTURES FOR THEMSELVES.
(II TIMOTHY 3:16; TITUS 1:5; I TIMOTHY 2:5; ACTS 2:41; I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26;MATTHEW 22:21; ROMANS 6:11-14; 12:1-2; II CORINTHIANS 6:17-18; ROMANS 14:12; PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13)

   6. THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH MYTH IS AUGUSTINIAN, ROMISH HERESY.

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY- (BIBLICAL LIVING)

  1. I AM AN OLD FASHIONED, UNAFFILIATED, SEPARATED, SOUL WINNING, MISSIONS MINDED, LOCAL CHURCH, (KING JAMES) BIBLE BELIEVING BAPTIST. I HAVE NO PLANS ON EVER CHANGING MY THEOLOGICAL POSITION. I AM OPPOSED TO LIBERALISM, MODERNISM, NEO-ORTHODOXY, THE NEW EVANGELICAL MOVEMENT, THE ECUMENICAL MOVE TOWARDS ONE WORLD CHURCH, THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT, THE NEW AGE PHILOSOPHY OF OUR DAY, AND MODERN TRENDS IN CHRISTIANITY IN WHICH MEN TRY TO ANSWER MAN’S PROBLEMS WITHOUT GOD AND HIS WORD. (ROMANS 16:17; II CORIN. 6:17-18; EPHESIANS 5:11; I TIMOTHY 4:1-7; II THESSALONIANS 3:6-7; JUDE 3-23; DEUTERONOMY 10:20)
  2. I AM FIRMLY DISPENSATIONAL, BUT HOLD TO A MORE “LOCAL CHURCH’ TYPE ECCLESIOLOGY. (I BELIEVE THE CHURCH BEGAN TO BE BUILT DURING CHRIST’S EARTHLY MINISTRY) I ABSOLUTELY REJECT ALL FORMS OF REFORMED, COVENANT, AND REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY. I AM STAUNCHLY PRE-MILLENNIAL.
  3. I DO NOT BELIEVE WE MUST COMPROMISE AND BECOME LIKE THE WORLD IN ORDER TO WIN THE WORLD. (II CORINTHIANS 6:17-18)
  4. I BELIEVE THAT CHRISTIANS OUGHT TO STAND OUT, AS LIGHTS IN A DARK WORLD. MODESTY IN DRESS STANDARDS, AND A HOLY, SEPARATED LIFESTYLE ARE NOT OPTIONS, BUT ARE NATURAL AND NEEDED MARKS OF A GODLY CHRISTIAN AND WILL AID CHRISTIANS TO MAINTAIN A BIBLICAL GOSPEL TESTIMONY. (I PETER 1:14-16; PHILIPPIANS 1:10)
  5. I AM OPPOSED TO DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE. (MALACHI 2:14-16; MATTHEW 19:3-10; ROMANS 7:1-2; I CORINTHIANS 7:1-11)
  6. I AM OPPOSED TO THE USE OF ALCOHOL BEVERAGES AND THE USE OF TOBACCO IN ANY FORM, EVEN IN “MODERATION,” AS BOTH HAVE BEEN CLINICALLY AND SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO BE HARMFUL TO THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST. (PROVERBS 20:1; 23:29-35; Ephesians 5:8; I TIMOTHY 3:3; I CORINTHIANS 3:16-17)
  7. I BELIEVE THE A.V. 1611 BIBLE IS THE PRESERVED WORD OF GOD FOR ENGLISH SPEAKING PEOPLE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE BIBLE HAS ERRORS IN IT. (MATTHEW 4:4; PSALM 19:7-11; 12:6-7; I PETER 1:21; MATTHEW 5:18; LUKE 16:17; PROVERBS 4:5-6)
  8. I HAVE A MOST SERIOUS CONVICTION THAT A CHRISTIAN IS EXPECTED, BY GOD,TO LIVE EVERY DAY AS A LIVING SACRIFICE TO HIM. FEARING AND OBEYING GOD WILL BRING HIM MAXIMUM GLORY, AND THIS IS THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN. (ROMANS 12:1-2; ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14)