What We Teach
The Bible
The 66 books of the Bible are literally the Word of God, written down by men of God, who were moved by the Holy Spirit and spoke from God (II Sam. 23:1-3; II Pet. 1:20-21). We believe in verbal plenary inspiration which means that all of the Bible, in its original documents, both in part and in whole, is inerrant, infallible, the very word of God (Psa. 119:160). The Scriptures are the only authoritative and sufficient standard for all matters of godliness, faith, practice, and doctrine through all generations (Psa. 19:7-11; Zech. 7:12; Mt. 24:35; Jn. 17:17; II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:3-4, 19). The Bible is also the only source of objective truth from God (Jn. 5:39; Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 10:11; Heb. 1:1; Jude 3; Rev. 1:19). God's Word stands in authority over all creation, men, and the church and is what all men will be judged by on the last day (Jn. 12:48; Rom. 2:16; I Tim. 3:15). Because the Bible is the Word of God we are under obligation before God to handle it accurately when we interpret it (II Tim. 2:15). We believe in the literal-historical-grammatical method of interpretation, which means the Bible is to be interpreted literally, taking into account the historical context in which it was written, and by submitting to the original languages and proper rules of grammar and sentence structure. We believe the interpretation of any given text of the Bible is one, though the principles and applications taken from the one interpretation may be one or many.
God
There is one God (Deut. 4:35; 6:4; Isa. 44:5-8), perfect and infinite in all of His attributes, who has chosen to reveal Himself in three distinct persons i.e., the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three persons have existed from eternity and are separate in their identity and function but one in purpose and substance, all three together being the one eternal God, worthy of worship, praise, and obedience (Gen. 1:26; 3:22; Psa. 2:7; Isa. 48:16; Mt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; Tit. 3:4-7). God created everything in heaven and on earth, out of nothing, in six literal twenty-four hour periods or days, by His spoken Word (Gen. 1:1-31; Ex. 20:11; Psa. 148:1-5; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 11:3).
God the Father
God the Father is the initiator, planner, and organizer of all things, being sovereign over all of His creation (Job 38-41; Isa. 14:24, 27; 37:26; Acts 4:27-28; Rom. 8:29-30; I Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; 2:10).
God the Son
Jesus Christ is God incarnate, which means that He is God become man in the flesh, fully God and fully man (Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:2; Matt. 1:23; John 1:1, 14, 18; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8). He was born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23) and conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). He is the one and only Mediator between God and man and lives as an advocate for the saints (I Tim. 2:5; I Jn. 2:1). He is the Redeemer (Gal. 3:13; I Pet. 3:18-19), Judge (Jn. 5:22-23; Acts 17:31), Priest (Heb. 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:10; 7:1, 3, 15, 21), Prophet (Deut. 18:15, 18; Jn. 6:14; Acts 3:22-26; 7:37), King of kings and Lord of lords (I Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16), and the channel of creation (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:2). He lived a perfect life here on earth (I Pet. 1:19; Heb. 2:10; 4:15; 5:9; 7:28), died a vicarious or substitutionary death for the sins of men (Isa. 53:4-6; I Pet. 3:18; I Cor. 15:3), and was the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36). He was buried and rose again bodily on the third day (I Cor. 15:4), conquering death (Col. 2:13-14), and having ascended He is now seated at the right hand of God (Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 10:12), having received all power, authority and dominion in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). He lives as an advocate for the saints (I John 2:1) and He will come again to set up an earthly kingdom (Luke 22:28-30; Rev. 20:1-6), followed by an eternal kingdom where He will rule and reign forever (II Pet. 1:10-11; Rev. 21-22).
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the godhead being fully God in every way (Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor. 12:11,18; II Cor. 3:18). The Holy Spirit assisted in creation (Gen. 1:2), was the agent of the virgin birth (Luke 1:35), and is the divine agent of the inspired revelation of God (Zech. 7:12; II Pet. 1:20-21). The Holy Spirit is active in convicting the world of sin and judgment (John 16:8), and regenerating and empowering those who are saved (Ezek. 36:27; Jn. 3:5-8; II Cor. 12:1-7; Gal. 5:16; Tit. 3:5). The Holy Spirit enables men, through His illuminating work, to understand the written revelation of God (I Cor. 2:10-16; I Jn. 2:20; 27). The Holy Spirit permanently indwells, and enables believers in the process of sanctification (I Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:13-14; Eph. 1:15-18; 3:14-21; II Thess. 2:13). He is the pledge and guarantee of our future inheritance (II Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
Man
Man was created to give glory to God (Isa. 43:7; Col. 1:16-18). Man was created perfect and without sin on the sixth day of creation. Man was formed by God out of the dust of the ground and God breathed into man the breath of life and man became a living being (Gen. 2:7). Man is unlike the animals being created in the image of God to rule over the earth and all living creatures (Gen. 1:24-31; Eccl. 7:29; I Cor. 15:39). Shortly after man was created Eve was deceived by Satan into eating the forbidden fruit (II Cor. 11:3; I Tim. 2:14) and Adam ate the forbidden fruit willingly (Gen. 3:17; Hos. 6:7). As a result of their sin both died spiritually (Eph. 2:1-2; Col. 2:13) and later physically because the wages of sin is death (Gen. 5:5; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27). Adam was the representative head of the human race and when he sinned the entire human race fell in him. Adam's sin is imputed to all of his descendants (Rom. 5:12-14; I Cor. 15:22), hence all men are totally corrupt being conceived in sin (Psa. 51:5), born sinners (Gen. 8:21; Psa. 58:3), and sin because they are sinners (Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:21-23; Rom 3:10-18, 23; Eph. 2:1-3). All men suppress the truth in unrighteousness and are sinners by nature and choice (Gen. 6:5; Rom. 1:18-25; Tit. 1:15). The consequences of sin have made man unable to understand the things of God (I Cor. 2:14), unable to please God (Rom. 8:5-8), and unwilling to seek Him (Jn. 3:19-21; II Thess. 2:10-12).
Salvation
The Need of Salvation
Unrepentant sinners have God's wrath abiding on them and hence all men are in need of salvation from sin and its consequences (Jn. 3:36; Rom. 3:23-24; 6:23; Eph. 2:3). The ultimate consequence of sin is to suffer the holy wrath of God's justice for eternity in the lake of fire (Nah. 1:3; Rev. 20:14-15).
Predestination of the Elect to Salvation
God chose and predestined some to be saved from before the foundation of the world (Rom. 8:29-30). All men are called to repent and believe in Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 17:30), but only the elect who are predestined to salvation believe and are saved (Matt. 22:14; Acts 13:48; Eph. 1:4-5).
Provision of Salvation
God's only provision for salvation is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the promised Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15), the Redeemer (Acts 20:28; I Pet. 1:18-19), and Savior of all those who believe in Him for eternal life (John 3:16). The Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one can come to the Father but through Him, and there is no other name under heaven by which men must be saved (Mt. 11:27; Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12).
The Gospel of Salvation
The only way to be delivered from the wrath of God is by hearing and believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for all who believe (Rom. 1:16; 10:14-17; I Cor. 1:18-24). The essence of the gospel is that Jesus Christ, out of love for us, died for our sins on the cross as our substitute, was buried, and rose again on the third day conquering death (Acts 2:22-32; Rom. 5:8; I Cor. 15:1-4; I Pet. 3:18). The gospel message is a call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Mt. 3:1-2; 4:17; 11:20; Acts 2:38; 3:19-21; 17:30-31; 20:21; 26:19-20; Rom. 2:4; II Cor. 7:9-10).
Appropriation of Salvation
Salvation is not a result of works but it is an undeserved, unearned gift, received by God's grace and mercy, through the faith which God supplies to the elect (Gal. 5:4; Eph. 2:8-9; II Tim. 1:9; Tit. 3:5). Saving faith is not only an intellectual assent to the facts of the gospel (Jam. 2:19) but a volitional heart commitment to trust in the gospel (Luke 9:23; Luke 14:26) and a willingness to submit and obey the Lord of the gospel who is Jesus Christ (John 3:36; I Jn. 2:3-5). Salvation is only appropriated through the ministry of the Holy Spirit whereby God draws the elect to His Son (Jn. 3:5-8; 6:44). Men, apart from the grace of God, do not seek Him (Rom. 3:10; Jn. 3:19). God seeks men (Lk. 5:31-32; 19:10) and men respond to the irresistible grace of God which draws them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Mt. 11:27; 13:11; Jn. 6:37; Acts 13:48; Phil. 1:29; II Tim. 2:25; I Cor. 1:18). Repentance is to have a change of mind, to acknowledge one's sins, turn from them and to pursue righteousness and faith in Jesus Christ as God incarnate, Savior, and Lord (Isa. 55:6-9; Joel 2:12-13; Jn. 1:12; 8:24; Rom. 14:8-9; II Cor. 4:5).
The Call to Salvation
God calls all men everywhere to repent and believe in the gospel (Acts 17:30-31). God is not willing for any to perish (I Tim. 2:4; II Pet. 3:9) and He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:23; 33:11). Men are without excuse before God because creation, conscience, and the law of God written in men's hearts is enough to show them that God exists, yet all men suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18-20, 25; 2:14-16). Because all men suppress the natural revelation of God, the only way a person can be saved is by hearing and believing in special revelation, which is the Word of God, the gospel (Matt. 24:14; Rom. 1:16-17; 10:8-17; I Cor. 1:18).
Atonement of Sins
Christ's sacrificial atonement is sufficient for all mankind but applied only to the elect who place their faith in the message of the gospel (Rom. 5:6, 8; I John 2:2). The Lord caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Christ (Isa. 53:6). Jesus shed His blood to redeem those who would be saved (Lev. 17:11, 14; Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:18-19). He came to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29), died for the world of men (John 3:16-17; I Jn. 4:14 ), is the Savior of all men (I Tim. 4:10; Tit. 2:11), tasted death for everyone (Heb. 2:9), and is the sacrifice that satisfies the wrath of God (propitiation) not only for our sins but the sins of the whole world (I John 2:1-2).
Results of Salvation
Salvation includes total forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7; Col. 2:13-14), adoption into the family of God (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5-6), reconciliation to God (Rom. 5:10-11; 11:15), declared righteousness through justification by God (Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16); propitiation before God (I John 2:2; Heb 2:17-18); eternal life with God (Jn. 3:16, 36; 10:27-28); redemption from the curse of the law and slavery to sin and Satan (Gal. 3:13; Eph. 2:1-9; Titus 2:14); sanctification (I Cor. 6:11; I Pet. 1:14-16; I John 3:2-3); deliverance from the lake of fire (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 5:9), and glorification (Rom. 8:29-30).
The Manifestation of Salvation
Salvation is the supernatural work of God in a person that manifests itself in a transformed life (II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24). All true believers will bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance and will be known by their fruit (Mt. 3:8-10; 7:16-23; 12:33-35; Lk. 6:43-45). The kinds of fruit which salvation produces in the life of every believer is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-25), a hunger for God's Word (I Pet. 2:2), a pursuit of righteousness (Prov. 4:18), increased godliness and Christ likeness (Phil. 1:6; II Cor. 3:18), a desire to be with the saints (Heb. 10:24-27; I Jn. 2:19), and a desire to obey God in everything (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 5:9; I Pet. 2:12).
Assurance of Salvation
We can know we are saved by the internal witness of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:16-17; I Jn. 3:24; 4:12-13) and by the righteousness which true saving faith produces in the life of every believer who receives the truth of the gospel (Jn. 17:17; Col. 1:3-6; I Thess. 2:13; I Jn. 2:3-4). A person who practices sin and rebellion against God has no assurance of salvation (Jam. 2:14-26; I Jn. 2:29; 3:4-10; 5:2). Everyone should regularly examine themselves to see whether they be in the faith (Psa. 139:23-24; Lam. 3:40; I Cor. 11:28, 31; II Cor. 13:5).
The Perseverance of the Saints
God saves men while they are enemies (Rom 5:8) and once a person is saved, their salvation can never be lost or rejected (John 6:37, 39; Rom. 8:38-39). God seals all believers with the Holy Spirit who is given as a pledge of our future inheritance until the day of Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:13; 4:30). God enables every believer to persevere unto the end (I Thess. 5:23-24), and God loses none whom He has called (John 6:37, 39; 10:27-30). The saints persevere in their salvation not because of what they do but because of what God does for them (John 6:44, 65; I Thess. 5:23-24; I Pet. 5:10; Jude 1).
The Church
The Purpose of the Church
The ultimate purpose of the Church is to give glory to God (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14). The Church can only give glory to God by submitting to the Lord Jesus Christ out of love and by obeying His Word (Jn. 14:15, 23-24; I Jn. 5:3). The Church gives glory to God by worshiping Him (Jn. 4:21-24; Rom. 12:1-2), by evangelizing the lost (Mt. 28:19-20; Lk. 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; Col. 1:23), and by equipping the saints for work of service both now and in the age to come (Mt. 24:45-47; 25:21-23; I Cor. 3:12-15; Eph. 2:10; II Tim. 3:16-17; 4:7-8; Tit. 2:11-14).
The Universal Church
There is a universal church comprised of all true believers everywhere, baptized by the Holy Spirit into the one body of Christ through faith upon conversion (I Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 2:11-16; 4:4-6). The Universal Church age started at Pentecost and will end at the Rapture of the Church (Acts 2; I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thess. 5:13-18).
The Local Church
We believe in the existence and independence of the local church which is comprised of all those who profess faith in Jesus Christ (I Cor. 1:2; I Thess. 1:1). In every Local Church there may be those who profess to be believers but are not (Mt. 7:21-22; Tit. 1:15-16; Jude 1:4).
Church Discipline
The Local Church is responsible to look after the spiritual welfare of any member and discipline those who continue in unrepentant sin according to the Scriptures (Mt. 18:15-20; Acts 5:1-11; Rom. 16:17-18; I Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1; I Thess. 5:14-15; II Thess. 3:6-15; I Tim. 5:20; Tit. 1:13; 3:10-11; Rev. 2:2, 14-15, 20).
The Head and Leaders of the Church
Jesus Christ is the Head, King, and Lord of the Church (Acts 2:36; Eph. 4:15-16; 5:23; Col. 1:18) and believers are members of His spiritual body (I Cor. 12:12-13). Jesus guides the body through the Bible and under-shepherds who submit to the Bible. God's under-shepherds are the elders, pastors, or overseers who must possess certain spiritual qualifications (Acts 20:28; I Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; I Pet. 5:1-3). Leaders must be examples to the flock as those who will give an account (II Tim. 2:24; Heb. 13:17), showing others how to live as humble servants of the King (I Pet. 5:3). The church must also appoint faithful men who meet the qualification of deacon (I Tim. 3:8-10, 12-13). Deacons are appointed to help meet the physical needs of the church and to assist the elders so the elders can focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4; I Tim. 4:6, 10-13, 15-16).
The Ordinances of the Church
The church has two ordinances: water baptism (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 8:38) and communion, or the Lord's supper (I Cor. 11:20-26; Matt. 26:26-29). Both water baptism and communion should be observed today in the local church by believers.
Water Baptism
Water baptism is for believers who have placed their faith in Christ. It is not a means of salvation or grace but is an act of obedience whereby a believer makes a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38, 41). Baptism symbolizes the inward reality of being united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-6). Baptism is to be by immersion (Mark 1:10; Jn. 3:23; Acts 8:39).
Lord's Supper or Communion
Communion is an act of obedience whereby a Christian remembers the sacrifice of Christ, proclaims the death of Christ, and anticipates the glories of Christ's kingdom to come (Luke 22:19; I Cor. 11:24). Communion is not a means of salvation or grace. Communion is only for believers who are not living in unrepentant sin (I Cor. 11:17-34).
Spiritual Gifts of the Church
We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles' message (Hebrews 2:3 4; 2 Corinthians 12:12); and ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man's message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (1 Corinthians 13:8 12). Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers (1 Corinthians 13:13-14:12; Revelation 13:13 14). The only gifts in operation today are those nonrevelatory equipping gifts given for edification (Romans 12:6 8).
We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today but that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Luke 18:1 6; John 5:7 9; 2 Corinthians 12:6 10; James 5:13 16; 1 John 5:14 15).
Angels
Angels are created spirit beings (Ex. 20:11; Job 38:4-7; Col. 1:16). Angels were created to worship God and minister to believers (Heb. 1:14; Rev. 7:11-12). All angels were at one time holy but when Satan rebelled a third of the angels fell with him (Rev. 12:3-4). Fallen angels are called demons or evil spirits and will be judged along with Satan and thrown into the lake of fire (Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
Doctrine of Last Things
We believe in the personal and glorious return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the translation of those alive in Christ, the judgment of the just and the unjust, and the fulfillment of Christ's kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth. In the end, Satan with his hosts and all those outside Christ are finally separated from the benevolent presence of God, enduring eternal punishment, but the righteous, in glorious bodies, shall live and reign with him forever. Joined together with Christ as his Bride, the Church will be in the presence of God forever, serving him and giving him unending praise and glory. Then shall the eager expectation of creation be fulfilled and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God who makes all things new.
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)
Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." (Mark 14:62)
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3)
...who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ... (Philippians 3:20)
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:15)
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom...(2 Timothy 4:1)
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ... (Titus 2:13)
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God...For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1 Corinthians 4:5; 15)
...and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years...Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15)
For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8:19-21)