Doctrinal Statement
WHAT WE BELIEVE . . . .
ABOUT THE BIBLE . . . .
The Bible is the word of God. Holy men of old recorded, as they were moved of the Holy Spirit, Gods revelation to man. We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. We believe that the scriptures in their original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek are without error and represent to us today the genuine word from God. Our modern day versions are only as accurate as they faithfully represent the original manuscripts. The Bible today is to be our sole authority in matters of faith and practice through teaching, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that the redeemed of God may be brought to maturity, thoroughly equipped for all good works.
Deut 6:6-9; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:7-11, 119:9,11,18,89,105,130,133,160; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17, 4:2
1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:20-21;
ABOUT GOD . . . . .
There is one God eternally existing in three distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three were\are present and active in creation, in redemption and in restoration. They are the Triune God or Trinity. All three are equal and possess the same attributes or characteristics.
Genesis 1:1; Matthew 3:16, 28:19; John 3:16, 16:8-11; Romans 5:8; Colossians 2:9; 1 John 4:8-11;
ABOUT GOD THE FATHER . . . . .
We believe the Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is Spirit and has personal qualities such as intelligence, volition and emotion. We see Him at work in creation and in the plan of redemption for mankind.
Genesis 1:1,3; Exodus 20:5; Job 23:13; Isaiah 45:5; Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:39; John 4:24, 6:38; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:3-7;
ABOUT GOD THE SON . . . . .
We believe that Jesus Christ is God, the second person of the Trinity. He exists eternally and laid aside His preincarnate glory to become man. Yet, He in no way laid aside His deity. He is the True-God and True-Man. He was miraculously conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary and as the sole mediator between God and man. He lived a sinless life which culminated with His sacrificial death on the cross for all mankind. We believe that Jesus could not sin because He was and is God. He was buried and rose bodily from the tomb on the third day. He later bodily ascended into heaven where He today reigns as the Head of the church and the soon and coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is God's ideal man and man's ideal God.
Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:18, 4:2, 28:19; John 1:1-2,14, 20:28; Romans 5:8; Philippians 2:5-8, 3:20-21; Colossians 1:13-22; Hebrews 1:1-3, 7:25, 10:5-14;
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT . . . . .
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. His work before Pentecost was unique and since Pentecost is complete. He today, dwells in every believer, the moment they place their trust in Christ. His entrance unites and seals believers in the body of Christ. He is our sole source of power and wisdom as He is God in us. To be filled with the Spirit literally means to be controlled by Him as we walk in obedience to Gods word. The sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing (an individual healer) were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the filling or baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is not always God's will to heal the body of sickness or pain, though God frequently chooses to do so in answer to prayer by believers and obedience to His word.
His role today consist of restraining evil, convicting of sin, righteousness and judgment, regenerating all believers indwelling all the saved, sealing until the day of redemption, teaching the redeemed and empowering Gods servants to accomplish His will.
John 14:16-17, 16:7-15; Acts 1:8, 4:8,31; Romans 8:9,23; 1 Corinthians 1:22,6:19, 11:27-32, 12:13, 13:8,14:21-22; Ephesians 2:22, 4:30, 5:18; James 5:14-16;
ABOUT MAN . . . . .
We believe man was created by God as the pinnacle of His creative genius. He was created in His image, after the likeness of God. He fell through sin and as a consequence he died spiritually, becoming dead in trespasses and sins. At this time he became subject to the power of Satan where he remains today. Every person born since that time except for the Lord Jesus Christ, has inherited this fallen sinful nature. We sin because we are sinners, not sinners because we sin. Man today is totally unable to save himself. Mankind wrestles with these consequences and has no hope apart from Gods Perfect Plan for Redemption.
Genesis 1:21,24-31, 3:1-15; Psalm 14:1-3, 33:6, 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 19:26; Mark 7:21-23; John 1:3, 3:6,5:40, 6:53,8:42-44; Romans 1:18-32, 3:10-19,23, 5:12, 6:23, 8:6-7;
ABOUT SALVATION . . . . .
We believe in salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is offered as a result of the substitutionary and sacrificial death of Christ at Calvary. Salvation is offered as a free gift of God to a fallen humanity which has no hope. It can be received only by personal faith in Jesus Christ as savior. Repentance goes hand in hand with salvation as it is the bearing of the genuine fruit of salvation.
We also believe in the eternal security of the believer. Once someone is genuinely born again, they are saved forever. They have received the gift of eternal life which can in no way be lost or forfeited because of the very nature of our Savior, the Eternal Son of God.
John 1:12 3:16,18,36, 5:24, 6:28-29,40, 10:27-30, 14:6; Acts 4:12, 16:31; Romans 1:16-17, 3:22-26, 4:5, 6:23, 10:8-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 5:11-13;
ABOUT THE CHURCH . . . . .
We believe in one true universal church, composed of all those saved by the wonderful grace of God. It is unified in power and purpose by the Holy Spirit and Gods revealed will, the Bible. This church is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ composed of both Jew and Gentile alike assembled from Pentecost to the Rapture.
We believe in the local church as Gods plan for assembling believers in a specific locality. It is an independent and autonomous fellowship composed of those so directed of the Holy Spirit to unite together for prayer, worship, preaching, teaching, ministry, communion, discipleship, and soul winning. We believe it is vital to the life of every believer to be a part of a Christ honoring local fellowship and a necessary part of Gods plan for the proclamation of the gospel to every creature.
We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free of any external authority or control. That it is self- governing, self-supporting as Christ provides through its leaders and membership.
We recognize water baptism (immersion) and the Lord's Supper as the scriptural ordinances of obedience for the Church in this age.
Baptism...is a command of scripture for every believer, and it is an act of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, picturing His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism is identification with Christ and other believers of like faith. Being baptized does not make one a member of the Church. We do not believe in, nor practice infant baptism of any type.
The Lord's Supper...or Communion is to be partaken of by believers that are in fellowship with Him. It pictures His broken body, by broken bread, and His shed blood, by the grape juice. Our church shall practice "open" communion, (any visiting believer or believers present at the Lord's Supper may partake). All participants will be admonished to examine themselves and confess sin before partaking. The implements used are to be unfermented grape juice and unleavened bread.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-47, 6:1-8, 8:26-38, 13:1-4, 15:19-31,16:30-34, 18:8; Romans 12:4-5, 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 5:1-7, 10:32, 12:13; Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 1:18, 2:9-10; 1Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2&3;
ABOUT CREATION. . . . .
We believe that God created from nothing, the heavens and the earth in 6 literal days. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit were all active and part of the creation process. We do not adhere to any form of evolution or the evolutionary theory. We reject therefore, theistic evolution as nothing more than a feeble attempt to unite the clear teachings of the infallible Word of God regarding creation with unregenerate man's false theory of the creation process.
Genesis 1:1-2:27, John1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-3,
ABOUT DISPENSATIONS . . . .
We believe that in the course of human history God has administered His plan on the earth through man under varying responsibilities called dispensations. Each dispensation is a way of life & responsibility to God which would test the submission of man to God's revealed will during a particular time. Ultimately man fails in his responsibility and God then judges. These dispensations have spanned the entire course of human history. Three of these span major portions of the Word of God, which are, the dispensation of the Law, the current dispensation of Grace and the future dispensation of the Millennial Kingdom. Each is distinct and should not be confused or intermingled as they are chronologically successive.
1 Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 3:2 & 9, Colossians 1:25, 1 Timothy 1:4
ABOUT BIBLICAL SEPARATION . . . .
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as to never bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. This includes separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful activities, practices and associations as commanded by our Lord.
Romans 12:1-2, 14:13: 2 Corinthians 6:14- 7:2; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11;
ABOUT FUTURE THINGS . . . . .
We believe in the pre-millennial, pre-tribulational calling out of the true church of Jesus Christ. It will be composed of all those saved since the day of Pentecost.
In heaven, we will have the judgment seat of Christ and the marriage supper of the Lamb. While on earth, the 70th week of Daniel will be taking place.
At the end of those 7 years, Christ will return to this earth where the battle of Armageddon will take place. Once He crushes the forces of Antichrist, He will begin His 1000 year reign on this earth. Once the millennial reign is complete, the great white throne judgment will begin. Here all the unsaved dead of humanity will give account to God for rejection of His Son. Then God will judge this earth and give all the redeemed a new heaven and a new earth.
Daniel 7:13-27, 9:27, 12:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 30:7; Joel 1:15; Isaiah 9:6-7, 26:19; Matthew 24&25; John 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 19-22;
We believe that he is a created being who was originally the most beautiful of all Gods Cherubim. He was found to have sin in his heart in wanting to be God. Thus he was cast out of heaven along with 1/3 of all the angels of heaven. He positioned himself to participate in the fall of man in Eden and has since made himself into the adversary of humanity as well as the accuser of the redeemed. His ultimate goal is to have humanity worship him in place of Jehovah God. During the 7 year tribulation period on this earth he will partially succeed until Christ comes and stops his blasphemous plan. He will be imprisoned in the bottomless pit just short of 1000 years until he is loosed for a little season. At this time he'll be apprehended and cast into the lake of fire. PRAISE GOD WE WIN !
Genesis 3:1-15; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 20:1-3,7-10;
ABOUT HEAVEN . . . . .
We believe in a literal heaven as the abode of God. The place where Christ today is preparing the homes of millions of His children. A place of beauty, peace, joy, fellowship, praise and worship. A place where all the redeemed will commune with their creator and their redeemer for all eternity. Entrance is gained solely through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ entered by grace through faith.
John 3:3-5, 6:32-35, 14:1-6; 2 Corinthians 12:1-9; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 4&5, 19:1-3, 21:1-22:7;
ABOUT HELL . . . . .
We believe in a literal hell where all the unsaved go immediately after they close their eyes in death. It is a place of darkness, fire, torment, suffering, crying, immense pain, memory, and total consciousness. There is no way out, no way to relieve the suffering and no way to escape. It was originally prepared for the devil and his angels but later became the abode of all those who reject Christ. Its ultimate end will be in the lake of fire at the Great White Throne judgment.
Matthew 25:31; Luke 16:23-28; John 3:18,36; Romans 8:1; Revelation 19:20, 20:10-15;
ABOUT CIVIL GOVERNMENT. . . . .
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions, the home, the Church and the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, however all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the Church and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective biblical assigned spheres of responsibility under God.
Matthew 22:17-21; Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24, 6:1-3; Hebrews 13:17; 1Peter 2:13-14;
ABOUT HUMAN SEXUALITY. . . . .
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity between a man and a woman should be engaged in outside of marriage. Any form of sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of the sexual relationship between a husband and his wife. To accept such perversions will bring about swift judgment from our Creator, as He calls such "an abominable thing." We must always remember that God hates sin yet loves the sinner. Those involved in such activity can be saved but must repent and come out from such practices.
Genesis 2:24, 19:5-7, 26:7-11: Leviticus 18:1-30; Matthew 5:27-28; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4;
ABOUT MARRIAGE. . . . .
We believe that marriage is the first and most honorable of all human relationships. It is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly but with much prayerful consideration and thought. Through God's gift of marriage a man and a woman can find a completeness that they will find nowhere else. Marriage was created to last a lifetime. However, due to the entrance of sin, we see the tragic consequence called divorce. God's Word allows the marriage bonds to be dissolved for three reasons, death, fornication (any type of sexual unfaithfulness) and the departing of an unbelieving spouse from the home. The marriage partner left behind is free to remarry in such circumstances. God's best is always for forgiveness and restoration if at all possible but He allows divorce in such situations.
Divorce and remarriage for any other reason is regarded as adultery until there is repentance and forgiveness, after which divorced/remarried or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be used of God in Christian service. However, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor and deacon.
Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; 1 Timothy 3:2 & 12; Titus 1:6-7;
ABOUT ABORTION. . . . .
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of an unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that the abortion of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental/physical well-being of the mother are acceptable.
Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24, 49:1,5; Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44;
ABOUT MISSIONS. . . . .
We believe that God has given the Church a Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As Ambassadors of Christ, we must use all available means to reach all nations and not to wait for them to come to us.
Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20;
ABOUT LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS. . . . .
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against one another, other Christians, or the Church to resolve personal conflicts or disputes. We believe that God's word teaches us how to resolve personal disputes between members of His body. We do believe that a Christian may seek compensation from injuries from another Christians' insurance company(ies) as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.
1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-31;
ABOUT GIVING. . . . .
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as the basis for giving, but that every believer is to give cheerfully and sacrificially to support the work of the Lord. God's work done God's way will never lack God's provision. His children will support His work.
Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6,10; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17
ABOUT THE BIBLE . . . .
The Bible is the word of God. Holy men of old recorded, as they were moved of the Holy Spirit, Gods revelation to man. We believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. We believe that the scriptures in their original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek are without error and represent to us today the genuine word from God. Our modern day versions are only as accurate as they faithfully represent the original manuscripts. The Bible today is to be our sole authority in matters of faith and practice through teaching, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that the redeemed of God may be brought to maturity, thoroughly equipped for all good works.
Deut 6:6-9; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:7-11, 119:9,11,18,89,105,130,133,160; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17, 4:2
1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:20-21;
ABOUT GOD . . . . .
There is one God eternally existing in three distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three were\are present and active in creation, in redemption and in restoration. They are the Triune God or Trinity. All three are equal and possess the same attributes or characteristics.
Genesis 1:1; Matthew 3:16, 28:19; John 3:16, 16:8-11; Romans 5:8; Colossians 2:9; 1 John 4:8-11;
ABOUT GOD THE FATHER . . . . .
We believe the Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is Spirit and has personal qualities such as intelligence, volition and emotion. We see Him at work in creation and in the plan of redemption for mankind.
Genesis 1:1,3; Exodus 20:5; Job 23:13; Isaiah 45:5; Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:39; John 4:24, 6:38; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:3-7;
ABOUT GOD THE SON . . . . .
We believe that Jesus Christ is God, the second person of the Trinity. He exists eternally and laid aside His preincarnate glory to become man. Yet, He in no way laid aside His deity. He is the True-God and True-Man. He was miraculously conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary and as the sole mediator between God and man. He lived a sinless life which culminated with His sacrificial death on the cross for all mankind. We believe that Jesus could not sin because He was and is God. He was buried and rose bodily from the tomb on the third day. He later bodily ascended into heaven where He today reigns as the Head of the church and the soon and coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is God's ideal man and man's ideal God.
Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:18, 4:2, 28:19; John 1:1-2,14, 20:28; Romans 5:8; Philippians 2:5-8, 3:20-21; Colossians 1:13-22; Hebrews 1:1-3, 7:25, 10:5-14;
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT . . . . .
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. His work before Pentecost was unique and since Pentecost is complete. He today, dwells in every believer, the moment they place their trust in Christ. His entrance unites and seals believers in the body of Christ. He is our sole source of power and wisdom as He is God in us. To be filled with the Spirit literally means to be controlled by Him as we walk in obedience to Gods word. The sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing (an individual healer) were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the filling or baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is not always God's will to heal the body of sickness or pain, though God frequently chooses to do so in answer to prayer by believers and obedience to His word.
His role today consist of restraining evil, convicting of sin, righteousness and judgment, regenerating all believers indwelling all the saved, sealing until the day of redemption, teaching the redeemed and empowering Gods servants to accomplish His will.
John 14:16-17, 16:7-15; Acts 1:8, 4:8,31; Romans 8:9,23; 1 Corinthians 1:22,6:19, 11:27-32, 12:13, 13:8,14:21-22; Ephesians 2:22, 4:30, 5:18; James 5:14-16;
ABOUT MAN . . . . .
We believe man was created by God as the pinnacle of His creative genius. He was created in His image, after the likeness of God. He fell through sin and as a consequence he died spiritually, becoming dead in trespasses and sins. At this time he became subject to the power of Satan where he remains today. Every person born since that time except for the Lord Jesus Christ, has inherited this fallen sinful nature. We sin because we are sinners, not sinners because we sin. Man today is totally unable to save himself. Mankind wrestles with these consequences and has no hope apart from Gods Perfect Plan for Redemption.
Genesis 1:21,24-31, 3:1-15; Psalm 14:1-3, 33:6, 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 19:26; Mark 7:21-23; John 1:3, 3:6,5:40, 6:53,8:42-44; Romans 1:18-32, 3:10-19,23, 5:12, 6:23, 8:6-7;
ABOUT SALVATION . . . . .
We believe in salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is offered as a result of the substitutionary and sacrificial death of Christ at Calvary. Salvation is offered as a free gift of God to a fallen humanity which has no hope. It can be received only by personal faith in Jesus Christ as savior. Repentance goes hand in hand with salvation as it is the bearing of the genuine fruit of salvation.
We also believe in the eternal security of the believer. Once someone is genuinely born again, they are saved forever. They have received the gift of eternal life which can in no way be lost or forfeited because of the very nature of our Savior, the Eternal Son of God.
John 1:12 3:16,18,36, 5:24, 6:28-29,40, 10:27-30, 14:6; Acts 4:12, 16:31; Romans 1:16-17, 3:22-26, 4:5, 6:23, 10:8-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 5:11-13;
ABOUT THE CHURCH . . . . .
We believe in one true universal church, composed of all those saved by the wonderful grace of God. It is unified in power and purpose by the Holy Spirit and Gods revealed will, the Bible. This church is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ composed of both Jew and Gentile alike assembled from Pentecost to the Rapture.
We believe in the local church as Gods plan for assembling believers in a specific locality. It is an independent and autonomous fellowship composed of those so directed of the Holy Spirit to unite together for prayer, worship, preaching, teaching, ministry, communion, discipleship, and soul winning. We believe it is vital to the life of every believer to be a part of a Christ honoring local fellowship and a necessary part of Gods plan for the proclamation of the gospel to every creature.
We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free of any external authority or control. That it is self- governing, self-supporting as Christ provides through its leaders and membership.
We recognize water baptism (immersion) and the Lord's Supper as the scriptural ordinances of obedience for the Church in this age.
Baptism...is a command of scripture for every believer, and it is an act of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, picturing His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism is identification with Christ and other believers of like faith. Being baptized does not make one a member of the Church. We do not believe in, nor practice infant baptism of any type.
The Lord's Supper...or Communion is to be partaken of by believers that are in fellowship with Him. It pictures His broken body, by broken bread, and His shed blood, by the grape juice. Our church shall practice "open" communion, (any visiting believer or believers present at the Lord's Supper may partake). All participants will be admonished to examine themselves and confess sin before partaking. The implements used are to be unfermented grape juice and unleavened bread.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-47, 6:1-8, 8:26-38, 13:1-4, 15:19-31,16:30-34, 18:8; Romans 12:4-5, 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 5:1-7, 10:32, 12:13; Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 1:18, 2:9-10; 1Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2&3;
ABOUT CREATION. . . . .
We believe that God created from nothing, the heavens and the earth in 6 literal days. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit were all active and part of the creation process. We do not adhere to any form of evolution or the evolutionary theory. We reject therefore, theistic evolution as nothing more than a feeble attempt to unite the clear teachings of the infallible Word of God regarding creation with unregenerate man's false theory of the creation process.
Genesis 1:1-2:27, John1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-3,
ABOUT DISPENSATIONS . . . .
We believe that in the course of human history God has administered His plan on the earth through man under varying responsibilities called dispensations. Each dispensation is a way of life & responsibility to God which would test the submission of man to God's revealed will during a particular time. Ultimately man fails in his responsibility and God then judges. These dispensations have spanned the entire course of human history. Three of these span major portions of the Word of God, which are, the dispensation of the Law, the current dispensation of Grace and the future dispensation of the Millennial Kingdom. Each is distinct and should not be confused or intermingled as they are chronologically successive.
1 Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 3:2 & 9, Colossians 1:25, 1 Timothy 1:4
ABOUT BIBLICAL SEPARATION . . . .
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as to never bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. This includes separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful activities, practices and associations as commanded by our Lord.
Romans 12:1-2, 14:13: 2 Corinthians 6:14- 7:2; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11;
ABOUT FUTURE THINGS . . . . .
We believe in the pre-millennial, pre-tribulational calling out of the true church of Jesus Christ. It will be composed of all those saved since the day of Pentecost.
In heaven, we will have the judgment seat of Christ and the marriage supper of the Lamb. While on earth, the 70th week of Daniel will be taking place.
At the end of those 7 years, Christ will return to this earth where the battle of Armageddon will take place. Once He crushes the forces of Antichrist, He will begin His 1000 year reign on this earth. Once the millennial reign is complete, the great white throne judgment will begin. Here all the unsaved dead of humanity will give account to God for rejection of His Son. Then God will judge this earth and give all the redeemed a new heaven and a new earth.
Daniel 7:13-27, 9:27, 12:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 30:7; Joel 1:15; Isaiah 9:6-7, 26:19; Matthew 24&25; John 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 19-22;
We believe that he is a created being who was originally the most beautiful of all Gods Cherubim. He was found to have sin in his heart in wanting to be God. Thus he was cast out of heaven along with 1/3 of all the angels of heaven. He positioned himself to participate in the fall of man in Eden and has since made himself into the adversary of humanity as well as the accuser of the redeemed. His ultimate goal is to have humanity worship him in place of Jehovah God. During the 7 year tribulation period on this earth he will partially succeed until Christ comes and stops his blasphemous plan. He will be imprisoned in the bottomless pit just short of 1000 years until he is loosed for a little season. At this time he'll be apprehended and cast into the lake of fire. PRAISE GOD WE WIN !
Genesis 3:1-15; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 20:1-3,7-10;
ABOUT HEAVEN . . . . .
We believe in a literal heaven as the abode of God. The place where Christ today is preparing the homes of millions of His children. A place of beauty, peace, joy, fellowship, praise and worship. A place where all the redeemed will commune with their creator and their redeemer for all eternity. Entrance is gained solely through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ entered by grace through faith.
John 3:3-5, 6:32-35, 14:1-6; 2 Corinthians 12:1-9; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 4&5, 19:1-3, 21:1-22:7;
ABOUT HELL . . . . .
We believe in a literal hell where all the unsaved go immediately after they close their eyes in death. It is a place of darkness, fire, torment, suffering, crying, immense pain, memory, and total consciousness. There is no way out, no way to relieve the suffering and no way to escape. It was originally prepared for the devil and his angels but later became the abode of all those who reject Christ. Its ultimate end will be in the lake of fire at the Great White Throne judgment.
Matthew 25:31; Luke 16:23-28; John 3:18,36; Romans 8:1; Revelation 19:20, 20:10-15;
ABOUT CIVIL GOVERNMENT. . . . .
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions, the home, the Church and the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, however all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the Church and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective biblical assigned spheres of responsibility under God.
Matthew 22:17-21; Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24, 6:1-3; Hebrews 13:17; 1Peter 2:13-14;
ABOUT HUMAN SEXUALITY. . . . .
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity between a man and a woman should be engaged in outside of marriage. Any form of sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of the sexual relationship between a husband and his wife. To accept such perversions will bring about swift judgment from our Creator, as He calls such "an abominable thing." We must always remember that God hates sin yet loves the sinner. Those involved in such activity can be saved but must repent and come out from such practices.
Genesis 2:24, 19:5-7, 26:7-11: Leviticus 18:1-30; Matthew 5:27-28; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4;
ABOUT MARRIAGE. . . . .
We believe that marriage is the first and most honorable of all human relationships. It is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly but with much prayerful consideration and thought. Through God's gift of marriage a man and a woman can find a completeness that they will find nowhere else. Marriage was created to last a lifetime. However, due to the entrance of sin, we see the tragic consequence called divorce. God's Word allows the marriage bonds to be dissolved for three reasons, death, fornication (any type of sexual unfaithfulness) and the departing of an unbelieving spouse from the home. The marriage partner left behind is free to remarry in such circumstances. God's best is always for forgiveness and restoration if at all possible but He allows divorce in such situations.
Divorce and remarriage for any other reason is regarded as adultery until there is repentance and forgiveness, after which divorced/remarried or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be used of God in Christian service. However, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor and deacon.
Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; 1 Timothy 3:2 & 12; Titus 1:6-7;
ABOUT ABORTION. . . . .
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of an unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that the abortion of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental/physical well-being of the mother are acceptable.
Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24, 49:1,5; Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44;
ABOUT MISSIONS. . . . .
We believe that God has given the Church a Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As Ambassadors of Christ, we must use all available means to reach all nations and not to wait for them to come to us.
Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20;
ABOUT LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS. . . . .
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against one another, other Christians, or the Church to resolve personal conflicts or disputes. We believe that God's word teaches us how to resolve personal disputes between members of His body. We do believe that a Christian may seek compensation from injuries from another Christians' insurance company(ies) as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.
1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-31;
ABOUT GIVING. . . . .
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as the basis for giving, but that every believer is to give cheerfully and sacrificially to support the work of the Lord. God's work done God's way will never lack God's provision. His children will support His work.
Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6,10; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17