I.
The Bible
A. We believe the Bible is God’s self-disclosure
to mankind through particular men in history who recorded the 66 canonical books
of the Bible. The Father is the ultimate
source of all Scripture which is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). Christ is
the Word made flesh (John 1:1, 14) and He gave direct revelation to certain
individuals (Genesis 13:14-17;
Hebrews 1:1-3). The Holy Spirit led all
the Biblical authors in writing God’s Word (Zachariah 7:12; John 14:26;
16:13-15). It is through the Bible that God reveals His
plan of salvation and how the relationship is restored between God and man (Ps
19:7-11).
B. The Bible is Inspired by God, through the
Holy Spirit, meaning He used certain men to record His Word; thus the Bible
contains no errors or contradictions.
The Spirit controlled the complete and accurate recording of God’s Word
(2 Samuel 23:2; Jeremiah 1:7, 9; Zechariah 7:12; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, 14:37; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Every word of the Bible is equally and
completely God’s inspired Word. All
Scripture, according to 2 Timothy 3:16,
is inspired which means that every word in each of the 66 books are equally
inspired.
C. The Bible has the authority, power and right
to instruct mankind about God, how to have a relationship with Him, and the
consequences of rejecting God. The Bible
has this power and right because it is His inspired Word; its authority comes
from God (Isaiah 66:2, 5; 2 Tim 3:16-4:2;
Titus 2:15).
D. God insured the ongoing availability and
reliability of His Word, so we can be sure that we have in English translations
the Word of God. While there is not one
English version that this church officially endorses, we do encourage members
to read and study from actual Greek to English translations rather than
paraphrases or translations using a third language. Recommended English versions include the
NKJV, NASB, NIV, and ESV.
E. We believe in a Dispensational approach to
interpreting the Bible.
1. This includes Literal Interpretation which is
the method of interpreting Scripture that seeks to identify the Holy Spirit’s
intended meaning in the text. It holds
that the only meaning is the one established by God given through selected
human authors who used language and grammar to communicate to the original
audience in a particular historical setting (also called the
grammatical/historical method). This
method takes the text at face value allowing for figures of speech, metaphors,
and other language tools.
2. This also includes the Progress of Revelation
which is a term used to describe how God revealed Himself to man throughout
history until the completion of the New Testament (NT). Mankind did not have God’s complete
revelation to him until the final NT book was written. The Progress of Revelation also states that
later revelation cannot invalidate or contradict any clear teaching given in
earlier revelation. Rather, new
revelation built upon, clarified, and provided a deeper understanding of God
and His plan for mankind.
3. This also includes a distinction between Israel
and the Church. When Israel
rejected Jesus as the Messiah and crucified Him, the Church did not become Israel
or take its place. God made certain
promises to the nation of Israel
in the OT concerning the Promised Land, a King who would rule on earth forever,
and others. Some of these promises have
not been fully fulfilled yet. Thus God
is not done with the nation Israel;
while the Church has entered into some of those promises, it did not become the
sole recipients of them.
II. The
True God
A.
One God
We believe that there is one, and
only one, living and true God, an Infinite, Intelligent Spirit, the Creator and
Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and
worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; He is the God who testifies
of Himself in the Bible (Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 42:10-11;
Romans 3:29-30). God is self-sustaining and self-existent
(John 5:26; 8:58; Acts 17:25). He is eternal (Psalm 90:2). He is personal, meaning we can know Him
(Genesis 1:28-30; 2:16-17; Exodus 34:6-7; Matthew 6:9). He is a Spirit (Luke 24:39; John 4:24; 1 Tim 1:17). God created all things and without Him
nothing could exist (John 1:1-4). He is
distinct from His Creation and sovereign over it (Psalm 99:1-3). God
is above and beyond space; He is not limited to being in any one particular
place (1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 139:7;
Isaiah 40:22; Jeremiah 23:24;
Matthew 28:18-19). Yet God is also omnipresent which means that God is
everywhere present at once and directly involved (Psalm 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:24).
B. Three Divine Persons
We believe that in the unity of the
One God there are three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in every
divine attribute and perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices
in all His works. The Father is God (Romans 1:7). Jesus
Christ is God (John 1:1, 14). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4).
C. The God of Creation
God spoke and all things were
created ex nihilo, that is “from nothing” (Genesis 1;
Psalm 33:6, 9; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 11:3). The Father willed Creation (Ephesians
1:4). The Son performed Creation and
holds it together (Colossians 1:15-17). The Spirit oversees Creation (Genesis 1;
Psalm 104:30).
III. Jesus
Christ, God the Son
A. Deity and Humanity
We believe in the Deity and true
sinless humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As God He is eternal and has always existed. In taking on humanity, He was conceived of
the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is therefore God manifest in
human flesh, fully God and fully man.
Jesus is the Christ; He is both the Son of God and God the Son (John
1:1; 10:30; Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:6-7).
B. Crucifixion and Resurrection
We believe that the Lord Jesus
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Because Jesus is both God and man He was the
only One able to make atonement for those who believe. Jesus is fully human and as such could die as
one of us (John 19:33-34); He is
fully God having infinite worth and able to die for all men; the Just dying for
the unjust (John 20:28). Because of this, mankind has a Saviour. All who believe in Him and repent of sin are
redeemed and justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He died in our place so that we could have
forgiveness of sin and life through a relationship with God; that is Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit (Romans 5:9; 2 Corinthians 7:10;
Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24). Because this was the Blood of God the Son, it
was offered once-for-all (Hebrews 7:27;
9:12, 26, 28; 10:10, 12, 14). The
shedding of His Blood paid the price for all the sins of those who believe
(Hebrews 10:14). Jesus was buried and He rose again the third
day victorious over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
C. Ascension and Current/Future Work
We believe that the Lord Jesus
Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as
our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and
Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1-2). Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and is
working to build that church (Mt 16:18).
He will return as King and establish His
earthly Kingdom. At the time of His
return He will defeat Satan and his
forces and Satan will be bound during Christ's Millennial Kingdom (Rev 19-20) which is the beginning of the Eternal State.
During the 1000 year Kingdom period, Christ will reign on earth with a
rod of iron (Psalm 2:9).
IV. The
Holy Spirit
A. Deity
The Holy Spirit is part of the
Godhead with the Father and Son. Jesus
promised another Helper, the Holy Spirit who would come when Jesus departed
(John 14:16-17). The Spirit did come as promised in Acts
2:1-4. The activities of the Spirit
recorded in Scripture give evidence to His existence. This includes His teaching (John 14:26), bearing witness of Jesus (John 15:26), conviction of the world (John 16:8),
and guidance for the disciples as well as glorifying of Christ (16:13-14).
Paul adds that the Spirit intercedes for believers in Romans 8:26-27 and
distributes gifts to the saints as He desires according to 1 Corinthians 12:11.
The Holy Spirit is identified as a part of the Trinity in Matthew 28:19;
Romans 15:30; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6;
Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; and Jude 20-21.
Also, God’s and the Spirit’s names are used interchangeably (John 3:3, 1 John 3:9; Acts 5:3, 4; 1
Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, 12:6, 11; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Hebrews 10:15). Also, the Spirit possesses the same
attributes as God: omniscience (1 Corinthians 2:10-11),
omnipotence (Luke 1:35),
omnipresence (Psalm 139:7), holiness (Ephesians 4:30),
and being eternal (Hebrews 9:14). Finally, the Spirit was involved in Creation
(Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30), in revelation (1 Corinthians 2:10), in inspiration (2 Samuel 23:2-3; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16),
and has part in regeneration (John 3:5-8; Romans 8:11;
Titus 3:5; 1 John 3:9).
B. His Work in Salvation
The Holy Spirit spiritually
transforms the believer from death unto life at the point of coming to faith in
Christ; this is called regeneration
but is also described as being “born of the Sprit” in John 3:3-8 (see also
James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 1:13, 2:29, and 5:1, 4). As a result of the Spirit’s regeneration, the
believer is a new creature that has been reborn and renewed (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5). The Holy Spirit also seals the believer at
the time of coming to faith in Christ (Ephesians 1:13). Sealing is where the Holy Spirit secures
God’s ownership of the believer for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
The Spirit also gives assurance that the believer belongs to God (Romans
8:15-16; Galatians 4:6).
C. His Work in Sanctification
There are three aspects of
sanctification; they are positional, progressive and ultimate. Positional takes place at the time of
salvation through Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:2, 6:11; Hebrews 10:10). Progressive sanctification is the process by
which the believer is made more Christ-like throughout his life through
submission to the Spirit (Romans 8:4-14; Galatians 5:16, 22-25).
Ultimate is the completed Christ-like state the believer enters upon
being glorified at the Day of the Lord (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 1:8;
Ephesians 1:4, 5:27; Colossians 1:22-23a; Jude 24). Sanctification is then the work of God to
bring the believer into perfect Christ-likeness.
D. Spiritual Gifts
These are abilities or ministries,
which believers receive from the Spirit for use within, or service as part of,
the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
According to the will of the Spirit, all believers receive at conversion
at least one gift and no one has all the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11, 13, 18,
29-30). Although several passages list
the kinds of gifts given, there are two general categories as found in 1 Peter 4:11; these are speaking and serving. See also Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10,
28-30; and Ephesians 4:11. The gifts are
to be used in the edification of the Body and its common good, unity and care
(1 Corinthians 12:7, 25, 14:12;
Ephesians 4:11-12). They are exercised through the effort and
activity of the believer in ministry. Only
those listed in Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; and
Ephesians 4:11 are actual Spiritual Gifts.
Some of these spiritual gifts were only given by the Spirit during the
transition between the Old and New Testaments.
These temporary gifts were those that accompanied the gift of Apostle
and were given as signs that God was making a change in the way He interacts
with mankind, that is through His Son Jesus Christ. That is why these gifts were called the “sign
gifts” (Mark 16:20; Acts 2:22, 43; Romans 15:19; 2 Corinthians 12:12;
Hebrews 2:4). Specifically the temporary
gifts were apostle, healing, miracles, prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of
tongues.
V. Angels,
Satan, and demons
A. Existence, Nature, and Activities of Angels:
The Bible unquestionably qualifies the existence of angels (Matthew 26:53; Luke
2:9-15; Acts 12:1-17; Hebrews 1; Revelation 12:7-9). The Bible also states that all things were
created by God; this includes angels (John 1:3; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 1:16).
It also states that there are thousands
upon thousands of them (Psalm 68:17; Daniel 3:10;
Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11). Angels show
emotions, intelligence and the ability to choose (2 Samuel 14:20; Luke 2:13;
Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12). They are spirit beings who give forth light
(Hebrews 1:14; Luke 24:2; Acts 10:30; Revelation 10:1, 18:1). They have no physical body (Luke 24:39), but
can appear in human form (Gen 18:22;
Acts 1:10). They are not deity (Revelation 19:10).
Physically, their power and ability are beyond that of humans (Psalm
103:20; 2 Peter 2:11). Angels have names, but other than Michael,
Gabriel, and Satan we do not know them; if God wanted us to know others He
would have made them known to us. We
should not worship or attempt to contact angels; our communication is to be
with God. Angels carry out various activities for God. They were created to worship and serve God
(Psalm 103:20-21; 148:2; Isaiah 6:3; Luke 1:19;
Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:6-7;
Revelation 4:8, 5:11-12). As part of their service to God, angels carry
out activities in relation to humans.
They provide protection, encouragement, strength, and deliverance to
God’s people as He so chooses (Psalm 91:11-12; Daniel 10:19; Acts 12:1-17, 27:23-24).
B. Existence and Activities of Fallen Angels
and Satan: Scripture is very clear about the existence of Satan, also
called the devil, and the evil angels called demons (Matthew 8:16; Revelation 12:9). Satan is the ruler of the evil angels (Matthew
12:24). Satan was once holy but he sinned against God
out of pride (1 Timothy 3:6), some angels fell with the devil by sinning
against God (2 Pet 2:4, Jude 6; Revelation 12:4). Although Satan and the demons have power and
abilities similar to that of good angels, their activities are in direct
opposition to God. They directly and
indirectly oppose God and His people (Matthew 16:23; Acts 13:8-10; 1
Thessalonians 2:8; 1 Peter 5:8), they deceive and lie (Matthew 24:24;
Revelation 12:9; 13:14; 20:3, 8, 10; 1 John 4:1-4), they tempt people to sin
(Genesis 3:1; Leviticus 18:6-30; Luke 8:27-29; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1
Thessalonians 3:5), try to keep people from trusting Christ (Matthew 13:19; 1
John 4:1-4), they murder (Luke 13:16; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 12:7; Revelation
12:4), and they possess or influence people (Mark 1:23-26; 5:1-5). Additionally, Satan accuses believers before
God (Job 1:9-11; 2:4-5; Revelation 12:10).
C. Judgment of Satan and demons: Satan
will be cast into the Lake of Fire
following his final rebellion after Christ’s Millennial
Kingdom (Revelation 20:7-10). Until that judgment, Satan and the demons not
currently imprisoned are roaming the earth and have limited rule of it (John 12:31; 14:30;
2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8; Jude 6).
They are limited by God (Job 1:6, 12; 2:1). God still uses Satan and the demons for His
good purposes (1 Samuel 16:14; 18:10; 2 Chronicles 18:18-22; Job 1-2; Matthew 4:1; Luke 22:31; 2 Corinthians 12:7). Finally, the demons are aware of God’s coming
judgment upon them (Mark 8:29).
VI. Man
A. The Origin of Man
Genesis 1 and 2 explain that the
universe, including mankind, was created by God. These chapters are taken literally, not
allegorically or figuratively. Genesis
1:26-30 provides a general description of the creation of man on day six of
Creation; verse 27 says that both man and woman were created that day. Genesis 2:7-8, 21-22 provide a more detailed
description of the creation of that man and that woman on day six whose names
were Adam and Eve (Zechariah 12:1; Matthew 19:4; Mark 10:6; 1 Corinthians
11:8-9; 15:45; and 1 Timothy 2:8-9). The
first man and woman were created from the Will and Word of God (Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 3:9). Physically, Adam was formed by God from the
dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7, 3:19). God then breathed into him the breath of
life. God created Eve, the first woman,
using the rib of Adam. Genesis 1:27 says that they were created in God’s
image. This does not refer to the
physical body since God is a Spirit (Deut 4:15-18; John 4:24). Rather, it refers to immaterial and spiritual
characteristics of God which includes intelligence, the ability to choose, morality,
the ability to have fellowship and communicate with God and people (Genesis
2:15-17, 20, 23-24; 3:6).
B. The Nature of Man
The Post-Fall Nature of Man - The
Fall recorded in Gen 3:6 did affect man physically and spiritually. Adam chose sin and rebellion against God, all
of mankind is equally guilty (Romans 3:23). The result of sin is spiritual and physical
death with no hope of restoration with God outside of His provision through His
Son Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:19; John
14:6).
The Post-Resurrection Nature of Man
- The regenerate man in this life is predestined to be conformed to the perfect
image of God: that is the image of Christ (Romans 8:29;
Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians
4:4). Through salvation the effects of
the Fall are reversed and we are remade into His image; although that process
will not be complete until our resurrection.
No physical renewal will take place until the resurrection (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:24;
Colossians 3:10). That future glorification will complete the
perfect image in a believer (1 Corinthians 15:49). A believer’s spirit will be reunited with the
resurrected and glorified body and we will be like Christ (1 John 3:2). The unregenerate man’s spirit will also be
reunited with his resurrected body for eternal judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:7;
Hebrews 9:27).
VII.
Sin
The first man, Adam, was created
sinless but he chose to sin (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:6; Romans 5:12; 2 Timothy
2:14). As a result the entire human race
inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God (Romans 3:9-18;
Colossians 1:21). Man is totally depraved, spiritually corrupt
and enslaved to sin, and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost
condition; we are sinners by birth and then by choice and are therefore under
just condemnation to eternal punishment without defense or excuse (Romans 3:23;
6:16-17, 23; 8:7-8; Eph. 2:1-3; Titus 1:15-16). Man is completely without hope before God
apart from Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
VIII. Salvation
A. Mankind’s need for salvation
Man is holistically corrupted by
sin; it affects every part of his body and soul. He is spiritually corrupt and dead, enslaved
to sin, and unable to do any good before God (Romans 8:7-8; Galatians 3:22;
Ephesians 2:1, 5, 12; Titus 1:15-16).
Man is thus completely dependant upon God for salvation from sin, death,
and His wrath. God’s salvation is
provided to those who accept it by faith through God’s call, conversion,
regeneration, union with Christ, justification, and adoption. Briefly stated, salvation is deliverance from
sin, spiritual death, and God’s wrath through faith in Christ
B. The Concept of Election
Election, as related to our
salvation, means that God chose certain individuals according to His plan and
purpose before the foundation of the world to be the recipients of His blessing
being made holy and blameless in a restored relationship with Him. God knew those whom He would choose before He
created the world and it was a matter of His will not just a knowledge of man’s
future choices (foreknowledge) (Psalm 139:15-16; Romans 8:28-29; 9:15-23). God has predetermined those who are chosen,
because He is sovereign and controls human events in perfect justice
(predestination) (John 6:37-40; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:11-12). Scripture also seems to show that man has a
free will (Luke 13:34). However, since no one seeks after God, no one
would ever choose to serve God on his own (Romans 3:11). The basis
for our salvation is that God chose us according to His Will through giving us
faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on our behalf (Rom 8:29; 1 Cor
1:26-31; Eph 1:5, 11; 1 Pet 1:1-2).
C. The Nature of Salvation
Reconciliation is that part of salvation whereby God restores the
peaceful relationship between Himself and man.
Prior to reconciliation men are separate from Christ (Ephesians 2:12-13), foreigners and aliens (Ephesians 2:19), and enemies of God (Romans 5:10).
Reconciliation is initiated by God (Romans 5:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19),
possible because of the atoning work of Christ which provides justification
(Romans 5:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21),
and possible because the Spirit draws an individual to faith which is called
regeneration (John 3:5-8; 16:8-9).
Reconciliation is potential for all men in that Christ’s atonement is
available to all (John 3:16-17; 2
Corinthians 5:14, 19; Hebrews 2:9)
but it is only actualized to those who accept the atonement by faith (2
Corinthians 5).
Justification is God’s declaring a sinner righteous because of the
death of Christ on the sinner’s behalf.
It is the legal verdict of forgiveness from sin and the righteousness a
sinner receives upon believing (Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:13). It is Christ’s perfect obedience resulting in
His shed blood that is the grounds for a man’s justification including the
turning away of God’s wrath (Romans 5:9).
The instrument of justification is a man’s faith in Christ and having
been justified, we can have reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:16).
This means that the believer’s sins are no longer counted against him
(Romans 4:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19). Having been cleansed from the defilement of
sin (1 Corinthians 6:11),
justification is the annulling of a sinner's condemnation (Romans 8:1). The sinner is thus declared righteous by God
(Romans 4:2-6; 5:19)
Permanence of Salvation. Just
as salvation is an act of the sovereign God in the lives of men, so too is
maintaining salvation (Romans 8:28-30;
1 Corinthians 1:8-9). Thus a believer is
eternally saved because our sovereign God calls men to salvation and they are
secure in His power. Yet believers are
to persevere in their faith regardless of life’s circumstances (Romans 15:4-5;
2 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:16). While there may be temporary lapses in the
faith of a believer who commits sin (see Peter in John 18:25-27; 21:15-17),
such an experience does not remove salvation because it is not dependant upon
man, but upon God.
D. The Application of Salvation
Grace is God’s unmerited favor given to man. Grace is that extended to the elect through
the Holy Spirit for salvation by determination of God’s Will and independent of
man (John 16:8, 10; Romans 8:29-30;
Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9). It is
by grace that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Conversion requires both
repentance and faith. Repentance is a man’s turning from
sin. It is intellectual acknowledgment
of personal sin (Romans 3:20),
emotional regret for that sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-11), and the decision to
forsake sin (2 Peter 3:9). All three are
necessary for repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10;
Hebrews 12:17). Faith
is turning to Jesus Christ alone and embracing Him as the only capable provider
for the restoration of a peaceful relationship with God (John 1:12; Romans 3:22;
Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8). There are three aspects of faith which must
all be true of the individual believer: Intellectual understanding (Romans 10:17), emotional desire (Acts 2:37), and the decision to believe (John 1:12; Acts 16:31). Without all three there is not true faith
(Jas 2:19; Mt 13:20). Faith alone
is the means to salvation, not works.
There is no amount of good that a person can do to earn or even
contribute to salvation (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16; Ephesians
2:8-9).
Regeneration and New Birth. The
Holy Spirit spiritually transforms the believer from death unto life at the
point of conversion (Ephesians 2:5; Romans 6:4, 6, 11). This is called regeneration or “new birth”
but is also described as being “born of the Sprit” in John 3:3-8. As a result of the Spirit’s regeneration, the
believer is a new creature that has been reborn and now has a renewed mind and
desires (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus
3:5) and also has the capacity to know, love, and serve God. He is washed clean (1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5) and is no longer a slave to
sin (Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 5:24-25). Like the rest of salvation, regeneration is
fully the work of God (Ephesians 2:5) by the Spirit (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5)
through the Word (James 1:18; 1
Peter 1:23). Regeneration is an instantaneous event at the
time of conversion (Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13;
Titus 3:5); it follows rather than precedes faith (John 5:24; 7:38-39;
Ephesians 1:13). The result is a new lifestyle (Romans 6:1-4;
Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 2:10) although it is still possible for the
believer to sin (Romans 6:12-14; Galatians 5:24-25).
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit also occurs once in every believer’s
life at the point of conversion. It is
the event in which Christ baptizes the believer in the Spirit so as to bring
the believer into the Body of Christ (Matthew 3:11;
Acts 1:5; Romans 6:3; 1 Corinthians 12:13;
Galatians 3:27). The result is union with Christ and other
believers (Romans 6:5). This differs
from the “filling of the Spirit” which means that the believer’s life is
characterized by the Spirit’s influence (Luke 4:1; Acts 6:3-5, 7:55, 11:24) or
that he is under the influence of the Spirit (Eph 5:18-19). Filling of the Spirit is an on-going process
of continual yielding to Him.
Adoption is the act of God at the time of salvation where the new
believer’s relationship begins as His son with all favor and blessing. Adoption by God is provided through
justification and reconciliation (Romans 8:17;
Galatians 4:5-7; Ephesians 1:5) which stem from His love for us (1 John
3:1). Believers, unlike non-believers,
are legally adopted; this is much more than the Creator/creation relationship
non-believers possess (1 John 3:1-2).
This adoption brings the freedom of a Father/son relationship (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6-7), but not freedom to sin
(Romans 6:1-2; Galatians 5:13-16). The Father disciplines those who sin for
their own good (Hebrews 12:5-11).
Adoption also includes being co-heirs of the Kingdom with Christ (Romans
8:16-17).
Assurance of Salvation refers to the
individual believer’s full confidence and conviction that the penalty for his
sin has been paid and that he will be eternally in a right relationship with
God because of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Personal experience must not be the basis of assurance in a person’s
life. Rather, the Spirit witnesses to
our spirit that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16). The Word
provides for assurance in John 5:24; 10:27-29;
Romans 8:35-39; 10:9; and 1 John
5:12. God’s conviction of sin and
discipline also bear witness that we are His children (Hebrews 12:7-8). It is about trusting God and His Word. Also from a practical standpoint, yet
secondary to the above evidence, John tells us that belief, obedience, and love
of the brethren are evidence of salvation (1 John 4:15, 20; 5:3).
IX. The
Church
We are currently reviewing this
section for inclusion in the doctrinal statement.
X. The last days
A. Dispensational Interpretation
We believe that the accurate and reliable method of interpreting
Scripture is that of Dispensationalism.
That is because of its reliance upon literal interpretation (2 Peter 1:19-21), a distinction between Israel and the Church (Romans 9:3-4; 10:1; 1
Corinthians 10:32), and
the doxological purpose of the Bible (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14).
B. Premillennialism
Scripture states that Jesus will return to Earth
(Second Advent) and establish His Earthly Kingdom for 1000 years followed by
the eternal Kingdom (Revelation 19-21). Premillennialism provides for future
fulfillment of the unconditional Abrahamic and Davidic covenants to national
Israel as promised by God (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18-21; 2 Chronicles 9:25-26; 2
Samuel 7:11-16; Jeremiah 33:17, 25, 26; Psalm 89:33-37; Isaiah 2:1-4; Zachariah
4). These confirm the necessity for
national Israel to possess the land
described therein and to have a king who eternally rules from the throne in Jerusalem.
C. The Rapture of the Church
The Scriptures teach that the Church (both those saints who are dead
and alive) will be taken from the Earth prior to the start of the 7-year
Tribulation. The Church is excluded from
God’s Wrath which is poured out during the 7-year Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10).
Thus the church must be taken before the Tribulation begins.
D. The Tribulation
The Tribulation is the 7-year
period in which Israel
will be cleansed and judged and the gentile nations will receive the Wrath of
God. It starts with the signing of the
treaty between Antichrist and Israel (Daniel 9:27) and lasts until Christ’s
Second Advent when Antichrist is judged and Satan is cast into the bottomless
pit for 1000 years (Revelation 19:11-20:3).
This is the period described in Daniel as the 70th week. During this time the 144,000 remnant of Israel
are sealed under God’s protection. The
midpoint of the Tribulation is when Antichrist breaks the treaty and commits
the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27;
Matthew 24:15). The next 3.5 years are
called the Great Tribulation based on Matthew 24:21. The 7 years ends with Christ’s Second Advent
as described in Rev 19. See also Isaiah
24:1-21; Jeremiah 30:4-11; Ezekiel 20: 33-39; Daniel 11:36-45; Matthew 24:9-31;
Revelation 4-19.
F. The Millennial Kingdom
Christ returns and conquers His
enemies, conducts judgment upon the wicked, and then establishes His 1000 year
reign from the throne in Jerusalem
(Rev 19:11-20:3). The Millennial Reign of Christ is the first
part of God’s physical future Kingdom on Earth and will be a time of unparalleled
righteousness upon the earth as Christ rules and judges the people and
nations. All will worship Him and there
will be complete peace upon the earth (see also Isaiah 2:2-5, 9:6-7; Micah 4:1-4).
Jeremiah 23:5-6, Psalm 110:4 speak of David’s descendant reigning in the
land forever. Ezekiel 40-48 describe the
Temple and worship during the
Millennium. At the conclusion of the
1000 years, Satan will be loosed from the pit and will gather an army of the
nations to do battle with Christ; all of Satan’s army will be consumed with
fire and Satan at last cast into the Lake of Fire forever (Isaiah 24:21-23;
Revelation 20:7-10).
G. The Eternal State
The
Eternal State is the second part of God’s physical future Kingdom
and Christ will reign forever. It is the
final environment recorded in Scripture (Revelation 21). It will be entirely different than anything
man has ever seen or experienced. There
will be complete harmony with God for those who have faithfully trusted Him
during human History; death and evil will have been conquered and those who
rejected God will eternally suffer.
