Posts
Doctrinal Confession
Prologomena
In essential beliefs — there must be unity.
“There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
and one God and Father of us all...” Eph. 4:4-6
and one God and Father of us all...” Eph. 4:4-6
• In non-essential beliefs — there must be liberty.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable
matters... Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master
he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
matters... Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master
he stands or falls... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22
• In all beliefs — there must be charity.
“...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very
secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have
no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Cor. 13:2
secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have
no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Cor. 13:2
• In teaching and applying beliefs — there must be integrity.
In as much as the ministry of the Word must be entrusted to men proven
competent in lifestyle, circumstance, and study, for the teaching and
application of holistic counsel of the Word into the whole of life for those
belonging to the Lord, the overseers of the Body must seek to honor God
above all men in the administration of that counsel to the best of their
ability. The Word must be proclaimed without compromise or priority of
social agenda according to God's purposes for it.
competent in lifestyle, circumstance, and study, for the teaching and
application of holistic counsel of the Word into the whole of life for those
belonging to the Lord, the overseers of the Body must seek to honor God
above all men in the administration of that counsel to the best of their
ability. The Word must be proclaimed without compromise or priority of
social agenda according to God's purposes for it.
"But you must speak what is consistent with sound teaching...with integrity
and dignity in your teaching. Your message is to be sound beyond reproach...
demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God
our Savior in everything. For the grace of God has appeared with salvation
for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live
in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age..." "Proclaim the
message you originally received whether convenient or not...fulfill your
ministry." Titus 2:1, 7, 8, 10-12 also 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5.
and dignity in your teaching. Your message is to be sound beyond reproach...
demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God
our Savior in everything. For the grace of God has appeared with salvation
for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live
in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age..." "Proclaim the
message you originally received whether convenient or not...fulfill your
ministry." Titus 2:1, 7, 8, 10-12 also 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5.
Statement of Doctrine
1. The Holy Scriptures
I believe in the Protestant
(66 books) Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments
as the inspired verbal and plenary Word of God. I
believe God superintended the work of human authors
within the authoring process so that, using their own
individual personalities, they composed and recorded,
without error in the original autographs, His revelation
to man. All Scripture is authoritative and without error.
Furthermore, I believe it is the supreme and final auth-
ority in all matters about which it speaks. I believe the
Scriptures are to be interpreted in a primarily literal
and normal way. I believe it is the teachers divine
mandate to consider historical-cultural context, literary
genre, grammatical construction, literary context, the
possible applications that they original audience could
have understood, and harmony with other scriptures as
guidelines for interpretation. I believe all of Scripture
requires careful study and contextualization. I believe
that the Holy Spirit guides the believer into accepting
the testimony of Scripture as truth, but that the believer
has the responsibility to grow in maturity of the Word
through careful study. I believe that God's revelation to
man is complete for the purposes God has for man, and
that He speaks to man primarily through the Scriptures.
(Proverbs 2:1-5, 3:21-24; Matthew 5:18; John 10:35;
Romans 12:2; I Timothy 4:6-16; II Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17,
4:1-5; Hebrews 5:11-14; I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:5-9,
20-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(66 books) Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments
as the inspired verbal and plenary Word of God. I
believe God superintended the work of human authors
within the authoring process so that, using their own
individual personalities, they composed and recorded,
without error in the original autographs, His revelation
to man. All Scripture is authoritative and without error.
Furthermore, I believe it is the supreme and final auth-
ority in all matters about which it speaks. I believe the
Scriptures are to be interpreted in a primarily literal
and normal way. I believe it is the teachers divine
mandate to consider historical-cultural context, literary
genre, grammatical construction, literary context, the
possible applications that they original audience could
have understood, and harmony with other scriptures as
guidelines for interpretation. I believe all of Scripture
requires careful study and contextualization. I believe
that the Holy Spirit guides the believer into accepting
the testimony of Scripture as truth, but that the believer
has the responsibility to grow in maturity of the Word
through careful study. I believe that God's revelation to
man is complete for the purposes God has for man, and
that He speaks to man primarily through the Scriptures.
(Proverbs 2:1-5, 3:21-24; Matthew 5:18; John 10:35;
Romans 12:2; I Timothy 4:6-16; II Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17,
4:1-5; Hebrews 5:11-14; I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:5-9,
20-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
2. The Godhead
I believe in one Triune God, existing
in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal
in being, identical in essence, equal in power and glory,
and having the same attributes of perfection.
(Genesis 1:2, 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:21;
Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3, 8:58, 17:5, 11, 21-22, 24;
Colossians 1:15-16)
in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal
in being, identical in essence, equal in power and glory,
and having the same attributes of perfection.
(Genesis 1:2, 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:21;
Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3, 8:58, 17:5, 11, 21-22, 24;
Colossians 1:15-16)
A. The Father The Father is the ultimate authority
and object of glory. The Father is the supreme object of
Christ's revelation. (Matthew 5:16,6:9, 7:21, 10:32-33,
11:27, 16:27, 20:23, 24:36, 25:34; John 17:1-12;
Revelations 5)
and object of glory. The Father is the supreme object of
Christ's revelation. (Matthew 5:16,6:9, 7:21, 10:32-33,
11:27, 16:27, 20:23, 24:36, 25:34; John 17:1-12;
Revelations 5)
3. The Person and Work of Christ
I believe that the Lord
Jesus, the eternal Son of God, became man, without
ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy
Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might
reveal God and redeem the broken Image of God in
man, and redeem sinful man through His life, death
and resurrection. I believe that He fully accomplished
our redemption and secured it for all time, through
His death on the cross as a volitional, vicarious, and
propitiatory sacrifice. I believe that our redemption,
salvation, and hope of new life is guaranteed to us by
His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
(Isaiah 53:4-5, 10-12; John 1:1-2, 14, 18, 17:3-8,
25-26; Luke 1:35, 19:10; Romans 3:24-26, 4:25,
5:12-21, 6:4; 1 John 3:8)
Jesus, the eternal Son of God, became man, without
ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy
Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might
reveal God and redeem the broken Image of God in
man, and redeem sinful man through His life, death
and resurrection. I believe that He fully accomplished
our redemption and secured it for all time, through
His death on the cross as a volitional, vicarious, and
propitiatory sacrifice. I believe that our redemption,
salvation, and hope of new life is guaranteed to us by
His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
(Isaiah 53:4-5, 10-12; John 1:1-2, 14, 18, 17:3-8,
25-26; Luke 1:35, 19:10; Romans 3:24-26, 4:25,
5:12-21, 6:4; 1 John 3:8)
I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven,
exalted at the right hand of God, where, as His people's
High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of intercession and
advocacy. (Hebrews 1:3, 3:1, 7:23-25, 9:24, 12:2;
I John 2:1-2)
exalted at the right hand of God, where, as His people's
High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of intercession and
advocacy. (Hebrews 1:3, 3:1, 7:23-25, 9:24, 12:2;
I John 2:1-2)
4. The Person and work of the Holy Spirit
I believe the
Holy Spirit is God who convicts the world of sin,
righteousness, and judgment. He also, in the present age,
regenerates believers in Christ, baptizes them into the
Church, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the
day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon each one,
guides them into believing the testimony of Scripture,
and unites believers in purpose for the exaltation of Christ
and the glory of God. (John 14:16, 15:26-27, 16:7-15;
I Corinthians 12:4-11, 13; Ephesians 4:3-16, 30)
Holy Spirit is God who convicts the world of sin,
righteousness, and judgment. He also, in the present age,
regenerates believers in Christ, baptizes them into the
Church, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the
day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon each one,
guides them into believing the testimony of Scripture,
and unites believers in purpose for the exaltation of Christ
and the glory of God. (John 14:16, 15:26-27, 16:7-15;
I Corinthians 12:4-11, 13; Ephesians 4:3-16, 30)
The Holy Spirit equips each believer with spiritual gifts
(at least one) for the express and singular purpose of
edifying the Church by exalting Christ to the glory of
God in manners consistent with the building up of
individuals toward maturity in Christ, the preparation
of the Bride to meet Christ in Maturity, and the faithful
stewardship of the biblical teachings.
(at least one) for the express and singular purpose of
edifying the Church by exalting Christ to the glory of
God in manners consistent with the building up of
individuals toward maturity in Christ, the preparation
of the Bride to meet Christ in Maturity, and the faithful
stewardship of the biblical teachings.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the act of irrevocable
adoption as a child of God by God the Father in Jesus Christ.
In spiritual baptism, the Holy Spirit seals the believer as an
anointed coheir with Christ for the redemptive, sanctifying
work He will continue to perform until completion.
adoption as a child of God by God the Father in Jesus Christ.
In spiritual baptism, the Holy Spirit seals the believer as an
anointed coheir with Christ for the redemptive, sanctifying
work He will continue to perform until completion.
The infilling of the Holy Spirit is the work and
presence of God in the believers life and being as the
believer continues to conform to the knowledge of the
Image of Christ. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit is necessarily
evidenced by fellowship with God in the life and faith of
the believer.
presence of God in the believers life and being as the
believer continues to conform to the knowledge of the
Image of Christ. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit is necessarily
evidenced by fellowship with God in the life and faith of
the believer.
5. The Alienated Condition of Man (Sin) I believe that man
was created in the Image and likeness of God. However, in
Adam's sin, the Image of God was tainted in man and human
nature became corrupt, and sinful nature is inherited with
human nature. As such, all men have become alienated
from God, and without God's grace through the righteousness
of Christ to gain the intended position of fellowship with
Him, all men are destined for eternal damnation.
(Genesis 1:26, 3:1-24; Psalm 14:3; Isaiah 53:6; Luke 19:10,
Romans 1:21, 24-32, 2:1-16, 3:9-12, 23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:12)
6. Salvation
I believe that salvation is a gift of God's grace
through faith (which is also a gift, not of our own contemplation)
in the Lord Jesus Christ alone whose precious blood was shed
for the forgiveness of our sins; of God's initiation and
administration in whole, without consideration of human effort.
(Matthew 19:26; John 1:12; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8,
1 John 1:9)
through faith (which is also a gift, not of our own contemplation)
in the Lord Jesus Christ alone whose precious blood was shed
for the forgiveness of our sins; of God's initiation and
administration in whole, without consideration of human effort.
(Matthew 19:26; John 1:12; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8,
1 John 1:9)
7. The Eternal Security of the Believer
I believe that all those
who have genuinely put their trust in Christ as Savior and Lord
have become new creations, and redeemed Image Bearers in
Christ, and are kept eternally secure by the power of the Holy
Spirit and the intercession of Jesus Christ. (John 10:27-30,
17:19-20, 24; Romans 8:1, 29-30, 38-39; Ephesians 4:30;
Hebrews 7:25; I Peter 1:5)
who have genuinely put their trust in Christ as Savior and Lord
have become new creations, and redeemed Image Bearers in
Christ, and are kept eternally secure by the power of the Holy
Spirit and the intercession of Jesus Christ. (John 10:27-30,
17:19-20, 24; Romans 8:1, 29-30, 38-39; Ephesians 4:30;
Hebrews 7:25; I Peter 1:5)
8. The Church I believe that the Church is the universal Bride
and Body of Christ. This Body is composed of all regenerated
believers in Christ regardless of denominational affiliation or
church membership. (John 3:29; I Corinthians 12:4-27;
Ephesians 1:22, 5:23-30; Revelation 19:7)
and Body of Christ. This Body is composed of all regenerated
believers in Christ regardless of denominational affiliation or
church membership. (John 3:29; I Corinthians 12:4-27;
Ephesians 1:22, 5:23-30; Revelation 19:7)
I believe that the local church is an assembly of professed
believers in Jesus Christ who have the privilege and
responsibility to voluntarily join together in and for the
purpose of equipping each believer to be obedient to God
through vital, personal and corporate experiences: with Him,
in His Word, with one another, and in evangelism.
believers in Jesus Christ who have the privilege and
responsibility to voluntarily join together in and for the
purpose of equipping each believer to be obedient to God
through vital, personal and corporate experiences: with Him,
in His Word, with one another, and in evangelism.
I believe that the local church is God's primary means of leading
people to Christ and presenting each believer mature in Christ.
(Matthew 16:18-19, 28:18-20; Acts 2:37-47; Hebrews 10:25)
people to Christ and presenting each believer mature in Christ.
(Matthew 16:18-19, 28:18-20; Acts 2:37-47; Hebrews 10:25)
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
I believe that the Lord Jesus instituted the ordinances of baptism
and the Lord's Supper to be observed by all believers until
His return. (Matthew 28:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-26)
and the Lord's Supper to be observed by all believers until
His return. (Matthew 28:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-26)
9. The Second Coming of Christ
I believe in the personal
imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His own, the
Church. (Zechariah 14:4-11; I Thessalonians 1:9-10, 4:13-18;
Revelation 20:6)
imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His own, the
Church. (Zechariah 14:4-11; I Thessalonians 1:9-10, 4:13-18;
Revelation 20:6)
10. The Eternal State
I believe in the literal bodily resurrection
of all persons. Believers are to be resurrected as new physical
and spiritual Creations to enjoy eternal life with God; and
unbelievers to experience a wrathful judgment culminating in their eternal destruction. There is no eternal suffering. (John 5:28-29; I Corinthians15:52;
I Thessalonians 4:16; II Thessalonians 1:7-9;
Revelation 20:4-6, 21:1-8, Isaiah 66, 2 Thessalonians 5:9)
of all persons. Believers are to be resurrected as new physical
and spiritual Creations to enjoy eternal life with God; and
unbelievers to experience a wrathful judgment culminating in their eternal destruction. There is no eternal suffering. (John 5:28-29; I Corinthians15:52;
I Thessalonians 4:16; II Thessalonians 1:7-9;
Revelation 20:4-6, 21:1-8, Isaiah 66, 2 Thessalonians 5:9)
11. The Responsibility of Believers
I believe that all believers
should seek to walk by the Spirit, not bringing reproach upon
their Lord and Savior or His Bride and Body, the Church, and that separation from sinful practices while conforming to His likeness
is commanded by God. (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:14, 7:1;
Galatians 5:16, 25)
should seek to walk by the Spirit, not bringing reproach upon
their Lord and Savior or His Bride and Body, the Church, and that separation from sinful practices while conforming to His likeness
is commanded by God. (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:14, 7:1;
Galatians 5:16, 25)
I believe that it is the obligation of every believer to witness
by life and by word to the truths of Holy Scripture and to seek
to proclaim the authentic gospel as they go out into all the world.
(Acts 1:8; Romans 16:17)
by life and by word to the truths of Holy Scripture and to seek
to proclaim the authentic gospel as they go out into all the world.
(Acts 1:8; Romans 16:17)
I believe that it is the responsibility of all believers to take
part in the work of the Lord through prayer and to support His
work (Kingdom Building) by whatever means the Lord has
blessed them. (I Corinthians 16:2)
part in the work of the Lord through prayer and to support His
work (Kingdom Building) by whatever means the Lord has
blessed them. (I Corinthians 16:2)
I believe that Scripture teaches that the local church should
have the priority of giving and supporting the work of
Kingdom building and that individuals should primarily give
and support the Kingdom work of the local church.
(Acts 2:37-47; I Corinthians 9:11, 16:1-2)
have the priority of giving and supporting the work of
Kingdom building and that individuals should primarily give
and support the Kingdom work of the local church.
(Acts 2:37-47; I Corinthians 9:11, 16:1-2)
12. Satan Satan is a literal fallen angel, the present "ruler
of the air". I believe in his limited presence, knowledge, and
power currently at work on earth to frustrate the purposes and
glory of God. He must still bow to the sovereignty of God in
all things, and his eventual rebellion against that sovereignty
will result in his ultimate destruction in Hell. (Gen. 3:1-5;
Job 1:6-7; Luke 4:1-13, 10:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2;
Rev. 20:7-10)
of the air". I believe in his limited presence, knowledge, and
power currently at work on earth to frustrate the purposes and
glory of God. He must still bow to the sovereignty of God in
all things, and his eventual rebellion against that sovereignty
will result in his ultimate destruction in Hell. (Gen. 3:1-5;
Job 1:6-7; Luke 4:1-13, 10:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2;
Rev. 20:7-10)
B. Covenant of Fellowship I believe it is incumbent of each
believer to covenant together, recognizing dependence on the
Holy Spirit for the following:
believer to covenant together, recognizing dependence on the
Holy Spirit for the following:
1. To walk together in Christian love;
2. To exercise Christian
care and watchfulness over one another; 3. To pray with and
for one another, sharing our burdens, sorrow, and joys; 4. To
be thoughtful and courteous to one another, to be slow to
take offense, and to be quick to forgive and to seek forgiveness;
5. To guard the spiritual and scriptural purity, peace and
prosperity of the Church and its growth in scriptural knowledge
and godliness; 6. To assist, as the Lord enables, in the work
of the Church, and to promote its usefulness as a witness to
the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus; 7. To contribute, as
the Lord directs, to the financial support of the church, the
relief of the needy, and the evangelization of all peoples;
8. To love and to pray for all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ;
9. To engage regularly in study of the Word and prayer;
10. To bring up such children as may be entrusted to our care
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; 11. To walk with
integrity in the world, to provide all things honest in the sight
of all men, to be faithful in lifestyle and worldview, exemplary
in conduct, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts; 12. To
endeavor by example, by word, and by prayer, to give witness
of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, that the Holy Spirit would
work in these things to lead others to Him; 13. To ultimately
glorify God through the exaltation of Christ in the power of
the Holy Spirit in everything as the primary purpose of life.
care and watchfulness over one another; 3. To pray with and
for one another, sharing our burdens, sorrow, and joys; 4. To
be thoughtful and courteous to one another, to be slow to
take offense, and to be quick to forgive and to seek forgiveness;
5. To guard the spiritual and scriptural purity, peace and
prosperity of the Church and its growth in scriptural knowledge
and godliness; 6. To assist, as the Lord enables, in the work
of the Church, and to promote its usefulness as a witness to
the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus; 7. To contribute, as
the Lord directs, to the financial support of the church, the
relief of the needy, and the evangelization of all peoples;
8. To love and to pray for all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ;
9. To engage regularly in study of the Word and prayer;
10. To bring up such children as may be entrusted to our care
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; 11. To walk with
integrity in the world, to provide all things honest in the sight
of all men, to be faithful in lifestyle and worldview, exemplary
in conduct, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts; 12. To
endeavor by example, by word, and by prayer, to give witness
of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, that the Holy Spirit would
work in these things to lead others to Him; 13. To ultimately
glorify God through the exaltation of Christ in the power of
the Holy Spirit in everything as the primary purpose of life.
