Doctrinal Statment

The Scriptures

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105)

The Holy Bible is God's verbal, plenary inspired word. Plenary is defined as "Full; entire; complete." This author rejects the modern English versions of the Bible, The Bible is preserved for English speaking people in the King James Bible.

The Scriptures has promised mankind the preservation of itself. "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Mark13:31 (Ps.119:89-90,160;) Every word found in the Holy Scriptures was verbally inspired. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" II Tim.3:16 "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." II Pet.1:21. Men, who were infused with the breath of God, penned and spoke God's every word.

The Godhead

There is one God who is a trinity of persons, the Father God, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. By trinity we mean “the union of three persons in one Godhead." "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." (I John 5:7 All three are equal in their substance, power, and attributes.

Attributes of God:

·         Eternal

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." (Ps.90:2)

·         Faithful

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (II Thess. 3:3)

·         Holy

"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (I Pet. 1:15-16)

·         Immutable, or the inability to change.

"For I am the Lord, I change not…" (Mal. 3:6)

·         Loving

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (I John 4:16)

·         Omnipotent, or all powerful.

"And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." (Rev.19:6)

·         Omnipresent, everywhere

"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." (Ps.139:7-12)

·         Omniscient, all knowing

"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." (I John 3:20)

·         Perfect

Psalms 18:30 "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."

·         Righteous

Psalms 116:5 "Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful."

·         Self-Existent

Exodus 3:14 "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."

·         Sovereign

Isaiah 46:10 "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:"

·         Truth

Romans 3:4 "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

Jesus, The Christ

·         His Deity

Jesus Christ is as much deity as the father is. Christ is equal with God, as stated in Philippians 2:6 "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" As the father is eternal so is Jesus. He has no beginning and will have no ending. (Micha 5:2) Also, Christ is seen at creation with the father and was an active part of creation itself. (John 1:1,14) He thus, as the creator has power over demons, (Mark 5:15) nature (Mark 4:41) and death. (John 5:28-29)

·         His Birth

Christ was virgin born. The word virgin is defined as; "A woman who has had no carnal knowledge of man." It is not defined as simply a young lady. (Isaiah 7:14) "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" Christ was conceived of the Holy Ghost. "…for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." (Matt.1:20b) Because Christ was conceived of the Holy Ghost, He had no sin nature, as the sin nature is passed from father to son. Since Christ had no human father, he thus had no sin nature. Although Christ became flesh he never ceased to be God. He is completely man and completely God, the God-man. (John 1:1,14)

·         His Death

Christ came to this world, in-bodied in human flesh, for one purpose, to give his life for the remission of sin. There is no remission of sin without the shedding of blood. (Hebrews 9:22) "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." Christ died on the cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb and was resurrected in three days. He is now sitting on the right hand of the Father, and will return for his bride, the church.

·         His Return

This Author believes in the imminent, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial rapture of the Church. After the seven year tribulation Jesus will set up His millennial kingdom.

The Holy Spirit

·         The person of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a person. He is not a force, energy or an influence. The Holy Spirit has an intellect. (1 Corinthians 2:10) "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." He has a will. (Acts 13:2) "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." (It was the will of the Holy Spirit that Paul and Barnabas be separated.) The Holy Spirit has emotion also. (Ephesians 4:30) "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

·         Works of the Holy Spirit.

Creation (Gen.1:2)

Author of the Bible (II Pet 1:21)

Convicting the unregenerate and drawing them to Christ. (John 16:7-11)

Regenerating those who trust in Christ (John 3:5-6)

Indwells the saint (I Cor. 6:19)

Seals the saint (Eph. 4:30)

Gives access to the Father (Eph. 2:18)

Produces spiritual fruit (Ga.5:22-23)

Baptizes the saint with his spirit. (Acts 11:16,17)

Fills the saint with His spirit. (Eph. 5:18)

Conceived the human body of Christ. (Matt. 1:20)

Illuminates the scriptures. (II Tim. 3:16)

Gives spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 1:22)

·         Spiritual Gifts

These, spiritual gifts, are for the purpose of building the church and to aid in the carrying out of the great commission. Some of these gifts include pastoring, teaching, evangelizing and mission work. (Ephesians 4:11) "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"

There were temporary sign gifts given to the early church. After the completion of the Bible there was no longer a need for these gifts. (I Cor. 13:8-10) "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." These gifts are healing, prophecies and tongues. (The phrase "speaking in tongues" refers to speaking in a known language but not known by the individual speaking it. This Phrase does not make any reference to a heavenly language!)

Salvation

The Blood and Substitutionary Atonement

All humanity has sinned and disserves to spend eternity in hell. (Romans 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 6:23) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." God can not excuse sin; this would violate his holy nature. Thus, Christ took the sins of all humanity upon Himself and suffered, bled and died in our place, this is also known as substitutionary atonement. (Romans 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Christ offered his own blood for the redemption of mankind. (Hebrews 9:12) "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Salvation is only possible through shed blood. (Leviticus 17:11) "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." One can not work his way to Heaven. Salvation is only accomplished through the blood of Christ. Any teaching that promotes a works salvation is false, and should be considered religious heresy.

Justification

At the moment one accepts Christ as their saviour, they are pronounced justified. Justification is a judicial term. It means to acquit, vindicate, or pronounce righteous. (Galatians 2:16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Eternal Security

One cannot lose his salvation. There are several reasons why this is true. The first is, that eternal life is promised to the saint by God. (John 10:27-29) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” Note also that the saint's eternal life is protected by the very hand of God. To say that one can lose his salvation is to say that God is unable to keep His children in his hand. Furthermore the saints are sealed by the Holy Ghost. (Ephesians 4:30) “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” At the time of salvation the new born believer was sealed eternally with the Holy Ghost, and became God's purchased possession.

Faith

Faith is not mere knowledge of Christ or a belief in the existence of God. By faith one believes that the blood of Christ is able to cover over his sins and that person is trusting only in the blood of Christ for his salvation. 

Heaven and Hell

Heaven

Heaven is a literal place. It is not a state of mind, as some liberals and "higher critics" teach! (1 Peter 1:3,4) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you," At the time of the believer's death they will immediately find themselves in heaven. (Luke 16: 22,23) "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." The believers who are alive when the resurrection takes place will receive their glorified body and will be taken to heaven for eternity. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." The believers will reign with Christ throughout the His millennial reign of earth. (Rev. 20:4-6) "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." Following the millennial reign and the final judgment, (see judgments) God will distort the heaven and earth and recreate a new heaven and earth, which will know no sin. (Revelation 21:1) "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."

Hell

Hell is a literal place. (Luke 16:23) "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments…"

Hell is a bottomless pit. (Revelation 9:1) And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

Hell is a place of darkness. (Matthew 8:12) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Hell is the second death. (Revelation 20:14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Hell is everlasting punishment. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Judgments

(Romans 14:11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

The judgment seat of Christ

This judgment will take place after the rapture of the church. It is a judgment for the saints only. This judgment is not a judgment of sins, nor does it determine ones salvation. At this judgment the saint's works will be judged. (See 1 Cor. 3:11-15)

Judgment of Calvary's Hill

As Christ walked up Calvary's hill, He carried the sins of the world upon his shoulders. There He was punished in the place of mankind. (1 Corinthians 15:3) "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;"

Daily judgment and cleansing

(Psalms 26:1) "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide."

When a believer sins he has the opportunity to confess his sins. (1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." If the believer refuses to repent, he will fall under the chastising hand of God. (1 Corinthians 11:32) "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Judgment of living nations

This judgment takes place after the tribulation and before the millennial reign of Christ. This judgment will be based on how each nation treated Israel during the seven years of tribulation. There are two nations mentioned, the sheep nations, and the goat nations. The sheep nations will be allowed to enter into the millennial kingdom on earth. These people will still be in the flesh, have families and die. (Matt.25:33,34) "And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" The goat nations will be cast into hell. (Matthew 25:41) "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"

Great White Throne of Judgment

This is the final judgment. It will take place after Christ's millennial reign is complete. This is a judgment of the unsaved. (Revelation 20:12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. The saints will be present, but only as witnesses. Unregenerate humanity will be brought before Jesus Christ. Jesus will judge them out of two books the Bible; for a witness; and the Book of Life. All who come before this court will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity (Revelation 20:15) "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. "

Marriage

A biblical marriage consists of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24) "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Any sexual activity outside the bonds of marriage is a violation of God's word. (Hebrews 13:4) "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." Bisexuality, homosexuality incest, lesbianism and pornography are an abomination. (Lev.20:10-21, Rom. 1:24-28)

Church

This author believes in an Autonomous Local Church, which is governed by the Word of God. Christ is the head of this Church, with the pastor as the under shepherd. The Pastor answers directly to God, not a pulpit comity, a denominational hierarchy, or the state. The deacons serve under the pastor. Their qualifications are found in Acts 6:3, I Tim. 3:1-13, Tit. 1:5-8. There are two requirements for membership of the local church; salvation, and baptism. (Acts 2:41)

The mission of the Church is to seek the lost sinner and present the gospel to him. (Mark 16:15) "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." The church is also responsible to edify each other.

There are two ordinances given to the local Church. The first is Baptism. This is to be done to a person after their salvation. The baptism is also to be by immersion according to the scriptures. (Acts 8:36-39) Baptism identifies the new convert with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not a part of salvation, but a symbol. Salvation is only by grace through faith. (Eph 2:8)

The second ordinance is the Lord's Supper. This is done to bring in remembrance Christ's death. The unleavened bread represents the body of Christ, and the unfermented wine represents the blood. This is symbolic and has nothing to do with salvation.

Creation

God created heaven, earth, and the entire universe in six literal, twenty four hours days. (Gen.1:1) "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." All the universe, heaven, and earth was created out of nothing, or Ex-nihlo. (Heb, 11:3) "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Man was created out of the dust of the ground, and in God's likeness. He was given a body, soul, and spirit.