A1 Truth
We
believe that truth is reality and fact. We believe that the greatest
truth is an attribute of God and expressed in the Christian
Scriptures. Proof only exists in math and logic. The truth of
Christianity exists because it is the most reasonable of all
possibilities. This leads us to the understanding that the Bible is
the only source of 100% truth. Jesus Christ is the person who has
authenticated the Bible.
A2 Scriptures
We
believe the Bible, in its commonly accepted 66 books, is inspired of
God to the extent that the words represent what God wanted for
humanity to know (Deuteronomy 29:29, 1 Thessalonians 2:13). This
would include statements made by individuals who were not inspired
but the statement itself is 100% representation of the thought
itself. For example, when the devil speaks, the quote is 100%
accurate, but it is not God’s words. The Bible is not a book of
science or history, yet when science or history is the topic, it is
100% accurate, thus creation and Noah’s flood are accurate history.
Creation was in 6, 24-hour days in the literal sense. Noah’s flood
was worldwide flood of water covering every inch of the earth’s
surface.
Scriptures
are necessary for humans to know God and His purpose, plans,
personality, salvation, sin, and other topics (Psalm 19:7-9, Psalm
119, Matthew 4:4). The Bible is to be read, studied, and understood
in its plain, normal, grammatical-historical sense using the context
of the passage (Psalm 19:7, Matthew 11:27). Symbolism will be seen as
symbolism. Allegory will be seen as allegory. It is not to be
interpreted or overruled by theology, science, philosophy, or some
type of grid (as some dispensational teachers do (ultra,
hyperdispensationalism)). Experience, voices, impressions, dreams,
physical manifestations are to be rejected today as having no
authority. The sole authority for speaking and writing God’s words
are the Lord Jesus, the Apostles, and the prophets (Ephesians 2:20).
There are no apostles or prophets today (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). The
cannon of Scripture was decided on by the time of John the Apostle’s
death. Our Christian beliefs in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds,
teaching, doctrine, etc. are found in the New Testament (2 Timothy
3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21). The Old Testament is for Israel and contains
examples, prophecies, and the framework for the New Testament
believer.
A3 Trinity
We
believe in one God who exists as three persons (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark
12:29). There are not three Gods (John 5:18, Matthew 28:19). The one
God is one essence. The essence of God is the spirit body of God, the
stuff that is Him. He has no material body (John 4:24, 2 Corinthians
3:17). The three persons are God the Father, God the Son (Jesus,
Yeshua), and God the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God. Each has
the same essence and the same attributes but are separate persons.
Hierarchy in the Trinity refers to the roles of the Godhead. God is
eternal without beginning or end (1 Timothy 1:17, John 1:1, Romans
16:26, Hebrews 9:14). God is above the universe but active in the
universe (John 16:27, Genesis 18:22, and Jesus Christ). He is
personal having relationships, thoughts, and will. He is the
perfection of rational thought (Proverbs 8, 1 Timothy 1:17, Romans
16:27). He needs nothing. He does not need to learn anything (Isaiah
40:13-14). He is not a force or thought in everything, or even the
universe itself. He is totally in heaven, yet He is present
everywhere in this universe (Psalm 139). He is the perfection of all
attributes among which are communicable attributes as compassion,
love, mercy, anger, judgment, good, etc. He is also the perfection of
all attributes among which are incommunicable attributes as
omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, omnisapience, omnibenevolent,
eternity, etc. He knows the future including what can be known to
humans (as science) (Isaiah 40:26) and what cannot be known to humans
(as future decisions) (Acts 15:18, 1 Corinthians 2:10, Matthew 12:25,
John 1:47). He is totally sovereign (Psalm 135:6, Luke 1:37, Isaiah
43:13). He is King of the Universe. Nothing can control Him or
overrule what He decides. Foreknowledge is not decreeing all things;
it is truly knowing the known and unknown. Separateness between
members of the Trinity is clear (John 5:22, Isaiah 48:12-16, John
20:21, etc.). Oneness between the members of the Trinity is also
clear (John 14:9, John 10:30-34).
A4 God the Father
We
believe that God the Father in Scriptures is so designated as such by
the role or position He accomplishes. The teaching in the Bible about
what a father is and how to live as such gives us some understanding
of His role.
He
is designated by the term father for a number of reasons. First, He
is father of the Lord Jesus Christ in the incarnation (John 5:17-18,
John 10:29-33, John 11:41). Second, He is father to believers in the
regeneration (Ephesians 1:2, Romans 1:7). He is not the father of all
humans (Ephesians 4:6 in context refers to the church, that is,
believers. It does not refer to all humans). He is the creator of all
humans but only the Father of believers. All humans might call Him
God, but only believers can call Him Father. For the Lord Jesus, God
the Son, to be a human, He needed to be conceived in the womb of a
female (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). The power of the Holy Spirit
accomplished this in and through the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:30-35). God
the Father, then, is Father to God the Son as to the flesh. God is
the Father of God the Son, as to deity, only in the role the members
of the Trinity have decided on. The Old Testament describes God as
Father to the nation of Israel but not to the individual (Isaiah
64:8). In the New Testament, God the Father is to believers only
(Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 4:20, etc.).
A5 God the Son
B1
Person
We believe He is 100% God and 100% man (John 1:14, John 10:30, John
8:40). He is one person with two natures. All the attributes of God
are found in the person, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 1:16-17). The
incarnation of Jesus is God the Son becoming enfleshment (the meaning
of incarnation). He is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16 (in
the best manuscripts. Wilbur Pickering comments on 1 Timothy 3:16:
"Instead of 'God', 1% of the Greek manuscripts read 'who',
and most modern versions follow this 1%. But 'who' is nonsensical (in
the context), so most of them take evasive action: NEB and NASB have
"he who"; Phillips has "the one"; NRSV,
Jerusalem, TEV and NIV render "he". Berkley actually has
"who"! In the Greek Text the relative pronoun has no
antecedent, so it is a grammatical 'impossibility', besides being a
stupidity—what is so
mysterious about someone being manifested in flesh? All human beings
have bodies. The pronoun can be accounted for as an easy
transcriptional error, a simple copying mistake, so why not stay with
the 98.5%? "God was manifested in flesh"—now
there you have a mystery!). He was born of a virgin (Luke
1:26,27, 34). The word for virgin is the medical term for virgin. No
one has ever seen God, but the Son reveals, has made him known
(Matthew 11:27, John 1:18). He is also the Creator, not created
(Colossians 1:16, John 1:3, Hebrews 1:8-10). Jesus has the nature of
God and the nature of a human (Philippians 2:6-7). His divine nature
has always existed—past, present, and future (Hebrews 13:8,
Revelation 1:8). His human nature began with the incarnation in the
womb of the Virgin Mary. Nature refers to the essential kind or
characteristics of something. A cat has a different nature from a
dog. God has a nature that describes what He is as a person. Humans
have a nature, too. The nature of God is different from the nature of
a man. Jesus has the perfect nature of God and the perfect nature of
a man. He was truly tempted (Matthew 4:1-11) but did not sin (Hebrews
4:15, John 8:46, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22). He obeyed God’s
law as written in the Old Testament perfectly, fulfilling everything
perfectly (Luke 24:44, Acts 3:18).
C1 Humanity
We believe He is Son of Man. He has the body, soul, and spirit of a
man (Galatians 4:4, Matthew 26:38, Luke 23:46). He has the nature of
a man. He is sinless (Hebrews 4:15, John 8:46, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1
Peter 2:22). In the incarnation, he received a body, soul, and spirit
of a man in order to be our savior—truly a man (Hebrews 10:8, 1
Corinthians 5:7).
C2 Deity
We believe He is God the Son. He has always existed (John 1:15, John
8:58, John 17:5, Hebrews 1:8). He has always existed as the son. Son
does not always refer to generation, as it would for humans, but to
relationship, the role, the designation of Jesus (Yeshua, the Holy
One of Israel) (Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6). God the Father is the
father of the Lord Jesus in relation, designation, and role. The
Father addresses Jesus as the son (Matthew 3:17, Luke 9:35). Humans
(Matthew 16:16, John 1:29) and demons (Matthew 8:29) address him as
Son. Jesus is the Messiah. He has, is, and will be always, both
eternally past and eternally future, the Messiah. Jesus is prophet
(Deuteronomy 18:15, Acts 3:22, Acts 7:37), priest (Hebrews 3:1,
Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 6:20, Romans 8:34), and king (Matthew 2:2,
Matthew 27:11, Luke 1:31-33, Revelation 17:14). He is fully and
completely God in every possible way (Colossians 2:8-10, 1 Timothy
1:16-17).
We fully and finally reject these heresies about the person of
Messiah:
Adoptionism: the belief that Jesus was a normal man, who was adopted,
given the Christ spirit at His baptism, because of His holiness and
character. Finnis Dake and others teach this. He could not have paid
the penalty for our sin if He was not God. Even if any man could be
sinless (the Bible teaches all are dead in sins and trespasses), he
would die only for his own sin, not for the sins all of humanity.
Apollinarism: the belief that Jesus had a human body and soul but his
spirit was God, divine. This was a blending of the nature of God and
the nature of a man, instead of two natures. Jesus to be a man had to
have the soul and nature of a man, and for Jesus to be God had to
have the nature of God. Jesus had to have the nature of God and the
nature of man to be the savior. He had to have the nature of God to
pay the penalty for sin. He had to have the nature of man to be our
representative. Jesus was not a human who was possessed by God, but
who truly was, is, and always will be God.
Arianism: the belief that Jesus was a created being, first among all
of creation. He had a beginning. The title Son of God was one
of courtesy. Even though there were different forms of this, all
believe that Jesus is not of the same essence as the Father.
Docetism: the belief that Jesus’s body was not real flesh and blood
but an illusion, a ghost, so
to speak. When Jesus died on the cross, it was not a real, physical
body, just a spirit body that appeared to die.
Monophysitism: the
emphasis on Jesus’s divinity and lessening His humanity. The Bible
clearly teaches two natures of Jesus—the fully human and the fully
divine.
Monothelitism: Jesus had two natures, divine and human, but only one
will. The correct understanding is that Jesus had two wills as well
as two natures.
Nestorianism: the belief that
Jesus the human was united but not identical with the divine.
Patripassianism: the belief that the Father and the Son are not
separate persons, thus the Father died on the cross as Jesus, not the
Father.
Psilanthropism: the belief that Jesus is fully human. He did not
exist before birth and never became divine.
Sabellianism (Modalism):
the belief that the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not 3 persons but different
characterizations or appearances of one god. Sometimes taking the
role of Father, sometimes the role of Son, and sometimes the role of
Holy Spirit.
B2
Work of Messiah
We believe He is savior (Titus 1:3, Titus 2:10). He suffered for our
sins, the just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18). He is our Passover Lamb
(1 Corinthians 5:7). He is head of the church (Ephesians 1:22). He is
the Messiah of Israel (the Jewish people). The prophets foretold
about the suffering Messiah (Isaiah 53 and many others) and the
glorious Messiah (Revelation 19, Isaiah 11:3-5, Jeremiah 23:5-6).
B3 Ascension
We believe He truly died (Matthew 27:54, John 19:31-37). He truly was
buried (John 19:38-42, Acts 13:29, 1 Corinthians 15:4, etc.). He
truly raised bodily from the dead (John 20:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:6).
He went bodily to heaven (Acts 1:6-11, Luke 24:51).
B4 His return
We believe He will return bodily to earth to rule and reign eternally
in Jerusalem.
A6 Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
B1 Person
We believe the Holy Spirit is a person, not a force or power (John
14:26, Acts 5:3-4). He convicts all people of their sin (John 16:8).
He is involved in regeneration (being born again) (Titus 3:5, John
3:5-6). He has all the attributes of God including eternal (Hebrews
9:14), omniscience (1 Corinthians 2:10) and omnipresence (Psalm
139:7-13). He inspires Scripture (1 Timothy, 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21). He
gives wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8) and strength (Romans 15:19).
B2 Work
C1 Brings conviction (John 16:8)
C2 Teacher (John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:13).
C3 Gives gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
C4 Comforter, assistant, helper, encourager of believers (John 14:16,
John 15:26, Romans 8:26)
B3 Spiritual Gifts
C1 Exist (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
C2 Each gift is not given to all, for not all had (1st
century church) the gift of Apostle, etc. Not everyone was an
apostle, etc.
C3 Some of these gifts are presently not in operation (1 Corinthians
13:8-12).
C4 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not tongues (real languages) but
God’s presence with believers to protect, discipline, encourage,
and do the work of God (Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 2
Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 1:13, Hebrews 6:4).
A7 Salvation
B1 Salvation is not salvation from the ills of society. Salvation is
forgiveness of sins and a reconciliation of fellowship between God
and humans.
B2 No human seeks God (Romans 3:9-20). No human is good (Romans
3:12), Ecclesiastes 7:20, Isaiah 64:6). There is no spark of
divinity, or something good in anyone that would seek God. All
humans, except the Lord Jesus, have sin inherited from Adam (pride,
me first attitude). All humans are dead in sin and trespasses
(Ephesians 2:1). They are spiritually dead, not physically and
mentally dead, for people can resist (Ephesians 2:1, Luke 15:24, 1
Timothy 5:6, 2 Timothy 3:8, Acts 7:51).
B3 We believe in a libertarian free will, which is the ability of
contrary choice. God in His sovereignty decreed for humans to have a
measure of true free will. This is not limited to selecting different
choice but not be forced or decreed to a certain choice. We believe
that after the Holy Spirit gives prevenient grace, people then have a
freed will, then people have the ability to resist or not resist
God’s gracious invitation for salvation.
B4 The atonement of the Lord Jesus was unlimited to all but effectual
for only those who meet God’s conditions (Romans 10:9-14, 1 John
5:1). Jesus truly died for all people (John 3:15-19, Matthew 9:13, 1
Timothy 1:15-16, Matthew 11:28) and wants all people to believe
(Matthew 9:13, 1 Timothy 1:15, 2 Peter 3:9). God opens the eyes,
mind, and heart of all people, but most resist because of pride and
love of sinful pleasures. God gives a genuine offer of salvation to
all people.
B5 Most Reformed/classical Arminians and Wesley Arminians believe
that God foresees those who will believe. These are the elect. Others
tend to favor corporate
election. Election is not based on foreknowledge of good works or
merit.
B6 After God initiates salvation and opens the heart and mind of a
person, a person can then resist or not resist God’s grace (Luke
24:45, Acts 16:14, Acts 26:18). No human has ever, is able, or ever
able to initiate salvation (Romans 3:10-11). All people are
spiritually dead and cannot choose. God enables and all people then
and only then can believe or not believe. God calls all humans to
salvation (Matthew 11:28, Acts 17:30).
B7 God’s call is genuine. Those who are not saved are those who
resist. They choose to not believe because of their pride and love of
sinful pleasures.
B8 Choice is our responsibility after God initiates salvation by
opening our eyes, mind, heart, and freeing the will. Most will resist
God’s call.
B9 All people are dead in sins and trespasses. We believe in total
depravity and total inability. God initiates salvation, afterwards
all people have a freed will to resist or not resist God’s gracious
invitation for salvation.
B10 The Gospel is grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ
alone. Believing God is the essence of saving faith, so Enoch, Noah,
Abraham, etc. to this very day and forever. There is only one Gospel.
It was taught perfectly by God the Father, God the Son, and God the
Holy Spirit. The Apostles of Jesus Christ then preached this same
Gospel to others, who preached it to others to this very day.
A8 Security, Assurance
We
reject the Once Saved, Always Saved (osas) concept, though we
recognize that true believers and Bible students do believe osas.
The
Bible, in its plain, normal reading, studying, and interpreting,
gives warning passages as 2 Timothy 2:12, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews
6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-39, 2 Peter 2:20-22. These verses deal with true
Christians who apostatized, will die, and go to hell. The Christian
faith is initiated by God’s grace and finishes with God’s grace.
Those who resist eventually will be cast aside. Those who continue to
believe will be welcomed into heaven. Though all Christians have
times of rebellion, we believe that God’s chastening will have the
good effect of each to repentance. We also believe that one sin will
not cause loss of salvation. We believe that John 10:25-30 refers to
people who have religious authority pronouncing loss of salvation.
This passage states their pronouncement has no effect. Assurance for
the Christian is daily (Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 10:22, Romans 8:38-39,
2 Timothy 1:12), and we can be calm and peaceful in our secure
salvation (Romans 5:1, Philippians 1:6, 2 Timothy 4:18).
A9 Humanity
We
believe that all humans are created. Adam was created from dirt; Eve
was created from one of Adam’s ribs. The rest of us are created
biologically. God is creator of all humans but not Father of all
humans (Ephesians 4:6 is addressed to the church, that is,
believers). All believers call God, Father (1 Peter 1:2-4, John
1:12-13, 1 John 3:2). Humans have a sinful nature from conception.
This is termed original sin, since it is from the corruption of Adam
(Romans 5:12, 1 Corinthians 15:22). Original sin is noticed,
observed, as me first and pride.
Our
sinful nature is as satan’s nature is (John 8:44, Matthew 13:38, 1
John 3:8-12).
We
believe that all humans are created in the image of God (Genesis
1:26, Genesis 5:1-2, James 3:9). This image is not physical but as a
rational soul that shares the communicable attributes of God. This
image has been tarnished by sin. Without Jesus the Messiah and His
salvation, all humanity will go to hell.
A10 Church
B1 Who
The local church is the church that meets in a building, house,
outdoors, etc. and is comprised of men and women who have met God’s
conditions for salvation. The church universal is all believers from
Pentecost to and including the Rapture. The church is only believers,
not necessary church members. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Ephesians
1:22-23, Colossians 1:24, Colossians 2:19).
B2 Autonomy
The local church is independent and free of any external authority or
control.
B3 Other
The church (people, not building) is God’s (1 Timothy 3:15). Jesus
Christ is the ruler (Ephesians 5:23).
B4 The church service should include prayers (1 Timothy 2:1), singing
(Colossians 3:16), reading, exhortation, and teaching (1 Timothy
4:13) to build up the saints in faith or witness. This would include
apologetics to defend one’s faith (1 Peter 3:15).
A11 Baptism
B1 General
We believe in baptism. Baptism does not wash away sins. The only
thing that washes away sins is the blood of Jesus Christ (Revelation
1:5, Revelation 7:14, 1 John 1:7). Baptism is not needed to have
salvation (Romans 6:3-4, 1 Peter 3:21, Romans 10:9-10). It is done in
obedience to God’s command. It signifies our being under His
authority. It signifies a new life. It is an appeal for a guilt free
conscience (Hebrews 9:14, 1 Peter 3:20-22).
B2 Holy Spirit Baptism
We believe the Holy Spirit baptizes all believers (Galatians 3:2-5).
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not in gifts as tongues or
manifestations but an invisible anointing and presence indwelling
each Christian immediately at the new birth (born again,
regeneration) (Ephesians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians
12:13, Galatians 3:27).
B3 Water Baptism
We believe the mode of water baptism can be immersing, pouring, or
sprinkling (Romans 6:3-8, Acts 2:17-18, Hebrews 10:22, 1 Peter 1:2).
Generally, it will be done by immersion signifying dying with Jesus
Christ and being raised to new life (Romans 6:3-8).
A12 Lord’s Supper
We
believe the Lord’s Supper, Communion, is to be enjoyed by believers
to remember what great sacrifice the Lord Jesus made for our
salvation, that He, and He alone, suffered for our sins (Hebrews
13:12, 1 Peter 3:18) and paid the penalty of death (Colossians 1:14,
Hebrews 9:15, Galatians 3:13-14). The instructions for us Christians
are found in the Gospels (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-24, Luke
19:20-20) and in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26,
A13 Washing of feet
We
believe and practice the washing of the believer’s feet (men with
men and women with women). The example and teaching of Jesus is
taught and practiced in John 13:1-17.
A14 Lord’s Day
We
believe that Sunday is the first day of the week. Believers may meet
on any day to worship (Romans 14:5-6), but Sunday is the normal day
to gather and worship (Acts 20:7, Revelation 1:10). It is done so in
memory of Jesus’s resurrection, which was on the first day of the
week (Luke 24:1-3, John 20:19).
A15 Separation
We
believe that there are two kingdoms, the kingdom of satan (Matthew
12:26-27, John 12:31, John 14:30, 2 Corinthians 4:4) and the Kingdom
of God (Matthew 6:33, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Ephesians 5:5). Each
kingdom has a ruler and rules. They are separate and have nothing in
common. All humans are born into the kingdom of satan (John 8:44, 1
John 3:8) and follow satan’s ways and desires (2 Corinthians
11:13-15). After our rebirth, Christians are in the Kingdom of God
and want to live in obedience our King Jesus and follow His rules (1
John 3:9-10, 2 Corinthians 10:5-6). Thus, there is to be a separation
in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds from those of the kingdom of
satan (James 4:4, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
A16 Second Coming
We
believe Jesus is coming back to earth. He said so. This consists of 2
parts. The first is the Rapture of believers before the Tribulation
(1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Titus 2:13). The second
is at the end of the Tribulation to deliver Israel (the Jews) and set
up the Millennial Kingdom (Matthew 24:30, Revelation 1:7, Revelation
19:11-21, Zechariah 14).
A17 Eternal State
We
believe that all humans live forever (Daniel 12:2-3, 1 Corinthians
15:22). There is no annihilation or destruction of the person. There
is Hades and Hell. Hades is the jail where conscious souls wait for
sentencing (Luke 16:19-31,). Hell is the Lake of Fire where those who
did not believe will suffer forever without end (Revelation
20:13-15). The Lake of Fire was created for the devil and his angels
(Matthew 25:41, Luke 8:28, Matthew 8:29). There are degrees of
punishment in hell (Matthew 10:15, Matthew 11:22). There is no second
chance for salvation (Hebrews 9:27). Heaven is the place where God
lives and has His eternal kingdom.
When
people die, the flesh stays on earth and returns to dust. The souls
of people go to their respective places. The non-believers go to
Hades and believers go to heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8). The Old
Testament saints are in “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 23:43, Daniel
12:2, Luke 16:25) waiting for their resurrection at the end of the
Millennium.
People
are conscious after death (Luke 16:19-31, Revelation 14:9-10). We
reject soul sleep and soul destruction. All people will be
resurrected (Daniel 12:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Acts 24:15). The
Christians who have died and not living at His return will be
resurrected at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1 Thessalonians
4:16-17). The living will then be with the Lord without experiencing
death.
The
Bema sea is for Christians to be judged and rewarded for how they
lived while on earth (Romans 14:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10).
The
separation of sheep and goats is for the people living at the end of
the Tribulation and is based on their attitudes and actions to the
Jews (Matthew 25:31-46).
The
Great White Throne is the final resurrection and judgment of all
those who did not believe, whether Old Testament saints, or those of
the Millennium (Daniel 12:2-3, Revelation 20:12-15).
Those
who go to heaven will exist eternally (1 Thessalonians 4:17), and
those who go to the Lake of Fire will exist eternally (Isaiah 66:24,
John 5:28-29, Mark 9:48).
The
saints will have new, resurrected bodies like Jesus had after His
resurrection (1 John 3:2, Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 15:49,
Philippians 3:21). The unbelievers will have their old, mortal body,
the one they have now, forever (Matthew 5:29).
A18 satan
We
believe satan is a being originally created as the covering cherubim.
He was holy. He became proud, sinned, and was cursed by God. He is
the ruler, prince, of this world causing all sorts of evil as he
rebels against God and God’s people (Job 1-2,). He is the enemy of
God and man. He will be punished forever and ever in the Lake of
Fire. He is not sovereign though he has great power. He seeks to
deceive through any means possible that others will continue in their
rebellion (Revelation 20:8, 2 Corinthians 11:14, Genesis 3:1-5,
Revelation 12:9, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Peter 5:8). He seeks to
deceive Christians that they might rebel against God, too. (Isaiah
14:12-21, Ezekiel 28:13-17, Revelation 12:7, Revelation 20:10)
A19 Creation
We
believe the Bible regarding creation and history is accurate.
Creation was completed in 6, 24-hour days (Genesis 1, Exodus 20:11).
Noah’s flood was totally global with every inch of the earth being
under water (Genesis 7-8, 2 Peter 3:6). Evolution in any form is not
the most reasonable explanation of origins and is rejected. If God is
not to be believed in the first few chapters of Genesis, it is
unlikely any should believe anything else. We believe that design is
evident in all of creation that cannot be explained by natural
methods.
A20 Civil Government
We
believe God has ordained civil government. God places men and women
in the highest positions in countries. They are to rule, lead, guide
that nation in God’s ways. They do not, so they will pay a heavier
penalty than non-leaders. We are to submit as far as possible, unless
it causes us to disobey God. We are to pay our taxes. We are not to
be at war or cause social unrest. (Matthew 22:21, Romans 12:18,
Daniel 4:25, Romans 13:1-7, Acts 5:29). We are to pray for them
daily.
A21 Human Sexuality and marriage
We
believe God made humans male (XY) or female (XX). Each is distinct in
gender. God made sex for pleasure and procreation. God made males to
have sex with females, and females with males. Any other gender or
illusion is not God’s will. Sex is only for marriage. It is an
expression of oneness. This oneness is not only sexual but also
spiritual, emotional, rational, and purpose. Sex outside marriage of
any type is not God’s will. Sex is a commitment to another person—a
commitment of a lifetime.
We
believe that marriage is either Christian or controlling. A
controlling style is marriage is not a Christian marriage. Both
spouses need to work to a common, agreed solution. In the case where
all has been discussed without solution, the wife then must yield to
her husband. If the husband’s decision is wrong, then he must
acknowledge this and if still possible choose the wife’s solution.
We
reject patriarchy as being abusive and against God’s will for
marriage.
We
believe that children are a blessing. Sometimes God does not allow
husband and wife to have children (Psalm 127:3). This is not a sin.
Medical assistance is encouraged as well as prayer. Parents are not
to make their children bitter (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21), are
to teach them the Christian faith, are to give answers to difficult
questions as evolution, social issues, atheism, etc.
We
believe if a person does not marry, they are still loved and blessed
by God. They have the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They can serve in the
church. They are not to be shunned or treated as lesser Christians.
A22 Male and female spiritually and gifts.
We
believe both are equal in God’s sight. Both can pray. Both can
prophecy. Only males can be pastors of the local church. Males and
females can be deacons/deaconesses (Romans 16:1) and should be
ordained as such. This is not only taught in the Bible but is
practical for counsel and comfort. The qualifications are given in
Scripture (1 Timothy 3:8-13, Acts 6:3). One does not have to be
married to be a pastor or deacon/deaconess.
A23 Divorce and Remarriage
We
believe marriage is a uniting of a male and a female to go through
life as partners and friends. All that they face, they face together.
Love is a choice. The outward manifestations of love to each other
are clear in Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:1-7, Ephesians 5:28). Any
abuse be it physical, emotional, financial, sexual, spiritual or any
type is evil. Divorce is recommended because abuse is never right.
Abuse is a violation and abandonment of marriage vows. Marital
counseling in abuse situations is essentially never successful as the
wife is almost always blamed for the difficulties.
We
believe that divorce is allowed in the Bible for only three
reasons—sexual sins (e.g. incest, porn, and adultery), abuse, and
desertion (e.g. physically leaving, spiritually leaving (this would
be one might lose their faith in Jesus)). One doesn't have to divorce
for adultery but it is allowed. Abuse is not from one doing
irritating behaviors; it is physical, or emotional, or financial, or
sexual, or spiritual, etc. These abuses are spiritually threatening
as well as emotionally and physically threatening. The wife is
usually blamed as not being submissive enough, but that is an excuse
of evil pastors, evil pastor's wives, and the abuser themselves. The
abused need to divorce and be safe. There should be no contact to low
contact. See Exodus 21:10-11, Matthew 19:9, 1 Corinthians 7:11,
Ephesians 5:28.
We
believe that pastors who do not take abuse issues seriously should be
removed from the pulpit as they do not want to understand the awful
sin of abuse. Remarriage, if desired, is spiritually allowed. Since
marriage is very serious, each person must be careful whom they
marry. We believe it is necessary for godly, premarital counseling.
We
believe that pastors are only the spouse of one living wife. If a
pastor’s wife dies, he is free to marry. If there is a pastor who
is divorced, he must give up his pastorship until he is examined as
to why. If there is a scriptural reason for divorce (desertion,
abuse, or sexual sins), one should not be a pastor but a teacher or
assisting the church.
A24 Abortion
We
believe that human life begins at conception. The unborn child in the
uterus is fully human and is worthy of life. Abortion is murder of an
innocent human being. We reject abortion for gender choice, rape,
incest, birth defects, mental wellbeing, or population control. If it
is diagnosed that the mother is likely to die, the pregnancy will
have to be removed.
A25 Euthanasia
We
believe in natural death. If it appears that it is likely that person
is going to die, natural death is to be allowed. Any natural
medicines (plants/herbs) or prescribed medicines are acceptable for
comfort, pain, anxiety, etc. Any active termination of life, as
euthanasia, is murder of an innocent life.
A26 Missions
We
believe that one of the duties of the church is to spread the gospel.
This is required of all Christians. Some Christians may be called to
missions in their native country or elsewhere and should be supported
by prayer and meeting of their needs.
A27 Lawsuits between Believers
We
believe that Christians are not allowed to bring civil lawsuits (1
Corinthians 6:1-8) against other believers or the church without
first attempting to resolve the problem personally and in the local
church body. Lawsuits are often necessary to stop others from hurting
someone else as in medical lawsuits. Truth and honesty must be the
highest priority, while covetousness and revenge are to be totally
abhorred and rejected.
A28 Giving
We
believe that Christians should cheerfully give to the local church
for paying expenses as mortgage, utilities, insurance, taxes, etc.
The tithe can be followed if desired, but the tithe is not required
for Christians. Pastors should be helped materially whenever
possible, for they do the work of the ministry and watch out for the
souls of the members of the congregation.
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