What I Believe
I believe there are certain essentials of the Christian faith that must be completely believed by all true Christians. This is not to say that one must believe these things in order to become a Christian, as I do not believe anyone other than a Christian can completely believe these things. However, if someone claims to be a Christian, but does not believe each of these essentials, then I think it is necessary for that individual to carefully reexamine their relationship with God.
Essentials of the Faith
1. God
I believe there is only one true God, and that is the God of the Bible. I believe that all other gods have been created by men to serve their needs and justify their sin, and are therefore, false gods.
I believe that the one true God has always been. There has never been a time when He did not exist. He is from before time, will exist after time, and exists outside of time. He was never created. He is omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful), and omnipresent (present everywhere at all times). He is completely holy, completely just, completely merciful, and completely loving.
I believe that the one true God created us, loves us completely, is concerned for our well being and happiness, and desires to provide the very best for us according to His complete and infinite knowledge which is far beyond our abilities to fully comprehend or explain. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Psalm 145:8-9)
I believe that God is a Triune God, also known as The Trinity. Not three Gods, but One God in Three Persons. God The Father, God The Son – Jesus Christ, and God The Holy Spirit. All Three being Consubstantial, Co-Equal and Co-Eternal.
I believe there is only one true God, and that is the God of the Bible. I believe that all other gods have been created by men to serve their needs and justify their sin, and are therefore, false gods.
I believe that the one true God has always been. There has never been a time when He did not exist. He is from before time, will exist after time, and exists outside of time. He was never created. He is omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful), and omnipresent (present everywhere at all times). He is completely holy, completely just, completely merciful, and completely loving.
I believe that the one true God created us, loves us completely, is concerned for our well being and happiness, and desires to provide the very best for us according to His complete and infinite knowledge which is far beyond our abilities to fully comprehend or explain. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Psalm 145:8-9)
I believe that God is a Triune God, also known as The Trinity. Not three Gods, but One God in Three Persons. God The Father, God The Son – Jesus Christ, and God The Holy Spirit. All Three being Consubstantial, Co-Equal and Co-Eternal.
A. God the Father
i. I believe that God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity, the Creator of all things, He rules over all things, and to Him is all glory forever. (Genesis 1; Isaiah 64:8; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6)
ii. I believe that God the Father is absolutely and completely sovereign in all things, that all things work according to His purpose, and He sustains, directs, and governs every living creature and every situation, however, He is not the author of sin, nor can He be blamed for evil, nor stained by sin. He does, on occasion, allow sin and evil to happen in order to accomplish good. Again, this in according to His good, perfect and sovereign will. (Genesis 45:7-8; Genesis 50:20; 1 Chronicles 29:11; 1 Samuel 2:2 Jonah 2:9; Habakkuk 1:13; Psalm 115:3; Psalm 135:6; Matthew 11:27; John 6:65; John 8:38-47; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 1:1)
iii. I believe that God the Father is the Father of all believers, that He does not excuse anyone of their sin, but that anyone who calls upon Him for salvation will be saved, covered by the blood of Jesus, God the Son. (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-15; Romans 10:9-12; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:17; Hebrews 12:5-9)
B. God the Son
i. I believe that Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Trinity, that He is God the Son, that all things were created through Him and that He is the Sustainer of all creation. I believe He is consubstantial, co-equal, and co-eternal with both God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
(John 1:3; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2).
ii. I believe in the incarnation, wherein God the Son was born of a virgin and thus entered into humanity as a perfect human. I believe that when He did this He voluntarily laid aside the prerogatives of deity, but not in any manner or method His divine essence. He took upon Himself all the characteristics of mankind, and as such became the God Man – 100% human and 100% God, and all while remaining completely and totally sinless.
(Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:23-25; Luke 1:26, 35; John 1:1,14,29; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
iii. I believe that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God and His mercy to mankind, and to redeem mankind through the shed blood and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Although we, as sinners deserve eternal damnation, Jesus stands before the Father in the place of believers, and it is His perfection and purity that make us acceptable to God. I believe that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive. I believe that Jesus not only died on the cross and was buried in a tomb, but was also resurrected on the third day, was seen first by Mary Magdalene, then to two individuals walking on the road to Emmaus, then the Apostles, and then to over 500 individuals over a period of forty days, after which He ascended bodily into heaven where He now sits on the right hand of the throne of God, making intercession for believers. I believe Jesus will one day return to earth in the same manner as He left, bodily, where He will rule over God's kingdom until He turns it over to the Father. I believe that our justification is assured by His literal, physical resurrection, and in His resurrection the deity of Jesus was confirmed and God the Father accepted the atoning work that Jesus did on the cross. I also believe that the resurrection of Jesus guarantees the future resurrection of all believers.
(Psalm 2:7 9; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 28:6,16-17; Mark 16:12–13,19; Luke 24:13-35,38-39; John 1:29; John 5:26-29; John 10:15; John 14:19; John 20:11-18; John 20:19-29; John 21; Acts 1:1-11; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 1:4; Romans 3:24-25; Romans 4:25; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:5-10; Romans 8:34;1 Corinthians 15:6-7, 20-28; Philippians 2:9 11; Hebrews 7:25-26; Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:1).
iv. I believe that Jesus will return to receive all believers (the Christian church – His Body), unto Himself. This is known as the rapture. I believe He will return in glory, with His church, and He will establish a 1,000 year reign (the Millennial Kingdom) on earth. I believe that God will judge all mankind through Jesus. This includes believers, those living on the earth when He returns, and those who have died in their sins at the Great White Throne Judgment.
(Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:22-23; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18; Revelation 20).
v. I believe that Jesus is our Great High Priest – the head of His Body, the church, the Mediator between God and mankind. I believe He is the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David, and the final Judge of all who refuse to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior. I believe that the atoning death of Jesus on the cross serves as the only substitutionary death for all believing sinners, by which they are made free from the punishment, the penalty of, the power of, and one day the very presence of sin; and that the believing sinner is declared righteous, is given eternal life, and is adopted into the family God as a child of God.
(Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 25:14-46; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:8 9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18)
C. God the Holy Spirit
i. I believe that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force, but an individual, a member of the Triune God who indwells all believers at the moment of their salvation. Along with God the Father and God the Son, He took part in creation. He also convicts both believers and unbelievers of “guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” The Holy Spirit is a helper, a comforter and a guide for all believers, He teaches believers about Jesus, and He produces fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) in the life of believers.
(Genesis 1:2; 2:7; John 14:16; 16:7-13; John 15:26; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:3,13; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14)
ii. I believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, who has always existed, and who possesses all of the attributes of personality and deity. These attributes include intellect, emotions, will, eternality, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, and truthfulness. I believe the Holy Spirit is co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial with both God the Father and God the Son – Jesus Christ.
( Psalm 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:13-14; Matthew 28:19; John 16:13; Acts 5:3-4; Acts 28:25-26; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6,11; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 9:14; and Jeremiah 31:31 34 c/f Hebrews 10:15 17).
iii. I believe that the Holy Spirit works to accomplish the divine will of God in relation to all mankind. I believe that the Holy Spirit was active in the creation, the incarnation, the written revelation (Holy Scripture) and in the salvation of mankind. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the sovereign Agent responsible for the regeneration of believers, and baptizing believers into the Body of Christ. I believe the Holy Spirit indwells all believers at the moment of salvation, transforming believers into the image of Christ, and works to instruct, sanctify, empower for service and seal all believers unto the day of redemption.
I believe that the Holy Spirit began His work with believers at Pentecost when He was sent by God the Father as promised by Jesus Christ. I believe the Holy Spirit also works to convict the unbelieving world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.
(Genesis 1:2; Matthew 1:18; John 3:5-7; John 14:16-17; John 15:26; John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4; Romans 8:9,29; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 3:6,18; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 2:22; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
iv. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher who lead the Apostles and prophets as they committed to writing God's revelation to man, the Bible; and I believe the Holy Spirit, as He indwells believers, desires believers to be lead by Him into a Spirit lead, Spirit filled life – a life which is marked by the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and against such things there is no law; and a life in which the sinful passions and desires of flesh have been “crucified” or placed into captivity by the Spirit. I believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not in any way to be used for self-glorification or honor, but only for the glorification and honor of God alone, and are a tool used by the Holy Spirit to help redeem the lost and help believers grow and mature in the faith. I also believe that during the lives of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit produced many miraculous signs and wonders which were used by God, through the Apostles, as a means of authenticating the authority of the Apostles as revealers of divine truth during the establishment and growth of the early church. I believe that all gifts of the Holy Spirit, where those characteristics of believers as found in Galatians 5:22-26, or those miraculous gifts as found in the lives of the Apostles, are granted sovereignly by the Holy Spirit as He determines. I believe that the miraculous signs are not in common existence today, as they are superseded by the revelation of God to man – the Bible, but that if deemed necessary by the Holy Spirit, could be manifested for specific purposes at any time.
(John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 4:7-12; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19 21; Hebrews 2:1-4; 1 John 2:20,27)
i. I believe that God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity, the Creator of all things, He rules over all things, and to Him is all glory forever. (Genesis 1; Isaiah 64:8; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6)
ii. I believe that God the Father is absolutely and completely sovereign in all things, that all things work according to His purpose, and He sustains, directs, and governs every living creature and every situation, however, He is not the author of sin, nor can He be blamed for evil, nor stained by sin. He does, on occasion, allow sin and evil to happen in order to accomplish good. Again, this in according to His good, perfect and sovereign will. (Genesis 45:7-8; Genesis 50:20; 1 Chronicles 29:11; 1 Samuel 2:2 Jonah 2:9; Habakkuk 1:13; Psalm 115:3; Psalm 135:6; Matthew 11:27; John 6:65; John 8:38-47; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 1:1)
iii. I believe that God the Father is the Father of all believers, that He does not excuse anyone of their sin, but that anyone who calls upon Him for salvation will be saved, covered by the blood of Jesus, God the Son. (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-15; Romans 10:9-12; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:17; Hebrews 12:5-9)
B. God the Son
i. I believe that Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Trinity, that He is God the Son, that all things were created through Him and that He is the Sustainer of all creation. I believe He is consubstantial, co-equal, and co-eternal with both God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
(John 1:3; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2).
ii. I believe in the incarnation, wherein God the Son was born of a virgin and thus entered into humanity as a perfect human. I believe that when He did this He voluntarily laid aside the prerogatives of deity, but not in any manner or method His divine essence. He took upon Himself all the characteristics of mankind, and as such became the God Man – 100% human and 100% God, and all while remaining completely and totally sinless.
(Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:23-25; Luke 1:26, 35; John 1:1,14,29; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
iii. I believe that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God and His mercy to mankind, and to redeem mankind through the shed blood and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Although we, as sinners deserve eternal damnation, Jesus stands before the Father in the place of believers, and it is His perfection and purity that make us acceptable to God. I believe that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive. I believe that Jesus not only died on the cross and was buried in a tomb, but was also resurrected on the third day, was seen first by Mary Magdalene, then to two individuals walking on the road to Emmaus, then the Apostles, and then to over 500 individuals over a period of forty days, after which He ascended bodily into heaven where He now sits on the right hand of the throne of God, making intercession for believers. I believe Jesus will one day return to earth in the same manner as He left, bodily, where He will rule over God's kingdom until He turns it over to the Father. I believe that our justification is assured by His literal, physical resurrection, and in His resurrection the deity of Jesus was confirmed and God the Father accepted the atoning work that Jesus did on the cross. I also believe that the resurrection of Jesus guarantees the future resurrection of all believers.
(Psalm 2:7 9; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 28:6,16-17; Mark 16:12–13,19; Luke 24:13-35,38-39; John 1:29; John 5:26-29; John 10:15; John 14:19; John 20:11-18; John 20:19-29; John 21; Acts 1:1-11; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 1:4; Romans 3:24-25; Romans 4:25; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:5-10; Romans 8:34;1 Corinthians 15:6-7, 20-28; Philippians 2:9 11; Hebrews 7:25-26; Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:1).
iv. I believe that Jesus will return to receive all believers (the Christian church – His Body), unto Himself. This is known as the rapture. I believe He will return in glory, with His church, and He will establish a 1,000 year reign (the Millennial Kingdom) on earth. I believe that God will judge all mankind through Jesus. This includes believers, those living on the earth when He returns, and those who have died in their sins at the Great White Throne Judgment.
(Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:22-23; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18; Revelation 20).
v. I believe that Jesus is our Great High Priest – the head of His Body, the church, the Mediator between God and mankind. I believe He is the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David, and the final Judge of all who refuse to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior. I believe that the atoning death of Jesus on the cross serves as the only substitutionary death for all believing sinners, by which they are made free from the punishment, the penalty of, the power of, and one day the very presence of sin; and that the believing sinner is declared righteous, is given eternal life, and is adopted into the family God as a child of God.
(Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 25:14-46; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:8 9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18)
C. God the Holy Spirit
i. I believe that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force, but an individual, a member of the Triune God who indwells all believers at the moment of their salvation. Along with God the Father and God the Son, He took part in creation. He also convicts both believers and unbelievers of “guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” The Holy Spirit is a helper, a comforter and a guide for all believers, He teaches believers about Jesus, and He produces fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) in the life of believers.
(Genesis 1:2; 2:7; John 14:16; 16:7-13; John 15:26; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:3,13; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14)
ii. I believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, who has always existed, and who possesses all of the attributes of personality and deity. These attributes include intellect, emotions, will, eternality, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, and truthfulness. I believe the Holy Spirit is co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial with both God the Father and God the Son – Jesus Christ.
( Psalm 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:13-14; Matthew 28:19; John 16:13; Acts 5:3-4; Acts 28:25-26; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6,11; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 9:14; and Jeremiah 31:31 34 c/f Hebrews 10:15 17).
iii. I believe that the Holy Spirit works to accomplish the divine will of God in relation to all mankind. I believe that the Holy Spirit was active in the creation, the incarnation, the written revelation (Holy Scripture) and in the salvation of mankind. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the sovereign Agent responsible for the regeneration of believers, and baptizing believers into the Body of Christ. I believe the Holy Spirit indwells all believers at the moment of salvation, transforming believers into the image of Christ, and works to instruct, sanctify, empower for service and seal all believers unto the day of redemption.
I believe that the Holy Spirit began His work with believers at Pentecost when He was sent by God the Father as promised by Jesus Christ. I believe the Holy Spirit also works to convict the unbelieving world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.
(Genesis 1:2; Matthew 1:18; John 3:5-7; John 14:16-17; John 15:26; John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4; Romans 8:9,29; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 3:6,18; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 2:22; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
iv. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher who lead the Apostles and prophets as they committed to writing God's revelation to man, the Bible; and I believe the Holy Spirit, as He indwells believers, desires believers to be lead by Him into a Spirit lead, Spirit filled life – a life which is marked by the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and against such things there is no law; and a life in which the sinful passions and desires of flesh have been “crucified” or placed into captivity by the Spirit. I believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not in any way to be used for self-glorification or honor, but only for the glorification and honor of God alone, and are a tool used by the Holy Spirit to help redeem the lost and help believers grow and mature in the faith. I also believe that during the lives of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit produced many miraculous signs and wonders which were used by God, through the Apostles, as a means of authenticating the authority of the Apostles as revealers of divine truth during the establishment and growth of the early church. I believe that all gifts of the Holy Spirit, where those characteristics of believers as found in Galatians 5:22-26, or those miraculous gifts as found in the lives of the Apostles, are granted sovereignly by the Holy Spirit as He determines. I believe that the miraculous signs are not in common existence today, as they are superseded by the revelation of God to man – the Bible, but that if deemed necessary by the Holy Spirit, could be manifested for specific purposes at any time.
(John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 4:7-12; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19 21; Hebrews 2:1-4; 1 John 2:20,27)
2. Salvation
I believe that every human is conceived in sin, born in sin, lives in sin and will die in sin unless he or she receives salvation from God. I believe that the offer of salvation is extended unto every human being, regardless of who they are; however, a refusal or rejection of salvation results in eternal damnation in hell. I believe that although a true Christian may sin on occasion, the Christian who does enter into sin will be convicted by the Holy Spirit and experience regret, remorse, and repentance for that sin. I also believe that a true Christian cannot – in fact is incapable of living a lifestyle of or a life patterned by sin.
I believe that salvation from sin unto eternal life in heaven is found only in Jesus Christ, and in no other person, place or thing.
I believe that salvation is a free gift of God, and cannot be earned or merited by any work or ritual that we may do; and that once saved, the evidence of true salvation will be good works done by the believer as lead by God. I believe that God leads all true believers into good works that are determined by God, and have been since before the beginning of time. I believe that those good works which are an evidence of salvation will be done only for the glory and honor and praise of God Almighty, and for no other reason, and especially never for any benefit to the believer. I believe that one of the first, if not the first, of the good works engaged in by believers is baptism. I believe that while baptism does not remove sin from the believer, it does serve as a public profession of one's faith in Jesus Christ as well as an expression of the death of a believer to the sinful passions and desires of the flesh, and a resurrection as a new person in Jesus Christ.
I believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone; and that the grace and faith essential for salvation is only found in God Himself, and must be given as a free unmerited gift to man from God. I believe that once a person receives salvation from God, that salvation can never be lost, never refused, nor never be turned away from. I believe that those who claim to have “left the faith” or turned away from God and salvation in Him, were not true Christians in the first place.
(Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3; John 3:16-17; John 5:24; John 6:47; John 10:28-29; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:31; Romans 4:4-5; Romans 8:1; Romans 10:9-13; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 11:6; James 2:18-24; 1 Peter 3:21; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:9-10; 1 John 2:2,15-17,19; 1 John 3:7-9)
3. The Bible
I believe that the 66 books of the Bible are the inspired (God breathed), inerrant, infallible, complete and only true revelation of God to mankind. I believe that although the Bible was written by men in the sense that they recorded the words, and did so according to their individual personalities and the times and cultures in which they lived, they were moved by the Holy Spirit with regard as to what to record, thereby preserving the nature of Scripture which is that all of the 66 books of the Bible are God-breathed.
I believe the Bible to be complete, and the complete revelation of God to mankind, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, perfect and “profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete and equipped for every good work.” I believe that any extra-Biblical revelation, prophecy or writing is not God-breathed, not from God, and are therefore, rooted only in the imaginings of man or the influence of Satan, or both.
I believe that the Bible can only be understood by believers as the Holy Spirit gives the ability to understand it. I believe that no unbeliever can truly understand or accept the truth of the Bible, as the Bible must be spiritually discerned. I believe the Bible was given to mankind, by God, as a source to equip mankind to live properly and in harmony with God. I believe the Bible, in its true intent and meaning and within its proper application, is binding on all humanity from the beginning of time. I believe that mankind cannot stand in judgment of Scripture, but that Scripture stands solidly and righteously in judgment of mankind.
(1 Samuel 3:21; 2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 19:7-8; Psalm 105:8-9; Psalm 111:5; Psalm 119:89; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 40:8; Ezekiel 12:26-28; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; John 10:35; John 16:12-15; John 7:17; John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:24-25; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 3:16; 1 John 2:20; Revelation 22:18-19)
I believe that every human is conceived in sin, born in sin, lives in sin and will die in sin unless he or she receives salvation from God. I believe that the offer of salvation is extended unto every human being, regardless of who they are; however, a refusal or rejection of salvation results in eternal damnation in hell. I believe that although a true Christian may sin on occasion, the Christian who does enter into sin will be convicted by the Holy Spirit and experience regret, remorse, and repentance for that sin. I also believe that a true Christian cannot – in fact is incapable of living a lifestyle of or a life patterned by sin.
I believe that salvation from sin unto eternal life in heaven is found only in Jesus Christ, and in no other person, place or thing.
I believe that salvation is a free gift of God, and cannot be earned or merited by any work or ritual that we may do; and that once saved, the evidence of true salvation will be good works done by the believer as lead by God. I believe that God leads all true believers into good works that are determined by God, and have been since before the beginning of time. I believe that those good works which are an evidence of salvation will be done only for the glory and honor and praise of God Almighty, and for no other reason, and especially never for any benefit to the believer. I believe that one of the first, if not the first, of the good works engaged in by believers is baptism. I believe that while baptism does not remove sin from the believer, it does serve as a public profession of one's faith in Jesus Christ as well as an expression of the death of a believer to the sinful passions and desires of the flesh, and a resurrection as a new person in Jesus Christ.
I believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone; and that the grace and faith essential for salvation is only found in God Himself, and must be given as a free unmerited gift to man from God. I believe that once a person receives salvation from God, that salvation can never be lost, never refused, nor never be turned away from. I believe that those who claim to have “left the faith” or turned away from God and salvation in Him, were not true Christians in the first place.
(Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3; John 3:16-17; John 5:24; John 6:47; John 10:28-29; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:31; Romans 4:4-5; Romans 8:1; Romans 10:9-13; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 11:6; James 2:18-24; 1 Peter 3:21; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:9-10; 1 John 2:2,15-17,19; 1 John 3:7-9)
3. The Bible
I believe that the 66 books of the Bible are the inspired (God breathed), inerrant, infallible, complete and only true revelation of God to mankind. I believe that although the Bible was written by men in the sense that they recorded the words, and did so according to their individual personalities and the times and cultures in which they lived, they were moved by the Holy Spirit with regard as to what to record, thereby preserving the nature of Scripture which is that all of the 66 books of the Bible are God-breathed.
I believe the Bible to be complete, and the complete revelation of God to mankind, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, perfect and “profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete and equipped for every good work.” I believe that any extra-Biblical revelation, prophecy or writing is not God-breathed, not from God, and are therefore, rooted only in the imaginings of man or the influence of Satan, or both.
I believe that the Bible can only be understood by believers as the Holy Spirit gives the ability to understand it. I believe that no unbeliever can truly understand or accept the truth of the Bible, as the Bible must be spiritually discerned. I believe the Bible was given to mankind, by God, as a source to equip mankind to live properly and in harmony with God. I believe the Bible, in its true intent and meaning and within its proper application, is binding on all humanity from the beginning of time. I believe that mankind cannot stand in judgment of Scripture, but that Scripture stands solidly and righteously in judgment of mankind.
(1 Samuel 3:21; 2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 19:7-8; Psalm 105:8-9; Psalm 111:5; Psalm 119:89; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 40:8; Ezekiel 12:26-28; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; John 10:35; John 16:12-15; John 7:17; John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:24-25; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 3:16; 1 John 2:20; Revelation 22:18-19)
