Doctrinal Statement
Doctrinal Statement
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Our doctrinal stand on the Inspiration of the Scriptures:
We believe that the word of God is the most constant thing in the universe. The only true source by which we measure all input, both naturally and super-naturally. As Isaiah said:
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.
-Isaiah 40:8
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
-2 Timothy 3:16- 17
For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
-2 Peter 1:21
Our doctrinal view of the Holy Trinity of God:
The book of John rings of the deity of Jesus at it’s opening. “…was God…was with God…” affirming that Jesus and God are two distinctly different beings and yet one in the same. In 2 Corinthians 3:17 we see that the “Lord is the Spirit”. Our view is one God in three persons, not three gods. God the father is seen traditionally as the first person and we agree. God the Son seen as the second and God the Holy Spirit the third. He is a person, not a force or some cosmic being.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- John 1:1
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
-2 Corinthians 3:17
Our doctrinal view of Man, his fall and his redemption:
Man is born with a sin or Adamic nature that needs to be redeemed back to God. The only way for redemption to take place is through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…”
-Genesis 1:27
And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
-Genesis 3:11
“…Cursed is the ground because of you;”
-Genesis 3:17
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
-Romans 5:12
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
-Romans 5:6
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
-Romans 3:23- 24
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
-John 14:6
What we believe the Bible teaches concerning the requirements of salvation and the means by which salvation can be obtained:
The first requirement is to acknowledge you are a sinner
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
-Romans 3:23
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
-Acts 16:31
Salvation comes when we do the following
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
-Romans 10:9
Our doctrinal stance on water baptism:
The word: baptize - means to literally dip or immerse.
Death, burial, and resurrection are symbolized through immersion. The recipients are all who sincerely repent of their sins and exercise a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We do not believe in baptizing infants because they already belong to God.
Since infants have no sins to repent of and cannot exercise faith, they are logically excluded from water baptism. We should not exclude them from coming to Jesus. We should dedicate them to Him instead.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
-Romans 6:1- 4
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
-Matthew 19:13- 14
Our conviction concerning the Lord’s supper:
Bread and wine is a picture of death. The separation of body and life, the separation of flesh and blood. The bread tells us that the bread of life must be broken in death in order to be distributed among the spiritually hungry; the poured out wine tells us that His blood, which is His life, must be shed in death in order that it’s power may be distributed to needy souls.
Just as Baptism is a rite into the Christian Church, Communion or the Lord’s Supper, signifies the continuation of His attention to us. Baptism is done once, the Lord’s supper is celebrated frequently reminding us that spiritual life must be nourished.
We do not believe in trans-substantiation, or literal blood and flesh. We do believe that there is a powerful symbolism not to be overlooked.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
-John 1:14
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
-John 6:33
Our doctrinal view of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
It is a seperate baptism.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is one that comes separate from the regenerating work of salvation. You can be saved and led by the Holy Spirit, but must invite his presence to indwell you. This is in keeping with the character of God, a non-intrusive God. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20
We consider the Apostle Peter who before the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus denied Him 3 times. The three people were hardly to be intimidating to Peter. A servant girl (Luke 22:56) and two unidentified men (Luke 22:58-59). Later in Acts after his baptism in the Holy Spirit Peter boldly confronted the very people who handed Jesus over to be crucified, and would have done the same to him. One cannot miss the difference between an intimidated Peter before the Baptism, and the bold Peter who in Acts 3:15-16 said with conviction; “ You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus…” It is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes us bold and able to witness, not as cowards hiding in an upper room, but as soldiers able and willing to carry the message of the cross to the ends of the earth.
But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
-Acts 8:12- 16
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
-Acts 1:8
What we believe is the ability of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
Glossolalia (speaking in tongues)
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
-Acts 2:4
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
-Acts 19:6- 7
Our doctrinal view of Sanctification:
Sanctification is to be set apart for dedicated service unto the Lord. The Christian life is on that is dedicated to worship and service to the Lord. We are sanctified by the blood of Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. These three ingredients enable us to be separated, dedicated, purified and consecrated for service to the Lord.
s you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
-John 17:18- 19
…to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
-Romans 15:16
Our doctrinal view concerning the universal church:
There is one universal church with Jesus as the head. Any one church that claims to have the cornerstone only in their denomination is in error. They will be set straight at judgment.
“… Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
-Ephesians 5:23
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
-Colossians 1:24
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
-Romans 12:4- 5
Our doctrinal view on the local church:
Established in the first century and led by a governing group of elders or bishops. It wasn’t until the beginning of the third century that our current structure of a “one man at the head” called pastor, or bishop came into being.
The purpose of the local church is to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry, to develop the gifts of the Spirit, and to corporately worship the Lord.
The local church is a “covering” for the saints. There is protection under the covering of the local church. When someone leaves the local church, he exposes himself to all kinds of attacks from the Devil, such as:
Evil Spirits
so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
-Acts 19:12- 16
Spiritual Storms
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
-Matthew 7:24- 25
Deceptions
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
-1 Timothy 4:1
False Teachings
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
-2 Peter 2:1
Death
One receives pastoral care.
Additionally one receives security, love, friendships, fellowship and help during times of trouble.
Corporate worship, communion, praying for the sick, laying on of hands, helps ministries, baby dedications, weddings and funerals are all done as a local body before the Lord.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
-2 Corinthians 7:10
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
-Hebrews 13:17
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
-Romans 12:13
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
-Hebrews 13:2
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
-Acts 2:44- 46
Our concept of the Ministry and Evangelism:
The three dynamics that come to mind when considering ministry are Evangelism, Instruction and Discipleship.
Ministry:
Jesus is the Head of the Church (Eph. 5:23) and as a minister of the Gospel it is the Pastor’s responsibility to recognize and respect His leadership, and anyone He puts over the Pastor. Ministerial leadership is a gift from Jesus with a purpose.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
-Ephesians 4:11- 12
Evangelism:
In 1976 the Lausanne congress on Evangelism in Lausanne Switzerland said this about evangelism: “To evangelize is to spread the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead according to the scriptures, and that as the reigning Lord, He now offers the forgiveness of sins and the liberating gift of the Spirit to all who repent and believe.”
The great commission is our evangelism command.
We cannot think of evangelism without thinking about missions. According to the Lausanne congress: “Missions is the church’s activity of evangelism on a worldwide scale.”
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
-Matthew 28:19- 20
We believe in Divine healing:
Healing is a miracle, used in my first illustration as an agent of evangelism. The possessor of the gift of healing or any other miracle working power has the power to heal everyone. All movement of the Spirit will be subject to the sovereignty of God, and the sick person’s attitude and spiritual condition.
Jesus was limited in His miracle-working ability by the unbelief of the people.
All believers and in particular elders are to pray for the sick.
hen the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
-Acts 8:6 -7
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
-Matthew 13:58
His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
-Acts 28:8- 10
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
-James 5:14
Our Doctrinal position on the resurrection of…
Jesus Christ:
The resurrection of Jesus is the miracle in which all Christianity either stands or falls. It is the capstone of our faith. The carefully documented reality of the resurrection is the most important ingredient of our faith. As with all of our doctrine it is historically a fact.
Jesus arose just as He said He would so that man could find forgiveness for his past sins, and so find peace with God.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
-Matthew 28:6
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
-Romans 4:25
The Believer in Christ:
We are called believers because of our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that He is the Messiah fulfilled.
As a believer we are redeemed, saved, given adoption, and sanctification before God. Our past state no longer holds us and our redeemed condition brings liberty and freedom.
he first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).
-John 1:41
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
-Romans 6:6- 7
The Unsaved:
The destiny of the “wicked” or those without Christ is to spend eternity separated from God in a place called Hell.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
-Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, …
-Romans 6:23
Our doctrinal position on the Millennial reign of Christ, Hell, The Lake of Fire, and Eternal Damnation:
Millennial reign of Christ:
The Scriptures teach that the appearing of Christ will usher in the millennial age after a great troublesome period of time. Wars, economic troubles, moral decline, false religions, immorality, panic and perplexities of every kind.
Those who are put to death because of their stand for Christ will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
-Revelation 20:6
Hell:
A literal physical place where those not found in Christ will spend eternity.
And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
-Matthew 5:30
The Lake of Fire:
The final punishment place. “The name originated when Josiah desecrated a valley with pagan worship which became a perpetual burning city dump. Later a figure for the final place of punishment.” Pg. 1844 NIV Study Bible Zondervan Matt. 5:22
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
-Revelation 20:14
Eternal Damnation:
The punishment for sin and rejection of Jesus Christ, and God’s plan for man.
In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
-Jude 1:7
Our conviction of the New Heaven and Earth:
God’s ultimate purpose is to bring Heaven to Earth. In the dispensation of the fullness of time He will “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;…” Ephesians 1:10 KJV
The old will pass away.
There will be no more of the former ways, no separation between man and God. There will be a New Jerusalem brought down from Heaven with God’s presence giving constant light.
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
-2 Peter 3:13
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
-Revelation 21:22
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.
-Revelation 21:1 KJV
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
-Revelation 21:5
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
-Revelation 22:5