NOTE: Please review footnotes [numbers in
brackets], following.
The Holy Scriptures
We believe the Scriptures - both the Old and New Testaments - to be the
verbally inspired Word of God, written by men in God's control, inerrant
and infallible, in the whole and in the part, in all areas (including
creation, science, geography, chronology, history, and in all other
matters to which it speaks), in the original manuscripts, and the
complete [1] and final authority in faith and life. We accept the
grammatical-historical-literal system of interpretation
[2] of the
Scriptures, and accept the historical record of the Bible as accurate
and adequate, and
[3] (1 Thes. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:20,21; Psa. 19:7-9; Rev.
22:18-19.)
Creation
We believe in the Biblical account of the creation of the universe in six
literal, solar days; that God created by His Word the heavens, the
earth, and all their hosts, without pre-existing materials; that man was
created by a direct act of God; that all humans were present in Adam
when he was created; that new individuals (in all their parts) come into
existence today, not by a continuing creation, but through the laws of
propagation established by God. We believe that each individual is a
living person from the moment of conception. We believe that all forms of
evolutionary hypotheses [4] are serious errors which strike at the very
person and glory of God.
(Gen. 1:1-31; 2:7; 5:3; Exo. 20:11; Heb. 11:13; Psa. 139:13-16; Luke
1:41,44; John 1:3; Rom. 5:12-24; 1 Cor. 15:22; Col. 1:15-19; Heb.
11:3.)
The Godhead
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit - who are identical in essence, [5] equal
[6] in power
and glory, and possess precisely the same attributes and perfection.
(Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:22; 2 Cor. 13:14.)
The Condition of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, in
innocence and without sin. [7] But in Adam's sin the race fell,
inherited a sinful nature, became spiritually dead
[8] and alienated
from God so
that man is a sinner by both nature and imputation, thereby justly
condemned to eternal damnation without defense or excuse, and man, of
himself, is incapable of remedying his lost and depraved
[9] condition
by any means whatsoever. We (I) am/are man. (Gen. 1:26; 3:1-24; Rom. 3:10-18;
5:12,19; Eph. 2:1-3.)
The Person of Christ / the Work of Christ
We believe that God demands a life of perfect obedience to His law; that
is, complete and total righteousness. Thus, God the Son had to become
man in order to provide for me what God the Father's holy nature (and
self-consistency) demanded..... perfect righteousness. Thus, the Lord
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be
God; having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in
order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished
this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God's
righteous judgment against sin. He gave proof that He accomplished that
redemption by His bodily resurrection [10] from the grave. He then
ascended to the right hand of His Father where He intercedes on behalf
of those who have believed on Him. (John 1:1,2,14,18; Luke 1:34,35;
24:36-43; Rom. 2:12,13; 3:24-26; 8:34; Heb. 4:14-16; 2 Cor. 5:21.)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the
world of sin; that He alone brings new life [11]
to those who are
spiritually dead; that He baptizes [12]
(or places) all believers into
the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ; that He indwells them
permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual
gifts upon them, and fills (controls) those who are yielding (not merely
yielded at one time) to Him to empower for Christian life and service.
(John 3:3-8; 16:7-11; Acts 5:3,4; Eph. 4:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:9;
John 14:16,17; Eph. 4:30; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 1 Pet. 4:10; Eph. 3:16; 5:18;
Gal. 5:22,23.)
Satan and the Fallen Angels
We believe that God created an innumerable company of spiritual beings,
known as angels; that one, Lucifer, the highest in rank, sinned through
pride, and thereby became Satan; that a great company of the angels
followed him in his moral fall; that some became demons and are active
as his agents and associates in the prosecution of his unholy purposes;
and that others who fell are "reserved in everlasting chains under
darkness
unto the judgment of the great day." (Rev. 12:1-10; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude
1:6.) We believe that Satan is the author of sin and, under the
permission of God, was the deceiver of Eve in the fall; that he is the
open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally
punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19;
Matt. 4:2-11; John 12:31; Rev. 20:10.) In his warfare, he appears as an
angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13-15), counterfeiting the works of God by
fostering religious movements and systems of doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1-3),
and that these doctrines in every case are characterized by a denial of
the efficacy of the atoning sacrifice of Christ and of salvation by
grace alone.
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift [13] of God's grace given to all
who believe on the Son (that is, to all whom God has sovereignty elected
to salvation.) It includes all that God does in saving the elect from
the penalty, power, and presence of sin, and in restoring them to a
right relationship with God. [14] As such, it is solely the work of God
from initiation to completion. It cannot be gained by good works,
[15]
but is a free gift for all whom God has enabled to believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. All who so place their
faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord have been forgiven
[16] and
saved from their sins and declared righteous before God, and have been
born into the family of God by the regenerating
[17] work of the Holy
Spirit. God's purpose for saving His elect is that they bring glory to
Him by their lives. (Rom. 1:16; 10:17; Acts 16:14b; Eph. 1:7; 2:8,9;
John 1:12,13; Rom. 9:16; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 1:6; Titus 2:11-14; 3:5-7;
1 Pet. 1:18- 19; John 5:40; 3:36; 5:24; 1 John 5:1.)
Security, Assurance, and Human Responsibility
We believe that all the saved, those in whom God has accomplished His
transforming work of grace, are kept [18] by His power, and thus, are
secure [19] in Christ forever. This assurance, however, is not the
occasion for sin, for God in holiness cannot tolerate willful and/or
persistent sin in His children, and in infinite love He corrects them.
True faith in Christ is always expressed by a fruitful, God-pleasing
life [20]. (John 10:27-29; Rom. 8:29-39; 1 John 5:13; Heb. 12:6; Matt.
7:20; Js. 2:20.)
Sanctification
We believe that God, in the Scriptures, has given us everything
pertaining to life and godliness. This includes the salvation from the
penalty of sin, and just as surely, the provision of sanctification
(separation) from sin. Sanctification from sin affects both the
positional and practical aspects. Positional sanctification (i.e.,
justification) as a work of the Holy Spirit is complete and is without
further growth; however, practical sanctification (i.e., progressive
sanctification), a result of the work of the Spirit in regeneration
using
the Word of God, provides the nourishment [21] for growth in maturity in
Christ. While practical sanctification is assured by the Word and the
Spirit, it is yet imperfect [22] in this life. There is some element of
corruption in every part of the fallen nature which is the source for
the war between the flesh and the spirit. The maturing to obedience is
possible for believers as they feed on the Word, submit to the Spirit of
God, and are in fellowship [23] with other believers for service and
accountability. (John 17:17; 1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 6:19,22; Heb. 10:25; 1
Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 1:3.)
The Church
We believe that the true Church, throughout the Scripture the Body of
Christ [24], is a spiritual organism
[25]. Every person who has trusted
Jesus Christ for salvation [26] in this present age has been baptized
(placed) into this organism by the Holy Spirit. The local church
[27],
as established in Scripture, is made up of redeemed individuals who have
joined together for worship, instruction [28], fellowship
[29], and
service. (Eph. 1:22,23; 5:25-32; 1 Cor. 12:12,13; Acts 2:42; 13:1,2),
exhibiting the true love [30] of God to each other.
The Christian Life
We believe that a Christian should desire to live a life of
righteousness,
good works, and separation unto God from the evil ways of the world
(Rom.
12:1,2), manifested by speaking the truth (Js. 5:12), maintaining the
sanctity of the home (Eph. 5:22-6:4), settling differences between
Christians in accordance with the Word of God (1 Cor. 6:1-8), not
engaging in carnal strife but showing a Christ-like attitude toward all
men (Rom. 12:17-21), exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23),
and maintaining a life of prayer. (Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6.)
Giving
We believe that believers are to be generous in their giving
[31], and
that all giving should preferably be done in secret according to the
Lord's
command (Matt. 6:1-4). Thus, the giving of cash or by other means that
preserve the privacy of the giver is encouraged.
Missions / Evangelism
We believe that it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and
by word to the truths of Holy Scripture and to seek to proclaim the
Gospel to all mankind (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:19,20.) We also
believe that the sending of missionaries is a local church function
(just as it is the responsibility of the local church to conduct church
discipline and believer's baptism) and, thereby, cannot be delegated to
a mission board or agency.
The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; and,
that the gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers are sufficient for
the perfecting of the saints today; and, that speaking in tongues and
the
working of sign miracles gradually ceased as the New Testament
Scriptures
were completed and their authority became established.
(1 Cor. 12:4-11; 2 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7-12.)
Movements Contrary to the Faith
We are generally opposed to all forms of theological compromise, apostasy,
liberalism, modernism, ecumenical evangelism [32], neo-orthodoxy
[33],
neo-evangelicalism, [34] and the charismatic and ecumenical movements of
my time in history of mortal man. We believe that all are out of harmony
with the Word of God and the official doctrine and position of Biblical
Discernment Ministries, and are inimical to the Word of God.
Separation
Since We believe that evil, false doctrine, and spiritual compromise are
all contagious, We thereby believe that the only way the purity, peace,
and reputation of the church can be maintained is by separation; both
personal and ecclesiastical. Christians are to be in the world, but not
of it, having no friendship, affiliation, nor identification with it
[35]
(personal separation.) Likewise, Christians should not attempt to
"Christianize" [36] the world's principles and practices and bring them
into the Church as part of Christian worship, fellowship, prayer,
preaching,
or communion. We also believe in the separation
[37] from detractors of
orthodox
doctrine; unbiblical ecclesiastical practices (that is,
neo-evangelicalism, ecumenism, ecclesiastical apostasy, modernism/
liberalism, and the 'charismatic movement'), immoral unrepentant
Moreover, We believe that Christians are commanded by Scripture to
withdraw from professing brethren who enter into memberships,
affiliations, and fellowships (including evangelistic crusades, youth
movements, mission agencies, schools, etc.) which seek to unite
separatist fundamentalists with those who do not obey the biblical
teachings on separation (i.e., with those who refuse to obey the
biblical
doctrine of separation) [that is, secondary separation]. (1 Cor. 5:11; Acts 2:42;
Hag. 2:11-13; Amos 3:3; 2 Chron. 19:2; Psa. 1:1; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 Tim.
2:20,21; Js. 1:27; 4:4; John 17:15,16; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor.
6:14,17-7:1;
1 Cor. 10:18-21; Gal. 1:8,9; Rom. 16:17; Titus 3:10; Matt. 18:17; 2 Tim.
3:1,2,5; 1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:11; Rev. 18:4; 2 Thes. 3:6,14,15;
2 John 10,11.)
Fraternal Organizations
We are firmly opposed to all societies, lodges, and organizations of an
un-Christian or anti-Christian character. [38] We avoid membership or
participation in any organization that in its objectives, ceremonies, or
practices is inimical to or competitive with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
or the faith and life of the Christian church.
Attitude Toward Civil Government
We believe that civil government is ordained of God for the welfare of
human society to promote and protect the good, and to restrain and
punish
evil. Therefore, We consider it the duty of Christians to pray for rulers
and for those that are in authority over them and to give due loyalty,
respect, and obedience to them. However, where the demands of civil law
would conflict with the supreme law and will of God, Christians should
obey God rather than man. [39]
(Dan. 4:17; Matt. 22:17-21; Acts 4:19, 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim 2:1-4;
Acts 23:5; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13,14.)
Ordinances
We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances to be
observed by all believers until His return; water baptism (by immersion)
to show forth our identification with the crucified, buried, and risen
Savior (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12,) and the Lord's Supper as
the
commemoration of His death until He comes (1 Cor. 11:23-26.)
Biblical Dispensations
We believe that the dispensations are divinely ordered stewardships, or
rules of life (not ways of salvation), by which God administers His
purpose on Earth through man under varying responsibilities in
successive
ages. Each dispensation begins with man being divinely placed in a new
position of privilege and responsibility, and each closes with a failure
of man resulting in righteous judgment from God.
Three of these dispensations, or rules of life, are the subject of
extended revelation in Scripture. They are the dispensation of the
Mosaic
Law, the present dispensation of Grace (the Church age), and the future
dispensation of the Millennial Kingdom. They are distinct and are not to
be intermingled or confused, as they are chronologically successive.
Thereby, Covenant Theology as found in Reformed Theology is unscriptural
(John 1:17; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10;
Col. 1:24,25; Heb. 7:19; Rev. 20.:2-6.)
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the imminent, personal, pre-tribulational coming of the
Lord
Jesus Christ for His Church and His subsequent premillennial
[40] return
to earth with His saints to establish His Millennial Kingdom upon the
earth
(1 Thes. 1:10; 4:13-18; Rev. 3:10; Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 19:11- 16;
20:1-6.)
The Eternal State
We believe that at death the souls of those who have trusted Christ for
salvation pass immediately into His presence and remain there in
conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at Christ's coming
for
the Church, when soul and body will be reunited.
[41] We then shall be
with
Him forever in glory.
We also believe that at death the souls of unbelievers remain in
conscious
misery until the final judgment at the Great White Throne at the close
of
the Millennium when the soul and body will be reunited and cast into the
lake of fire; not to be annihilated, but to be separated from God
forever
in conscious punishment [42] (Luke 16:19-26; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-23;
John 5:28-29; 2 Thes. 1:7-9; Matt. 25:46; Rev. 20:11-15.)
Footnotes to This Statement of Faith
1 - Completed: We believe that God in His perfect providence has
faithfully
preserved His revelation to man so that today we possess the complete,
accurate, and reliable texts of both testaments (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov.
30:5,6; Rev. 22:18,19; Eccl. 3:14; Isa. 40:8; Psa. 12:6,7;
119:89,111,152,160; Matt. 5:18; 1 Pet. 1:23-25).
2 - Interpretation: A passage of Holy Scripture is to be taken as true
in
its natural, literal sense unless the context of the passage itself
indicates otherwise, or unless an article of faith established elsewhere
in Scripture requires a broader understanding of the text. [This is the
foundation for a pre-tribulational (Rev. 3:10) return of Christ for the
church and a pre-millennial return of Christ to earth to set up His
earthly kingdom (1 Cor. 12:23-26; Rev. 11:15; 12:10). There is,
therefore, a distinction between Israel (Gal. 3:15-18; Rom. 11:25-26,29)
and the Church (Acts 2; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal.
3:26-29) regarding God's promises and purpose.] Extra-biblical
linguistic
and cultural considerations must never decide the interpretation of a
text, and any use of extra-biblical material to arrive at an
interpretation inconsistent with the internal truth of a Scriptural
passage is to be rejected. The overriding principle must always be to
let
Scripture interpret Scripture.
3 - Accurate and Adequate: General (natural) revelation is not to be
compared with the special revelation of the Scriptures. For example, the
idea that "all truth is God's truth" by itself, and from a human
perspective, appears to be a true statement. However, since the
practical
application of the axiom depends upon fallible man's judgment, it cannot
be used to import so-called "truth" from non-biblical sources (John
14:17;
16:13; 17:17). The Scriptures are accurate and completely sufficient in
all matters pertaining to life and godliness. Therefore, the theories
offered by psychology to explain "the nature of man, how he should live,
and how he can change" are totally unacceptable, since they argue
against
the sufficiency of Scripture, which gives God's answers to these
questions. In short, the Bible is God's all-sufficient rule for faith
and
conduct through the power of the Holy Spirit to regenerate, sanctify,
and
equip the believer for life and service (2 Pet. 1:3; Heb. 4:12).
4 - Evolutionary Hypotheses: We reject all of the "theological
evolutionary" theories of creation (Gap Theory, Old-Earth theory,
Day-Age
Theory, Theistic Evolutionism/Progressive Creationism, etc.), as well as
the theories of the secular evolutionists.
5 - Essence: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have the same nature,
attributes, and perfections, and are thereby worthy of precisely the
same
homage, confidence, and obedience.
6 - Equal: There is a hierarchical order in the godhead: Father first,
Son
second, and Spirit third (John 14:24; 16:28; 14:16).
7 - Sin: Sin can best be defined as anything contrary to the nature of
God.
The standard of God's nature is His holiness and His revealed will--the
Word of God. To fall short of God's holy standard is to sin (Rom. 14:23;
1 Pet. 1:14:15; 1 John 3:4).
8 - Spiritually Dead: Man possesses no "spark of divinity" that simply
needs to be fanned; he is spiritually dead and, thereby, is blind to
spiritual truth. He has a natural enmity against God and needs to be
made
alive by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that comes solely by
grace through faith in the substitutionary work of Jesus Christ (Psa.
51:5; Isa 64:6; 1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rom. 3:10-18; Eph. 2:1-10; Rom.
8:6-8).
9 - Depraved and Fallen: The Fall of man was complete. There is no godly
virtue left in man after the Fall. The difficulty of belief, therefore,
lies rooted in sin, not in intellect; belief in the biblical sense is
not
difficult--it is impossible. The will to respond to God's grace is
beyond
man's ability, albeit his duty (Psa. 51:5; Isa. 64:6; Eph. 4:18; John
6:44; Rom. 3:19).
10 - Resurrection: The resurrection of Christ is the basis for the
resurrection of the body of all believers. It is not figurative nor
spiritual, but real (i.e., literal and physical) in time and space (John
20:27).
11 - New Life: The life given by the Holy Spirit is more than simply
"forgiven" with a continuing dead faith. It is a life that is of God
which transforms the person into a totally new creation. God, very God,
in the person of the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in the life. The
life that is lived henceforth is truly changed from the inside out. This
person will be marked off by others as different form "before" (2 Cor.
5:17). This is true "Lordship salvation"--the evidence of a faith
bestowed by God results in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23; Acts
26:20).
12 - Baptizes: The baptism of the Spirit occurs at salvation and is a
once
for all time event (1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:9). A subsequent spiritual
baptism after salvation for the purposes of enablement, giving some
sign,
or for other reasons (i.e., second blessing, crisis sanctification,
etc.)
is not supported by the Scripture. Since the baptism of the Spirit
occurs
in the realm of the spirit, there are no accompanying visible
manifestations as there were in some instances in the early church (Acts
2:4; 19:6). The sign gifts were given to validate the ministry of the
Apostles (2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:3,4) who for the most part were the
writers of the New Testament. Once these writings were complete, the
sign
gifts disappeared with the Apostles and with those to whom they
personally ministered.
13 - Gift: Because of man's depravity, blindness, and rebellious nature,
salvation is possible only as a gift without merit; i.e., grace alone is
efficacious to the saving of the soul (Eph. 2:8,9).
14 - Right Relationship with God: This "gift" of salvation includes all
things necessary as evidence that one has trusted Christ; i.e., the
faith
necessary to trust Christ and the repentant heart necessary to turn from
sin to Christ are both gifts from God to His elect (Acts 13:48; Eph,
2:8,9; Phil. 1:29; Rom. 2:4; Acts 5:31; 11:18; 14:27; 2 Tim. 2:25).
15 - Good Works: It would include those works that God "may see" in the
future. This precludes the idea of an election based on God's view of
the
future where He is "seeing the faith," thereby granting salvation on
those terms (Titus 3:5).
16 - Forgiven: A life of obedience to the law--that which God
demands--has
been performed by the doing and the dying of Jesus Christ--His sinless
life and His obedient death. Sinners are enabled to present the
righteousness of Christ to God by faith. Therefore, total forgiveness is
granted by God based on the substitutional death of Christ on behalf of
the believer, thereby imputing to the believer the righteousness of God
in Jesus Christ. All believers acknowledge their sinful condition and
trust in the death of Christ to pay the penalty for sin past, present,
and future (1 John 1:9). To acknowledge sin as sin is a confession that
characterizes believers. The responsibility of believers is to flee all
unrighteousness (1 Thes. 1:9b; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22), having an
appreciation for the cleansing ministry of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1,2).
17 - Regeneration/Born Again: A "Christian" is the result of the
creative
act which Scripture calls regeneration--a new birth. In order to be
saved, sinners must be "born again" (John 3:3,5; Eph. 2:1,5; 1 John
5:1),
which is the new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17; Col 2:13; John
3:8). It occurs the instant a person believes on and receives the Lord
Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Acts 16:30,31); i.e., it is not a
process (John 5:24). In the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and
in
sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life,
the free gift of God (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
18 - Kept: The "perseverance of the saints" is a concept totally
different
from "once saved always saved." The saints, by God's grace, will be kept
to glorification; i.e., the saints will persevere through trial and
persecution, and will remain faithful and true to God, by His enablement
through the power of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 3:6; 1 John 2:19; Rom.
11:22;
Col. 1:22,23).
19 - Secure: The salvation of the elect is secured from before the
foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). The electing work of Christ secures
not only the elect to salvation for this life but also to eternity (Rom.
11:29; John 6:37-40; 1 Cor. 3:14,15; Eph. 1:13,14).
20 - God-pleasing Life: This does not mean that believers never sin. The
believer as a new creature continues to struggle against the flesh,
which
continues to war against the spirit and cause a life in conflict,
imperfect in performance in comparison to his new character (Rom.
7:7-25). However, believers who do sin do not form a distinctive group
identifiable as "carnal (fleshly) Christians" as set apart from
"non-carnal Christians." No doubt, all Christians commit acts of
carnality. Sinful conduct finds its source in the flesh (1 Cor. 3:3; 1
Pet. 2:11; 2 Pet. 2:18) and these individuals can be said to be guilty
of
carnality or acting according to the flesh. Correspondingly, all
believers are disciples by virtue of their relationship with Jesus
Christ; therefore, a "disciple" is not a casual reference to a believer
who is "no longer (fleshly) carnal," based upon a decision to walk more
obediently, but "disciple" is simply synonymous with "believer." Acts
11:26 records the beginning of the term Christian being applied to
followers (disciples) of Christ.
21 - Word of God and the Wisdom of the World: The wisdom of the world,
which is presented by various disciplines of secular study that purport
to explain certain human behavior, is inadequate and positions itself
against the revelation of God. Allowing for organic and mental
development factors, all believers are responsible for their own
actions.
The idea of two "minds" (conscious and the "subconscious" or
"unconscious") is not found in Scripture. The motivation for our moral
conduct and conduct based on our values is seated in the consciousness
alone. Motivation for actions that spring from a hidden source, causing
irresponsible and uncontrollable action, is rejected as unbiblical (John
14:16; 1 Cor. 1:18,21,26-29; 2:4-8,13-15a; 3:18-20; Col. 2:3,8-10; Js.
1:5; Jer. 17:5-7; Isa. 2:22; Psa. 119:99,100; Ezek. 18).
22 - Imperfect: Not to imply "ineffective"--the regenerating work of
providing new life is effective and always produces a change in the
person who receives the new life (1 Thes. 2:13; 5:23; Phil. 3:12), but
perfection is not reached in this life (Rom. 8:29,30; Phil. 1:6;
2:12,13;
3:21).
23 - Fellowship: Fellowship of a person with God is established on the
basis of the death of Jesus Christ for his sin. The relationship with
God
as a son is established forever at the moment of regeneration and is not
interrupted. While sin in the life of the believer is detrimental to his
testimony as a believer, grieves the Holy Spirit, and is out of
character
for a believer, he, by virtue of his adoption, is still a son.
Therefore,
the concept of a person being out of fellowship (relationship) with God,
is in effect saying that such a person is not a believer (1 John 1:6;
4:15; 5:12). Nevertheless, a believer who is in sin will have that
relationship with God negatively affected (Isa. 59:1,2; 1 Pet. 3:7).
24 - Body of Christ: The Church is the manifestation of the Body of
Christ
on earth. The Church is the only agency so recognized as the Body of
Christ. Since the local church is her only manifestation, God's program
for this age is to be carried out through the local church. Therefore,
identification with a local church is not optional for a believer (Eph.
1:22,23).
25 - Spiritual Organism: There is a complete and separate distinction
between the Church as a "people of God" and Israel. The Church and
Israel
have separate promises and are distinguishable throughout all ages. The
Scriptures, from Gen. 12:1 through the Gospels, deal with Israel as
God's
chosen earthly nation; in Acts 2 through Rev. 3:22, the focus is on the
Church (people from all nations) as the people of God; in Rev. 4-19 the
focus again is on Israel, the Church having been removed at the rapture
(Dan. 9:24-27; Rom. 9-11; Gal. 3:17-18). Therefore, the teaching that
the
Church now possesses the promises of God originally given to the nation
Israel (Dominion Theology / Reconstructionism / Kingdom Now), and that
God
is, thereby, through with Israel as a nation, is rejected (Gen. 12:1-3;
Jer. 12:14,15; 16:15; 31:8-10,35-37; 51:5; Isa. 49:8,9a,11-17; 65:8,9;
Ezek. 11:17-20; 36:8,12,22b,24,36b; 37:12-14,19-22,25-27; 39:25-29).
26 - Salvation: The Church itself serves no function in the "new birth"
experience. The moment a lost sinner is led by the Holy Spirit to hear
and believe the pure Gospel, he is reconciled to God through saving
faith
(John 5:24). The Church is never seen in the Word in an intermediary
role, dispensing grace. God himself effects the miracle of the new birth
apart from the works of men (Acts 10:43-48 cf. Acts 15:7-11).
27 - Local Church: The pastoral or elder (board) leadership of the local
church is entrusted to qualified men of the body. They have the
responsibility for the spiritual oversight of the body (Acts 14:23;
20:17,28-30; Titus 1:5-16; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Heb. 13:17a). The chief
elder/pastor-teacher, though on a par with and in submission to the
elders of the body, has specific responsibility for the spiritual
maturity of God's people, which includes leading the flock (overseeing
that Scripture is followed in the overall activity of the church),
teaching the Word, administering the Church, guarding the truth, warning
the flock of false doctrine and spiritual dangers, exposing error, and
separating from error (1 Tim. 3:15; 4:1,2,6,13,16; 6:20,21; 2 Tim.
1:13,14; 2:2,14; 4:1-4; Titus 1:9, 10a,11,13b; 2:1,15b; 1 Pet. 5:2,3;
Eph.
5:11; Jude 3,4; 1 John 4:1,6; 2 John 10,11).
28 - Instruction: The teaching duties are given to the men of the church
except as prescribed in Titus 2:3-5. Though completely and entirely
man's
spiritual equal (Gal. 3:28), God has specific roles/functions for women
that are distinct and different from man's (1 Tim. 3:14,15; 2:11-15;
5:9,10,14; 1 Cor. 11:3-10; 14:33b-35; 1 Pet. 3:1-6).
29 - Fellowship: Biblical discipleship involves nurturing the
individual's
personal relationship with Christ through discipline of sin as it is
clearly defined in Scripture. When open sin occurs in the church, the
church must deal with the sin in ways as prescribed in Matthew Chapter
18. The discipline of the members insures the purity of the Body,
provides a warning to others, and provides for the restoration of the
erring brother (John 7:24; Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-8,12,13; 1 Tim.
5:19,20; 2 Cor. 2:6-8).
30 - Love: The love of Christ is an action [agapè] love (i.e., a
willful,
"doing self-sacrificing love) as opposed to merely an attitude of
[phileo] love (i.e., an emotional, "feeling" love) (John 3:16;
14:23,24;
Gal. 2:20; 5:6b; Eph. 5:25; 1 John 3:18,16a; 4:9,10,19,20; Rom. 5:8).
31 - Giving: Every local body of believers has the responsibility to
adequately support faithful widows, orphans, and others in the
fellowship
who, for means beyond their control, are unable to support themselves (1
Tim. 5:3-10; Js. 1:27).
32 - Ecumenism/Ecumenical Evangelism: Ecumenism is that movement which
seeks the organizational unity of all Christianity and ultimately of all
religions. Its principal advocates are the World Council of Churches and
the National Council of Churches in the United States of America.
Ecumenical Evangelism is that effort to promote the Gospel by bringing
fundamentalists into an unequal yoke with theological liberals and/or
Roman Catholics and other divergent groups.
33 - Neo-Orthodoxy: Neo-Orthodoxy seeks to close the gap between
modernism
and fundamentalism by expressing itself in the terms of orthodoxy while
redefining its historical concepts with the substance of modernism;
i.e.,
neo-orthodoxy affirms the transcendence of God, the finiteness and
sinfulness of man, and the necessity of supernatural divine revelation
of
truth, yet it seriously departs from orthodoxy in accepting the views of
destructive higher criticism, in denying the inerrancy of the Bible as
historic revelation, in accepting religious experience as the criterion
of truth, and in abandoning important fundamentals of the Christian
faith. In short, it makes old-fashioned modernists sound theologically
respectable.
34 - Neo-Evangelicalism: Neo-Evangelicalism is that movement within
evangelicalism characterized by a toleration of and a dialogue with
theological liberalism. Its essence is seen in an emphasis upon the
social application of the Gospel and weak or unclear doctrines of the
inspiration of Scripture, biblical creationism, eschatology,
dispensationalism, "biblical" feminism, and separation. It is further
characterized by an attempt to accommodate biblical Christianity and
make
it acceptable to the modern mind.
35 - Believers in the World: Separation is required from all forms of
worldliness in activities, conduct, and appearance in order to be an
example of a believer to an unbelieving world (Rom. 12:2; Js. 4:4; 1
John
2:15,16; 1 Cor. 10:18-21; 2 Cor. 10:2-5; John 15:17-20; 17:15,16).
36 - Christianize: Philosophies whose "roots" are antithetical to
Christianity should not be made part of Christian worship or practice;
if
something is inherently pagan, occultic and/or evil in its origin, all
one's good intentions will not prevent Christians involved with it from
becoming confused and compromised. Thereby, separation is the only
alternative.
37 - Separation: We separate ourselves from all ecclesiastical apostasy
and
modernism as exhibited in such religious organizations as the National
Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches, as well as the
ungodly and unbiblical religious programs respected by society. In
addition, other forms of ecumenism as they are practiced today
(inclusive
evangelism, neo-evangelicalism, the charismatic movement, etc.) will not
be part of our practice or alliances.
38 - Fraternal Organizations/Secret Societies: We affirm the sinfulness
of
all organizations that 1) explicitly or implicitly deny the Holy
Trinity,
the Deity of Christ, or the vicarious atonement; 2) promise spiritual
light apart from that revealed in the Holy Scripture; 3) attach
spiritual
or eternal rewards to the works or virtues of men; and/or 4) embrace
ideologies or principles that clearly violate an express teaching of the
Holy Scriptures concerning the relationships of men to one another.
39 - Attitude Toward Strife and Military Service: We believe that the
teaching of Scripture enjoins believers to love their enemies, to do
good
to them that hate them, to overcome evil with good, and inasmuch as
possible, live peaceably with all men. Therefore, we conclude that it is
not fitting for the Christian to promote or engage in strife between
nations, classes, groups, or individuals. Thus, we reaffirm the biblical
teaching on non-resistance in war and peace (1 John 2:6; Matt.
5:38-41,43-48; 26:50-52; Luke 6:27-29; John 18:36; 2 Tim. 2:3,4; Rom.
12:17-21; 13:8; 2 Cor. 10:3,4; Phil. 3:18-20; Gal. 5:22).
40 - Pre-millennial Return of Christ: The next event on the prophetic
clock
is the pre-tribulational rapture (1 Thes. 4:13-5:11) of the Church,
following which the western world ruler (Dan. 9:27; 2 Thes. 2:1-12) will
enter into an agreement to guarantee Israel sovereignty in their land.
This agreement begins the seventieth week of Daniel (Dan. 9:24-26).
During this time of seven years, known as the tribulation, the full
wrath
of God will be released against Israel and the nations in the judgments
of seals, trumpets, and bowls, listed starting in Rev. 5, ending in Rev.
16. Following the final bowl judgment, Jesus Christ will return to earth
(2 Thes. 1:6-10; Rev. 19:11-16) to judge the nations (Matt. 25:31-46)
and
set up His kingdom first of all promised to Abraham, and will include
the
literal fulfillment of God's covenant promises (Jer. 33:14-26; Ezek.
36:25-28; Rom. 11:23-32). The one-thousand year earthly kingdom is the
first phase of the eternal kingdom that will be everlasting (2 Sam.
7:13,16; see also Isa., Ezek.).
41 - Soul Sleep: Soul sleep is the unbiblical teaching that the believer
does not go immediately into the presence of the Lord at death, but that
his soul sleeps in the grave until the Resurrection.
42 - Conscious Punishment: Annihilationists erroneously teach that,
although everyone will survive death and even be resurrected, the wicked
will finally be destroyed, that is "annihilated." They teach that those
not saved will not consciously exist forever in a place called hell or
the lake of fire, but will either pass out of existence or be actively
put out of existence by God (Rev. 14:11).
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