Declaration of Faith
The Divine Authority & Inspiration of Scriptures
We believe the Holy Bible to be “The Holy Scriptures” as set forth in 2 Timothy 3:15, and as such are “given by inspiration of God” (vs. 16), and therefore infallible, perfect, without error and Holy. By Holy Bible we mean that collection of sixty six books “containing the Old and New Testaments translated out of the Original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty’s command and appointed to be read in churches”, commonly called the King James Bible. We do use other translations for reference to compare and highlight error. We are NOT KJVOnlyists, but prefer this faithful translation.
The Trinity of God
We believe that there is only one God and Father (Ephesians 4:6 & 1 Corinthians 8:4-6), and such a Blessed God and Saviour exists eternally in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19). We believe that these Three are the One and Only True and Wise God (Exodus 20:1-2 * 1 Corinthians 12:3 * 2 Corinthians 3:17). Complete teaching here.
The Deity & Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is God Almighty (John 10:30 * 1 Timothy 3:16 * John 1:1, 14 * Acts 20:28 * 1 Timothy 1:1), and has, does, and shall eternally exist as the Son of God (Proverbs 30:4 * Daniel 3:25 * John 11:27 * 3:16). We believe Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, who is God, came in the flesh just as every other man (Romans 8:3), being born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-25 * Luke 1:26, 27), which birth was altogether supernatural and miraculous, not being the result of man’s seed (Luke 1:34), but of the Holy Ghost (see Matthew 1:18-20).
Salvation
The Essentials that are without Compromise:
Teachings Fundamental to Redemption:
God calls ALL men everywhere to repentance and faith proven by deeds. He draws all men, Convicts the world of Sin, Righteousness and Judgment and Stretches forth His hand daily offering them repentance unto life. He’s not willing any perish in sin and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Acts 17:30-31, 26:18-21, Jh 12:32, 16:8, 2 Pet 3:9, Rom 2:4, Ezek 18:32) To ‘Draw, give’ is inclusive of all, (all given the opportunity) there is no such thing as election of some and not others or any pre-ordained to salvation and others to condemnation.
Man is born with a moral conscience and natural inclinations totally free and unhindered in will and ability. He is not rendered incapable of obedience to God, or limited in ability by: Original Sin, moral depravity, inbred sin, born sinful, etc. He is only unwilling to repent (at the age of accountability) in that he is rebellious to God and has chosen self-indulgence over obedience to Christ. Sin is what you DO not what you are; you are a sinner by choice, not nature. One is not born a drunkard or a homosexual, etc. You become addicted to sin as a slave to whom you obey. (Romans 6:16).
Nature in Scripture is ‘physis (our word for physics) defined as a principle of growth, nature of growth, ‘By nature children of wrath‘ Epheisans 2:3, meaning by ‘habit, use, with the variable of free will involved making wrong choices to indulge the lusts’. In contrast, the Gentiles are able to ‘Do by nature (physis) the things contained in the law’ (Romans 2:14) meaning by the use of their free will to make choices for good they answer the accusation of their conscience and do what is right. Man’s sense of reason can become distorted (reprobate) as he continues in sin, rejects God, exchanges His truth for a lie and ‘reverses nature’, going into perversion (Romans 1:18-26).
The Scripture speaks of man being made upright, innocent (neutral) and able to do what is right: Ecc 7:29, Deut 1:39, Isa 7:16, Mat 18:3, 19:14, Ps 139:14, 127:3, Ezk 14;14. Passages such as Ps 51:5, 58:3, Rom 5:12, Ecc 7:20, Gen 6:5, 8:21, Job 14:1-4, 15:14, does not prove man is born sinful; please consult our teaching website for further information as to why the church teaches man is born a sinner.
BIBLICAL REPENTANCE
2nd Corinthians 7:10-11 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves,yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”
One is “saved by grace through faith” through the experience of genuine repentance. Without the requisite change of mind and heart, one simply cannot exercise the biblical faith necessary in order to experience the quickening of grace.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
No Repentance = No Transformation = No Salvation
Sinners must be humbled and therefore brought to what can be figuratively called the “lowest room.” It is from thence that a “raising up” may occur.
Luke 14:7-11 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Repentance lays the necessary foundation whereby the will of an individual actually becomes workable unto God. A wild horse must be broken before it will submit to a rider, likewise a wild and self-willed sinner must be broken (Matthew 21:44) before they will submit to God. When submitted to God, the sensual, intellectual and emotional aspects of a human being become ordered and functional. Repentance gives access and thus allows one to effectually utilise the transforming power of “saved by grace through faith.”
The Bible teaches “repentance for remission” because sins remittance (justification) is conditioned upon the manifest state of an individual’s heart. In Acts we read…
Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord”
Repentance ——-> Conversion ——–> Refreshing
Repentance brings about a conversion, whereupon the refreshing can take place.
Refreshing – anapsuxis – G403 [Strong’s] From G404; properly a recovery of breath, that is, (figuratively) revival: – revival
The “refreshing” is the heart change or new birth experience which is brought about by the Spirit of God being received within. Being that the new heart is no longer rebellious towards God, it is therefore not operating in discordance with reality, the true self within having come into alignment with its proper function as designed by God. It is then that God is willing to look past the previous improper function and thus be merciful in regards to past sins. It is for this reason that the Bible teaches “repentance for remission” as opposed to a “provision for remission.” The “will” or “yielding of the heart” is what changes in repentance, whilst the new birth encompasses the love of God being shed abroad within the heart (Romans 5:5).
The Bible does not teach a substitutional “provision for remission,” a notion in which the underlying factor pertaining to the remittance of sin is a “positional legal adjustment.” The idea of a “provision” in such a context completely circumvents addressing the true condition of the heart. Under “repentance for remission” an individual enters into the New Covenant with a TRUE HEART (Hebrews 10:22) via the blood (Hebrews 10:19) and thus receives both the cleansing of past sins (Acts 3:19, Hebrews 10:17,22; 2nd Peter 1:9), and experiences the law being written upon the heart and in the mind (Hebrews 10:16,22), the imprint which then saves an individual from present sin (receiving true GRACE).
Hebrews 10:19-22 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
True- alethinos – G228 [Strong’s] From G227; truthful: – true.
The word “repentance” is rendered from the Greek word “metanoia”…
Repentance – metanoia – G3341 [Strong’s] From G3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision): – repentance.
In Greek, “meta” pertains to “change” whilst “noia” pertains to “thought.” Repentance is simply the change of one’s mind as it pertains to sin, righteousness and judgment. God is willing to grant mercy to those whom would both confess and forsake their sin, those whom would forsake wickedness and unrighteousness.
Proverbs 28:13 “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
John the Baptist preached “repentance for remission,” he did not preach a “provisional substitution for remission”…
Mark 1:4 “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
Jesus preached repentance…
Luke 5:32 “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus contended that repentance and remission of sins be preached, He did not contend that provisional substitution and remission be preached…
Luke 24:47 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Repentance is where we are to figuratively die with Christ, in putting off our old man, the old way of conducting ourselves. Paul teaches this by presenting us with several parallels…
Romans 6:4-7 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.”
How Redemption Takes Place:
The Purpose of Redemption is to Save man from the corrupting influence of sin and set him free from bondage, redemption means; ‘Release from bondage’. Salvation is not merely ‘receiving Jesus or Trusting He paid off your sin debt so you can be forgiven and escape the punishment of hell and then hopefully sin less and obey more. It is the Complete and total renovation of man’s mind, purposes, opinions, inclinations and desires, not by degree, but through the “Washing, Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Spirit”, he becomes a Partaker of the Divine Nature and escapes the corruption that is the world through lust. (Titus 3:5, 2nd Peter 1:3-4) “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” Acts 26:18.
In order for this radical transformation to take place and not end up as another sin daily, no one’s perfect professed Christian, you must understand that man is fully able to do what Scripture says he must do, to be saved (men and brethren, what must we do to be Saved? Acts 2:38) It’s NOT what’s been DONE, but what you must DO. Jesus did HIS work on THE CROSS, now you must “pick up YOUR CROSS DAILY and FOLLOW HIM…
God has given man free will and the ability to DO what is Right as a ‘worker together’ with his creator. Faith is NEVER alone. A true Christian is FAITHFUL! The first act of faith toward God is obedience from the heart (Romans 6:16, Hebrews 11:6) when the Scripture says, ‘Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, (Romans 4:3), we see the ‘synergeo‘ (synergy: two or more things working together to produce a result that cannot otherwise be attained) at work by comparing scripture with scripture: Do you see that faith was working together (synergeo) with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? James 2:22, Abraham doing his part, responding to God’s call, so the conclusion of a faith that saves is:
‘You see then that a man is Justified by what he DOES and not by faith alone’ James 2:24. The miracle of regeneration takes place by God through the Spirit, but repentance proven by deeds belongs to man, preparations of heart belong to man (Proverbs 16:1 “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.”).
The Sinner comes to God by faith in response to the conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8, Romans 10:17) humbly seeking Christ, but, he must not be given any false assurances that God will receive him as is by merely trusting in Christ or repeating some words and feeling sorry (in a worldly way) for his sins. Such notions will short-circuit the redemptive process and quell the conviction of the Spirit that may have lead him into godly sorrow and true repentance. The sinner Must have his ‘past sins’ Remitted/pardoned (Romans 3:25 “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His (JESUS’) blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of SINS THAT ARE PAST, through the forbearance of God”) in repentance proven by deeds BEFORE he can be ‘Returned to favor‘ (Reconciled) and filled with the Spirit.
The reason Scripture says ‘By the works of the law no flesh shall be Justified‘, is under the law “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and merely returning to obedience would not be sufficient to wipe the past slate clean of past rebellion. ONLY faith in the shed blood of Christ can remit past sin and purge the conscience of dead works (of rebellion) to cleanse the heart for present service (Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? “). It’s not that ‘works or deeds’ has no part in salvation, its that the deeds of faith have replaced the works of ritual and sacrifice (Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law”).
When the sinner enters into a season of godly sorrow under a crisis of conviction, their conscience playing havoc in fear of God they must be handled carefully so not to stifle the process (as is generally done by the well meaning professed “christian” who immediately sympathize with their sorrow and offer them false comfort). If the godly sorrow is not suppressed by outside influences it will through the Spirit bring about effective results, such as, thorough clearing of wrongdoing, the person zealously making amends for past evils, restitution if necessary, there will be a vehement desire to change, the inclinations and dispositions will be transformed.
There will be full self-vindication of the past life, bringing about a hatred of sin and love for God (described in 2nd Corinthians 7:10-11, Psalm 97:10, Proverbs 8:13). Scripture speaks of the empting self of all guile and deceit, coming clean, laying aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, forsaking the evil of your doings, amending your ways, casting away all your transgressions and making yourself a new heart (James 1:21-22, 4:7-10, 2nd Corinthians 7:1, Jeremiah 26:3, 13, Ezekiel 18:31). In other words, ALL known vile sin ceases as you draw near to God seeking His mercy; propitiation, in scripture (Romans 3:25) is speaking of ‘appeasement, that occurs at the Mercy Seat of Christ’ (Hebrews 9:5) where the blood is sprinkled on the sacrifice to cleanse and purity it. In this process you are the living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”) presenting yourself in reasonable service to the Lord, having done your part in repentance in which the self-indulgent evil passion and desires of the flesh are Crucified (put to death – Colossians 3:5), in Christ, Romans 6:4-6. So, you are dead to sin, freed from its bondage and made alive to God in newness of life. NOW the ‘Washing, Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Spirit’ (Titus 3:5) can take place, because the soul has genuinely been set free from sin and has escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The new convert is freely given all things that pertain to life and godliness, the exceedingly great and precious promises and becomes a partaker of the Divine nature (2nd Peter 1:3-4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”)
One has no excuse further on to neglect doing his part by working out his salvation, adding to his faith, running the race with endurance while striving to enter at the straight (narrow) gate and making his calling sure (Philippians 2:11-12, 2nd Peter 1:5, Hebrews 12:1-2, 2nd Peter 1:10). This is imperative to insure entrance into the Kingdom, left undone will result in eternal ruin for the soul).
Answering some of the Common fallacies concerning Salvation:
The Scripture says: ‘we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness (remission) of sins’ (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14, Heb 9:14, Rom 5:10-11) Release from the penalty and the bondage of sin, this is the ‘free gift, not of works, pardon of past sin (not past, present & future), But the redemptive power of the blood cannot be applied except a sinner repent and produce deeds worthy of repentance (Acts 26:18-21). The same holds true of Ephesians 2:8-9, ‘By Grace you are Saved through faith, not of works’, apart from a genuine repentance Grace would be receive in Vain (2nd Corinthians 6:1, without purpose, to no effect) because it is Grace that “teaches us deny ungodliness and worldly lust and live soberly righteously and godly in this present age” (Titus 2:11). If it were merely granted as a covering for sin, and unconditional pardon, how is it going to work its purpose in the redemptive process of man working together with God!
Man is not ‘saving himself’ by producing deeds worthy of repentance and obeying God, he is simply doing his part as commanded by God and being born without a sinful nature does not negate his need for a Savouir. There is no hint of human pride or boasting in this process, it is the most humbling of experiences anyone could enter into. The reason most professed Christians are never set free from their bondage to sin is because they came under the false premise that man in his unregenerate state CANNOT ‘reason with God’, or ‘call upon Him while He is near’ and answer the call to ‘lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness’, doing what is necessary to approach the mercy seat of reconciliation for remission and refreshing (Acts 3:19).
Although he is FULLY capable of doing these things, the 24/7 influence of ‘born in sin, saved in sin, never stop sinning’ false gospel has dulled his senses to any further conviction of the Spirit that he might rise from the pig pen of shame and find true redemption. Therefore, most professed Christians languish in the revolving door of supposed ongoing forgiveness via confessing (1 John 1:9) for reoccurring sins that should have ceased in repentance.
There is no transfer of virtue or sin in the redemption process. Christ did not become sin nor did have to suffer God’s Wrath in man’s place or pay any kind of penalty so man could be forgiven. He gave Himself as a spotless, blameless offering for sin (1 John 3:5,8 “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”) in order to destroy the works of the devil and ‘Release’ (Ransom, Redeem) man from the bondage of sin; by offering him a way to be reconciled (returned to favor) through repentance and faith proven by deeds (2nd Corinthians 5:20, Acts 26:18-21) so true repentance alone is sufficient to divert God’s punishment for sin (Mat 18:23-35). God points the Way through Christ (the narrow gate you strive to enter (Luke 13:24 “Strive (AGONIZE) to enter in at the strait gate: for MANY, I say unto you, WILL SEEK (HEAVEN) to enter in, and SHALL NOT BE ABLE.”
Man responds or rejects (Isaiah 1:19-20). Christ cannot obey in your place, repent for you or transfer His personal righteousness.
Sin (known, willful, vile) stops in repentance, the old man of sin is put to death, it does not die out gradually, daily, there is no process of sanctification (aka “progressive sanctification“) in the sense of sinning less and obeying more. Growth in grace and knowledge (2nd Peter 3:18) is adding to your faith, working out your salvation and running the race with endurance (2nd Peter 1:5, Philippians 2:11-12, Hebrews 12:1-2) not treating grace as a revolving door of forgiveness for ongoing sins that are covered by merely confessing (1 John 1:9). (“He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” Proverbs 28:13).
Because man is not perfect in knowledge or free from ignorance, even as a born again Christian he will be subject to mistakes in judgment, errors, wrong decisions, personality flaws, etc., his Biblical perfection toward God is in obedience and devotion, loving Christ with all his heart, mind, soul and strength according to his God given ability (he is NOT required to be as perfect as God). Such sins as listed in 1st Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3-7 are NOT Mistakes and must cease in repentance. “Shall we continue in sin? GOD FORBID”. Returning to your Vomit (even once) will result in disqualification from the Kingdom and require a protracted season of godly sorrow in repentance to recover from and may prove impossible the longer you remain in sin and trample the Blood of Jesus.
Real Christians are NOT:
The Wretched man of Romans 7, the “Chief of sinners” who sins daily in thought, word and deed, nor do they have desperately wicked hearts of divided loyalties.
Their righteousness is not filthy rags in God’s sight, sin is never a foregone conclusion and they don’t run around spouting such non-sense as: ‘no one is perfect, its not of works, judge not and if I say I have no sin I’m a liar without truth!’
Definition of Terms that pertain to Redemption:
Reconciliation: means ‘Return to favor’, not atonement in the sense of Christ taking man’s place on the cross, paying off his sin debt by suffering the wrath of God and magically transferring His righteousness
Redemption: means, release from bondage, can be translated ‘ransom; it’s the escape from the corrupting influence of sin that genuine salvation provides.
Remission: means pardon and release, ‘We have redemption through His blood, the remission of sin’ (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14) ‘Release from bondage on both sides’, if you’re redeemed by the blood you are FREE from bondage to sin.
Propitiation: means appeasement, mercy, ‘Mercy Seat’ (Hebrews 9:5) it has nothing to do with expiatory sacrifice or vicarious (replacement) theology.
Flesh, SARX: is sinew covering the bones. It is not vile or sinful nor does it have a substance of sin dwelling within. redeemed man serves God in his flesh (Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:11) with the evil passions and desires crucified so he does not indulge the lusts of his flesh (Galatians 5:24, Romans 6:4-6).
Grace: charis, is the loving kindness of God (not unmerited favor) by which He exerts His holy influence on souls to turn them from their sins to Christ and then strengthen and empower the redeemed to exercise their faith toward godliness and self-control (Titus 2:11-14). If you have partaken of His Grace it is evident in your conduct
Faith / Believe (synonyms) defined as: Faithfulness, fidelity, steadiness, synonymous with obedience (Romans 6:16) said to work by love (Galatians 5:6 ) purify the heart by obedience to the truth (1st Peter 1:22) uphold and establish the moral law (Romans 3:31, 13:10) and have victory over sin, flesh and devil (1st John 5:4-5).
Righteousness: is integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, a state of approval by God, He who does what is right is righteous. It is what you DO, not what you receive (1st John 3:7-8 “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”) Virtue cannot be transferred only performed.
Sin is willful transgression of God’s law 1st John 3:4. Not all sin is the same; there are sins unto death and sins not unto death, 1st John 5:16. You cannot sin willfully against Grace and escape the consequences thereof (Hebrews 10:26-31).
Man is Judged according to his deeds done in faith (Romans 2:7-8, 1st Peter 1;17, 2nd Corinthians 5:10).
When the Lord returns, He will judge each person according to their deeds (Matthew 16:24-27, Revelation 22:12) those who have done good to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28-29). As you are, so you will be in the final judgment (Revelation 22:11-14). There is no magic transformation from wicked to righteous or filthy to clean. His Bride has made herself ready, clothed in righteous garments which are the righteous deeds of the Saints, Revelation 19:7-8. The reward is eternal life (not rewards) Revelation 22:12-16. The gift of eternal life is held in ‘Earnest’ (Ephesians 1:14) until the race is finished, it is not a guarantee but a Hope in the age to come yet to reaped. (Titus 3:7, Galatians 6:8-10) conditional on you finishing the race (striving to enter).
Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh (1st Timothy 3:16, John 1:1) ‘word is God, word became flesh’.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Virgin Mary as a Sign to the Jews (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:35). The Lord’s human nature consists of the same flesh and blood as mankind. He was tempted in all points as man yet without sin (John 1:14, Romans 8:3, Philippians 2:7-8, Hebrews 2:14, 17, 4:15, 2nd John 7). Christ overcame sin, the flesh and the Devil in His life, death and resurrection (1st John 3:8). He resides as our Great High Priest, head of the church and will return to judge the world in righteousness (Hebrews 10:12, 12:2, Ephesians 5:23, 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9, Revelation 22:12). He is the Image of the invisible God, first born of all creation, creator of all things and in Him all things consist (Colossians 1:14-18). In Him the fullness of the Godhead expressed is (Colossians 2:9).
(Hebrew elohim plural, divine ones (Genesis 1:1). Christ is God, infinite in Power and Knowledge; Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Omnipotence.)
(Godhead: ‘theotes’, state of being God. Synonym of divinity ‘theiotes’, divine nature). In Scripture, the Godhead is expressed to us as: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). You DO NOT have to be a ‘Trinitarian“(in the Catholic sense) to believe Christ is God. But you must recognize Him as God manifest in the flesh or your sin remains. All models of satisfaction and substitution, moral government, public justice were invented by the Catholics and remove the imperative of man coming clean with God in repentancepProven by deeds.
We don’t believe that babies are “born sinners” or that they are born with “inherited sin”
Man is created in the image of God at the moment of conception and is not a condemned sinner at birth. A baby is not guilty of sin until their “youth” – at the age of accountability (Gen. 1:26-27; 9:6; Num 16:22; 2 Kin 21:16; 24:4; Psa 139: 13-14; Ecc 7:29; 12:7; Isa 42:5; 57:16; Jer 1:5; Eze 18:4; Joel 3:19; Zech. 12:1; Rom 9:11; 1 Co 11:7; Heb 12:9; Jas 3:9). Only the physical body is derived from Adam and Eve which is now subject to death and disease. (Gen 1:21; 3:22; 1 Co 15:21-22; 15:38-39; Heb 2:14).
The guilt of the first parents is NOT imputed to their physical offspring (Deu 24:16; 2 Kings 14:6; 2 Chr 25:4; Ez 18:2-4; 18:19-20; Jer 31:29-30). Man retains an aspect of light (conscience) upon coming into the world and has natural ability to select vice or virtue APART from Divine coercion because he is endowed with the gift of free will by his Creator (Gen 4:6-7; Deut 30:11; 30:19; Isa 1:16-20; Ez 18:30-32; Jer 8:11; Matt 23:37; Lk 6:46; Jn 1:9; 16:8; Acts 5:32; 17:30; Ro 1:18-21; 2:12-16; 6:17; 2 Co 7:1; 2 Tim 2:21; Jas 4:7-10; 1 Pe. 1:22; Rev 22:17) Man corrupts himself and becomes ‘dead in sin’ by choice when he personally and consciously commits iniquity. (Gen 6:12; 8:2; Deut. 32:5; Jud 2:19; Isa. 7:15-16; 59:2; Ez 18:19-20; Lk 15:24; 15:32; Ro 2:7-8; 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph 2:1-3; Col 1:21; Jas. 4:17; 1 Pe 1:18; Jude 10; 1 John 3:4). Sinful man is an enemy, abhorred and detested by God. (Psa 5:6; 6:8; 7:11; 11:5; Matt 16:23; Ro 3:10-18; 5:10; 8:5-8; Col 1:21; Eph 2:3; Jas. 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15-16). Man is destined to the UN-quenchable ‘lake which burns with fire and brimstone’, unless he repents of sin and is reconciled to God through the Blood of Jesus Christ. (Matt 3:12; 5:22; 5:29-30; 7:19; 7:23; 25:41; Mk 9:42-48; 10:42-28; Lk 3:9; 13:3; 16:19-31; 2 Thess 1:8-9; Rev 21:8).
If flesh is inherently sinful, why does Ezekiel say we need a heart of flesh (Eze 11:19, 36:26)?
Jesus will change your life when you do as He commands, such as crucify your flesh, go and sin no more, depart from iniquity, work it out, strive, dig deep, prove you love and fear Him by your life and witness. A complete study here.
Baptism
We believe that while Baptism doesn’t “save” a person or make a person born again (baptismal regeneration), however, it’s much more important then the modern American Church makes it. In the modern American Church, the altar call, praying a prayer and many other things have overtaken this Biblical mandate. NOWHERE in Scripture will you see a lost sinner commanded to “pray a prayer” to be saved. They are always told to repent, believe and be baptized. Every believer that is able, should be Baptized as soon as they are able (after being examined by elder saints), not when there is a “quarterly baptism” or when the Pastor is “ready” (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:26-39). More here.
Backsliding
Rev 22:18 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” We believe that true Christians have the ability to backslide, depart from the faith, be cut off and/or fall away (this is commonly called “losing your salvation”) because they still have “free will” given to them by God. A Christian doesn’t have “eternal life” eternally until they step into eternity. Christians are on “probation” or a testing period while still on earth (Ezekiel 33:12-20, Matthew 24:48-51, Matthew 25:1-13, Romans 11:20-23, 1 Corinthians 10:5-13, Hebrews 3:6-4:1, James 5:19-20, 1 Timothy 4:1-2). More here.
A Christian Must Live Holy
1st Peter 1:16 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” & Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” We believe that Christians don’t have to sin, have the power over sin and are commanded not to sin by a Holy God. A Christian can live a life of complete obedience to God, every moment of everyday. Christians still have the ability to sin since they will always have free will, but it should be few and far between, if ever. It should never be a matter of “when” a Christian sins but “if” a Christian sins. A Christian definitely shouldn’t be sinning daily (“he who sins is of the devil” 1st John 3:8). Sin should be the exception in the Christian’s life, not the rule. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. If we walk according to the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. If we abide in Christ, we will not sin. If a Christian really loves God, they will obey Him. God’s commandments are NOT a burden to keep. When God commands us to do something, He gives us the ability to be obedient. IF a Christian sins, they have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One (Matthew 5:48, John 5:14; 8:11, John 14:21, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 4:13; 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 5:3-4, Galatians 5:16, 1 John 3:6). A Christian does not stay in the sin/repent…sin/repent cycle. A true Christian lives holy (Biblically perfect). More here.
Spiritual Gifts / Holy Spirit
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by Whose indwelling the Christian is empowered to live a godly life, is given direction in life, is given spiritual gifts and is assured of eternal life as long as they remain in Jesus by being obedient to His commands as spelled out in the Bible. We believe that since the Day of Pentecost that each born-again believer(one who is truly repented and obeying Jesus by picking up his cross daily and abiding with works meet for repentance/proven by deeds) is filled with the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion and that each is given gifts of Spirit as the Spirit wills. We do not believe in a “second work of grace”, “entire sanctification” or the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” as many Wesleyan and Pentecostal Churches do (Acts 2:38, Romans 8:13-17, I Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 4:30; Ephesians 5:18). We also do not believe in the false “signs and wonders” prominent in the false denominations of the Pentecostals / Charismatics and others. Click for a full study on “Pentecostal / Charismatic Heresy – Emphasis on Divine Healing & Word of Faith“, here for “Pentecostal / Charismatic Errors – Biblical vs Pentecostal Tongues” and here for “The Real Work of the Holy Spirit“.
Eternal Life – Heaven & Hell
We believe in the resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous; those who are righteous unto the resurrection of life, and those who are unrighteous unto the resurrection of damnation. Those who know God and obey the Gospel will reside in the Kingdom of God/Heaven for all eternity and those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel will be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. They will go to the Lake of Fire, which is also called Hell (John 5:28-29, John 11:25, Revelation 20:5-6, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). More here.
The Necessity, Effect and Meaning of Preaching. The Great Commission!
We believe “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21), and that God Almighty “hath in due times manifested his word through preaching” (Titus 1:3), the job of which He commits unto men “called” and “sent” (1 Corinthians 1:17-26), and that such calling is a spiritual “vocation wherewith we are called” (Ephesians 4:1) and gifted to minister therein (vs. 8-12). We hold the absolute necessity of the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the instrument of salvation in each person’s life (Romans 10:13, 14/ 1 Corinthians 3:5 * 15:1, 2), for it is “power of God” unto salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18). As such, we hold that preaching is a unique, and God inspired form of verbal communication that is distinguished from all other forms of vocal communication. True preaching is the forceful, verbal delivery of a specific Bible truth, wherein the minister of God is commanded to “cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression” (Isaiah 58:1). We believe it is the mandate of the whole Church to go into all the world and “preach” the Gospel to every creature, making disciples of all of those who repent of their sins, believe the Gospel and get baptized. Evangelizing the lost is done in many ways- Gospel Tract distribution, one to one conversations, small group conversations, open air preaching, charity ministry, etc. But, we must share the Gospel with our mouth. “Letting our light shine” will not tell a sinner how to have his sins forgiven or how to have eternal life. If we refuse to share the Gospel with sinners, we truly do not love them and their blood is on our hands. If we refuse to share the Gospel with sinners, we truly don’t love God, since only those who obey God truly love Him. He has given us a Great Commission and we must obey it (Romans 10:13-17, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15).
Obedience to God before Man
We believe with all our hearts that “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), and that in matters of conflict between God’s command in our lives and the regulatory edicts of man forbidding obedience to God, let others judge “whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto man more than unto God” (Acts 4:19). But “we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). In balancing these conflicts, the Bible commands us to obey God (Acts 5:29), and yet “be subject unto the higher powers” (Romans 13:1) “not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake” (Romans 13:5). By such, we steadfastly obey God in continuing to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15), and yet shall not resist the powers that arrest us for doing so (Romans 13:2). However, the preaching of the cross of Christ shall continue even unto “bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (Philippians 1:7), knowing that by such, “many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by our bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:14). Each member therefore, shall “obey magistrates” (Titus 3:1) when called before them to give account of our preaching, and shall with much “honour to whom honour is do” (Romans 13:7) “answer for himself …touching all the things whereof he is accused” (Acts 26:2).
The Sin and Weakness of Compromising
We believe it is a sin against the “the profession of our faith” (Hebrews 10:23) in Jesus Christ to compromise in any area of the gospel ministry, and they that do so are “menpleasers” (Ephesians 6:6 * Colossians 3:22), “gainsayers” (Titus 1:9 * Acts 10:29 * Jude 11) and wavering contradictors like “a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” with the opinions and arguments of men and not God (James 1:6, 7). We believe a compromise is just that, a co-promise made to settle differences without offending the wrong side, and such flies in the face of God as a breach of faith when we are commanded to “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)”. Tolerance & compromise is not biblical love. (Revelation 3:16)
The Fellowship of the Saints
We believe that that the fellowship of the saints has no fellowship with darkness, either sin nor sinners. Yet, sinners could visit and see God among us and actually be used to glorify God without letting the sinner participate in weekly fellowship (“church”) service unless they repent first. Eph 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” We believe it’s very important for saints to fellowship on a regular basis and to be taught the word of God and to help each other out as the bible teaches. Heb 10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Click here for more on local, New testament fellowships.
Taking Care of the Orphan and Widow AND the “Least of These”
We take James 5:1-6 and James 1:27 VERY seriously as every true Christian should! We will be judged according to Matthew 25:31-46.
So many “Christians” are not helping the poor as commanded! Judgement day is going to be harsh for them as Matthew 25 clearly states we will be judged on how we take care of the poor! What is “rich” you may be asking?? It’s very simple and you are most likely VERY rich.
– 1.2 BILLION people live on less than $1.25 PER DAY!
– 50% of the worlds population live on less than $2.50 PER DAY!
– 80% Of the world lives on less than $10 PER DAY!
– 22,000 CHILDREN DIE DAILY FROM POVERTY (the greed of the wealthy world)!
– 3,000 Adults die daily from man-made poverty too!
– Between 1981 and 2010, the average income of the extremely poor has remained flat at approximately half of the $1.25 line in Sub-Saharan Africa!
– Americans are about 46 times richer than that of the poorest 1 billion people on the planet.
Now, are you rich according to the bible and the figures above? Are you more wealthy than 80% of the world and make more than $10 per day? Let’s look at specific income examples. Do you make $35,000 per year? If so, you are in the wealthiest 4.6% of people in the world and there are 6,296,041,822 (more than 6.2 billion) people less wealthy than you. You are 45 times wealthier than a billion people. (A billion people earn less than $762 a year). Maybe you make $20,000 per year? If so, you are in the wealthiest 10.9% of people in the world and there are 5,879,728,301 (more than 5.8 billion) people less wealthy than you. You are 26 times wealthier than a billion people. Maybe you make about $10,000 per year? If so, you are in the wealthiest 19.9% of people in the world and there are 5,284,593,406 (more than 5.2 billion) people less wealthy than you. You are 13 times wealthier than a billion people.
Now, read James 5:1-6 and see the judgement on the “rich” when they don’t help the poor. Then read Matthew 25 and see that we get judged on how we help the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, etc. EVERY word in that chapter was spoken by Jesus.
Our volunteer ministry is www.GlobalMissionForChildren.org where we walk out our faith proven by deeds.