What we believe about…

THe old and new testament

The Old and New Testaments are God’s written revelation to man, fully inspired by the Spirit of God to the very words penned by the human authors (2 Pet. 1:20-21; 3:14-16). Therefore all 66 books are inerrant and foundational as the final authority in matters of doctrine, practice, and lifestyle (2 Tim. 3:14-17).

God

God is the one infinite eternal Spirit (Exod. 3:14; Deut. 6:4, 5, 13; Isa. 44:6; Jer. 10:10; Jn. 4:24) who has revealed Himself through the Scriptures in three Persons – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 13:14). The LORD is the Holy One who lacks nothing in power, wisdom, and love (Isa. 40:25-31; Rev. 4:8). God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that dwells in them (Gen. 2:1-3; Acts 17:24-29; Rev. 4:11). God alone determines and declares in His Scriptures what is good, very good, not good, and corrupt (Gen. 1:25, 31; 2:18; 6:12; Jer. 17:9-10).

the father

The Father is the true and living God (Jn. 5:26; 6:57; 7:28-29; 8:16-18). The Father is the One from whom all things derive including salvation. He is the giver of all good gifts, including His Son (Jn. 3:16-18; Eph. 3:14-17a; James 1:16-18). The Father sets the times and the seasons by His own authority (Mk. 13:32; Acts 1:7; 3:19-21; 17:31). After God the Father has placed all things under His Son, the Kingdom of Christ will be handed to the Father, so that God may be All in All (1 Cor. 15:24-28).

the lord jesus christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God (Jn. 1:1-2, 32-34; Jn. 8:58; Heb. 1:8; 1 Jn. 1:1- 2), who became incarnate without sin, born of the virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit (Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; Matt. 1:20-21; Lk. 1:35; Jn. 1:14a; 1 Jn. 3:5). Jesus Christ is true God and true man, the exact representation of God’s being (Jn. 1:14b; Col. 1:15; 2:9; Heb. 1:1-3). He died on the cross, was buried, and three days later was raised from the dead (Acts 2:23-24, 31-32; 1 Cor. 15:3-4), ascended to heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33-36). He is the Head of the Church (Col. 1:18; 2:19) and ministers as our High Priest and Advocate (Heb. 4:14- 15; 1 Jn. 2:2).

the holy spirit

The Holy Spirit is eternal and possesses all the attributes of God (Ps. 139:7-8; Isa. 11:2; 63:11- 14; Heb. 9:14). He indwells all those who have put faith in Christ (Acts 2:38-39; Rom. 8:9). At conversion the Spirit baptizes each one into the body of Christ, the Church (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27). The Holy Spirit fills, equips, and guides believers so they may obtain a full maturity in Christ (Jn. 7:39; 14:26; Acts 4:8; 1 Cor. 2:13; 6:19; Gal. 5:16-22). The Holy Spirit gives gifts as he wills for the edification and ministry of the Church (Eph. 2:19-22). Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not tied to the presence of any particular spiritual gift (Acts 4:31; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 5:18-21).

the heavens and the earth

The Heavens and the Earth and all that are within them were created by the power and wisdom of God for His pleasure and glory (Rev. 4:11). The creation of the heavens and earth was accomplished in six literal days (evening and morning) and was very good in its original form without the presence of sin and death (Gen 1:31; 2:1-3; Exod. 20:11). The church is to hold to God’s promise and look forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13).

man

Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:25-27; James 3:9). Man was created from the dust of the ground on the sixth day of creation apart from any process of death (Gen. 1:27, 31; 2:7). On the same day woman was taken from the side of man to become fellow-heir of life (Gen. 2:21-23). Through Adam’s disobedience, man became dead in trespasses and sins, born with a corrupt nature and is incapable of turning to God for salvation apart from God’s grace (Gen. 3:19; Jn. 6:65; Rom. 3:10-11; 5:12-21; Eph. 2:1-2). Holy matrimony consists of one man and one woman, reflecting strengths and roles of each gender (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6; 1 Cor. 11:7-10; Eph. 5:22-33).

The Substitutionary Atonement of Christ

The Substitutionary Atonement of Christ is the only means of redemption, for apart from the shed blood of Jesus there is no salvation (Lev. 17:11; Isa. 53:4-6; Rom. 3:25; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 10:10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 2:24; Rev. 5:9-10).

Justification by Grace through Faith

Justification by Grace through Faith in the death and resurrection of Christ is the only means of salvation (Matt. 1:21; Acts 4:12). Sinners are not saved through any of their own merit or works, but good works are an evidence of salvation (Gal. 3:11-14; Eph. 2:4-10; Phil. 2:12-13; Tit. 3:4- 7). Christ who knew no sin became sin so that those who believe in Him may be declared righteous by the Father (Rom. 3:21-24; 2 Cor. 5:21). Those who have been justified by grace through faith are eternally secure in Christ (Jn. 5:24; 10:28-30), since they have been given the seal of the Holy Spirit to guarantee their day of redemption (Eph. 1:13-14).

The Resurrection of Christ

The Resurrection of Christ is bodily and gives witness to the future resurrection (Matt. 28:1-10; 1 Cor. 15:1-11). The first resurrection is unto life eternal for all those who believe in Him (Job 19:26; 1 Cor. 15:12-23; Rev. 20:4-6). The second resurrection, one thousand years later, is for all who died in their sins unto condemnation (Rev. 20:4-6).

the church

The Church is composed of all who are united by the Holy Spirit with Christ (Acts 2:1-13; 1 Cor. 12:27-31; Eph. 2:14-22). The Church has two ordinances, Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Believer’s baptism signifies that one is identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It is a commitment to follow Christ exclusively in the newness of life, having been cleansed from past sins (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-41; Rom. 6:1-4; Tit. 3:5; 2 Pet. 1:9). The Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of the Lord’s death until he returns (Matt. 26:11-29; 1 Cor. 11:17-34).

Holiness of the Believer

Holiness of the Believer is both declared by God at the time of regeneration (Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 2:4-5), and the transformational goal to be formed into the likeness of Christ (Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Pet. 1:15; 1 Jn. 3:5-9). Those who are born again are new creatures in Christ, the old person is dead and they are now made alive by the Spirit (Jn. 3:3-8; 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:5-10; 1 Pet. 1:22- 23; 1 Jn. 3:9-10). The believer is to walk in the Spirit producing the fruit of the Spirit, so as not to gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-26; 1 Thess. 4:3-8).

making disciples

Making Disciples through the proclamation and the living out of the gospel of Christ is the mission of the church (Matt. 28:18-20). Since all are lost apart from faith in Christ, it is urgent that believers be committed to give witness of Christ’s love to all the nations (Isa. 49:6; Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:18-20; Col. 1:24-29).

the second coming of christ

The Second Coming of Christ will be personal, bodily, visible, and triumphant (Matt. 24:30-31; Acts 1:8-11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Tit. 2:13). No one but the Father knows the time of His Coming (Mk. 13:32). Christ will establish the throne of David upon the earth and reign in righteousness for one thousand years (2 Sam. 7:16; Isa. 9:6-7; 61:1-5; 63:1-6; 65:1-25; Zech. 14:3-9; Lk. 1:32- 33; Acts 3:17-23; Rev. 20:1-6).

the destiny of the wicked

The Destiny of the Wicked, the devil and his angels, and of all who are unbelievers is eternal punishment called Hell (Matt. 25:41-43; Mk. 9:48). The devil is the enemy of God and His saints (Eph. 2:2; James 4:7; 1 Jn. 3:7-10). He and his angels were defeated at the cross (Jn. 12:31; Col. 2:15), yet he roams to and fro now seeking whom he may devour (Job 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:8). Believers overcome his schemes through faith in Christ and the sword of the Spirit, the word of God (Eph. 6:10-18). At the Second Coming, the devil will be cast into the abyss. After one thousand years, he will be released for a short time to deceive the nations and finally he will be sent to the lake of fire, also known as Hell (Rev. 20:1-3, 7-10). All unbelievers will be judged at the Great White Throne from where they will be consigned to eternal conscious torment (Lk. 16:19-31; Rev. 20:11-15).