The Bible
I believe that God inspired the words of the Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, to give mankind His authoritative revelation, wholly without error of any kind in the original writings. I believe that the Bible must be interpreted as language is normally used, recognizing the importance of dispensational distinctions. (Psalm 12:6; 119:89, 130; 160; Isaiah 40:8; 55:8-11; Luke 24:27, 44-47; John 5:39, 17:17; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 13; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:10-12, 23-25; 2 Peter 1:19-21; James 1:21; 1 John 2:27)
God
I believe in one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each of whom possess equally all the attributes of deity and characteristics of personality and with each having specific work to perform. I believe that God is a personal being who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. (Matthew 3:16; John 10:30; 14:10; 14:26; 15:26; Ephesians 1:3-4; 6-7; 13-14) Jesus Christ I believe that Jesus Christ became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He is, therefore, perfect and complete deity and perfect humanity, these being united without mixture in one person forever. I believe that He lived a sinless life and voluntarily and vicariously paid for the sins of all mankind by dying on the cross. I believe in the resurrection of His crucified body, in His ascension to heaven, and in His present ministries in heaven. (Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:18-25; 28:19; Luke 1:26-35; 2:52; John 1:1-3, 14, 18; 3:16; 8:58; 10:30; 17:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 15:1-20; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:14, 15-17; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:1-3, 6, 8-12; 4:15; 13:8; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:22; 1 John 2:1-2; 3:16; 4:10, 5:20; Revelation 1:17-18)
The Holy Spirit
I believe that the Holy Spirit is God and that He has come to reveal and glorify Christ, to convict and draw sinners to Christ, to regenerate, indwell, seal, and baptize believers into the body of Christ, to impart gifts to believers, and to enable them to live holy lives. (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 139:7; Isaiah 40:13-14; Matthew 1:18- 20; 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 1:13; 3:3-8; 6:63; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15, 13; Acts 2:1-4; 5:3-4; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:9,10, 12; 6:19; 12:13; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:22; 4:30; 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:14; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 John 2:20, 27) Creation I believe that the Genesis account of creation is to be understood historically and literally and not allegorically or figuratively. I believe that man was created in the image of God and that the first man, Adam sinned, bringing spiritual death to all, who, therefore, stand condemned and in need of Christ’s salvation. (Genesis 1; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:15-20) Salvation I believe that God saves by grace alone, apart from works, those who put their faith in Christ alone, imputing His righteousness to them and keeping them secure eternally. I believe a person can and should have assurance of their Eternal Life the moment he receives Christ based on the promises of God. (Isaiah 55:8- 11; Matthew 4:4; 26:28; John 1:12; 3:5, 16, 18, 36; 5:24; 6:29; 14:6; 17:17; Acts 4:12; 13:38-39; 16:31; Romans 1:7, 16-17; 3:22, 26; 4:4-5; 5:1, 6-9; 6:11-13, 23; 8:2-4, 9, 12-13, 29-30, 32; 10:4, 17; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 8; 6:11; 12:13; 15:1-4; 2Corinthians 3:18; 5:21; 7:1; Galatians 5:13-26; 6:15; Ephesians 1:3, 7; 2:8-9; 4:22-24; Philippians 3:4-9; Colossians 1:22; 2:6, 10; 3:1-7, 16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 4:3-4; 5:23; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 4:12, 10:10, 14; 12:14; James 1:18; 1Peter 1:18-19, 23; 2:2, 11; 1 John 1:5-7; 3:2, 5-9; Jude 24)
The Christian Walk
I believe that although sinless perfection is not possible in this life, all believers are called to live holy lives in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. (John 17:17; Ephesians 5:26-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; Hebrews 10:10, 14; 1 John 3:2) The Church I believe that the church, the body of Christ, began on the day of Pentecost and is composed of all who receive Christ through faith. I believe God’s program for the Church is distinguished from His program for Israel described in Daniel 9. I believe that all believers should assemble regularly in local churches for worship, for observing the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper, for mutual encouragement and discipline, and for carrying out God’s purposes in this world. (Acts 2:41-42; 10:44-47; 11:15-17; Romans 6:4-5; 12:3-8; 16:1, 5; 1 Corinthians 11:23- 31; 12:12-13, 27; 16:19; Galatians 3:27-28; 6:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:16-22; 5:24-25, 30; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 5:11; Hebrews 10:24-25)
The Future
I believe that the personal and imminent return of Christ to rapture His church will be followed by a period of tribulation on this earth. At the conclusion of this period, Christ will return triumphantly and inaugurate His millennial reign over this earth. I believe in the everlasting conscious blessedness of the saved in the New Jerusalem and the everlasting conscious punishment of the unsaved in the lake of fire.(Matthew 24:21, 29-30; 25:31, 46; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:4-10; Titus 2:13; Revelation 3:10; 20:1-6,11-15)
Satan
I believe that at some time in the past Satan led a rebellion, including a host of angels, against God and was expelled from the heavenly kingdom. Satan, also called other names including the Devil, is a real being who has tremendous, but limited power, and is the true adversary to God’s people. Satan is destined to be judged and will endure eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20: 1-3)
This statement of beliefs is taken from the Grace School of Theology Doctrinal statement.
