The cornerstone of all Christian theology is this statement: Salvation is by faith alone (Gen 15:6, John 3:18, Eph 2:8-9), in Christ alone (Acts 4:12, John 3:13-21, 14:6), as He is revealed in Scripture alone (2 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Rev 22:18-19); the summary of all Biblical teaching is to Love God with every part of your being, and love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18, Deut 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matt 22:37-40, Mark 12:29-34, Luke 10:25-28); and the purpose of God’s commands is that we prosper (Josh 1:8, Jer 29:11, John 10:10, 15:8).
Statement of Faith
Bibliology – The Bible
I BELIEVE that only the sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired, and therefore inerrant, Word of God. It is the final authority for all we believe and how we are to live. Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Rev 22:18-19.
Theology Proper – God and His Character
I BELIEVE that the one true God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. I believe that God not only created the world but also now upholds, sustains, governs, and providentially directs all that exists and that He will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus to the glory of His name. Psalm 104; Psalm 139; Matthew 10:29-31; 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:9-12; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6.
Satanology – Satan
I BELIEVE that Satan, the accuser of the saints, originally a great and good angel, rebelled against God, taking a multitude of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and is at work with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will, at the end of the age, be cast forever into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him and his angels. Matthew 12:25-29; 25:41; John 12:31; 16:11; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-9, 10; 20:10.
Anthropology – Humanity
I BELIEVE that Adam was originally created in the image of God, righteous and without sin. In consequence of his disobedience, Adam’s posterity are born subject to both imputed and inherent sin, and are therefore by nature and choice the children of wrath, justly condemned in the sight of God, wholly unable to save themselves or to contribute in any way to their acceptance with God. And, while fallen, humanity still bears the image of God, so mankind is neither totally depraved of anything intrinsically good, nor capable of being devoid of everything evil. Genesis 1-3; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 53:5; Romans 3:9-18; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3.
Christology – Christ
I BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, that He was conceived and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered Himself as a penal, substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. By the blood of His cross He obtained for us eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father, there to make intercession for the saints. Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 7:25; 9:13 -15; 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:1-2.
Soteriology – The Work of Christ
I BELIEVE that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No ordinance, ritual, work, or any other activity on the part of man is required in order to be saved. This saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight in order that we might be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. John 1:12-13; 6:37-44; 10:25-30; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 3-4; 8:1-17,31-39; 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Titus 3:3-7; 1 John 1:7,9.
Pneumatology – The Holy Spirit
I BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, not necessarily at the point of Christian conversion. In Him all Christians are sealed for the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit regenerates, forever indwells, and graciously equips all Christians for godly living and service, even before baptism of the Holy Spirit. Subsequent to conversion the Spirit desires to fill, empower, and anoint believers for ministry and witness. I also believe that signs and wonders, as well as all the gifts of the Spirit, including both a spiritual and an earthly language each referred to in Scripture as “tongues”, as described in the New Testament, are operative today and are designed to testify to the presence of the kingdom and to empower and edify the church to fulfill its calling and mission. Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13; 3:1-15; Acts 2:4-6; 4:29-30; 8:15, 16, 17; 18:25-19:6; Romans 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 12:3; 12-13; 14:2; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 3:1-5; Ephesians 1:13 -14; 5:18; 2 Tim 1:14.
Sacraments – Water Baptism and Communion
I BELIEVE that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church to be observed until the time of Christ’s return. They are not a means of salvation but are channels of God’s sanctifying grace and blessing to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Matthew 26:26-29; 28:19; Romans 6:3-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; 1 Peter 3:21.
Ecclesiology – The Church
I BELIEVE that the church is God’s primary instrument through which He is fulfilling His redemptive purposes in the earth. To equip the saints for the work of ministry, God has given the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. I also affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of the saints. I believe that women, no less than men, are called and gifted to proclaim the gospel and do all the works of the kingdom. Matthew 16:17-19; Acts 2:17-18, 42; Ephesians 3:14 -21; 4:11 -16; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10.
Evangelism – Spreading the Good News of Christ
I BELIEVE that God has called the church to preach the gospel to all nations, and especially to remember the poor and to minister to their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service. This ministry is an expression of the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ and is an essential part of the kingdom of God. Isaiah 58:6-12; 61:1; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 4:18; 21:1-4; Galatians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:8.
Eschatology – End Times
I BELIEVE in the literal second coming of Christ at the end of the present age when He will return to the earth personally and visibly to consummate His kingdom, thus beginning the millennium of His earthly reign. At the end of Christ’s thousand year reign, Satan will be released, thus beginning the last battle followed by in the consummation of all things under Christ’s rule for eternity, at which time the eternal punishment of Satan and non-believers in the lake of fire will begin. I also believe in and am praying for a great end-time harvest of souls and the emergence of a victorious church that will experience an unprecedented unity, purity, and power in the Holy Spirit. Psalms 2:7-9; 22:27-28; John 14:12; 17:20-26; Romans 11:25-32; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 50-58; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; Revelation 7:9-14; 19:11-20:15.
Aioniology – Eternity
I BELIEVE that when the Christian dies he/she passes immediately into the blessed presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of the resurrection and glorious transformation of the body. The saved will then forever dwell in conscious, blissful fellowship with their great Triune God. I also believe that when the unbeliever dies he/she is consigned to hell, there to await the Day of Judgment after Christ’s millennial reign at the Great White Throne when he/she shall be consciously punished with eternal separation from the presence of God in the lake of fire. Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:19-26; 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-22:15.
“Watch Stand Pray Statement of Faith”
by Jesse Steele, 2005
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