Statement of Beliefs

THE BIBLE

The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks.

We accept those areas of doctrinal teaching on which, historically, there has been general agreement among all true Christians. Because of the specialized calling of our movement, we desire to allow for freedom of conviction on other doctrinal matters, provided that any interpretation is based upon the Bible alone, and that no such interpretation shall become an issue which hinders the ministry to which God has called us.

GOD

There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of Deity and the characteristics of personality.

Jesus Christ is God, the living Word, who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. Hence, He is perfect Deity and true humanity united in one person forever.

He lived a sinless life and voluntarily atoned for the sins of men by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone.

He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and died.

He ascended bodily into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own.

MAN

Man was originally created in the image of God. He sinned by disobeying God; thus, he was alienated from his Creator. That historic fall brought all mankind under divine condemnation.

Man's nature is corrupted, and he is thus totally unable to please God. Every man is in need of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

SALVATION

The salvation of man is wholly a work of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness or religious ceremony. God imputes His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation and thereby justified them in His sight.

It is the privilege of all who are born again of the Spirit to be assured of their salvation from the very moment in which they trust Christ as their Savior. This assurance is not based upon any kind of human merit, but is produced by the witness of the Holy Spirit, who confirms in the believer the testimony of God in His written word.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to men. He convicts and draws sinners to Christ, imparts new life to them, continually indwells them from the moment of spiritual birth and seals them until the day of redemption. His fullness, power, and control are appropriated in the believer's life by faith.

Every believer is called to live so in the power of the indwelling Spirit that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God.

THE CHURCH

Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body, which is composed of all men, living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith.

God admonishes His people to assemble together regularly for worship, for participation in ordinances, for edification through the Scriptures and for mutual encouragement.

ETERNAL LIFE

At physical death, the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting glory and blessing.

CHRIST’S RETURN

Jesus Christ will come again to the earth -- personally, visibly and bodily -- to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.

RESPONSIBILITY

The Lord Jesus Christ commanded all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to disciple men of every nation. The fulfillment of that Great Commission requires that all worldly and personal ambitions be subordinated to a total commitment to "Him who loved us and gave Himself for us."

Story of the Scripture
(Dallas Theological Seminary – Professor Mark M. Yarbrough)
Amazing Grace –
John Newton, Published 1779
Story of the Scripture
(Dallas Theological Seminary – Professor Mark M. Yarbrough)

Old Testament: 5 books of the Pentateuch, 12 books of History, 5 books of Poetry, 5 Major Prophets, 12 Minor Prophets = 39 books.

New Testament: 4 Gospels, 1 book of History (ACTS), 21 Letters, 1 book of Prophecy (Revelation).

66 Books than can transform your life, and all the lives you care about. I hope to see you in heaven.

Orthodoxy: What you believe.

Orthopraxy: How you live ( How you live out what you believe).

The Big Picture – Creation - Genesis Chapter 1 & 2, A picture of Perfection, A picture of Peace.

The Problem – Creation in Crisis – Genesis Chapter 3. Sin has brought death into God’s Creation.

The Solution – Covenant God – Genesis Chapter 12: 1-3 .

Covenant Promises – God Promises Abraham a People/Nation (Israel), Promises Land (Canaan – Milk and Honey), (World Wide Blessing)

Covenant King – God Almighty

Covenant Worship – Wisdom books and Poetry books teach us how to Pray to God, and how to Praise/Glorify Him.

Covenant Judgement – The people cry out for a King to rule over them like all other nations. Reject God as their King. Divided Kingdom. 1 & 2 Kings.

Covenant Love and Grace: The New Testament

The King/Lamb has Come: The four Gospels.

All the Kings Men: The Book of Acts.

Living for the King: 21 Letters to the Church. The Epistles.

The King is Coming: Book of Revelation – Jesus Returns to Earth."

Amazing Grace –
John Newton, Published 1779
  1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me!
    I once was lost, but now am found;
    Was blind, but now I see.
  1. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
    And grace my fears relieved;
    How precious did that grace appear
    The hour I first believed.
  1. Through many dangers, toils and snares,
    I have already come;
    ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
    And grace will lead me home.
  1. The Lord has promised good to me,
    His Word my hope secures;
    He will my Shield and Portion be,
    As long as life endures.
  1. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
    And mortal life shall cease,
    I shall possess, within the veil,
    A life of joy and peace.
  1. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
    The sun forbear to shine;
    But God, who called me here below,
    Will be forever mine.
  1. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
    Bright shining as the sun,
    We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
    Than when we’d first begun.