What I believe

I am nether a Calvanist or an Arminian. I am a Cal-Minian1,2, 5= C 3, 4=A

#1 I believe that the Bible is God's inspired inerrant Word  , and that it was written by men divinely and uniquely guided by the Holy Spirit, (2 Pet. 1:21) and that it is absolutely trustworthy and has supreme authority in ALL

 

 

 

All matters of faith and conduct.

# 2. I believe in God the Father, creator of the heavens, the earth, and all therein; perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power, and ever present  And is represented as The Holy Trinity of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit and that all three are ONE, co-equal in Power, Authority, Essence and Existence.

#3  I believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers ALL Pprayer, and that He saves from sin and second death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Rev. 20:6)

#4. I believe in Jesus Christ, as God's  Only begotten Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, wholly without sin, and that He made atonement for the sin of the world by His death on the cross.

#5 I believe in His bodily resurrection, His post-resurrection appearances, and His visible ascension back into heaven and that He presently sits at the Right hand of The Father interceding as our High Priest before the Father. I believe in His visible, pre-millennnial return from heaven. To receive the church as His Bride.

#6. I believe in the Holy Spirit as the third person of The Holy Trinity, who came forth from God to convince the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and comfort those who would receive Jesus Christ as Savior.

#7 I believe that The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is what places us in the body of Christ John 20:22; I I Cor. 12:13; 6:19;3:16 ; and the Filling of the Holy Spirit endues us Christians with Power Luke 24:49 ; Acts 2:4these are two separate works of the Holy Spirit. They can happen at the same time and separately

#8. I believe that all men by nature are sinners,(Romans 3:16) but that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." ( St. Jn. 3:16.)

#9 I believe, that those who refuse to receive Christ as Savior will be judged to be guilty and will be forever be separated from God. Jesus is the Only way to God the Father (Acts 3:12)

 

 

 

#10 I believe in the Church is a living spiritual body, of which all Born Again Believers  are members.

#11 I believe that the visible church is a company of Born Again believers in Jesus Christ, buried with Him in baptism, and associated for worship, work, Praise and fellowship.

#12 I believe that to these, the visible churches were committed, to observance of Him " 'until He comes again.

#13 I believe in the ordinances of Water Baptism by Immersion  and the Lord's Supper and feet washing, when appropriate.

#14  , I also believe that God has laid upon these visible churches the task of persuading a lost world to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and to enthrone Him as Lord and Master. I believe that the church should be independent and autonomous, and must be free from interference from any ecclesiastical or political authority; I, therefore, believe that the Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from the dictation or patronage of the other.

#15 I believe, that every human being is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith, and not to external institutions unless they are inline with God"s plan.

#16I believe heaven and hell are both real places and that Believers will spend eternity in heaven and non-believers in hell.

#17 Finally I believe in the bodily Return of Jesus Christ in the Rapture and that He will reign on this earth for 1000 years in the Millennial Kingdom in Jerusalem

 

 

(Rev.11:15) and All the Earth will be subject to HIM and His Theocratic Rule

 

Church Organization

 

 

 

 

 

.Senior Pastor1. Duties. The duties of the Pastor shall be to give general direction and leadership to the total ministry of the church and to perform the scriptural duties of his office such as preaching, teaching, counseling, and the training of members to fulfill their role as members of the body, as set forth in Ephesians 4:11-13. 2. Qualifications. The qualifications of the Pastor are those given in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The spouse (if married) must also ascribe to the Constitution of this church. He shall

 

be considered the spiritual leader of the church and must command the respect of the members of the congregation. He must be an Ordained Elder by a recognized Protestant, Evangelical group. 3. Service. He shall be a voting member of all boards and committees by virtue of his office ( Ex officio. This vote will to be used to break all tie stalemates and carries with it the authority of Veto. He shall serve for the duration of his pastoral ministry. His term of office shall be that which is agreed upon by the leadership in writing and accepted by him

.Ministry StaffPastoral Staff. "Pastoral Staff" refers to any full or part-time paid minister of God in a capacity that the church acknowledges and calls him/her to lead the church in a particular sacred area of ministry (e.g., Associate Pastor, Minister of Youth, Christian Education, Music, Worship). All Pastorial Staff must be professing Born Again believers in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and be in agreement with the ststement of faith of this body He/she may be called and voted on by the the church. The Senior Pastor has final approval on any ministry staff to be added. These positions do not require Ordination except for Associate Pastor but the candidate must possess a verifiable ability to lead and or oversea the department to which they are appointed. The Senior Pastor can appoint full or part time ministry staff as he deems necessary without the approval of the congregation.In Depth version of What I believe about THE HOLY SCRIPTURESI believe and teach that the Bible is God's written revelation of Himself, and thus the sixty-six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God (I Cor. 2:7-14; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).I believe and teach that the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (I Thess. 2:13; I Cor. 2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2 Tim. 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God-breathed. I teach the literal, grammatical-historical, interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days (Gen. 1:31; Exod. 31:17).I believe and teach that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice (Matt. 5:18; 24:35; Jn. 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; I Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).I believe and teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God's Word to man (2 Pet. 1:20-21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matt. 5:18; 2 Tim. 3:16).I believe teach that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 7:17; 16:12-15; I Cor. 2:7-15; I Jn. 2:20). It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.

GODI believe and teach that there is but one living and true God (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 45:5-7; I Cor. 8:4), an infinite, all-knowing Spirit (Jn. 4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)--each equally deserving worship and obedience.God the FatherI believe and teach that God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. He orders and disposes all things according to His Own purpose and grace (Ps. 145:8-9; I Cor. 8:6). He is the creator of all things (Gen. 1:1-31; Eph. 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Ps. 103:19; Rom. 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all mankiund (Eph. 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Rom. 8:14; 2 Cor. 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Eph. 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (I Chron. 29:11-12). In His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of sin (Hab. 1:13; Jn. 8:38-47), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (I Pet. 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Eph. 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Heb. 12:5-9).God the SonI believe and teach that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (Jn. 10:30; 14:9).I believe and teach that God the Father created according to His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operation (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:2).I believe and teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God-man (Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 2:9; St. Jn. 10:30).I believe and teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness (Mic.5:2; Jn. 5:23; 14:9-10; Col. 2:9).I believe and teach teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23, 25; Lk. 1:26-35); and that He was God incarnate (Jn. 1:1,14); and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God's kingdom (Ps. 2:7-9; Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:29; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 7:25-26; I Pet. 1:18-19).I believe and teach that, in the incarnation, the second person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God, assumed the place of a Son, and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes (Phil. 2:5-8).I believe and teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, ( I Jn.2:1-2 and redemptive (Jn. 10:15; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:8; I Pet. 2:24)I believe and teach that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest. (Matt. 28:6; Lk. 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Rom. 4:25; 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24; I Jn. 2:1).I believe and teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus' bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection for all believers (Jn. 5:26-29; 14:19; Rom. 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; I Cor. 15:20,23).I believe and teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His body, unto Himself at the rapture, and, returning with His church in glory, will establish His Millennial kingdom on earth (Acts 1:9-11; I Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:1-2).I believe and teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the one through whom God will judge all mankind (St.Jn. 5:22-23): a. Believers (I Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10). b. Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matt. 25:31-46). c. Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15)Jesus Christ God’s Sonis the mediator between God and man (I Tim. 2:5), the head of His body the church (Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:18), and the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David (Isa. 9:6; Lk. 1:31-33), He is the final judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior (Matt. 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31).

God the Holy SpiritI believe and teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity including intellect (I Cor. 2:10-13), emotions (Eph. 4:30), will (I Cor. 12:11), eternality (Heb. 9:14), omnipresence (Ps. 139:7-10), omniscience (Isa. 40:13-14), omnipotence (Rom. 15:13), and truthfulness (Jn. 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; I Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; and Jer. 31:31-34 with Heb. 10:15-17)I believe and teach that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the divine will with relation to all mankind. I recognize His sovereign activity in creation (Gen. 1:2), the incarnation (Matt. 1:18), the written revelation (2 Pet. 1:20-21), and the work of salvation (Jn. 3:5-7).I believe and teach that the work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost ( Acts 2:1-4a when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (Jn. 14:16-17; 15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the body of Christ, which is His church (I Cor. 1:12-13). The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ (Jn. 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 2:22).I believe and teach that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13).I believe and teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God's revelation, the Bible.( II Peter 1:21 Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with the Spirit (Jn. 16:13; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 5:18; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; I Jn. 2:20,27).I believe and teach that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (Jn. 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; I Cor. 12:4-11; 2 Cor. 3:18).I believe and teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today and that speaking in tongues, prophetic revelations, (Acts 2:4-8) not uninterpeted jiborish and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers (I Cor. 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:7-12; Heb. 2:1-4).MANI believe and teach that man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination, and moral responsibility to God (Gen. 2:7, 15-25; Js. 3:9).God's intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God's fellowship, live his life in the will of god, and by this accomplish God's purpose for man in the world (Isa. 43:7; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).I believe and teach that in Adam's sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God; and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man's salvation is thereby wholly of God's grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-19; Jn. 3:36; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; I Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3; I Tim. 2:13-14; I Jn. 1:8).

Because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam's sin has been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception. All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Ps. 14:1-3; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:9-18,23; 5:10-12).SALVATIONI believe and teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (Jn. 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; I Pet. 1:18-19)Election believe and teach that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:4-11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 2:10; I Pet. 1:1-2).I believe and teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezek. 18:23, 32, 33:1l; Jn. 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Rom. 9:22-23; 2 Thess. 2:10-12; Rev. 22:17). Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith the Father will receive (Jn. 6:37-40,44; Acts 13:48; Js. 4:8).

I believe and teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but He exercises His sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Rom. 9:11-16). This sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:25-28; 2 Tim. 1:9).RegenerationI believe and teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (Jn. 3:3-7; Tit. 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (Jn. 5:24). Following regeneration, the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit (I Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 2:10), and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Eph. 5:17-21; Phil. 2:12; Col. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:4-10). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). Such a conformity is climaxed in the believer's glorification at Christ's coming (Rom. 8:17; 2 Pet. 1:4; I Jn. 3:2-3).JustificationI believe and teach that justification before God is an act of God (Rom. 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ alone, repent of their sins (Isa. 55:6-7; Lk. 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; I Cor. 12:3; 2 Cor. 4:5; Phil. 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Rom. 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ (Col. 2:14; I Pet. 2:24) and the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us (I Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21). By this means God is enabled to "be just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26).SanctificationI believe and teach that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer's standing, not his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32; I Cor. 1:2,30; 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 2:11; 3:1; 10:10,14; 13:12; I Pet. 1:2).

I believe and teach that there is also by the work of the Holy Spirit a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 17:17,19; Rom. 6:1-22; 2 Cor. 3:18; I Thess. 4:3-4; 5:23).

In this respect, I teach that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict--the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh--but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin (Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Phil. 3:12; Col. 3:9-10; I Pet. 1:14-16; I Jn. 3:5-9)Security

I believe and teach that all the redeemed once saved are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever (Jn. 5:24; 6:37-50; 10:27-30; Rom. 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39 I Cor. 1:4-8; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 7:25; 13:5; I Pet. 1:5; Jude 24).I believe and teach that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for sinful living and carnality (Rom. 6:15-22; 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13, 25-26; Tit. 2:11-14)SeparationI believe and teach that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5).I teach that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. I also teach that separation from all religious apostasy, and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Rom. 12:1-2; I Cor. 5:9-13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; I Jn. 2:15-17; 2 Jn. 9-11).I believe and teach that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 1:11-12; Heb. 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness demonstrated by a beatitude attitude (Matt. 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14; Tit. 2:11-14; I Jn. 3:1-10).Special NoteI am neither a Calvanist or an Arminian. I am a Cal-manianI maintain this position based on I Thes. 5:21“Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good”THE CHURCHI believe and teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the church (I Cor. 12:12-13), the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-32; Rev. 19:7-8), of which Christ is the head (Eph. 1:22, 4:15; Col. 1:18)I believe and teach that the formation of the church, the body of Christ, began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thess. 4:13-18).I believe and teach that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age (Eph. 2:11-3:6). The church is distinct from Israel (I Cor. 10:32), a mystery not revealed until this age (Eph. 3:1-6; 5:32).I believe and teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 27;20:17,28; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; I Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1) and that the members of the one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (I Cor. 11:18-20; Heb. 10:25).I believe and teach that the one, supreme authority for the church is Christ (I Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor-teachers; Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11) and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (I Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9; I Pet. 5:1-5).I teach the importance of discipleship (Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2), mutual accountability of all believers to each other (Matt. 18:5-14), as well as the need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture (Matt. 18:25-22; Acts 5:1-11; I Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; Tit. 1:10-16).I teach the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Tit. 1:5). I teach that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; I Cor. 5:4-7,13; I Pet. 5:1-4).I teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph. 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Eph. 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (2 Tim. 2:2,15; 3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; I Jn. 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Lk. 22:19; Acts 2:38-42), and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42).I teach the calling of all saints to the work of service (1 Cor. 15:58; Eph. 4:12).I teach the need of the church to cooperate with God as He accomplishes His purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the church spiritual gifts. First, He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:7-12) and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the body of Christ (Rom. 12:5-8; I Cor. 12:4-31; I Pet. 4:10-11).I believe and teach that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith today, and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Lk. 18:1-6; Jn. 5:7-9; 2 Cor. 12:6-10; Js. 5:13-16; 1 Jn. 5:14-15) A dedicated and continous daily prayer life will definitely draw a believer closer to God and good things can be expected to come to you as promised in His word in Psalms 37:4 and and many other precious promises as St. Jn. 14:13; I jn. 5:14-15I believe and teach that two to three ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper, (Acts 2:38-42). and feet washing as an optional one. Jn. 13:12-16 Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Rom. 6:1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ (Acts 2:41-42).I teach that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Cor. 11:28-32). I also teach that whereas the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord's Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people (1 Cor. 10:16).ANGELSHoly AngelsI believe and teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshipped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Lk. 2:9-14; Heb. 1:6-7,14; 2:6-7; Rev. 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9).Fallen AngelsBelieve and teach that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:1-14), and he introduced sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Gen. 3:1-15).I believe and teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isa. 14:13-14; Matt. 4:1-11; Rev. 12:9-10), the prince of this world who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 16:20), and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).LAST THINGS (EschatoloeathI believe and teach that physical death involves no loss of our immaterial consciousness (Rev. 6:9-11), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Lk. 23:43; Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8), that there is a separation of soul and body (Phil. 1:21-24), and that, for the redeemed, such separation will continue until the rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-17), which initiates the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4-6), when soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord (Phil. 3:21; I Cor. 15:35-44, 50-54). Until that time, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:8).Ibelieve and teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life (Jn. 6:39; Rom. 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Cor. 4:14), and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Dan. 12:2; Jn. 5:29; Rev. 20:13-15).I teach that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until the second resurrection (Lk. 16:19-26; Rev. 20:13-15), when the soul and the resurrection body will be united (Jn. 5:28-29). They shall then appear at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) and shall be cast into hell, the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41-46), cut off from the life of God forever (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).The Rapture of the ChurchI believe and teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ after the seven-year tribulation (1 Thess. 4:16; Tit. 2:13) to translate His church from this earth and immediately return to set up the Millennial kingdom here on this earth. This will be the Second coming of Christ and includes the First resurrection. The Bible does not teach a third coming of Christ. I teach that this time of our Lord's reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isa. 11; 65:17-25; Ezek. 36:33-38), and will be brought to an end with the release of Satan and he will go forth to war against the Holy city and that God Himself will destroy him and his followers with a devouring fire from heaven (Rev. 20:7-9).The Judgment of the LostFollowing this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10) whereupon Christ, who is the judge of all men (Jn. 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne Judgment.I teach that the resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment (Rom. 14:10-13), they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:11-15).EternityI teach that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 20:7-15), the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2 Pet. 3:10) and replaced with a new earth wherein only righteousness dwells (Eph. 5:5; Rev. 20:15, 21-22). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Rev. 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another (Jn. 17:3; Rev. 21,22). Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1 Cor. 15:24-28) that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever

Rev. George Pryor M. Th.