And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
~Jude 1:22, 23
· On the Scriptures
I believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Old and New Testaments, and the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice. I believe that the process of inspiration ceased with the originals. The Authorized Version (KJV) has been preserved so that we may have God's Word in our language. Therefore, the Authorized Version is the Word of God in the English language. (Psalm 12:6, 7 119:160; John 12:43; II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:19, 21)
· On the True God
I believe there is one, and only one, living and true God; and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Exodus 20:2, 3; Romans 3:30; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; John 4:25)
· On the Son
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and God the Son. He is equal to the Father, but human in every sense except that He cannot sin. (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-3,14; 5:18; Colossians 1:12-17; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:15)
· On the Virgin Birth
I believe that Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner. He was born of Mary, a virgin, and is God's divine Son. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:35, Galatians 4:4, I John 5:20)
· On the Holy Spirit
I believe the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal to God the Father and God the Son. I do not agree with the doctrines of the Pentecostals or charismatics. All believers are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit the moment of salvation. (John14:16, 17; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 4:30)
· On Creation
I believe in the Genesis account that God created the universe in six literal, twenty-four hour days. God created man in the image and likeness of Himself. (Genesis 1:1, 11, 27; Exodus 20:11)
· On the Fall of Mankind
I believe mankind voluntarily disobeyed God and fell from a sinless state into a sinful one. Consequently, all are sinners under the just condemnation of God. (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12, 19; Ephesians 2:1,3)
· On the Atonement for Sin
I believe that the salvation of sinners is solely by the grace of God through the substitutionary work of the Lord Jesus Christ. By His complete work on the cross, He made a full atonement for the sins of all mankind. He is the only one by whom the lost can be saved. (John 3:16; 19:30; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8, 9)
· On Repentance and Faith
I believe that repentance and faith are inseparable graces worked in our hearts by the Spirit of God; whereby being convicted of our guilt, we turn to God for mercy; and at the same time, by faith, receive the Lord Jesus as our only way to heaven. (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21; II Corinthians 7: 9, 10)
· On the Church
I believe that the church is a congregation of called-out, baptized believers that observe the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Its officers of ordination are pastors and deacons. The church has the right of self-government. It is the instrument used to proclaim the gospel to the entire world. I believe that the church is local, independent, and unaffiliated. I believe that Baptist churches of like faith and practice have existed since the day of Pentecost, and that such churches continue to exist unto the present day. I believe that the local church is to be autonomous, free of any external authority or control. I do not agree with the doctrines of modernism, the charismatic movement, ecumenical movement or new evangelicalism. (Acts 2:41, 42; 13:1-3; 15:19-31; 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; I Corinthians 3:9, 16; 11:2; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:11; I Timothy 3:1-7)
· On Baptism and the Lord's Supper
I believe that baptism is to be by immersion in water of a believer in Christ. It is the prerequisite to the privileges of the Lord's Supper; in which the members of a local church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine, take in remembrance of Him. (Acts 2:41, 42; 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-30; I Peter 3:18-22)
· On Heaven
I believe that heaven is the dwelling place of God, and the eternal home of those who are born again. (John 10:27-29; 14:1-6; Revelation 21, 22)
· On the Eternal Lake of Fire
I believe that God prepared the trap of hell for a place of eternal punishment for the devil and his angels. However, through the disobedience of God, mankind fell into that trap. God does not send a person to hell; they choose to go. If a person does not accept Christ as their Saviour, then their eternal destiny is the lake of fire. (Matthew 25:41; Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 14:11; 19:20; 20:10-15)
· On Eternal Security of Believers
I believe that every believer has eternal life. It is impossible for a child of God to loose their salvation. It is a gift not a reward. Christ died once for all! If it were possible to loose your salvation, Christ would have to die again and again. His last words were "It is finished!" (John 19:30; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 6:1-6; 10:10, 26)
· Imminent Rapture of the Church
I believe that at any moment Christ could call out His church. Therefore, believers should be watching with anticipation. (I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:13-5:8)
· On the Pre-tribulation Rapture
I believe that the rapture of the church will take place before the start of the seven-year tribulation period. (Romans 5:9; I Thessalonians 5:3-9)
· On the Second Coming of Christ
I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return bodily and visibly to earth at the end of the seven-year tribulation period. Satan will be bound; and Christ will reign a thousand years on the earth with His saints. (Revelation 20:1-6)
A Person’s Physical Condition Has NOTHING
To Do With Their Psychological Capacity!