Personal Doctrinal Statement of Bruce Mitchell

I.                     The Bible

The Bible is entirely inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). Inspiration has come from Direction, Visions, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21). The Bible is, as written in the original language, without error. (Psalm 19:7-9). Scripture, as written, is the authoritative word of God (Isaiah 66:1-2) and is his written authority here on earth (Isaiah 46:9-11). Scripture is sufficient to provide all of humankind’s needs to understand the nature of God (Romans 1:19-20), the need for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:21), and how we are to live and treat one another (Ephesians 4:32, 1 John 4:20-21, 1 Peter 3:8-12). The Bible comprises 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. These 66 books comprise the entire revelation God has given humankind.

A.      Revelation:

While God has revealed himself through general revelation, all men know God because of creation (Psalm 8:1-3; Romans 1:18-20) and conscience (Romans 1:18-21, 2:14-15). General revelation is not sufficient for salvation. However, special revelation such as the Bible is sufficient for the individual’s condemnation (Romans 3:10-12), salvation (Romans 10:17, 2 Timothy 3:15), and sanctification (2 Timothy 3:17). It is the only infallible rule for faith and practice in this dispensation. (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

B.      Inspiration:

The Holy Spirit caused men, using their personalities, stylistic differences, and historical context, to compose and record without error the very words of God’s choosing as found in the original manuscripts (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). This process is called Inspiration. Inspiration technically applies only to autographs (1 Corinthians 14:37). Copies and translations are inspired in a derivative sense to the degree that they accurately reflect the autographs. Inspiration also necessitates preservation. God has preserved special revelation in the Bible so that it has not been garbled, lost, or destroyed (Matthew 5:18). We possess the very Word of God in the totality of the manuscript evidence.

 

C.      Interpretation:

It is imperative that scripture be interpreted (the process of arriving at the correct understanding of scripture) according to its grammatical, historical, literary, and theological context. The central message of the Bible is essentially clear (Psalm 119:105, 130). Anyone can determine the basic meaning of scripture through proper interpretation. However, only saved individuals can grasp the significance of scripture (1 Corinthians 2:14) through the illumination of the Holy Spirit; that is, the act of the Holy Spirit whereby He enables regenerate men to understand the true significance of the Word of God (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:616; 1 John 2:20-21, 27). The illumination of the Holy Spirit is not for gaining knowledge, which makes one arrogant (I Corinthians 8:1) but is intended to change the life of the very individual who understands the scripture (I Corinthians 4:19).

II.                   The Trinity

I believe that there is only one God. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:57, 1 Corinthians 8:4) who is perfect in all his attributes, one in essence, yet eternally existing in three separate and distinct persons, shown to us as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14) each is worthy of worship, and each is worthy of obedience.

God is uncreated and separated from His creation (Isaiah 55:8-9). He has created everything that exists and for Him (Colossians 1:16). He made all things out of Nothing (Hebrews 11:3) in ix, literal twenty-four days (cf. Genesis1 with Exodus 20:8-11). Everything which He created was originally good (Genesis1:31). Though God’s work of creation has ceased (Genesis 2:2), He continues to sustain that which He has created (Colossians1:17). God ordained in eternity past everything that has happened or will happen in conformity with His will (Ephesians 1:11) and according to His good pleasure (Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10). Nothing happens apart from His decree. Nothing can thwart His purposes (Isaiah 46:11).

An attribute is an essential quality inherent in something. God is identical with and reveals Himself through His attributes. One can categorize God’s attributes into two sets: those relative to His greatness and those close to His goodness. God’s attributes of greatness are incommunicable; they are true only of God. God’s attributes of goodness are communicable to man to some degree; man can emulate them.

 

A.      Attributes of Greatness: God is…

1.       Eternal – without beginning or end; not bound by Time (Genesis 21:33, Isaiah 40:28).

2.       Immutable – changeless (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6).

3.       Incomprehensible – beyond complete human understanding (Psalm 145:3; Romans 11:33-34).

4.       Infinite – having no limitations or bounds; unrestricted (1 Kings 8:27)

5.       Omnipotent – all-powerful (Genesis 17:1; 18:14).

6.       Omnipresent – present everywhere (1 Kings 8:27, Psalm 139:8, 1 Chronicles 28:9).

7.       Omniscient – knows all things (Psalm 139:16, 23-24).

8.       Perfect – no flaws or error in Him; complete (Deuteronomy 32:4, 5:48).

9.       Self-existent – existing in and of Himself without dependence on anything else (Exodus 3:14).

10.   Sovereign  –  supreme in power and authority over the universe (Ephesians 1:11).

B.      Attributes of Goodness: God is…

1.       Faithful – trustworthy, reliable (1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 36:5).

2.       Gracious – extending unmerited, undeserved, and unwanted favor (Ephesians 2:5, 8).

3.       Holy – morally pure, separate, upright (1 Peter 1:15-16).

4.       Loving – desiring the good of those loved (1 John 4:8, 16).

5.       Merciful – compassionate, kind, withholding deserved punishment from those He forgives (Psalm 103:5, 17).

6.       Righteous – being right, having rectitude, conforming to His character, just (Psalm 145:17).

7.       True – genuine, honest, truthful (John 14:6).

C.      God the Father

I believe God the Father Is the first person of the Trinity and orders and disposes of all things according to His purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He Is the Creator of all things (GenesIs:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe, He Is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with humanity. As Creator, He Is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He Is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for HI glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). God continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty God Is neither the author nor approver of Sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47) nor does the Father abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). God has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); Te Father 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 (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).

D.      God the Son

I believe that God the Son, the second person of the Trinity, Is Jesus Christ and equal in essence with God the Father (John 1:1, 10:30; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews1:3). The Son of God Is fully human and fully divine without any confusion of the two natures (Romans 9:5). As the eternal Logos, He was active in creation (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16). In the incarnation, He took upon Himself the nature of humanity (John 1:14), thus becoming the God-man, both fully God (Colossians 1:19, 2:9) and fully man (Romans 1:3, Philippians 2:7-8) at the same time, one person with two natures. This union is permanent (1 Timothy 2:5).

Jesus’ birth resulted from a miraculous conception by the power of the Holy Spirit through the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew1:18-25). In the kenosis, Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but Nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind, submitting Himself voluntarily to the will of God the Father (Matthew 26:39; John 8:28-29). Because He was a man, Christ could be tempted with evil (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15). But because He was God, He did not, indeed could not, Sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22).

Jesus Christ voluntarily gave Himself as a vicarious atonement on the cross, bearing the Sin of the world and suffering God’s complete wrath against Sin (1 John 2:2). His death was genuine (Matthew 27:50), was in God’s eternal plan (Acts 2:23), was substitutionary (2 Corinthians 5:21; Gal 3:13), expiated man’s guilt (Hebrews 9:26), redeemed man from bondage (Matthew 20:28), propitiated God’s wrath (1 John 2:2), and reconciled man to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). While the death of Christ Is sufficient for all men (Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 2:2), it Is efficient only for those who exercise faith in Him (1 Timothy 4:10; James 2:14-19). I believe in unlimited atonement (1 John 2:2).

Christ physically rose from the dead three days after His death (1 Corinthians 15:4) and ascended into heaven forty days later (Acts 1:1-9). He will one day return to establish His kingdom (Acts 1:10-11; Revelation 19:11-20:6). He Is currently at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for believers (Romans 8:34) as their Advocate (1 John 2:1) and High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).

E.       God the Holy Spirit

I believe that the Holy Spirit Is the third person of the Trinity and, as such, is equal with both God the Father and God the Son (2 Samuel 23:2-3; Acts 5:3-5), though subordinate to both in function (John 14:26, 15:26). Like the Father and the Son, He displays the same divine attributes, such as eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipotence (Luke 1:35), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), and omniscience (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). He Is a person (John 16:13) who exhibits intelligence (Romans 8:26-27), purpose (1 Corinthians 12:11), and emotion (Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit Is a mystical force but is still a person.

The Holy Spirit was active in creation (Genesis 1:2); revelation (Numbers 24:2; 2 Peter 1:21); and in the conception (Matthew 1:18, 20; Luke 1:35), ministry (Matthew 3:16, Luke 4:1), and resurrection of Christ (Romans 8:11; 1 Peter 3:18). The Holy Spirit convicts of Sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11) and restrains evil (2 Thessalonians  2:6-7). He regenerates believers (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5), permanently indwells them (Romans 8:9-10; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19), seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14), baptizes them into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), sanctifies them (2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13), illumines their minds to perceive the scripture’s significance (1 Corinthians 2:14), fills them (Ephesians 5:18), guides them (Romans 8:14), intercedes on their behalf (Romans 8:26-27), and bestows gifts upon them (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Those filled by the Holy Spirit will display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Spiritual gifts are visible, Holy Spirit-energized abilities, sovereignly bestowed upon believers (1 Corinthians 12:11; Hebrews 2:4) at the moment of salvation given for service within the context of the local church (1 Corinthians 12:7, 14:12; Ephesians 4:12). A gift may be a natural ability or one miraculously endowed, temporary or permanent. Every believer has one or more spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7). A unique ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was theocratic anointing–a temporary, Spirit-given ability to lead the theocratic kingdom (1 Samuel 10:6, 16:13-14; Psalm 51:11).

III.                 Angels

I believe in the existence of angels, finite (Matthew 24:36) spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14) created by God (Psalm 148:2, 5; Colossians 1:16) before the creation of the heavens and the earth (Job 38:4-7) to glorify Him (Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4:6-11) and ministering for Him (Psalm 103:20). Angels are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14) but have occasionally taken on the appearance of humans (Genesis 18:2; Luke 24:4) or other creatures (Isaiah 6:1-3; Ezekiel 1; Genesis 3). They do not procreate (Matthew 22:30). Holy or elect angels (Mark 8:38; 1 Timothy 5:21) serve believers (Hebrews 1:14) and will judge unbelievers (Matthew 13:37-43). Angels possess great power (Psalm 103:20), are superior in some respects to man (2 Peter 2:11), and differ in rank or authority (Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:12).

Like the other angels, Satan was holy when originally created (Ezekiel 28:12, 15) and even enjoyed a position of prominence among the angels (Ezekiel 28:14). However, being lifted up in pride (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:17; 1 Timothy 3:6), he rebelled against his Creator and became the chief enemy of both God and God’s people (1 Peter 5:8), ruler over all those angels who rebelled with him (Matthew 12:24), and both “god” of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4) and prince of the cosmos (John 12:31, 16:11). Satan accuses believers before God (Revelation 12:10), tempts them to sin (1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), and oppresses them (2 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 6:11-12; Revelation 2:10). Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers to the significance of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4) and controls them (Ephesians 2:1-2) even to the point of possessing some of them (Luke 22:3).

Satan Is a defeated foe (John 16:11) because of the cross-work of Christ. However, God does allow him some measure of freedom to do hIs worst (Job 2:6). At the second coming of Christ, Satan will be imprisoned in the Abyss for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3). After that, he will be loosed for a brief period (Revelation 20:3, 7-8), only to be cast into the lake of fire where he will spend eternity (Revelation 20:10).

All of the angels were holy when originally created (Genesis 1:31). Sometime between the conclusion of the creation week and the fall, one-third of the angels followed Satan in rebelling against God (Revelation 12:4) and were thus confirmed in wickedness, with the remaining two-thirds being confirmed in holiness. Some of the wicked angels (or demons) have been permanently confined (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6), while others have been given a measure of freedom to carry out Satan’s bidding.

IV.                Man

I believe that God, with purpose, supernaturally created man on the sixth day of the creation week (Genesis 1:26-27). Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). While Man was marred by the fall, he still is in the image of God. (Genesis 9:6; James 3:9).

Man’s nature Is composed of both a material aspect (body) and an immaterial aspect (soul/ spirit) (Matthew 10:28, 26:41; 1 Corinthians 7:34; James 2:26). God made Adam’s body from the dust of the ground and imparted life to it via a divine inbreathing (Genesis 2:7). God created the first woman, Eve, using one of Adam’s ribs (Genesis 2:21-22). Man’s material and immaterial aspects are passed on to succeeding generations via the natural procreation process (Genesis 5:1-3; Hebrews 7:9-10).

Adam was created in a state of unconfirmed holiness (Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29) but fell from this state through one act of disobedience to the revealed will of God (Genesis 2:17, 3:6). As a result of Adam’s original Sin, both he and the entire human race were plunged into Sin (Romans 5:19) and became subject to its effects, including death (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12; 6:23). Thus, in hIs natural state, man Is alienated from God (Isaiah 59:2), stands condemned before Him (Romans 5:16), Is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3), Is depraved (Romans 1:28-32; Ephesians 4:17-19), and Is entirely unable to extricate himself from hIs condition apart from God’s enablement (Ephesians 2:4-5).

V.                  Sin

I believe that Sin is a lack of conformity to God’s moral law. One sins by being or doing evil (Romans 7:19) or by not being or doing right (James 4:17). Sin Is described as missing the mark (Romans 3:12), transgression (Psalm 17:3), crookedness (1 John 5:17), disobedience (Romans 5:12), rebellion (Ezekiel 2:3) and lawlessness (1 John 3:4).

Sin entered the world via the fall of Satan and entered the human race via the fall of Adam. Because Adam was the divinely-appointed representative of the human race, hIs Sin was imputed to all hIs descendants, immediately condemning the entire race (Romans 5:12-19). Adam’s sinful nature has been passed on to hIs descendants via procreation (Psalm 51:5). Thus, all men are sinners by birth and by choice (1 Kings 8:46; Romans 3:10-12). Sin permeates the entirety of man’s being (Isaiah 1:6), penetrating hIs mind (Romans 8:5-8; Ephesians 4:17-18; Titus 1:15), will (John 8:34), and emotions (Jeremiah 17:9). Consequently, everything unsaved man does Is sinful in God’s sight (Psalm 143:2; Isaiah 64:6). Man Is destitute of any moral good and unable to merit God’s favor or contribute to hIs salvation (Romans 7:18; Ephesians 2:8-9).

The primary consequence of Sin Is death (Romans 5:12, 6:23; James 1:15). This includes physical death, the separation of the body from the soul/spirit (James 2:26); spiritual death, the separation of the individual from God (Ephesians 2:1-5, 12-13); and eternal death, the permanent separation of the individual from God in hell (Revelation 20:11-15).

Man, not God, Is responsible for Sin (James 1:13-14). Although God did permit Sin’s entrance into both the world and the human race, He has not revealed why He did so, other than for hIs good pleasure (Romans 11:33; Ephesians 1:11).

VI.                Salvation

I believe that salvation is wholly of God by grace based on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and is not based on human merit or works at all(John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

A.      Regeneration.

I believe that regeneration Is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It Is instantaneous and Is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24) when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration manifests fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works are the proper evidence and fruit of regeneration (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 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 (Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such conformity Is climaxed in the believer’s glorification at Christ’s coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).

B.      Election.

I believe 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 (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2). I believe that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 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 (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8). I believe that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners Is not related to any initiative of their own part or to God’s anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but Is sole of His sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2). I believe that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God Is truly sovereign, but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Romans 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 (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9). God does not elect men to hell (cf. Matthew 25:34 with v. 41, Revelation 20:12-13).

C.      Justification.

I believe that justification before God Is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). ThIs righteousness Is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God Is enabled to “be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

D.      Sanctification.

I believe that every believer Is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification; they are declared to be holy and 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; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2). I believe 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 Can live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23). In this respect, we 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 impossible, but the Holy Spirit provides victory over Sin (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).

E.       Security.

I believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 3:36; 5:24; 6:37-40; 6:47; 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 1:12-14; 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 5:1, 13; Jude 24). I believe 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 (Romans 6:15-22; 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13, 25-26; Titus 2:11-14).

F.       Separation.

I believe that separation from Sin Is 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 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5). I believe that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us. 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 not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. I believe in the biblical mandate for the believer to separate from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices Are commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11). I believe that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life Is a life of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) and continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).

G.      Human Responsibility.

I believe that while God Is fully active in salvation, man Is fully responsible for the consequences of hIs Sin (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23). For salvation to occur, the individual must believe that Jesus Christ literally died, was buried, and was resurrected for the forgiveness of sins against the Holy God of all (1 Corinthians 15:1-8) and repent from Sin toward christ. I believe the individual Is responsible for hIs salvation; thus, I do not believe in collective salvation (Romans 9:2-3). The individual will be judged by hIs works (Revelation 20:12-13) unless the work of Christ has been “imputed to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:20-25).

 

H.      Evangelism.

I believe it Is both the privilege (I Thessalonians. 2:4,8) and obligation of the believer to proclaim the gospel to the unsaved, seeing them baptized and discipled (Matthew 28:19-20). I firmly believe that no individual ever has, nor ever will, nor Is capable of saving the unsaved except God Himself (I Corinthians 1:13, Romans ). God uses Christians in different capacities to reach the lost, that is, some “plant” and some “water,” but ultimately, it Is God that gives the “increase” (I Corinthians 3:6).

VII.               The Church

I believe that the church Is composed of all who have been or will be saved during the “church age” or the “age of grace,” that period between Pentecost and the Rapture. Such individuals comprise what Is commonly referred to as the Body of Christ or the universal church (Ephesians 1:22-23, 3:2-11; Colossians 1:18, 24). The building agent of the church Is the Holy Spirit. Spirit baptism Is the judicial placement of the believer by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Church has been given a place of special prominence among the redeemed of all ages (Hebrews 12:23) and will be Christ’s co-regent in His Kingdom (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 3:21). The Church Is distinct from Israel, the Old Testament people of God (1 Corinthians 10:32), in origin, purpose, and destiny.

The visible manifestation of the universal church on earth Is the local church. A local church Is a group of water-baptized believers (Acts 2:41) organized with the offices of pastor, elders, and deacons (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13), sharing a common faith or body of truth (Acts 2:42; Jude 3), observing the ordinances of water baptism (Matthew 28:19) and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42), carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting regularly (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 20:7). The local church Is the vehicle God has chosen to accomplish His purposes in this dispensation (1 Timothy 3:15). Therefore, all ministry should be carried out under its auspices.

Initial qualifications for membership in a local church include conversion and water baptism (Acts 2:41). The only continuing qualification Is an orderly walk. Those who persist in open Sin are excommunicated from the assembly (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

The two ordinances of the local church are water baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Water baptism was authorized by Christ (Matthew 28:19), symbolizes a saving truth (Romans 6:4), was given a command for perpetuation (Matthew 28:19), and was practiced by the early church (Acts 2:41). The only mode of water baptism which adequately symbolizes the truth behind it Is immersion. Likewise, the Lord’s Supper was authorized by Christ (Matthew26:26-29), represents a saving truth (1 Corinthians 11:26), was given a command for perpetuation (Luke 22:19), and was practiced by the early church (Acts 2:42). Neither water baptism nor the Lord’s Supper contributes in any way to the salvation of those who participate in them. They are memorials or symbols designed to commemorate the work of Christ at the cross (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

I adhere to those tenets which have historically distinguished Baptists from other groups: 1) the Bible as the sole authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17), 2) the autonomy of the local church (1 Corinthians 5:4-5, 12-13, 6:1-5), 3) the priesthood of the believer (Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6), 4) two ordinances: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42), 5) soul liberty (Romans 14:5, 12; 1 John 2:27), 6) regenerate church membership (Acts 2:41, 47), 7) Three offices: pastor, Elder, and deacon (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13), 8) separation of church and state (Matthew 22:21).

I believe that the primary focus of a local church should be the edification of believers (Ephesians 4:11-16). Edification takes place by means of biblical education, worship, and fellowship. A church Is also responsible for evangelizing in its community and worldwide (Acts 1:8).

The local church Is responsible for maintaining its doctrinal purity by separating from those individuals and/or groups who walk disorderly (Ephesians 4:15, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 John 9-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14).

VIII.             End Times

I believe that the next event on God’s prophetic calendar Is the Second Coming of Christ, the first phase of which Is the Rapture of the Church. At the Rapture, Christ will personally and visibly appear in the clouds to instantaneously resurrect all deceased church-age saints and translate all believers currently inhabiting the earth, returning them to heaven to dwell with Him (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). The Rapture Is imminent, potentially occurring at any moment (James 5:8-9; Revelation 22:10, 20). There are no other prophetic events that must take place first. It Is also pretribulational (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9; Revelation 3:10) and premillennial.

Shortly following the Rapture, the Antichrist will appear (2 Thessalonians  2:7-8) as the leader of a revived Roman empire (Daniel 7:19-25) and make a covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27), initiating a seven-year period of time known as the Tribulation during which God’s wrath will be outpoured upon the earth’s inhabitants (Revelation 6-19). During the Tribulation, the church will be in heaven with Christ, where she will be judged according to her works at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10) and will assume her role as the Bride of Christ at the Marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7). Meanwhile, at the mid-point of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will break hIs covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27). He will turn against her (Revelation 12:13-17). The last half of the Tribulation will be a Time of unprecedented wrath known as the “Great Tribulation” (Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:15-28) and conclude with the Battle of Armageddon. The second phase of the Second Coming of Christ will occur at this point, the Revelation or Second Coming in Glory. Christ will return to the earth accompanied by all church-age saints to defeat the Antichrist and hIs forces (Revelation 19:11-21). The Antichrist and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20), and Satan will be bound in the Abyss for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3). This will be shortly followed by the resurrection of all Old Testament and Tribulation saints (Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:1-2; Revelation 20:4-5), the regathering and judgment of Israel (Ezekiel 20:33-38), and the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46).

The Marriage Supper (Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 19:7, 9) will launch the Millennial Kingdom, the 1,000-year earthly reign of Christ with church-age saints as His co-regents (Revelation 20:4-6). Christ’s millennial, messianic reign will be a time of great peace, blessing, and prosperity (Isaiah 11:1-9). At the end of the millennium, Satan will be loosed for a short time to lead one final revolt against Christ (Revelation 20:7-8). God will destroy Satan’s armies and cast Satan into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:9-10). At this time, all the unsaved dead of all ages will be resurrected to face the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-13). After their works are examined and found wanting, they will join Satan in the lake of fire, where they will spend eternity enduring suffering as just retribution for their Sin (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:14-15). God will destroy the present heavens and earth and create a new heaven and earth where the redeemed of all ages will spend eternity with their Lord in eternal fellowship and love (2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-3).