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Accuracy and authority of the Word of God.
As originally written - verbally inspired.
Truth without error.
Center and basis of Christian fellowship.
Only standard and rule of conduct, creed and opinions.
(II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21)
One, living, true, intelligent Spirit. (John 4:24; Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4)
Creator and ruler of heaven and earth. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Revelation 4:11)
In unity of Godhead - Three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (I John 5:7)
Trinity - One in substance, equal in perfection; each execute distinct but harmonious office in the work of redemption. (Matthew 3:16-17; I John 5:7)
Absolute Deity. (John 1:1-2)
Both human and divine. (John 1:14)
Existed from eternity. (I John 5:20)
Co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. (John 10:30)
Never ceased to be God. (Philippians 2:5-8)
Virgin born. (Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:26-28)
Lived a sinless life. (Hebrews 4:15)
Provided a substitutionary atonement for lost man. (II Corinthians 5:21)
Rose bodily from the grave. (I Corinthians 15:4; Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24)
Ascended bodily into heaven. (Acts 1:11)
Will return bodily. (Acts 1:11; John 14:1-4; Hebrews 9:28)
Equal with the Father and the Son. (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14)
Active in creation. (Genesis 1:1-3)
Restrains in the unbelieving world until God's purpose is fulfilled. (II Thessalonians 2:7)
Convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment. (John 16:8-11)
Agent in the new birth. (Hebrews 9:14; John 3:5-6)
Indwells, seals, enjoins, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. (John 14:16-17, 26; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Acts 5:30, 32; Romans 8:14, 16, 26-27; II Corinthians 6:16)
Fallen, created and distinct personality. (Matthew 4:1-3; Isaiah 14:12-17).
The god of this age. (II Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2)
Author of all power of darkness and sin. (II Corinthians 4:4)
Destined to judgment in lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10)
Accept and believe the Genesis account. (Genesis 1 and 2)
Man created instantaneously and directly by God, not by evolution. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; Colossians 1:16-17)
Reject both naturalistic and theistic evolution. (John 1:2-3; Hebrews 11:3)
Human life is a special creation of God. Following the creation of Adam and Eve in Eden, God has worked through man and woman to produce a living soul. (Psalm 139:13-16)
a. The sanctity of human life begins at conception as Scripture speaks of the unborn as being just as much a person in God's image as the born. (Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5)
b. The Scriptures teach that God, the Giver of life, has the right to take life. (Deuteronomy 32:39; Job 1:21)
c. God forbids the taking of innocent human life, including abortion and euthanasia. (Exodus 20:13; 21:12-15; Matthew 5:21)
Man voluntarily fell into sin and death. (Genesis 3)
The entire race is now sinners both by nature and choice. (Romans 5:10-19)
Under condemnation without defense or excuse. (Romans 1:18, 20)
Christ conceived by the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Born of Mary, a virgin. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35)
No other has been or will be born in this manner. (John 3:16)
Christ is both the Son of God and God the Son. (John 1:14)
Came upon the human race because of the disobedience of Adam. (Romans 5:12; Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6-7)
Is the cause of dis-fellowship and disfavor of God. (Genesis 3:8-10; Romans 5:12)
Cause of both physical and spiritual death. (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12)
No one born is exempt, except the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:10, 23)
Must be atoned for to obtain eternal life and entrance into heaven. (John 3:3, 7; 14:6)
Is the cause of eternal punishment. (Romans 6:23; John 3:36)
Is the basis and need for which Christ died. (II Corinthians 5:21; Luke 19:10)
Only way to escape condemnation of sin is through atonement by Jesus Christ. (John 3:1-7)
This atonement is accomplished by Christ.
a. The sinless One. (II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15)
b. Taking voluntarily human body and nature. (Philippians 2:7-8)
c. By His suffering death and resurrection. (I Corinthians 15:1-4; Isaiah 53:4-6; Hebrews 9:22)
Salvation is bestowed by grace on all who trust in Him. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; Titus 3:7)
Sinners must be born again. (John 3:3-7)
New birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus. (II Corinthians 5:17)
Instantaneous birth - not a process. (Ephesians 2:1; John 3:16; Acts 16:31)
One born again receives divine nature. (Romans 8:9)
One born again receives eternal life. (John 3:16)
That such new birth is undeserving and thereby is all of grace, apart from works or merit. (Ephesians 2:8)
Faith in Christ is the only condition of salvation. (Acts 16:31)
Nothing of works can secure or make salvation secure. (Ephesians 2:9; Titus 3:5)
All who are truly regenerated (born again), being born of the Spirit, will not fall away or perish. (Romans 8:35-39; John 3:16; Ecclesiastes 3:14)
Believers are kept by the power of God and are eternally secure in Christ. (Philippians 1:6; John 10:28-29)
Includes pardon of sin and gift of eternal life on basis of righteousness. (Romans 8:1; Isaiah 53:11)
Bestowed on the faith in shed blood of Christ; He gives His righteousness to us. (Romans 5:1, 9)
The believer possesses two natures (human and divine, flesh and Spirit) and these are contrary. (Galatians 5:17)
The body of the believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (II Corinthians 6:16)
Evidence in the believer of these two natures gives rise to conflict which lasts throughout life. (Galatians 5:16-25)
The believer is to "put off" the old man and "put on" the new man. (Ephesians 4:22-23)
To confess Christ before men. (Romans 10:9-10)
To walk circumspectly in the world. (Ephesians 5:15)
To give God absolute authority in his life. (Colossians 3:22; Matthew 6:24, 33)
Not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. (II Corinthians 6:14-17)
To be separate from the world. (II Corinthians 6:17; 7:1)
Not to be conformed to the world. (Romans 12:1-2)
To maintain a personal and devotional life of Bible study and prayer. (II Timothy 2:15; Psalm 1; 119:11)
The righteous are those who through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and are sanctified by the Spirit of God. (Romans 6:17-18; I John 5:19)
They continue in and after death in eternalness with God. (Matthew 25:46)
The wicked are those who continue in unrepentance and unbelief and are under the curse of sin and Satan. (John 3:36; 8:21)
They continue in and after death in everlasting, conscious suffering. (Matthew 25:46)
A congregation of regenerated (born again) and immersed believers. (Acts 2:41-42)
Associate on a common base of confession of faith and fellowship of the Gospel. (Acts 2:42-47)
Observe the two ordinances of Christ, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. (I Corinthians 11:2)
Is governed on the basis of the Word of God. (I Corinthians 7:17)
Has two officers - Pastor and deacons, as qualified from the Word of God. (Ephesians 4:11; I Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 6; 20:17-28; I Peter 5:1-4)
The right of complete self-government, as directed by the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 18:17; Acts 6:1-7; I Corinthians 5)
Answers directly to Christ (through the Word of God). (Ephesians 1:22-23)
In all matters, the desire and the will of the local group is final. (I Corinthians 6:4-5)
Baptism
a. For believers only. (Acts 8:37; 18:8)
b. The immersion of the believer in water. (Acts 8:38; Matthew 3:16)
c. Signifies and illustrates Christ's death, burial and resurrection. (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12)
The Lord's Supper
a. For believers only. (I Corinthians 11:23-28)
b. A commemoration of the Lord's death "till He come." (I Corinthians 11:23-28; Matthew 26:26-29)
c. Must always be preceded by solemn self-examination. (I Corinthians 11:28)
The work of the local church has as its beginning, the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15)
Further application of this commission. (Acts 1:8)
The ministry of God's people and the local church. (II Corinthians 5:19-20)
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
a. Every believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ at the time of personal salvation.
b. He remains indwelt by all the fullness of the Holy Spirit from the time he receives Christ. (Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8)
CONTINUING REVELATION
a. The Word of God was completed with the Book of Revelation.
b. God now speaks to man through His written Word.
c. This written Word is the standard by which man's experience is judged. (Revelation 22:18-19; II Timothy 3:15-16; I John 4:1)
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
a. The gift of tongues in Acts was the enablement of the Holy Spirit to allow individuals to speak in foreign languages which they had not previously learned.
b. The purpose was two-fold: to enable the hearer to understand the Gospel in his own language, and to authenticate the message of the apostles to the unbelieving Jews. (Acts 2:4-11; I Corinthians 12-14)
SIGN GIFTS
a. Some gifts listed in the New Testament - such as tongues, healings, and miracles - were temporary in nature, were intended for the infancy of the church, and are no longer being given or received.
b. These gifts were sought by immature believers at Corinth who were admonished by Paul to seek a more excellent way. (I Corinthians 12-14)
Marriage
a. Marriage is established by God. (Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:5-6)
b. Marriage is the picture of Christ and the Church. (Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 19:7-9)
c. Marriage is a pure relationship. (Hebrews 13:4; I Corinthians 7:38)
d. Marriage is permanent unto death. (Mark 10:8-9; Romans 7:2-3)
e. Divorce: Although examples of divorce are found in Scripture, it is not God's purpose, but rather His provision for the hardness of man's heart. (Matthew 19:7-9; I Corinthians 7:10-15; I Timothy 5:8)
Family
a. The family is based upon God's plan. (Genesis 2:20-24; 1:27-28)
b. The structure of authority within the family is established by God. (Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Colossians 3:18-21; I Corinthians 11:3; Exodus 20:12)
c. When God gives children to a family, they are a blessing from the Lord. (Psalm 127:3-5)
Male/Female relationships contrary to God's Word
a. Homosexuality, lesbianism, and other contra-Biblical relationships cannot be accepted as alternative lifestyles. (Romans 1:18-32; Leviticus 18:21-30; I Corinthians 6:9-10)
b. Adultery, fornication, incest, pornography, and other sexual sins are detested and condemned by the Lord. (Romans 1:24-32; I Corinthians 6:9-11, 15, 19-20; Matthew 5:27-28; I Thessalonians 4:1-8)
Complete separation of church and state. (Matthew 22:21)
Civil government is of Divine appointment for the good of human society. (Romans 13:1-7)
We are to pray for rulers, honor and obey, except where they oppose the Word and the will of Christ. (Acts 4:19; 23:5; II Samuel 23:3)
The Word of God indicates such would arise, even in the name of Christ. (I John 4:1; II Timothy 4:3; Matthew 7:15-23)
All fellowship must be based on the Word of God. (I John 1:7)
Should there be those who do not adhere to the Word, the Bible exhorts and directs our action. (Romans 16:17-18; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14; I Timothy 6:3-5)
In no instance should church fellowship be found with those who are modern, liberal, neo-orthodox (claiming old orthodoxy, but not claiming complete infallibility of the Word of God), neo-evangelical (allowing for a spirit of compromise) in their thinking or with others who compromise in any area of their beliefs or standards contrary to our Biblical standard of Faith. (I Corinthians 16:13; II Thessalonians 2:15; Proverbs 22:28; Jude)
The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in its two phases.
Listing and order of events.
1. The bodily, personal, pre-tribulation, pre-millennial return of Christ for His saints. (Believers - the bride) (THE RAPTURE) (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
a. Resurrection of righteous dead at this time. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:52)
b. Catching away of all righteous, dead and living. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
c. The Judgment Seat of Christ for believers, in heaven. (Romans 14:10; I Corinthians 3:13-15; II Corinthians 5:10-11)
d. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:7-10)
2. The Tribulation period on earth - simultaneous to the Judgment Seat and Marriage Supper in heaven.
a. Manifestation of the Antichrist. (II Thessalonians 2:8-12)
b. Approximately seven years in length. (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 4-19; Daniel 12:11, 12)
3. The return of Christ - visibly and bodily with His church, to close the Tribulation period on earth. (THE REVELATION) (Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-16)
a. To judge the living nations. (Matthew 25:31-46)
b. To set up His millennial reign. (Isaiah 11:4-5; 32:1; I Corinthians 15:25; Revelation 20:4, 6)
4. The millennial reign of Christ on earth, 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:3)
5. The loosening of Satan for a season, close of Millennium. (Revelation 20:3, 7-9)
6. Great White Throne Judgment. (Revelation 20:11-14)
a. The resurrection of the wicked dead at this time, as well as the gathering of all (both living and dead) who have never been born again.
b. Casting of Satan, his angels, and the wicked into Hell. (Revelation 20:10, 15)
7. Renovation of Heaven and earth, and its resultant creation of a new heaven and a new earth. (II Peter 3:12-13; Revelation 21, 22:7)
8. Eternal Reign. (Revelation 21:22; I Corinthians 15:28)
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