Our Decree

[Chrisx2600]

STATEMENT OF FAITH

THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the 66 books of the Bible are the written Word of God. The Bible is divinely inspired and inerrant throughout, in that holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the very words of Scripture. It is without error (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). The final guide to the interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself, and that Scripture is our final authority. No apparent, perceived or claimed evidence in any field, including history and science, can be valid if it contradicts Scripture.

THE TRINITY
We believe in the one true and living God: one God, three Persons-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Ephesians 4:4-6.

GOD THE FATHER
God, as Father, reigns over all of His universe with providential care and is all powerful, all loving, all knowing, and all wise. (Gen 1:1; 1 Chr 29:10; Jer 10:10; Matt 6:9; Acts 1:7; Rom 8:14-15; 1 Cor 8:6; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 4:6)

GOD THE SON
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. He accomplished this redemption by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God's righteous judgment against sin. After substantiating the accomplishment of that redemption and justification by His bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father, where He intercedes on behalf of those who trust Him. (Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18; Rom 3:24-26; 8:3)

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts the world of sin; that He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes, indwells, seals, bestows spiritual gifts, and fills those who are yielding to Him. Every believer is called to live in the power of the Holy Spirit so that he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God. (John 3:3-8; 14:16-17; 16:7-11; 2 Cor 12:7-11, 13; Eph 4:30; 5:18)

CREATION
We believe that in the beginning God created all things - the heavens and the earth - ex nihilo (out of nothing) and that in its original created state God declared it all good (Genesis 1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). We believe as an essential part of this creation, God created humanity, male and female, in His image to have fellowship with Himself and to be stewards over His creation. (Genesis 1:26-28)

MAN
Although the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, were created in the image of God, their fall into sin is the basis for the necessity of salvation for mankind. Death, both physical and spiritual, entered into this world subsequent to and as a direct consequence of man's sin. This is true of all men; and all men are sinners, inherently from Adam and individually by choice and are therefore subject to God's wrath and condemnation. Except a man be born again by the Holy Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Gen 1:26-27; John 3:3; Rom 3:10, 23)

Therefore, we believe in the sanctity of life and that life begins at conception. As a result, each person is unique, possesses dignity and is worthy of respect. (Jerimiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13-17; Genesis 9:6; Ephesians 2:10; Job 31:15). We believe as an essential part of this creation, the Bible teaches that marriage refers to the covenant relationship exclusively between one man and one woman, as instituted by God (Genesis 2:20b-24; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Hebrews 13:4). In addition, we believe God created the family as the basic unit of society and we should seek to preserve its integrity and stability (Genesis 2:21-25; Ephesians 6:1-4). We believe God created an order of spiritual beings called angels to serve Him and do His will (Psalm 148:1-5; Colossians 1:16). The holy angels are obedient spirits ministering to the heirs of salvation and glorifying God (Hebrews 1:6-7; 13-14).

THE DEVIL-SATAN
Certain angels, called demons, Satan being their chief, through deliberate choice revolted and fell from their exalted position (Revelation 12:7-9). They now tempt individuals to rebel against God (I Timothy 4:1; I Peter 5:8 ). Their destiny in hell has been sealed by Christ's victory over sin and death (Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10).

THE FLOOD
We believe that the great Flood in the days of Noah was a literal worldwide flood exactly as recorded in Genesis 6-8.

ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice and that all who believe in Him are redeemed by His shed blood. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ and in His ascension into heaven; He is our High Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-3, 14; 3:1-7; Heb 10:4-14; 1 John 2:2)

SALVATION
We believe that salvation is the gift of God's grace alone and is expressed in the individual's repentance, recognition of Christ's death as full payment for sin, and acceptance of the risen Christ as Savior. Salvation cannot be gained or made more secure by meritorious works, but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ' victory at the Cross. All who so trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Freedom from the penalty and power of sin is available to man only through Christ's sacrificial death, His shed blood, and His complete and bodily resurrection from the dead. Those who do not believe in Christ are subject to everlasting punishment. Believers enjoy eternal life with God. (John 1:12; Acts 16:30-33; Rom 10:9-10; Eph 1:7; 2:8-9)

THE CHRISTIAN WALK
We believe that we have a holy calling to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the Spirit in order that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The flesh is never eradicated in this life. Individuals must choose to keep the flesh in subjection to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, or the flesh will surely manifest its presence in life and dishonor our Lord. (Rom 6:11-13; 8:2, 4, 12-13; Gal 5:16-23; Eph 4:22-24; Col 2:1-10; 1 Pet 1:14-16; 1 John 1:4-7; 3:5-9)

THE GREAT COMMISSION
Until the return of Christ, it is the Christian's duty and privilege to seek the fulfillment of Christ's Great Commission and to minister in His name to a needy world. We are to be instruments of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers redemption and reconciliation in the world. (Matt 25:31-46; 28:18-20)
« Last Edit: October 05, 2018, 01:48:04 PM by chrisx2600 »