What I Believe
Statement of Faith
Doctrine is important and is not personal opinion. It is the understanding of what Scripture teaches as a systematic body of truth upon which the believer stands. My position is conservative, premillennial, and non-charismatic in the historical sense of evangelicalism.
1. Scripture
(John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21)I believe in the divine, verbal, plenary inspiration and the inerrancy and historical infallibility of the original Scriptures, and their supreme authority for faith and practice.
2. God
(Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16,17; 2 Corinthians 13:14)I believe in the one God, the creator of all things, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus Christ
(Matthew 1:22,23; John 1:1,2,14; Philippians 2:6,7; Colossians 1:15-20)I believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man.
4. Salvation
(John 1:12,13; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:21-25; Ephesians 1:7)I believe in the necessity of the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ and that all who believe are justified on the basis of His shed blood and, therefore, have the assurance of their eternal salvation.
5. Man
(Genesis 1:26,27; Romans 3:10-23; Ephesians 2:1,2)I believe that man was created in the image of God and that he sinned, thereby incurring not only physical death but also spiritual death which is separation from God. I believe in the total depravity of man and the absolute necessity of the new birth for individual salvation.
6. Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 6:19; 12:1-31; Ephesians 1:13; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2)I believe in the regenerating, indwelling, sealing, and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, Who baptizes each believer into the body of Christ upon his acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to believers as He wills for the edification of the Church.
7. Sanctification
(Romans 6-8; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 4:21-24)I believe the Christian’s sanctification results in a new nature within giving the capacity for holiness, but not eradicating the old sin nature with its capacity for sin. Identification with Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection and dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s power enable the believer to experience victory over sin.
8. Church
(Matthew 3:13-15; 28:18-20; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 11:23-26)I believe in one universal Church, embracing all who are united to Jesus Christ by saving faith and divine grace, and that the founding of local self-propagating churches is the goal of missions. Two ordinances are given by Jesus Christ for all believers: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
9. Angels
(Job 1:6-7; Luke 10:18; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 1:6,14)I believe in the existence of the holy angels and the personal existence of Satan and his demonic hosts. Though I wrestle with principalities and powers in spiritual ministry, victory is assured by Jesus Christ’s death on the cross.
10. Eschatology
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13,14; Revelation 19:11-21; 20:1-15)I believe in the “blessed hope,” the pre-tribulational rapture of the Church, and the personal and premillennial second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth with all His saints. I believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
11. Service
(Matthew 6:33; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 4:19)I believe that the “Great Commission” of our Lord Jesus Christ to give the Gospel to every person throughout the world is still incumbent on every believer. I believe in the will, power, and providence of God to meet our every need in His service.
