Anniston Bible Church Statement of Faith
We believe the sixty-six books of the Bible to be the infallible,1 written Word of God,2 verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit,3 inerrant4 in the original manuscripts, and the only and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.5 1Isaiah 34:16 “Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail;…”; Luke 24:44-46 “… which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”; John 10:35 “…the Scripture cannot be broken.”; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 “…you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,…”; 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,…” 2Zechariah 7:12 “…the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets.”; Matthew 4:4,7,10 “…it is written…”; 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,…”; 2 Peter 1:20-21 “…holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 32 Samuel 23:2 “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.”; 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,…”; 1 Corinthians 2:13 “…in words…which the Holy Spirit teaches…”; 2 Peter 1:19-21 “…holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 4Matthew 5:17-18 “…I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. …one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”; Psalm 12:6 “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”; Psalm 19:9 “The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”; Psalm 119:140 “Your word is very pure…”; Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure…”; John 10:35 “…the Scripture cannot be broken.” 5Deuteronomy 8:3 “…man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”; Psalm 19:7-11 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes…”; Job 23:12 “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips…”; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “…All Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”.
We believe in one God,1 Creator2 and Sustainer 3of the universe, Who is eternally existent4 in three persons5—Father, 6 Son,7 and Holy Spirit.8 1Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!.”; Isaiah 44:6 “…besides Me there is no God.”; 1 Corinthians 8:4 “…there is no other God but one.” 2Genesis 1:1"…God created the heavens and the earth…”; Hebrews 11:3 “…the worlds were framed by the word of God.”; Acts 4:24 “…You are God, who made the heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them.”; John 1:3 “All things were made by Him…”; Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me…”. 3Hebrews 1:3 “…upholding all things by the word of His power.”; Colossians 1:17 “…in Him all things consist.”; 2 Peter 3:7 “…the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word…”; Job 37:6-12 “He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’…”. 4Deuteronomy 33:27 “…the eternal God.”; Psalm 90:2 “…from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”; John 8:58 “Before Abraham was, I am.”; Revelations 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, …who is and who was and who is to come…”. 5Genesis 1:26 “Let Us make man in Our image…”; Psalm 110:1 “The LORD said to my Lord…”; Matthew 28:19 “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”; 2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 “…the same Spirit… the same LORD… the same God…”. 6John 6:27 “…God the Father…”; John 20:17 “…your Father and… your God.”; 1 Corinthians 8:6 “…there is one God, the Father…”. 7Isaiah 9:6 “…the mighty God.”; John 1:1 “…the Word was God.”; John 5:18 “…making Himself equal with God.”; John 20:28 “…my LORD and my God!”; Romans 9:5 “…Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God.”; Luke 2:11 “…a Savior, who is Christ the LORD.” Philippians 2:10 "…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Compare with: Isaiah 45:22 "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath." 82 Samuel 23:2-3 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said…" Acts 5:3-4 “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…? You have not lied to men but to God.”; 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the LORD is the Spirit;”.
Birth: We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God,1 that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and became incarnate through the virgin birth,2 and that He unites forever in His Person perfect deity3 and true humanity.4 Atonement: We believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life,5 that He was crucified6 as the substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of all men,7 that He rose bodily from the dead,8 that He ascended into heaven where He is now exalted at the right hand of the Father,9 and where He intercedes for the believer.10 1Matthew 3:17 “This is my beloved Son…”; 1 John 1:2 “…the eternal Life which was with the Father…”; Matthew 16:16 “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God…”; Psalm 2:7 “The LORD said to Me, You are My Son…”; 1 John 2:22 “He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son…”. 2Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”; Isaiah 7;14 “…the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son…”; Matthew 1:23 “…the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son…”; Luke 1:30-35 “…The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God”; Galatians 4:4 “…born of a woman,”; John 1:14 “the Word became flesh…”. 3Matthew 1:23 “…they will call him Immanuel… God with us.”; John 1:1 “…the Word was God.”; Philippians 2:6 “…being in the form of God.”; Colossians 2:9 “…in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”; 1 Corinthians 2:8 “…crucified the Lord of glory.”; Philippians 2:10-11 with Isaiah 45:23 “…every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.” 4John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh…”; Mark 6:3 “Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon?”; Romans 5:15 “…the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ…”; 1 Corinthians 15:47 “…the second Man is the LORD from heaven.”; 1 Timothy 2:5 “…the man Christ Jesus.” 5Matthew 3:17 “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”; John 8:29 “…I do always those things that please Him (the Father).”; 2 Corinthians 5:21 “…Him who knew no sin…”; 1 John 3:5 “…in Him is no sin.”; 1 Peter 2:22 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”; Hebrews 4:15 “…tempted as we are, yet without sin.”; Hebrews 7:26 “…who is holy, harmless, separate from sinners,”. 6Matthew 27:35 “Then they crucified Him…”; Mark 15:24 “And when they crucified him…”; Luke 23:33 “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him…”; John 19:17-18 “And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him.” 7 Isaiah 53:12 ...He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. John 1:29 “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”; 1 Timothy 4:10 “…the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe”; 1 Timothy 2:4 “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”; 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord… Is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”; 1 John 2:2 “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world”; 2 Peter 2:1 “…there will be false teachers among you,… even denying the Lord who bought them.” 8Matthew 28:6-7 “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”; Mark 16:6 “…Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen!…”; Luke 24:6 “He is not here, but is risen…”; Luke 24:34 “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”; Luke 24:39 “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have”; 1 Corinthians 15:4-7 “…He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to be present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” 9Acts 2:33 "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God…”; Acts 5:31 "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior”; Philippians 2:9 “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name”; Psalm 110:1 “A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’”; Hebrews 1:3 “... when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”; Hebrews 8:1 “…We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens”; 1 Peter 3:22 “who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him”. 10Isaiah 53:12 “And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors”; Romans 8:34 “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us”; Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them”; Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
We believe that the Holy Spirit is Himself God;1 that He glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ;2 that He was sent to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment;3 that He regenerates4 and indwells the believer;5 that He desires to fill the believer,6 and that He seals the believer unto the day of redemption;7 and that He imparts gifts to each believer as He wills for the edification of the Church.8 1Genesis 1:2 “…and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”; 2 Samuel 23:2-3 “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said…”; Acts 5:1-5 “…why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit… you have not lied to men but to God.”; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 “…the Lord is the Spirit. …the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2John 16:13-14 “…He, the Spirit of truth… will glorify Me (Jesus), for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” 3 Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever,”; John 16:8 “He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…”; Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit…”; 2 Thessalonians 2:7 “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” 4Ezekiel 36:25-27 “…I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; …I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”; John 3:6 “…that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”; John 7:38-39 “…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. ...He spoke concerning the Spirit,...”; Titus 3:5 “…through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,”. 5Ezekiel 36:27 “I will put My Spirit within you…”; John 14:17 “…the Spirit of truth, …He dwells in you; Romans 8:11…But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you…”; 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Or do you no know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you…”; James 4:5 “…The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?”. 6Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,…”; Ephesians 5:18 “…be filled with the Spirit,”. 72 Corinthians 1:22 “Who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”; Ephesians 1:13 “…having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”; Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” 8Ephesians 4:11-16 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,…”; Romans 12:1-8 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…”; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant…”.
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God,1 but that as a result of Adam’s sin the race fell,2 inheriting a sinful nature3 and becoming alienated from God;4 and that man is totally depraved,5 and of himself, totally unable to remedy his lost condition.6 1Genesis 1:26-27 “So God created man in His own image…”; Psalm 8:5 “…You have crowned him with glory and majesty.”; Genesis 9:6 “…for in the image of God made he man.” 21 Corinthians 15:49 “…as we have born the image of the man of dust.”; Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."; Romans 5:14 “death reigned from Adam to Moses…”; 1 Corinthians 15:22 “As in Adam all die…”. 3Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”; Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."; Psalm 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”; Ecclesiastes 9:3 “Truly the hearts of the sons of men are truly evil.” 4Ephesians 4:18 "having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart…"; Ephesians 2:12 "…that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." 5Romans 3:10 “There is none righteous…”; Psalm 53:3 “They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.”; Genesis 6:5 "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."; Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" 6John 14:6 “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”; Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God not of works lest any one should boast”; Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…”
We believe that all who by faith1 receive Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit,2 therefore they are children of God3 and eternally saved,4 and that the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer5 to enlighten, guide, and enable him in life and service.6 1 Romans 1:17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith”; Habakkuk 2:4 “…but the just shall live by his faith.”; Romans 5:2 “…we have access by faith into this grace.”; Romans 3:28 “…a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”; Ephesians 2:8 “…you have been saved through faith” 2John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,…who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."; John 3:8 “…so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”; Galatians 4:29 “…persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit.”; 1 John 3:9 “…because he is born of God.” 3Luke 20:36 “…they are…sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”; John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God…"; Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."; Galatians 3:26 “…ye are all the children of God by faith.” 4Matthew 25:46 “…but the righteous into life eternal.”; John 3:16 “…but have everlasting life.”; John 10:28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.” Romans 8:31-39 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”; 1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 5Romans 8:9 “…that the Spirit of God dwell in you.”; 1 Corinthians 3:16 “…and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”; 1Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."; 1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you."; Ephesians 1:13-14 "…having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance…"; 2 Timothy 1:14 “…the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” 6Ephesians 1:18 “…being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling.”; Ephesians 3:16 “…to be strengthened with might by His Spirit.”; Romans 8:14 “…many are led by the Spirit of God.”; Galatians 5:18 “…if ye be led of the Spirit.”
We believe in the “Blessed Hope,”1 the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church,2 the personal3 and pre-millennial second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth4 with all His saints.5 1Colossians 1:5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, 1Thessalonians 2:19 “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”; Titus 2:13 “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”; Hebrews 9:28 “… To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time…”; 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”. 21 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”; Revelation 3:10 “...I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”; John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”; 1 Corinthians 15:52 “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 3Zechariah 14:4 “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, …”; Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days …they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”; Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”; Acts 1:11 “...This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."; 2 Thessalonians 2:1 “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.”; 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 4Matthew 24:29-30 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”; 2 Thessalonians 2:8 “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”; Isaiah 24:20-23 “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, And shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, And it will fall, and not rise again. 21 It shall come to pass in that day That the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, And on the earth the kings of the earth. 22 They will be gathered together, As prisoners are gathered in the pit, And will be shut up in the prison; After many days they will be punished. 23 Then the moon will be disgraced And the sun ashamed; For the LORD of hosts will reign On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem And before His elders, gloriously.”; Revelation 20:4-6 “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” 5Zechariah 14:5 “…Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You.”; 1 Thessalonians 3:13 “…the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”; Jude 1:14 “...the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,”; Revelation 19:14 “And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.”; Revelation 17:14 “...He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
We believe in the bodily resurrection of believers and unbelievers,1 the saved being raised unto eternal life2 and the unbelievers unto everlasting punishment.3 1 Daniel 12:2 “…who sleeps in the dust… shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to… everlasting contempt.” John 5:28-29 “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 "and come forth -- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.; Acts 24:15 “…there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 1 Corinthians 15:52 “the dead will be raised incorruptible.”; 2 Revelations 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.”; 1 Corinthians 15:54 “So when… mortal has put on immortality.”; Luke 14:14 “…for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”; John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” 3 Jeremiah 25:31 A noise will come to the ends of the earth -- For the LORD has a controversy with the nations; He will plead His case with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword,' says the LORD."; Matthew 25:41 “Depart from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire.”; Hebrews 9:27 “It is appointed for men once to die, but after this the judgment.”; Revelation 20:11-14 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
We believe that the Church, which is the body of Christ,1 is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age.2 We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught in the New Testament Scriptures.3 1 Ephesians 1:22-23 “…gave Him [Christ] to be head over all things to the church, which is His body.”; Colossians 1:24 “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church” ; Romans 12:5 “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” 2 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”; Ephesians 2:22 “In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”; Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”; Ephesians 2:19 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household…” 3 Acts 2:42 “And they continued in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”; Matthew 16:18 “…on this rock I will build My church…”; Acts 9:31 “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”; Acts 15:41 “And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”; Acts 16:5 “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”
We believe in water baptism by immersion for believers1 and in the regular celebration of the Lord’s Supper as a reminder and memorial of His death for us.2 1 Matthew 28:19 “make disciples… baptizing them.”; Acts 2:41 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized;”; Acts 16:33 “He and all his family were baptized.”; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17 “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name, Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” 2 Luke 22:19 “…do this in remembrance of me.”; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 “and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”
We believe that God gives spiritual gifts to all believers for the building up of the body of Christ;1 however, we believe that some gifts of the Spirit such as tongues and healing evidently were limited to the early church.2 We believe that God answers the prayers of His people and meets their needs according to His purpose.3 1Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace…”; 1 Corinthians 14:12 “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church…”; 1 Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”; Ephesians 4:8-12 “…and He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”; 1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 2Mark 16:17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;”; 1 Corinthians 14:22 “Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers…”; 2 Cor 12:12 "Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds." Hebrews 2:3-4 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” 3James 4:2 “…you do not have because you do not ask.”; Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you…”; Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”; John 15:7 “…you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”; 1 John 3:22 “…whatever we ask we receive from Him,”. James 5:16 “…and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Section 12 SatanWe believe that Satan is an angelic personality1 who fell2 and became the archenemy of God and man;3 that Jesus Christ in His death defeated Satan;4 that he finally will be cast into the lake of fire.5 1Ezekiel 28:12-19 “You were the anointed cherub”; Isaiah 14:12-17 “Lucifer, son of the morning.”; Job 1:6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.” 2Ezekiel 28:16 “…Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.”; Isaiah 14:15 “You shall be brought down to Sheol…”. 1 Timothy 3:6 “not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.”; Revelation 12:4 “His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.” 3Ephesians 6:11 “Stand against the wiles of the devil.”; Matthew 13:39 “The enemy that sowed them is the devil…”.; 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”; Revelation 2:10 "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”; 1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”; Revelation 13:7 “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” 4Colossians 2:15 “Having disarmed principalities and powers…”.; Matthew 10:1 “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.”; John 12:31 "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”; 1 John 3:8 “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 5Revelations 20:10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire…”; Matthew 25:41 “…into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Section 13 Unscriptural Associations We believe that Scripture prohibits the joining together in spiritual matters of believers with unbelievers1 or with those not adhering to Scriptural doctrine2 or practice. 3 1 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." 2Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple; Ephesians 4:14 “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,”; 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; Titus 1:9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict; Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 3Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-14 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner -- not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore ‘put away from yourselves the evil person’.” |
We Believe