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THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES (Bibliology)

The original writings were the inerrant, plenary inspired Word of God.  The Scriptures are our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Word of God will never pass away.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:1-2; Matthew 24:35)

THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION

God created all things by the Word of His mouth and nothing has been brought into existence by any other means.  All life: man, animal, and plant life can only reproduce after its own kind.  No life is the product of evolution.
(Genesis 1:1,21-28; Psalm 33:6-9; Job 38-41; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3)

THE DOCTRINE OF SIN (Hamartiology)

Man was created perfect and sinless in the persons of Adam and Eve.  Adam and Eve  willfully sinned and, because of their sin, all of creation suffered condemnation.  From that day to this, all men are born in sin and all men sin willfully.  I further believe that the result of every sin is death and must be atoned for by the blood of Jesus Christ.
(Genesis 1:26-27,31; 2:16,17; 3:1-24; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 8:20-23; Hebrews 9:11-14)

THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION (Soteriology)

Salvation is by grace through faith entirely apart from works.  We receive salvation by trusting in Jesus Christ's vicarious death and substitutionary atonement on the cross of Calvary for sin.  The conditions for salvation are repentance and faith. Apart from Jesus Christ, there is no possible means of salvation.
(Matthew 26:28; Romans 6:23; John 3:16; 6:28-29; Luke 13:3; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21;1 John 5:13; Hebrews 11:6; John 4:12; Acts 4:12)

THE DOCTRINE OF PERSONAL SANCTIFICATION OF THE BELIEVER (Regeneration)

Personal sanctification is at one and the same time, complete and ongoing.

Sanctification is complete in that

(1) POSITIONALLY, we have been totally sanctified, unto God for His work in and through us.
      (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2,30; 6:11; Hebrews 10:10,14)

Sanctification is

(2) ON GOING, in that we can only be set apart unto the Lord as we yield ourselves to His Word,
      His Spirit's prompting with in and earnestly resist sin. (John 17:17; Romans 12:2; 
      2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:1-21; 2 Peter 3:18)

Our personal sanctification will be

(3) ULTIMATELY PERFECTED IN US, when we see Jesus face to face in glory.
     (John 3:2; Romans 8:29)

Further, while we are in this life, we will, in the flesh, war with the old nature of sin that dwells in our flesh.  God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, empowers us to exercise victory over the sin nature, giving us the power to say no to sinful thoughts and habits and yes, to righteousness and righteous living.  Those who claim that sin in the born again Christian has been eradicated, are teaching heresy.
(Romans 7:18-25; 8:12-13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24, Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Peter 1:14-16)

THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION FROM WORLDLINESS AND APOSTASY (Separation)

[1] God is one God, (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 43:10-11; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5a, 6, 21b;
                                   Mark 12:29;1 John 5:20)

[2] eternally existing in three persons: {Genesis 1:1-3, 26; 11:6-9; 1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19)

[2-a] God the Father, (Mark 9:7; Genesis 22:1; Exodus. 3:4-6, 14-15; 4:11-12)

[2-b] God the Son, (Genesis 1:3; John 10:28; Isaiah 43:10-11; John 1:1; 14:7;  21:17;
                                 Daniel 3:25; John 1:10; Colossians 1:13-18; Isaiah 9:6-7; 
                                 Revelation 1:8; 11, 18)

[2-c] God the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:2; 1 John 4:12; John 4:24; Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:22;
                                             John 1:32;1 Timothy 6:16; John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26;
                                             John 16:7; 1 Timothy. 3:16; Luke 23:46; John 19:30)

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity, one with the Father and the Son: coeternal, coequal, having all the attributes of the Father and the Son.  It is the Holy Spirit that gives to us new life, baptizes us into the body of Jesus Christ, sanctifies us unto Himself, and seals us unto eternal life.  He intercedes for us with God the Father, prays for us, and keeps us with His power.
(2 Corinthians 13:14; 2 Peter 1:4; John 3:3,5; 2 Timothy 1:10; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 4:30; Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 8:26-27;1 Peter 1:5)

It is the work of the Holy Spirit IN our lives that gives us faith in Jesus Christ, convicts us of sin, convinces us of our salvation, and motivates us unto righteous living. He appoints us unto specific service in God's work here on earth, separates and sends us out into that service.  The Holy Spirit fills, leads, and speaks to us, works within us all of the spiritual graces, helps us, sustains us in our weaknesses, teaches us all truth, guides us in life, directs our thoughts, calls us, indwells us, renews, regenerates, strengthens and gives us power over fear.  It is the Holy Spirit that gives us our spiritual gifts, promotes spiritual fruit, bears witness of the Father's love to us, and comforts us in life's trials.
(John 1:12-13; Romans 6:1-10; 1 John 5:7-9; Romans 8:15-16; Philippians 2:13; Acts 13:2; 20:28; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:18; Acts 8:29; 10:19; 13:2; 16:6-7; Galatians 4:6; 5:22-23; Romans 8:9,26-27; Proverbs 18:14; John 16:12-14; Proverbs 3:6; 16:3; Ephesians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 7:20; John 14:16-17; 20:22;1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:23; Galatians 6:8; John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:7; Ephesians 3:16; 4:7-13; John 16:7; 14:16-17)

It is the power of the Holy Spirit working THROUGH US, that convicts the unsaved of their sins and calls them unto salvation in Jesus Christ.  He gives God's love through us, builds His church, bears others' burdens, overcomes the world of sin and works spiritual graces through us that are Born Again in Christ Jesus.
(2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:6; Acts 7:51; John 16:13; Revelations 22:17; John 16:7-12)

Without the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit IN THE WORLD, no person would ever come to the knowledge of salvation in Jesus Christ.  Using human understanding and reason alone, it is totally impossible to convince any person of sin because Satan has totally blinded their mind.  Because they are spiritually blind and are of the flesh and not of the Spirit, they can never understand the spiritual things of the Lord.
(2 Corinthians 4:3-4;1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:6)

The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the unsaved is singular in purpose. That purpose is to draw them unto salvation in Christ Jesus.  He does this by convicting them of their sins, convincing them that Jesus Christ is righteous and that His judgments are right altogether. 
(Acts 7:51; John 16:13; Revelations 22:17; John 16:7-22)

THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS (Angelology)

(I) GOD'S CREATIVE PURPOSE FOR ANGELS:

Angels were created by God before the cosmos (worlds) were created.  At the time of their creation, their numbers were fixed, because God has ceased His work of creation in this present earth's age.  Angels cannot reproduce themselves, nor can they die.
(Genesis 1:1-2; Colossians 1:13-16; John 1:1-3; Ephesians 3:9; Psalm 148:2,5; Job 38:1-7; Genesis 2:1; Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:36)

Angels are spirit beings, invisible (yet able to take on the appearance of human bodies to perform God given tasks) and innumerable in number.  As created beings, they possess personality qualities such as intelligence, will, and emotion. In this present age they are superior to man, but inferior to God.  They ARE NOT omnipresent, omnipotent, or omniscient.
(Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7,14; Luke 1:19,26; 2:9; Matthew 28:2; Job 38:7; Psalm 148:1-3; Hebrews 12:22; 13:2; Daniel 9:21-22; Jude 6; Job 38:7; Psalm 8:4-6; Hebrews 2:5-8; Daniel 10:12-13; Matthew 24:36)

Angels were created with a three fold purpose:

[1] worship God; (1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 29:1-2; 148:2)

[2] serve God; (1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 15:1; Matthew 13:39-43)

[3] minister to and protect regenerated man. (Psalm 91:11-12; Hebrews 1:14)

My thoughts concerning our personal angel and expressing our gratefulness to him for his lifetime protection:   Psalms 91:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 11:10 informs us our angle observes our daily activities and hears our conversations for our aid and protection.  Hebrews 13:2 warns us that they can visit us.  Every day of our life our personal angel observes us, hears us and protects us.  Shouldn't we regularly thank him for his excellent daily and lifetime protection he provides us?  

(II) SATAN AND HIS DEMONS (Demonology)

Satan is a distinct personality and the god of this age.  He was originally created to be holy and perfect, but through pride and rebellion he became God's adversary.  He has supernatural powers that can only be used as God allows.  He was defeated and judged at the cross and will be ultimately cast into the lake of fire.  As believers, we are able to resist and overcome him by putting on the whole armor of God and by claiming the blood of Jesus Christ.
(Ezekiel 28:13-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; John 8:44; Matthew 12:24; 25:41; 1 John 4:4; Revelations 12:9; 
2 Corinthians 4:4; Job 1:1-22; John 12:31-32; 16:22; Ephesians 6:12-18; Revelations 12:11)

Satan's objective in the Christian's life is to accuse the saints before God, tempt the believer to sin, inflict disease, destroy the good seed that is sown and destroy the believers confidence in his salvation.
(Revelations 12:10; James 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; James 5:13-15; Matthew 13:19; 1 Peter 5:8;
John 5:9-15)

THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH (Ecclesiology)

1. The Universal Church

The UNIVERSAL CHURCH is comprised of all Born Again believers.  It is referred to, in Scripture, as the Bride of Christ, and was instituted by and for Him. He is the head of the Church.
(Acts 2:1-13; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelations 21:2,9; Ephesians 5:30-32;
Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23-27; Colossians 1:18)

2. THE LOCAL CHURCH

THE LOCAL CHURCH is the visible gathering together of BORN AGAIN, BAPTIZED BELIEVERS.  Their common bond is the Word of God, praise to God, prayer with God, the mutual building up and edification of one another in faith and walk with the Lord.
(Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-35; Ephesians 4:11-13)

THE LOCAL CHURCH is self-governing and should work to that end of being indigenous and self-supporting.
(Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 11:16; 14:33; 16:1,19; 2 Corinthians 8:18-19,24; 2 Corinthians 11:8;1 Thessalonians 2:14; Acts 13:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Titus 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; 2 Timothy 2:6)

It is the responsibility of the LOCAL CHURCH to evangelize the lost, ordain and send out missionaries and pastors, and care for the physical needs of their own needy and widows.
(1 Thessalonians 1:2-10; Acts 13:1-3; 2:41-47; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:3, 5, 16)

THE ORDINANCES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

Please note:  The New Testament Christian church does not have sacraments.  A Sacrament is defined as some act that man does to earn salvation.  We do not earn salvation.  Salvation is only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not of any works.   Because a person is saved, he will do good works  but, good works do not save the person -- making him or her a Christian.

Ephesians. 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast." 

Acts 4:10-12, "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of  Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. [11] This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. [12] Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Titus 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." 

1. BAPTISM
Baptism is not a sacrament and doesn't earn for us, salvation.  Baptism is an act of OBEDIENCE.  

All Born Again believers in Jesus Christ NEED to be baptized. Believers baptism by immersion IDENTIFIES the believer with the body of Jesus Christ, His substitutionary death, burial and resurrection for sin.  Believer's baptism must not be confused with earning any merit for an individual's salvation. It is a definite Biblical criteria for church membership. (Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 6:1-6; Titus 3:5; Acts 2:41; Matthew 28:19-20

Though baptism is a definite Biblical criteria for Church family membership, Church family membership should not be a criteria for baptism. (Acts 8:28-39)

2. COMMUNION
Communion is not a sacrament and doesn't earn for us, salvation.  Communion is an act of OBEDIENCE.

Communion is an act of OBEDIENCE to the expressed command of the Word of God.  Communion is COMMEMORATING our Lord's death until He comes to redeem us unto Himself.
(1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 23-34)

All "truly" Born Again Believers in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:10-13) who are not walking in known sin
(John 9:31;1 Corinthians 11:27-31; Romans 14:23; 1 John 5:17; ) or, are under the scrutiny / disciplinary action of another Church family (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:18-20) are to be invited to participate in the Lord's Table. It is my conviction and practice that the Lord's Table should be observed the first Sunday of each month.

THE DOCTRINE OF GOD'S FUTURE PLAN (Eschatology)

1. THE CHURCH
We are living in the last days. The next great event to take place will be the Rapture of the Church / The Bride of Christ.  Our rapture is IMMINENT, PRETRIBULATIONAL and PREMILLENNIAL.   At the rapture, the dead in Christ will be raised up to heaven first and then the living saints will be caught up together in the air to meet the Lord.
(2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 2 Peter 3:1-14;1 John 2:26-28;
 Revelations 3:10-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:4; 4:13-18)

2. THE NATIONS
I believe that following the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, Satan will be loosed for a period of time to once again deceive the NATIONS of the earth. He will be seized by Jesus Christ and thrown into the Lake of Fire where he will remain in constant torment forever.  This will be followed by the resurrection of all the unsaved to be judged at the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT. (Revelations 20:7-15)

THE DOCTRINE OF THE ETERNAL STATE OF THE SOUL (Eternality)

1. THE SAVED
The Word of God teaches that at the moment the BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST dies, he is ushered into the presence of the Lord to enjoy His glory and bliss.
(Luke 16:22-25; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Romans 6:23; Luke 23:43)

2. THE LOST
The soul of the unsaved, at the moment of death, is completely separated from the presence of God and is sent to a place of conscious punishment and suffering to wait for the final judgment of God.  At that time their body will be reunited with their soul and they will be banished to the Lake of Fire for an eternity of suffering and punishment.
(Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2  Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelations 20:11-15)

1. Biblical authority (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2. Self governing  (Matthew 18:17)

3. Interdependent  (Acts 25:1-30; Galatians 2; I Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Acts 20:17)

4. Priesthood of all believers  (1 Peter 2:9)

5. Two ordinances not, sacraments:

(A) Baptism  (Acts 2:41)
(B) Communion  (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)

6. Individual soul liberty (Romans 14:5,12)

7. Saved, baptized church membership  (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41)

8. Two offices:

(A) Elders / Pastors / Bishops (1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17, 28)
(B) Deacons (1 Timothy 3:13)

*9. Separation of State over the Church (Matthew 22:21)
    **not separation of God over the country  (Colossians 1:16-17; Psalm 33:12)

Note:  It is my experience and observation that correct "head knowledge" of doctrine, if not correctly translated into the practical realm of our daily experiences, will not necessarily produce a Godly witness with God's protections and blessings.  We must consciously evaluate everything we believe and practice in the light of God's Attributes and Sovereignty.  All doctrine must fall within God's parameters. We must consciously set aside our feelings.  Correct doctrine isn't "I think" or "I feel" or even "I believe".   Correct doctrine is "According to the word of God...thus says our God"

(1)  THE WORD OF GOD IS MY FINAL AUTHORITY:

Psalms 33:11, "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations."
Psalms 119:89, "For ever, 0 Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven."
2 Peter 1:20-21, "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
                           [21] for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as
                           they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
II Timothy 3:15, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
                           reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

(2)  THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD (God is the Supreme Authority) DEMANDS THAT MY
       CONCLUSION IS IN AGREEMENT WITH HIS WILL:

Psalms 119:89-91, "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. [90] Thy faithfulness is unto all
                               generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abides. [91] They continue
                               this day according to your ordinances: for all are thy servants."
Philippians 2:13, "For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."

(3)  THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD (God never changes) DEMANDS THAT MY
       CONCLUSION IS IN AGREEMENT WITH HIS ORIGINAL PLAN AND PURPOSE:

Numbers 23:19, "God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man the He should repent:
                           hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or make it good?"
Malachi 3:6a, "I am the Lord, I change not."
Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

(4)  THE PROMISED PROVISIONS OF GOD DEMANDS THAT MY CONCLUSION
       UPHOLDS BIBLICAL MEANS: 

Isaiah 59:1, "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither His ear heavy,
                    that it cannot hear."
1 Thessalonians 5:24, "Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it."
Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Jesus
                            Christ."

5)  THE PROPITIATION OF CHRIST (the Sacrificial price He paid on Calvary's cross for 
      my sins) DEMANDS THAT MY CONCLUSION GLORIFIES JESUS CHRIST:

Ephesians 1:22, "And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all
                           things to the church,"
Colossians 1:18b, "That in all things He might have the preeminence."

"FYI AND A HEADS UP Caution 501c3 Participants" As a Church Family ministry, if you allow 24/7/52 lifestyle adulterers (the divorced and remarried with living divorced spouses Matthew 5:32,  Mark 10: 7-12,  Luke 16:18,  **Romans 7:2-3, **1 Corinthians 7:39, Revelation 21:8 and  Revelation 22:15 [** key verses]) in your Church Family membership, leadership and ministerial  oversight while refusing the homosexual crowd, major problems concerning your 501c3 exemptions are on the way.  You're not going to be allowed to continue having a "smorgasbord ministry" --  having it both ways.  Attorneys who are well versed in the English language and know their way around the Word of God are numerous in the leadership of our Federal and State governments.  Many of them are religious college and seminary graduates who understand 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Deeply buried is the following: Since this disclaimer does not expressly state any specific actions that would be protected under the First Amendment (i.e. – publicly denouncing homosexual behavior as a sin or placing an advertisement that includes Biblical verses that condemn homosexual behavior on a public billboard), it has the net effect of paraphrasing the First Amendment and nothing more. As the Judiciary Committee Minority staff has noted, the Supreme Court has “already has decided that hate crimes laws are constitutional under the First Amendment, and upheld the criminal conviction of a person for “hate speech” when coupled with a violent act committed by other persons (Wisconsin v. Mitchell, 508 U.S. 476 (1993)).” Thus, religious leaders promoting traditional morality could be made subject to compulsory legal processes (and hauled into court) simply because their religious teachings may have been misconstrued by a deranged murderer. Free Speech & Religious Liberties: The First Amendment establishes that Congress “shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech….”. The nature of “hate crime” legislation is to require law enforcement officials to try to ascertain the specific thoughts and motivations that a perpetrator may have had while committing a violent crime, in order to stiffen the penalty for the underlying offense. Current federal law allows an individual to be prosecuted as an “accessory” to a crime, or if the individual somehow “incited” violence. Thus, if an individual (such as a pastor or rabbi) denounced the act of homosexuality as a sin to a group of people, and one of those people committed a violent crime against a homosexual, it is plausible that the pastor or rabbi could be charged with inciting violence or as an accessory to the crime. State hate crime laws have been used in several instances to harass, arrest, and/or silence non-violent protests, public broadcasts and media events and displays, and other instances where individuals were lawfully exercising protected First Amendment free speech privileges. Some conservatives may be concerned that empowering the federal government, and disparate state and local governments via new federal grants, to pursue “hate crimes” may have the effect of silencing or restricting free speech. It is perceived by many conservatives that the “LBJ amendment” (regarding IRS regulations prohibiting political candidate endorsements by non-profits) has had the net effect of squelching free speech in churches and synagogues across the country since 1954. Notably, the only ramification that comes from not adhering to the LBJ Amendment is that a non-profit would potentially lose their 501(c)(3) tax status, not the potential criminal liability and prosecution that is allowed under this legislation.