I believe that the Bible is the verbal, plenary inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Matthew 4:4; Proverbs 30:5); that, because it is inspired of God, it is both inerrant, and infallible (Psalm 19:7; John 17:17); that its teachings ought to be obeyed (Joshua 1:8; Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 14:15); that the Bible is the sole authority in matters of faith and practice
(I Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 15:9); that it has been perfectly preserved through the power of God (Psalm 12:6,7; 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; John 10:35; I Peter 1:23); and, that the King James Bible is God’s inspired, preserved word, translated into the English language without error.
II. SALVATION
The Bible teaches that, through Adam’s sin, each and every person is born a sinner (Romans 5:12; Psalm 51:5); is “condemned already” (John 3:18,36); and has the wrath of God abiding upon them (John 3:36). The penalty for sin is eternal punishment in hell (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15).
The Lord Jesus Christ paid for salvation by shedding His blood on the cross (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; I John 2:2).
Salvation cannot be obtained through good works (Titus 3:5), or by keeping the law (Romans 3:20,28; Hebrews 10:1). To be born again, a person must Repent of their sin, and place their Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21; 16:31). Each and every person has a free will to either choose, or reject Christ (Acts 17:4,5,32-34; John 3:15,16; Romans 10:9-13). It is God’s desire that all men might be saved (2 Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:4). The Bible does not teach the error of Calvinism, nor the false doctrine of Arminianism.
Once a person is saved, they are always saved (John 5:24; Romans 8:35-39). The saved are “kept by the power of God” (I Peter 1:5); sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5); held in the hand of the Father (John 10:28-30); and secured by the Son of God (John 6:39,40).
III. THE CHURCH
The Scriptures tell us that the first Local, New Testament Church was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ during His Earthly ministry (Matthew 16:18; 18:15-17; I Corinthians 12:28, cf. Luke 6:13); that each local, New Testament church is made up of those who are saved, and have been scripturally baptized (immersed) following their conversion (Acts 2:41; I Corinthians 12:13); that its mission is to preach the gospel, baptize those who have received Christ, and teach them the whole counsel of God (Matthew 28:19,20; 2 Tim 2:1,2; Acts 20:27); that it is commanded to practice the one true set of doctrines that the scriptures teach (Jude v.3; Ephesians 4:5; Matthew 28:19,20); that it is obligated to administer the ordinances of Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19,20; I Corinthians 11:23-26); that it’s only scriptural officers are Pastors and Deacons (Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:1-13); that it is Local, and Visible in nature, as opposed to Universal, or Invisible (I Corinthians 1:2; Acts 8:1; 13:1; Romans 16:1; I Peter 5:13); that “The Body of Christ” refers to local, New Testament Churches, and not all of the saved (I Corinthians 12:27, cf. 1:2; Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:11,12; Colossians 1:18); that each New Testament Baptist Church is the “Bride of Christ” (Ephesians 5:25-32; 2 Corinthians 11:2); that New Testament Baptist Churches ought to be Unaffiliated, Autonomous (Self-governing) - free from any hierarchy, convention, or association (Matthew 18:15-18; Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-4); that true New Testament Baptist Churches have been in existence since the time of Christ (though under various names) until this present age, and that they will continue to be in existence until the Lord’s Return (Matthew 16:18; 28:19,20; Ephesians 3:21); and, that only true New Testament Baptist Churches have the authority to ordain and send out men of God for the purpose of establishing other New Testament Baptist Churches (Acts 13:1-3; 14:26; 15:40; Matthew 28:19,20).
IV. THE ORDINANCES
There are only two ordinances in the Bible for New Testament Churches: 1) Baptism, and 2) the Lord’s Supper.
- BAPTISM
The Word of God makes it clear that baptism is total immersion in water (Acts 8:37,38; Matthew 3:13-17; Romans 6:3-5); that it pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:4,5); that baptism does not save the soul, but it is a step of obedience that follows salvation (Acts 8:36-38; 16:30-33); that it is a local church ordinance (Matthew 28:19,20); and, that baptism is necessary for admission into a local, New Testament Baptist Church (Acts 2:41; I Corinthians 12:13). In order for baptism to be truly scriptural the candidate must be saved, the mode must be immersion, and the administrator must be a New Testament Baptist Church that practices “the faith that was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude v.3) I reject any other forms of “baptism” (sprinkling, pouring, etc…), and refuse to accept Alien (non-Baptist) baptism.
- THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Scriptures teach that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial service, calling to remembrance the death of the Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 11:24-26; Luke 22:19).
The elements of the Lord’s Supper are “Unleavened Bread,” which pictures the broken body of Christ (I Corinthians 11:24; Luke 22:19), and the “Fruit of the Vine” or grape juice, which pictures the shed blood of Christ (I Corinthians 11:25; Matthew 26:28). The Lord’s Supper was instituted during the time of the Passover, so no leaven would have been present in the home of the Jews (Matthew 26:17-19). Because leaven is a picture of sin (1 Corinthians 5:7), leavened bread does not accurately represent the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). The Bible condemns the use of alcoholic wine (Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35), therefore alcoholic wine should not be used in the Lord’s Supper.
The principle of closed communion is taught in the Scriptures. The Lord’s Supper is a local church ordinance (I Corinthians 11:24,25, cf. 1:2), and should only be open to members in good standing of the particular local church administering the ordinance. When Christ established the Lord’s Supper, only His apostles were in attendance (Mark 14:14; Luke 22:11). The apostles were the first members of the first New Testament church that Jesus established during His earthly ministry (I Corinthians 12:28, cf. Luke 6:13). Therefore, only church members in good standing should partake of the Supper.
V. THEOLOGY
The Bible teaches the doctrine of the trinity: that there is one God, Who is made up of three distinct Persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19,20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; I John 5:7).
- GOD THE FATHER
The Bible teaches that God the Father is the Chief Person of the Godhead (Matthew 28:19,20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; I John 5:7); that He is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; I Peter 1:3); that He is the Father of all those who are saved (the family of God) (Ephesians 3:14,15; Galatians 1:3,4; I Thessalonians 3:12,13; 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17); that He is Omniscient (2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 139:1-6,11-16; Matthew 10:29,30); that He is Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10; 2 Chronicles 6:18); that He is Omnipotent (Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 19:26; Luke 18:27); that He created all things (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5; Revelation 4:10,11); that He reigns Sovereign over Heaven and Earth (Genesis 14:19,22; Matthew 11:25; Acts 17:24); and, that He will judge the lost at the Great White Throne Judgment following the Millenial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:3-7,11-15; Acts 17:31).
- GOD THE SON (the Lord Jesus Christ)
God’s Word tells us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:33,34; 9:35-38); that He is equal with God the Father (John 5:18; 10:30; 14:9; Philippians 2:5,6; Hebrews 1:2,3); that He IS God (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:23; John 1:1; 5:18; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16); and, that He had a part in the creation of the world (John 1:10; Hebrews 1:2; Colossians 1:13-17).
The Scriptures teach that, through the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), the Lord Jesus Christ took on human form and dwelt among men (John 1:1,14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Philippians 2:5-8); that He came to establish His New Testament Church (Matthew 16:18), and to pay for salvation (Luke 19:10); that He paid for salvation by His death and shed blood on the cross (Ephesians 2:12-17; Colossians 1:14,20); that He was buried, and rose again the third day (I Corinthians 15:1-4; Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:33,34; Acts 2:32; 5:30; Ephesians 1:20); that He ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now intercedes on the behalf of the saved (Acts 7:55,56; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20,21; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 7:25; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; I Peter 3:22); that He will return to “catch away,” or Rapture the saved (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54); that He will judge the saved at the Judgment Seat of Christ to determine their rewards (Romans 14:10; I Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10); and, that He will reign on the earth for a thousand years after the tribulation period (Revelation 20:3-7).
- GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is part of the trinity (Matthew 28:19,20; I John 5:7); that He is a Person, and not a “force” (Ephesians 4:30; Acts 5:3; 13:2); that He convicts the lost of their sin, and coming judgment (John 16:8); that He seals the believer until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5); that He opens our understanding of the scriptures (John 16:13); and, that He provides spiritual gifts to the saved that they might be equipped to serve God in and through the local, New Testament Church (I Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:5-8)
Note: The sign gifts (i.e. tongues, prophecy, healing, etc…) were done away with once the Bible was completed (I Corinthians 13: 8-10).
VI. CREATION
The Bible teaches that creation took place in six literal days (Genesis 2:1,2; Exodus 20:11; Exodus 31:17). I reject the teachings of Evolution, Theistic evolution, the Gap Theory, etc…
VII. SEPARATION
- PERSONAL SEPARATION
The Bible teaches that it is the responsibility of each born-again believer to separate from the world (I John 2:15,16; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Timothy 3:5), from wayward Christians (I Corinthians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6), from false teachers, and their false doctrines (2 John 1:10; I Timothy 6:5). I believe that the music a Christian listens to, the way they dress, the places they go, and the people they associate with should bring glory and honor unto the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, Christians ought to avoid rock music (including “Christian” Contemporary music), worldly fads, immodest apparel, drugs, alcohol, etc… And I believe that Christian men and women ought to dress in gender-specific clothing (Deuteronomy 22:5).
- ECCLESIASTICAL SEPARATION
According to the Bible, each New Testament Baptist Church should be separate from any other religious group (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). This includes other denominations who don’t teach or practice the whole counsel of God (2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15). I reject any and every part of the ecumenical movement. False teachers and their teachings should be separated from (2 John 1:10; I Timothy 6:5) and not joined unto. I refuse to condone, or partake of their heresies.
- POLITICAL SEPARATION
Each church should be separate from the state (Mark 12:17). This does not exclude any and all religious expressions, but prohibits the establishing of a state-church. Churches should not exercise power over the state, and the state should not dictate to churches.
Note: I am not condoning civil disobedience. As believers, we have a responsibility to obey the laws of our government (Romans 13:1-7) as long as they do not contradict the laws of God (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
VIII. END TIMES
Concerning the end times, the scriptures tell us that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to “catch away,” or Rapture the saved (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54); that the Rapture is Imminent, Pre-Millenial, and Pre-Tribulational (Matthew 24:42; Luke 12:39; Revelation 3:3; 4:1); that, after the Seven Year Tribulation Period (Daniel 9:25-27; Revelation 11:2,3, cf. Revelation 13:5-8), Christ will judge the saved at the Judgment Seat of Christ to determine their rewards (Romans 14:10; I Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10); that Christ will reign on the earth for a thousand years after the tribulation period (Revelation 20:3-7); and, following the Millenial Reign of Christ, the lost will stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
