Statement of Beliefs

Culture in the United States of America

1. We believe that the United States of America was founded on Christian principles, which are essential to our form of government. Our Founding Fathers established moral and theological principles of Christianity in society and self-governance without legislating beliefs and worship practices. God's moral code was commonly observed throughout the new nation. Yet, Christian worship practices were varied as individual personalities.
   
   
2. America's predominate population of Christians has been influenced by Secular Humanism and contemporary American culture, which has damaged the testimony of the church and the foundations of civil government.  We live in an age where each man does what is right in his own eyes, and there is a great struggle over the standards by which we should live.  Many lives are being damaged by man's immoral standards.  We believe that God's moral standard, as revealed in the Bible, should be the standard we live by; not my standard or yours.  Biblical standards, understood in the full contextual interpretation of the Old and New Testaments, provide for a blessed society.
   
   
3. We do not promote the establishment of a church-run-state or state-run-church.  The church and state are complementary systems of government.  The unique value of the Christian church is its influence on the heart of man-kind, which promotes self-government (i.e. self-control and care for the needs of others above those of self). Laws rarely condition the heart of man for proper response; rather they establish expected conduct and appeal to fear or financial incentive to avoid the consequences of neglecting the law.
   
   

Christian Doctrine

1. CREATION: We believe that GOD is the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE. Everything known to man that has come into existence has come through THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL.
   
   
2. GOD'S DOMINION: GOD has absolute authority over everything we know.  We see no conflict in the
   SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD and the LIMITED-WILL OF MAN.  In HIS SOVEREIGNTY, GOD has allowed man to have dominion over a limited earthly realm in order to establish the intentions of man's heart. He has also established Spiritual authorities in the heavenly and earthly realms, of which are unseen. In this current age, the KINGDOM OF GOD resides in the hearts of men.
   
   
3. MANKIND:  We believe that, since creation, all of mankind has fallen into a state of sin and self-reliance.  Mankind has turned away from the voice and ways of GOD to follow his own ways resulting in sin, wickedness, and the perpetuation of evil.
   
   
4. PENALTY OF SIN: We believe that THE LORD GOD is perfectly just and filled with grace for mankind.
   Justly, GOD has punished the evil thoughts and actions of mankind with the consequences of removal from HIS PRESENCE and by death. Physical death is a temporal penalty for sin that we all face, though this is not what we were made for. GOD made us for life.  HE has no pleasure in the death of the wicked.   In his grace and mercy, GOD has made a way for mankind to be restored to life in HIS GLORIOUS PRESENCE.
   
   
5. HEAVEN & HELL: We affirm BIBLICAL teachings on Heaven and Hell.  Heaven, in its most base sense, is the eternal presence of GOD. Hell is eternal separation from OUR CREATOR.
   
   
6. JESUS CHRIST:  We believe that JESUS CHRIST is the human revelation of the LORD GOD OF ISRAEL.  He is the fulfillment of the OLD TESTAMENT LAW.  Born of the Virgin Mary, and conceived by the HOLY SPIRIT, HE IS GOD INCARNATE, revealed as the SON OF GOD, who walked among men at the turn of the ages.  He taught, exemplified, and lived a PERFECT LIFE according to the REVEALED WORD OF THE FATHER as known in the Old Testament.  His death on the cross paid the eternal penalty for the sin of all mankind. His perfect life was given as the final sacrifice that settles our account with GOD.
   
   
7. SALVATION: To receive the gift of restored life, man must turn away from his own devices and rely upon the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST JESUS.  We must believe in and place our trust in what GOD can do, and has already done, in order to receive the hope, peace, and promise of everlasting life. We must be born again, not of flesh, but born of the SPIRIT OF GOD.
   
   
8. SANCTIFICATION:  We must submit our lives to GOD, turning our reliance upon human means into dependence upon HIS WAYS, which are revealed by the SPIRIT OF GOD AND BY HIS  WRITTEN WORD.  This response of obedience is a reflection of our love for our LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER.  Our deeds do not settle our account, but rather affirm that we have truly received the LIFE OF CHRIST in place of our own sin and shame.  Our response to GOD leads us into a life changing process that sanctifies and blesses us, and the people around us.
   
   
9. THE TRINITY:  GOD has simultaneously revealed himself as THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLYSPIRIT.   The nature of Christ, being FULLY GOD AND FULLY MAN, is clearly taught in SCRIPTURE and serves as the foremost illustration of primary teaching that cannot be compromised (as so with numerous "Christian" cults).
   
   
10. THE BIBLE:  We believe that the Bible, as revealed in the Old and New Testament, is the inspired and
    infallible WRITTEN WORD OF GOD. THE WORD was delivered through men chosen as instruments of GOD for revelation to man.
    
    
    1. INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE:  Man must be careful to interpret and examine the scripture thoroughly and closely by the POWER OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT.  Heretical humanistic teachings and loose translations of the Bible are common today, as they were in the time of CHRIST.  Reliable manuscripts of the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts do preserve the opportunity for accurate translations. The Christian needs to be aware of translation distinctions, and consider the context of all SCRIPTURE in daily study of GOD'S WORD.  Most importantly, SCRIPTURE must be approached with a reliance upon, and expectation of GOD'S REVELATION, and avoidance of injecting human rationale. GOD'S ways are often exactly the opposite of our natural human tendencies.
       
       
    2. HUMAN REVELATION:  We understand that not all people receive the meanings of the Bible in the same way, at the same rate, or in the same time.  We must be gracious in allowing, acknowledging, reproving, or condoning various views.  Our attitude must always reflect CHRIST'S love, acceptance and grace toward individuals.  This tolerance cannot condone heresy in direct opposition to the fundamental teachings of the Christian faith dearly manifested in the SCRIPTURES.  Our handling of conflicts should always be gracious, kind, and merciful, yet firmly reflecting the authority of HIS WRITTEN WORD.
       
       
    3. PROPHECIES OF THE FUTURE:  Interpretations of future prophecies are the subject of much speculation.  Such matters are secondary to the Christian faith and may be debated among loyal followers of Christ expecting His return.  We affirm that end-time views should not lead us away from civic involvement.
       
       
11. THE CHURCH:  We believe that fellowship in the church, worship, prayer, discipleship, service, and
    missions are all a balanced part of the Christian life.  The Christian community exists to love and
    encourage people in the WAYS OF GOD through all circumstances of life.   We are expected to build-up and strengthen all men in their walk with Christ, regardless of status in life or degree of holiness.
    
    
12. RESTORATION:  Ultimately GOD will destroy everything that is wicked and every cause of evil.  When HE comes to restore HIS KINGDOM, the current order of things will pass away.   He will make everything new, restoring it to its perfect glorious state.  Those that are redeemed by the BLOOD OF CHRIST JESUS will dwell with GOD. The enemies of GOD, including death itself, will be destroyed and banished from HIS PRESENCE FOREVER.
    
    
    AMEN.