I. Bibliology – The Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures
a. Revelation – The Revelation of the Holy Scriptures is a special revelation as opposed to natural revelation (i.e. creation [Romans 1:18-20)]. God had a personal part in revealing it to man through His Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 2:10, 13 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God…Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
b. Inspiration – The Holy Spirit is the author of Holy Scripture. Men of God were used as He moved them. II Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God…” While many secular teachers would point to the men who wrote the Gospels and epistles to deem the Bible’s authority, we know it did not come from man. (2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.) Again, the Holy Spirit is the active agent behind the writing of Holy Scriptures.
c. Inerrancy – The words of God are pure and true. Errors and inconsistencies are not found in the Word of God. Psalms 12:6 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
d. Infallibility – The words of God are always true. Our God loves to make a promise and keep it. Psalms 119:160 “Thy word is true from the beginning:…”
e. Illumination –The Holy Scriptures can only be understood by the Holy Spirit which indwells every believer. I Corinthians 2:10, 13 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God…Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God.) Man cannot, in his own power, discover God. Matthew 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Any meaning we get from the Bible must be given to us by God, we must be careful not to selfishly, or carelessly, take verses out of context (Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.).
f. The Authority of Scripture – The Bible is the final say for every situation, and it alone has the answers for questions that mankind has asked (i.e.: Where are we from? Where are we going? What is our purpose?). I believe that the Bible is my sole authority, and that tradition, scholarship, and experience are to be silent when they contradict Scripture. Romans 3:4 “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, that thou mightiest be justified in thy sayings,”
g. Define Your Position on the Apocrypha – The Apocrypha was not accepted as canon of the Roman Catholic Church until after the Counsel of Trent (1545-1563). I believe that God had delivered the final Scriptures to man by 100 AD. The act of inspiration had ceased and the act of preservation continued as it had since the days of Moses. Revelation 22:18-19 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
*. Concerning English translations – I adhere to the Holy Bible, also called the King James or Authorized version. I have and use many English versions predating the Holy Bible and being translated from the Texus Receptus (ie. Bishops Bible, Geneva Bible, White Bible, Great Bible, etc). I will, when teaching on bible translations, use passages from newer versions for comparative illustration use only.
Note: It is the duty and responsibility of the pastor to teach and adhere to the textual doctrine he, before God, believes is best for his church, and is not the responsibility of the missionary to teach or correct such issues.
II. Theology – Doctrine of the Father
a. The Trinity – The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three persons unified as God. The three Persons are distinct, yet each has their own purpose. I John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” In every one of God’s institutions there is structure and submission, and in the Trinity, we see that the Father is reverenced and glorified through the Lord Jesus (Matthew 26:39 O my Father… nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.) and the Holy Spirit speaks of Christ and not Himself (John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.). This does not mean that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are ‘lesser’ Gods, but are simply obedient to God the Father. This principle can be demonstrated in marriage that the husband and wife are equal partners though the wife is to submit to her husband.
b. The Natural Attributes of God – Omnipotent (Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.) ; Omniscient (Job 37:16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?); Omnipresent (Psalms 139:7,8 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.) ; and Eternal (Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.).
c. The Moral Attributes of God – Holy (1Peter 1:15, 16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy), Just and Righteous (Genesis 18:25 Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?), Merciful (Psalms 116:5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 2Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.), Loving (1John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.).
d. His Position – God is self-existent and is in need of nothing. Everything is His by right of creation, and as the Creator, He rules creation as sovereign and holds it only by His pleasure. (Acts 17:24-27 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:)
III. Christology - Doctrine of the Son
a. The Nature and Attributes of Jesus as God – He has the same Natural and Moral attributes as the other two in the Trinity. Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9,10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:). Omnipotent, (Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.); Omniscient (John 16:30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.); Omnipresent (John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.); Eternal (Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.).
b. The Nature and Attributes of Jesus as Man – He hungered (Matthew 4:2 He was afterward an hungered.), thirst and slept (Matthew 23:37; John 19:28). He was tempted in all manner like us (Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.). He was made flesh (John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14)
c. The Virgin Birth – Christ was born of a virgin and thus did not inherit the sinful nature earthly fathers pass on to their children. This is vitally important for both fulfillment of prophecy about the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.), and that Christ was to be our sinless atonement.
d. The Kenosis – Jesus, as our example, emptied Himself and became obedient unto God the Father. Jesus did not use His own power to perform the miracles He did, but the Holy Spirit’s power through Him. (Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:)
e. Jesus Christ as Prophet – As prophet, Jesus comes to us on God the Father’s behalf. Jesus spoke the words of God directly to the people. He also foretold events such as the destruction of the temple (both His body and the building), His death and resurrection, persecution to come, Peter’s denial, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and many eschatological events and circumstances as well as His own return one day. Everything He has said has come true to the letter. (John 4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.)
f. Jesus Christ as Priest – As priest, Jesus goes to the Heavenly Father on our behalf. Jesus, Himself, took His own blood into the Tabernacle of Heaven and sprinkled it on the mercy seat. Now he is sitting at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest, continually making intercession for us. He is not a priest of Aaron, but after the order of Melchisedec allowing Him to be King as well as a Priest. (Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.)
g. Jesus Christ as King – Jesus is the King over all Creation, worthy of all power and honor and glory, both now and forever, amen. He rules over all the affairs of life and directs them according to His good pleasure. He has two kingdoms: the Spiritual Kingdom in the hearts and minds of men, and a literal earthly kingdom after the Tribulation period. (1Ti 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;) After the Millennial Kingdom, God will make a new heaven and a new earth, and Christ will reign forever, and we that believe on Him shall be with Him.
h. The Death of Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ came to earth to die for our sins. He is the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world. His death was a willful act of love toward us and obedience unto God the Father. (Isaiah 53; I Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;)
i. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ – Jesus rose bodily three days after He died on the Cross. He showed Himself to many witnesses before ascending up to Heaven. (1Co 15:14,15 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. V. 20-22 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.)
IV. Pneumatology - Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
a. The Nature and Attributes of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit has the same Natural attributes as both The Father and the Jesus Christ. Omnipotent (Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.); Omniscient (1Corithians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.); Omnipresent (Psalms 139:7-9 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;); Eternal (Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?). He is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.), the Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?), and the Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:).
b. The Various Ministries of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit in the past gave great wisdom and strength to those who knowingly and openly relied on God (Joseph, Daniel, and David). After the Cross, His role shifted to not only baptize us into the body of Christ, but gifts us with all manner of Spiritual Abilities (I Corinthians 12-14) and Fruit (Galatians 5:22,23)for the purpose of giving out the Gospel and thus expanding the spiritual kingdom of Christ. The Holy Spirit is also the avenue we have to pray to God, in the name of Christ (Eph. 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.).
c. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – We are baptized into the Body of Christ upon salvation. We are kept there by the Holy Spirit eternally. As we were born once into the flesh we are being born again into the Spiritual family of God. (1Corinthians 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.)
d. The Filling of the Holy Spirit – The Filling of the Holy Spirit happened in both Old and New Testament times. The only difference is that after the cross, when someone believes on Christ for their salvation, the Holy Spirit doesn’t leave as we saw Him do with Old Testament characters such as Sampson. The Holy Spirit would enable individuals to have great knowledge and interpret dreams (Solomon, Joseph and Daniel) or to express great strength (David and Sampson). At the beginning of the Church age, Christ sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers and work through them according to the plan of the Father. He gives gifts, fruit, wisdom, and assurance of salvation to those who believe on the name of Jesus Christ. Some would like to think the Christian can ‘wield’ the Spirit’s power at their bidding, but it is only through our obedience that the Spirit can work through us. (Acts 8:18-23 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.)
e. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – To God: love, joy, and peace. To others: longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness. Concerning myself: faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22,23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.)
f. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit –I believe that the Holy Spirit gives every Christian spiritual gift(s) for the edification of the Church and the Glory of God (I Corinthians 12-14; 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. Romans 12:6-9 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.)
g. The Sign Gifts – (Tongues, Healings, Interpretations, Prophecy) These signs were given for a season to warn the unbelieving Jews of the Messiah (1Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.). They ended even while Paul was still alive. (Mark 16:17,18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 1Coorinthians 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.)
V. Anthropology - Doctrine of Man
a. The Origin & Creation of Man –
i.Define Your Position on Creation - (Type and Timeframe)
I believe in a literal 6-day creation model with the seventh day being a rest day. On the first day God created both the space and the earth. There was only darkness and the earth was covered in water, so God created light and separated the darkness from the light and made night and day. On the second day, God separated the waters. On the third, God made the land and vegetation. On the fourth day, God made the sun, moon and stars and all heavenly bodies. God, on the fifth day, created all the aquatic and aviary animals. On the sixth day, God made all land animals and finally man. (Genesis 1)
I reject evolution because God never creates anything partially. There is a lie that the first day is, as with the Lord, a thousand years (Theistic Evolution). But if we carry out that theory to its logical conclusion: Adam didn’t live to day eight (since he only lived about 930 years), did God sanctify an entire seventh millennium for rest? And in reversal, is Christ’s millennial reign only 24 hours? Certainly not, clearly this is a miscorrelation of Scripture. C.F. 2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
b. Man Made in the Image of God – God made man a spiritual being, with a will and body. His purpose for creating us was that we would reflect His glory back to Him. (Genesis 1:26-28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.)
c. The Nature of Man – Originally, man’s nature was to obey God and honor him. After the Fall, man looked at himself and not on God causing his nature to become selfish. Pride, and its entire host, followed suit, and now, as in the days of Noah, man’s heart and imagination is continuously wicked. (Genesis 6:5,6 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.; Romans 1-3)
d. The Purpose of Man – The purpose of man is to worship God and reflect back His Glory. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.)
e. Trichotomy & Dichotomy – In the discussion between Dichotomy v. Trichotomy, it is my understanding that Dichotomists believe that man is both physical and spiritual, possessing a body and a soul. In response, the Trichotomists believe that man consist of body, soul, and spirit. The focus appears to be centered on the ‘soul’ and spirit’, ‘what are they?’ and ‘are they one in the same?’ They both agree that man has a body, and some spiritual part, whether one or two is the question.
At first glance, one of my favorite verses comes to mind, Hebrews 4:12 (For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.). This verse clearly states that the word of God is alive and powerful, and is able to divide the soul from the spirit. The two words in the Greek for soul and spirit are psuches (yuchV) and pneumatos (pneumatoV), however they are used, Strong’s New Testament Dictionary has them both able to be translated soul or spirit based on context. That all aside, two different Greek words are used, and the idea is still that they can be separated.
Another key verse would be 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Again, there is a distinction between the soul and spirit.
VI. Hamartiology - Doctrine of Sin
a. The Fall of Man – Man came into the world knowing God in the garden. But man rejected God and suppressed the truth about Him. Men began to rationalize and reason God away and in doing so became the biggest fools of all. However, still having a God-given desire to worship, they turned to religion and worshiped anything and everything but the God of Heaven. Finally, they condescended in the emptiness of their understanding to reprobation where even the natural became unnatural, evil became good and good evil, bitter became sweet and the sweet bitter. (Romans 1:18-32)
b. Original Sin and the Imputation of Sin – The original sin was eating the fruit of the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil; it was the first time man broke one of God’s mandates (Genesis 3). We have inherited that sinful nature from our fathers ever since (Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:). This is why the Virgin birth of Jesus Christ is so important.
c. The Condition of Man Today – Because man rejected God, God gave them up to their own sin. He allows them to run to utter emptiness so they might desire to turn away from their vain pursuit and come back to Him (Romans 1-3).
d. The Consequences of Sin – Death, eternal separation from God. (Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.; Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.)
e. The Sin Nature – Our sin nature dominates the flesh with desires to do wrong. Our sinful nature is always looking for sin and then indulging in it. Once we are saved, the flesh is still influenced by this nature, but the Spirit wars with our flesh on our behalf. (Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.)
VII. Soteriology - Doctrine of Salvation
a. The Source of Salvation – The Lord is the source of our Salvation. (Exodus 15:1-2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.; 2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;; Rev. 19:1)
b. The Means of Salvation – God came down in human form, took our sin upon Himself, and died on the cross. He is the only one who could pay the price as a spotless lamb. (Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.)
c. The Price of Salvation – (Hebrews 9:22-28 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.) The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. 1Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
d. Please Define:
i. Conviction – The act in which the Holy Spirit shows sinful man his need for the Savior. (Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?)
ii. Conversion – going from one system to another. Leaving your sinful life and following Christ. (Luke 19:1-10 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus w ho he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.)
iii. Repentance – To change one’s mind. In Salvation, it is a change of the mind itself. “Repentance is to leave the sins that we loved before, and showing that in earnest grieve by doing so no more.” ~ Children’s hymn.
iv. Faith – Believing in something (in this case, Christ) to the point you confidently act upon it. (Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.)
v. Substitution – Christ died for sinners. With the whole world silent and guilty because of sin (Romans 3:19), the only way man could be saved is if one could live sinless and take the punishment for all. For man to be sinless was now impossible for him to do, so the God the Son took upon Himself flesh, was tempted as we are, yet sinned not, and humbled Himself to God the Father even to die on the Cross. He had to die as a criminal’s death to be our substitute. I Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
vi. Redemption – Christ’s payment was satisfactory to God the Father for the price of sins. (Isaiah 53) Man fell in the garden and because Adam sinned, death came and passed unto all his descendants. Christ came to redeem us from sin by paying the price in full with His own blood. The wages of sin was death, so Christ tasted death for every man.
vii. Reconciliation – With the sin debt paid, we are invited into a right relationship and fellowship with God (Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:; 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.). Now we can through faith come to God by the Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ and enter into His family by the Spirit of adoption.
viii. Propitiation – God’s wrath is pacified because Christ bore it on the cross. (Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;)
ix. Remission – It is a pardon given to us as a result of Christ dying on the cross. While legally, it was paid in full, to us it is forgiveness and boundless love (Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.).
x. Justification – God declares us Just because of what Christ did on the Cross and because of our faith in Him. (Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: v. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:)
xi. Regeneration – We are re-gened, or remade, born again a new creation into God’s family. (1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.) Now we have been given a new life, a new godly nature, and a new Spirit, everything that once was is changed. Before we were dead to God, the children of wrath and disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-3), but now we are dead unto sin but alive unto God.
xii. Imputation – To impute is to accuse or accredit something to someone though they didn’t deserve it. (Romans 4:6,7 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.)
xiii. Adoption – As we are imputed Christ’s righteousness we are also accepted into the family of God by adoption. God intended for this to happen as a result of Salvation. (Romans 8:15 But ye received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father. v. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.)
xiv. Sanctification – We are set apart for the purpose of glorifying God with our lives. (2Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.)
e. The Proof and Security of Salvation - 1 John 5:1-13 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. … And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
f. Please Define and State Your Position on:
i. Foreknowledge – God knows who is going to accept Christ and who will reject Him. (Acts 15:18) I hold to this because I believe God is omniscient.
ii. Election – I believe in the Election of the LORD. By that I mean the Lord, in His sovereign will, chose groups of people for specific purposes and tasks. I believe the two main elected entities are the Jewish Nation of Israel, chosen through Abraham, and Jesus Christ, and by extension those of us who are ‘in Christ’. I believe the election is not a prerequisite for salvation. (Isaiah 42:1; 45:4; Romans 9:11; 11:28, Ephesians 1:3-14)
iii. Predestination – Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. The key idea is that God’s actions were a result of His omniscience, not the other way around. Also it does not say they were predestinated to be saved, only to conform into Christ’s image. The same idea is carried by Ephesians 2:10 stating that we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before ordained that we should walk in them.
VIII. Ecclesiology - Doctrine of the Church
a. Organism vs. Organization – Spiritually, the Church is one body which the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into. We function as a body in the area of Gifts and we should be catholic in spirit and not in a false religion. Systematically, we operate as an organization, there are offices and roles. I believe Christ is the head and we ought to obey God’s Spirit and Word. (Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.)
Spiritually, the entire redeemed church is baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, where there is no longer Greek or Jew, bond or free. The Spirit gives us gifts for the edification of the body and we accept one another in the bonds of love. Unlike C. S. Lewis’s Meer Christianity, there is no Catholic door, Lutheran door, and Baptist door to heaven or into the Body of Christ, only one way, through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Physically, we operate as an organization. Localized bodies of believers, self-governing and self-supporting meeting together for the purpose of edifying believers and carrying out the Great Commission.
b. The Body of Christ – The Body of Christ is made up of all Christians. We are baptized into it by the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation. (1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.; Romans 12)
c. The Bride of Christ – The Bride of Christ is made up of all Christians. (Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.)
d. The Government of the Church – The Church should be autonomous and follow the Spirit lead congregational model of government as portrayed in Acts 13:1-3 (Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.).
e. The Offices of the Church – There are two offices held within a church, The Pastor, who is an overseer and underling shepherd given wholly to prayer and the study of the Word, and the Deacons who serve (Acts 6; I Timothy 3) The Pastor has roles as Elder (mature one), Bishop (overseer), and Pastor (feeder of sheep). (Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Titus 1:5-9 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 1Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;)
f. The Ordinances of the Church – There are two Ordinances: the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-30 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.) and Baptism ( I Corinthians 1:13-16 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.).
g. Tithing and Offerings to the Church – The tithe is a tenth percent of all gross earnings; it already belongs to the Lord and we give it to our local church for the furthering of the Gospel. An offering is anything given above and beyond your tithe. (Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.)
h. Church Discipline – It’s based on the Holiness of God and is purposed to restore people back to God (1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 10:30). It was Christ who ordained it (Matthew 16:19;18:15-20). Those subject to it are the unruly, immoral, sowers of discord, and those who disobey or deny the doctrines of the Bible (Romans 16:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 1 Timothy 6:3, and 1 Corinthians 5:1-5). These are to be confronted once, then with a few witnesses, then before the church (Matthew 18:15-17). Paul told the church at Corinth that such a one had been turned over to Satan for the destruction of the body, so that he would come to the emptiness of sin and turn back to God. It is for the purpose of restoration of one with his brethren and to the church.
IX. Angelology & Demonology
a. The Origin of Angels, Satan, and Demons – Created by God (Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:), they once had habitation in Heaven. After the rebellion of Lucifer two thirds of the angels fell with him (Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.; Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.).
b. The Nature of Angels – They are created beings, immortal but not from everlasting. They were created to reflect God’s glory in the heavens. They have an expression of free will, and while some chose to reject God and follow Lucifer, there is no evident offer of either salvation nor redemption. There are several different classes each with their own distinct ministry. (Ezekiel 28:13-15 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.)
c. The Ministry of Angels Today – Today, angels minister to believers and heirs of Salvation. (Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?)
d. The Fall of Satan & Demons – Lucifer was once the anointed Cherub and covered the throne of God. Eventually, pride got the better of him and he wanted the glory for himself, thus he fell and took two thirds of the angelic host with him. His name was changed to Satan which means adversary. Now that he is cast out of heaven Satan works to destroy all that glorifies God. (Ezekiel 28) Demons are those who followed Lucifer’s rebellion against God. Many of these demons are bound to await judgment. (Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?; Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.)
e. The Position of Satan Today – Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.) and brings all forms of temptations and persecutions into our lives to destroy us (I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:).
f. The Power and Authority of Satan Today – Satan only has the authority God gives him (Job 1:12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.), and all the lost are under his influence. He knows his time is short so he works to establish his one world order.
g. The Position of Demons Today – I Believe that demons serve Satan and use their powers and influence to weave webs of deception leading people into the occult and other religions and away from the Word of God. I know of people who won’t believe in God because of ‘ghosts’ or some other paranormal activity of ‘cosmic forces’. They spread lies about the church and about what God says. They teach doctrines of devils of which are forbidding some to marry and abstaining from meats (1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;).
h. The Power of Demons Today – They are both physical and spiritual juggernauts. They have shown extensive knowledge of historical facts and are quick to point out hidden sins and be very judgmental. While some thought they could bind them, such as with the maniac of Gadara, or cast them out via a supposed ritual (Acts 19:12-17), I would not be so eager to pick a fight with them. I believe if God wanted me to deal with one, it would be brought to me, not me seeking it out, and God would be with me in dealing with it in a manner that brought Him glory (Acts 16:16-18 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.).
i. The Christian’s Victory over Satan – If the Christian resists Satan he will flee (James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.). Ultimate victory comes when Christians obey God’s Word and rely on the Holy Spirit to help them when they are weak (1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.).
j. The Final Downfall of Satan and His Demons – After the thousand year reign of Christ, Satan is loosed for a short season to deceive the people that are born during the Millennial Reign. He succeeds in gathering a large army and marches on to Jerusalem. God sends fire to consume them and sets up the final Great White Throne Judgment. (Revelation 20:7-11 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.) Satan is finally cast into the Lake of Fire.
X. Eschatology - Doctrine of the End Times
a. The Rapture of the Church – There will be a time coming in the future when the Lord Jesus Christ will come again from heaven to take His saints out of the world. This will be before the Tribulation period. (John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 2Thess. 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 1Corinthians 15:51, 52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.)
b. The Judgment Seat of Christ – There will be two judgments over which Christ will preside: the Bema Seat(I Corinthians 3:11-15) and the Great White throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). The saints will go through the Bema seat Judgment where their works are reproved and refined.
c. The Tribulation Period – After the Rapture of the Church, there will be a peace agreement that the Anti-Christ will make with the nation of Israel, thus beginning a seven year tribulation period. God pours out His wrath upon the nations to judge sins and that they would turn to Him. The majority refuses and follows Anti-Christ against the nation of Israel. Two thirds of Israel is killed, but the remnant is saved as God’s chosen people. (2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 6-19)
d. The Revelation of Jesus Christ – At the end of the Tribulation, Christ comes to fight a campaign against the Anti-Christ and His armies known as the battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16:16; Zeph. 3:8) Satan is overthrown and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Rev 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.).
e. The Millennial Reign of Christ – After the Tribulation, a New Jerusalem will be created here on earth from which the Lord Jesus Christ will rule and reign a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.)
f. The Final End Time Events – After the thousand year reign of Christ, Satan is loosed for a short season to deceive the nations that are born during the Millennial Reign. He succeeds in gathering a large army and marches on Jerusalem. God sends fire to consume them and sets up the final Great White Throne Judgment. (Revelation 20:7-11)
g. The Final Judgment – At the White Throne Judgment, the whole world will be present and give account for their works (Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.).
h. The Eternal State of the Lost – The eternal state of the Lost is separation from the LORD God, eternally and consciously in the Lake of Fire with Satan, his false prophets and fallen angels. Revelation 20:11-15; 21:2-8
i. The Eternal State of the Saved - The eternal state of all the saints, the Jews who turned to Christ, and pure angels is to live forever with God in a new heaven and new earth made perfect and without sin or sea. Revelation 20:11-15; 21:2-8
XI: Primiology – The Doctrine of First Things Genesis 1-11
a.The Beginning of God – I believe in the pre-eternal existence of the Godhead. I believe that His Triune nature reflects itself in His creation as a personal, relational Creator who seeks fellowship with His creation. (Psalms 41:13; 90:2; 106:48; Proverbs 8:22-23; Micah 5:2; James 4:8)
b.The Beginning of the Universe – I believe the Preexistent God created all things in six, literal, 24-hour days. “Where did God come from?” Wrong question, God created the ‘where’. (Exodus 20:11; 31:17)
c.The Beginning of Man – I believe God made one man, Adam, from the dust of the ground on the sixth day and one woman, Eve, from a rib of the man. I believe they where made perfect, sinless, eternal beings. They were placed in the Garden of Eden where they were to live and fellowship with God forever. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:8,15; 3:8,9)
d.The Beginning of Man’s innate desires – I believe that God instructed the man to care for the garden, subdue (manage) the earth, be prosperous, and multiply. In this we see man’s four most base desires which were fulfillable in the Garden of God. (Genesis 1:28) Even after the fall, man still has and acts on these desires, howbeit often in an unholy way and to satisfy their sinful lust and not their God-given responsibilities. One day, God will restore the world again and these desires will be fulfilled in their proper context. The four main desires are for Dominion, Prosperity, Relationship, and Immortality.
e.The Beginning of Marriage – I believe that God’s desire was for man not to be alone as God was not alone in the Triune Godhead. I believe that God made woman from the rib of the man and brought them together as a single unit made up of one man and one woman for life. (Genesis 2:21-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-8)
f.The Beginning of Sin – I believe that man, in the garden was given the command not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. I believe that man and the woman both ate of that tree and willfully disobeyed their Creator, God. I believe that the punishment of that sin was death and a broken relationship with God. (Genesis 2:16,17; 3:6,16-19)
g.The Beginning of Physical Death – Because God is life, being severed from Him is death. The first physical death was that of an animal, the skin of whom was used to cover the nakedness or effects of man sin. (Genesis 3:21)
h.The Beginning of Children – I believe that Adam and Eve bore their children after the fall and they inherited the cancerous sin nature brought on through the fall. This would also make them subject to sin and death by extension. (Genesis 4:1,2; Romans 5:14; I Corinthians 15:22)
I affirm that my understanding and stance on these Biblical doctrines is defined in this written document.
Signed: Bruce D. Stuart Jr.
a. Revelation – The Revelation of the Holy Scriptures is a special revelation as opposed to natural revelation (i.e. creation [Romans 1:18-20)]. God had a personal part in revealing it to man through His Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 2:10, 13 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God…Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
b. Inspiration – The Holy Spirit is the author of Holy Scripture. Men of God were used as He moved them. II Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God…” While many secular teachers would point to the men who wrote the Gospels and epistles to deem the Bible’s authority, we know it did not come from man. (2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.) Again, the Holy Spirit is the active agent behind the writing of Holy Scriptures.
c. Inerrancy – The words of God are pure and true. Errors and inconsistencies are not found in the Word of God. Psalms 12:6 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
d. Infallibility – The words of God are always true. Our God loves to make a promise and keep it. Psalms 119:160 “Thy word is true from the beginning:…”
e. Illumination –The Holy Scriptures can only be understood by the Holy Spirit which indwells every believer. I Corinthians 2:10, 13 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God…Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God.) Man cannot, in his own power, discover God. Matthew 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Any meaning we get from the Bible must be given to us by God, we must be careful not to selfishly, or carelessly, take verses out of context (Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.).
f. The Authority of Scripture – The Bible is the final say for every situation, and it alone has the answers for questions that mankind has asked (i.e.: Where are we from? Where are we going? What is our purpose?). I believe that the Bible is my sole authority, and that tradition, scholarship, and experience are to be silent when they contradict Scripture. Romans 3:4 “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, that thou mightiest be justified in thy sayings,”
g. Define Your Position on the Apocrypha – The Apocrypha was not accepted as canon of the Roman Catholic Church until after the Counsel of Trent (1545-1563). I believe that God had delivered the final Scriptures to man by 100 AD. The act of inspiration had ceased and the act of preservation continued as it had since the days of Moses. Revelation 22:18-19 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
*. Concerning English translations – I adhere to the Holy Bible, also called the King James or Authorized version. I have and use many English versions predating the Holy Bible and being translated from the Texus Receptus (ie. Bishops Bible, Geneva Bible, White Bible, Great Bible, etc). I will, when teaching on bible translations, use passages from newer versions for comparative illustration use only.
Note: It is the duty and responsibility of the pastor to teach and adhere to the textual doctrine he, before God, believes is best for his church, and is not the responsibility of the missionary to teach or correct such issues.
II. Theology – Doctrine of the Father
a. The Trinity – The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three persons unified as God. The three Persons are distinct, yet each has their own purpose. I John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” In every one of God’s institutions there is structure and submission, and in the Trinity, we see that the Father is reverenced and glorified through the Lord Jesus (Matthew 26:39 O my Father… nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.) and the Holy Spirit speaks of Christ and not Himself (John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.). This does not mean that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are ‘lesser’ Gods, but are simply obedient to God the Father. This principle can be demonstrated in marriage that the husband and wife are equal partners though the wife is to submit to her husband.
b. The Natural Attributes of God – Omnipotent (Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.) ; Omniscient (Job 37:16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?); Omnipresent (Psalms 139:7,8 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.) ; and Eternal (Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.).
c. The Moral Attributes of God – Holy (1Peter 1:15, 16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy), Just and Righteous (Genesis 18:25 Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?), Merciful (Psalms 116:5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 2Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.), Loving (1John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.).
d. His Position – God is self-existent and is in need of nothing. Everything is His by right of creation, and as the Creator, He rules creation as sovereign and holds it only by His pleasure. (Acts 17:24-27 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:)
III. Christology - Doctrine of the Son
a. The Nature and Attributes of Jesus as God – He has the same Natural and Moral attributes as the other two in the Trinity. Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9,10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:). Omnipotent, (Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.); Omniscient (John 16:30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.); Omnipresent (John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.); Eternal (Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.).
b. The Nature and Attributes of Jesus as Man – He hungered (Matthew 4:2 He was afterward an hungered.), thirst and slept (Matthew 23:37; John 19:28). He was tempted in all manner like us (Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.). He was made flesh (John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14)
c. The Virgin Birth – Christ was born of a virgin and thus did not inherit the sinful nature earthly fathers pass on to their children. This is vitally important for both fulfillment of prophecy about the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.), and that Christ was to be our sinless atonement.
d. The Kenosis – Jesus, as our example, emptied Himself and became obedient unto God the Father. Jesus did not use His own power to perform the miracles He did, but the Holy Spirit’s power through Him. (Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:)
e. Jesus Christ as Prophet – As prophet, Jesus comes to us on God the Father’s behalf. Jesus spoke the words of God directly to the people. He also foretold events such as the destruction of the temple (both His body and the building), His death and resurrection, persecution to come, Peter’s denial, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and many eschatological events and circumstances as well as His own return one day. Everything He has said has come true to the letter. (John 4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.)
f. Jesus Christ as Priest – As priest, Jesus goes to the Heavenly Father on our behalf. Jesus, Himself, took His own blood into the Tabernacle of Heaven and sprinkled it on the mercy seat. Now he is sitting at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest, continually making intercession for us. He is not a priest of Aaron, but after the order of Melchisedec allowing Him to be King as well as a Priest. (Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.)
g. Jesus Christ as King – Jesus is the King over all Creation, worthy of all power and honor and glory, both now and forever, amen. He rules over all the affairs of life and directs them according to His good pleasure. He has two kingdoms: the Spiritual Kingdom in the hearts and minds of men, and a literal earthly kingdom after the Tribulation period. (1Ti 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;) After the Millennial Kingdom, God will make a new heaven and a new earth, and Christ will reign forever, and we that believe on Him shall be with Him.
h. The Death of Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ came to earth to die for our sins. He is the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world. His death was a willful act of love toward us and obedience unto God the Father. (Isaiah 53; I Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;)
i. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ – Jesus rose bodily three days after He died on the Cross. He showed Himself to many witnesses before ascending up to Heaven. (1Co 15:14,15 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. V. 20-22 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.)
IV. Pneumatology - Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
a. The Nature and Attributes of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit has the same Natural attributes as both The Father and the Jesus Christ. Omnipotent (Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.); Omniscient (1Corithians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.); Omnipresent (Psalms 139:7-9 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;); Eternal (Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?). He is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.), the Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?), and the Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:).
b. The Various Ministries of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit in the past gave great wisdom and strength to those who knowingly and openly relied on God (Joseph, Daniel, and David). After the Cross, His role shifted to not only baptize us into the body of Christ, but gifts us with all manner of Spiritual Abilities (I Corinthians 12-14) and Fruit (Galatians 5:22,23)for the purpose of giving out the Gospel and thus expanding the spiritual kingdom of Christ. The Holy Spirit is also the avenue we have to pray to God, in the name of Christ (Eph. 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.).
c. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – We are baptized into the Body of Christ upon salvation. We are kept there by the Holy Spirit eternally. As we were born once into the flesh we are being born again into the Spiritual family of God. (1Corinthians 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.)
d. The Filling of the Holy Spirit – The Filling of the Holy Spirit happened in both Old and New Testament times. The only difference is that after the cross, when someone believes on Christ for their salvation, the Holy Spirit doesn’t leave as we saw Him do with Old Testament characters such as Sampson. The Holy Spirit would enable individuals to have great knowledge and interpret dreams (Solomon, Joseph and Daniel) or to express great strength (David and Sampson). At the beginning of the Church age, Christ sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers and work through them according to the plan of the Father. He gives gifts, fruit, wisdom, and assurance of salvation to those who believe on the name of Jesus Christ. Some would like to think the Christian can ‘wield’ the Spirit’s power at their bidding, but it is only through our obedience that the Spirit can work through us. (Acts 8:18-23 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.)
e. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – To God: love, joy, and peace. To others: longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness. Concerning myself: faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22,23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.)
f. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit –I believe that the Holy Spirit gives every Christian spiritual gift(s) for the edification of the Church and the Glory of God (I Corinthians 12-14; 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. Romans 12:6-9 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.)
g. The Sign Gifts – (Tongues, Healings, Interpretations, Prophecy) These signs were given for a season to warn the unbelieving Jews of the Messiah (1Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.). They ended even while Paul was still alive. (Mark 16:17,18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 1Coorinthians 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.)
V. Anthropology - Doctrine of Man
a. The Origin & Creation of Man –
i.Define Your Position on Creation - (Type and Timeframe)
I believe in a literal 6-day creation model with the seventh day being a rest day. On the first day God created both the space and the earth. There was only darkness and the earth was covered in water, so God created light and separated the darkness from the light and made night and day. On the second day, God separated the waters. On the third, God made the land and vegetation. On the fourth day, God made the sun, moon and stars and all heavenly bodies. God, on the fifth day, created all the aquatic and aviary animals. On the sixth day, God made all land animals and finally man. (Genesis 1)
I reject evolution because God never creates anything partially. There is a lie that the first day is, as with the Lord, a thousand years (Theistic Evolution). But if we carry out that theory to its logical conclusion: Adam didn’t live to day eight (since he only lived about 930 years), did God sanctify an entire seventh millennium for rest? And in reversal, is Christ’s millennial reign only 24 hours? Certainly not, clearly this is a miscorrelation of Scripture. C.F. 2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
b. Man Made in the Image of God – God made man a spiritual being, with a will and body. His purpose for creating us was that we would reflect His glory back to Him. (Genesis 1:26-28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.)
c. The Nature of Man – Originally, man’s nature was to obey God and honor him. After the Fall, man looked at himself and not on God causing his nature to become selfish. Pride, and its entire host, followed suit, and now, as in the days of Noah, man’s heart and imagination is continuously wicked. (Genesis 6:5,6 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.; Romans 1-3)
d. The Purpose of Man – The purpose of man is to worship God and reflect back His Glory. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.)
e. Trichotomy & Dichotomy – In the discussion between Dichotomy v. Trichotomy, it is my understanding that Dichotomists believe that man is both physical and spiritual, possessing a body and a soul. In response, the Trichotomists believe that man consist of body, soul, and spirit. The focus appears to be centered on the ‘soul’ and spirit’, ‘what are they?’ and ‘are they one in the same?’ They both agree that man has a body, and some spiritual part, whether one or two is the question.
At first glance, one of my favorite verses comes to mind, Hebrews 4:12 (For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.). This verse clearly states that the word of God is alive and powerful, and is able to divide the soul from the spirit. The two words in the Greek for soul and spirit are psuches (yuchV) and pneumatos (pneumatoV), however they are used, Strong’s New Testament Dictionary has them both able to be translated soul or spirit based on context. That all aside, two different Greek words are used, and the idea is still that they can be separated.
Another key verse would be 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Again, there is a distinction between the soul and spirit.
VI. Hamartiology - Doctrine of Sin
a. The Fall of Man – Man came into the world knowing God in the garden. But man rejected God and suppressed the truth about Him. Men began to rationalize and reason God away and in doing so became the biggest fools of all. However, still having a God-given desire to worship, they turned to religion and worshiped anything and everything but the God of Heaven. Finally, they condescended in the emptiness of their understanding to reprobation where even the natural became unnatural, evil became good and good evil, bitter became sweet and the sweet bitter. (Romans 1:18-32)
b. Original Sin and the Imputation of Sin – The original sin was eating the fruit of the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil; it was the first time man broke one of God’s mandates (Genesis 3). We have inherited that sinful nature from our fathers ever since (Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:). This is why the Virgin birth of Jesus Christ is so important.
c. The Condition of Man Today – Because man rejected God, God gave them up to their own sin. He allows them to run to utter emptiness so they might desire to turn away from their vain pursuit and come back to Him (Romans 1-3).
d. The Consequences of Sin – Death, eternal separation from God. (Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.; Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.)
e. The Sin Nature – Our sin nature dominates the flesh with desires to do wrong. Our sinful nature is always looking for sin and then indulging in it. Once we are saved, the flesh is still influenced by this nature, but the Spirit wars with our flesh on our behalf. (Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.)
VII. Soteriology - Doctrine of Salvation
a. The Source of Salvation – The Lord is the source of our Salvation. (Exodus 15:1-2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.; 2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;; Rev. 19:1)
b. The Means of Salvation – God came down in human form, took our sin upon Himself, and died on the cross. He is the only one who could pay the price as a spotless lamb. (Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.)
c. The Price of Salvation – (Hebrews 9:22-28 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.) The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. 1Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
d. Please Define:
i. Conviction – The act in which the Holy Spirit shows sinful man his need for the Savior. (Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?)
ii. Conversion – going from one system to another. Leaving your sinful life and following Christ. (Luke 19:1-10 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus w ho he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.)
iii. Repentance – To change one’s mind. In Salvation, it is a change of the mind itself. “Repentance is to leave the sins that we loved before, and showing that in earnest grieve by doing so no more.” ~ Children’s hymn.
iv. Faith – Believing in something (in this case, Christ) to the point you confidently act upon it. (Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.)
v. Substitution – Christ died for sinners. With the whole world silent and guilty because of sin (Romans 3:19), the only way man could be saved is if one could live sinless and take the punishment for all. For man to be sinless was now impossible for him to do, so the God the Son took upon Himself flesh, was tempted as we are, yet sinned not, and humbled Himself to God the Father even to die on the Cross. He had to die as a criminal’s death to be our substitute. I Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
vi. Redemption – Christ’s payment was satisfactory to God the Father for the price of sins. (Isaiah 53) Man fell in the garden and because Adam sinned, death came and passed unto all his descendants. Christ came to redeem us from sin by paying the price in full with His own blood. The wages of sin was death, so Christ tasted death for every man.
vii. Reconciliation – With the sin debt paid, we are invited into a right relationship and fellowship with God (Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:; 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.). Now we can through faith come to God by the Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ and enter into His family by the Spirit of adoption.
viii. Propitiation – God’s wrath is pacified because Christ bore it on the cross. (Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;)
ix. Remission – It is a pardon given to us as a result of Christ dying on the cross. While legally, it was paid in full, to us it is forgiveness and boundless love (Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.).
x. Justification – God declares us Just because of what Christ did on the Cross and because of our faith in Him. (Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: v. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:)
xi. Regeneration – We are re-gened, or remade, born again a new creation into God’s family. (1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.) Now we have been given a new life, a new godly nature, and a new Spirit, everything that once was is changed. Before we were dead to God, the children of wrath and disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-3), but now we are dead unto sin but alive unto God.
xii. Imputation – To impute is to accuse or accredit something to someone though they didn’t deserve it. (Romans 4:6,7 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.)
xiii. Adoption – As we are imputed Christ’s righteousness we are also accepted into the family of God by adoption. God intended for this to happen as a result of Salvation. (Romans 8:15 But ye received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father. v. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.)
xiv. Sanctification – We are set apart for the purpose of glorifying God with our lives. (2Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.)
e. The Proof and Security of Salvation - 1 John 5:1-13 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. … And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
f. Please Define and State Your Position on:
i. Foreknowledge – God knows who is going to accept Christ and who will reject Him. (Acts 15:18) I hold to this because I believe God is omniscient.
ii. Election – I believe in the Election of the LORD. By that I mean the Lord, in His sovereign will, chose groups of people for specific purposes and tasks. I believe the two main elected entities are the Jewish Nation of Israel, chosen through Abraham, and Jesus Christ, and by extension those of us who are ‘in Christ’. I believe the election is not a prerequisite for salvation. (Isaiah 42:1; 45:4; Romans 9:11; 11:28, Ephesians 1:3-14)
iii. Predestination – Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. The key idea is that God’s actions were a result of His omniscience, not the other way around. Also it does not say they were predestinated to be saved, only to conform into Christ’s image. The same idea is carried by Ephesians 2:10 stating that we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before ordained that we should walk in them.
VIII. Ecclesiology - Doctrine of the Church
a. Organism vs. Organization – Spiritually, the Church is one body which the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into. We function as a body in the area of Gifts and we should be catholic in spirit and not in a false religion. Systematically, we operate as an organization, there are offices and roles. I believe Christ is the head and we ought to obey God’s Spirit and Word. (Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.)
Spiritually, the entire redeemed church is baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, where there is no longer Greek or Jew, bond or free. The Spirit gives us gifts for the edification of the body and we accept one another in the bonds of love. Unlike C. S. Lewis’s Meer Christianity, there is no Catholic door, Lutheran door, and Baptist door to heaven or into the Body of Christ, only one way, through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Physically, we operate as an organization. Localized bodies of believers, self-governing and self-supporting meeting together for the purpose of edifying believers and carrying out the Great Commission.
b. The Body of Christ – The Body of Christ is made up of all Christians. We are baptized into it by the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation. (1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.; Romans 12)
c. The Bride of Christ – The Bride of Christ is made up of all Christians. (Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.)
d. The Government of the Church – The Church should be autonomous and follow the Spirit lead congregational model of government as portrayed in Acts 13:1-3 (Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.).
e. The Offices of the Church – There are two offices held within a church, The Pastor, who is an overseer and underling shepherd given wholly to prayer and the study of the Word, and the Deacons who serve (Acts 6; I Timothy 3) The Pastor has roles as Elder (mature one), Bishop (overseer), and Pastor (feeder of sheep). (Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Titus 1:5-9 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 1Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;)
f. The Ordinances of the Church – There are two Ordinances: the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-30 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.) and Baptism ( I Corinthians 1:13-16 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.).
g. Tithing and Offerings to the Church – The tithe is a tenth percent of all gross earnings; it already belongs to the Lord and we give it to our local church for the furthering of the Gospel. An offering is anything given above and beyond your tithe. (Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.)
h. Church Discipline – It’s based on the Holiness of God and is purposed to restore people back to God (1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 10:30). It was Christ who ordained it (Matthew 16:19;18:15-20). Those subject to it are the unruly, immoral, sowers of discord, and those who disobey or deny the doctrines of the Bible (Romans 16:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 1 Timothy 6:3, and 1 Corinthians 5:1-5). These are to be confronted once, then with a few witnesses, then before the church (Matthew 18:15-17). Paul told the church at Corinth that such a one had been turned over to Satan for the destruction of the body, so that he would come to the emptiness of sin and turn back to God. It is for the purpose of restoration of one with his brethren and to the church.
IX. Angelology & Demonology
a. The Origin of Angels, Satan, and Demons – Created by God (Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:), they once had habitation in Heaven. After the rebellion of Lucifer two thirds of the angels fell with him (Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.; Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.).
b. The Nature of Angels – They are created beings, immortal but not from everlasting. They were created to reflect God’s glory in the heavens. They have an expression of free will, and while some chose to reject God and follow Lucifer, there is no evident offer of either salvation nor redemption. There are several different classes each with their own distinct ministry. (Ezekiel 28:13-15 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.)
c. The Ministry of Angels Today – Today, angels minister to believers and heirs of Salvation. (Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?)
d. The Fall of Satan & Demons – Lucifer was once the anointed Cherub and covered the throne of God. Eventually, pride got the better of him and he wanted the glory for himself, thus he fell and took two thirds of the angelic host with him. His name was changed to Satan which means adversary. Now that he is cast out of heaven Satan works to destroy all that glorifies God. (Ezekiel 28) Demons are those who followed Lucifer’s rebellion against God. Many of these demons are bound to await judgment. (Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?; Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.)
e. The Position of Satan Today – Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.) and brings all forms of temptations and persecutions into our lives to destroy us (I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:).
f. The Power and Authority of Satan Today – Satan only has the authority God gives him (Job 1:12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.), and all the lost are under his influence. He knows his time is short so he works to establish his one world order.
g. The Position of Demons Today – I Believe that demons serve Satan and use their powers and influence to weave webs of deception leading people into the occult and other religions and away from the Word of God. I know of people who won’t believe in God because of ‘ghosts’ or some other paranormal activity of ‘cosmic forces’. They spread lies about the church and about what God says. They teach doctrines of devils of which are forbidding some to marry and abstaining from meats (1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;).
h. The Power of Demons Today – They are both physical and spiritual juggernauts. They have shown extensive knowledge of historical facts and are quick to point out hidden sins and be very judgmental. While some thought they could bind them, such as with the maniac of Gadara, or cast them out via a supposed ritual (Acts 19:12-17), I would not be so eager to pick a fight with them. I believe if God wanted me to deal with one, it would be brought to me, not me seeking it out, and God would be with me in dealing with it in a manner that brought Him glory (Acts 16:16-18 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.).
i. The Christian’s Victory over Satan – If the Christian resists Satan he will flee (James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.). Ultimate victory comes when Christians obey God’s Word and rely on the Holy Spirit to help them when they are weak (1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.).
j. The Final Downfall of Satan and His Demons – After the thousand year reign of Christ, Satan is loosed for a short season to deceive the people that are born during the Millennial Reign. He succeeds in gathering a large army and marches on to Jerusalem. God sends fire to consume them and sets up the final Great White Throne Judgment. (Revelation 20:7-11 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.) Satan is finally cast into the Lake of Fire.
X. Eschatology - Doctrine of the End Times
a. The Rapture of the Church – There will be a time coming in the future when the Lord Jesus Christ will come again from heaven to take His saints out of the world. This will be before the Tribulation period. (John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 2Thess. 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 1Corinthians 15:51, 52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.)
b. The Judgment Seat of Christ – There will be two judgments over which Christ will preside: the Bema Seat(I Corinthians 3:11-15) and the Great White throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). The saints will go through the Bema seat Judgment where their works are reproved and refined.
c. The Tribulation Period – After the Rapture of the Church, there will be a peace agreement that the Anti-Christ will make with the nation of Israel, thus beginning a seven year tribulation period. God pours out His wrath upon the nations to judge sins and that they would turn to Him. The majority refuses and follows Anti-Christ against the nation of Israel. Two thirds of Israel is killed, but the remnant is saved as God’s chosen people. (2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 6-19)
d. The Revelation of Jesus Christ – At the end of the Tribulation, Christ comes to fight a campaign against the Anti-Christ and His armies known as the battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16:16; Zeph. 3:8) Satan is overthrown and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Rev 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.).
e. The Millennial Reign of Christ – After the Tribulation, a New Jerusalem will be created here on earth from which the Lord Jesus Christ will rule and reign a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.)
f. The Final End Time Events – After the thousand year reign of Christ, Satan is loosed for a short season to deceive the nations that are born during the Millennial Reign. He succeeds in gathering a large army and marches on Jerusalem. God sends fire to consume them and sets up the final Great White Throne Judgment. (Revelation 20:7-11)
g. The Final Judgment – At the White Throne Judgment, the whole world will be present and give account for their works (Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.).
h. The Eternal State of the Lost – The eternal state of the Lost is separation from the LORD God, eternally and consciously in the Lake of Fire with Satan, his false prophets and fallen angels. Revelation 20:11-15; 21:2-8
i. The Eternal State of the Saved - The eternal state of all the saints, the Jews who turned to Christ, and pure angels is to live forever with God in a new heaven and new earth made perfect and without sin or sea. Revelation 20:11-15; 21:2-8
XI: Primiology – The Doctrine of First Things Genesis 1-11
a.The Beginning of God – I believe in the pre-eternal existence of the Godhead. I believe that His Triune nature reflects itself in His creation as a personal, relational Creator who seeks fellowship with His creation. (Psalms 41:13; 90:2; 106:48; Proverbs 8:22-23; Micah 5:2; James 4:8)
b.The Beginning of the Universe – I believe the Preexistent God created all things in six, literal, 24-hour days. “Where did God come from?” Wrong question, God created the ‘where’. (Exodus 20:11; 31:17)
c.The Beginning of Man – I believe God made one man, Adam, from the dust of the ground on the sixth day and one woman, Eve, from a rib of the man. I believe they where made perfect, sinless, eternal beings. They were placed in the Garden of Eden where they were to live and fellowship with God forever. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:8,15; 3:8,9)
d.The Beginning of Man’s innate desires – I believe that God instructed the man to care for the garden, subdue (manage) the earth, be prosperous, and multiply. In this we see man’s four most base desires which were fulfillable in the Garden of God. (Genesis 1:28) Even after the fall, man still has and acts on these desires, howbeit often in an unholy way and to satisfy their sinful lust and not their God-given responsibilities. One day, God will restore the world again and these desires will be fulfilled in their proper context. The four main desires are for Dominion, Prosperity, Relationship, and Immortality.
e.The Beginning of Marriage – I believe that God’s desire was for man not to be alone as God was not alone in the Triune Godhead. I believe that God made woman from the rib of the man and brought them together as a single unit made up of one man and one woman for life. (Genesis 2:21-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-8)
f.The Beginning of Sin – I believe that man, in the garden was given the command not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. I believe that man and the woman both ate of that tree and willfully disobeyed their Creator, God. I believe that the punishment of that sin was death and a broken relationship with God. (Genesis 2:16,17; 3:6,16-19)
g.The Beginning of Physical Death – Because God is life, being severed from Him is death. The first physical death was that of an animal, the skin of whom was used to cover the nakedness or effects of man sin. (Genesis 3:21)
h.The Beginning of Children – I believe that Adam and Eve bore their children after the fall and they inherited the cancerous sin nature brought on through the fall. This would also make them subject to sin and death by extension. (Genesis 4:1,2; Romans 5:14; I Corinthians 15:22)
I affirm that my understanding and stance on these Biblical doctrines is defined in this written document.
Signed: Bruce D. Stuart Jr.