Doctrinal Positions

Doctrinal Position Primer & Affirmations

Throughout my personal study and academic interests, I have learned that many people, especially believers, avoid conversations regarding the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Without a clear understanding of these doctrines, the learner is unable to form an applicable apologetic in response to the philosophy of the Christian faith. Therefore, I affirm the Apostle’s Creed, the Baptist Faith and Message, the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, and the New Hampshire Confession of Faith as the foundation of which I base my biblical interpretation. I hold to the belief in dispensationalism and affirm that the church, in itself, is the body of Christ.

THEOLOGY PROPER:I affirm my belief in one God, who is an infinite Spirit, the Creator, and the Sustainer of all things. He exists eternally in three equal persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function. (Matt. 23:9; Eph. 4:6; Tit. 1:2)

TRINITY: I believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory. Each has the same attributes and perfections. (Deut. 6:4; Matt 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Cor. 13:14)

CHRISTOLOGY:I believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. Jesus became a man, without ceasing to be God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit to be born of the virgin Mary. He did this in order that He might reveal God’s plan to redeem sinful men. I believe the Lord Jesus Christ bought our redemption through His substitutionary death on the cross as a representative and as our justification is made sure by His physical resurrection from the dead. Finally, I believe the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of the Father. As the believer’s High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of representative, intercessor, and advocate on behalf of the believer. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; Acts 1:9-10; Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; 8:34; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Eph 1:7; Phil 2:5-8; Heb 7:25; 9:24; 1 Pet 2:24; 1:3-5; 1 John 2:1-2)

PNEUMATOLOGY:I believe the Holy Spirit is the person who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit is also the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, indwelling and sealing believers into the body of Christ unto the day of redemption. As a divine teacher who assists believers in understanding and applying the Scriptures, it is the privilege and duty of all Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as Christ is in the believer through the person of the Holy Spirit. God is sovereign, as He bestows spiritual gifts to every believer. As some of these gifts consist of evangelism, prophecy, and teaching, God uniquely uses these individuals to equip believers in order that they can do the work of the ministry. (John 16:8-11; Acts 1:8; Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-14, 28; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14; 1:17-18; 4:7-12; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27)

CREATION: I believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour period days. (Gen 1-2; Ex 20:11)

BIBLIOLOGY: I believe that the Holy Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments to be the complete Word of God. Furthermore, the Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, inspired, and God-breathed; therefore, the sixty-six books of the canon are the final authority for all faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Bible are the divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures are to be interpreted using the literal approach to hermeneutics. (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21)

SIN/FALL:I believe that man was created in the image of God but in Adam’s sin, the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became separated from God. Man is totally depraved and is unable to remedy his lost condition. However, the moment a person receives Christ as his Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells him, and he is sealed until the day of redemption. God is sovereign and He gave man free will to accept or reject the salvation that He provided. It is God’s will, however, that all people be saved and that none should perish. God foreknows but does not predetermine any man to be condemned. God permits man’s destiny to depend upon their personal choice. (Gen 1:26-27; Luke 24:49; John 3:7; 6:64-65; Acts 10:34; Rom 3:22-23; 2:23; 5:12; 6:23; 8:29-30; 9:30-32; 1 Cor. 1:21; 6:19; Eph. 1:5-14; 2:1-3; 4: 17- 19; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Tim 2:4; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:2; 2 Pet 3:9)

SOTERIOLOGY: I believe salvation is a free gift from God. It is brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. One’s well-intended works before or after salvation have nothing to do with salvation. Salvation is by the finished work of Christ, and nothing can be added to His death, burial, and resurrection. (John 1:12; Rom. 3:22-23; 6:23; 10:9-10; 11:6; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; Col 2:1, 9-10; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9)

SANCTIFICATION:I believe that sanctification is progressive wherein the believer is to “grow in grace” by the unhindered power of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is already complete for every believer because their position toward God is the same as Christ’s position. However, man retains his sin nature. however, the believer will be fully sanctified at the time of the rapture. (John 17:17; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 10:10, 14; 12:10; 1 John 3:2).

ECCLEISIOLOGY: I believe the local church is solely made up of born-again believers. The establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught in the New Testament. I believe in the autonomy of the local church. Finally, water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the ordinances of obedience. (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 2 41-42; 13:1-4; 14:27; 20:17; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom 16:1, 4; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27; 1 Pet 5:1-4)

ESCHATOLOGY: I believe in the personal, imminent return of Christ, who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year tribulation (Jacob’s Trouble) period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints and establish His Messianic Kingdom. The believers will spend eternity in heaven and the condemned will go to hell. (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan 2:31-45; 1 Thess. 1:10, 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev 3:10; 4:1; 19:11-16; 20:1-6)

COOPERATION: I believe that Christ followers should organize associations and conventions, as needed, to best secure cooperation for the need of the Kingdom of God. These organizations hold no authority over one another but should work in unison to provide the best efforts needed for Kingdom impact. Churches should cooperate in order to carry out the missional, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. The Christian unity described in the New Testament represents spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation between churches, organizations, or denominations as justified in accordance with Scripture. (Ps. 133:1-3; Ecc. 4:9-12; 1 Cor. 12:14-20)

THE CHRISTIAN AND THE SOCIAL ORDER: I believe that Christians are to work together to make Christ known to all people. In order to build society and make an impact for Christ, the regeneration of the individual is to be the sole purpose of the effort. In the unity of the gospel message, believers are to oppose racism, sexual immorality, greed, selfishness. Furthermore, they are to provide for those in need, the neglected, poor, sick, and elderly. Believers are to stand for the sanctity of life at any stage of life. Working to bring business, government, and society under the authority of Scripture should be the main focus, working together for any good cause by acting in Christ-like love to promote Christ and His Kingdom. (Ex. 22:22; 23:9; Deut. 16:19-20; 27:19; Ps. 41:1; Rom. 13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-14)

PEACE AND WAR:I believe that Christians are to unite in order to seek peace in terms of pursuing righteousness. In accordance with the teaching and example set by Christ, they should attempt to put an end to war. The spirit of war is a direct enemy of the Lord and the beauty that is found within the gospel message. The world’s greatest need is found in the person of Jesus Christ and His love. In order for peace to begin in the world, peace must first be made within us. True peace will come to the earth when the Prince of Peace comes to establish His eternal kingdom. (1 Chr. 28:3; Ps. 120:6-7; Is. 2:4; 11:6-9; Matt. 24:6-7; Rom. 1:28-32; 3:10, 14:19; 23; Col. 3:15; Jas. 4:1)

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: The God of heaven alone is Lord. As He gives man free will, God allows the conscience to be free from the doctrines of the Word. Therefore, I believe that the church and state are separate entities, yet it is fundamental that the state protect the freedom of the church in regards to spiritual growth. The state is to be free from showing privilege to any specific denomination. To honor the civil government that is not in contradiction to the Word of God, the believer must adhere to the laws of the state. The state has no right to hinder the advancement of the preaching of God’s Word in accordance with any opinions. In the Christian ideal, the free state and religion are free to exercise whatever means are necessary in order to advance the kingdom without the government influence. (Mk. 31;13; Acts 4:19; 5:29; 16:35-39; 1 Cor. 6:1-8; Heb. 13:8)

THE FAMILY: I believe that both men and women are spiritually equal in position before God. However, God ordained distinct spiritual functions for men and women within the home and the church. The husband is the spiritual leader of the home and the church. Also, only men are eligible for ordination by the church. I believe that God ordained the institution of family to be the foundation on human society is to be based. In order to model Christ, it is the duty of the husband to love his wife as Christ loves the church. Wives are to submit to the spiritual leadership of the husband. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values in order to lead them through a Christ-honoring lifestyle example with appropriate discipline (Gen 1:26-28; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps 127:3-5; Prov. 23:13-14; Mk 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Gal 3:28; Eph. 5:21-27; 6:1-4; Col 3:18-21; 1 Tim 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12; Heb. 13:4; 1 Pet 3:1-7).