DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

In matters of faith and practice, there are three levels of doctrinal authority:

Level 1: Absolutes

First level doctrines are core, foundational beliefs of the Christian faith, such as the deity of Christ, the virgin birth of Christ, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, the bodily resurrection and return of Christ, and the infallibility of the Scripture. These are matters upon which all Christians should willingly agree.

Level 2: Convictions

Second level doctrines are those which do not provide the foundation of Christian faith and practice. For example: Is the return of Christ most accurately described by the dispensational premillennial view (a rapture, then a return)? Or, by the historical premillennial view (the rapture and return are one in the same)? Did the “sign” gifts cease with the first century apostles, or do they continue in the church today? Was Christ’s atonement for all humankind or just for the “elect,” as Reformed theology suggests? Second level doctrines are those upon which Christians can amicably agree to disagree without breaking fellowship.

Level 3: Opinions

Third level doctrines are simply opinions on matters biblical and doctrinal, nothing more. They should never be the cause for a break in fellowship with another believer.

My views on key doctrines of the Christian faith are detailed below.

The Bible

I believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God; that it is without error in the original manuscripts and preserved by God for us; that it is authoritative for the church and each of us for every age.

(Psalm 119:105; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:20--21; 2 Timothy 3:16)

God

I believe that God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are one God. I believe God created the universe by His power and Word. I believe that God is all knowing, all powerful and ever present. 

(John 14:7-16; Genesis 1:1, 1:26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 40:28-29; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Jesus Christ

I believe Jesus Christ was sent by God the Father into the world to save sinners. I believe that Jesus Christ was virgin born, sinless in life and mighty in words and deeds. I believe Jesus was both God and man, that He was crucified for our sins, and was bodily raised from the dead. He then ascended to His Father's side where He is head of the church and intercedes for believers. I believe Jesus Christ is coming again personally, visibly, and bodily to reign as Lord. 

(Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6, 53:5-6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)

Holy Spirit

I believe the Holy Spirit is a person, is God, and has all the divine characteristics. He indwells all believers, baptizes and seals them at the moment of salvation. He fills them in response to confession of sin and surrender to Him. He provides understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing the will of God. 

(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:25; Galatians 5:25)

Salvation

I believe that Jesus, through His death on the cross, provided salvation for all. However, to receive salvation one must repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ alone. Through salvation, all who have received Christ will at death depart to be with Him in their spirits, and at Christ's return receive a new body which will be like His glorious body.

(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)

Eternal Security

I believe that since God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and sustaining power of God that gives us this security.

(John 10:29;  2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

Eternity

I believe that people are created to exist forever. I will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.

(John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8)

People

I believe that people are made in the spiritual image of God to be like Him in character. As God’s image bearers, people are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has potential for good, all of us are marred by an innate nature of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. 

(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)

The Church

I believe a New Testament church is a local body of baptized believers who have agreed together to worship its head, Jesus Christ, to edify the believers, evangelize the lost, and minister to others.

(Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:27-29; 1 Corinthians 12:27-29; Ephesians 1:21-23, 3:20-22, 4:1-3, 5:21-27; Colossians 1:17-19)

Baptism

I believe that “Believer's Baptism” by immersion in water is a symbol of salvation, and that it shows that one has received the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for the forgiveness of sin. It is the first step of obedience for the Christian. I also believe that it not only identifies us with Christ but also with the church, and that all believers should be willing to make a public profession of faith through Believer's Baptism.

(Matthew 3:15-17, 28:19-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5)