Doctrinal Statement

   Jesus Christ  Christological centrality is revealed soteriologically, ecclesiastically and eschatologically as Christ turns all things to the glory of His Father (Col 1:18). We believe that Jesus Christ was virgin-born (Matthew 1:23), and His incarnation (John 1:14) was in sinlessness and impeccability (John 8:29). We believe that Jesus Christ was fully human (Luke 2:7) and fully divine (John 1:1). He came in obedience to his Father with soteriological motivation (John 3:16). We believe that His resurrection is a historical fact (Matt 28:6), and, with the rest of the Church, we long for His soon return.

   The Scriptures  We believe that God has given man His verbally-inspired, infallible, authoritative and inerrant Word (Matt. 4:4). All of scripture is divinely inspired and God-breathed. All of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training (2 Tim. 3:16). We believe that the Holy Spirit moved on human authors to write the plenarily-inspired, perfect Word of God. This was not accomplished through the authors' own inspiration, giftings or insight, but rather by God speaking through them (2 Pet 1:21). We believe that the canonicity of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments is fixed and cannot be added to or subtracted from (Rev 22:18, 19). The prolegomenous work of the Holy Spirit now reveals the meaning of scripture to the individual believer (1 Cor 2:10).

   The Godhead  We believe in the Trinity, which is manifest as one in essence yet three in persons (Matt 28:19). The Son proceeds in His redemptive work from the Father, while the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son (Isa 48:16). All three persons of the godhead are fully God in essence, divinity and perfections (2 Cor 13:14). Although the Trinity has total unity (Deut 6:4) within itself, each person of the godhead is unique and distinct from the others (Matt 3:16, 17). God the Father is the great fountainhead of all knowledge, glory and holiness (Psalm 90:2). His immutability is everlasting (James 1:17), His holiness is perfect in its fullness (Isa. 6:3), and His glory is supreme in omnipotence (Ezek 1:28). He is fully and totally God (1 Pet 1:2a) and is the sender of His Son–Jesus Christ (John 6:27).

   The Holy Spirit  We believe that God, the Holy Spirit, is a person (1 Cor 2:10) and that He is fully divine with all the attributes of God (Acts 5:3, 4d). It is the Holy Spirit that seals every believer and keeps him secure until the day of redemption (Eph 4:30). When a believer accepts Jesus Christ as his savior in this Church age, the Holy Spirit does the supernatural work of baptizing that individual into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). We believe that in the life of every believer there will be fruit of God the Holy Spirit which is seen by God (Gal 5:22, 23). We believe that every believer will have gifts of the Spirit; however, these gifts are not for some sign or show, but rather for service for the good of the Church (1 Cor 12:7). It is the Spirit of God who calls all men to repentance (Matthew 11:28) and convicts the entire world of its sinfulness (John 16:8).

   Man We believe that man was created in the image of God with innocent sinlessness (Gen 1:26a). However, through Adam and his rebellion, sin entered the world (1 Cor 15:21, 22; Rom 5:12). Indeed, all mankind has sinned and falls short of God's glory (Rom 3:23). Everyone has inherited the imputation of sin (Eph2:3).

   Angels  We believe that Lucifer, also called "Satan" or the "Serpent," was, in his rebellion, the initiator of sin. Having been created and not divine, he fell because of pride and corruption in his heart (Ezek 28:13a & h;17a & b). His rebellion, as he is affecting the nations for evil, is manifest (Isa 14:12); and through his work the unbeliever's spiritual eyes are blinded (2 Cor 4:4). We believe that a great number of angels followed him in his rebellion against God and are active as his agents seeking to thwart the purposes of God (Psa148:2,5; Col 1:16; Isa 14:12-17; Ezek 28:11-19). We believe that a great multitude of angels kept their holy estate and as the servants of God are ministering to those who are the heirs of salvation (Heb 1:1-14). We believe that some angels are given to the Church to strengthen her and to minister to her needs (Heb 1:14). All the angels witness the testimony and obedience of the church.

   Salvation  We believe that salvation is effected by belief in the atoning work of Christ personally apprehended (Acts 16:31). The believer is then reconciled to God by the finished work of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:18). Through the substitutionary atonement of Christ (Mark 10:45b) man can now be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:17; 1 Pet 1:18, 19). Christ's propitiatory redemption extends its invitation to the whole world (1 John 2:2). The Holy Spirit's call to repentance has effective ramifications in the elect of God. Through His predestined plan, specific elect are justified. Justification is eternal, culminating in the glorification of the elect (Rom 8:30), and comes as a free gift by the grace of Christ (Rom 3:24). Salvation is by grace, that is, the unmerited, unearned favor of God (Rom 3:28). The believer is secured and sealed in his redemption (Eph 4:30).

   The Church  We believe that the Church of the living God is that group of called–out believers whom Christ has designated as His body, His bride, His Church (Eph 1:22, 23). The Church of Jesus Christ had its inception on the day of Pentecost, is composed solely of believers in this age, is the body and bride of Christ, is distinct from Israel, and will be brought to completion as believers fulfill their responsibility of making Christ known. Ecclesiastically, we believe that Titus 1:7-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-13 set forth offices of overseer, elders, and deacons in the church. Their qualifications and requirements are delineated in the Titus and 1 Timothy passages. We believe that the local church congregation is given the responsibility of not only the feeding of and care for one another, but also, when necessary, discipline (Matt 18:17). The Church, in addition to reflecting the glory and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ, has activities which include fellowship for its members, the ministry of the Word of God, prayer, and evangelism (Acts 2:42). We believe the purpose of the Church is to glorify God through edification and evangelism, but primarily through worship (Eph 4:11, 12).

   Heaven & Hell  We believe that at death, the spirits and souls of believers go immediately to Glory and remain there in conscious bliss in the presence of the Lord until the resurrection of the glorified body at which time body, soul, and spirit will be reunited and shall be associated with Christ forever; but the spirits and souls of the unbelieving remain, after death, conscious of condemnation and in misery until the resurrection of the unjust for judgment at the Great White Throne. We believe that heaven and hell are actual, physical locations. In Hell, the unbeliever is separated from God and under His wrath (Luke 16:25-26); and in heaven, the believer is united with God and will enjoy Him forever (1 Thes 4:17).

Copyright © 2007 Mighty Men of God, Inc.