|
"Earnestly
contend for the faith handed down once to the saints." Jude
3
BIBLE
is inerrant and infallible. It is verbally inspired and fully
the Word of God. The Bible is the only authority for faith and
practice. We have no creed but the Bible. 2 Timothy 3.16
GOD
exists as THREE distinct co-equal, co-essential, eternal persons:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6.4, John 10.30, Matthew
12.31. 1 John 5.7.
LORD
JESUS CHRIST is both fully God (Colossians 2.9,
John 1.3) and perfect, sinless Man (John 1.14, 1 Peter 2.22).
He is the virgin born, incarnate, Eternal Son of God. who suffered,
shed his precious blood and died for the elect and for the sins
of the whole world 1 John 2.2. He is now risen, ascended and exalted
at the right hand of God the Father. He is Advocate, High Priest,
Intercessor and Head of the Church which is His Body.
HOLY
SPIRIT is God (a divine Person) and indwells
each believer and the Church body 1 Corinthians 6.19 and Ephesians
2.22
SALVATION is by God's sovereign grace whereby
He saves sinners (the elect) on the basis of the finished work
of Christ received by faith alone. Ephesians 2.8,9 Believers are
saved permanently and sealed and placed in the body of Christ,
which is the Church John 10.27, Ephesians 1.13, 1 Corinthians
12.13.
CHURCH
(ASSEMBLY) is composed of ALL true Christians, born of the Spirit
of God and placed by the Spirit into the One Body of Christ. Local
assemblies are expressions of the One Body of Christ and bear
testimony to the UNITY of the Body and are to keep the UNITY of
the Spirit in the body of peace 1 Cor 12.13, 1 Cor 1.2, Eph 4.3
This practical unity is displayed in the LORD'S TABLE, hence the
One Cup and the One Loaf 1 Cor 10.16 etc. The scriptures teach
the priesthood of ALL believers. Hence we reject clergy laity
distinctions in the body of Christ. God has raised up men with
the gifts of teaching, shepherding (pastors)and guiding (elders)local
assemblies of the Church 1 Tim 3, Ephesians 4, etc.
LORD'S
SUPPER is also an important reminder of
the death of the Lord till his return 1 Cor 11.20 etc. True Christians,
walking in doctrinal and moral purity, free from ecclesiastical
compromises are welcome to this fellowship. The communion of believers
at the Lord's Table is not "closed" (our sect) nor is
it "open" (worldly access), but guarded, watchful. After
all, Scripture warns us "Beloved, believe not every spirit,
but test the spirits whether they be of God" 1John 4.1
BAPTISM
of believers is by immersion Acts 8.37. It does not save from
sin. It testifies to the believer's death, burial and resurrection with
Christ. Romans 6.
RECEPTION
is therefore mutual. Letters of commendation
(See Romans 16.1 etc.) is a Scriptural practice that we follow
when visitors come from another assembly on divine ground (i.e.
seeking to carry out Scriptural order). When a letter is not presented,
as in the case of a totally new visitor, he or she should investigate
the doctrine and practices of the assembly 1 Corinthians 14.23-25
and 1 John 4.1
SEPARATION is to be from the World system,
its philosophies and its false teachers. The believer should
separate from false, unbiblical Christianity, false religion and
New Evangelicalism since he is separated unto God. The motivation
? "
holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever."
Ps 93.5 and "let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity." 2 Timothy 2.19. We reject the Charismatic
movement with its emphasis on tongues and healings, which are
not for the church today and all forms of modern Ecumenicalism.
SECOND
COMING of Christ: is both Premillenial,
and Pretribulational. This means that his coming is imminent,
whereby he will rapture or resurrect all Church saints and living
believers. 7 years later He will return with His Church and establish
His reign over a restored nation of Israel for 1,000 years as
her King and Messiah. 1 Thess 4.13-18 Revelation 19.11 & 20.1-6
FUTURE:
for the saved is secure. It will be glorious and blessed in the
presence of God and Christ forever John 14.1-5. The lost will
spend an eternity in conscious torment in the lake of fire along
with , and his angels. See, Matthew 25.46, Revelation
20.10-15.
|