I believe in the triune God-head, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Each operating coequally, coeternally, coexistently, as one.
I believe that God is the Creator of all that is, ever was, and ever will be. He actively watches over all the He created and is actively involved in all He has created. (John 5:17) I believe He created the heavens and earth in six days and all that they contain. I believe that He created man and woman in His own image so we could have a relationship with Him. I believe that God gave man free-will to believe in God and because of that free-will I believe that man sinned (turned away from God) in the garden of Eden and because of sin man is separated from God, even unto death. (Genesis 1, 3)
I believe that God knew man would possibly sin and therefore He made a way for man to escape the wrath of sin providing a perfect sacrifice. That perfect sacrifice is Jesus Christ. (Heb 10:12)
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He was active in the creation of the world (John 1:1-3) That He is God who became flesh. I believe He was born of a virgin, that He died for our sins, that God raised Him from the dead on the third day, and that He ascended to Heaven. I believe that He will one day return and establish His perfect kingdom here on this earth.
I believe the Holy Spirit, the third person of this triune God-head, was sent to convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment. (John 16:8)
I believe that all man is sinful and in need of a savior, that savior being Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for our sins. I believe that He is the only way to the Father. That no one can come to the Father but through Him. (John 14:6)
I believe that if we confess that we are sinners, that we believe Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead on the third day then we shall be saved. (John 3:16-18, 36; Romans 3:12, 23; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9-13)
I believe the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable [without repentance] (Romans 11:29). I believe each aspect of the Triune God-head has bestowed gifts upon the believer and church for specific purposes and are active in the church today:
GIFTS OF THE FATHER (Basic Life Purpose and Movtivation) Romans 12:3-8
- Prophesy
- Ministry
- Teaching
- Exhortation
- Giving
- Leadership
- Mercy
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (To Benefit the Body of Christ - the Church) I Corinthians 12:8-10, 28
- Word of Wisdom
- Word of Knowledge
- Faith
- Gifts of Healing
- Working of Miracles
- Prophesy
- Discerning of Spirits
- Different kinds of Tongues
- Interpretation of Tongues
GIFTS OF THE SON (To Facilitate and Equip the Body of the Church) Ephesians 4:11 and I Corinthians 12:28
I believe special graces are also bestowed upon individuals specifically chosen by God for those purposes:
- Apostles
- Prophet
- Evangelist
- Pastor/Teacher
- Missionary
HOSPITALITY - Literally means to love, to do, or to do with pleasure (I Peter 4:10,11 and Matthew 25:35, 40)
CELIBACY - (Matthew 19:10; I Corinthians 7:7-9, 27; I Timothy 4:3; Revelation 14:4)
MARTYRDOM - (I Peter 4:12, 13)
These are my beliefs and I will not be moved from them. They are the very foundations of who I am. I am not ashamed to proclaim them. I am not ashamed of my Lord and Savior and I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. (Romans 1:16). "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (I Corinthians 1:18)
(All scripture used and quoted comes from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible, published by Thomas Nelson. This is the version of the Holy Bible that I will use in all of the teachings presented here unless otherwise noted.)
