STATEMENT OF FAITH
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-4 and 1:29; Acts 1:11 and 2:22-24; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-4, 4:15).
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (Luke 24:46-47; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Ephesians 1:7 and 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7).
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (John 3:5-8; Acts 1:8 and 4:31; Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:6-10).
6. We believe in the promised baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). With it comes power for life, power for service, and power for the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31).
7. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those that are saved unto the resurrection of life and those that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Revelation 20:11-15).
8. We believe that the ministry of evangelism and discipleship are the responsibilities of all Christians (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15; 1 Peter 3:15).
9. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23).
Although not part of my Statement of Faith, I also believe that as pastors and teachers, evangelists, missionaries and Christians in general, we should not say, teach, preach, or write, anything that we cannot back up with Scripture. If we can't be scripturally sound, then we have no business saying it, teaching it, preaching it, or writing it.
The Bible is Complete, Authoritative, and True
Are you familiar with Sola Scriptura? Sola Scriptura is one of the Five Solas born out of the Protestant Reformation. It was one of the Reformation's rallying cries.
Sola Scriptura is a Latin phrase that means "Scripture alone." It is a fundamental principle of the Protestant Reformation and emphasizes the belief that the Bible is the ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice. This means that the Bible is the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and that it contains everything necessary for salvation and living a godly life. This principle rejects the idea that tradition, church hierarchy, or any other source of authority can supersede or add to the teachings of the Bible. The belief in Sola Scriptura is based on the understanding that the Bible is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). It also aligns with the idea that from infancy, we are to know the holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15 NIV). Therefore, Sola Scriptura encourages believers to study and rely on the Bible as the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice.
For centuries the Roman Catholic Church had made its traditions superior in authority to the Bible. This resulted in many practices that were in fact contradictory to the Bible. Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran Church and father of the Protestant Reformation, publicly rebuked the Catholic Church for its unbiblical teachings. In 1529, Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door as a correction to church doctrine. This theses formed the foundation for what is known today as the Protestant Reformation.
"Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture, or by the clearest reasoning, unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted, and unless they thus render my conscience bound by the Word of God, I cannot and will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me! Amen!"
- Martin Luther
The Word of God is the only authority for the Christian faith. Saturate your life with it. To view the 95 Theses in its entirety, you may see it here: The 95 Theses →
Do you know how to become a Christian? Do you know how to go to heaven? Let's get this matter settled once and for all! Visit my page HOW TO KNOW GOD →