What We Believe at COT and A1M...statement of belief and faith

This article and the statement of belief and faith have been updated.

My dear friends and colaborers in the Lord, Dr. Lance Quinn, Pastor/Teacher, The Bible Church of Little Rock, Dr. John MacArthur, Pastor/Teacher of Grace Community Church, and Pastor Russ Kennedy, Pastor for Preaching and Worship of Clearcreek Chapel, along with their respective elderships have assembled excellent statements of belief and faith from which I have adopted portions as a plumbline of doctrinal canon for my ministry in word and song at AudienceONE Ministries and this blog, CampOnThis (COT). I have also included as a preamble to this statement of belief and faith, the Doctrines of Grace (TULIP) and The Five Solas of the Reformation that define the character of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ below as well. Though these statements below are not meant to be exhaustive on every point of doctrine, they sum up the great themes of Christianity for this ministry (I also subscribe to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith and The Heidelberg Catechism listed here under the "Devotionals and..." category on this blog).

Some might be asking, "Why post this statement of belief and faith?" It is so important to know where we stand in essential matters of The Faith today. Especially, with "every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:13-15) receiving equal weight of truth and tolerance under the guise of evangelical postmodernism--it is good to review what we hold as essential doctrine for life and ministry. Paul encouraged Titus to "instruct in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9). Those words almost seem archaic and acerbic considering the spiritual climate in evangelicalism and our culture today... don't they? But we are to "speak the truth in love..." (Eph. 4:15) and "test all things; cling to what is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). As faithful Bereans (Acts 17:9-11) we have no option but to "contend for the faith" (Jude 3) and "guard the trust" (1 Tim. 6:20).

At the outset, I must qualify one thing: these following articles of faith are not meant to represent any one particular denomination; but only to represent orthodox, historical, biblical Christianity. May your hearts be encouraged and strengthened in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ as you ponder the following truth constraints.

His Unworthy Servant in His Unfailing Love,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:1-7

THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

1. Total Depravity (or “Inability” – Man cannot save himself)
The Scriptures clearly teach that the effects of sin have extended to all parts of our being, rendering us incapable of spiritual understanding and love towards God. Despite the heading of this first article, it does not indicate that all people are as wicked as they could possibly be in all areas of belief and practice. However, sin has so fully and deeply affected our lives that, spiritually speaking, we are in a totally hopeless condition, unable to do anything to get ourselves out of this fallen state.

Our natural spiritual incapacity prevents us from being able to respond by our own strength to the call of the gospel message, yet this does not remove our guilt. We choose to follow the natural inclinations of our depraved hearts because when left to ourselves that is all we want to do.

Scripture references: Ephesians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 1:30; John 15:25; Luke 19:14; John 5:40; Isaiah 5:20; Titus 1:15; Deuteronomy 32:18; Hebrews 2:1; John 12:39; John 6:44+65; John 3:18.

2. Unconditional Election (God is no respecter of man nor influenced by man.)
God has shown us in his Word that from eternity past he has elected some sinners to be saved from the condemnation that is justly deserved by all, purely on account of his gracious mercy and love, not because of any foreseen merits in those sinners. Because of the fact of total depravity, salvation must originate with God, and we read in the Bible that it is God's sovereign will alone that has determined the recipients of that salvation.

This doctrine does not render God unjust, for all are guilty and all deserve to suffer God's judgement. Rather, it emphasizes the grace of God by the fact that he has chosen some for salvation.

Scripture references: Psalm 65:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:4,5,9,11; Romans 11:5; Romans 9:15,23; Psalm 103:11; 1 Peter 1:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Jonah 2:9.

3. Limited Atonement (or Particular Redemption)
Put simply, Christ died only to save the elect, securing with absolute certainty their salvation. This is not to teach that there is anything lacking in the power of God, perhaps suggesting that he is not able to save all men. Rather, God's Word indicates that it was the Father's intention that his Son was to suffer and die only for his chosen people, atoning for their sins alone. Christ's atonement was limited only in extent, not in power, according to the sovereign will of God.

In the Bible we read that the Lord's servant (Jesus) would see the results of his work (his atoning sacrifice) and "be satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11). But also, Jesus stated plainly that there are many who are heading for eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13). We can only reconcile these two statements if we understand that Christ died only for a limited number of people - for God's elect.

Scripture references: Acts 20:28; John 3:14+15; Galatians 1:4+5; Revelation 13:8; John 6:38+39; John 17:9,10+24; John 10:11; 1 Peter 2:21; Romans 5:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Romans 8:33+34; Luke 1:68; Revelation 5:9; Isaiah 53:11.

4. Irresistible Grace (All whom the Father draws, will come to Christ)
When the gospel is preached, an invitation is issued by the Lord to all people to come to him for salvation. However, as the first article clearly states, the natural state of all people renders them incapable of responding to this invitation, except to reject it. So when God calls an elect sinner to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus, he does so by sending his Holy Spirit to work a great change in that sinner's heart, enabling them to see their sin and their need of a Saviour and leading them to put their faith in Christ alone for salvation. The Lord, by his Spirit, irresistibly draws his elect to himself, raising them to spiritual life and making them willing to trust in Jesus.

Scripture references: Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37; Matthew 23:37; John 5:40; Ephesians 1:12,19; Ezekiel 11:19+20; Psalm 110:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

5. Perseverance of the Saints (or Preserved in Christ for Eternity)
Once God has saved elect sinners, he continues to keep and preserve them by his power and grace and will never let them go. Thus, they persevere to the end and can never be lost. If God did not do this, we would inevitably turn back again to the world, because of the sin that is around us and within us. Thus God enables his children to continue in faith and obedience throughout their earthly lives, then to pass into God's presence forever.

This doctrine is not to be taken as a license to go on sinning, as if the believer is free to act in any way he chooses now that he is eternally secure in Christ Jesus. The true believer will show signs of a growing desire for holiness and an increasing loathing of sin. The one who attempts to use the grace of God as an excuse for sinful living is in all probability not a true believer, for where there is spiritual life, the fruit of the Spirit will become evident.

Scripture references: 1 Peter 1:5; James 4:6; Philippians 1:6+19; John 6:39; John 10:28+29; Romans 8:38+39; Romans 8:8; Galatians 5:13-26.

THE FIVE SOLAS of the REFORMATION

Sola Scriptura
Bible is the sole written divine revelation and alone can bind the conscience of believers absolutely.

Sola Fide
Justification is by faith alone. The full righteousness of Christ imputed to us by faith (comprised of His active and passive obedience) is the sole ground of our acceptance by God, by which our sins are remitted.

Solus Christus
Christ is Prophet, Priest and King; the only mediator through whose work we are redeemed.

Sola Gratia
Our salvation rests solely on the work of God’s grace for us and in us.

Soli Deo Gloria
To God alone belongs the glory.

STATEMENT OF BELIEF AND FAITH
"In the essentials, unity; in the nonessentials, liberty;
and in all things, charity."

Article I
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that Almighty God has revealed all that is necessary for life and faith in the sixty-six books of the Holy Scripture, which are the Word of God. All Scripture was given by inspiration by God; that is, it is God-breathed as holy men of old wrote, being borne along by the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in the original writings and are the final arbiter in all disputes. Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men. (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35;16:12 13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3: 15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Revelation 1:1-3; 22:6,18-19)

We believe that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man, and thus the 66 books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

We believe that the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God-breathed.

We believe the literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17).

We believe that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

We believe that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man (2 Peter 1:20-21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16).

We believe that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20). It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.


Article II
THE GODHEAD
We believe in the one true and living God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Our God exists to glorify and enjoy Himself forever. He is infinite in being and perfection, a spirit invisible, personal, omnipresent, eternal, dependent on none, unchanging, truthful, trustworthy, almighty, sovereign, omniscient, righteous, holy, good, loving, merciful, long-suffering, and gracious. (Exodus 3:13-14; 34:4-7; Deuteronomy 6:1-9; 1 Kings 8:27; Nehemiah 9:32-33; Job 22:2-3; Psalm 5:4-8; 90:1-2; 95:1-7; 115:1-7; 119:65-68; 145:17-20; Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 6:1-3; 40:10-31; 46:9-13; Jeremiah 10:10; 23:23-24; Daniel 4:34-35; Malachi 3:6; Matthew 28:16-20; John 1:1-18; 4:21-24; 14:1-11; 15:26-27; Acts 7:2-50; 20:28; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4-7; Hebrews 4:12-13; 11:6; Revelation 4:8; 5:11-14)*


Article III
GOD THE FATHER
We believe that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty He is neither the author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).


Article IV
GOD THE SON - THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ into the world, conceived of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, unchangeably sinless, both God and man, born under the Law, to live a perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His people. (Psalm 2:1-12; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-8; 42:1-4; 52:13-53:12; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-33; 1:26-56; John 1:1-18; 17:1-12; Acts 3:22-23; 17:29-31; Romans 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 28-30; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:15-23; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:14-18; 9:11-14; 1 Peter 1:17-20)

We believe that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9).

We believe that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians 2:9).

We believe that the eternal Son of God came into this world as purposed by God and prophesied in the Scriptures to fulfill the plan of salvation for a lost world. John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

We believe that, in the incarnation, the second Person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes (Philippians 2:5-8).

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).


We believe that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).

We believe that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers (John 5:26-29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).

We believe in the bodily ascension of Christ to the right hand of the throne of God, and that He has become Head over all things to the Church, which is His Body. John 20:17; Acts 1:9; Ephesians 1:22, 23.

We believe that Jesus Christ is now intercessor and advocate for all those who are saved and that He will return for His Bride, the Church, at the rapture. Hebrews 7:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:17.


Article V
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13-14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Jeremiah 31:31-34 with Hebrews 10:15-17).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God’s revelation, the Bible (2 Peter 1:19-21). Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27).

We believe that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).


Article VI
MAN
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God but that through willful sin, he became dead in trespasses and sin and subjected himself and creation to the authority of Satan.

We believe that Adam fell from his original righteousness into sin and brought upon himself and all his offspring physical and spiritual death, depravity, condemnation, and the state of being sinners. (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-24; 6:5-7; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:1-5; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Romans 3:9-20; 5:12-21; 6:15-23; 1 Corinthians 15:20-49; Titus 1:15-16; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 2:14-18)

We believe that this total depravity in man has been transmitted to every child born of man. (Genesis 1:26; 2:17; 6:6; Romans 3:10-19; Ephesians 2:1-3.)

We believe that it is utterly beyond the power of fallen man to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the Gospel, to repent of sin, or to trust in Christ. (Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:3-5; 8:43 Romans 3:9-19; Colossians 1:21-23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Titus 1:15-16).


Article VII
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is wrought by God alone and is free to every one without human merit or attainment. It is by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9.

We believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). Regeneration precedes faith (1 Cor. 12:3; Titus 3:5-7) and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24). In regeneration, the sinner is quickened unto repentance, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, and responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works are the proper evidence and fruit of regeneration (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10), and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a conformity is climaxed in the believer’s glorification at Christ’s coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).

We believe that to every believer has been committed the ministry of reconciliation and that no one can be saved without hearing and accepting the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Romans 10:14, 15.

We believe that the atoning work of Christ is the only basis for our redemption and that entrance into the Kingdom of God is by the new birth alone. John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17.

We believe that justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6).

It is affirmed that the righteousness which is the ground of Justification, being the merit of a work, undertaken and accomplished by Christ on behalf of His people, may become theirs by being imputed to them, or reckoned to their account.
Three cases of imputation biblically we affirm: namely, 1. that of the guilt of Adam's first sin to his posterity, 2. that of the guilt of our sins to Christ as our substitute, and 3. that of His righteousness to us as the immediate ground of our Justification. Justification, then, is more than a declaration; it is, by imputation, where the believer in Jesus Christ, by faith, is clothed with the perfect righteousness of Christ - His active and passive obedience (2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 3:15-16; 5:13-20; Roms. 3:21ff; Phil. 3:8). Our sins imputed to Christ (Roms. 5:12-17; Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24); His righteousness imputed to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is enabled to “be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

This righteousness, being the merit of a work, and not a mere quality of character, may become ours by being imputed to us, but cannot be communicated by being infused; and must ever continue to belong primarily and, in one important respect, exclusively to Him by whom alone that work was accomplished. That righteousness is called in Scripture: "the righteousness of God," "the righteousness of Christ," the "righteousness of One," "the obedience of One," the "free gift unto justification of life," "the righteousness which is of," or "by," or "through, faith," "the righteousness of God without the law," and "the righteousness which God imputes without works." His righteousness, considered as the entire merit of His whole Mediatorial work (Matt. 3:15-16; 5:13-20; 2 Cor. 5:21), is not only the meritorious cause, but also the immediate ground, of our Justification; and for this end, that righteousness is by which alone we can be justified, why it is said to be the righteousness of God, or the merit of Christ, and how it becomes ours, so as to be available for our Justification.

We believe that salvation is eternally secured to all believers, and that this assurance is their portion from the very day of their trust in Christ. John 3:16; 10:28, 29; Hebrews 10:22; Romans 8:28-39.

We believe that this salvation will be fully realized when Christ comes back to take us to Himself - this is the Christian's blessed hope. John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-13.


Article VIII
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that it is incumbent upon every believer, by God's transforming grace (Titus 2:12), to walk worthy of His calling - to walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh (1 Thessalonians 2:12; Romans 8:4, 5).

We believe that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

We believe that, out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us, and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior.

We also believe that separation from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).

We believe that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).

We believe that Christian character and fruit is produced solely by the operation of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:6, 7; 4:22-24; Galatians 5:16-23.


Article IX
THE CHURCH
We believe that the true Church, which is the Body of Christ, is composed of all believers of this dispensation who are united to the risen Lord by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4-6; 5:23-32.

We believe that baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are gospel ordinances belonging only to regenerated believers. The ordinances have no saving merit for they are emblems and types of spiritual realities, not the realities themselves. Baptism is a responsibility of each believer to declare one’s allegiance to Christ. (Matthew 3:16-17; 28:18-20; Acts 2:14-41; 8:12-40; 16:25-40; 18:7-8; Romans 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:26) The Lord’s Table is an expression of our communion with Christ and with one another. (Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 10:14-21; 11:17-34; Hebrews 9:11-28)

We believe that the local church is under the authority of Christ alone who rules through His Word and is governed by a plurality of men called elders who shepherd the church. The communion of saints, however, requires recognition of and fellowship with other churches. (Matthew 20:24-28; Acts 20: 17,28; Ephesians 4:12-14; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

We believe that we are to assemble ourselves together for worship, praise, prayer, encourage and ministry. Hebrews 10:24, 25.


Article X
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
*We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead, both the righteous and the unrighteous. The righteous shall enjoy everlasting life with God, and the wicked shall endure everlasting, conscious punishment away from the presence of God’s glory. (Genesis 3:17-19; Job 19:25-27; Ecclesiastes 12:1-8; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:1-4; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Luke 16:19-31; 23:32-43; Acts 24:14-16; Romans 9:19-26; 1 Corinthians 15:35-56; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Philippians 1:21-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Hebrews 12:22-24; Jude 3-7; Revelation 22:12-21)

*A pre-mil/pre/trib view has represented my belief in the past;
but currently, I am still studying this area of theology.
As affirmed by most, eschatology is not primary doctrine, but secondary.
Regenerate men may disagree on the order of events concerning our Lord's return
and be within the purview of orthodoxy.
But all regenerate men must agree that
Christ is coming again for His church.

Article XI
JUDGMENT
We believe that at death every believer passes into the presence of Christ and there awaits the resurrection, after which he will be judged by Christ for his works. 1 Corinthians 3:9-13; 15:51-54; 2 Corinthians 5:8, 10; Romans 14:10.

We believe that the unsaved will remain under condemnation, and in misery, until the judgment of the Great White Throne where they will be united with their body to be cast into the eternal lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15.

We believe that Satan and the fallen angels also will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever. Revelation 20:10.

*the above statement of beliefs were compiled by Steve Camp portions of which came from the doctrinal statements of The Bible Church of Little Rock; Grace Community Church; and Clearcreek Chapel