Core Beliefs
The following are my core beliefs, based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of my teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these Biblical doctrines.
I believe that there is one living and true GOD, eternally existing in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all things. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:8 and 48:16; Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:30; Hebrews 1:3).
I believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in their original autographs. The 66 Books of the Bible is a complete and final written revelation from God. The Word of God is the foundation upon which the church should operate and is the basis for which the church is governed. I believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures. (Isaiah 28:13; Nehemiah 8:8; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:3-4 and 1:21).
I am a creation literalist, meaning that I believe the earth and universe were created in 6 literal 24-hour days as described in Genesis.
I believe the human race was created as male and female by a direct act of God to fully reveal His image. (Genesis 1:26-28). Marriage is a sacred covenantal union between one biologically born male and one biologically born female that limits sexual relations to monogamous, heterosexual marriage. (Genesis 2:24). That the solemnizing of a marriage between men and women of the same sex is contrary to the Word of God (Romans 1:21-27) and officiating that kind of marriage is something I’ve never done or will ever do.
I believe in the person of God the Father, an infinite, eternal, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:2; Psalms 102:27; John 3:16 and 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:3).
I believe in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. I believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and personal, visible return to earth. (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; Mark 16:19; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-2, 8:58 and 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 1:2; Revelation 1:8).
I believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 16:8-11; Romans 8:26 and 15:13,16; Hebrews 9:14).
I believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide and that He seals a believer so that they are unable to be separated from the love of Jesus Christ unless they desire to be. (John 3:1-6, John 6:13, 14:16-17 and 16:8-11, Acts 1:4-5, Romans 8:26, 35-39, Ephesians 1:13-14).
I believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all Biblical gifts and manifestations of the Spirit according to the instructions given to us in (1 Corinthians 12-14), but always done ‘decently and in order’.
I believe that all people are sinners by nature and, therefore, are under condemnation; that God saves and regenerates based upon faith by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. (Acts 8:15-17; Ephesians 2:1-3 and 8-9; Romans 3:23 and 5:8; Titus 3:5).
I believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all who are born again are a part of the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16)
I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances for the church: (a) water baptism of believers, and (b) the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). I believe water baptism should be done at an age when a person understands what it is they are doing. As for the method of water baptism, I believe that when it is possible it should be done by being completely immersed in the water. I also believe that the Lord Jesus Christ validated the ordinance of marriage. (Matthew 19:4-5 and John 2:1-11)
I believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ which is His personal, visible return to earth and the establishment of His millennial kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous and endless separation of the wicked. (Matthew 16:27; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:11-15)
I believe in the Rapture of the Church where all believers will meet the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world prior to the wrath of God being poured out upon the earth. (Isaiah 26:20; Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:36; Romans 1:18, 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-16 and 5:9; 2 Peter 2:7-9; Revelation 3:10, 5:7-10 and 7:13-14)
I believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell and that all those who place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord, while those who reject Jesus’ free gift of salvation will spend eternity separated from the Lord. (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 5:3, 5:22, 18:9 and 25:31-34; Mark 9:42-49; Luke 12:5; John 3:18; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Peter 1:4; Revelation 14:10-11 and 20:11-15)
I am a continuationist.
I believe that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Scripture are available to and active in His church today (John 14:16-17; John 16:7-11; Titus 3:5-6; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 1:13-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
I am complementarian.
I believe that God created human beings, male and female, in His own image. He created them sinless, equal in value, dignity and worth. According to His purpose and design, God created them to fulfill distinct but complementary roles in the contexts of marriage, family and the local church (Genesis 1:26-28; Ephesians 5:22-6:4; 1 Timothy 3:1-7).
I am pre-millennial.
I believe in the pre-millennial return of Christ to the earth, to sit upon the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob (Israel), and the entire cosmos, forever (Revelation 20:1-6; Luke 1:31-33; Isaiah 9:6-7).
I am pre-tribulational.
I believe the church will be delivered from the “hour of trial” which will come upon all who dwell on the earth, being “caught up” in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (the Rapture). (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Revelation 3:10)