This is what
We Believe
First and foremost, I am a Bible believer. My beliefs come from the Scriptures alone. I reject all systems or isms that prioritize man-made doctrines above the Word of God. The Bible is our foundation, and everything we believe and teach should be rooted in the truth of Scripture, and we do our best do that faithfully.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
John 5:39 – “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
The Bible is not what saves us, but it points us to the One who does: Jesus Christ.
The Scriptures
The Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. It is our final authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and life.
2 Peter 1:21 – “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 4:4 – “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.”
The Trinity
There is One God in Three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal, co-eternal, and of the same essence. I reject modalism, which teaches that God manifests as one person at a time.
Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
1 John 5:7 – “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”
Genesis 1:26 – “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.’”
The Person of the Father
The Father is the Sustainer of all things. He is holy, just, and loving. He sent the Son to redeem the world.
1 Corinthians 8:6 – “Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
The Person of the Son
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again on the third day. He is our creator and mediator and is our only way to the Father.
John 1:1, 14 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
1 Timothy 2:5 – “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
The Person of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. He convicts the world of sin, regenerates believers, indwells them, and empowers them for holy living.
John 16:8 – “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
Galatians 5:16 – “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Sin
All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Sin is a term from archery, meaning “to miss the mark.” Sin entered the world through Adam, and we inherit a sinful nature. However, our condemnation comes from our own sin. A believer does still sin, but no longer makes practice of sin but becomes a saint, pursuing righteousness.
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:12 – “Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men.”
1 John 3:9 – “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”
Baptism
Baptism is an ordinance and an outward picture of our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It is the first act of obedience for a believer.
Romans 6:4 – “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead… we also should walk in newness of life.”
Acts 2:38 – “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”
Communion
Communion is an ordinance taken in remembrance of Jesus’ death, proclaiming His sacrifice until He returns.
1 Corinthians 11:24-25 – “Take, eat; this is My body… This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Heaven
Heaven is a literal place where believers will live with God for eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Revelation 21:1-4 – “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth… And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Hell
Hell is the second death, a place of eternal punishment for the devil, his angels, and unbelievers.
Revelation 20:10 – “The devil… was cast into the lake of fire… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Revelation 21:8 – “But the cowardly, unbelieving… shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
The Return of Jesus
Jesus will return, and there will be a literal rapture, seven-year tribulation, and 1,000-year reign of Christ. Afterward, there will be a New Heaven and New Earth.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven… And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Revelation 20:4 – “They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
Male Leadership
God has established male leadership in the church and home as a model for order and life.
Ephesians 5:23 – “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church.”
1 Timothy 2:12 – “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.”
Marriage
Marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman, established by God from the beginning.
Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Matthew 19:4-6 – “He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female.’”