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DOCTRINE

I don’t have a doctrine, per se, but I believe the Word of God was spoken in times past by the prophets, and is spoken to us in these last days by the Son, the Living Word (see “A Sure Word”).  I find that I cannot ascribe to the doctrinal statement or creed of any single denomination, for it seems that each may have glimpsed a piece of the truth without grasping the whole. 

I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, which has only one interpretation but many applications.  In addition, I believe the Bible is to be interpreted literally but not necessarily physically, for the Bible speaks of the spiritual realm.  We cannot understand the Bible when we read with natural minds, but I believe the Spirit of Truth guides us into all Truth (John 16:13) when we read with spiritual eyes and ears. 1 Cor. 2:12-14 says, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God…which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  I also believe the teaching of the Spirit (the Living Word) will not contradict the teaching of Bible (the written Word).  

I believe Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine; He came forth from the Father (John 16:28), was manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) and dwelt among us ( John 1:14).  I believe He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man can come to the Father but by Him (John 14:6), neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).  

I believe the death and resurrection of Christ made a way for the salvation of all who will repent and follow Christ (Matt 11:28-29, Matt 22:1-14, 1 Tim 2:4).  Salvation comes only by the grace and mercy of God, and is the gift of God (Eph 2:8).  But this gift must be appropriated through our faith (Eph 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith…”) Faith is our response to God’s calling – our agreement to His terms and declaration of our love and loyalty - by which we enter into covenant with God (see “The Oath of the Covenant”). 

I believe all the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ (1 Corin 1:20), Who is central to everything.  He created all things for his pleasure (Rev 4:11); is heir of all things (Heb 1:2); and in Him all things will be gathered together in one (Eph 1:10).  I believe Christ was raised up to sit on His throne at His ascension (Acts 2:30); all things have been placed under subjection to Him even if we do not yet perceive this to be so (Heb 2:8).  I believe Christ has been given the authority to judge the quick (those alive in Christ) and the dead (2 Tim 4:1, Matt 25:31-33, Rev 20:11-14); and He will reign until He has destroyed all enemies (1 Corin 15:24-25). 

I believe Christ is coming again to restore all things (Acts 3:21, Rev 21:5), consummate His Kingdom (Rev 11:15), and make His dwelling place with men; they shall be his people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God (Rev 21:3).  

SOME THINGS I CANNOT AGREE WITH :

I hesitate to define what I believe in the negative, yet it does seems necessary because the Spirit of God has revealed teachings prevalent today that do not align themselves with the Word of God.  Consequently, I cannot agree with the following:

     I cannot agree with the doctrine of infant baptism; rather, I 
     believe the Bible teaches we are to baptize believers (Mark
     16:16, Acts 8:36-37). Neither can I believe water baptism
     saves, for John the Baptist baptized with water, but Jesus
     washes us from our sins in His own blood (Rev. 1:5) and
     baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11, John 1:33).

I cannot agree with the Reformed doctrine of election; rather, I believe the Bible teaches that JESUS is the Elect of God, the Chosen (Isaiah 42:1, Luke 23:35), and those who are in Christ are the “chosen” in Him (Eph 1:4) (See "Many Are Called - Few Are Chosen").  

I cannot agree with the doctrine of Eternal Security of the Believer; rather, I believe the Bible teaches salvation is a process beginning with the quickening of new birth and culminating in final redemption (Rom 8:23) if we continue in the faith (1 John 2:24-25). (See “Redemption”). 

I cannot agree with dispensational doctrine; rather, I believe the Bible teaches the promises are fulfilled in the church, the Israel of God (those who are in Christ), rather than the physical nation of Israel. (Gal 3:16, Rom 9:8).  See Dispensational Theology, Covenant Theology, or Christocentric Theology (outside link).

I cannot agree with many of the beliefs that have made their way into the churches today, including New Age teachings, Pagan customs, psychology, Health and Wealth teachings, etc. (Matt 24:4-5, Matt 24:11, 2 Tim 3:13; see “Spiritual Deception”). 

I cannot agree with the “Seeker-sensitive” movement because it seems to teach a man-centered gospel that is more concerned with meeting the expectations of “seekers” rather than with pleasing God.  See "Consumer Christianity" Part 1 and Part 2 (outside links).

     I cannot agree with the “Emergent movement.”  While their
     revolution against the traditions of men is commendable, it
      appears that they have sanctioned the ability of each
     individual to “do what is right in his own eyes” in the context
     of prevailing culture rather than returning to the authority of
     God.  Emergent is merely the newest version of an age old
     story - the people of God being led astray from the Truth by
     the allure of heathen culture and the ways of the world.
    

While reading the content of these articles and pages, you may find some principles that challenge what you have always been taught.  I, too, was very cautious when the Holy Spirit began to reveal what appeared to be radical concepts.  Actually, it scared me to death! But God brought me to a place where there was no choice but to believe what He was teaching rather than what man had taught (Acts 4:19).  So I ask that you read prayerfully, asking the Spirit of Truth to guide you and searching the Scriptures to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).  While in no way do I claim to understand everything, I must believe what the Spirit of God has revealed to me at the feet of Jesus.  On this, I will stand.

 
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