The Scriptures
We believe in the verbal (words), plenary (all) inspiration of the Bible,1 the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament Canon which, being inerrant in the original manuscripts,2 is the final authority on all matters of faith, practice, and any other subject on which it touches.3 We believe in a dispensational understanding of the Bible. This approach maintains a literal (normal) interpretation of the Bible and recognizes a fundamental distinction between Israel and the Church4 in origin, purposes, and destiny.
- 1 Cor 2:13; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21; Rev 22:18–19
- Matt 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 17:17
- Isa 8:20; Matt 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 2 Tim 3:16–17
- 1 Cor 10:32
The Godhead
We believe there is only one true God,1 eternally existing2 in three uncreated Persons,3: God the Father,4 God the Son,5 and God the Holy Spirit.6 These three are of one and the same essence though distinct in personality,7 equal in every divine characteristic,8 and function in perfect harmony to accomplish the manifold works of God.9
- Deut 6:4; Isa 45:21–22; John 5:44
- Exod 3:14; Jer 10:10
- Exod 3:14; Matt 28:19; John 5:26; 2 Cor 13:14; Jude 20–21
- John 4:21, 23; Rom 15:6
- Matt 3:17; Rom 1:3–4
- Gen 1:2; Matt 1:18; 12:32
- 2 Sam 23:2–3; John 6:27; Heb 1:8
- John 5:23; 16:15; Acts 5:3–4
- Eph 2:18; Heb 9:14
God the Father
We believe in God the Father, the First Person of the eternal Trinity,1 being the Father because of His personal relationship to the Son,2 whom He sent into the world,3 and who, together with the Son, sent the Holy Spirit.4 While these three persons are identical in essence and equal in every divine perfection, there is an economical order among them.5 In this sense there are the First, Second, and Third Persons of the Triune God. The Father is the ultimate source of all things,6 the sustainer of all things,7 and the controller of all things.8 He enters into a Fatherhood relationship with men spiritually through the new birth,9 forgives their sins,10 and answers their prayers.11
- John 17:5; Rom 16:26
- Ps 2:7; 2 John 3
- John 3:16–17; 1 John 4:10
- John 14:26; 15:26
- John 14:28; 15:26; 1 Cor 11:3
- 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 3:9
- Neh 9:6; Ps 104:19–22; John 5:17
- Ps 103:19; 148:8; Prov 19:21; 1 Cor 10:13
- John 1:12; Gal 3:26; 4:5–6
- 1 John 1:9
- John 16:23
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the pre-existent, eternal Son of God,1 that He is both God2 and man,3 and that His two natures are inseparably united in one glorious Person through the incarnation.4 We believe in His virgin conception and birth,5 His substitutionary atonement for the sins of mankind,6 His bodily resurrection from the tomb,7 His ascension into heaven8 as the believer’s High Priest and Advocate before the throne of God 9, and His literal return for His people.10
- Isa 9:6; Matt 16:16; John 10:36; 17:5
- John 1:1; Rom 9:5; Titus 2:13; Heb 1:8; 1 John 5:20
- Matt 20:28; John 8:40; 1 Tim 2:5
- John 1:14; Rom 1:3–4; Heb 10:5
- Isa 7:14; Matt 1:18–25
- Isa 53:1–12; John 1:29; 1 John 2:2
- Matt 28:5–7; Luke 24:1–7; 1 Cor 15:3–4; Rev 1:18
- Luke 24:51; Acts 1:2, 9–11
- 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 1:3; 4:14–16; 1 John 2:1; Rev 3:21
- John 14:3; 1 Thess 4:13-18
The Holy Spirit
- 2 Sam 23:2–3; John 16:7–8; 1 Cor 3:16; Heb 9:14
- John 16:8–11
- John 15:26; 16:14–15
- 1 Cor 12:13
- John 3:3, 5; Titus 3:5
- John 7:37–39; 14:16; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16
- 2 Cor 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:13–14; 4:30
- Acts 2:4; Rom 6:13; 12:1–2; Gal 5:16; Eph 4:30
- John 15:16; Gal 5:22–23; Col 1:10
Creation
- Gen 1–2
- Exod 20:11
- Ps 19:1–6; 33:6, 9; 90:2
- Isa 40:28
- 1 Cor 8:6
- Heb 11:3
- Rev 4:9–11
The Fall of Man
- Gen 1:26–31; 2:7–25
- Gen 1:26–27; 1 Cor 11:7; Jas 3:9
- Eccl 7:29; Eph 4:24; Col 3:9–10
- Gen 3:1–7; 1 Tim 2:14
- Ps 51:5; Rom 5:12, 19
- Rom 5:16, 18
- Gen 2:17; Rom 5:12, 14, 15, 17, 21; 6:23; 1 Cor 15:21–22; Eph 2:1
- Gen 8:21; 1 Kgs 8:46; Isa 53:6; Jer 17:9; Rom 3:10, 12, 23; 1 John 1:8, 10
- Isa 64:6; Matt 19:25–26; Rom 4:5–6; Eph 2:9; Titus 3:5
Salvation
- John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5
- Rom 3:25; 5:8–10; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:14–15, 22; 1 Pet 1:18–19
- Isa 53:4–6, 8–9, 11–12; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13; 1 Pet 2:24
- John 6:65; Rom 4:16; Eph 2:8
- Rom 5:15–17; 6:23; Eph 2:9
- Eph 2:9; Titus 3:5
- John 16:8–11; Eph 5:26; Jas 1:18; 1 Pet 1:23
- Matt 3:2, 8; Acts 3:19; 20:21; 26:20; Heb 6:1
- Acts 16:31; Rom 4:5, 16; Eph 2:8–9; Heb 6:1
- Rom 8:33; Acts 13:48; Eph 1:4; 1 Thess 1:4; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2
- John 5:25; Rom 8:28, 30; 1 Cor 1:9, 24; 1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 1:9
- John 1:13; 5:25; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:3, 23
- Rom 6:3–10; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27–28
- Rom 4:1–5, 25; 5:1, 18–19
- Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7; 4:32; Col 1:14; 2:13; 1 John 2:12
- 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21
- Rom 8:15; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5
- 1 Cor 1:2, 30; 6:11; Heb 10:10, 14
- Rom 8:30
- John 6:39; 10:27–30; Rom 8:35–39; 1 Cor 1:8–9; Phil 1:6; Jude 24
- John 8:31–32; 1 Cor 15:2;Col 1:23; 2 Tim 2:12; Heb 3:14; 4:14; 6:11–12; 12:14; 1 John 2:19; 5:4; Jude 21-24
Sanctification
- Acts 26:18; 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11; Heb 10:10, 14
- John 13:10; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Thess 5:23
- Rom 7:22–23; Gal 5:17
- Mark 14:38; John 17:17; 1 Pet 2:2; Jude 20–21
- Rom 6:11
- Rom 6:12–14, 12:1–2; Jas 4:7–8
- Rom 8:13; Col 3:5; Titus 2:12; 1 Pet 1:14–15
- 1 Cor 6:14, 18; Heb 12:1; 1 John 3:3
- Phil 3:21; 1 Thess 3:12–13; Heb 9:28; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24
Spiritual Gifts
- Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:11, 18, 28–31; Eph 4:7–8; Heb 2:4
- 1 Cor 12:27; 1 Pet 4:10
- 1 Cor 12:7
- 1 Cor 14:12
- Eph 4:11–12
- 2 Cor 12:12; Heb 2:4
- 1 Cor 13:8–12; Eph 2:20; Heb 2:1–4
Satan
We believe in the reality of Satan as a distinct person,1 who, though having been created in a state of perfection and enjoying heaven with God,2 was prompted by pride to rebel against God and fell from his original exalted state,3 leading a multitude of other angels (demons) in his revolt, over whom he is king.4 Satan is the god of this world5 and the archenemy of God and believers, whose purpose and work is to thwart the plan of God,6 accuse and oppose believers,7 incite persecution against believers,8 sow counterfeits among true believers,9 and tempt believers to sin.10 Satan will be cast down to earth during the Tribulation Period,11 bound in the abyss during the Millennium,12 loosed after the Millennium for a little season to provoke the final rebellion of mankind against God,13 and finally be consigned forever to the lake of fire.14
- 1 Chr 21:1; Job 1:6–12; 2:1–7; Matt 4:1–11; 2 Cor 12:7
- Ezek 28:12–15; Rev 12:3–4
- Isa 14:12–15; Ezek 28:17; 1 Tim 3:6
- Matt 12:24; 25:41; Rev 9:11; 12:3–4, 7
- John 12:31; 2 Cor 4:3–4
- Gen 3:4–5; Job 1:9–11; 2:4–5; Matt 4:1–11; 2 Cor 11:13–15
- 1 Pet 5:8; Rev 12:10
- Rev 2:10
- Matt 13:39
- 1 Cor 7:5
- Rev 12:7–9
- Rev 20:1–3
- Rev 20:7–9
- John 16:11; Rev 20:10
The Church
- Eph 1:22–23; 5:23; Col 1:18, 24
- 1 Cor 12:13; Eph 2:11–22
- Acts 13:1; Rom 16:1, 5; 1 Cor 1:2; 1 Thess 1:1; Phlm 2
- Matt 28:19; Acts 2:41, 47
- Acts 2:42; 2 Thess 3:6; Jude 3
- Matt 28:19; Acts 2:41; 10:47–48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 1 Cor 1:16
- Matt 26:26–30; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor 10:16–22; 11:23–32
- Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2; Heb 10:25
- Acts 2:42, 47
- Matt 28:19–20; Luke 24:46–48; Acts 1:8
- Acts 20:17, 28; Eph 4:11; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:1–7; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet 5:1
- Acts 6:1–6; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8–13
- Rom 12:16; 1 Cor 1:10; 2 Cor 13:11; Phil 4:2
- 1 Tim 3:15; Jude 3; Rev 2–3
- Acts 6:1–6; 11:22; 13:2; 15:3, 4, 22; 1 Cor 16:3; 2 Cor 8:19
- Matt 18:15–17; 1 Cor 5:4–5, 12; 6:1–5; 2 Cor 2:6; 2 Thess 3:6
- Acts 15:2–32; 2 Cor 8:19; Col 4:16
- 1 Tim 3:15
The Second Coming
- 1 Thess 4:16; 2 Thess 2:1; 1 John 3:2
- Rom 13:12; 1 Cor 1:7; 1 Thess 5:6; Titus 2:13; Jas 5:8–9; 1 Pet 4:5; 2 Pet 3:12; Jude 21; Rev 22:10
- 1 Thess 1:10; 5:9; Rev 3:10
- John 14:1–3; 1 Cor 15:51–52; Phil 3:20–21; Col 1:4; 1 Thess 4:16–17
- Dan 7:9–14; Zech 14:1–4; Mal 3:1–2; Matt 24:29–30; Acts 1:11; 2 Thess 2:8; Rev 1:7
- Jer 30:31–34; 31:28; Ezek 36:11; Joel 3:1; Amos 9:14; Mic 4:7–8; Zech 10:6; Rom 11:25–27
- Gen 13:14–17; 15:18; Deut 30:1–11; Isa 11:12; 14:2; Jer 32:37–41; Ezek 34:10–16; 37:14; Amos 9:15; Zech 10:9–10; Matt 24:30–31
- 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 3:21; 20:1–6
- 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1–3
The Resurrection
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved and unsaved, though occurring at separate times.1 The souls of believers go immediately into His presence at death,2 remaining in a state of conscious bliss until the resurrection of the saved, at which time they will receive their glorified bodies,3 and thereafter spend eternity serving the Lord in unending fellowship and love.4 The souls of unbelievers at death go immediately into a state of conscious torment in literal hell-fire,5 where they remain until the resurrection of the unsaved, when they will be cast into the lake of fire to endure eternal suffering as a just retribution for their sin.6 The resurrection of the saved begins at the Rapture of the Church and is completed at the end of the Tribulation.7 The resurrection of the unsaved is after the Millennium where they will stand before God to be judged.8
- Dan 12:2; John 5:28–29; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:21–24
- Acts 7:59–60; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:21–23
- Rom 8:11, 23; 1 Cor 15:22–24, 35–38; Phil 3:20–21; 1 John 3:2
- 1 Cor 13:13; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1–7, 9–27; 22:1–5, 14
- Deut 32:22; Luke 16:23–25
- Matt 8:12; 18:8; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43–48; Rev 14:10, 11; 20:14–15; 21:8
- Dan 12:2; 1 Cor 15:23; 1 Thess 4:16; Rev 11:11–12; 20:4–5
- Rev 20:5, 11–15
Separation
We believe in both personal and ecclesiastical separation. The doctrine of separation is grounded in the character of God Himself. Holiness carries the basic idea of separation or apartness. God is holy in that He is separate or apart from all that is created1 and from all that is sinful.2 God demands that His people be holy or separated from sin3 and set apart unto God in all purity. God constituted the nation of Israel a holy people who were to be separated from the practices of the surrounding heathen.4 God commands His people today to be personally separated from the world,5 the temporary system of evil led by Satan,6 organized against God and His will,7 that has its own philosophies, goals, lifestyles, amusements, habits, and practices. Ecclesiastical separation is the refusal to work or fellowship with a church, religious organization, and/or religious leader, which does not hold to the fundamentals of the faith.8 Ecclesiastical separation also maintains a like refusal to fellowship with so-called “Christian” ministries who maintain connections with those who do not hold to the fundamentals of the faith.9
- Ps 99:1–3; Isa 57:15
- Isa 6:3, 5; Matt 6:9–10; 1 Tim 6:16; 1 Pet 1:15; 1 John 1:5
- Matt 5:48; Rom 12:1; Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:15–16; 1 John 2:1
- Exod 19:5–6; Lev 20:24–26; Deut 7:1–6; Ps 135:4
- Rom 12:2; Eph 5:11; Jas 4:4; 1 John 2:15
- John 12:31; 2 Cor 4:4; 1 John 2:17; 5:19
- John 7:7; 15:18; Jas 4:4
- Matt 7:15; Rom 16:17–18; 2 Cor 6:14–18; Gal 1:18–19; 1 Tim 6:3–5; 2 Tim 2:16–21; Titus 3:10–11; 2 John 10–11; Rev 2:14
- 2 Thess 3:6, 14; 1 Cor 5:9-13