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COAST BIBLE CHURCH
ARTICLES OF FAITH
SECTION A: The Bible
The Bible says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God (lit. God-breathed), that holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit using their own individual style and vocabulary to write the very words of Scripture so that what was written was exactly what God wanted written. This divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
The Scriptures in their entirety are without error, and incapable of error in their original writings (John 10:35). We believe that these writings (divided into 66 books in our English Bible tradition) have been handed down and effectively preserved throughout the centuries (in keeping with the implications of the prophecy in Matthew 5:18).
God intended for the Bible to be understood by those who endeavor to understand its truth. Therefore, we seek a plain straightforward understanding of what is written, giving attention to the Bible’s context, culture, and language (John 16:12-15; 2 Timothy 2:2, 14-18; 3:6-8, 14-17).
We believe that the Scriptures center about the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work, in His first and second coming. Hence all Scripture, Old and New Testament, is most properly understood as it leads to Him (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Acts 17:2-3; 18:28; 26:22-23; 28:23).
The Bible is our final authority in all matters of truth and practice in our lives and in the Church (John 17:17; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
SECTION B: God
ONE GOD
We believe that there is only one living and true God. He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, truth, goodness and love (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2:5; 1 John 4:7-11).
We also believe that God created everything that exists except Himself; that He is Spirit and separate from the material world which He created. Yet He is everywhere present in the world as the upholder of all things (John 1:3; 4:24; 5:26; Acts 17:24-29; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 4:11).
THE TRINITY
This one true God eternally exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
These three persons are one God, sharing one divine essence, each having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and each worthy of precisely the same worship, love, confidence, and obedience; and that in keeping with their unique relationship within this one Godhead, each carries out distinct ministries (Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 14, 18; 3:16; 5:23; 6:27; 14:9; 15:26; 17:26; Acts 5:3-4; I Corinthians 8:6; II Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-3, 8).
SECTION C: God the Father
Everything God does involves in some way or another all the persons of the Godhead. Therefore, when we speak of God the Father we are not excluding God the Son or God the Holy Spirit, but simply calling attention to those things which seem to be associated with the Father in a special sense.
God the Father orders and disposes of all things according to His own purpose. As the absolute and highest ruler in the universe, He is sovereign (ultimately responsible) in creation, providence, and redemption.
Regarding creation: He is the source of all things; the reason all things exist (1 Corinthians 8:6).
Regarding providence (His care and supervision of what He has created): He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass, and continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events. In this He in no way is the author or approver of sin, nor does He diminish the accountability of morally intelligent creatures (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:3-11; Hebrews 4:13; 1 Peter 1:17).
Regarding redemption (His deliverance of what He has created): He has graciously chosen from all eternity those whom he would have as His own;
He delivers all who come to Him through His Son (John 1:12-13; 6:37, 44; James 1:17-18).
God the Father relates Himself to His own as their Father. Today, those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior have received eternal life. They have become His children and the special recipients of His grace, peace, and blessing. They also receive His chastening that they might receive all He desires them to have (Matthew 25:34; Luke 12:22-34; Hebrews 12:3-17; James 1:17-18; 1 Peter 1:17).
SECTION D: God the Son
The Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is God. He shares equally the same divine nature, attributes, and perfections with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:8).
At a point in time and space He became totally man without ceasing to be fully God. In His becoming "the Son of Man," He was conceived by God the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He, the infinite God, became a man that He might reveal God to mankind, save people from their sins, and establish God's kingdom on earth (Psalm 2; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7; Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 26:63-64; Luke 1:27; John 1:1, 14-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-3,8; 1 John 2:2).
The Lord Jesus Christ was altogether holy by virtue of His miraculous birth and sinless life. He voluntarily laid down His life, the Just dying for the unjust, in order to satisfy divine justice and bring all who believe in Him into a personal relationship with the living God (Isaiah 53:4-6; John 10:17-18; Romans 3:21-28; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 3:18).
Furthermore, the Lord Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead and in this resurrection God confirmed both the deity of Christ and His acceptance of Christ's death on the cross as a satisfaction of divine justice. His bodily resurrection is a guarantee of the future resurrection of all believers (Matthew 28:6; John 14:19; Acts 2:30, 31; Romans 1:4; 4:25; I Corinthians 15:20).
After His resurrection, He ascended bodily into heaven to the right hand of God the Father. As the infinite God-man, He sits as the only true mediator between God and man. He is the head of His body, the Church. He is the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David. And He is the final Judge of all who have not placed their trust in Him as their personal Savior from sin (Isaiah 53:10; Psalm 2:7-9; Luke 1:31-33; 24:39; John 2:19-22; 5:27-29; Acts 1:9-11; Ephesians 1:22, 23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 1:3; 4:14; 7:25; 1 John 2:1).
SECTION E: God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a distinct Person and not simply a power that emanates from God. He is God sharing equally with the Father and the Son in the divine essence, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 3:16; 12:11; Ephesians 4:30).
Though as God, the Holy Spirit is omnipresent (and has been from all eternity), He came into this world in a special sense on the day of Pentecost and for the special purpose of testifying to and glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:12-15; 17:3).
He came to make the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ known to the people of this world. He does this:
By bringing to light their sin because they have not believed in the Lord Jesus Christ who died to remove their sin.
By bringing to light their lack of righteousness because the Lord Jesus Christ has gone forth from the grave to the Father revealing the kind of righteousness it takes to be received by God -- nothing less than the righteousness of Christ.
By bringing to light judgment because the Lord Jesus Christ has, through His death and resurrection, conquered sin and death, leaving Satan and all who are in a state of rebellion against God, powerless and doomed to eternal damnation (John 16:7-11).
The Holy Spirit moves upon the hearts of people enabling them to see the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior in whom they must put their trust. When they believe, they are born again as the Holy Spirit brings forth God’s eternal life within them (John 3:7-8; 6:63; 15:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 5:6).
The Holy Spirit comes to make the Lord Jesus Christ known in and through His Church -- that is, in and through His people (John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10).
The Holy Spirit “comes upon” all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. This coming upon is often referred to as the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 6-8; 2:1-4; 10:43-48; 11:15-17; 1 Corinthians 62:12-13).
As a result of this baptism in the Holy Spirit many things happen to these who have believed, including:
They are joined to the body of Christ and therefore are joined to others who believe and to the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
They share in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit whose life flows from the Head through every member of the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells each believer and through the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ directs the life of His body. Each member of Christ body, as he is lead by the Holy Spirit, contributes to the building up of this body, which is His church (John 7:37-39; 14:16-17; Romans 8:9, 14; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:15-16; 5:18; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 12:13; I Peter 2:4-5, 9-10).
They are given special abilities (called spiritual gifts) by the Holy Spirit to enable each one to serve and contribute to the Church and to what the Lord Jesus Christ is doing through His Church (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:11-16).
They are sealed with the Holy Spirit unto the day when the believer’s body is finally redeemed from the grave (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30).
We believe that certain spiritual gifts (among them the gifts of apostleship, prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, and performing miracles) were given to confirm the words and work of God through the apostles and subsequently diminished from the life of the Church as it matured. This is not to deny that often, particularly in response to prayer, God does delight in healing or in acting in miraculous ways for the benefit of His people or for the outworking of His purposes upon the earth (Mark 16:17-20; Acts 2:43; 5:12; 1 Corinthians 13:8-13; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 2:1-4).
SECTION F: Angels
UNFALLEN ANGELS
God created an innumerable company of spiritual beings, known as Angels. These beings have greater power than man, and are highly ordered and organized (Ephesians 3:10; Hebrews 1:14; 2 Peter 2:11; Jude 9).
Angels speak God’s word, praise God’s person, serve God’s purposes, and execute God’s judgments. During the present time are sent forth especially to minister on behalf of those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14; 2:3; Psalm 148:2; Revelation 5:11-12; Psalm 91:9-13; Acts 12:5-10; Acts 12:23; Matthew 13:41).
FALLEN ANGELS
The Bible teaches that one angel, “Lucifer, son of the morning” -- the highest in rank -- sinned through pride, thereby becoming Satan, the adversary of God. A great company of the angels followed him in his rebellion, some of whom became demons and are active as his agents and associates in the carrying out of his unholy purposes, while others who rebelled are confined (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 12:24; 25:41; 1 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
Satan is the originator of sin and evil. God allowed this temporary manifestation of evil as a backdrop against which His infinite glory, including His love, goodness, truth, righteousness, and holiness could be better perceived by all His creation (Psalm 104:31; Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 25:41; John 17:3; Romans 9:14-24; 11:33-36; Ephesians 3:8-12; Colossians 1:15-16).
In view of this, God permitted Satan, through subtle deception, to challenge our first parents to sin. Their acceptance and disobedience resulted in their moral fall and in subjecting them and their posterity to Satan’s power and influence (Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 5:12-14; Hebrews 2:14-15).
We believe that Satan, as the enemy of God and the people of God, opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped. In the beginning he said, “I will be like the most High.” In his warfare he appears as an angel of light, even counterfeiting the works of God by fostering religious movements and systems of doctrine. These systems are characterized by a denial of the person and work of Christ and of salvation by grace alone (Job 1:12; 2:6; Zechariah 3:1-2; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 2:10-11; 4:1-4; 11:2-4,13-15; Ephesians 2:2; 6:10-12, 16; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:10).
Satan was judged at the Cross of Christ. The sentence, however, was not then executed, and he, a usurper of power, now rules as the “god of this world.” At the second coming of Christ Satan will be bound and cast into the abyss for a thousand years. After the thousand years he will be loosed for a little while and then “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone” where he and his angels shall be tormented day and night forever (Matthew 25:41; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 20:1-3, 10).
SECTION G: Man
The Bible says that God created man directly from the dust of the ground. That man was God’s special creation, created in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7).
Man was created for intimate fellowship with God. Furthermore, as His image and likeness, man was to be God’s sovereign representative upon earth, filling and ruling over the earth in righteousness to the glory of God (Genesis 1:26-28; 3:8ff; Psalm 8; 1 Corinthians 11:7-9; Colossians 3:16-18; 2 Peter 3:13).
We believe that the first man, Adam, broke this trust by personally choosing to disobey the direct commandment of God. As a result of this willful sin, he immediately experienced spiritual death (separation from God), and eventually physical death (separation of the body and spirit). We also believe that through Adam sin entered the world and, as a result, all mankind has experienced the consequences, being born into this world spiritually dead and physically dying (Genesis 2:15-17, 5:5ff; Romans 5:12-21; Hebrews 7:9-10).
Furthermore, we believe that all men are inherently sinful, being born with a predisposition to sin, and in fact do personally sin. Apart from the salvation which is in the Lord Jesus Christ, all men are eternally lost, being under the wrath of God and destined to certain judgment and an endless existence of being separated from God in the lake of fire (hell) (Psalm 51:5; Luke 19:10; John 3:16-18, 36; Romans 1:18; 3:1-23; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Ephesians 2:1-3; Revelation 20:11-15).
SECTION H: Salvation
Salvation is a gracious work of God whereby believers have been, are being, and will be delivered from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
JUSTIFICATION
Believers have been delivered from the problem and punishment of sin. God eternally saves anyone the moment he puts his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. His salvation ultimately resolves the most basic problem caused by sin: How God can be just and justify sinful people. He does this by imparting His righteousness to each one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, so that he can declare him “just.” The Bible calls this Justification.
This justification from God involves two things, like two sides of one coin. On the one side is the payment for a believer’s sins. On the other side is the creation of new life in the believer.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who lived a righteous life on this earth, died in the place of unrighteous men. He died to pay the penalty for the sins of all men by providing a just satisfaction to God who is enraged over sin and who would justly punish sinful people forever in hell. The Bible calls this Propitiation.
The creation of new life in the believer is often referred to as being born again or receiving eternal life. In essence, it is God’s life which God the Holy Spirit brings forth within every person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ so that he becomes a child of God. The Bible calls this Regeneration.
Because a just payment for his sins has been provided and because he has become a new creation of God, God declares the believer righteous and just forever.
However, this is only the beginning of the blessings of this eternal salvation. Without compromising His own integrity, God is able to forgive the believer’s sins, reconcile him to Himself, and destine him to spend his life beyond the grave in heaven with Him and His family forever. The Bible calls this Reconciliation. Out of this intimate relationship with God comes many more blessings that enrich the life and eternal hope of every believer (John 1:12; 3:1-16; Romans 2:5; 3:10-28; 5:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 1 Ephesians 1:3-14; Peter 3:18; Revelation 20:11-15).
We believe that this eternal salvation is a gift from God out of His grace, not in any sense a result of man’s works, and that it can only be received by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from the command to believe, no act of obedience, preceding or following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (such as baptism, confession, prayer, faithful service, commitment to obey, or sorrow for or turning from one’s sins) may be added to or considered a part of faith as a condition for receiving eternal salvation. Such things may and in some cases normally do accompany the believers “salvation experience” but they are not essential to his eternal salvation. Only one thing is essential -- that he believes that Jesus is the Christ, his God and Savior. In the Bible faith is a straightforward response to what God has said. It is nothing more nor less than taking God at His Word. It is the inner conviction that when the Lord Jesus Christ says, “Truly, truly I say to you he who believes in Me has eternal life,” He speaks the truth (John 1:12; 3:16, 18, 36; 6:29, 47; Acts 13:39; 16:31; Romans 1:16-17; 3:22, 26; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; 3:22; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).
SANCTIFICATION
Believers in Jesus Christ are being saved from the power and plight of sin. God saves the believer from the power of sin by bringing about a spiritual union with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection. Resulting from this spiritual union with Christ is the death of the believer’s old self which had been dominated by the power of sin, and the bringing to life a new self, a new inner person, which desires to turn from sin and live for God.
The power and dominion of sin over his life was broken. However, that new person he has become in Christ is still housed in a fleshly body which remains a willing vehicle for the passions of sin. The outcome is a conflict of desires: the inner man wanting to serve God, and the fleshly man wanting to serve sin. God saves the believer from this terrible plight, through the Holy Spirit who lives in the believer, and who leads the believer to victory over sin working through the flesh. As the believer lives in harmony with the Spirit, setting his mind upon the things of the Spirit and letting the Word of God dwell in him, the Holy Spirit brings his mortal body to life for God. The outcome is a human life increasingly devoted to being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, to following His instructions, to loving Him and His people, making personal sacrifices for Him, suffering with Him, doing good works, and advancing His kingdom in the hearts and lives of others at home and around the world (Matthew 6:33; Luke 8:4-15; John 13:34-35; 14:19-24; 15:1-10; Romans 6-8; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4; Colossians 2:6-7; 3:16).
The Bible does not teach, however, that this obedience will be manifested in all believers, or to the same degree in all believers. If a believer does not live in harmony with the Spirit, but sets his mind upon the things of the flesh, then he will fail. He will become increasingly distant from God, from His people, and from the things that please Him. Sin, expressed through selfishness and fleshly desires, will rule his life. If he remains unrepentant, the result will be a life which ends in ruin and waste -- a life that is of little use to God, a life that God will severely discipline (Luke 8:4-15; John 15:1-9; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4; 10:1-13; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; Galatians 5:16-6:10; Hebrews 5:12-6:12; 10:26-31; 12:4-11).
Whenever a child of God sins, whether he commits one sin or is living a life of sin, the first step toward reestablishing harmony with God and experiencing victory over sin’s power and plight, is confession. God will forgive sin through the Lord Jesus Christ and restore the relationship between Himself and His child, which has been broken by sin (Romans 8:26-28; 1 John 1:5-2:2).
GLORIFICATION
Believers in Jesus Christ will be saved from the presence and pain of sin. As long as the believer lives in his fleshly body the struggle to be victorious over sin will be unending. Furthermore, there can be much pain and suffering along the way as the consequences of sin lead to broken dreams, broken hearts, broken homes, broken friendships, and broken bodies, and eventually to death itself. We believe that God has promised to save the believer from this present brokenness and pain of sin as well. We believe that one day God will glorify all those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. They will share in the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will be raised with a glorious new body like His, into a glorious new home where He lives, to a future full of glorious potential which He provides.
One day the body of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ will be resurrected from this earth. The believer will enter into his Lord’s presence holy and free from the presence and pain of sin, and possessing a glorious new body fashioned like the body of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself after His resurrection.
At the resurrection, he will come together with family and friends he has known and loved in Christ, and together they will always be with the Lord. In eternity he and all the resurrected saints will live with their Lord in a glorious new city called the New Jerusalem (Romans 8:23, 28-30; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 21-22).
After all believers have come together, each will be brought before the judgment seat of Christ where He will examine each life. Those who have persevered in good works, endured hardship or suffered persecution in the name of Christ, who have faithfully invested their lives, their resources, their talents and gifts along with life’s opportunities for the sake of Christ, or done anything for him, will be gloriously rewarded in proportion to what they gave or did in His name. Words of appreciation from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, special recognition, eternal privilege, inheriting a portion of Christ’s kingdom and reigning with Him are part of His reward (Matthew 5:1-12; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 15:58; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; Revelation 2-3; 22:12).
ETERNAL SECURITY
This is the believer’s glorious future, and nothing can keep him from entering into it and taking hold of all God has prepared for him. We Believe that it is a glorious future which God has eternally secured. God the Father has promised it, backing it with all His power and authority. God the Son, in His death, provided the sacrifice that forever satisfies the demands of a just God. (He continues to this day to act as the believer’s Advocate with the Father to ensure that no charge be brought against one of God’s children.) God the Holy Spirit has pledged Himself as a seal upon and around every believer, guaranteeing that the contents will be unspoiled up to the day that the believer is raised into the glorious presence of God (John 6:39-40; 10:28-29; 17; Romans 8:28-34; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; Hebrews 9:24-26; 10:11-14;1 John 2:1-2).
ASSURANCE
Every one who puts his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to save him is assured that he has eternal life which is unending and full of potential. Such assurance is not founded upon any subsequent discovery of his own worthiness or fitness resulting from good works he may have done, but wholly upon his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to save him according to the testimony of God in His written Word (Luke 10:20; John 5:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-8; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 5:9-13).
SECTION I: The Dispensations of God
We believe that according to God’s eternal purpose, eternal salvation from sin has always been “by grace, through faith” based on the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:29; Romans 3:21-28; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Today the sole condition for receiving this eternal salvation is faith that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of all who trust in Him. However, prior to His first coming, it is unrealistic to suppose that people living in Old Testament times had as the conscious object of their faith the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Divine prophecies and illustrations, including the animal sacrifices they brought, the people came to believe God would save them from their sins. Undoubtedly in time many came to understand that the Messiah would provide eternal salvation. However, they did not fully understand how God would save them, that is through the shed blood of the Messiah. Neither did they know who the Messiah would be. Nevertheless, because they believed the revelation God provided, and trusted the Lord God to save them from their sins; their faith was “accounted to them for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6; Romans 3-4; 1 Peter 1:10-12).
Thus, the times before Christ differed from the times after Christ. These times, or ages, with their marked differences, the Bible calls “dispensations” (Ephesians 1:11, 3:2 KJV and NKJV).
During different dispensations God administers things differently, regulates worship differently, and orders life differently. Some things remain the same such as how His people are eternally saved, but significant differences are clearly evident. We believe in these “dispensational” distinctions.
Three of these dispensations are the subject of extended revelation in the Scripture. They are the past dispensation of the Mosaic Law, the present dispensation of grace, and the future dispensation of the millennial kingdom (Matthew 13; John 1:17; 4:20-24; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 2 Corinthians 3:7-9; Ephesians 1:10-11; 2:11-13; 3:1-13; Colossians 1:25).
A fundamental distinction also is made between the nation of Israel and the Church. Israel is an earthly people who were schooled under the law of Moses in the past dispensation and will one day be the central nation through whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed. This will be in the future dispensation of the millennial kingdom of Messiah Jesus (Romans 9-11).
SECTION J: The Church
THE WHOLE CHURCH
During the present dispensation of grace, God is calling out of this world a special group of people referred to as the Church. We believe that all who trust the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior are united together by God the Holy Spirit into this one spiritual body, of which Christ is the head (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 2:19-22; 3:4-6; 5:25-27; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 21:1-2).
This spiritual body began on the day of Pentecost, following the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. It will be completed when He returns to take away the Church to be with Him forever (Matthew 16:18; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:4-11; 2:1-4; 46-47; 11:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-15).
THE LOCAL CHURCH
In addition to the spiritual union which extends to the entire body of Christ, the members of this one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies. It is these fellowship groups, meeting in identifiable locations, that make the church visible in the world. (1 Corinthians 16:19; Hebrews 10:25).
The church exist in the world to hold up before believers and unbelievers the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. What the first local church did to hold up this truth continues to be a profound example to all local churches.
Acts 2:42 (NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
Just as people differ so do local churches which are made up of people. The community life of one church differs somewhat from the community life of another church. God uses one local church to reach and minister to some people while using another local church to reach and ministers to others. The many different kinds of churches and styles of ministries that are made up of devoted followers of our Lord Jesus Christ and His word generally contribute to the health of the whole body of Christ.
However our Lord Jesus Christ has ordered all local churches to observe two ordinances in response to the grace of God received by every believer.
BAPTISM: We believe He has commanded every believer to be baptized (immersed in water). Water baptism does not save us from our sins, but serves as a vivid testimony that the believer’s sins have been washed away by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as a visible identification with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. Water baptism should be a first step in the believer’s new life in Christ. Beginning with baptism, it is a life that is to be characterized by obedience and discipleship (Matthew 26:28; 28:19-20; Acts 8:35-39; 10:43-48; 16:31-33; 18:8; Romans 6:1-6).
THE LORD’S SUPPER: The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded every believer to regularly partake of “the Lord’s supper,” also referred to as “the Breaking of Bread” in Scripture. The ingredients of the Lord’s Supper are simple: bread and the cup containing the “fruit of the vine.” Just prior to His death the Lord Jesus gave them special meaning. The bread speaks of His body which was “broken for us,” and the cup speaks of His blood which was “poured out for us” for the remission of sins. Together these elements help the church remember “the Lord’s death until He comes” back to take His church to be with Him forever (Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
SECTION K: Last Things
As we look ahead, we believe the Bible speaks specifically about several important trends and events that clearly define the future times and seasons highlighting God’s prophetic program.
GROWING APOSTASY
We believe that in these last days, beginning with the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, apostasy, defection from the orthodox teachings of the New Testament, and spiritual and moral decline will grow widespread, increasing in intensity in the visible church. Paradoxically, this same visible church will grow to gigantic proportions, become more unified, embrace common beliefs, and sense little need of the very one whose name they pledge allegiance, the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3-5; Hebrews 1:2; 2 Peter 2-3; Revelation 2-3; 17).
THE BLESSED HOPE:
THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH
We believe that the next great event in God’s prophetic program will be the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air to receive unto Himself His church -- consisting of all Christians who have died as well as those who are alive when He comes. This special event, which is often referred to as the Rapture (the “catching up”) is the blessed hope for which Scripture instructs us to be constantly looking (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14).
REWARD OF THE FAITHFUL
We believe that following the Rapture, the whole church will be together with the Lord. Following this gathering, each believer will be rewarded based on his or her personal faithfulness during his or her life on earth (Luke 19:11-27; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 9:24-27; 2 Corinthians 5: 9-11; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; 1 John 2:28).
TRIBULATION ON EARTH
We also believe that the Rapture of the church will be followed by a seven year period of tribulation during which the righteous judgments of God will be poured out on the earth (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:1-29; 25:14-30; Revelation 6-19).
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe that this period of tribulation upon the earth will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth in power and great glory, to destroy His enemies and to establish His Kingdom upon earth (Zechariah 14:1-11; Matthew 24:29-31; Acts 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Hebrews 2:8; 10:12-13; Revelation 19-20).
THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM
We believe that for a thousand years (a millennium) following His second coming, the Lord Jesus Christ will reign, along with His saints, over Israel and the nations of this earth in righteousness and justice with peace. We also believe that during this period Satan will be bound and placed in the abyss. The curse which now rests upon the whole creation will be lifted and the earth will become very prosperous. Israel will be restored to her own land and will experience God’s covenant promises. And the whole world will come to the knowledge of God.
However, in spite of such privilege and blessing, men, unchanged in themselves and not possessing the life of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, will rebel against God. At the end of this millennial age, being inspired by the Devil who will be released for a short time, an innumerable company of people from all over the earth will actually attempt to overthrow the throne of Messiah Jesus only to meet with utter failure and destruction (Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-16; 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Acts 15:16-17; Romans 8:19-23; 11:25-27; Revelation 20:1-10).
HEAVEN OR HELL
We believe that at death the spirits of those who have been eternally saved pass immediately into the presence of God in heaven. There they remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of their glorified body. The Bible calls this the first resurrection. It began with the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; it will continue with the resurrection of the dead in Christ at the Rapture of the church; and it will conclude with the resurrection of all the remaining righteous saints just prior to the Millennium. From that point on, their spirit and body being reunited shall live with the Lord Jesus Christ and with the triune God forever in glory (Daniel 12:1-2; Luke 23:42-43; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; 51-58; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:1-7; 21-22).
We also believe that at death the spirits of those who have not believed will go to Hades, a place for the spirits of the dead apart from God. There they remain conscious of condemnation and in misery until the final resurrection and judgment at the great white throne following the Millennium. At that resurrection and judgment their reunited spirit and body will be cast into the lake of fire (Hell), not to be annihilated, but, in proportion to their unrighteous and wicked deeds and self serving motives, to be appropriately punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from His heavenly glory and power, forever and ever (Daniel 12:1-2; Matthew 11:20-24; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 1:6-7; Revelation 20:1-7; 11-15; 21:8).
A NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH
We believe that having fulfilled His mission to save His people from their sins and to firmly establish the kingdom promised to His father David, that the Lord Jesus Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, that the triune God may be all in all, that His servants may reign with Him, and righteousness prevail in the new heavens and on the new earth forever and ever (2 Samuel 7:12-17; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Hebrews 12:25-29; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20-22).
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