What I Believe

Below is a comprehensive statement of faith. Use the quick links above for topics.

It is acknowledged that contained within this statement of faith, doctrines which are essential and doctrines which are distinctives. Essentials are those doctrines which are universally held by the redeemed in which makes us Christians. Distinctives are those doctrines in which there has been latitude within historical Christianity. Rupertus Meldenius in about 1627 wrote: in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity.

The Holy Scriptures

I believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments the sixty-six canonical books to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed. God has divinely preserved the Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek texts to make His will explicitly known and obeyed. This conviction requires a literal, historical and grammatical interpretation to the totality of scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 16:12-13

I believe that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man 2 Peter 1:20-21 without error in the whole or in the part Matt 5:18 2 Timothy 3:16

I believe in the sufficiency of Scripture. In contrast to the theories of men, God’s Word is true and absolutely comprehensive. Rather than seeking something more than God’s glorious revelation, Christians need only to study and obey what they already have. Scripture is sufficient for all things pertaining to our life and is also our source for ministry. 2 Peter 1:3 Heb 4:12 Col 2:10

God

I believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. I believe in one God who has revealed himself as a Triune being — the plurality of one God. The Godhead is co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and each having the same attributes and perfections. Gen 1:26 Gen 3:22 Gen 11:7 Deut 6:4 Isa 6:8 Isa 45:22 Matt 28:19 John 14:26 2 Cor 13:14 See The Godhead Diagram

Creation — I believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. I reject Evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. Gen 1:31 Exodus 31:17

The Nature of God — By God's 'nature' I mean His characteristics, His attributes, His qualities as revealed in scripture. The following is not an exhaustive list however. God is:

Eternal: He always has existed and always will exist.  He had no beginning and will never cease to exist. He is immortal.

Holy: God is Holy, Holy, Holy - Pure and undefiled.

Omnipotence: He is all powerful. Omnipresence: He is everywhere at the same time. Omniscience: He knows all things.

Self-Existent: God is the only thing that had no beginning, that was not created by something else.

Sentience: A sentient being has intelligence, and also is aware of its own existence.

Separate: God is separate from that which He created.  The universe itself is not God. (The opposite is pantheism.  Some "nature" religions believe that the universe itself is god.)

Spirit: God is spirit. A spirit is a living being that is incorporeal, i.e., it does not possess a physical body.

Supremacy: God is not merely a different type of being or a superior being but the Supreme Being.

Theistic: The God of the Bible is theistic. He does not distance Himself from that which He creates. He gets actively involved in the activities of the things He created. 

Transcendent: God transcends that which He created, i.e., He "goes beyond" that which He created, He is not limited to, He is not bound by that which He created. 

Uniqueness: God is unique.  The Bible describes Him in Greek as monogenesis, i.e., "one of a kind", "having a unique nature."

God the Father

I believe that God the Father, the first Person of the Godhead, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace. Psalm 145:8-9 1 Cor 8:6 He is the Creator of all things. Gen 1:1-31 Eph 3:9 As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption. Psalm 103:19 Rom 11:36 His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Godhead and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men Eph 4:6 but He is spiritual Father only to believers. Rom 8:14 2 Cor 6:18 He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass Eph 1:11 He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events. 1 Chronicles 29:11 In His sovereignty He is neither the author nor approver of sin. Hab 1:13 John 8:38-47, nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures. 1 Peter 1:17

God the Son

I believe that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Godhead exists eternally and possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father. John 10:30 14:9 I believe through the Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operation. John 1:3 Col 1:15-17 Heb 1:2

Promised Messiah — I believe God the Son became a man in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, and He is the promised Messiah. Gen 3:15 Psalm 122:11 Acts 2:22 3:18-22 12:22-23

Virgin Birth — I believe that our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14 Matt 1:23, 25 Luke 1:26-35 that He was God incarnate John 1:1, 14 and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God’s kingdom Psalm 2:7-9 Isaiah 9:6 John 1:29 Phil 2:9-11 Heb 7:25-26 1 Peter 1:18-19 Jesus Christ is God in human flesh. Heb 1:1-3 1 John 4:2 2 John 1:7-9

As The God Man — He was totally without sin. 2 Cor 5:21 Heb 4:15 In His incarnation, the eternally existing Son accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God-Man, Phil 2:5-8 Col 2:9 and that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness. Micah 5:2 John 5:23 14:9-10 Col 2:9 Also in the incarnation, the Son of God laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes Phil 2:5-8

The Work of Christ — I believe that Jesus Christ as a man was able to live a perfect, sinless life fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law of God. He represents the human race as federal headship, and by doing this act is worthy to be our sacrifice. 1 Cor 15:45-49 Also See Justification

I believed that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive. The work of redemption, or salvation, is complete in Him and His finished work on the cross. John 10:15 Rom 3:24-25 5:8 1 Peter 2:24

Therefore I believe that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God. Rom 3:25 5:8-9 2 Cor 5:14-15 1 Peter 2:24 3:18

The Resurrection of Christ — I believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers. John 5:26-29 14:19 Rom 1:4 4:25 6:5-10 1 Cor 15:20, 23

The Ascension of Christ — I believe in the ascension of Christ back into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God. Psalm 110:1 Heb 1:3 Jesus told the disciples and others He was going back to heaven, or back to the father. John 3:13 John 6:62 John 8:21 John 14:28 John 16:10 John 16:16 Christ is the first resurrected Man to enter heaven 1 Cor 15:23 The Scriptures indicate two ascensions of Christ into heaven:

The first on the day of His resurrection. John 20:17 The purpose of this first ascension was two-fold. To present Himself before the throne of the father before undertaking His 40-day post resurrection ministry on earth. Psalm 2:7 Acts 13:30-34 Rom 1:4 and to relocate the disembodied Old Testament saints to heaven. Eph 4:8-10

The second, and final, ascension was at the end of His post resurrection appearances and ministry. This was located near Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives and was seen by witnesses and confirmed by two men in white apparel. Matt 28:16-20 Luke 24:50-53 Acts 1:2-12

Jesus' Present Day Ministry — I believe Jesus is in an active role while in heaven. The formation and growth of the Church. Acts 2:47 1 Cor 6:15 12:12-14 Eph 4:16 5:30-32 Col 1:24 2:19 Bestowal of spiritual gifts upon the individual members. Eph 4:711 1 Cor 12:27-28 Rom 12:3-8 As the great High Priest of our Royal Priesthood, He intercedes for us. Rom 8:34 Heb 7:25 9:24 1 John 2:1

God the Holy Spirit

I believe that the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, is a divine Person not a power or force, eternal, un-derived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect 1 Cor 2:10-13 emotions Eph 4:30, will 1 Cor 12:11, externality Heb 9:14, omnipresence Psalm 139:7-10, omniscience Isaiah 40:13-14, omnipotence Rom 15:13, and truthfulness John 16:13 In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son Matt 28:19 Acts 5:3-4 Acts 28:25-26 1 Cor 12:4-6 2 Cor 13:14 Jer 31:31-34 with Heb 10:15-17 The Holy Spirit executes the divine will with relation to all mankind. I recognize His sovereign activity in creation Gen 1:2, the incarnation, Matt 1:18 the written Word, 2 Peter 1:20-21 and the work of salvation. John 3:5-7

The Work of the Holy Spirit — I believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost, when He came from the Father as promised by Christ. John 14:16-17 15:26 to initiate and complete the building of the Body of Christ, which is His church. 1 Cor 12:13 The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ John 16:7-9 Acts 1:5 2:4 Rom 8:29 2 Cor 3:18 Eph 2:22

The Holy Spirit in Salvation — I believe the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ. 1 Cor 12:13 The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption. Rom 8:9 2 Cor 3:6 Eph 1:13

The Indwelling Holy Spirit — I believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God’s Revelation, the Bible. 2 Peter 1:19-21 Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with controlled by the Spirit. John 16:13 Rom 8:9 Eph 5:18 1 John 2:20, 27, I believe that all believers need to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a godly life and to be bold in our witness for the Lord. Acts 1:8 I believe in the spiritual unity of all genuine believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit — I believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today including the manifestations of the Spirit. Rom 12:3-8 1 Cor 12:4-11 1 Pet 4:10-11 "That which is perfect" spoken of in 1 Cor 13:10, I believe to be the person of Christ and not the completion of the canon of Scripture. Due to the misuse, extremities, and quite frankly, outrageous displays, in Christendom today, one has to test and examine each situation to discern if it is truly from God. Although I believe in the gifts I admittedly don't see any evidence that the sign gifts are present today on the magnitude that they were in the ministry of Jesus Christ, or the early Church. John 11:47, 12:37, 20:30 Acts 2:43, 5:12 19:11-12

Sign Gifts: (miracles, healings, tongues) They would follow believers. Mark 16:17 Their purpose was to confirm the word or Gospel message. Mark 16:20 The sign gifts were not limited to the apostles only. Acts 6:8 Acts 8:6-7 Acts 10:44-46 That the sign gifts can be counterfeited. 2 Thess 2:9-10 Rev 13:11-14, The sign gifts are for unbelievers. 1 Cor 14:21-22 That the sign gifts are not in themselves criteria to validate someone's spirituality. Matt 7:22

Mankind

I believe that mankind, man & woman, was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination, and moral responsibility to God. Gen 2:7 15-25 James 3:9 God’s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the world. Isa 43:7 Col 1:16 Rev 4:11

Because man is made in the image of God, I believe that we are triune beings bearing the likeness of God in our composition one person comprising of body, soul, and spirit. 1 Thes 5:23 Because soul and spirit are used interchangeably in the Bible it can be difficult to differentiate. Heb 4:12, Although made from dust, Gen 2:7 we must concede our complexity. Psalms 139:14 Mankind before sin entered the human race, was good, declared by God of all His creation. Gen 1:31

The Sinfulness of Man — I believe that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, became subject to the wrath of God, and became inherently corrupt, totally depraved, lost, and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Gen 2:16-17 3:1-19 John 3:36 Rom 3:23 6:23 1 Cor 2:14 Eph 2:1-3 1 Tim 2:13-14 1 John 1:8 Because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam’s sin has been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception. All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration. Psalm 14:1-3 Jer 17:9 Rom 3:9-18, 23 5:10-12

Salvation

I believe salvation is the deliverance or rescue from eternal damnation because of the wrath of a holy and just God against our sin. Psalm 7:11 John 3:36 Salvation is not merited and is given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Nothing can be added to the Work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Salvation is a gift, it cannot be earned, purchased, or transferred. You can not obtain salvation by doing any so called good works, nor any amount of religious rituals or behavior. It is faith in Jesus Christ alone, plus nothing! Salvation cannot be purchased by any earthly wealth. Salvation cannot be transferred or inherited by any relationship to someone else that is saved. John 1:12 Eph 1:7 2:8-10 1 Peter 1:18-19

Regeneration - Born Again — I believe that regeneration is essential for salvation and a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given. John 3:3-7 Titus 3:5 It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God John 5:24 when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation.

I believe regeneration produces genuine saving faith and authentic conversion manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Acts 3:19 James 2:20-26 This is fully evidenced over time by a changed life due to the new creation. 2 Cor 5:17 Gal 6:15 Therefore good works are the product of regeneration. 1 Cor 6:19-20 Eph 2:10 They will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God. Eph 5:17-21 Phil 2:12b Col 3:16 2 Peter 1:4-10 I reject baptismal regeneration and decisional regeneration as a means to salvation.

Election — I believe that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies Rom 8:28-30 Eph 1:4-11 2 Thess 2:13 2 Tim 2:10 1 Peter 1:1-2

I believe that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord Ezek 18:23, 32 33:11 John 3:18-19 36 5:40 Rom 9:22-23 2 Thess 2:10-12 Rev 22:17 Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith, and all who come in faith the Father will receive John 6:37-40, 44 Acts 13:48 James 4:8

I believe that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is not related to any initiative of their own part or to God’s anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy Eph 1:4-7 Titus 3:4-7 1 Peter 1:2

I believe that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign, but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love Rom 9:11-16 This sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ Matt 11:25-28 2 Tim 1:9

Justification — I believe that justification before God is an act of God Rom 8:33 by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins Luke 13:3 Acts 2:38; 3:19 11:18 Romans 2:4 2 Cor 7:10 Isaiah 55:6-7 and confess Him as sovereign Lord Rom 10:9-10 1 Cor 12:3 2 Cor 4:5 Phil 2:11 This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man Rom 3:20; 4:6 and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ Col 2:14 1 Peter 2:24 and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us 1 Cor 1:30 2 Cor 5:21 By this means God is enabled to “be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” Rom 3:26

Sanctification — I believe that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer’s standing, not his present walk or condition Acts 20:32 1 Cor 1:2, 30 6:11 2 Thess 2:13 Heb 2:11 3:1 10:10 14 13:12 1 Peter 1:2

I believe that there is also, by the work of the Holy Spirit, a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ John 17:17 19 Rom 6:1-22 2 Cor 3:18 1 Thess 4:3-4 5:23

In this respect, I believe that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict—the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh—but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin Gal 5:16-25; Eph 4:22-24 Phil 3:12 Col 3:9-10 1 Peter 1:14-16 1 John 3:5-9

Repentance & Faith — I believe that true faith, or genuine saving faith, is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin Luke 13:3-5 1 Thess 1:9 and pursue Christ Matt 11:28-30 John 17:3 and obedience to Him 1 John 2:3 It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God James 2:19 but they don’t love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience Eph 2:10

Baptism — see Water Baptism Article

Separation From Sin — I believe that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase 2 Cor 6:14-7:1 2 Tim 3:1-5

Out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us, and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. We also teach that separation from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God Rom 12:1-2 1 Cor 5:9-13 2 Cor 6:14-7:1 1 John 2:15-17 2 John 9-11

Believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess 1:11-12 Heb 12:1-2 and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes Matt 5:2-12 and a continual pursuit of holiness Rom 12:1-2 2 Cor 7:1 Heb 12:14 Titus 2:11-14 1 John 3:1-10

Service — I believe in the great commission and the call to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. That we are to be witnesses of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt 28:19-20 Mark 16:15 Luke 24:47 Acts 1:8

Perseverance of the Saints —

I believe in the perseverance of the saints or the eternal security of all the redeemed. That once genuinely saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. John 5:24 6:37-40 10:27-30 Rom 5:9-10 8:1, 31-39 1 Cor 1:4-8 Eph 4:30 Heb 7:25 13:5 1 Peter 1:5 Jude 24

They, whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which arises also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalence of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins and, for a time, continue therein: whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve His Holy Spirit, come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves. (adopted from the Westminister Confession) I would add here that the believer in Christ as a child of God will incur divine discipline for such above actions resulting in fruits of righteousness so that they would be chastened by God and not condemned with the world. Prov 3:11-12 1 Cor 11:32 Heb 12:5-11 1 Pet 4:1 Prov 15:10 Rev 3:19 Lev 26:27-28 Psalm 118:18

Audio Messages on the Perseverance of the Saints

Trouble To Triumph by John MacArthur

 Assurance of Salvation by Dr. Edward Dalcour

ANGELS

Holy Angels — I believe that holy or elect angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him. Luke 2:9-14 Heb 1:6-7, 14 2:6-7 Rev 5:11-14 19:10 22:9

Fallen Angels — I believe that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator Isaiah 14:12-17 Ezekiel 28:11-19, by taking numerous angels with him in his fall Matt 25:41 Rev 12:1-14, and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve. Gen 3:1-15

Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man. Isaiah 14:13-14 Matt 4:1-11 Rev 12:9-10 that he is the prince of this world, who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ Rom 16:20 and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire Isaiah 14:12-17 Ezekiel 28:11-19 Matt 25:41 Rev 20:10

Last Things

Dispensationalism — The word dispensation is a New Testament word. The dispensation of the grace of God, the dispensation of the mysteries means a stewardship. Dispensation simply means that God manages things in a certain way at a certain time. In this way I am a dispensationalist. I'm not a hyper-dispensationalist however. I would not be considered to have "Covenant Theology", although I acknowledge God's covenants throughout Scripture.

I believe the Bible makes a distinction between Israel and the Church. Therefore I believe the sum of this to be that the nation of Israel has a special place in God's plan, and that all of the promises of God to Israel will be fulfilled. I believe the Church has not replaced Israel. Although God has dealt with Israel severely, He has not forsaken His people. I reject "kingdom now" & "replacement" theology. Ezekiel 37:21-28 Zech 8:1-17 Deut 28:15-68 Matt 21:43 Rom 11:1-26 Jer 31:31-34 Ezekiel 36:22-32 Rom 11:25-29

Death — I believe that physical death involves no loss of our immaterial consciousness, Rev 6:9-11 that there is a separation of soul and body, Phil 1:21-24 that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ Luke 23:43 Phil 1:23 2 Cor 5:8 and that, for the redeemed, such separation will continue until the rapture 1 Thess 4:13-17 which initiates the first resurrection Rev 20:4-6 when our soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord Phil 3:21 1 Cor 15:35-44, 50-54 Until that time, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 5:8

Resurrection — I believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life John 6:3 Rom 8:10-11 Rom 19-23 2 Cor 4:14 and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. Daniel 12:2 John 5:29 Rev 20:13-15 Isa 66:24

I believe that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until the second resurrection Luke 16:19-26 Rev 20:13-15 when the soul and the resurrection body will be united John 5:28-29. They shall then appear at the Great White Throne Judgment Rev 20:11-15 and shall be cast into hell, the lake of fire Matt 25:41-46 cut off from the life of God forever Daniel 12:2 Matt 25:41-46 2 Thess 1:7-9

The Rapture of the Church — I believe the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven-year tribulation 1 Thess 4:16 Titus 2:13 to translate His church from this earth John 14:1-3 1 Cor 15:51-53 1 Thess 4:15-5:11 and, between this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers according to their works 1 Cor 3:11-15 2 Cor 5:10.

The Tribulation Period — I believe that immediately following the removal of the church from the earth John 14:1-3 1 Thess 4:13-18 the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world Jer 30:7 Daniel 9:27 12:1 2 Thess 2:7-12 Rev 16, and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth Matt 24:27-31 25:31-46 2 Thess 2:7-12. At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged Daniel 12:2-3 Rev 20:4-6. This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy Daniel 9:24-27 Matt 24:15-31 25:31-46

The Second Coming & Millennial Reign — I believe that, after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David Matt 25:31 Luke 1:31-33 Acts 1:10-11 2:29-30 and establish His messianic kingdom for 1,000 years on the earth Rev 20:1-7. During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth Ezekiel 37:21-28 Daniel 7:17-22 Rev 19:11-16. This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world Daniel 7:17-27 Rev 20:1-7.

I believe that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel Isaiah 65:17-25 Ezekiel 37:21-28 Zechariah 8:1-17 to restore them to the land that they forfeited through their disobedience Deut 28:15-68. The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside Matt 21:43 Rom 11:1-26, but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing Jer 31:31-34 Ezekiel 36:22-32 Rom 11:25-29.

I believe that this time of our Lord’s reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life Isaiah 11 65:17-25 Ezekiel 36:33-38, and will be brought to an end with the release of Satan. Rev 20:7.

The Judgment of the Lost — I believe that following the release of Satan after the 1,000-year reign of Christ Rev 20:7, Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven Rev 20:9. Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone Matt 25:41 Rev 20:10, whereupon Christ, who is the Judge of all men John 5:22, will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne Judgment.

I believe that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment John 5:28-29, they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire Matt 25:41 Rev 20:11-15.

Eternity — I believe that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers 2 Thess 1:9 Rev 20:7-15, the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved 2 Peter 3:10 and replaced with a new earth, wherein only righteousness dwells Ephesians 5:5 Rev 20:15 21:1-27 22:1-21. Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven Rev 21:2 and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another John 17:3 Rev 21-22. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father 1 Cor 15:24-28, that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever 1 Cor 15:28.