Statement of Faith: Click Here To download
NAME: The name of this organization shall be the Nine Mile Falls Community Church.
COMPOSITION: The Church shall be composed of pastor, officers, membership and congregation.
ARTICLE I - ARTICLES OF FAITH
THE BIBLE: We believe the Bible to be the Word of God, eternal, unchangeable, verbally inspired in the original languages, supreme, authoritative, authentic, infallible, and that the canon of Scripture is complete. (Rev.22:18, 19, 21; 2 Pet.1:20-21; 2 Ti.3:16-17).
THE GODHEAD: We believe in one true God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(1 Cor.8:6; 1 Jn.5:7; Jn.10:30-36,14:6; Gal.4:6; Acts.2:17-18; Gen.1:26, 3:22, 11:7; Isa.6:8; Mat.3:16, 17, 28:19; 2 Cor.13:14).
MAN'S CREATION AND FALL: We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, that man was created on the sixth day of a 24 hour a day creation week, that the first human on earth was Adam, that in Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sin nature and consequent separation from God and came under judicial sentence of death. (Gen.1:26-27, 3:1-24; Ex.20:11; Ro.5:12, 3:23).
THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, that He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man in His substitutionary, sacrificial and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross. (Mt. 1:18-23; Lk.1:35; Jn.1:1, 14; Ro.3:24-25; 1 Jn.2:2. 4:10).
We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His ascension into heaven, where He is now exalted at the right hand of God. As high priest for His people, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. ( 1 Cor.15:3-4; Eph.1:20, 2:6; Ro.8:34; Heb.7:25; 1 Jn.2:1-2).
We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ for His Church and His pre-millennial return to earth to set up His Kingdom. ( 1 Thess.4:13-18; 1 Cor.15:52-57; Zec.14:4-11; Rev.20:6).
THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe the Holy Spirit is a person, not just a force, equal with the Father and the Son in the Godhead. The Holy Spirit regenerates those who trust in Christ, that a person cannot come to Christ without the Holy Spirit drawing them. That in this present age He indwells all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, baptizes them into the body of Christ and seals them until the day of redemption. He guides, teaches, and intercedes on our behalf. We are not to quench or to grieve the Spirit and are commanded to be filled with Him for daily enablement. (Acts.5:1-10; 1 Cor.6:11; Jn.3:3; Titus.3:5; 1 Cor.3:16, 6:19; Ro.8:9, 26; 1 Cor.12:13; Eph.1:13-14, 4:30, 5:18; Jn.16:13, 14:26; 1 Thess.5:19).
SALVATION: We believe in justification by faith, that man is a sinner, he cannot save himself, and that he can be justified before God only on the grounds of faith in the shed blood, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is manifested in works pleasing to God. (Jn.3:16; Acts 16:31; Ro.3:21-28, 5:1, 6:1-14, 10:9; 2 Cor.5:21; Eph.1:7; 1 Jn.4:9-10; Phil.1:6; Col.3:3-4).
ETERNAL SECURITY: We believe that all true believers once saved shall be kept saved forever.
( Jn. 10:27-30; Ro.8:1, 38-39; 1 Cor.1:4-8; Eph.1:13-14; Phil.1:6; Col.3:3-4).
SANCTIFICATION: Sanctification is God's plan for every Christian to become more like Jesus Christ, finally completed when we arrive home with the Lord. (Jn.17:17; Ro.8:29; 2 Cor.3:18; Heb.2:11, 10:10, 14; 1 Pet.1:2; 1 Thess.5:23).
THE CHURCH: We believe in the Church universal, which is the body and bride of Christ. Beginning at Pentecost the Church is composed of people having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, irrespective of their affiliation with Christian organizations. The Church is to be understood as distinct from Israel and will be raptured or translated prior to the Tribulation period, known as Daniel's 70th week. ( Acts.2; 1 Cor. 12:12-14, 15:52-57; Eph.1:22-23, 5:21-27; 1 Thess.4:13-18).
We believe that the local Church is to gather for the purpose of encouragement of one another and to bring glory to God. (Eph.3:21; Heb.10:25).
THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN: We believe in the personality of Satan, who is the open and declared enemy of God and man, who is capable of blinding unbelievers and asserting influence over nations and governments and trying to introduce deceptive teachings to keep the lost blinded and the saints confused. This he does with the aide of demonic hosts who along with himself stand judged and doomed to their final destination the, Lake of Fire. ( Ezek.28:11-19; Isa.14:13-14; 2 Cor.4:4, 11:14; Eph.2:2; 1 Jn.5:19; Lk.4:5-7; 1 Tim.4:1; Rev.12:9-10, 20:10; Job.1:6-7; Dan.10:13; Jude.9; 1 Pet.5:8; Jn.12:31; Col.2:14-15).
THE ETERNAL STATE: We believe the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do, at death, immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in Glory. The souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery until the final judgment at the Great White Throne at the close of the Millennium, when soul and body reunited, shall be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. ( Phil.1:21-23; Lk.16:19-26; Rev.20:11-15, 22:3-5).
MARRIAGE:
Marriage has always been biblically defined throughout the Sacred Scriptures as the covenant union of a man and a woman in a legal, physical and spiritual bonding as husband and wife ordained and sanctioned by Almighty God. Witnessed and attested to by both the Old and New Testaments of Scriptures, marriage is always stated as a union of a man and a woman, and that there is no union of same-sex people authorized, approved or ordained by God and His Word. (Gen. 2:18-24; Pr.12:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-5, 10-16, 39; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Tim.3:2; Titus 1:6; Heb. 13:4)
Same-sex relationships, unions, and couplings are declared an abomination of sin and are prohibited as indecent and detestable acts. (Gen. 19:4-7; Lev. 18:22-30; 20:13; Ro.1:26, 1 Cor.6:9-10; Jude 7).
This doctrinal distinctive prohibits the church and any of its pastors from performing same-sex marriages and prohibits the members of the Nine Mile Community Church from entering into same-sex marriages, viewed as a violation of the articles of faith, covenant and constitution of this Church. (2 Tim.4:2; Eph. 4:11-23).
NOTE: This body of believers find certain charismatic beliefs and practices to be unscriptural, in as much as they are practiced today. This body does not encourage or participate in those practices, or any other extremism. This concerns the charismatic gifts of "tongues and healing" which had special significance during the revelatory period of the New Testament Apostolic Era. We do not encourage extremism whether it be legalism to the left or extreme emotionalism to the right.
We believe the Scriptures are to be interpreted according to dispensational distinctives. (See attached Glossary of Doctrinal Terms).
For further clarification or insight into doctrinal matters, see attached information; Attachment #1 Pastor's Doctrinal Statement, and Attachment #2, Glossary of Doctrinal Terms.
CONCLUSION: We not only believe that this body of doctrine is a sacred trust to be preserved and taught in its purity, but we also believe that it teaches a life to be lived and a Gospel to be preached.
(Mt.28:18-20; 2 Tim.3:16-17).
ATTACHMENT 2 – GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Definition Of Terms
APOLOGETICS- derives from the Greek word apologia, which was originally used of a speech of defense or an answer given in reply.
ASSURANCE - Used in connection with the personal knowledge of the reality of my salvation and the possession of eternal life. To be able to say “I have assurance” is one of the foundational aspects of the Christian life. The effective life is lived when one knows he has eternal life.
CANON - The basic meaning of the word is “measure” or “measuring rod”. “Canonicity” refers to the ability of writings to meet the criteria in choosing books for the completed canon. “Canonical” is an adjective used to describe a book that is included in the sacred writings. “Canon” refers to the complete text of the authoritative Word of God.
CONFESS - A term that means simply to “admit”. In the original text, it conveys the idea of “agreeing with” something. The words homo and logeo combine to make the word “confess” from the original text. When I confess a sin, I am agreeing with God that a behavior is sin. Confession should always be with a heart for obedience.
DISCIPLINE - The term is always used in a proactive way. God disciplines His children because he loves them. This is never punishment although it might seem as such.
DISPENSATION - A period of time under which mankind is answerable to God for how it has obeyed the revelation of God which it has received. According to this view, all of history has been pointing toward the SECOND COMING of Christ, when salvation will be made complete. Seven dispensations are commonly identified: Innocence; Conscience, the covenant with Adam; Human government, the covenant with Noah; Promise, from Abraham's call to Moses; Law, from the giving of the Law to Moses to the death of Jesus Christ; Grace, from the death and resurrection of Christ to His Second Coming; Kingdom, the establishment of God's kingdom on earth and the thousand year reign of Christ over the nations.
DOCTRINE - A body of beliefs about God, man, Christ, the church, and other related concepts considered authoritative and thus worthy of acceptance by all members of the community of faith. After Pentecost, Christian doctrine began to be systematized (Acts 2:42). Doctrinal instruction was given by special teachers (1 Cor 12:28-29; Gal 6:6) to those who had responded to the gospel (Rom 6:17). The earliest doctrine of the Christian church declared: (1) that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ (Acts 3:18); (2) that God had raised Him from the dead (Acts 1:22; 2:24,32); and (3) that salvation was by faith in His name (Acts 2:38,16). These three truths were presented as a clear fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament. Paul taught that true doctrine is essential for Christian growth (Eph 4:11-16; 1 Tim 4:6; 6:3; Titus 1:9) and that false doctrine destroys the church (Eph 4:14; 2 Tim 4:3).
EVANGELICAL - An approach that is relatively open but adheres strictly to the Scriptures as the rule for faith and doctrine.
EVANGELISM - The act or practice of carrying the Gospel to another. Evangelist is also one of the gifts of Christ to the church.
FELLOWSHIP - The significant sharing of my life with others who are members of the Body of Christ. This is from the word koinonia in the Greek text.
GLORIFICATION - The ultimate position I will have when practical sanctification is complete. The end process of conforming me into the image of the Lord Jesus. I will no longer sin when I am glorified. This is accomplished when I am changed at the coming of Christ, if we are alive when He returns. Total glorification is complete for the dead when He returns and dead bodies of believers are resurrected. Glorification includes a new body that is perfect and is like Christ’s post-resurrection body.
GODHEAD - A term used in describing God in His tri-personal existence. The Trinity. The members of the Godhead are God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
GRACE - Grace is an extremely important term or doctrine. We are given eternal life by the grace of God. Grace basically comes from the word “gift”, and means “unmerited favor”. There is nothing one can do to deserve grace. Grace is only obvious in the face of the undeserving. Nothing can undo grace. It is everything for nothing to those who don’t deserve anything, Ephesians 2:8-9.
GRIEVING THE SPIRIT - A term used in Scripture having to do with disobeying or breaking a commandment of Scripture. This usually involves moral or ethical issues.
HOLY SPIRIT - The third person of the Trinity. The person who does the “mothering” work in the Godhead. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer today. He baptizes them into the Body of Christ, calls men, regenerates, renews, gives gifts, empowers, and controls the believer. His purpose in the world is to point men to Christ and bring glory to Him.
HYPOSTATIC UNION - The doctrine of the two natures of Christ. In the incarnation (Christ becoming man), Jesus had two natures. He was God and He was man. He was as much God as if He had never been man, and as much man as if He had never been God, and yet both in vital union — He was the God-man. Not half God and half man, nor man plus God or God plus man. He was fully God and fully man in eternal union.
INCARNATION - A term used in connection with the coming of Christ into the world as a man. Christ, who was God, became the God-man in the incarnation.
INERRANCY - A view that considers all of Scripture to be true and equally inspired, including the historical, geographical, and scientific teachings.
INSPIRATION - The means by which God has communicated to us His Word. Plenary Verbal Inspiration means that the Scriptures are wholly inspired and God-breathed. The Spirit of God has guarded the communication of Scripture through man so that we have the precise meaning the Father has wanted us to have in our possession. Yet He used the personalities of men through whom He spoke.
JUSTIFICATION - A legal declaration involving God’s free grace in which He pardons the sinner, declaring him innocent, and reckons the believing sinner righteous. Justification gives the believing sinner perfect permanent standing before the Father.
KENOSIS - A term referring to the emptying of Christ in the incarnation, Phil 2:5-11. In the Kenosis, Christ surrendered the independent use of His divine attributes to the Holy Spirit. This He did perfectly during the years of His humiliation as a man. Today He exercises these attributes independently, though in concert with the Holy Spirit and the Father.
NATURAL MAN - A term used to describe man in his natural condition and state as he is from Adam in his un-regenerated state.
OMNIPOTENT - A term applied only to God. An attribute of God that means that He is all powerful. God can do anything that is consistent with His perfect character.
OMNIPRESENT - A term applied to God. An attribute of God that has to do with His being ever-present in every place. Not simply His influence, but God Himself is everywhere on earth and in heaven equally at the same time.
OMNISCIENT - An attribute of God that means that He is all-knowing. There is nothing that is not known to Him if He chooses to remember. It is also possible for this all-knowing One to choose to not remember when it concerns a sinner who confesses a sin. For both the confessing believer and the sinner who trusts Christ there is perfect non-remembrance by an act of His will.
PLENARY - A word denoting the fullness of something. Every part.
QUENCHING THE SPIRIT - A term used in Scripture that refers to not following the leadership and direction of the Holy Spirit in my daily life. It is saying “no” to Him and His direction. It is like throwing water on fire — He is quenched.
RECONCILIATION - Often used synonymously with atonement. Reconciliation is accomplished through the death of Christ and the acceptance of the work of Christ by the Christian as his own. God is reconciled to man through the death of Jesus. Man is reconciled to God through the new birth. There is no enmity between God and man when reconciliation is fully accomplished.
REPENTANCE - Meaning literally a change of mind or thinking. Implied is the fact that such change of thinking will result in a change of behavior going in a different direction. “Godly sorrow” will accompany true repentance.
RESISTING THE SPIRIT - A sin that is committed only by unbelievers. It refers to not responding to the Holy Spirit’s dealing with an individual and his need for salvation. This is the unpardonable sin— resistance to the overt movement of God in man by man himself.
SAINT - One who has made a covenant with God by sacrifice, Psalm 50:5. Every child of God has positional relationship with the Father and is a saint the moment He believes in Jesus.
SANCTIFICATION - Sanctification has two basic meanings. The first is positional sanctification which means “to be set apart.” In this sense, every Christian is a saint. I am set apart by the Father for His unique possession. The second meaning deals with practical aspects of my life, as I learn to live effectively and grow as a child of God. Practical sanctification is the process of growing and learning to “walk in the Spirit”. My state or temporal fellowship is involved with sanctification.
SOTERIOLOGY - An area of theology that relates to the doctrine of salvation. It includes all areas of salvation — past, present and future.
SPIRITUAL GIFT - A spiritual gift is a unique ability given to a Christian by the Holy Spirit at conversion (when we are placed into the body of Christ). Spiritual gifts are distinct from natural abilities or talents and they have the unique purpose of enabling the body of Christ to function efficiently.
TITHE - The practice of giving a tenth of one's income or property as an offering to God. The law of Moses prescribed tithing in some detail. Lev 27:30-32 stated that the tithe of the land would include the seed of the land and the fruit of the tree. The Israelites were exhorted to bring their tithes into the storehouse in order to enjoy the Lord's blessing (Mal 3:8-12). The tithe was an expression of gratitude to God by His people. Basic to tithing was the acknowledgment of God's ownership of everything in the earth. In the New Testament the words tithe and tithing appear only eight times (Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Heb 7:5-6,8-9). All of these passages refer to Old Testament usage and to current Jewish practice. Nowhere does the New Testament expressly command Christians to tithe. However, as believers we are to be generous in sharing our material possessions with the poor and for the support of Christian ministry. Giving is to be voluntary, willing, cheerful, and given in the light of our accountability to God. Giving should be systematic and by no means limited to a tithe of our incomes. We recognize that all we have is from God. We are called to be faithful stewards of all our possessions (Rom 14:12; 1 Cor 9:3-14; 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8:1-9:15).
NAME: The name of this organization shall be the Nine Mile Falls Community Church.
COMPOSITION: The Church shall be composed of pastor, officers, membership and congregation.
ARTICLE I - ARTICLES OF FAITH
THE BIBLE: We believe the Bible to be the Word of God, eternal, unchangeable, verbally inspired in the original languages, supreme, authoritative, authentic, infallible, and that the canon of Scripture is complete. (Rev.22:18, 19, 21; 2 Pet.1:20-21; 2 Ti.3:16-17).
THE GODHEAD: We believe in one true God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(1 Cor.8:6; 1 Jn.5:7; Jn.10:30-36,14:6; Gal.4:6; Acts.2:17-18; Gen.1:26, 3:22, 11:7; Isa.6:8; Mat.3:16, 17, 28:19; 2 Cor.13:14).
MAN'S CREATION AND FALL: We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, that man was created on the sixth day of a 24 hour a day creation week, that the first human on earth was Adam, that in Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sin nature and consequent separation from God and came under judicial sentence of death. (Gen.1:26-27, 3:1-24; Ex.20:11; Ro.5:12, 3:23).
THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST: We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, that He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man in His substitutionary, sacrificial and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross. (Mt. 1:18-23; Lk.1:35; Jn.1:1, 14; Ro.3:24-25; 1 Jn.2:2. 4:10).
We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His ascension into heaven, where He is now exalted at the right hand of God. As high priest for His people, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. ( 1 Cor.15:3-4; Eph.1:20, 2:6; Ro.8:34; Heb.7:25; 1 Jn.2:1-2).
We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ for His Church and His pre-millennial return to earth to set up His Kingdom. ( 1 Thess.4:13-18; 1 Cor.15:52-57; Zec.14:4-11; Rev.20:6).
THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe the Holy Spirit is a person, not just a force, equal with the Father and the Son in the Godhead. The Holy Spirit regenerates those who trust in Christ, that a person cannot come to Christ without the Holy Spirit drawing them. That in this present age He indwells all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, baptizes them into the body of Christ and seals them until the day of redemption. He guides, teaches, and intercedes on our behalf. We are not to quench or to grieve the Spirit and are commanded to be filled with Him for daily enablement. (Acts.5:1-10; 1 Cor.6:11; Jn.3:3; Titus.3:5; 1 Cor.3:16, 6:19; Ro.8:9, 26; 1 Cor.12:13; Eph.1:13-14, 4:30, 5:18; Jn.16:13, 14:26; 1 Thess.5:19).
SALVATION: We believe in justification by faith, that man is a sinner, he cannot save himself, and that he can be justified before God only on the grounds of faith in the shed blood, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is manifested in works pleasing to God. (Jn.3:16; Acts 16:31; Ro.3:21-28, 5:1, 6:1-14, 10:9; 2 Cor.5:21; Eph.1:7; 1 Jn.4:9-10; Phil.1:6; Col.3:3-4).
ETERNAL SECURITY: We believe that all true believers once saved shall be kept saved forever.
( Jn. 10:27-30; Ro.8:1, 38-39; 1 Cor.1:4-8; Eph.1:13-14; Phil.1:6; Col.3:3-4).
SANCTIFICATION: Sanctification is God's plan for every Christian to become more like Jesus Christ, finally completed when we arrive home with the Lord. (Jn.17:17; Ro.8:29; 2 Cor.3:18; Heb.2:11, 10:10, 14; 1 Pet.1:2; 1 Thess.5:23).
THE CHURCH: We believe in the Church universal, which is the body and bride of Christ. Beginning at Pentecost the Church is composed of people having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, irrespective of their affiliation with Christian organizations. The Church is to be understood as distinct from Israel and will be raptured or translated prior to the Tribulation period, known as Daniel's 70th week. ( Acts.2; 1 Cor. 12:12-14, 15:52-57; Eph.1:22-23, 5:21-27; 1 Thess.4:13-18).
We believe that the local Church is to gather for the purpose of encouragement of one another and to bring glory to God. (Eph.3:21; Heb.10:25).
THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN: We believe in the personality of Satan, who is the open and declared enemy of God and man, who is capable of blinding unbelievers and asserting influence over nations and governments and trying to introduce deceptive teachings to keep the lost blinded and the saints confused. This he does with the aide of demonic hosts who along with himself stand judged and doomed to their final destination the, Lake of Fire. ( Ezek.28:11-19; Isa.14:13-14; 2 Cor.4:4, 11:14; Eph.2:2; 1 Jn.5:19; Lk.4:5-7; 1 Tim.4:1; Rev.12:9-10, 20:10; Job.1:6-7; Dan.10:13; Jude.9; 1 Pet.5:8; Jn.12:31; Col.2:14-15).
THE ETERNAL STATE: We believe the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do, at death, immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in Glory. The souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery until the final judgment at the Great White Throne at the close of the Millennium, when soul and body reunited, shall be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. ( Phil.1:21-23; Lk.16:19-26; Rev.20:11-15, 22:3-5).
MARRIAGE:
Marriage has always been biblically defined throughout the Sacred Scriptures as the covenant union of a man and a woman in a legal, physical and spiritual bonding as husband and wife ordained and sanctioned by Almighty God. Witnessed and attested to by both the Old and New Testaments of Scriptures, marriage is always stated as a union of a man and a woman, and that there is no union of same-sex people authorized, approved or ordained by God and His Word. (Gen. 2:18-24; Pr.12:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-5, 10-16, 39; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Tim.3:2; Titus 1:6; Heb. 13:4)
Same-sex relationships, unions, and couplings are declared an abomination of sin and are prohibited as indecent and detestable acts. (Gen. 19:4-7; Lev. 18:22-30; 20:13; Ro.1:26, 1 Cor.6:9-10; Jude 7).
This doctrinal distinctive prohibits the church and any of its pastors from performing same-sex marriages and prohibits the members of the Nine Mile Community Church from entering into same-sex marriages, viewed as a violation of the articles of faith, covenant and constitution of this Church. (2 Tim.4:2; Eph. 4:11-23).
NOTE: This body of believers find certain charismatic beliefs and practices to be unscriptural, in as much as they are practiced today. This body does not encourage or participate in those practices, or any other extremism. This concerns the charismatic gifts of "tongues and healing" which had special significance during the revelatory period of the New Testament Apostolic Era. We do not encourage extremism whether it be legalism to the left or extreme emotionalism to the right.
We believe the Scriptures are to be interpreted according to dispensational distinctives. (See attached Glossary of Doctrinal Terms).
For further clarification or insight into doctrinal matters, see attached information; Attachment #1 Pastor's Doctrinal Statement, and Attachment #2, Glossary of Doctrinal Terms.
CONCLUSION: We not only believe that this body of doctrine is a sacred trust to be preserved and taught in its purity, but we also believe that it teaches a life to be lived and a Gospel to be preached.
(Mt.28:18-20; 2 Tim.3:16-17).
ATTACHMENT 2 – GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Definition Of Terms
APOLOGETICS- derives from the Greek word apologia, which was originally used of a speech of defense or an answer given in reply.
ASSURANCE - Used in connection with the personal knowledge of the reality of my salvation and the possession of eternal life. To be able to say “I have assurance” is one of the foundational aspects of the Christian life. The effective life is lived when one knows he has eternal life.
CANON - The basic meaning of the word is “measure” or “measuring rod”. “Canonicity” refers to the ability of writings to meet the criteria in choosing books for the completed canon. “Canonical” is an adjective used to describe a book that is included in the sacred writings. “Canon” refers to the complete text of the authoritative Word of God.
CONFESS - A term that means simply to “admit”. In the original text, it conveys the idea of “agreeing with” something. The words homo and logeo combine to make the word “confess” from the original text. When I confess a sin, I am agreeing with God that a behavior is sin. Confession should always be with a heart for obedience.
DISCIPLINE - The term is always used in a proactive way. God disciplines His children because he loves them. This is never punishment although it might seem as such.
DISPENSATION - A period of time under which mankind is answerable to God for how it has obeyed the revelation of God which it has received. According to this view, all of history has been pointing toward the SECOND COMING of Christ, when salvation will be made complete. Seven dispensations are commonly identified: Innocence; Conscience, the covenant with Adam; Human government, the covenant with Noah; Promise, from Abraham's call to Moses; Law, from the giving of the Law to Moses to the death of Jesus Christ; Grace, from the death and resurrection of Christ to His Second Coming; Kingdom, the establishment of God's kingdom on earth and the thousand year reign of Christ over the nations.
DOCTRINE - A body of beliefs about God, man, Christ, the church, and other related concepts considered authoritative and thus worthy of acceptance by all members of the community of faith. After Pentecost, Christian doctrine began to be systematized (Acts 2:42). Doctrinal instruction was given by special teachers (1 Cor 12:28-29; Gal 6:6) to those who had responded to the gospel (Rom 6:17). The earliest doctrine of the Christian church declared: (1) that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ (Acts 3:18); (2) that God had raised Him from the dead (Acts 1:22; 2:24,32); and (3) that salvation was by faith in His name (Acts 2:38,16). These three truths were presented as a clear fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament. Paul taught that true doctrine is essential for Christian growth (Eph 4:11-16; 1 Tim 4:6; 6:3; Titus 1:9) and that false doctrine destroys the church (Eph 4:14; 2 Tim 4:3).
EVANGELICAL - An approach that is relatively open but adheres strictly to the Scriptures as the rule for faith and doctrine.
EVANGELISM - The act or practice of carrying the Gospel to another. Evangelist is also one of the gifts of Christ to the church.
FELLOWSHIP - The significant sharing of my life with others who are members of the Body of Christ. This is from the word koinonia in the Greek text.
GLORIFICATION - The ultimate position I will have when practical sanctification is complete. The end process of conforming me into the image of the Lord Jesus. I will no longer sin when I am glorified. This is accomplished when I am changed at the coming of Christ, if we are alive when He returns. Total glorification is complete for the dead when He returns and dead bodies of believers are resurrected. Glorification includes a new body that is perfect and is like Christ’s post-resurrection body.
GODHEAD - A term used in describing God in His tri-personal existence. The Trinity. The members of the Godhead are God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
GRACE - Grace is an extremely important term or doctrine. We are given eternal life by the grace of God. Grace basically comes from the word “gift”, and means “unmerited favor”. There is nothing one can do to deserve grace. Grace is only obvious in the face of the undeserving. Nothing can undo grace. It is everything for nothing to those who don’t deserve anything, Ephesians 2:8-9.
GRIEVING THE SPIRIT - A term used in Scripture having to do with disobeying or breaking a commandment of Scripture. This usually involves moral or ethical issues.
HOLY SPIRIT - The third person of the Trinity. The person who does the “mothering” work in the Godhead. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer today. He baptizes them into the Body of Christ, calls men, regenerates, renews, gives gifts, empowers, and controls the believer. His purpose in the world is to point men to Christ and bring glory to Him.
HYPOSTATIC UNION - The doctrine of the two natures of Christ. In the incarnation (Christ becoming man), Jesus had two natures. He was God and He was man. He was as much God as if He had never been man, and as much man as if He had never been God, and yet both in vital union — He was the God-man. Not half God and half man, nor man plus God or God plus man. He was fully God and fully man in eternal union.
INCARNATION - A term used in connection with the coming of Christ into the world as a man. Christ, who was God, became the God-man in the incarnation.
INERRANCY - A view that considers all of Scripture to be true and equally inspired, including the historical, geographical, and scientific teachings.
INSPIRATION - The means by which God has communicated to us His Word. Plenary Verbal Inspiration means that the Scriptures are wholly inspired and God-breathed. The Spirit of God has guarded the communication of Scripture through man so that we have the precise meaning the Father has wanted us to have in our possession. Yet He used the personalities of men through whom He spoke.
JUSTIFICATION - A legal declaration involving God’s free grace in which He pardons the sinner, declaring him innocent, and reckons the believing sinner righteous. Justification gives the believing sinner perfect permanent standing before the Father.
KENOSIS - A term referring to the emptying of Christ in the incarnation, Phil 2:5-11. In the Kenosis, Christ surrendered the independent use of His divine attributes to the Holy Spirit. This He did perfectly during the years of His humiliation as a man. Today He exercises these attributes independently, though in concert with the Holy Spirit and the Father.
NATURAL MAN - A term used to describe man in his natural condition and state as he is from Adam in his un-regenerated state.
OMNIPOTENT - A term applied only to God. An attribute of God that means that He is all powerful. God can do anything that is consistent with His perfect character.
OMNIPRESENT - A term applied to God. An attribute of God that has to do with His being ever-present in every place. Not simply His influence, but God Himself is everywhere on earth and in heaven equally at the same time.
OMNISCIENT - An attribute of God that means that He is all-knowing. There is nothing that is not known to Him if He chooses to remember. It is also possible for this all-knowing One to choose to not remember when it concerns a sinner who confesses a sin. For both the confessing believer and the sinner who trusts Christ there is perfect non-remembrance by an act of His will.
PLENARY - A word denoting the fullness of something. Every part.
QUENCHING THE SPIRIT - A term used in Scripture that refers to not following the leadership and direction of the Holy Spirit in my daily life. It is saying “no” to Him and His direction. It is like throwing water on fire — He is quenched.
RECONCILIATION - Often used synonymously with atonement. Reconciliation is accomplished through the death of Christ and the acceptance of the work of Christ by the Christian as his own. God is reconciled to man through the death of Jesus. Man is reconciled to God through the new birth. There is no enmity between God and man when reconciliation is fully accomplished.
REPENTANCE - Meaning literally a change of mind or thinking. Implied is the fact that such change of thinking will result in a change of behavior going in a different direction. “Godly sorrow” will accompany true repentance.
RESISTING THE SPIRIT - A sin that is committed only by unbelievers. It refers to not responding to the Holy Spirit’s dealing with an individual and his need for salvation. This is the unpardonable sin— resistance to the overt movement of God in man by man himself.
SAINT - One who has made a covenant with God by sacrifice, Psalm 50:5. Every child of God has positional relationship with the Father and is a saint the moment He believes in Jesus.
SANCTIFICATION - Sanctification has two basic meanings. The first is positional sanctification which means “to be set apart.” In this sense, every Christian is a saint. I am set apart by the Father for His unique possession. The second meaning deals with practical aspects of my life, as I learn to live effectively and grow as a child of God. Practical sanctification is the process of growing and learning to “walk in the Spirit”. My state or temporal fellowship is involved with sanctification.
SOTERIOLOGY - An area of theology that relates to the doctrine of salvation. It includes all areas of salvation — past, present and future.
SPIRITUAL GIFT - A spiritual gift is a unique ability given to a Christian by the Holy Spirit at conversion (when we are placed into the body of Christ). Spiritual gifts are distinct from natural abilities or talents and they have the unique purpose of enabling the body of Christ to function efficiently.
TITHE - The practice of giving a tenth of one's income or property as an offering to God. The law of Moses prescribed tithing in some detail. Lev 27:30-32 stated that the tithe of the land would include the seed of the land and the fruit of the tree. The Israelites were exhorted to bring their tithes into the storehouse in order to enjoy the Lord's blessing (Mal 3:8-12). The tithe was an expression of gratitude to God by His people. Basic to tithing was the acknowledgment of God's ownership of everything in the earth. In the New Testament the words tithe and tithing appear only eight times (Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Heb 7:5-6,8-9). All of these passages refer to Old Testament usage and to current Jewish practice. Nowhere does the New Testament expressly command Christians to tithe. However, as believers we are to be generous in sharing our material possessions with the poor and for the support of Christian ministry. Giving is to be voluntary, willing, cheerful, and given in the light of our accountability to God. Giving should be systematic and by no means limited to a tithe of our incomes. We recognize that all we have is from God. We are called to be faithful stewards of all our possessions (Rom 14:12; 1 Cor 9:3-14; 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8:1-9:15).