Riverview Baptist Church: Ripplemead, VA

This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We believe, however, that the following statement of faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and is therefore, binding upon all members.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

I. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

We believe the Holy Bible, as written in the original languages:

Consists of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments.
Is equally, fully, and verbally the inspired Word of God. (John 16:12-13; I Corinthians 2:12-13, 16; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21)
Is inerrant. (Matthew 4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Galatians 1:20)
Is the complete and eternal revelation of God. (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; I Peter 1:25; Revelation 22:18-19)
Is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creed, and religious opinions shall be tried. (Romans 15:4)
Has a purifying effect on the mind and heart when applied daily. (John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12)
Shall be interpreted according to its normal, grammatical, contextual, and historical meaning; all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by the spiritual leaders of the church.

II. THE GODHEAD

We believe:

There is one God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; II Corinthians 13:14)
These three are co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, and co-equal in power and glory. (Genesis 1:1-2, 26; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:21; Romans 8:11; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 9:14; Revelation 4:8)
These three, having the same attributes and essence, are worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience. (Exodus 20:3; John 10:30, 14:9, 16; Revelation 4:11)
These three perform distinct but harmonious functions in the great work of redemption. (I Peter 1:2)

III. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE FATHER

We believe:

As the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe, God the Father is sovereign in Creation, providence, and redemption. (Psalm 102:25; 103:19; Romans 11:36)
God the Father orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace. (Psalm 145:8-9; I Corinthians 8:6)
His fatherhood involves His designation within the Trinity and with mankind. (Luke 11:13; John 1:12; 11:41-42; Romans 8:15)
As creator, He is father to all men. (Acts 17:29; Ephesians 4:6)
He is spiritual father only to believers. (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Romans 8:14-16)
He has decreed, for His own glory, all things that come to pass. (Ephesians 1:11)
He continuously upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events. (I Chronicles 29:11-12)
He is not the author of sin nor does He approve of sin. (Habakkuk 1:13)
He is not a respecter of persons; thus, all are accountable. (Acts 10:34; I Peter 1:17)
He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would save as His own. (Ephesians 1:4-6)
He saves all who come to Him. (John 1:12; 6:37)

IV. THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST

We believe:

Jesus Christ is all that God is. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 5:11-15; Luke 6:8; 11:17; John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 11:38-44; 17:5)
He is the only begotten, eternal Son of God. (John 1:1-2, 14; 10:30; Hebrews 1:4-8)
He was actively involved in Creation. (John 1:3; I Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2)
He took on a fleshly body and became man without ceasing to be God. (John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9)
He was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary. (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:31, 35)
He came to earth in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. (John 1:18, 14:8-9; Galatians 4:4-5; Titus 2:13-14)
He accomplished our complete redemption through the shedding of His blood on the Cross as a substitutionary sacrifice. (Romans 3:25; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 10:12-14; I Peter 2:24)
Jesus’s sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary was sufficient for all mankind, therefore we believe in unlimited atonement. (John 3:16; Acts 17:30; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; 4:10; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 2:1, 17; 1 John 2:2)
He made our justification sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Luke 24:39; Romans 4:25; I Peter 1:3-5)
He ascended into Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God the Father. (Acts 1:9-11; 2:32-33; 5:30-31; 7:55; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1)
He is our high priest, intercessor, mediator, and advocate. (I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14; 6:19-20; 7:25; 9:24; I John 2:1-2)

V. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe:

The Holy Spirit is God. (Acts 5:3, 4; II Corinthians 13:17)
The Holy Spirit was actively involved in Creation. (Genesis 1:2)
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. (John 16:7-11)
The Holy Spirit is the supernatural agent in regeneration and sanctification. (John 3:5; I Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5)
The Holy Spirit baptizes all believers into the body of Christ. (I Corinthians 12:12-14)
Every unregenerate person, the moment he exercises faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, immediately possesses the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5; 8:9; Galatians 4:6; I Thessalonians 4:8; Titus 3:5)
The Holy Spirit indwells every believer equally and permanently, sealing them unto the day of redemption. (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13, 14; 4:30; I Corinthians 6:19; II Corinthians 1:21-22)
The Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who guides believers into all truth. (Romans 8:14; I John 2:20, 27)
The Holy Spirit, according to His sovereignty, bestows spiritual gift(s) to each believer. (I Corinthians 12:4-11)
It is the responsibility of each believer to be obedient to the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30; 5:18-19; I Thessalonians 5:19)
The Holy Spirit can be grieved and quenched. (Ephesians 4:30; I Thessalonians 5:19)

VI. CREATION:

We believe:

The Genesis account of Creation is to be accepted and believed to be literal in all of its aspects. (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Jeremiah 10:10-13; John 1:3; Acts 4:24, 17:23-26; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 10:6)
God created all that exists in six days, each day being a literal twenty-four hour period. (Exodus 20:11)
God, through the power of His spoken word, created all things. (Genesis 1:1-31; 2:7; Hebrews 11:3)
All three persons of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) were active in Creation. (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:3; I Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15-17)
Man was created directly by God, in God’s own image, and after His own likeness. (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6; I Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9)
Man’s creation was neither a matter of evolution nor a matter of evolutionary change of species. (Genesis 2:7, 21-23; John 1:3)
All animal and plant life was created by God and reproduces after its own kind. (Genesis 1:11-12, 24-25)

VII. THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN

We believe:

Satan is a created being who once enjoyed an exalted position in Heaven but, through pride and rebellion, fell into sin. (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:12-19)
Satan is the author of sin. (Ezekiel 28:15; John 8:44; I John 3:8)
He is the open and declared enemy of God and man. (Matthew 4:2-11; I Peter 5:8)
Satan is powerful, but he is not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent. He cannot overcome the believer who is submitting himself in faithful obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word. (Ephesians 6:11-12; James 4:7)
He is the god of this world. (II Corinthians 4:4)
He is the prince of the power of the air. (Ephesians 2:2)
Satan convinced one-third of all created angels to join in his rebellion and they also fell into sin. (Revelation 12:4, 9)
He retained all his power, and he uses demons (fallen angels), the unsaved, and carnal Christians to implement his plan. (Job 1:6-7; John 8:44; Romans 8:7; I Corinthians 3:1-4; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 6:12; Titus 1:10-11)
Satan and his fallen angels shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10)

VIII. THE FALL OF MAN

We believe:

Man was created without sin and in the image of God (mind, emotion, & will). (Genesis 1:26-27)
Through Adam’s voluntary sin, mankind fell into a state of sin. (Genesis 3:1-19)
Man inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God. (Psalm 14:1-7; Romans 1:18-32; 3:9-19, 22-23, 5:12, 15; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12)
Man incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death. (Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 6:23)
Man became subject to the wrath of God. (John 3:36)
Man became inherently corrupt and, apart from divine grace, utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God. (Romans 3:23; I Corinthians 2:14; 15:22)
With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Romans 3:9-20)

IX. SALVATION

We believe:

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition for salvation. (Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9)
The salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of God’s grace. (Jonah 2:9; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 25; Ephesians 2:8, 9)
Jesus Christ by appointment of the Father voluntarily took upon Himself the form of a man and was tempted in all points as we are - yet without sin in nature or deed. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience. By the shedding of His blood in His death, He fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding our sins. (Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; Romans 3:25; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14-17; 4:15; I John 4:10)
Christ’s death was not a martyr’s death. It was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place: the just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord bearing man’s sins in His own body on the cross. (Isaiah 53:11; John 10:17-18; Galatians 1:4; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 12:2; I Peter 2:24; 3:18)
The risen Christ is now enthroned in Heaven. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, all-sufficient Savior and mediator for all believers. (Isaiah 53:12; I Corinthians 15:3-8; Hebrews 7:25; 9:12-15; 10:10,12,14,18; I John 2:2)
The result of salvation is a new creation in Christ Jesus. (II Corinthians 5:17)

X. REPENTANCE

We believe:

Repentance, with regard to unbelievers, is a change of mind coincident with (but not preceding) belief in Jesus. However, with regard to church saints, it is exercised as a separate act. (Acts 16:31; 20:21)
God’s desire is that none should perish, but that all unsaved repent in the sense of letter A above. (Acts 17:30; II Peter 3:9)
Christ preached repentance to the lost sheep of the house of Israel in the sense of letter A above. (Matthew 4:17; 15:24; Mark 6:12; Luke 24:47)
In obedience to Christ’s commands, the early church preached repentance to all men. (Acts 2:36-38; 3:12, 19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20; Romans 3:25)
Repentance is accomplished by God’s work in the heart through the ministry of the Word, the goodness of God, reproof and chastisement, godly sorrow, and the realization of God’s holiness. (Job 42:5-6; Acts 2:37-38, 41; 5:30-32; 11:18; Romans 2:4; II Corinthians 7:8-11; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Hebrews 12:6, 10, 11; I Peter 2:3; Revelation 3:19)

XI. JUSTIFICATION

We believe:

Justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ. (Romans 3:24, 4:5; Philippians 3:9)
Justification is bestowed solely through faith in Christ’s shed blood. (Romans 5:1, 9; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Justification is not based on any works of righteousness which we have done. (Romans 4:2-3; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)

XII. SANCTIFICATION

We believe:

Positional sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God.
Positional sanctification is an eternal act of God whereby the believer is set apart from the penalty of sin based upon the redemptive work of Christ. It establishes the believer in a position of holiness the moment he trusts the Savior. (I Corinthians 1:30; Hebrews 10:10-14)
Experiential sanctification is a continuing process in which the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life of the believer for the purpose of conforming him to the image of Christ. Thus, the believer is no longer under the dominion of sin in this present life. (John 17:17; Romans 6:14; I Thessalonians 4:3-4)
The final accomplishment of this process occurs when the believer is set apart from the very presence of sin either when the Lord returns or at the death of the believer. (I Thessalonians 4:13-17; I John 3:2; Jude 1:24-25; Revelation 22:11)
Every Christian possesses an old and new nature during this present life. (Romans 7:18-24; 8:12-13; II Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16-25)
Victory over the old nature is through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16; Romans 6:13; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:5-11; II Peter 1:3-4; I John 3:5-9)
The old nature cannot be eradicated in this life. (Romans 7:15-25; I John 1:8-10)

XIII. ADOPTION

We believe:

Adoption is the voluntary act of God where He places believers into His family as His sons. (Galatians 3:26; 4:6; Ephesians 1:5)
Adoption is made possible by the death of Christ. (Galatians 4:4-7)
Adoption entitles believers to the full rights and privileges of being in God’s family. (Romans 8:14-17)

XIV. ETERNAL SECURITY AND ASSURANCE OF BELIEVERS

We believe:

All believers are kept secure forever. (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:5)
Salvation cannot be lost under any condition. (Romans 8:1-2, 31-39)
It is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word. (1 John 5:10-13; Psalm 119:41)
When Christians sin, they lose fellowship with God (not relationship) and must confess their sins to God in order to restore fellowship with Him. (I John 1:5-10; 2:1-2)

XV. ELECTION

We believe election is the divine act of God whereby, according to His sovereignty, God chooses man to salvation in accordance with His foreknowledge and apart from human merit. (John 15:16-19; Romans 9:11-28; 11:5-7; Ephesians 1:4; 2:8-10; I Thessalonians 1:4; I Peter 1:2; 5:13)

XVI. THE CHURCH

We believe:

The body of Christ is composed of all persons saved from the Day of Pentecost to the Rapture. (I Corinthians 12:12-14)
The Church is the body and espoused bride of Christ. (II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 21:9)
The body of Christ began on the day of Pentecost and will continue until the Rapture. (Acts 2:1, 41-47; I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:15; 5:23)
The church is a covenant people under the New Covenant. (I Corinthians 11:25)
The Church could be formed only by the present ministry of the Holy Spirit in baptizing all members into one body. (I Corinthians 12:12-14, 27)
The establishment and continuance of local church assemblies is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. (Acts 2:42; 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
This local church consists of born-again believers who have been baptized through immersion. (Acts 2:41; 16:30-32; 19:5)
In the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control. (Acts 2:41-42; 6:5; 13:1-4; 20:28; Hebrews 10:24-25; I Peter 5:1-4)
Membership in a local church assembly has no part in salvation. (John 1:12; 3:16)
The leadership of this local church consists of two offices, pastors and deacons. (I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
Men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for license and ordination by the church. (I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9)
The mission of the local church is to glorify God by its members leading individuals to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and a growing relationship with Him. (Matthew 28:19-20)

XVII. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe:

Christian baptism is:

The single immersion of a believer in water. (Acts 2:41; 8:36-39; 10:48; 16:33; 19:5; I Corinthians 1:14-16)
To be performed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
To show our identification with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. (Colossians 2:12)
Performed under the authority of the local church and is necessary for the privilege of local church membership. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42)

The Lord’s Supper is:

The commemoration of His death until He comes and should always be preceded by solemn self-examination. (I Corinthians 11:23-28)
Open to all those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior; therefore, this church practices open communion. (Acts 2:41-42)

XVIII. GIVING

Every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, has the privilege of supporting his local church financially. (Proverbs 3:9-10; I Corinthians 16:2; I Timothy 5:17-18)
Every Christian is encouraged to give sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church and the spreading of the Gospel. (Acts 4:34-37; II Corinthians 9:6-7)

XIX. MARRIAGE, GENDER AND SEXUALITY

We believe:

God commands that there be no intimate sexual activity between a man and a woman outside of marriage. (1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; Hebrews 13:4)
Any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography is sinful perversion of God's gift of sex. (Genesis 19:5, 13; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)
God disapproves of any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance. (Psalm 139; Genesis 1:27, 31)
Rejection of one’s biological gender (as defined by the XY chromosomes in males and by the XX chromosomes in females) is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (Genesis 1:26-27)
Homosexuality and same sex marriages are an abomination to God. (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27)
The only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23)
Men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but God ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. (Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)
God ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:24; Exodus 20:12; Mk. 10:6-12; Ephesians 6:1-3; Hebrews 13:4)
God intends marriage to be for life. (Malachi 2:11-16; Matthew 19:6; I Corinthians 7:10-11)
The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. (Ephesians 5:25)
Husband and wife are subject to God and each other. The wife is to submit herself to the scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. (I Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; I Peter 3:1-7)
The husband is the leader of the home. (Colossians 3:18)
Children are a heritage from the Lord. (Psalm 127:3-5)
Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them through consistent lifestyle, example, and appropriate discipline, including scriptural corporal correction. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 19:18; 22:6, 15; 23:13-14; 6:1-4, Colossians 3:20-21)
In order to preserve the function and integrity of Riverview Baptist Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to Riverview Baptist Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Riverview Baptist Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Riverview Baptist Church. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31)

XX. DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE

We believe:

God hates divorce; He intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12)
Divorce and remarriage are regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication or the willful departure of an unsaved spouse. (Matthew 19:9; Romans 7:1-3; I Corinthians 7:10-15)
Divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service. Such individuals may not be considered for the office of pastor or deacon. (I Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)

XXI. SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all of its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139)
We believe that gender identity is determined by biological sex (as defined by the XY chromosomes in males and by the XX chromosomes in females) and not by one’s self-perception.
We believe human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustifiable, inexcusable taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject all teachings that abortion of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother is acceptable. (Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

XXII. MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe:

God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts according to His own will, giving every Christian at least one gift. These gifts are to be exercised for the perfecting of the saints of the Church Age for effective Christian ministry. Speaking in tongues and the working of authenticating miracles (the gifts of healing, raising the dead, etc.) gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority established. (Romans 12:1-8; I Corinthians 1:22; 12:11; 13:10; Ephesians 4:7-13)
Spirit baptism is a union of the believer with Christ and His Church. This union takes place at conversion, it is never repeated, and the Holy Spirit indwells the believer forever. We also believe that speaking in tongues is not a sign of Spirit baptism. The permanent gifts were given for the perfecting of the saints. (Romans 6:1-10; 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:11-16)

XXIII. SEPARATION

We believe:

Separation is one of the important subjects of Scripture. (Exodus 33:16; II Corinthians 6:14-18)
A study of the Bible makes it abundantly clear that worldliness is something that should be shunned by the people of God. It is a great enemy of growth and progress in spiritual life. (Romans 12:2; Galatians 6:14; II Timothy 2:4; I John 2:15-16)
All Christians should live in such a way as to not bring reproach upon their Lord and Savior. (Romans 12:1-21)
The world system is Satan’s arrangement to attract man’s sin nature. Worldliness is an individual’s submission to that arrangement. (1 John 2:15-17)
Separation is a lack of complicity with the world system. The need for separation does not come out of a list of negatives and prohibitions. (Romans 12:1; 6:13; II Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Titus 2:11-14; I John 2:15-17)

XXIV. LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS

We believe Christians are prohibited from resolving personal disputes by bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (I Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32)

XXV. MISSIONS

We believe it is the privilege and responsibility:
Of all believers to witness, by life and by work, to the truths of the Holy Scriptures. (Matthew 5:16; II Corinthians 5:17-20; Ephesians 4:11-16)
Of all believers to be equipped and trained for personal evangelism and to proclaim the Gospel to all mankind. It is the responsibility of the church to formulate, institute, and implement means of equipping and training believers for personal evangelism. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 13:2-3)
Of the church to pray for laborers. (Matthew 9:37, 38; Luke 10:20)
Of the church to send out equipped and trained missionaries. (Acts 13:2, 3)

XXVI. DISPENSATIONALISM

We believe:

Dispensationalism is derived from the proper interpretation of Scripture which is in the natural, literal, grammatical, contextual, and historical sense. This method of interpretation reveals that God has dealt with mankind in different ways during the course of human history. Dispensationalism teaches that the Church, Israel, and the Gentiles are separate entities; therefore, God deals with each differently. (I Corinthians 10:32)
A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect to obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God.
Dispensations are distinguished by features which are distinctive to each. The different dispensations may have certain similar characteristics.
The outworking of God’s purpose within the different dispensations must be viewed from God’s viewpoint and not mankind’s. In a given dispensation, the conditions are instituted by God to try man. The purposeful conclusion of the dispensation is brought about by God, and the overall purpose is to glorify God.
Salvation is always by grace through faith regardless of the dispensation in which the believer lives. (Romans 4:3; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 11:6; I Peter 1:10-12)
See also: John 1:17; I Corinthians 9:17; II Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24, 25; Hebrews 7:19; Revelation 20:2-6.

XXVII. THE RAPTURE

We believe:

In the imminent return of Christ in the air; He will receive His Church unto Himself. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
At that moment, the dead in Christ shall first be raised in glorified bodies. (I Thessalonians 4:16)
The living in Christ shall then be given glorified bodies without tasting death. (I Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-54; Philippians 3:20-21) Both groups (the living and the dead in Christ) shall be raptured (caught up) to meet the Lord in the air. (I Thessalonians 4:17)
This event will occur prior to the seven years of the Tribulation. (Revelation 3:10)

XXVIII. THE TRIBULATION

We believe:

That following the translation of the Church there will be the signing of the covenant between Israel and the man of sin which will begin a seven year period referred to as Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
This seven year period is the fulfillment of Daniel’s seventieth week. (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:15)
It will be a period of judgment affecting the whole earth. (Revelation 3:10)
Its purpose is to try all people on earth and to call Israel to national repentance. (Psalm 2:2-5; Romans 11:26-27; Revelation 3:10)
The latter three and one-half years of the Tribulation are referred to as the Great Tribulation which begins when the man of sin breaks the covenant with Israel. (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14)

XXIX. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe:

The Great Tribulation will be climaxed with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth in power and great glory. He will return with his bride, the Church, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom and to introduce the Millennial Age. (Zechariah 14:3-16; Matthew 24:29-31; Acts 1:9-12; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-21)
The devil will then be chained and the Lord Jesus Christ will reign in perfect righteousness for one thousand years. (Revelation 20:1-10)

XXX. THE FINAL JUDGMENT

We believe:

The souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious misery in Hades. (Luke 16:19-26)
At the second resurrection, when soul and body are reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, judged according to their works, and then shall be cast into the Lake of Fire. (Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 20:11-15)
Those who are cast into the Lake of Fire are not annihilated, but they suffer everlasting, conscious punishment. (Matthew 25:41-46; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 1:6-7; Revelation 19:20; 20:10)

XXXI. THE ETERNAL STATE

We believe:

There will be a bodily resurrection of all men.
All saved individuals who die, regardless of the dispensation in which they lived, will be resurrected to eternal life:
Old Testament Saints will be resurrected at the beginning of the Millennium. (Daniel 12:2-3, 13)
Church Age Saints will be resurrected at the Rapture. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:51- 54)
Tribulation Saints will be resurrected at the beginning of the Millennium. (Revelation 20:4-6)
Millennial Saints will be resurrected after the Millennium. (Isaiah 65:20)
All unsaved individuals who die, regardless of the dispensation in which they lived, will be resurrected to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Revelation 20:11-15)
See also: Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6.
The souls and spirits of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where, in conscious bliss, they await the first resurrection when soul and spirit are united with the glorified body to be forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians1:23; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:4-6; 21:1-6; 22:1-6)

XXXII. CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe:

Civil government is of divine appointment. (Romans 13:1-7)
Civil government is for the interest and good order of human society. (Genesis 9:6; I Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 13:3-7)
Government leaders are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed except in things opposed to the revealed Word of God. (Acts 5:29; I Timothy 2:1-2; I Peter 2:13-17)

XXXIII. ISRAEL

We believe:

God, according to His sovereignty, selected the nation of Israel as an eternal covenant people. (Genesis 17:6-8; 28:13-15; Deuteronomy 7:6-8; Jeremiah 31:31-40; Ezekiel 36:26-27)
The nation of Israel was dispersed because of her disobedience. (2 Kings 17:18-25; James 1:1; I Peter 1:1)
The nation of Israel will be gathered in the Holy Land. (Genesis 13:14-17; 15:18; Deuteronomy 30:3-10)
After the completion of the Church, Israel will be saved as a nation at the Second Advent of Christ. (Ezekiel 37:1-28; Zechariah 12:10; 13:9; Romans 11:1-32)