My Faith

No one has all of the answers, and if we are all honest with each other, we would have to admit that sometimes we all waffle a bit on where we stand on some issues from time to time. What seemed like black and white then, may be shades of grey now, or vice versa. We all grow from "grace to grace." Paul wrote to the Ephesians that one day we will all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). Until that time comes, we press into His Word and allow it to conform us to His image day by day.

Essentials

In regards to the essentials, I often refer to the below as the Five Fundamentals of the Faith.

1. I believe in the Virgin Birth. If Christ was not born of a virgin, he would have been conceived in sin and Mary was an adulteress. Therefore, we would need to be looking for another savior.  

2. I believe in Eternal Security. That means that one can not lose their relationship with Christ for any reason. There is no doubt that the relationship can be strained, but not lost. Verses that are often used as proof texts against this view are more often than not being interpreted out of context.

3. I believe in the Return of Christ. He will return someday for his Church in what is called the Rapture and again seven years later in what is called the Second Coming.

4. I believe in the Inerrancy of Scripture. That means that there are no mistakes in the Bible. I believe in the plenary (all) verbal (words) inspiration of the Scriptures. With that said, I don't think that it's possible to embrace the inerrancy of Scripture without addressing the preservation of Scripture. I personally prefer the King James Version for my study and teaching because I believe that the underlying texts are superior. 

5. I believe in the Deity of Christ. Jesus was and is God, the Second Person of the God-head.

Non-Essentials

In regards to the non-essentials, below are listed my personal convictions. These are not litmus tests for salvation, or necessarily fellowship, just my personal convictions, and I can still be your friend if you disagree.

1. I am Dispensational in that I maintain a consistently literal interpretation of Scripture and make a distinction between Israel and the Church. Furthermore, I maintain a Mid-Acts view in regard to the birth of the Body of Christ. 

2. I am Pretribulational in that I believe that the Church will be raptured out before the Tribulation and the revealing of the man of sin who is called the Antichrist.

3. I am Premillennial in that I believe Jesus will return after a seven-year period called the Tribulation to set up his literal Millennial Reign upon earth.

4. I believe in Biblical Separation. Christians should look and act like such, and only “yoke” themselves with those who do the same.