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Faithful Baptist Church
Statement of Faith
The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, is the divine revelation of God Almighty to man; that it is both verbally (each word) and plenarily (all the words) inspired by God (Ps 12: 6,7; 2Ti 3:16); that it was written down by holy men of God as they were supernaturally moved by the Holy Ghost (2Pe 1:19-21; Acts 1:16, 3:21, 28:25; 2Sa 23:2; Eph 6:17);
that these words are free from all error and from all omission; thus every word is true and altogether infallible and inerrant; that it shall remain the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man (Ps 119:89, 160, 12:6; Lk 24:25-27, 44, 45; Is 40:8; 1Pe 1:23-25; Jn 10:35, 17:17; Pv 30:5,6; Ro 3:4; Rv 22:18,19); and that it is the true center of all Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (1Co 2:12,13; Mt 5:18; Ro 15:4; Jn 12:48; Hb 4:12; Ps 19:7-11; Jn 5:39; Ro 10:17; Jude 3).
Thus, the Holy Bible is our sole authority in all matters of faith and practice in our church and in our individual lives. Also, God has supernaturally preserved the very words penned by the human writers of the holy scriptures so that mankind would always have access to the Word of God (Ps 12:6-7; 78:1-8; 119:89, 111, 152, 160; Is 30:8; 40:6-8; Ecc 3:14; Mt 4-4; 5:17-18; 24:35; 28:20; John 10:35; Col 1:17; 2 Ti 3:15, 1 Pe 1:23-25; 2 Jn 1:2).
The King James Version of the Bible is the pure, preserved Word of God for English speaking people, without any error, and thus without any need for correction or retranslation. Its Old Testament is translated from the Hebrew Masoretic text; and its New Testament is translated from the “Textus Receptus”, specifically Stephanus’ 3rd Edition. Previous translations were used for diligent comparison and include: Matthew, Geneva, Great, Luther, Olivetan, Diodati, and Waldensian Bibles. All so called versions of the Bible not from this pure, preserved line are to be wholly rejected (i.e. including, but not limited to, the New International Version, the New American Standard Version, the New Revised Standard Version, and the New King James Version). Furthermore, any translation that is based in part or in whole on the Westcott and Hort translation (including manuscript codeces’ Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and Alexandrinus) is to be wholly rejected.
The True God
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three distinct Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption and in the accomplishment of His eternal plan and purpose; all three of the Godhead having always been actively involved with mankind.
[Ge 1:1; 17:1; Ex 3:14; 15:11; 20:2,3; Jn 4:24; Ps; 90:2, 147:5; Je 10:10; Re 4:11; I Ti 1:17; Ro 11:33; Mk 12:30; Mt 28:19; II Co 13:14; Eph 2:18; He 12:29; De 6:4,5; Is 6:3; I Pe 1:15; 1Jn 4:8, 5:6-12]
God the Father
We believe the Scriptures teach that God the Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the events of human history according to the purposes of His grace; that He is unchangeable in holiness, love and truth; that He is Father in truth to those who are the children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and fatherly in His attitude toward all men, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and receive His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ (1Co 8:6; Eph 4:6; Ps 83:18; and the above references of The True God).
The Lord Jesus Christ
General
The second Person of the triune God is the Son, the only begotten Son of the Father, whose name is the Lord Jesus Christ. He existed eternally with the Father and is equal with the Father (Jn 1:1,14; Jn 8:58; Jn 17:5,24; Php 2:6-11). He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary (Mt 1:16- 25; Is 7:14). He is both perfect God and perfect man, living a sinless life (Hb 2:9-15; Php 2:6-11; Jn 5:27; Jn 10:30, 20:28; 1Jn 3:9; Hb 4:15). He died a substitutionary death on the cross securing redemption for man through His shed blood (Ro 5:8; Mk 10:45; 1Jn 1:7; 1Pe 1:19, Col 1:14); and was buried and then physically rose again from the grave the third day with a glorified body (Mt 28:1-9; Jn 20:20,27; Jn 21:7; 1Co 15:3-5). He was seen of many and then ascended into Heaven to be exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father where He is the Head over His churches, the Mediator and Advocate with God the Father for all believers (Act 1:8-11; He 10:12; He 7;25; 1Jn 2:1; Col 1:18). He has promised to return to “rapture” the saved, prior to the Tribulation, at the conclusion of which He will personally and visibly reign over the earth (1Th 4:16; 1Th 5:9; Zech 14:3-7; Rv 19:11- 21, 20:2-6).
His Sacrifice
We believe that, in infinite love for the lost, Christ voluntarily accepted His Father's will (Php 2:7,8; Jn 10:18; Ga 1:4) and became the divinely provided sacrificial Lamb (Jn 3:16; Is 53:4-7; He 12:2) whose shed Blood and death took away the sin of the world (John 1:29, 1Co 15:3); that He bore the holy judgments against sin which the righteousness of God must impose (Ro 3:25,26); that His death was, therefore, substitutionary in the most absolute sense, "the just for the unjust" (1 Pe 2:24, 3:18; 2 Co 5:14, 21; He 10:5-14; Mt 18:11; 1Jn 4:10; Is 53:11,12); that Christ's Blood is not a mere figure of speech or "metonym" to be equal to "death"; that it is the blood that makes "atonement for the soul" (Lev 17:11; 1Jn 2:2); that Christ's Blood was "shed for the remission of sins" (Mt 26:28); that Christ's Blood "purchased" the Church (Acts 20:28); that Christ's Blood provides redemption (Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; 1 Pe 1:18-19; He 9:12-15; Re 5:9); that Christ's Blood is incorruptible (1 Pe 1:18-19); that Christ's Blood justifies us (Ro 5:9); that Christ's Blood brings us near to God (Eph 2:13); that Christ's Blood gives us peace (Col 1:20); that Christ's Blood provides forgiveness (Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Hb 9:22); that Christ's Blood provides reconciliation to God (Col 1:20); that Christ's Blood purges the conscience (Hb 9:14), purifies the heavenly things (Hb 9:23), cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7), and washes us from our sins (Rv 1:5; 7:14); that Christ’s shed Blood and death has given us victory over the Devil (Rv 12:11; He 2:14); that Christ's Blood is now in heaven as the "Blood of sprinkling" (Hb 12:22-24); that Christ's Blood gives us boldness and access to the holiest in heaven (Hebrews 10:19); and that Christ's Blood makes us perfect in every good work to do His will (Hb 13:21).
The Holy Spirit
The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit is God (Act 5:3,4) and is co-equal, co-essential, co-eternal, and co-active with God the Father and God the Son (Hb 9:14, 2Co 3:17) and He is the present representative of the Godhead on this earth; that He was active in the creation of the universe (Gn 1:2,26); that He moved holy men of God to write the Bible (2Pe 1:21); that He convicts men of sin, righteousness, and judgement (Jn 16:8); that He testifies only of Jesus Christ and not Himself (Jn 15:26); that He is the agent of the new birth (Jn 3:5,6 Tit 3:5); that He seals (Eph 1:13,14),indwells (Ro 8:9), guides (Ro 8:14), teaches us all truth (Jn 14:17, 26; 1Co 2:10-13), comforts (Jn 14:16), calls to service (Act 13:2), sanctifies(1Pe 1:2), and bestows spiritual gifts upon the believer ( the “sign” gifts having passed away around 100 A.D. with the completion of the New Testament canon {i.e. tongues, miracles, healing, special knowledge})(1Co 12:4-6, 13:8-12); that the baptism with the Holy Ghost was essentially a one time event to empower the church at Pentecost (Acts 11:16; Mt 3:11; Lk 24:49; Jn 1:33; 1Co 12:13; Act 1:8); and that the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is best shown in boldness to witness for our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8).
Man
General
The Scriptures teach that God created man in His own image, distinct from all other forms of life (Gn 1:25-27; 2:21-23), and not from previously existing forms of life; that man was created for the purpose of glorifying God Himself (Is 43:7); that the Genesis account of creation is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and specially (Acts 4:24; Ex 20:11; Ne 9:6; Col 1:16,17; He 11:3; Jn 1:3), and God’s established law is that they should bring forth only “after their kind” (Gn 1,6); and that the teaching of evolution is to be wholly rejected (Gen1,2; Ro 1:20); that marriage is ordained by God and only involves a man marrying a woman (Gn 2:24); that “unnatural affection” is an abomination before the Lord (i.e. sodomy, ‘homosexuality’, ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ lifestyles) (Lv 18:22-29; 20:13; Ro 1:24-32; 1Co 6:9-11; 13:6; Col 3:5; 1Ti 1:10; 2Pe 2:7; Jude 7); that man is a tripartite being (1Th 5:23) having an everlasting soul (1Jn 5:12, Mt 25:46); and that man will physically die and then be judged (Hb 9:27).
The Fall of Man
The Scriptures teach that man (Adam) was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression through an act of deliberate disobedience fell from that sinless and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners (Ro 5:12,19), not by constraint but of choice, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the Law of God, positively inclined to evil; and that all men are under just condemnation without defense or excuse (Romans 1:18, 20). [Ge 1:11,31; Rv 10:6; Acts 17:23-26; Jer 10:12; Ecc 7:29; Ge 3:1-6,24; Ro 1:28,32; 3:10-19; Ez 18:19,20; Ga 3:10,22; Ps 51:6; Isaiah 53:6; Mt 20:15; Eph 2:1-3, 810; 1 Ti 5:6]
Angels
The Scriptures teach that angels are created spirit beings (Neh 9:6, Col 1:16, Hb 1:13,14); that one of these angels, Lucifer, fell through the sin of pride, taking with him a large company of now “fallen” angels (devils) (Ez 28:13-17, Is 14:12-17, 2 Co 4:4; Eph 2:2, Rv 12:9); that Satan is not a force or another name for evil, but is an actual created being; that Satan is not omnipotent or omnipresent but is limited as any other created angelic being is (Hb 1:1-14, 1Jn 4:4); that Satan (Lucifer), along with his devils, is the originator and instigator of sin (Gn 3:1-21), the tempter (Lk 4:1-13), the adversary (1Pe 5:8), the enemy of God and His Christ (Jn 8:44, 1Pe 5:8), the imitator of God counterfeiting the works of God by fostering religious movements and systems of doctrine (1 Ti 4:1-3, 2Co 4:4, 11:14,15), now rules as the "god of this world" (2 Co 4:3-4); and the accuser of God’s people (Rv 12:10); and that Satan is a defeated foe (Gn 3:14,15, 1Jn 3:8, Hb 2:14) and will be bound and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Rv 20:1-3, 10); that after the thousand years, he will be loosed for a little season (Rv 20:7); and that he will then be "cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone," where he "shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Mt 25:41, Rv 20:10); that God’s holy angels are sent forth to minister to the saints (Hb 1:14), to protect children (Mt 18:10), to transport the souls of believers at death (Lk 16:22). and to execute God’s judgement upon the world (Mt 13:41, Rv 7-18). The angels are subordinate to Jesus Christ (Hb 1:1-14), are not to be worshipped (Rv 22:8,9), and someday will be judged by the saints (1Co 6:3). [Ps 148:2,5; 103;20; 104:4; Dnl 9:21,22; 10:13; 12:1; Lk 9:26; Mk 8:38; Jude 9; Rv 12:7; Ps 80:1; 99;1,11; Rv 4:6-8; Ezl 1:4-28; Is 6:1-3; II Th 1:7,8; Ps 34:7; Acts 12:7-11; II Ki 6:17; Jude 6; Eph 2:2; II Pe 2:4; Jn 14:30; I Th 3:5; Mt 4:1-3; I Jn 3:8; Mt 13:25,37,39; Lk 22:3,4; Rv 12;10; Mk 13:21,22; I Jn 4:3, 2:22; II Jn 7; Rv 13:13,14; 12:7-9; 19:11,16,20; 20:1-3,10; II Th 2:8-11]
The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (Pv 14:32; Mal 3:18; Gn 18:23; Ro:17-18); that only those who are justified by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His sight (Jn 8:32; Ro 6:23); that all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse (I Jn 5:19, Jn 3:18, 36); that this distinction holds among men both in this life and after death; that the saved will enter into the joys of heaven (Jn 14:1-3; Php 1:23; 2 Co 5:6-8); and that the lost will undergo everlasting conscious suffering in the Lake of Fire (Mt 25:41; Rv 20:14-15).
Sin
The Scriptures teach that sin is the transgression of the Law (1Jn 3:4, Ro 7:7-13) and that by one man (Adam) sin entered the world (Ro 5:12) and was passed upon all others (Ro 5:19) for all are indeed sinners (Ro 3:10,23); that the penalty of sin is death (separation) (Ro 6:23) and is seen in physical, spiritual, and eternal separation from God (Ro 5:12, Eph 2:1, 4:18, Rv 14:11, 20:15) which is in the Lake of Fire. That a saved person has two natures, the old nature (the flesh, sin), and the new nature (the indwelling Holy Spirit) (1 Cos 6:1920; Ro 7:15-25; Gal 5:16- 17) that the flesh, with its fallen, Adamic nature, in this life is never eradicated (Gal 5:16-17; Jn 3:6); that it is with us to the end of our earthly pilgrimage (Jn 3:6; 1 Jn 1:8, 10); and that it needs to be kept by the Spirit constantly in subjection to Christ, or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives to the dishonor of our Lord (1 Pe1:14-16; 1 Jn 3:5-9).
[I Jn 3:4; Nu 32:23; Is 53:13; Mt 7:23; 23:28; Ro 6:19; Ju 20:16; Ro 3:23; I Sa 15:23; Jer 2:25; Lk 19:14; Is 53:6; Jer 17:9; Gn 3:14,18; Ro 8:22; 1:18-32; Ps 51:5; 58:3; Jn 3:19; Ja 4:17; Ro 6:23; Hb 9:27; Ro 5:12,14; Eph 2:1; 4:8; Mt 10:23; Rv 20:15]
Salvation
The Scriptures clearly teach that man is in need of salvation from his eternal destiny in the Lake of Fire (Jn 3:18, Ro 6:23, Rv 20:15); and that only Jesus Christ can save man (Act 4:12); that Jesus Christ’s shed blood and death on the cross is the only payment acceptable unto God the Father for man’s earned sin penalty (Col 1:14, Acts 13:38, Ro 3:23-26, 6:23); that this sacrifice was a voluntary substitution of Jesus Christ in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree (Is 53:4-7; Ro 3:25; 1Co 15:3; 2Co 5:21; 1Pe 2:24; 3:18; 1Jo 4:10); that man’s hopeless attempt at keeping the Law can in no way save him and that salvation is only by God’s grace, totally unmerited and undeserved (Ro 3:20, Eph 2:8,9, Tit 3:5); that the glorious gospel message of salvation is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1Co 15:3,4); that to receive God’s free gift of salvation man must repent of his sinful ways and put all his faith in Jesus Christ’s shed blood and death on the cross as full payment for man’s own sin penalty, and he must call out to the Lord for salvation from a sure eternal punishment in Hell (Mk 6:12; Lk 13:3; Jn 1:12; 3:16, 18, 36; 5:24; 6:29; Acts 13:39; 16:31; Ro 1:16-17; 3:22,4-26; 4:5; 5:1; 6:23; 10:4; 2Co 5:7; Ga 3:22; Eph 2:8; 2Ti 1:12; Hb 11:1,6; Jm 2:23; 2 Pe 3:9); that repentance is a personal act, prompted by the Spirit of God, and consists in a godly sorrow over sin, accompanied with great humiliation in view of one’s sin and guilt, together with prayer for pardon, a sincere hatred of sin, and a complete turning away from, and abandonment of, all that one knows to be evil and unholy (Mt 3:1,2; 4:17; Mk 1:15; Acts 3:19; 5:31; 17:30; 20:21; Lk 18:13; 24:47; II Co 7:2; Ro 2:5; Ish 55:7; Ps 51:1-4,7); that it is the immediate duty of all to accept the free gift of salvation by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth except his own voluntary refusal to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, which if refused will subject him to an aggravated condemnation in Hell (I Th 1:4; Col 3:12; I Pe 1:2; Titus 1:1; Mt 11:28; Is 55:1,6,7; Rv 22:17; Ro 10:13; Jn 6:37; Acts 2:38; Jn 3:15,16; I Ti 1:15; I Co 15:10; Eph 2:4,5; Jn 15:40; Jn 3:18,36.); The false teachings of Calvinism (election, predestination, TULIP), Armenianism (universal salvation, falling from grace), sacramentalism (rites and ritual based), baptismal regeneration (baptism produces the new birth), and all other unscriptural methods of salvation are to be wholly rejected; the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the “new birth,” is that change wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, by which a new nature and a spiritual life, not before possessed, are imparted, and the person becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus; that a holy disposition is given to the mind, the will subdued, the dominion of sin broken, and the affections changed from a love of sin and self, to a love of holiness and God; that the change is instantaneous and not a process, effected not by culture or character, nor by the will of man, but solely through the power of God through the Word of God, in a manner incomprehensible to reason (Jn 3:3-6, 2Co 5:17, Lu 5:32, 1Jn 5:1). The Scriptures clearly teach that all who are truly born again are kept eternally saved through the work of God the Father (Jn 10:28, 29; Ro 8:30), God the Son (Ro 8:34; 1 Jn 2:1), and God the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14; 4:30); that, because of the eternal purpose of God toward the objects of His love, because of the immutability of the unchangeable covenants of God, because of His freedom to exercise grace toward the merit less on the ground of the propitiatory Blood of Christ (Ro 5:9; Eph 1:7), because of the very nature of the divine gift of eternal life, because of the present and unending intercession and advocacy of Christ in heaven (Hb 7:25; 1 Jn 2:1-2), because of the regenerating, abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all who are saved (1 Co 6:19-20), we, and all true believers everywhere, once saved, shall be kept saved forever (Php 1:6; Jn 10:27-30; Ro 8:35-39; Jude 1:1; Jn 5:24; 13:1; 14:16-17; 17:11; Ro 8:29; 1 Jn 5:13; Jude 1:24); that it is thus a work of only of God, and not of man (Lk 10:20; 2 Co 5:1, 6-8; 2 Ti 3:12; 1 Jn 5:13); and, thus, salvation, once received, can never be lost or forfeited (2Ti 1:12, 1Pe 1:5, Jn 3:16, 1Jn 5:13, Jn 10:28,29). [Jn 4:4;6:39,66-69; 8:31,32; 10:28, 29; 13:8; 16:8; I Jn 2:19,27,28; 3:9; 5:18; Mt 13:19-21; Ro 8:28,35-39; Mt 6:20,30-33; Php 1:6; 2:12,13; Jude 24,25; Hb 1:14; 13:5; Col 1:21-23; I Pe 1:5; Jn 10:27-30]
The Church
The Scriptures teach that the “church” is a local (Act 8:1, 9:31, 13:1, 15:4; Gal 1:2)(99 of 114 NT references is specifically local in context, the other 15 are generically local), visible (2Co 1:1,15; 1Th 3:10), assembly of born again, baptized believers (Act 2:41, 8:12) to carry out the Lord’s work (Mt 28:19,20); that the widely accepted view that the church is “all the saved” (i.e. universal church) is to be wholly rejected (Act 8:1, 9:31, 13:1, 15:41; Gal 1:2); that the beginning of the church was with the baptism of Jesus Christ and the calling of His disciples, and not at Pentecost as most wrongly assume (Jn 1:35; Act 1:22; Mt 16:18; Act 2:41; Mk 1:1-4; Mt 23:8; Jn 10:11,14, 13:29; Mt 26:26-28); that the church is typified as a body (Col 1:18; 1Co 12:12-27), a building (Mt16:1; Eph 1:20-22), and a bride (Eph 5:25-27; 2Co 11:2; Jn 3:29; Ro 7:4; Hb 12:22; Rv 19:7-9); and that its mission is to evangelize the world, baptize believers into its membership, teach the whole counsel of God, sustain the Truth, provide Godly fellowship for its members, and, chiefly, to glorify God (Mt 28:19,20; Mk 16:15; Act 1:8; 2Ti 2:2; Act 2:42; 1Ti 3:15; Eph 3:21).
Baptism
The Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the single immersion backwards in water of a born-again believer in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Mt 3:6; Mk 1:10; Jn 3:23; Acts 8:36-38; Col 2:12); to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our identification with the crucified, buried and risen Savior, it pictures our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Mt 3:16; 28:18-20; Jn 3:23; Acts 8:36-39; Ro 6:3-5; Gal 3:26,27; 1Co 15:1-3; Col 2:12; 1Pe 3:21); that baptism has no merit in salvation (baptismal regeneration); that it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership; that baptism is to be performed under the authority and approval of one of the Lord’s churches (i.e. unapostated Baptist churches); that those baptized differently than previously stated, should not be received into the membership, but instead should submit to scriptural baptism; and further, that “open” baptism (non-Baptist and apostated Baptist) and “infant” baptism are to be wholly rejected (Mt 28:19,20, Act 2:41, Jn 3:27, Mk 11:30). [Acts 2:41; 8:12,13, 26-39; 9:17,18; 10:25,26,44-48; 16:14,15,25-37; 18:7-11; Mt 3:1-16; 21:24,25; Jn 3:22,23; 4:1,2; Gal 3:27,28; Ro 6:4; Col 2:12; I Pe 3:15,20,21; II Sa 23:22,23; Pv 20:11]
The Lord's Supper
The Scriptures teach that the Lord’s Supper is a provision of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine (non- alcoholic) as symbols of Christ’s body and shed blood partaken of by only the members of the observing church; that it should be preceded always by solemn self-examination; that the church is the final authority in all spiritual matters, including the administration of its ordinances; that it is to bring us in rememberance of Christ’s sacrifice, and thus our duty to remain in fellowship with Jesus Christ through repentance of our sins; that its frequency is “as oft as” the church is lead to observe it; and that it has no merit in salvation. [Mt 26:27-30; 28:20; Mk 14:20-26; Lk 22:19,20; Acts 2:41-47; I Co 5:6,7,11; 10:16; 11:2,17-34]
Biblical Separation
We believe Biblical separation is an important Bible doctrine; that we should obey the Biblical commands to separate ourselves both individually and corporately wholly and completely unto God (2 Co 6:14--7:1; 1 Th 1:9- 10; 2 Jn 1:9-11); that evil, false doctrine, and spiritual compromise are all contagious (1 Co 15:33); that separation from such evil is the only dependable Biblical safeguard to remain spiritually clean (2 Co 6:17); that we should therefore separate ourselves from worldliness, modernism, ecumenicism, ecclesiastical apostasy, Neo-evangelicalism, the Charismatic Movement, and, thus, all churches and organizations holding to doctrinal compromise and error; that we should abstain from all appearance of evil; that we should not have close fellowship either with unbelievers or with "disorderly" brethren (2 Th 3:6, 11, 14-15; 1 Ti 6:3-5; Ro 16:17). [Ro 16:17; II Co 6:17; Eph 5:11; II Th 3:6,14; Titus 1:13; 3:10; I Jn 4:1; II Jn 10,11]
Civil Government
The Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society (Ex 18:18, 21-22); that all those in authority are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the revealed will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the rulers of the earth (Ro 13:1-7); that civil rulers have no rights or control over, or interference with, religious matters; that churches and religious organizations should receive no help from the State, except protection and full freedom in the pursuit of spiritual ends. [I Pe 2:13,14,17; Mt 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Ti 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Mt 10:28; 22:21; Dn 3:15-18; 6:7,10; Acts 4:18-20; Mt 23:10; Ro 14:4; Rv 19:14; Ps 72:11; II Sa 23:3; Ex 18:21,22; Acts 23:5; Php 2:10,11]
The end Times
The Scriptures teach that the Lord Jesus Christ’s return in the air to raise up the righteous dead and catch up (rapture) all living believers is immenent; that immediately following this there will be great tribulation upon the earth for seven years; that Jesus Christ will return at the end of these seven years to set up His earthly Millenial kingdom; that following this millenium of peace and righteousness, all the wicked will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgement and will be cast into the Lake of Fire where they will be consciously tormented for eternity without end; that, then, new Heavens and a new Earth will be created after the old is melted away with fervent heat; and that the saved of all time will then live there eternally with Jesus Christ. [Ps 72:8; Is 11:4,5; Dn 7:19-26; 12:2 Mt 13:37-43,49; 24:15-26, 35,42; 27:52; 28:6,7; Mk 16:6,19; Lk 1:32; 14:14; 24:2,4-6,19,51; Jn 5:28,29; 6:40; 14:3; 20:27; Acts 1:9-11; 10:42; 24:15; I Co 7:29-31; 15:4,23,25, 42-44; 1Th 4:16,17; 1 Ti 2:5; II Ti 1:10; 1 Pe 1:4,5; II Pe 2:9,11,12; Hb 1:10-12; 2:17; 5:9,10; 8:1,6; 9:28; 12:2; Rv 1:7; 3:21; 20:1-4,6,11-15; 21:7,8,24-27; 22:11]