©

REV. ROBERT JOHN KUIPHOFF
"Pastor K"
732-348-8766

pastor_k@goldenfaithbiblechurch.org

"SUMMARY DOCTRINAL STATEMENT" 

My Doctrinal Positions   are following this urgent note for Mormons, Jehovah, Muslims etc.:


"Special note to L. D. S.; Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims,
and others"

You come to our home telling me that Jesus Christ is "a" god or He is simply a good man and /or a Prophet.  The following are just a very few texts from the Word of God that you need to consider:

Jehovah Witness bible Verses Cut and Copied
"Verbatim Quotes"
If you doubt my integrity and do not have a Jehovah Witness bible please
click on the following link:  http://www.watchtower.org/bible/index.htm

All of the following verses within this text table are directly cut and copied from your Jehovah Witness bible.

Genesis 1:1, In [the] beginning God created the heavens and the earth. {Please notice that your bible has the Upper case “G” - God meaning, Deity.]

John 1:1-3, 10, In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. [2] This one was in [the] beginning with God. [3] All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence. [10] He was in the world, and the world came into existence through him, but the world did not know him.

Matthew 1:23, “Look! The virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will call his name Im·man´u·el,” which means, when translated, “With Us Is God.”  {Again, please notice that your bible has the Upper case “G” - God meaning, Deity.]

Colossians 1:12-17, “Thanking the Father who rendered YOU suitable for YOUR participation in the inheritance of the holy ones in the light. [13] He delivered us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, [14] by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins. [15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; [16] because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. [17] Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist,”

Isaiah 45:18, “For this is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the [true] God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.”  Your Old Testament Deity and Creator God is Jehovah.

Revelations 4:11, " “You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.”  Notice, your New Testament Deity and Creator God is correctly said to be, Jesus Christ.

Revelations 22:13, “I am the Al´pha and the O·me´ga, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  Your bible declares that Jesus Christ was before anything and everything, He is the Creator God.

I repeat, everyone of the quoted verses above -- from your bible -- give Jehovah witness to the fact that Jesus Christ is the one and only Creator God.  This truth also means that your bible’s translation of John 1:1, “In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god (added article "a" & lower case “g” god)” is totally INCORRECT.  Jesus Christ isn't a god among a pantheon of gods, He is Thee God of gods and Lord of lords.

Dear Jehovah Witness, I can continue on and on and on with your own JW bible’s proof of Jehovah Witness' doctrinal contradictions.  Also, seriously consider what you've been taught concerning the "144-thousand".  Are there more than 144 thousand Jehovah Witnesses on the earth, now?  How are you going to compete and make it into the 1,000 year existence and heaven with so many "deserving" Jehovah Witnesses?  Are you "head-and-shoulders" above and more righteous than they?

At the end of the 1,000 year existence that you’ve been taught about, what’s going to happen to you if your not one of the 144,000?  An individual explained his personal dilemma to me with the following words, "'at the end of my 1,000 years was I going to hear, 'in an hour your time is up, you better do what you have to do in the next hour.  Pastor, they don't believe in Hell so what was going to happen to me, was I going to go "poof" and disappear to who knows where?!'" 

Are you being deceived by the Jehovah Witness doctrines?  All of the verses above certainly indicate that you are.

The Truth from the Word of God:

Jesus Christ is The Mighty God and The Everlasting Father, Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Jesus Christ told Philip and the other disciples that He is "God the Father," John 14:8-9

"Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us. [9] Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?  He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" 

Please consider that the very texts you use concerning the "singleness" of Jehovah God instruct all that there are no other gods, i.e. according to your witness,  Jesus Christ is "a" god.  Therefore, Jesus Christ isn't "a" god but He is "Thee God."

Isaiah 44:6 
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 

Isaiah 44:8 
Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. 

Isaiah 45:5 
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 

The verses above, Isaiah 44:8 and 45:5, clearly states that there is no other God, in the universe beside the Lord and God of Isaiah's inspired writings. 

{'Elowahh, Tsuwr, Yehovah, 'Elohiym are the Hebrew  words for God and Lord as used in these two verses)

These verses clearly creates a major problem for you that are professing Mormon, Latter Day Saints and Jehovah Witnesses.  At the front doors of people across the nations you readily read from "your" bible  "your" mistranslation of  John 1:1, and I quote your translation, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was "a" God."  Your translators have deceived you by adding the article "a", which is not in the Greek texts, thereby creating in your understanding another god.  

Question:  How can there be two (2) God's when God clearly states that He is the one-and-only God and there are no other Gods (plural)?

In Isaiah 44:8b the Hebrew word for "God" is "Tsuwr".  "yea, there is no God / Tsuwr;  I know not any."  The Hebrew word for God / Tsuwr means a rock or boulder; figuratively a refuge.  In the inspired letters written by the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 28:16 and Isaiah 8:14 and declares to you and to me that Jesus Christ "is" that "Rock".

Romans 9:33 
"As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

1 Corinthians 10:4 
"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." 

Please understand that the inspired words of Isaiah are correct.  There is only one God
 ('Elowahh / Tsuwr / Yehovah / 'Elohiym)
 .
That One-and-Only God is Jesus Christ:

John 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:10
"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him."


In the following passage we are instructed that Jesus Christ is both, God the Son and God the Creator God, Colossians 1:13-18

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, [14] in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. [15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. [17] And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. [18] And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." 

PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING

Moses trusted In Jesus Christ's Old Testament pre-existence, Hebrews 11:24-26

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
[25] Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; [26] Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had faith unto the future  reward."

Moses' faith gives ample warning that all who do not accept by faith the above that they have been deceived, 2 John 7-11 and Jude verse:4

2 John 1:7-11, "For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. [8] Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. [9] Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; [11] for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds."

Jude 1:4, "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ."

The key to understanding the "singleness doctrine" of the Triune Godhead which is simply stated as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is believing and trusting by Faith,

Hebrews 11:1-3,
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [2] For by it the elders obtained a good report. [3] Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

What you do not understand is the our Christian belief and walking by faith living life style becomes a believing + walking = experiential faith living, lifestyle Christian walk.  All Truly Born Again Christians experience God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit within us, you do not.

The Truly Born Again Christian believes and lives by faith, not by sight:

2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight"

Let me make one last attempt in explaining your problem when you come to the door of a Truly Born Again Christian  trying to convince us that you have something that we need.

Dear Muslim neighbor, as a Christian we don't simply know about God from a book or a scroll, we personally experience Him because He lives within us.

Dear L.D.S, Mormon and Jehovah Witness neighbor, we don't simply know about Jehovah God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit from a book, scroll or a Bible, He lives within us and we personally experience Him; He talks to us and we talk to Him.  Our Christian walk of faith began by simply trusting in His word, the Holy Bible, and accepting by faith and faith alone that He lived, He died on the cross of Calvary for our  / my sins; He was buried; on the third day He arose from the grave; He then walked on this earth intermingling and talking with innumerable numbers of people (historical fact) and He was physically received up into Heaven where He is awaiting the day of His return to bring me into Heaven with Him for all Eternity.

By simple faith we believed the above and we experienced God the Holy Spirit within us giving us power over sins that we never had before.

Because we experienced a new power from within, we trusted the Word of God for some other aspect in our lives and experienced another victory or blessing that could only have come from the Hand of Jehovah, God.

I can go on and on, I won't.  The reality is that we have gone from a simple faith in Jehovah God the Son, Jesus Christ for salvation; experienced the new power of Jehovah God the Holy Spirit within over sins which means that we then had simple faith + experienced victory = faith and experience.  Because that's a continuing progression of faith + experience reality in the life of every Truly Born Again Christian, what could you possibly offer of any Eternal value to any True Christian?  

Reality: You must be "Truly Born Again," there is no other option!

John 3:3
"'Jesus answered and said unto him,
'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God."'

John 3:6-7
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

Jehovah Witnesses, L. D. S., Mormons, Muslims and AND OTHERS:

PLEASE REPENT,
YOU'RE BEING DECEIVED

 

"SUMMARY DOCTRINAL STATEMENT"

THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES (Bibliology)

The original writings were the inerrant, plenary inspired Word of God.  The Scriptures are our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Word of God will never pass away.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:1-2; Matthew 24:35)

THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION

God created all things by the Word of His mouth and nothing has been brought into existence by any other means.  All life: man, animal, and plant life can only reproduce after its own kind.  No life is the product of evolution. (Genesis 1:1,21-28; Psalm 33:6-9; Job 38-41; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3)

THE DOCTRINE OF SIN (Hamartiology)

Man was created perfect and sinless in the persons of Adam and Eve.  Adam and Eve  willfully sinned and, because of their sin, all of creation suffered condemnation.  From that day to this, all men are born in sin and all men sin willfully.  I further believe that the result of every sin is death and must be atoned for by the blood of Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:26-27,31; 2:16,17; 3:1-24; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 8:20-23; Hebrews 9:11-14)

THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION (Soteriology)

Salvation is by grace through faith entirely apart from works.  We receive salvation by trusting in Jesus Christ's vicarious death and substitutionary atonement on the cross of Calvary for sin.  The conditions for salvation are repentance and faith. Apart from Jesus Christ, there is no possible means of salvation.
(Matthew 26:28; Romans 6:23; John 3:16; 6:28-29; Luke 13:3; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21;
1 John 5:13; Hebrews 11:6; John 4:12; Acts 4:12)

THE DOCTRINE OF PERSONAL SANCTIFICATION OF THE BELIEVER (Regeneration)

Personal sanctification is at one and the same time, complete and ongoing.

Sanctification is complete in that

(1) POSITIONALLY, we have been totally sanctified, unto God for His work in and through us.
      (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2,30; 6:11; Hebrews 10:10,14)

Sanctification is

(2) ON GOING, in that we can only be set apart unto the Lord as we yield ourselves to His Word,
      His Spirit's prompting with in and earnestly resist sin. (John 17:17; Romans 12:2; 
      2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:1-21; 2 Peter 3:18)

Our personal sanctification will be

(3) ULTIMATELY PERFECTED IN US, when we see Jesus face to face in glory.
     (John 3:2; Romans 8:29)

Further, while we are in this life, we will, in the flesh, war with the old nature of sin that dwells in our flesh.  God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, empowers us to exercise victory over the sin nature, giving us the power to say no to sinful thoughts and habits and yes, to righteousness and righteous living.  Those who claim that sin in the born again Christian has been eradicated, are teaching heresy. (Romans 7:18-25; 8:12-13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24, Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Peter 1:14-16)

THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION FROM WORLDLINESS AND APOSTASY (Separation)

*(1) Separation from worldliness (John 17:14-16; 1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:9; Ephesians 5:11);

*Church leaders and members, I have questions based on previous conversations with Church leadership.  There are distant "dissident," governmental and judicial rumblings concerning the majority of Christian Church ministries that justly, righteously and Biblically oppose homosexuality (Romans chapter 1 and many other passages) yet invite, welcome and enroll into leadership and membership adulterers (Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39, Mark 10:7-12, Luke 16:18, Matthew 19:8) and many more passages.  These dissidents are rightly saying sin is sin, if adulterers are welcome why aren't we and, they are beginning to gain sympathy with the liberal members of government and the liberal judiciary.  Will our Local Church Family Ministries stand the "dissident," governmental and judicial present criticisms and future legal tests?

It is my conviction and practice that what our Lord calls sin in His Word is -- sin -- and individuals who are unrepentantly living in those sins cannot be leaders or members of our local Church ministries or be partakers of our Lord's communion service (1 Corinthians chapter 5).  I can safely say this because I am not a 501c3; as Senior Pastor of local Church ministries I optioned out of Federal Social Security on my Pastoral salaries and the reduced monthly amount of my present retirement Social Security checks reflect that.

(2) Separation from ecclesiastical apostasy (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Timothy 6:3-5);

(3) Separation from Biblical apostasy (Jude).

THE DOCTRINE OF GOD (Theology)

(1) God ('Elohiym, the supreme God; Jehovah, the Lord God) is one God

(2) eternally existing in three persons,  
       (2-a) God the Father,
      (2-b) God the Son and
      (2-c) God the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and God the Father is 'Elohiym, the supreme God, Jehovah, the Lord God  at one and the same time and all of the time:

John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 14:8-9, "Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." [9] Jesus said
                      to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?
                      He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, 'Show us the Father'?

(3) God is: faithful, (4) holy, (5) just, (6) righteous, (7) love and (8) truth; (9) The (Omnipotent) Almighty God, (10) Creator God, (11) Everlasting God, (12) (Omniscient) All Knowing God,
(13) (Immutable) Unchangeable God, (14) (Omnipresent) everywhere present,
(15) invisible, (16) sovereign and (17) He is the God who hears and answers prayer.

"Below are just a few of the Scriptural references for the points above and are by no means,
  exhaustive"

[1] God is one God, (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 43:10-11; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5a, 6, 21b; Mark 12:29;
                                  1 John 5:20)
[2] eternally existing in three persons: {Genesis 1:1-3, 26; 11:6-9; 1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19)

[2-a] God the Father, (Mark 9:7; Genesis 22:1; Exodus. 3:4-6, 14-15; 4:11-12)

[2-b] God the Son, (Genesis 1:3; John 10:28; Isaiah 43:10-11; John 1:1; 14:7;  21:17; Daniel 3:25;
                                 John 1:10; Colossians 1:13-18; Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 1:8; 11, 18)

[2-c] God the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:2; 1 John 4:12; John 4:24; Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:22;
                                            John 1:32;1 Timothy 6:16; John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26;
                                            John 16:7; 1 Timothy. 3:16; Luke 23:46; John 19:30)

[3] God is faithful, (John 10:29-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

[4] God is holy, (Leviticus 19:2; Isaiah 6:3; 40:25; Revelation 4:8-11) 

[5] God is just, (Isaiah 45:21b; Genesis 18:25)

[6] God is righteous, (Psalm 5:4; Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:13-14; Hebrews 1:9; Genesis 18:25;
                                    Malachi 3:6)

[7] God is love, (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10; 1 John 4:16)
   
[8] God is truth. (Proverbs 6:16-19; Hebrews 6:16-19; 1 John 2:27; Revelation 21:27)

[9] God is the Almighty God (Omnipotent), (Isaiah 43:13; 45:21b; John 10:29-30; Genesis 18:14;
                                                                       Revelation1:8; Daniel 6:26)

[10] God is the Creator God, (Job, Chapters 38-41 especially Job 38:1-7; Isaiah 45:7-12, 18; 48:13)

[11] God is the Everlasting God, (Genesis 18:14; Revelation 1:8; Dan 6:26)

[12] God is the All Knowing God (Omniscient), (1 John 3:20; Psalm 139:1-6)

[13] God is the Unchangeable God (Immutable), (Genesis 18:14, 25; Malachi 3:6; Daniel 6:26)

[14] God is the everywhere present God (omnipresent), (Psalm 139:7-13)

[15] God is the invisible God, (Psalm 139:7-13)

[16] God is the Sovereign God (John 10:29-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Genesis 18:14, 25;
                                                    Psalm139:7-13; Daniel 6:26)
[17] He is the God who hears and answers prayer. (Genesis 18:14; Psalm 138:3)

THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST (Christology)

Christology, the Doctrine concerning Jesus Christ, separates Christianity from all other faiths.  No other faith or religion has a living Creator God Who came to this earth, lived among mankind, gave His life and shed blood; arose from the grave to save mankind not only from their sins but gives mankind power and victory over sin by indwelling within His followers thus making it possible to promise and provide an Eternal dwelling place for each of His individual followers be they very young or very very old.  

The heart and soul of Christology, the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, is found in Isaiah 9:6, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;  And the government will rest on His shoulders;  And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” and John 1:1-3, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. [vs:14] And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus Christ is our Eternal, Creator God.   Jesus Christ is True God and True Man.  When He walked this earth as a man, He was God in the flesh  John 14:8-9, “Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." [9] Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, 'Show us the Father'?”

I believe in: His virgin birth, His sinless life, His vicarious death, burial, and resurrection for my sins and the sins of the world, His bodily ascension into heaven, His present advocacy with the Father, imminent, bodily return, and that He will judge all men resulting in the righteous passing into everlasting life in glory and the lost into everlasting punishment.  There is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ.
(John 1:1; 10:30; Matthew 1:23; John 1:14; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:34,35; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5;
1 John 2:1,2; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 4:14-15; 7:24-25; Acts 1:11; Matthew 25:31-46; John 14:6;
Ephesians 2:8-9;Titus 3:5; 1 John 5:11-12)

THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Pneumatology)

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity, one with the Father and the Son: coeternal, coequal, having all the attributes of the Father and the Son.  It is the Holy Spirit that gives to us new life, baptizes us into the body of Jesus Christ, sanctifies us unto Himself, and seals us unto eternal life.  He intercedes for us with God the Father, prays for us, and keeps us with His power. (2 Corinthians 13:14; 2 Peter 1:4; John 3:3,5;
2 Timothy 1:10; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2;
1 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 4:30; Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 8:26-27;1 Peter 1:5)

It is the work of the Holy Spirit IN our lives that gives us faith in Jesus Christ, convicts us of sin, convinces us of our salvation, and motivates us unto righteous living. He appoints us unto specific service in God's work here on earth, separates and sends us out into that service.  The Holy Spirit fills, leads, and speaks to us, works within us all of the spiritual graces, helps us, sustains us in our weaknesses, teaches us all truth, guides us in life, directs our thoughts, calls us, indwells us, renews, regenerates, strengthens and gives us power over fear.  It is the Holy Spirit that gives us our spiritual gifts, promotes spiritual fruit, bears witness of the Father's love to us, and comforts us in life's trials.
(John 1:12-13; Romans 6:1-10; 1 John 5:7-9; Romans 8:15-16; Philippians 2:13; Acts 13:2; 20:28;
Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:18; Acts 8:29; 10:19; 13:2; 16:6-7; Galatians 4:6; 5:22-23; Romans 8:9,26-27; Proverbs 18:14; John 16:12-14; Proverbs 3:6; 16:3; Ephesians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 7:20; John 14:16-17; 20:22;1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:23; Galatians 6:8; John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:7;
Ephesians 3:16; 4:7-13; John 16:7; 14:16-17)

It is the power of the Holy Spirit working THROUGH US, that convicts the unsaved of their sins and calls them unto salvation in Jesus Christ.  He gives God's love through us, builds His church, bears others' burdens, overcomes the world of sin and works spiritual graces through us that are Born Again in Christ Jesus.
(2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:6; Acts 7:51; John 16:13; Revelations 22:17;
 John 16:7-12)

Without the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit IN THE WORLD, no person would ever come to the knowledge of salvation in Jesus Christ.  Using human understanding and reason alone, it is totally impossible to convince any person of sin because Satan has totally blinded their mind.  Because they are spiritually blind and are of the flesh and not of the Spirit, they can never understand the spiritual things of the Lord.
(2 Corinthians 4:3-4;1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:6)

The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the unsaved is singular in purpose. That purpose is to draw them unto salvation in Christ Jesus.  He does this by convicting them of their sins, convincing them that Jesus Christ is righteous and that His judgments are right altogether. (Acts 7:51; John 16:13;  Revelations 22:17; John 16:7-22)

THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS (Angelology)

(I) GOD'S CREATIVE PURPOSE FOR ANGELS:

Angels were created by God before the cosmos (worlds) were created.  At the time of their creation, their numbers were fixed, because God has ceased His work of creation in this present earth's age.  Angels can not reproduce themselves, nor can they die.  (Genesis 1:1-2; Colossians 1:13-16; John 1:1-3;
Ephesians 3:9; Psalm 148:2,5; Job 38:1-7; Genesis 2:1; Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:36)

Angels are spirit beings, invisible (yet able to take on the appearance of human bodies to perform God given tasks) and innumerable in number.  As created beings, they possess personality qualities such as intelligence, will, and emotion. In this present age they are superior to man, but inferior to God.  They ARE NOT omnipresent, omnipotent, or omniscient. (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7,14; Luke 1:19,26; 2:9;
Matthew 28:2; Job 38:7; Psalm 148:1-3; Hebrews 12:22; Daniel 9:21-22; Jude 6; Job 38:7; Psalm 8:4-6; Hebrews 2:5-8; Daniel 10:12-13; Matthew 24:36)

Angels were created with a three fold purpose:

[1] worship God; (1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 29:1-2; 148:2)

[2] serve God; (1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 15:1; Matthew 13:39-43)

[3] minister to regenerated man. (Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 91:11-12)

(II) SATAN AND HIS DEMONS (Demonology)

Satan is a distinct personality and the god of this age.  He was originally created to be holy and perfect, but through pride and rebellion he became God's adversary.  He has supernatural powers that can only be used as God allows.  He was defeated and judged at the cross and will be ultimately cast into the lake of fire.  As believers, we are able to resist and overcome him by putting on the whole armor of God and by claiming the blood of Jesus Christ. (Ezekiel 28:13-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; John 8:44; Matthew 12:24; 25:41;
1 John 4:4; Revelations 12:9;  2 Corinthians 4:4; Job 1:1-22; John 12:31-32; 16:22; Ephesians 6:12-18; Revelations 12:11)

Satan's objective in the Christian's life is to accuse the saints before God, tempt the believer to sin, inflict disease, destroy the good seed that is sown and destroy the believers confidence in his salvation.
(Revelations 12:10; James 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; James 5:13-15; Matthew 13:19; 1 Peter 5:8;
John 5:9-15)

THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH (Ecclesiology)

1. The Universal Church

The UNIVERSAL CHURCH is comprised of all Born Again believers.  It is referred to, in Scripture, as the Bride of Christ. and was instituted by and for Him. He is the head of the Church.
(Acts 2:1-13; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelations 21:2,9; Ephesians 5:30-32;
Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23-27; Colossians 1:18)

2. THE LOCAL CHURCH

THE LOCAL CHURCH is the visible gathering together of BORN AGAIN, BAPTIZED BELIEVERS.  Their common bond is the Word of God, praise to God, prayer with God, the mutual building up and edification of one another in faith and walk with the Lord.  (Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-35;
Ephesians 4:11-13)

THE LOCAL CHURCH is self-governing and should work to that end of being indigenous and self-supporting.  (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 11:16; 14:33; 16:1,19; 2 Corinthians 8:18-19,24;
2 Corinthians 11:8;1 Thessalonians 2:14; Acts 13:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Titus 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:2;
1 Corinthians 9:7-14; 2 Timothy 2:6)

It is the responsibility of the LOCAL CHURCH to evangelize the lost, ordain and send out missionaries and pastors, and care for the physical needs of their own needy and widows.  (1 Thessalonians 1:2-10;
Acts 13:1-3; 2:41-47; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:3, 5, 16)

THE ORDINANCES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

Please note:  The New Testament Christian church does not have sacraments.  A Sacrament is defined as some act that man does to earn salvation.  We do not earn salvation.  Salvation is only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not of any works.   Because a person is saved, he will do good works  but, good works do not save the person -- making him or her a Christian.

Ephesians. 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast." 

Acts 4:10-12, "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of 
Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. [11] This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. [12] Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Titus 3:5,"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." 

1. BAPTISM
Baptism is not a sacrament and doesn't earn for us, salvation.  Baptism is an act of OBEDIENCE.  

All Born Again believers in Jesus Christ NEED to be baptized. Believers baptism by immersion IDENTIFIES the believer with the body of Jesus Christ, His substitutionary death, burial and resurrection for sin. Believers baptism must not be confused with earning any merit for an individual's salvation. It is a definite Biblical criteria for church membership. (Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 6:1-6; Titus 3:5; Acts 2:41; Matthew 28:19-20

Though baptism is a definite Biblical criteria for Church family membership, Church family membership should not be a criteria for baptism. (Acts 8:28-39)

2. COMMUNION
Communion is not a sacrament and doesn't earn for us, salvation.  Communion is an act of OBEDIENCE.

Communion is an act of OBEDIENCE to the expressed command of the Word of God.  Communion is COMMEMORATING our Lord's death until He comes to redeem us unto Himself.
(1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 23-34)

All "truly" Born Again Believers in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:10-13) who are not walking in known sin
(John 9:31;1 Corinthians 11:27-31; Romans 14:23; 1 John 5:17; ) or, are under the scrutiny / disciplinary action of another Church family (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:18-20) are to be invited to participate in the Lord's Table. It is my conviction and practice that the Lord's Table should be observed the first Sunday of each month.

THE DOCTRINE OF GOD'S FUTURE PLAN (Eschatology)

1. THE CHURCH
We are living in the last days. The next great event to take place will be the Rapture of the Church / The Bride of  Christ.  Our rapture is IMMINENT, PRETRIBULATIONAL and PREMILLENNIAL.   At the rapture, the dead in Christ will be raised up to heaven first and then the living saints will be caught up together in the air to meet the Lord.
(2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 2 Peter 3:1-14;1 John 2:26-28;
 Revelations 3:10-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:4; 4:13-18)

2. THE NATIONS
I believe that following the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, Satan will be loosed for a period of time to once again deceive the NATIONS of the earth. He will be seized by Jesus Christ and thrown into the Lake of Fire where he will remain in constant torment forever.  This will be followed by the resurrection of all the unsaved to be judged at the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT. (Revelations 20:7-15)

THE DOCTRINE OF THE ETERNAL STATE OF THE SOUL (Eternality)

1. THE SAVED
The Word of God teaches that at the moment the BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST dies, he is ushered into the presence of the Lord to enjoy His glory and bliss. (Luke 16:22-25; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Romans 6:23; Luke 23:43)

2. THE LOST
The soul of the unsaved, at the moment of death, is completely separated from the presence of God and is sent to a place of conscious punishment and suffering to wait for the final judgment of God.  At that time their body will be reunited with their soul and they will be banished to the Lake of Fire for an eternity of suffering and punishment.  (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelations 20:11-15)

 

"THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH DISTINCTIVES"

1. Biblical authority (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2. Self governing  (Matthew 18:17)

3. Interdependent  (Acts 25:1-30; Galatians 2; I Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Acts 20:17)

4. Priesthood of all believers  (1 Peter 2:9)

5. Two ordinances:

(A) Baptism  (Acts 2:41)
(B) Communion  (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)

6. Individual soul liberty (Romans 14:5,12)

7. Saved, baptized church membership  (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41)

8. Two offices:

(A) Elders / Pastors / Bishops (1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17, 28)
(B) Deacons (1 Timothy 3:13)

*9. Separation of State over the Church (Matthew 22:21)
    **not separation of God over the country  (Colossians 1:16-17; Psalm 33:12)

FYI:
Due to our nation's financial woes
501c3 tax exemption is coming under serious "critical scrutiny"

My personal thoughts concerning 501c3 tax exemptions and separation of Church and State; please don't become angry with me, the following is an FYI to our Church leaders and members based upon the times in which we are living:

It is an undeniable fact that church property tax exemption in relationship with business owner's having to pay property tax, our local, state and federal governments are subsidizing our 501c3 church finances by thousands and millions of dollars.

And, because 501c3 exemption allows individuals a sizable tax break amounting to tens of millions of dollars, this too is drawing serious critical scrutiny.

It is a fact that members of governments are asking and quietly saying, [1] is our 501c3 exemptions fair to business owners and [2] is the 501c3 exemption a violation of separation Church and State.  Should we also be asking ourselves -- not "if we are" but, because we are, subsidized by local, state and federal governments are we practicing what we are preaching concerning the separation of State and Church and thereby tarnishing our testimony that our Lord provides for all of our needs?   I'm hearing increasingly distant government rumblings and my spirit is witnessing to me that the only safe ministry and member will be the ministry and member who are not 501c3 exempt and have not declared 501c3 tax exemptions for their personal taxes.  I am also hearing rumblings that the same government officials who are questioning the 501c3 exemptions are also considering retro repayment of all previous 501c3 exemptions.

Question, when the above becomes a reality, how will that affect your Church ministry and your membership's love offerings?  Is it time to begin preparing?

 

 

 

"FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENTS FOR ALL STUDIES"

Note:  It is my experience and observation that a correct "head knowledge" of doctrine, if not correctly translated into the practical realm of our daily experiences, will not necessarily produce a Godly witness with God's protections and blessings.  We must consciously evaluate everything we believe and practice in the light of God's Attributes and Sovereignty.  All doctrine must fall within God's parameters. We must consciously set aside our feeling.  Correct doctrine isn't "I think" or "I feel" or even "I believe".   Correct doctrine is "According to the word of God..."

(1)  THE WORD OF GOD IS MY FINAL AUTHORITY:

Psalms 33:11, "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations."
Psalms 119:89, "For ever, 0 Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven."
II Timothy 3:15, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
                           reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

(2)  THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD DEMANDS THAT MY CONCLUSION IS IN AGREEMENT
       WITH HIS WILL:

Psalms 119:89-91, "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. [90] Thy faithfulness is unto all
                               generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abides. [91] They continue this
                               day according to your ordinances: for all are thy servants."
Philippians 2:13, "For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."

(3)  THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD DEMANDS THAT MY CONCLUSION IS IN AGREEMENT
      WITH HIS ORIGINAL PLAN AND PURPOSE:

Numbers 23:19, "God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man the He should repent:
                           hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or make it good?"
Malachi 3:6a, "I am the Lord, I change not."
Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

(4)  THE PROMISED PROVISIONS OF GOD DEMANDS THAT MY CONCLUSION
      UPHOLDS BIBLICAL MEANS: 

Isaiah 59:1, "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither His ear heavy, that
                    it cannot hear."
1 Thessalonians 5:24, "Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it."
"Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Jesus
                            Christ."

(5)  THE PROPITIATION OF CHRIST DEMANDS THAT MY CONCLUSION
      GLORIFIES JESUS CHRIST:

Ephesians 1:22, "And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all
                           things to the church,"
Colossians 1:18b, "That in all things He might have the preeminence."

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