THE HOLY SCRIPTURES (Bibliology) We believe the Holy Scriptures to be the verbal, plenary inspired, unadulterated, infallible word of God. We accept the traditional text found in the Masoretic and Textus Receptus manuscripts, from which only the King James Bible arrives. We believe all scripture testifies of and elevates the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The scriptures were written by the will of God using men separated unto himself by the power of the Holy Ghost and are forever settled for eternity as the sole authority for the faith and practice of mankind. 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matt. 5:18, John 5:39, Romans 15:4, John 20:31, Matt 24:35, 1 Peter 1:25, Ps 119:89, Ps 138:2
OUR POSITION ON KJV: Jesus said, “My Words shall not pass away.” We believe that God has kept that promise. We believe the Authorized King James Version of the Bible is the preserved word to the English speaking people. We hold with confidence that it accurately translates the inspired and infallible words of the original Greek and Hebrew into the English language without altering or misrepresenting the original writer’s intent. We believe it needs no correcting or criticism.
GOD (Theology) The Godhead: We believe there is one self-existent true and living God. We believe this one and only God is the God of all creation and life. We believe our God rules supreme over heaven and earth. Our God is Holy, Just and Unchanging. Our God is Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent. Our God is a Spirit that consists of three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Each person is Co-Equal, Co-Existent, Eternally Existent, perfect in the execution of their distinct divine office of the Godhead. 1 John 5:7, John 10:30, Gen 1:26, John 4:24 , 1 Timothy 2:5, Isaiah 44:6, Matt 19:26, 1 John 4:8, Ps 139, 1 Peter 1:16, Mal 3:6, Exodus 3:14
GOD THE FATHER (Paterology) We Believe that God the Father... 1) Is the Father of all creation and life ( Ps.36:9, Jn. 5:26, Acts 17:24-29). 2) Is the Father of Israel by intimate relationship (Ex. 4:22). 3) Is the Father our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt.3:17, Jn:20:21, 1 Jn. 4:14). 4) Is the Father of all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Gen. 1:27, Eccl. 12:1, 1 John 3:1, Gal. 3:26).
GOD THE SON (Christology): We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, eternally existing, yet born of a virgin. Being fully God and fully man, He lived a sinless life, making His death on the Cross both sufficient and substitutionary for the sins of the whole world. After making atonement for the sins of the world with His own blood, He ascended into Heaven with a glorified body where He is seated at the right hand of the Father as Head of the Church, making intercession for the saints as our great High Priest and advocate, mediator of His church that He died for. Everything that was made was made by Him and for Him. By Him all things consist and He is actively controlling and maintaining all of His creation until judgment where He will judge the world of sin and righteousness. By Jesus Christ we have full access to the Godhead. (John 14:23)
HIS BLOOD: The Bible says life is in the blood and without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness) of sins (Lev. 17:11 & Hebrews 9:22). Those who believe on Jesus are justified by His blood atonement (Romans 5:9-11). He redeemed us with his own prefect, priceless, and precious blood. Hebrews 13:12, Col. 1:16-17, 1 Cor. 10:26, John 1:14, 1 Tim 3:16, Mark 16:19, 2 Cor. 5:21, Hebrews 5:6, 1 John 2:1, 1 Tim 2:5, He died John 19, He rose John 20, Jude 25
GOD THE HOLY GHOST (Pneumatology): The Holy Ghost also referred to as the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, and the Spirit of Truth, is the person of the Godhead who at the moment of Salvation indwells in every born again believer of Jesus Christ. We believe His purpose is to glorify Jesus by reproving the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He will guide you in all truth, teach you the way of Godliness, and comfort you in the hope of eternal security. The baptism of the Spirit of God happens at salvation, once and forever. He continues to “fill us” with Himself as we yield to Him. We believe the Holy Spirit’s position is to Glorify Christ and not to exalt Himself. (John 16:13-14). Self-exaltation plants the seed of doubt and that’s why Paul said He would rather speak five words of understanding that would help “others” than 10,000 words in an unknown tongue (1 Cor.14:19). We believe the sign gifts, given at Pentecost, were given for a warning sign of coming judgment to unbelieving Israel. They were warned of judgment and captivity if they did not repent and receive Christ as their Savior. Israel’s rejection became final in AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and the gifts ceased (Is.28:11, Jer. 5:15, 1 Cor. 13:8). We don’t believe in any unknown language available to man for two biblical reasons; first, scripture does not support it, and secondly, if Jesus is our mediator and the Holy Spirit gives utterance on our behalf (Romans 8:26) there is no need for another language. We do believe in miracles but according to God’s divine sovereignty. God will show mercy upon whom He will show mercy; whenever, wherever, and on whomever He wants! John 14:16-18,26, John 15:26-John 16:16, Eph. 5:18, Gal. 5:22-23, John 3, Matt 28:19, 1 Cor. 3:16, Romans 8:9 Ex. 33:19, Joshua 8:30-35
MAN (Anthropology): We believe that man was created by God, in God’s own image, with his own mind, will, and emotions. Man consists of body, soul and spirit and has the ability to chose right from wrong (Deut. 30:19) and is responsible and accountable for those choices he makes. Man was made in order to walk, worship, and work in perfect harmony with his Creator. Through one man’s disobedience, Adam, sin cursed the entire human race and caused separation from God. At Eden mankind died physically and spiritually, breaking his eternal relationship with God. Because of man’s rebellion and inability to redeem himself, it was necessary for God to send Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son to redeem us and reconcile us to Himself. Gen. 1:27, John 1:3, Body (Gen.2:23, 6:3) Soul (Gen.2:7) Spirit (Proverbs32:8, 1 Cor.2:11) Ezekiel 18:4, 1 Cor.15:22, Romans 3:10-12, 5:19, 3:23
SIN (Hamartiology): Sin separates man from God. It originated with Lucifer and befell Adam, with all of mankind with him in the Garden of Eden. We believe Sin means to miss the mark (Harmartema) or to overstep a forbidden line (Parabasis) established by God thus causing us to fall short of the Glory of God. Spiritual and Physical death is the result of sin. We sin because we are sinners. 1 Kings 8:46, Ps 14:1-3 & 53:1-3, Isaiah 59:2, 64:6, Eccl. 7:20, Ez. 18:4, Ro.3:10-13,23 & 6:23, Gal 3:22, Ro. 5:12,19, 1 John 1:8,10
SALVATION (Soteriology): We believe that man is lost in sin and must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. We believe that the salvation of a man’s soul is by grace alone through personal faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross. We believe salvation was bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. It is the free gift of God given to all men by God’s grace. It is not offered as a reward to good works but is received by faith in the finished work of Jesus which has already been accomplished at Calvary. Jesus Christ’s death was our substitutionary death for the payment of our sins; past, present and future, making atonement with God, satisfying his demand for righteousness. The gift of salvation is given freely to all who believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Those who believe that Jesus came, died and rose from the dead, are justified by simply receiving the gift of everlasting life by faith. We believe every person faces a moment of decision concerning Jesus Christ and what he or she does with that moment determines their eternal destiny. John 1:12, Acts 4:12 & 16:31, Romans 10:9&13, Ephesians 2:8-9, Rev. 1:5, 2:18
SANCTIFICATION AND SECURITY: We believe those who personally receive Jesus into their life by faith have a new nature. We believe they are divinely set apart by God unto himself in a three part process. PRIMARILY, the believer is saved from the penalty of sin at the moment of salvation. PROGRESSIVELY, the believer is being saved from the power of sin as God applies His Word to the believers life as the believer submits to the Holy Ghost, and PERMANENTLY, He will save the believer from the presence of sin when Christ returns for the believer at the rapture. The believer is sanctified through the progressive work of God through the Truth of God’s Word. The believer is Sealed according to His pre-ordained promises! John 17: 17-19, 2 Cor. 5:17, Hebrews 10:10-14, 1 Cor.1:30, 2 Cor.3:18, Eph.5:25-26, 1 Thess.4:3-4 , ohn 6:39, John 10:28-29, Ephesians 1:13, Phil. 1:6, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 John 5:13, Deut 32:39, Isaiah 25:9, 42:7,13, 51:6
HEAVEN AND HELL: We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell. Heaven is where God rules and reigns (Psalm 103:19) and where the believer will dwell with God for all of eternity (Rev.21:3). Hell is where Satan and all those who reject Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life dwell, separated from God in total darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Luke 13:28) Hell and its occupants will one day be cast into the lake of fire for eternal punishment. (Ps.9:17, Rev.1:18, 20:14)
ANGELS (Angelology): We believe Angels are masculine, ministering, spirit beings created by God who were created in holiness. They are agents for God in the execution of His divine providence. Matt. 18:10, 26:53, Heb.1:4&14, Luke 20:36, 2 Peter 2:11
SATAN: We believe Satan is the chief of all fallen angels who fell from heaven by the hand of Christ (Luke 10:18). Satan wanted to be like the most High. We believe his position was guarding the throne and ministering through music, until he let his beauty, talent and pride caused his fall (Ezekiel 28:11-19 Isaiah 14:13-14). He is a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies. (John 8:44) He cannot tell the truth! He is the accuser of God’s children! (1 Peter 5:8, Rev 12:10). He was judged at the cross (John 12:31) and his eternal doom will be in the lake of fire reserved for him and his followers (Matt 25:41, Rev 20:10).
DEMONS: (fallen Angels Matt.12:24) The bible says Satan was such a good deceiver and liar, that a third of heaven’s angels fell from heaven with Him (Rev. 12:4). We believe these fallen angels help Satan rule chaos in this world until their demise. Some are in chains already (2 Peter 2:4 & Jude 6).
THE CHURCH (Ecclesiology) We believe the Church is composed of members of the body of Christ who have professed (Romans 10:9) to be saved (Acts 2:47) by grace alone (Acts 15:11) through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8) in Christ alone (Acts 4:12). The purpose of the Church is to glorify Christ by conducting itself according to the perfect Word of God in preaching, worship, prayer, giving, teaching, evangelism, missions, defending the faith (Hebrews 10:23, Jude 1:3), and maintaining a good testimony (1 Thess. 5:22). We believe in the autonomy of the local church subject only to Jesus Christ, the head of the Church.
We believe the Biblical ordinances of the Church are Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In order to maintain the purity of the gospel, we believe the Church should abstain from ecumenical movements that compromise and taint the truth! Jesus Loves the Church!!! The characteristics of the church is threefold...
1] The Communion of the Church
-To Fellowship with Believers (Acts 2:42. Hebrews 10:25, Ps 55:14,122:1,133:1)
-To Worship the Lord (1Chron. 16:29, Ps.5:7, Luke 4:8 John 4:23-23)
2] The Commission of the Church (1 Cor. 15:58)
-To Preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15, 2 Tim. 4:2)
-To Teach Believers (Matt. 28:19)
-To Baptize Believers (Matt.3:16, Acts 2:38, 10:48)
3] The Commitment of the Church To Support and Strengthen the Body, which includes supporting and sending Missionaries, -- Evangelists, and Church Planters...
- Supporting them by prayer (1 Thess. 5:17, 1 Tim. 2:1, Eph. 5:18)
- Supporting them by fellowship (Gal.6:2, Hebrews 10:25)
- Supporting them by giving (Luke 6:28, 2 Cor 9:7)
- Supporting them by counsel (Prov 11:14, 12:15, 15:22, 19:20-21, Ps 73:24)
- To Separate from the World (2 Cor. 6:14-18, Eph. 5:11)
- To Disciple & Develop Leaders (Acts 5:42, 2 Tim.2:2)
- To Edify and Exhort the Believer (1 Thess. 5:11&14, Hebrews 3:13)
- To Restore the Fallen (Gal. 6:1)
- To Evangelize and Win the World to Christ (Pr. 11:30, John 3:16-17)
- To Equip the Saint for Battle (Ephesians 6:10-20)
ISRAEL We believe that Israel is autonomous from the church and is the sovereign selection of God as His chosen people. We believe Israel has been dispersed because of her disobedience and the rejection of her redeemer, Jesus Christ. We believe God will gather His (remnant) covenant people again and save them as a nation when the church of Jesus Christ is complete and our Saviour returns. We stand for Israel! Gen.13:14-17, Romans 11, Ezekiel 37, Isaiah 49:8
The END TIMES (Eschatology) We believe the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is coming again in the air at any moment to rapture His Church and to reward their service. The unbelievers left behind will go through a seven-year period called the Tribulation, after which Christ shall return visibly to the earth with His saints to set up His Kingdom of one thousand years of righteous rule. After this, the unbelievers of all the ages will stand at the Great White Throne to be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God forever, while believers will spend eternity in the fullness of joy in Heaven with the Lord. 1 Thess. 4:15-17, Romans 5:9, 1 Thess 1:10, 5:9, Hebrews 4:3, Rev.19:17-20, (Rev.20:1-4,11-15) Rev. 21-22:5, 1 John 5:12
Our FINANCIAL Practices and Policy The practice of Saving Grace Baptist Ministries is to follow the doctrines of the Bible (God’s Word) concerning giving. We acknowledge that GOD OWNS ALL THAT WE HAVE. We believe that everything good on the Earth is from God and that we are merely stewards of God’s possessions. (James 1:17; I Chronicles 29:11-12; Haggai 2:5-8; Colossians 1:16-17; I Corinthians 4:1) We will TRUST GOD, knowing that He will supply ALL OF OUR NEEDS. We acknowledge that God leads us and provides all that we need to achieve His objectives. (Matthew 6:31-33; Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Ephesians 3:20) We will teach and model scriptural giving, knowing that GOD will MULTIPLY. (Genesis 14:17-20; Deuteronomy 14:22; Malachi 3:5-12; I Corinthians 16:1-2; II Corinthians 8:3-7) We will be GOOD MANAGERS, believing that God is the Owner and He will reward our faithfulness. (Matthew 25:14-30; I Corinthians 4:12, II Corinthians 8:20-21) We will endeavor to LEARN CONTENTMENT, as this is God’s will for us. We believe the Scriptures tell us to be content with little or much and to give God thanks in all things. (I Timothy 6:6-10, 2 Corinthians 9:8-15; Philippians 4:11-15; Hebrews 13:5)
We close our beliefs with this confidence, anyone reading this statement can find and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the father but by me... All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out... if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed... for whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved! John 14:6, John 6:37, Romans 10:9-11,13