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"No man puts new wine
into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst,
and the wine pours out, and the wineskins are ruined.
But they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."

We know this may
seem long and tedious-- but we believe that it is extremely
important. Why? Well, in order for each of us to know where
we belong within the body of Christ, we feel it is imperative
to fully understand what the church we choose to covenant and
associate with believes and teaches.
Remember, a
house can stand only as strong as its foundation.
And, this is
also true of The Church Without Walls.

Therefore, we fervently, passionately and
without compromise believe and teach the following about...
The Word of God
God
Man
Salvation
The Church
Angels
The Last Things
How to Become a
Christian

THE WORD OF
GOD
We teach that the
Bible is God's written revelation to man, and thus the sixty
six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit
constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of
God (1Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We teach that the
Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (1
Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13), verbally inspired in
every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the
original documents, infallible, and God breathed. We teach
the literal, grammatical historical interpretation of
Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters
of Genesis present creation in six literal days (Genesis 1:31;
Exodus 31:17).
We teach that the
Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and
practice (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1
Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter
1:20-21).
We teach that God
spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The
Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through
their individual personalities and different styles of
writing, they composed and recorded God's Word to man (2 Peter
1:20- 21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matthew
5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16). We teach that, whereas there may be
several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there
is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to
be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical
historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of
the Holy Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1
John 2:20). It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain
carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture,
recognizing that proper application is binding on all
generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of
men; never do men stand in judgment of it.
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GOD
We teach that
there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah
45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, all knowing Spirit
(John 4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence,
eternally existing in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)—each equally
deserving worship and obedience.
God the Father
We teach that God
the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and
disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace
(Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of all
things (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute
and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in
creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans
11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within
the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He
is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual
Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He
has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass
(Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs
all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In His
sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk
1:13; John 8:38-47), nor does He abridge the accountability of
moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously
chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own
(Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him
through Jesus Christ; He adopts as his own all those who come
to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John
1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).
God the Son
We teach that
Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all
the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal,
consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30;
14:9).
We teach that God
the Father created according to His own will, through His Son,
Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in
operation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2).
We teach that in
the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the
prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence,
either in degree or kind.
In His
incarnation, the eternally existing second Person of the
Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity
and so became the God Man (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9).
We teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in
indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians
2:9).
We teach that our
Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23,
25; Luke 1:26-35); that He was God incarnate (John 1:1, 14);
and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God,
redeem men, and rule over God's kingdom (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah
9:6; John 1:29; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 7:25-26; 1 Peter
1:18-19).
We teach that, in
the incarnation, the second person of the Trinity laid aside
His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God,
assumed the place of a Son, and took on an existence
appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His
divine attributes (Philippians 2:5-8).
We teach that our
Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the
shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and
that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary,
propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8;
1 Peter 2:24).
We teach that our
justification is made sure by His literal, physical
resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the
right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our
Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts
2:30-31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).
We teach that in
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed
the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the
atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus' bodily
resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection
life for all believers (John 5:26-29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25;
6:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).
We teach that
Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His
Body, unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His
church in glory, will establish His millennial kingdom on
earth (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20).
We teach that the
Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all
mankind (John 5:22-23):
a. Believers (1
Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
b. Living
inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matthew
25:31-46).
c. Unbelieving
dead at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15).
As the Mediator
between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the Head of His Body the
church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), and the coming
universal King, who will reign on the throne of David (Isaiah
9:6; Luke 1:31-33), He is the final Judge of all who fail to
place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior (Matthew 25:14-46;
Acts 17:30-31). We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of
the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is
freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day
the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous,
given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God (Romans
3:25; 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
God the Holy Spirit
We teach that the
Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, underived, possessing
all the attributes of personality and deity including
intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30),
will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14),
omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13-14),
omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In
all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial
with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4;
28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; and
Jeremiah 31:31-34 with Hebrews 10:15-17). We teach that it is
the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the divine will with
relation to all mankind. We recognize His sovereign activity
in creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the
written revelation (2 Peter 1:20-21), and the work of
salvation (John 3:5-7).
We teach that the
work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He
came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16-17;
15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the Body of
Christ, which is His church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The broad
scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of
sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord
Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of
Christ (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians
3:18; Ephesians 2:22).
We teach that the
Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign Agent in
regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ
(1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells,
sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals
them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians
3:6; Ephesians 1:13).
We teach that the
Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided the apostles and
prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God's
revelation, the Bible. Every believer possesses the indwelling
presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and
it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled
with (controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9;
Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 2:20, 27). We teach
that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the
church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His
gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by
implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up
believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 1
Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
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MAN
We teach that man
was directly and immediately created by God in His image and
likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature,
intelligence, volition, self determination, and moral
responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9).
We teach that
God's intention in the creation of man was that man should
glorify God, enjoy God's fellowship, live his life in the will
of God, and by this accomplish God's purpose for man in the
world (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).
We teach that in
Adam's sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of
God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual
and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God; and
became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or
doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace.
With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself,
man is hopelessly lost. Man's salvation is thereby wholly of
God's grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus
Christ (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1- 19; John 3:36; Romans 3:23;
6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:13 -14;
1 John 1:8).
We teach that
because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam's sin
has been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ
being the only exception. All men are thus sinners by nature,
by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah
17:9; Romans 3:9-18, 23; 5:10-12).
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SALVATION
We teach that
salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the
redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and
not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians
1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Regeneration
We teach that
regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by
which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3 7;
Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by
the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of
the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, as
enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine
provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by
fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous
attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence
and fruit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10), and will be
experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the
control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful
obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians
2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10). This obedience causes
the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our
Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a conformity is
climaxed in the believer's glorification at Christ's coming
(Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).
Election
We teach that
election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of
the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously
regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Romans 8:28 30; Ephesians
1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2).
We teach that
sovereign election does not contradict or negate the
responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and
Lord (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans
9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17).
Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of
receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself,
sovereign election will result in what God determines. All
whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all
who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40, 44;
Acts 13:48; James 4:8).
We teach that the
unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is
not related to any initiative of their own part nor to God's
anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is
solely of His sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:4-7;
Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2).
We teach that
election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract
sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but He exercises this
sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially
His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love
(Romans 9:11-16). This sovereignty will always exalt the will
of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as
revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew
11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9).
Justification
We teach that
justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by
which He declares righteous those who, through faith in
Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19;
11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and
confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians
12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). This righteousness
is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and
involves the imputation of our sins to Christ (Colossians
2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ's
righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
By this means God is enabled to "be just and the justifier of
the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:26).
Sanctification
We teach that
every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by
justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is
therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is
positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with
progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with
the believer's standing, not his present walk or condition
(Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians
2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2).
We teach that
there is also by the work of the Holy Spirit a progressive
sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought
closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys
through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God
and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to
live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will
of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ
(John 17:17,19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1
Thessalonians 4:3 4; 5:23).
In this respect,
we teach that every saved person is involved in a daily
conflict—the new creation in Christ doing battle against the
flesh—but adequate provision is made for victory through the
power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless
stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is
never completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin
in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not
possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over
sin (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Philippians 3:12;
Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).
Security
We teach that all
the redeemed once saved are kept by God's power and are thus
secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans
5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 4:30;
Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24).
We teach that it
is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of
their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which,
however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an
occasion for sinful living and carnality (Romans 6:15-22;
13:13-14; Galatians 5:13, 25-26; Titus 2:11-14).
Separation
We teach that
separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old
and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate
that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase
(2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
We teach that out
of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to
us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total
consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to
demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring
reproach upon our Lord and Savior. We also teach that
separation from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful
practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1
Corinthians 5:9 13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2
John 9-11).
We teach that
believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2
Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2) and affirm that the
Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness that
reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) and a
continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians
7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).
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THE CHURCH
We teach that all
who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed
by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church
(1 Corinthians 12:12-13), the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians
11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8), of which Christ
is the Head (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18).
We teach that the
formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day
of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the
coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (1 Corinthians
15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
We teach that the
church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ,
made up of all born again believers in this present age
(Ephesians 2:11; 3:6). The church is distinct from Israel (1
Corinthians 10:32), a mystery not revealed until this age
(Ephesians 3:1-6; 5:32).
We teach that the
establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly
taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts
14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1
Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1) and that the members
of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves
together in local assemblies (1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews
10:25).
We teach that the
one supreme authority for the church is Christ (1 Corinthians
11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that church
leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all
appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures.
The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and
over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors,
and pastor teachers; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) and deacons,
both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy
3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5). We teach that these
leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (1 Timothy 5:17-22)
and have His authority in directing the church. The
congregation is to submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:7,
17).
We teach the
importance of discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2),
mutual accountability of all believers to each other (Matthew
18:5-14), as well as the need for discipline of sinning
members of the congregation in accord with the standards of
Scripture (Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians
5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; Titus
1:10-16).
We teach the
autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority
or control, with the right of self government and freedom from
the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or
organizations (Titus 1:5). We teach that it is scriptural for
true churches to cooperate with each other for the
presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church,
however, through its elders and their interpretation and
application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the
measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should
determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline,
benevolence, and government as well (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1
Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1 4).
We teach that the
purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by
building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-16), by
instruction of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16- 17), by
fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances
(Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by advancing and communicating
the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8;
2:42).
We teach the
calling of all saints to the work of service (1 Corinthians
15:58; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12).
We teach the need
of the church to cooperate with God as He accomplishes His
purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the church
spiritual gifts. First, He gives men chosen for the purpose of
equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians
4:7-12), and He also gives unique and special spiritual
abilities to each member of the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5-8;
1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
We teach that two
ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism
and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism by
immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony
of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified,
buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to
sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:1-11). It is also
a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body
of Christ (Acts 2:41-42).
We teach that the
Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His
death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn
self examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32). We also teach that
whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of
the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord's Supper is
nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is
present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people (1
Corinthians 10:16).
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ANGELS
Holy Angels
We teach that
angels are created beings and are therefore not to be
worshiped. Although they are a higher order of creation than
man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke
2:9-14; Hebrews 1:6-7, 14; 2:6 7; Revelation 5:11-14; 19:10;
22:9).
Fallen Angels
We teach that
Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred
the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah
14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19), by taking numerous angels with
him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1-14), and by
introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve
(Genesis 3:1-15).
We teach that
Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah
14:13-14; Matthew 4:1-11; Revelation 12:9-10); the prince of
this world, who has been defeated through the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20); and that he shall
be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17;
Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
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LAST THINGS (Eschatology)
Death
We teach that
physical death involves no loss of our immaterial
consciousness (Revelation 6:9-11), that the soul of the
redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke
23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8), that there is a
separation of soul and body (Philippians 1:21-24), and that,
for the redeemed, such separation will continue until the
rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17), which initiates the first
resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6), when our soul and body will
be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord (Philippians
3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, 50-54). Until that time, the
souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship
with our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8).
We teach the
bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life
(John 6:39; Romans 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Corinthians 4:14), and
the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Daniel
12:2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:13-15).
We teach that the
souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until
the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:13-15),
when the soul and the resurrection body will be united (John
5:28-29). They shall then appear at the Great White Throne
judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) and shall be cast into hell,
the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41- 46), cut off from the life of
God forever (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians
1:7-9).
The Rapture of the Church
We teach the
personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the
seven year tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Titus 2:13) to
translate His church from this earth (John 14:1-3; 1
Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11) and, between
this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward
believers according to their works (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2
Corinthians 5:10).
The Tribulation Period
We teach that
immediately following the removal of the church from the earth
(John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) the righteous judgments
of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jeremiah
30:7; Daniel 9:27; 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation
16), and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return
of Christ in glory to the earth (Matthew 24:27-31; 25:31-46; 2
Thessalonians 2:7-12). At that time the Old Testament and
tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be
judged (Daniel 12:2-3; Revelation 20:4-6). This period
includes the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy (Daniel
9:24-27; Matthew 24:15-31; 25:31-46). The Second Coming and
the Millennial Reign
We teach that,
after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to
occupy the throne of David (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:31-33; Acts
1:10-11; 2:29-30) and establish His messianic kingdom for a
thousand years on the earth (Revelation 20:1-7). During this
time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel
and all the nations of the earth (Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel
7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16). This reign will be preceded by
the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by
the removal of Satan from the world (Daniel 7:17-27;
Revelation 20:1-7).
We teach that the
kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God's promise to
Israel (Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17)
to restore them to the land which they forfeited through their
disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The result of their
disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside
(Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:1-26) but will again be awakened
through repentance to enter into the land of blessing
(Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Romans 11:25-29).
We teach that this
time of our Lord's reign will be characterized by harmony,
justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isaiah 11;
65:17-25; Ezekiel 36:33-38), and will be brought to an end
with the release of Satan (Revelation 20:7).
The Judgment of the Lost
We teach that
following the release of Satan after the thousand year reign
of Christ (Revelation 20:7), Satan will deceive the nations of
the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the
beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be
devoured by fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9). Following
this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone
(Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10) whereupon Christ, who is the
Judge of all men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the
great and small at the Great White Throne judgment.
We teach that this
resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a
physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment
(Romans 14:10-13), they will be committed to an eternal
conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41;
Revelation 20:11-15).
Eternity
We teach that
after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of
Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thessalonians 1:9;
Revelation 20:7-15), the saved will enter the eternal state of
glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to
be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10) and replaced with a new earth
wherein only righteousness dwells (Ephesians 5:5; Revelation
20:15, 21-22). Following this, the heavenly city will come
down out of heaven (Revelation 21:2) and will be the dwelling
place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship
with God and one another (John 17:3; Revelation 21-22). Our
Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission,
will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1
Corinthians 15:24-28) that in all spheres the triune God may
reign forever and ever (1 Corinthians 15:28).
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How to Become a
Christian
Admit your sinful
ways and desire to turn from them and be delivered from the
judgment they bring (Romans 3:10, 23; Acts 3:19).
Acknowledge what
Christ did for sinners on the cross, which was confirmed by
His resurrection from the dead (Romans 5:8; John 11:25).
Receive Him as the
only means of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; 6:40).
Appropriate His
rightful claim as Lord of your life (Romans 10:9; Philippians
2:10-11).
Placing your faith
in Christ is a personal commitment between you and God, but we
would like the joy of praying with you and assisting you in
this eternally significant matter. If you make this
commitment, or desire to know more about it, please
contact us and
let us know how we can assist you in your walk with Christ.
We are here to
help you. Please
contact us
by clicking - HERE
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like the church you've been searching for?
If so, let me
invite you to prayerfully consider how you can join with us at
The Church Without Walls.
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