"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
(1 Peter 3:15)
We have been asked on a number of occasions to put together a statement of beliefs and convictions. The following list is the result of that effort.
IMPORTANT PERSONAL NOTE: We live in a pluralistic age where many beliefs, often contradictory, claim to be true. It does not take a college degree to realize that they cannot all be equally valid. How do you sort through this cloud of confusion? A good rule of thumb that has been used for centuries among Christians is: In essential beliefs - UNITY (Eph. 4:4-6), in non-essentials - LIBERTY (Rom. 14), and in all things - LOVE (1 Cor. 13:2). How, then, can we determine the difference between essentials and non-essentials? Consider the Three Conviction Categories. In short, if the Bible clearly states it, then it is our duty to believe it, obey it, and teach it. In the followiing list I have tried to point out which items are clearly essentials according to the Bible.
- The Basics (ALL of these are essentials):
- The biggest basic of them all: How to become a Christian
- The Problem: Sin nature and its consequences
- God's Solution: Jesus took our sins upon Himself
- Our Part: Hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, be faithful
- The Bible is God's inspired and inerrant Word. It is His truth to us, and should be the final objective authority in determining right and wrong and God's plans for our lives.
- "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16, KJV)
- God created the world in six literal days, as described in the book of Genesis.
- Jesus is God's sinless Son who was born of a virgin and died as a perfect sacrifice for our sins, taking our place so that we could have the hope of eternal life with God (see God's Solution above)
- Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will be coming back as He said He would.
- The Holy Spirit dwells within God's people and empowers them to live for Jesus Christ (John 16:7-13)
- We are saved by grace:
- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works,lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV)
- Faith should be accompanied by works:
- "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:17, KJV)
- The biggest basic of them all: How to become a Christian
- Church Practices (the first 2 are essentials):
- Immediate believer's baptism by immersion
- Communion to remember the death of Jesus
- Age-integrated worship
- Holy Living: "Holy" means "set apart." As Christians, there should be a difference between us and the rest of the world. Following are some practices we have come to believe in, based on a careful study of the Bible:
- Sanctity of marriage
- Quiverful family planning
- Modesty
- Home schooling
- Husband/Father-led Families
- Miscellaneous Studies:
- Testimonies: We believe that God is active in the world today, and capable of miracles. Though He does not always act in ways we understand or would choose, the life of a Christian is an exciting life to live. Following are some stories in which we have seen God work, sometimes miraculously, in our own lives.
- Lazarus: our "miracle baby" (How God spoke to us regarding birth control)
- The vanishing (and reappearing) Bible (Did God use my lost Bible?...)
- The demise of Descent (How God used my computer to help adjust my priorities)
- Healing Providence (A miraculous change in Providence's development)
- A Check From God (God's amazing provision for medical expenses)
- Messages:
- This Messages Page contains sermons that I have preached.