What I Believe

In the event it's of interest to you, here's the essence of what I believe (a Statement of Faith, if you will):

The Bible is the infallible Word of God. Period. It was physically transcribed by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In it are the answers to humanity's problems. (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21)

There is only one true God, existing eternally, in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (John 10:30; John 14:26; Philippians 2:5-7)

God loves everyone, every “whosoever”. He reaches out to those in every circumstance (good or bad), and to heal the brokenhearted. (John 3:16, Psalm 68:5,6; 1 John 4:16)

Humanity is created in the image of God but separated from Him by our sin. Apart from Jesus, we cannot have a relationship with God. (Genesis 1:26; John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5)

We can have a personal relationship with God through Jesus’ work on the cross. It’s His free gift to mankind. One cannot earn salvation with “good” works. It is a gift from God. By agreeing with Him that we have sinned, believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and accepting Him as Lord, we can then enter into relationship with Him and spend eternity with God. (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 5:1; Romans 3:24; Rom 10:9)

Water baptism, as taught and demonstrated by Jesus, is scriptural and is a public demonstration for believers to show they identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Matthew 3:13-17)

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God. He indwells and empowers the believer to develop the character of Christ and live every day in the will of God. (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:4)

All spiritual gifts are given to the believer from God. Their purpose is for the strengthening of God's people (the Church) and is one way God proves His existence and power to unbelievers. Spiritual gifts are still active and still relevant today. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Peter 4:10)

No one arrives to a state of perfection on this side of eternity. Sanctification, the ongoing process of God's character being developed in us, continues until we go to heaven. (Romans 6:19; Galatians 5:22-25)

God is still busy healing people, whether physical, mental, emotional, spiritual or a mix of issues. (Luke 9:11; Matthew 9:35; Acts 10:38; Matthew 10:1)

Hell is real and the Bible describes it as such. It is a place of horrific suffering and permanent separation from God for those who die having rejected Jesus Christ. It is God's desire is that no one be separated from Him for eternity, which is why Jesus Christ came to earth and took our punishment for sin on the cross. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:12-15; John 3:16-18)

Marriage is between a biological male and biological female, as stated in the bible, is the foundation of the family, and the basic structure of human society. Any intimate sexual activity outside the context of a marriage covenant (between a man and a woman) is a sin. Nowhere in scripture does God recognize marriage in any form other than how He created it. (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

Jesus is coming soon to take all those who have accepted Him as Savior, to be with Him for eternity. (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Hebrews 9:28)