| CHURCH BELIEFS & PRACTICES |
MUSIC
Many churches believe that in order to reach the world, worldly music must be
used. The argument given is that all music is amoral (neither inherently good
or evil); it is the message which makes the song good or bad. The
Contemporary Christian Music Movement is based on this belief. We believe
that there is such a thing as spiritual music and sensual music. It is not
appropriate to worship a holy God with sensual music. For this reason, we
use traditional hymns in our church services. We are not opposed to new
music which is appropriate for true worship, but we recognize that much
modern music appeals to the flesh rather than the spirit. A few years ago, we
were replacing the old worn-out hymnals in our church. One of the members
of the church went to the local Christian bookstore to see if they still made the
same hymnal. She went and asked for Great Hymns of the Faith. The
worker at the bookstore told her that we wouldn't like that hymnal. The worker
suggested that we should get a more modern hymnal. We opted to stay with
our old, faithful Great Hymns of the Faith. In this day when so many churches
are tossing out the old hymns, we have chosen to keep using them.
Many churches believe that in order to reach the world, worldly music must be
used. The argument given is that all music is amoral (neither inherently good
or evil); it is the message which makes the song good or bad. The
Contemporary Christian Music Movement is based on this belief. We believe
that there is such a thing as spiritual music and sensual music. It is not
appropriate to worship a holy God with sensual music. For this reason, we
use traditional hymns in our church services. We are not opposed to new
music which is appropriate for true worship, but we recognize that much
modern music appeals to the flesh rather than the spirit. A few years ago, we
were replacing the old worn-out hymnals in our church. One of the members
of the church went to the local Christian bookstore to see if they still made the
same hymnal. She went and asked for Great Hymns of the Faith. The
worker at the bookstore told her that we wouldn't like that hymnal. The worker
suggested that we should get a more modern hymnal. We opted to stay with
our old, faithful Great Hymns of the Faith. In this day when so many churches
are tossing out the old hymns, we have chosen to keep using them.
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BIBLE VERSIONS
Because of the multiplicity of Bible versions in our society and the confusion
and division which they have caused, the issue of Bible versions must be
addressed. We believe that God has preserved His Word in the traditional
Hebrew Masoretic Text and in the Greek Received Text. We will only use an
English translation that accurately reflects the preserved original language
texts. The King James Version is a proven and reliable translation of these
texts. Though some of the newer versions may be the work of capable
translators, they are based on faulty Greek and Hebrew texts. For this
reason we use the King James Version in our church services. While we
take seriously the warning of God concerning His Word in Revelation 22:18,
19, we do not seek to make this an issue of proud divisiveness as some have
done, but we desire to do whatever we can to encourage confidence in the
preserved Word of God.
Because of the multiplicity of Bible versions in our society and the confusion
and division which they have caused, the issue of Bible versions must be
addressed. We believe that God has preserved His Word in the traditional
Hebrew Masoretic Text and in the Greek Received Text. We will only use an
English translation that accurately reflects the preserved original language
texts. The King James Version is a proven and reliable translation of these
texts. Though some of the newer versions may be the work of capable
translators, they are based on faulty Greek and Hebrew texts. For this
reason we use the King James Version in our church services. While we
take seriously the warning of God concerning His Word in Revelation 22:18,
19, we do not seek to make this an issue of proud divisiveness as some have
done, but we desire to do whatever we can to encourage confidence in the
preserved Word of God.
CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT
The Pentecostal/Charismatic/Vineyard movements have had a huge affect on
churches around the world. This has caused much confusion and debate
concerning charismatic gifts such as healing, speaking in tongues, prophecy,
etc. We believe that there were miraculous sign gifts in operation while the
foundation for the Church was being laid. These sign gifts were used to
authenticate the message of the apostles. After the Word of God was
completed, the sign gifts were no longer needed. The Word of God needs
no outward authentication, since it authenticates itself. Because we believe
that the sign gifts are no longer in operation today, some people would
accuse us of not being baptized with the Spirit. We believe that all believers
have been indwelt by the Spirit of God. As they yield to the Spirit, they are
filled with the Spirit. This filling is evidenced in power for service and
Christian character, rather than by miraculous signs.
The Pentecostal/Charismatic/Vineyard movements have had a huge affect on
churches around the world. This has caused much confusion and debate
concerning charismatic gifts such as healing, speaking in tongues, prophecy,
etc. We believe that there were miraculous sign gifts in operation while the
foundation for the Church was being laid. These sign gifts were used to
authenticate the message of the apostles. After the Word of God was
completed, the sign gifts were no longer needed. The Word of God needs
no outward authentication, since it authenticates itself. Because we believe
that the sign gifts are no longer in operation today, some people would
accuse us of not being baptized with the Spirit. We believe that all believers
have been indwelt by the Spirit of God. As they yield to the Spirit, they are
filled with the Spirit. This filling is evidenced in power for service and
Christian character, rather than by miraculous signs.
ETERNAL SECURITY
We believe that all who trust in Christ for salvation are secure in Him forever.
The Scripture is clear that all believers are held by God (John 10:27-29),
loved by God (Rom. 8:35-39), and kept by the power of God (1 Pet. 1:5).
This doctrine should not lead to reckless or lawless living. Those who use
eternal security as an excuse for sin have never known the reality of the
doctrine. Assurance of secure salvation leads to freedom and gratitude and
love. No person has ever lost his salvation, though some who have only
pretended to trust in Christ have fallen away from their profession.
We believe that all who trust in Christ for salvation are secure in Him forever.
The Scripture is clear that all believers are held by God (John 10:27-29),
loved by God (Rom. 8:35-39), and kept by the power of God (1 Pet. 1:5).
This doctrine should not lead to reckless or lawless living. Those who use
eternal security as an excuse for sin have never known the reality of the
doctrine. Assurance of secure salvation leads to freedom and gratitude and
love. No person has ever lost his salvation, though some who have only
pretended to trust in Christ have fallen away from their profession.
SEPARATION & ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT
There is a major push among many churches today to overlook all
denominational differences for the sake of unity. Biblical unity is always
centered on the truth. Unity that is sought at the expense of the truth is really
a mockery. The Bible is the truth of God, and God’s truth causes division
between those who believe it and those who refuse to believe. We believe
that believers are supposed to keep themselves separate from sin, doctrinal
error, and apostasy. As a church, we cannot cooperate in fellowship with
unbelievers who are in rebellion to our God. We also cannot cooperate with
Christian brothers whose doctrinal errors or sinful practices are hindering the
work of God.
There is a major push among many churches today to overlook all
denominational differences for the sake of unity. Biblical unity is always
centered on the truth. Unity that is sought at the expense of the truth is really
a mockery. The Bible is the truth of God, and God’s truth causes division
between those who believe it and those who refuse to believe. We believe
that believers are supposed to keep themselves separate from sin, doctrinal
error, and apostasy. As a church, we cannot cooperate in fellowship with
unbelievers who are in rebellion to our God. We also cannot cooperate with
Christian brothers whose doctrinal errors or sinful practices are hindering the
work of God.
ESCHATOLOGY
events. We have come to certain conclusions that we believe are clear from
the Word of God. We believe in a pre-tribulational rapture of the Church, in
which all true believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
Following this will be seven years of tribulation, in which God will judge the
nations. At the end of the tribulation will be the second coming of Christ, in
Many true believers hold different views on what the Bible says about future
which He will return to the earth to set up His kingdom. This kingdom is
referred to as the Millennium, since Christ will reign for one thousand years.
Because we hold to these beliefs about future events, our eschatology would
be classified as pre-tribulational and pre-millennial.
events. We have come to certain conclusions that we believe are clear from
the Word of God. We believe in a pre-tribulational rapture of the Church, in
which all true believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
Following this will be seven years of tribulation, in which God will judge the
nations. At the end of the tribulation will be the second coming of Christ, in
Many true believers hold different views on what the Bible says about future
which He will return to the earth to set up His kingdom. This kingdom is
referred to as the Millennium, since Christ will reign for one thousand years.
Because we hold to these beliefs about future events, our eschatology would
be classified as pre-tribulational and pre-millennial.
CREATION & EVOLUTION
The idea of evolution is the accepted norm in the secular scientific world.
The Bible teaches that God created the universe in six literal days. This
would mean that the earth is young being only thousands of years old, rather
than millions or billions of years old. Through the chronology of the biblical
genealogies we can figure out the true time frame of the creation of the
world. Evolution is a philosophy that is contrary to Scripture and good
science in many ways. As a church, we believe that there is no contradiction
between the Bible and true science.
The idea of evolution is the accepted norm in the secular scientific world.
The Bible teaches that God created the universe in six literal days. This
would mean that the earth is young being only thousands of years old, rather
than millions or billions of years old. Through the chronology of the biblical
genealogies we can figure out the true time frame of the creation of the
world. Evolution is a philosophy that is contrary to Scripture and good
science in many ways. As a church, we believe that there is no contradiction
between the Bible and true science.
PSYCHOLOGY
Because of the influx of psychology into the church, the Christian Psychology
Movement has developed. We believe that there is a conflict between
secular psychology and biblical anthropology. Secular psychological beliefs
such as the inherent goodness of man, necessity of self esteem, materialistic
view of man are inconsistent with the truths of God’s Word. The Bible clearly
tells us that the counsel of the ungodly is unreliable (Psalm 1) and that the
beginning of true knowledge is the fear of God (Prov. 1:7). Should we seek
counsel from psychologists who do not believe the Bible? Should Christian
counselors base their opinions on the work of ungodly men? We practice
and offer biblical counseling in our church.
Because of the influx of psychology into the church, the Christian Psychology
Movement has developed. We believe that there is a conflict between
secular psychology and biblical anthropology. Secular psychological beliefs
such as the inherent goodness of man, necessity of self esteem, materialistic
view of man are inconsistent with the truths of God’s Word. The Bible clearly
tells us that the counsel of the ungodly is unreliable (Psalm 1) and that the
beginning of true knowledge is the fear of God (Prov. 1:7). Should we seek
counsel from psychologists who do not believe the Bible? Should Christian
counselors base their opinions on the work of ungodly men? We practice
and offer biblical counseling in our church.
MARRIAGE
The institution of marriage is under attack in our society today. We believe
that marriage was instituted by God, and that God alone can say what
constitutes a marriage. Marriage is always only between one man and one
reasons, the Bible says that marriage is for life. God joins a couple together
and only He can say when the marriage is over. The only biblical ground for
divorce and remarriage is unrepentant adultery. If a person gets divorced, he
or she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to the spouse. Remarriage
for any ground other than adultery constitutes a form of adultery in the eyes
of God. We desire to uphold the institution of marriage and devote ourselves
to helping those whose marriages are in trouble.
The institution of marriage is under attack in our society today. We believe
that marriage was instituted by God, and that God alone can say what
constitutes a marriage. Marriage is always only between one man and one
reasons, the Bible says that marriage is for life. God joins a couple together
and only He can say when the marriage is over. The only biblical ground for
divorce and remarriage is unrepentant adultery. If a person gets divorced, he
or she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to the spouse. Remarriage
for any ground other than adultery constitutes a form of adultery in the eyes
of God. We desire to uphold the institution of marriage and devote ourselves
to helping those whose marriages are in trouble.