Last Things:

There are two types of Eschatology, Individual eschatology (which deals with the future of an individual) and Cosmic eschatology (which deals with the future of all creation).

As to Individual Eschatology every human will experience physical death[1], which is the soul separating from the body[2]. Believers are then in the presence of Christ[3], while unbelievers are in the torments of Hell[4]. At some point in the future, there will be both a resurrection of the body for the believer and unbeliever[5]. In which the soul and body reunite[6]. During the believer’s resurrection, they will receive a glorified body[7] and stand in front of Christ to give account of their Christian stewardship[8], and then will be with Christ forevermore[9]. Following the unbeliever’s resurrection, the unbeliever will be sentenced to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire[10].

As to Cosmic Eschatology, Jesus Christ will physically return to rule the earth from David’s throne, Jerusalem, for a period of time, 1000 years[11]. Before this, there will be a period of seven years of Tribulation[12]. 3 ½ years of Great Tribulation in which God will pour out his wrath on the people of the earth. Due to the promises in God’s Word that believers will not experience the Wrath of God[13], I believe that Christ will return to take His church to safety before Great Tribulation[14]. After all is said and done, God will give believers a new Heaven and New Earth, in which we will be with Christ forevermore.[15]

[1] Hebrews 9:27
[2] James 2:26 ; Ecclesiastes 12:7
[3] 2 Corinthians 5:8
[4] Luke 16:22-23
[5] Revelation 20:4-6
[6] 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
[7] 1 Corinthians 15:43 ; Philippians 3:21
[8] 2 Corinthians 5:10
[9] 1 Thessalonians 4:17
[10] Revelation 20:14-15
[11] Revelation 20:4
[12] Daniel 9:25-27 ; Daniel 12 ; Revelation 12:14 ; Revelation 11:3 ; Matthew 24:21
[13] 1 Thessalonians 5:9 ; Revelation 3:10
[14] 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
[15] Revelation 21

THE CHURCH

The Church:

A New Testament church is an assembly of baptized, born-again, believers[1]. It is the divinely established vehicle God chose through which the world may know Jesus[2]. The word, “church”, “Ecclesia”, means, “called out assembly.” It refers to a local assembly of baptized believers, under the discipline of the Word of God[3], which has been called out for a specific purpose, to continue the ministry of Jesus throughout the world[4]. The phrase “The Church” represents the whole of Christendom[5], all believers in Christ at all times and places. It is both an organism and an organization. It is an organism in that it is made up of many members that God has divinely placed in the body of Christ to work together[6]. It is moving forward through history; ever changing it’s methods[7] to share the unchangeable message of the Gospel[8]. It is an organization in that Christ is its only head[9]. It’s scriptural officers are Pastor and Deacon whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles of Timothy and Titus. Each member is equal and has the same authority as another[10]. It has two ordinances, Baptism[11] and the Lord’s Supper[12]. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer[13], into the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Ghost[14]. It is the picture of our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life[15]. It is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relationship[16] in that it places the believer into the local church thus symbolizing the placement of the believer into the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit, at the point of regeneration[17]. The second ordinance is the Lord’s Supper[18]. It is through this ordinance that we commemorate the atoning death of Christ[19]. The two symbols of this ordinance are the bread, representing the broken body of Christ, and the cup representing His blood[20]. Each element symbolizes the dying love of Christ. Each Christian should use this ordinance to examine his or her life in order to become closer to Christ[21].
[1] Acts 2:37-41
[2] Matthew 16:16-18
[3] Acts 2:41-47 ; Matthew 28:19
[4] Matthew 28:16-20
[5] Matthew 16:18 ; Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:4, 5:23 ; Revelation 7:9-17
[6] 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
[7] 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
[8] Galatians 1:8
[9] Ephesians 5:23
[10] Romans 12 ; 1 Corinthians 12
[11] Matthew 28:19 ;
[12] Luke 22:19-20
[13] John 3:23 ; Mark 1:10 ; Acts 8:36-39 ; Romans 6:3-5
[14] Matthew 28:19
[15] Romans 6:3-5 ; Colossians 2:12
[16] Acts 2:41-47 ; Matthew 28:19-20
[17] 1 Corinthians 12:13
[18] Luke 22:19-20
[19] 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
[20] Luke 22:19-20
[21] 1 Corinthians 11:28

Salvation...

Now we come to why Jesus died: Salvation:

Salvation involves the whole process by which we are taken from being completely useless in the sight of God and on our way to Hell, to being all that God has created us to be.[1] It occurs in three phases. First, the Christian has been saved from the guilt and penalty of Sin (Justification)[2], second, the Christian is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin in his life (Sanctification)[3] and finally, when the Lord returns, we will be saved from all the physical results of sin and of God’s curse on the world (Glorification).[4]
When one admits to God they are a sinner, and turns to God for Salvation[5] through Jesus[6], one is born-again (Regenerated) we are created anew[7]. We are also united with Christ, therefore giving us the right to be justified[8]. Justification is a judicial term. It is the act of God where by we are declared righteous[9]. When we express saving faith, which is the personal appropriation of the work of Jesus Christ and nothing short of total trust in the shedding of Christ‘s blood to take away our sin[10], God adds righteousness and perfection to our record[11]. God is the only source with the power to declare righteousness.[12] Justification does not declare the sinner “not guilty” but “as-not-guilty”. The act does not make one righteous, but declares one to be[13] based upon our union with Christ. We are also adopted, thereby giving us rights as a son of God[14]. We are joint-heirs with Christ[15]. Sanctification is the act of God whereby He sets apart the believer at the point of conversion[16] to preserve[17] and keep us secure through His Spirit[18]. Sanctification is also a progressive work whereby we grow in grace until the point of Glorification[19]. Glorification is the final stage of Salvation whereby we are completely redeemed, and fashioned like unto Jesus’ glorious body[20].
[1] Ephesians 2:5-10
[2] Romans 5:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ; John 3:17
[3] Romans 6:22
[4] Romans 8:18-23
[5] 2 Corinthians 7:10 ; Acts 2:37-38
[6] Acts 4:12 ; Romans 10:9-10,13
[7] John 3:3 ; 2 Corinthians 5:17 ; Titus 3:5 ; Revelation 1:5
[8] Galatians 2:20 ; Romans 8:1; John 15:5-4
[9] Romans 3:21-30 ; Romans 4:2-9,22 ; Romans 5:1,9-11,16-21
[10] Mark 16:16 ; Acts 4:12 ; Acts 16:31 ; Romans 10:9-10 ; Ephesians 2:8-9 ; 1Peter 1:5 ; Romans 4:1-10
[11] Galatians 3:6 ; Romans 4:3-6,11,22,24 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 ; James 2:23
[12] Isaiah 54:17
[13] Romans 3:26
[14] 2 Corinthians 6:18 ; Romans 8:15
[15] Romans 8:17
[16] 1 Corinthians 6:11
[17] Jude 1 ; I Thessalonians 5:23
[18] Ephesians 1:13-14 ; Ephesians 4:30
[19] 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ; Philippians 1:6
[20] Romans 8:29-30 ; Philippians 3:20-21

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity[1]. He is God and has all attributes of God[2]. He is a person, thus having a personality. He can be grieved[3], quenched[4], and resisted[5]. He is the promised comforter[6] that Jesus promised to “send” [7]once Jesus ascended. He has many functions. He helped in the creation of the world[8], and is actively re-creating each believer into a God honoring vessel[9]. He convicts, reproves, sinners of sin[10]. He indwells[11], sanctifies[12], and seals[13] each believer at the point of salvation. He also empowers[14] and teaches[15] each believer, changing them into the image of Christ[16]. He imparts differing gifts to every believer [17]that, when used, enhances the kingdom of God[18]. Because he is God, He should be worshiped as God.
[1] 1 Corinthians 3:16 ; 1 Corinthians 6:19 ; Matthew 28:19
[2] 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 ; John 16:13 ; Luke 1:35 ; Hebrews 9:14 ;
[3] Ephesians 4:30
[4] Isaiah 63:10
[5] Acts 7:51
[6] John 15:26 ; Acts 9:31
[7] John 14:26 ; John 15:26 ; John 16:7; Galatians 4:6; 1 Peter 1:12
[8] Genesis 1:2
[9] John 3:5-6 ; Philippians 1:6
[10] John 16:8
[11] Romans 8:9
[12] 1 Corinthians 6:11
[13] Ephesians 1:13 ; Ephesians 4:30 ; 2 Corinthians 1:22
[14] Acts 2
[15] John 14:26
[16] 2 Corinthians 3:18
[17] 1 Corinthians 12:11
[18] 1 Corinthians 14:12 ; Ephesians 4:12

Jesus Christ:

Jesus of Nazareth, the one called Christ, was, is and always will be fully God and man.[1] Being fully God, he existed before creation and is the second person in the Trinity.[2] At the fullness of time, God the Father sent God the Son to the Earth to save humanity.[3] He was born to a virgin[4], lived a sinless life[5], worked miracles[6], and called men to repentance[7]. He willingly gave his life[8] on the Roman cross as an atonement for humanity’s sins[9]. After being bodily resurrected on the third day[10], He then appeared before many[11], only later to ascend with a promise of returning for all who believe[12]. He is presently sitting at the right hand of the Father[13] as an advocate for the believers[14]. When He returns he will not come again as a humble servant, but a mighty King[15].
He came to reveal God to man - He is a Prophet[16].
He is ruling, and will rule the kingdom of God - He is a King.[17]
He is reconciling humanity to the Father - He is a high Priest.[18]

[1] John 1: 1-14
[2] John 1:1-14 ; Matthew 28:19 ; Genesis 1:26
[3] Galatians 4:4 ; Luke 19:10
[4] Matthew 1: 18-25 ; Luke 1:26-38
[5] Hebrews 4:15 ; 1 Peter 2:22 ; 1 John 3:5 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21
[6] John 11:1-46
[7] Matthew 4:17 ; Mark 1:15
[8] Matthew 26:52 ; Luke 23:46
[9] Romans 5:7-21 ; Hebrews 10:1-17 ; Hebrews 9:24-28
[10] Luke 24:1-12 ; John 20:26-29
[11] Matthew 28:16-20 ; 1 Corinthians 15:6
[12] Acts 1:9-12 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
[13] Acts 7:55
[14] Romans 8:34 ; Colossians 3:1 ; Hebrews 1:3 ; Hebrews 8:1 ; Hebrews 10:12 ; 1 John 2:1
[15] Revelation 19:11-16 ; Matthew 25:31 ; Matthew 24:27-31
[16] Acts 3:22 ; Deuteronomy 18:15-18 ; Matthew 21:11 ; Luke 24:19 ; Matthew 11:27 ; Hebrews 1:1-2
[17] Ephesians 1:20-22 ; Revelation 19:11-16
[18] Hebrews 3:1-2 ; Hebrews 2:17

Satan... The next part of my doctrinal statement

Satan:

Satan, in the Hebrew, means “the arch enemy of God, or adversary“. In the Greek, it means “the accuser, or devil”. [1] It is one of the most common names, along with “the devil”) given to the Christian’s greatest enemy. Although the Bible never speaks of his direct creation it is clear that he is a fallen[2] creature of angelic origin[3]. Although he is superhuman, he is still bound by the limitations of a created angelic being[4]. Therefore he is not omniscient, omnipotent, nor omnipresent. He still answers to God, and can be put to flight, or resisted by the power of the Holy Spirit[5]. He is also known as Beelzebub[6], enemy[7], evil one[8], accuser[9], adversary[10], deceiver[11], thief and destroyer[12], tempter[13], father of lies,[14] Belial[15], dragon[16], sinner[17], and murderer[18]. Each name represents a facet of Satan’s character. He has one great motive; he hates God and man[19], and acts to defeat God’s plan of salvation and establish his own kingdom of evil.[20] Although he is known as the price of demons[21], and in some aspects appears presently to rule the world[22], his future, along with his kingdom[23], will be an eternal abode in the Lake of Fire.[24]


[1] From Strong’s Concordance G4567, and H7854.
[2] Luke 10:18
[3] Job 1:6
[4] Job 1:12
[5] James 4:7
[6] Matthew 4:1; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15
[7] Matthew 13:39
[8] Matthew 13:19,38
[9] Revelation 12:10
[10] 1 Peter 5:8
[11] Revelation 12:9
[12] John 10:10
[13] 1 Thessalonians 3:5
[14] John 8:44
[15] 2 Corinthians 6:15
[16] Revelation 12:3
[17] 1 John 3:8
[18] John 8:44
[19] 1 Peter 5:8
[20] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[21] Matthew 12:24
[22] Luke 4:6; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11; Matthew 12:24; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4
[23] Matthew 13:30
[24] Revelation 20:8-15

Sin... The 5th part

Sin:

Sin can be defined as:
1) Missing the mark,[1] that is, to deviate from the standard of holiness that God has set;
2) To go beyond the limit of righteousness that is established by God,[2] and
3) To distort what is right for the purpose of ones self.[3]
Pride and selfish desires are at the root of sin.[4] Sin is not only what we do, but what we are.[5] We are sinners.[6] We are not sinners because we sin- we sin because we are sinners-We are born with an inherent tendency to sin.[7]Because of sin we are incompatible with a holy God.[8] Sin has affected, not only, our ability to have a relationship with God,[9] but also, our ability to truly know of him. We have went from a state of intimate knowledge of God to one of depraved knowledge. In other words, at one time we knew God intimately, then we became vain, only to have our hearts darkened, we then became fools, and tried to invent new gods.[10] Because of sin we will reap sin’s wages, death.[11] Furthermore, we in our sinful humanity are condemned to death already.[12]However, Christ died to lift the curse of sin, and the sentence of death from us.[13]
[1] Romans 3:23
[2] 1 John 3:4
[3] Luke 13:27; Matthew 23:28
[4] Isaiah 14:13-14; Gen 3:6; Romans 1:21
[5] Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 5:12-21
[6] Romans 3:23
[7] Psalm 51:5; 58:3;
[8] Romans 8:7-8
[9] Romans 1:18
[10] Romans 1:21-23
[11] Romans 6:23
[12] John 3:18
[13] Romans 5:8-9; 6:23

Humanity... The next section

Humanity:

Humanity is God’s elite creation.[1] We are the only creature that was created in God’s image, thus implying that all human life is sacred.[2] We are eternal creatures - once we have been given life we will continue to exist eternally.[3] We are volitional creatures - we have free will; we can choose not only, an end, but also, the means of attaining that end.[4] We are intellectual creatures - we have the ability to reason, to learn from the past, and anticipate the future.[5] We are moral creatures - we have the ability to discern between right and wrong, God expects us to exhibit the same moral attributes as Himself.[6] We are social creatures - we desire relationships with one another and with God.[7] We are a tripartite being, having three elements; The body is the material element of man, the soul is an invisible element that recognizes self-consciousness, and the spirit is an invisible element that is God-conscious.[8] Man was made without sin,[9] thus having a perfect relationship with God,[10] but was given the choice to sin in order to exercise his free will.[11] Because of disobedience, humanity was cursed with death, and suffering.[12] No longer could humanity have a perfect relationship with a holy God.[13] But through God’s eternal purpose we, who are willing to receive Christ as our savior, will acquire the image of Christ[14], thus enabling us to once again commune with a perfect God.[15]

[1] Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7
[2] Genesis 1:26; 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9
[3] Matthew 25:41,46; John 6:47 Revelation 22:5
[4] Genesis 2:16-17; 3:6,17-19
[5] Genesis 2:19-20 Adam possessed intelligence to name the animals; 1 Timothy 2:14
[6] Leviticus 11:44; 1 John 4:8; Philippians 4:8
[7] James 4:8; Deuteronomy 4:29
[8] 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12;
[9] Genesis 1:31
[10] Genesis 2:16-25
[11] Genesis 2:16-17
[12] Genesis 3:15-19
[13] Genesis 3:22-24
[14] Romans 8:29
[15] John 14:23;Galations 4:6; 1 John 1:3; Revelation 3:20

More Doctrinal statement... The Trinity

The Trinity:

God exists as a Trinity, One God in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.[1] All attributes are shared equally by all three[2]. while they are three separate persons[3], they still are one. One substance in three persons. Each have a separate and distinguishable function in the salvation and redemption of man. God the Father authored the plan of salvation, God the Son fulfilled the plan of salvation, and God the Holy Spirit carries out the plan of salvation[4]. Because God’s ways and thoughts are above ours[5], we cannot completely define the Trinity in human language, thus all analogies are incomplete and become illogical when illustrated.
Notwithstanding, my favorite illustration is the three dimensional rationalization. In this illustration, the three dimensions each represent 1/3 of the Godhead. God the Father is the height, God the Son is the width, and God the Holy Spirit is the depth. All dimensions are equal, and required to make a three dimensional object.
[1] Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 3:22; John 1:1-14; , 1 John 5:6;
[2] John 10:30
[3] Luke 3:22
[4] 1 Peter 1:2
[5] Isaiah 55:9

Doctrinal Statement Continued... God

Here is the second section of my doctrinal section...


God:

There is only one, living and true God[1]. He is the creator and sovereign ruler of the universe[2]. He is not limited by wisdom (He is Omniscient)[3], nor by power (He is Omnipotent)[4]. Nor by time, space, or matter (He is Omnipresent)[5], He is a Spirit[6], and all life comes from Him[7]. In His morality, He is loving[8], just[9], gracious, merciful[10], holy[11], righteous[12], patient[13], true, and faithful[14]. He has a personality[15] and He desires a relationship with humanity[16]. He is unchangeable[17]. He exists as a Trinity, One God in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.[18] All attributes above are shared equally by all three[19]. God is involved in everything that concerns His creation, from the smallest to the largest detail[20]. God has an eternal purpose in which the end result will be the redemption of all who are willing to receive Christ as their savior[21]. God has given man the freedom to make choices and to be themselves, but God works within those choices to accomplish his eternal purpose.[22]
[1] Deuteronomy 6:4
[2] Genesis 1:1
[3] Psalms 147:5
[4] Matthew 19:26; Job 42:2
[5] 1 Kings 8:27
[6] John 4:24
[7] Genesis 2:7; John 1:4; Acts 17:28
[8] 1 John 4:8
[9] Ezra 7:26; Psalms 72:2
[10] Hebrews 4:16
[11] Leviticus 11:44
[12] Psalms 19:7-9
[13] 2 Peter 3:9
[14] Titus 1:2
[15] Exodus 3:14
[16] John 3:16
[17] James 1:17; Malachi 3:6
[18] Genesis 1:26;Luke 3:22; , 1 John 5:6;Matthew 28:18-20
[19] John 10:30
[20] Colossians 1:16-17
[21] John 3:16-17
[22] Romans 10:13;Romans 8:28-30

My doctrinal statement... part 1, The Bible

Over the next few weeks I will be taking classes through the School of Christian Studies through the West Virginia Baptist Convention. As a side note, I only have a few classes to finish, and should be able to graduate this October at our convention.

The classes I am taking the next 12 weeks is Christian Doctrine. I have already had this class but am auditing it. Some other members in our church are taking classes also for the first time...

"Why?" you may ask would you want to take the class over... Well, I as a pastor need spiritually fed, and I crave this level of spiritual education, and God works through these classes to feed me. I also love the interaction between students in the classes.

One of the requirements that I had to meet when I took this class was to write a doctrinal statement...

This is also related to the paper I had to prepare in order to be ordained.
Preparing this document was not an easy task.. I took it very seriously, and weighed each word while preparing it. The other requirement was to make sure every statement I made was backed up by scripture. So footnotes had to be included...


So, for the next few posts, I am laying out my doctrinal statement...
Apparently the reference numbers to the footnotes will not show up when I cut and paste it here, But if you research the scriptures below each section, you will soon be able to connect them to the statements in the paragraph...

The first statement has to do with the Bible...

The Bible:

Men, divinely inspired, penned the Holy Bible . It is infallible and inerrant in communicating the truth God wants humanity to know . Every word in the originals was exactly what God had intended to share with humanity . It is an eternal gift from God to us, so that we may know the way of salvation . It is the ultimate standard by which all human conduct and doctrines should be measured . Even though inspiration and strict inerrancy can only be claimed by the original manuscripts , we can rest assured that God, through his divine preservation , has given us copies and translations that are inerrant and inspired in a derivative sense, in that they accurately reflect the originals . Therefore the translations and copies have the same authority as the originals.

2 Peter 1:19-21
2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 17:17
Matthew 5:18
2 Timothy 3:15
Proverbs 30:5,6
2 Timothy 3:16-17; Proverbs 30:5-6; 2 Peter 1:21
Matthew 24:35 ; John 10:35
Psalms 119:89; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Mark 13:31