The following basic doctrines contained in the Scriptures are adopted by Tullahoma Bible Church. A full explanation of these doctrines can be found in Article III of the Church Constitution.
The Bible, the Word of God - We believe the Holy Scriptures in the original languages of Hebrew and Greek, both Old and New Testaments contain God's complete and coherent message to man. (Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13) We believe this message to be the plenary (complete) verbally inspired Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21) We believe the Word of God is the authoritative guide for this church and the life of believers in Christ. Based upon the principle of self-authentication, we believe the canon of Scripture is comprised of the sixty-six books historically accepted as the canon of Scripture, and that these canonical books are the only inspired Word of God, meaning the canon is closed (Revelation 22:18-19) and therefore this local church does not accept any “new” special revelation as authoritative for this local church or the life of believers. Il Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13 Revelation 22:18-19
Hermeneutics – We believe that the only way to correctly understand and accurately handle the Word of Truth is to consistently apply a literal, grammatical, historical hermeneutic to all of Scripture. (2 Peter 1:20-21) Hermeneutics is the art and science of interpretation. The objective of interpreting Scripture is to discover what the text (the Bible) meant to the original audience as communicated by the intent of the original author.(2 Chronicles 17:7-9) This objective is accomplished by consistently applying a literal grammatical, historical hermeneutic to all of Scripture.(Nehemiah 8:8) Although the Bible uses figurative and poetic language, these parts are understood by recognizing the socially acknowledged meaning of a word or group of words in its historical context. (Matthew 13:36-37) We believe that any other method of interpretation or attempt to spiritualize the text dishonors God and breeds confusion. 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Chronicles 17:7-9; Nehemiah 8:8; Matthew 13:36-37
Creation – With the Bible as the authority, we believe the seven day creation account recorded in Genesis is historically accurate. (Genesis 1-2; Revelation 4:11) God created the universe out of nothing, and that everything that exists came into existence by the power of His creative Word. (John 1:1-3; Hebrews 11:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17) The simplest reading of Genesis clearly indicates a seven twenty-four hour day week, whereupon the Lord ceased creating out of nothing on day seven. (Exodus 20:8-11) Scripture verifies this creation out of nothing account in Genesis and therefore would be internally inconsistent if creation did not happen just as clearly communicated in Genesis chapters one and two. Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:8-11; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:1-3, 6; Revelation 4:11.
The Trinity – We believe in the co-equal, co-eternal, and co-infinite existence of a triune God who is one in essence existing in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus we believe in one God, Creator of all things, who eternally exists in the Triune state which the Bible reveals. Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 22:1; Isaiah 48:16; Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19; John 1:1; 5:19, 37; 10:37-38; 20:28; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14 Hebrews 1:8.
God the Father – We believe that God the Father is the first Person of the Godhead, and that He is the Father of all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, but not the Father of unbelievers. (Psalm 103:13; Galatians 3:26; 1 Corinthians 8:6) The Father's relationship with the Second and Third Persons of the Trinity has existed from eternity past, and They are co-equal and co-eternal in essence. (John 8:42-44; 17:5, 24; 20:17; Colossians 1:19) The Father's character is revealed to mankind in the Person of Jesus Christ, and the Son voluntarily submitted Himself to the Father's redemption solution plan. (Colossians 1:19; Ephesians 1:9) The Father has absolute authoritative will and does as He pleases without compromising His integrity. (Isaiah 55:11; Ephesians 1:5) It pleased the Father to send the Son to die for the sins of the human race (John 3:16-18; Romans 3:25) The Father was propitiated (satisfied) by the Son's sinless sacrifice on the cross, and those who by faith accept the Son and His work on their behalf enter into the family of God. (Galatians 4:5-6; Romans 8:14, 19) Through this sacrifice, the Father brings many sons into glory and glorifies the Godhead. Jeremiah 33:2-9; Psalm 103:13; Galatians 3:26; John 8:42-44; John 8:5; 17:5,24; 20:17; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Isaiah 55:11; Psalm 115:3; Colossians 1:19; Ephesians 1:5,9; John 3:16-18; Romans 3:25; Romans 8:14, 19; Galatians 4:5–6; Hebrews 2:10; I John 3:2.
God the Son – We believe that God the Son is co-equal, co-eternal, and possesses the same divine attributes as the Father and the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 1:1-2; John 10:30) We believe that the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son, agreed to the incarnation in order to glorify the Father and redeem mankind from sin. (Philippians 2:5-9) The Son (deity) united with perfect humanity to become Jesus. Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit when the Spirit impregnated the virgin Mary. His conception was supernatural, and thus He did not have a human father. Due to this miracle, He was not imputed with Adam's original sin, nor did He possess Adam's sinful nature. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-25; Luke 1:35) The Son's nature was such that He was perfect, sinless humanity, and undiminished deity united in one person forever. (1 Peter 2:21-22; Isaiah 53) We believe that He voluntarily refused to use His deity to solve His human problems while on earth, and instead completely relied upon the Holy Spirit's power for His daily walk. (Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Peter 2:23) In this way, He faced Satan and the world system using the Spirit's power in order to defeat His enemies and show us how we should live by the Spirit. (Matthew 4:1-11) We believe that throughout His earthly life, Jesus Christ was never guilty of any form of personal sin. He experienced all the trials and pressures typical to the human experience yet without sin. When He arrived at the cross, he did so in a state of complete perfection and impeccability. When on the cross, Jesus Christ received the divine imputation to Himself of all the sins of all of human history, past, present, and future. (2 Corinthians 5:21) The justice of God judged those sins in Christ on the cross. The Bible teaches that God is satisfied with Christ’s once for all sacrifice. Through faith in the Person and work of Christ, man is forgiven of sin and reconciled to God. Thus, a person enters into eternal life solely by believing in the Person and work of Christ, the One and only Savior of the world. The Father’s approval of Christ’s sacrifice was verified by God the Father through Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead three days after His death on the cross. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 1:3) The resurrected Jesus Christ is presently seated at the right hand of the throne of God in Heaven. (Hebrews 12:2) His true humanity now exists in a resurrection body inseparably united to His undiminished deity forever. He presently serves as Head of the Church wherein, as our Advocate in Heaven, He offers intercessory prayers to the Father on our behalf, while simultaneously holding all things together by the word of His power. We believe that Jesus Christ will physically return to planet earth, geographically to the Mount of Olives. (Zechariah 14:4) He will thereby establish His Millennial Kingdom, headquartered in Jerusalem. He will then commence His reign on David’s throne for 1,000 years. Hebrews 10:5; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Colossians 1:16-17; 2:9; Philippians 2:5-9; Hebrews 4:15; I Peter 1: 19; II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:20-6:14; Acts 4:12; John 3:16, 36; Hebrews 12:2; Ephesians 5:23; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 7:25; Acts 1:9-12; Revelation 19:11-16; Zechariah 14:4; II Samuel 7:16; Revelation 20:6.
God the Holy Spirit – We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. As God, He possesses the same divine attributes as the Father and the Son. (John 14:16-17) His ministry is to convict the world concerning the sin of unbelief, the absolute righteousness of God, and the judgment of Christ as our substitute. (John 16:8-11) The Spirit is the agent of regeneration, sanctification and comfort to those who believe in Jesus Christ. (Titus 3:5; Romans 5:5) The Spirit is a Person just as the Father and Son are Persons. He indwells all believers of the present church age. He baptizes all believers into the body of Christ and seals them until the day of redemption. (Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:5) Every believer is responsible to the Lord to be continually cleansed by confession of sin and living the spiritual life in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, who produces the character of Christ in the believer walking by Spirit and Truth. (1 John 1:5-10; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 5:18; John 14:26) John 7:37–39; 14:16-17; 16:8–11; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:5; 1 John 1:5-10; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 5:18; John 14:26.
Salvation – We believe that salvation in every dispensation is the gift of God brought to man by grace, and is received by personal faith alone in Christ alone (whose substitutionary Death was the penalty for man’s sin). John 1:12; 3:15-18, 36; 6:47; 11:25; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 1:17; 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
Eternal Security – We believe that anyone who repents (changes their thinking) concerning Jesus Christ as their Savior, enters into eternal life at the point of faith alone in Christ alone. (John 1:12) As a child of God, member of the royal family of God, and royal priest, each believer is eternally secure in Christ. (1 Peter 2:5-7, 9) At no time can a believer forfeit his salvation by irresponsible, neglectful, or sinful activity. (Romans 8:38-39) Eternal security is based upon God's hold on us, not our hold upon Him. (John 10:28-29) Since we are saved by faith, the giving of eternal life is an act of God’s grace and not a result of our works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Therefore, God keeps us in His love by His power regardless of our failures. Even if we fall away into sin and deny our salvation, the Lord cannot deny us our salvation, although He will deny us eternal rewards. (2 Timothy 2:11-13) Believers are assigned titles such as "holy," "beloved," and "elect" to indicate their eternal security in Christ. John 1:12; I Peter 2:5-7,9; John 10:28-29; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; Colossians 3:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-20.
The Depraved Condition of Man - We believe that humanity's original parents were created in the Garden of Eden. They were perfect people in a perfect environment, but due to personal sin, both they and their offspring fell into a depraved state involving spiritual death. (Genesis 3:18-29) The man sinned willfully against God's command not to eat of the forbidden tree, and died spiritually. Mankind became separated from God and unable to fellowship with Him. All human beings are imputed with Adam's original sin, and are thus born into spiritual death. (Roman 3:23) Furthermore, each person receives the sin nature which has been passed down from Adam, thus describing the depravity of all mankind. (Romans 5:12) Man, left to his own devices, is completely incapable of reestablishing a relationship with God, and is thus lost in his depraved state. Genesis 3:18-19; Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:12.
The Universal and Local Church - We believe the universal church to be the body of spiritually born again believers in Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23) We believe that the independent local church is a pillar and ground for all church age doctrines, and in its autonomy is free from any external authority or control. (1 Timothy 3:15) The local church is a body believers in Christ who identify together and assemble for the purpose of being taught the entire counsel of God from Scripture.(Ephesians 4:1-16) Through the maturation from this Biblical foundation, the local church should be exercising loving care in service to one another, observing the church ordinances, praying with one another, bearing each other’s burdens, and encouraging each other in the walk with the Lord. (Romans 12:3-8; 2 Peter 3:18) Furthermore, the local church is responsible for guarding doctrinal purity within the church and assisting the local church’s spiritual growth through grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Biblical function of a local church equips the individual believer for ministry toward one another and unbelievers. We believe the local church should serve as the base from which missionaries are sent forth to preach the gospel and make disciples. John 13:34: Acts 1:8, 20:1; Hebrews 10:25; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:1-16; 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:42; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 5:21.
Officers in the Local Church – We believe the Bible teaches that the offices of elder and deacon are to be held by spiritually mature believers meeting the qualifications as laid out in Scripture. (1 Timothy 3:1-16; Titus 1:6-9) We do not believe in females holding the position of elder or deacon. (1 Timothy 3:2) The moderator of all business meetings will be the Chairman of the Governing Council as defined in Article V of this constitution. The Governing Council seeks to select men of integrity who are trustworthy, based upon their past performance, consistent attendance in prayer and Bible study, enthusiasm about the ministry, and reputation among the congregation. The elders and deacons shall work together in the decision making processes required to maintain the day to day operations of the ministry of this local church. However, the elders are solely responsible for the provision of Bible teaching and this local church’s doctrinal integrity. 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Acts 6; I Timothy 2:12; Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 20; Titus 1:6–9; 1 Peter 5:1–5; Revelation 2–3.
Employees of the Local Church - We believe that employees of this local church (whether full-time, part-time, paid, or volunteer) are a natural reflection upon this local church and its beliefs. In order to be an appropriate trainer of believers in the spiritual life and an ambassador for Christ as required by the Holy Scripture, the employees must hold to and live as an example of the doctrines and tenets contained herein. Any employee of this local church who fails to substantially comply with the doctrines and tenets contained herein will or can undermine the purpose and mission of this local church and its ability to appropriately and effectively train believers in the spiritual life and be an effective ambassador to unbelievers. Accordingly, any person who is or applies to be an employee of this local church or the corporation under which it is organized, must accept in writing the doctrines and tenets by signing a written statement acknowledging their belief in such doctrines and tenets and their understanding that their current or future failure to substantially comply with such, whether in their work or personal life, will be grounds for dismissal and/or basis for not being employed. The members of the Governing Council have sole and unrestricted discretion in determining whether an employee or potential employee is failing to substantially and/or continually comply with the doctrines and tenets contained herein. Acts 1:8, 20:1; Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 1:22– 23, 5:25-27; I Corinthians 12:12-14; I Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:42; II Peter 3:18; II Corinthians 5:17-21; I Peter 2:5, 7, & 9; Hebrews 13:10-18; I Peter 2: 13-20
Satan and Fallen Angels – We believe that Satan is real and a literal enemy of God. (1 John 5:19) At some point not made clear by Scripture but before the fall of man, Satan revolted against the rulership of God. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17) As a result, Satan presently has command authority over those angels who joined in his revolt. Satan tempted man in the Garden of Eden and through deceiving the woman, persuaded Adam to knowingly sin against God. (Genesis 3:1-6) Through man’s fall, Satan gained rulership of the world. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Now called the prince and power of the air, Satan’s domain includes planet earth, and encompasses within its jurisdiction all humans who have not accepted Christ as Savior. He has been given a limited time by God to prove that his plan is superior to God's plan. If he fails, and he will, he is destined to the lake of fire which was created for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41) He will be judged and cast into the lake of fire to suffer for all eternity. In the meantime, he is loose on earth and is the father of evil and all rebellion against God. He seeks to control nations in order to promote his concept of a perfect world where he is god and receives the worship of mankind. Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; I Timothy 4:1; Matthew 4:1-11; 25:41; Luke 4: 1-13; John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 11:13-15; Ephesians 2: 1-4; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:3-4, 7-9; 20: 1-10.
Dispensations – We believe a dispensation is a precise, recognizable administration/economy in the unfolding of God’s plan and purpose for human history. (Ephesians 2:11-3:7) We believe the consistent application of a literal hermeneutic to all parts of Scripture produces a dispensational understanding of God’s plan for human history. We further believe that this understanding, built from a consistent application of a literal hermeneutic, clearly recognizes a distinction in Scripture between God’s Covenanted people Israel and the Church. (Genesis 12:1-3; Romans 9-11) Israel is clearly a Nation redeemed by God for an earthly political Kingdom to be ruled by the Messiah when He comes again. (Revelation 19:7-19, 20:1-8) The Church is clearly different, being the bride of Christ identified in Him for the purpose of ruling under the Messiah’s authority when the Kingdom is established after the Tribulation. We believe that God will ultimately and literally fulfill all of His promises and prophecies to the Nation Israel. (Malachi 3:6) Therefore, we reject any concept of the Church replacing Israel as being an erroneous conclusion, impossible to sustain by a consistently applied literal interpretation of Scripture. Genesis 12:1-3; Zechariah 9-14; Malachi 3:6; Romans 9-11; Ephesians 2:11-3:7; Revelation 19:7-19; 20:1-8
Rapture of the Church - We believe in the blessed hope which is the personal, bodily, physical return of Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-14) He will return before the seven year tribulation period begins, appearing in the clouds, and the church will rise to meet Him in the air. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10) His return is imminent (at any moment), for no prophecy must be fulfilled before His return for the church. The rapture is said to occur in the twinkling of an eye, in which time the bodies of all spiritually born again believers will be changed into resurrection bodies, and the dead in Christ shall rise first followed by the living believers. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-15; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54) All unbelievers will remain on the earth to go into the tribulation period. Because Christ delivers His church at the rapture, no Church Age believer will ever experience, participate, or suffer any part or portion of the tribulation period. Titus 2:11–14; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 4:13–15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-7; 1 Corinthians 15:51–54; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 3:10
The Tribulation – We believe the Tribulation, the last seven years of Daniel’s seventy weeks, begins some point after the rapture of the church. (Daniel 9:24-27) This time of judgment upon the unbelievers is the necessary means to bring Israel to acceptance of Jesus as Messiah. Mankind has rebelled against the Lord and refused to accept Jesus Christ as the Savior, therefore, God's wrath begins to be poured out after the rapture. The tribulation is also called the time of Jacob's trouble since it is also a time of judgment upon Israel. Revelation 6-19; Daniel 9:27; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:6-29; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12
The Second Coming or Second Advent of Christ - We believe that the Great Tribulation will be climaxed by the Premillennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth to set up His kingdom. The Second Advent will occur at the end of the seven literal years of the Tribulation. Those believers who survive the Tribulation will enter into His kingdom. Those who are unbelievers will be cast into Hades for one thousand years to await the Great White Throne Judgment. Zechariah 14:4-11; Matthew 24:30-31, 46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 20:6
Eternal State – We believe that the soul of those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, will at death pass immediately into His presence and remain there in conscious bliss until the resurrections. (2 Corinthians 5:8) At the rapture, the dead Church Age believers will be joined with their resurrection bodies, and then the living church age believers will receive their resurrection bodies. At the Second Advent, the Tribulational and Old Testament believers will receive their resurrection bodies. At the end of the Millennium, the Millennial believers will receive their resurrection bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:23-24) All of these believers will remain with the Lord throughout eternity in the presence of God. The unbelievers from all human history will be collected, judged, and sentenced to the lake of fire where they will spend eternity in conscious agony eternally separated from God. (Revelation 20:11-15) They will not be annihilated but will be punished in everlasting flames in complete separation from the glory and fellowship of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:23-24; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Luke 16:19–26, 23:43; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Revelation 20:11-15
The Responsibility of Believers - We believe that all believers should seek to walk in such a manner as to reflect favorably toward their Lord and Savior as witnesses by life and by word to the truths of the Holy Scriptures. (1 Peter 2:11-12) Each believer is responsible to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18) Furthermore, the believer’s life should consistently reflect the Lord's revealed plan and will as communicated in Scripture, thus bringing glory to the Lord. Every believer is responsible to be an ambassador for Christ, which involves witnessing to the lost when the opportunity arises. Every believer is a believer priest, responsible to function in prayer for himself and others. Every believer is responsible to uphold the laws of divine establishment such as volitional responsibility, marriage, family, and human government as created and designed by God. (Romans 13:1-8; 1 Peter 2:13-20) Believers are told to be submissive to the government and laws of the land. In application to this principle, we honor and respect the Constitution of the United States and we pray for those who have promised to protect and serve the people of this land. 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 1 Peter 2:5, 7,9; Hebrews 13:10–18; Romans 13:1-8; 1 Peter 2:11-20; 1 Timothy 2: 1–2
Church Ordinances – We believe the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the ordinance of water immersion baptism and Communion to be observed until His return. (Matthew 28:18-20) We believe that water baptism is for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ only, and is not a means of salvation, but a step toward discipleship as public testimony of their faith in Christ. (Acts 8:38-39) We believe the ritual provides a picture of the identification union that a believer has with Jesus Christ the moment a person believes in Him. The ritual symbolizes the real identification with the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. Just as the person immersed in water walks out of the water, the believer is to walk in a manner worthy of the calling given in Christ. The ordinance of water baptism is experienced once to signify the moment a person believes in Christ as Savior. However, the ordinance of Communion is experienced routinely throughout a believer’s life as a reminder of their fellowship in Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25) We believe that the Lord's Supper (Communion) is a memorial of Christ's substitutionary death on the cross in payment for our sins, and pictures the ongoing fellowship we have on the basis of that substitutionary death. Communion is a time when Christians reflect on the Person and work of Jesus Christ with the bread symbolizing the perfect sinless humanity of Christ and the cup symbolizing Christ's substitutionary sacrificial work on the cross. The bread and the cup are symbols of these things and never actually become the physical body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 11:23–25; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:21–24; Isaiah 53:10–12; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:38-39
Responsibility of Believers – We believe that all believers should seek to walk in such a manner as to witness by life and by word, the truth of the Scriptures, reflecting favorably toward their Lord and Savior. Each believer is commanded to grow in the grace knowledge of Jesus Christ and to live in compliance with His plan and will, thereby glorifying God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Hebrews 13:10-18; 1 Peter 2:5, 7, 9; 2 Peter 3:18.
Spirituality – We believe that spirituality is an absolute condition in the life of a believer in this dispensation. One is either spiritual or carnal at any given moment in time. When the believer is spiritual, he is filled by the Holy Spirit, walking in love and fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and is capable of being taught the truths of the Word of God. The filling of the Holy Spirit is not an emotional or ecstatic experience; it is the means of living the spiritual life. Spirituality is distinct from maturity and can be lost through an act of mental, verbal, or overt sin. Only through the confession of sin to God the Father can the status quo of spirituality be regained. John 15:7; Romans 5:5, 6:11-13; 1 Corinthians 11:30-31, 5:6-8; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:15-16; 1 John 1:9
Spiritual Gifts – We believe that all spiritual gifts were given by Christ during His ascension, and that the Holy Spirit assigns these gifts at salvation as He desires. (Ephesians 4:8) The Bible distinguishes between temporary and permanent spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10) The permanent spiritual gifts still in use after 96 A.D. include evangelist, pastor-teacher, teacher, administration, exhortation, giving, mercy, and helps. The purpose of these permanent gifts is to insure the cooperation and smooth function of the body of Christ. The temporary gifts ceased by at least 96 A.D. with the completion of the Canon of Scripture. The documentation for the ceasing of temporary gifts is found in I Corinthians 13:8 where the word "perfect" in the neuter gender refers to the completion of the Bible. In James 1:25 the Bible is referred to as the "perfect law of liberty". The gifts that ceased were apostle, prophecy, wisdom, knowledge, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, distinguishing of spirits, and the gift of faith. Anyone claiming to have any or all of these temporary gifts today is not satisfied with the complete revelation of God, and is opening himself up to deception. Ephesians 4:8; I Corinthians 12:13, 27-31; 13:8-10; Romans 12; 1 John 5:21; 1 Timothy 4:1
Marriage and Sexuality - We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, sodomy, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s gender, or disagreement with one’s biological gender, is sinful and offensive to God. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of this local church as a local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by this local church or the corporation under which it is organized in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this position with respect to marriage and sexuality, and conduct themselves accordingly. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor with the doctrines of this local church. Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 18:22; Deuteronomy 27:20-23; Romans 1:24-32, 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:22-33; I Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:14; II Peter 2: 2
TENETS
This church shall not at any time become a member of, sanction, or support any denomination, association of churches, or religious organization of any kind.
This church shall not solicit anyone to become a member. Those who desire to affiliate with this church may do so by complying with the provision of Article VII.
This church shall not make individual solicitation of funds or pledges among believers, nor knowingly accept gifts from unbelievers.
