The Holy Scriptures
The Bible is God’s written revelation to mankind. Thus, the sixty-six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the complete Word of God inspired equally in all parts (2 Peter 1:20-21).
We teach that the Word of God is objective, spoken revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13), verbally inspired (God-breathed) in every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the original documents, and infallible.
We teach the literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture. This type of interpretation, for example, affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17).
We teach that the sixty-six books of the Bible constitute the only infallible rule of faith and practice (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man (2 Peter 1:20-21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16).
We teach that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies (John 7:17) the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20).
We teach that it is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of the Scriptures, recognizing that the proper interpretation is binding upon all generations and does not change with passage of time or evolution of cultures. The truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.
God
We teach that there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4) an infinite, all-knowing Spirit (John 4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in the Persons – Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14) – each equally deserving worship and obedience.
God the Father
We teach that God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, controls all things according to His own purpose and grace (1 Corinthians 8:6; Isaiah 46:9, 10; Psalm 145:8-9). He is Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9).
We teach that God is the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe; He is sovereign in creation, providence and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18).
We teach that God has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11).
We teach that God the Father, in His sovereignty, is neither author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47), nor does He excuse the accountability of mankind (1 Peter 1:17).
We teach that God the Father has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him, and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).
God the Son
We teach that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine attributes, and in these He is coequal, coeternal, and of the same substance as the Father (John 10:30; 14:9). Jesus is Deity.
We teach that God the Son, at the command of God the Father, created all things as the agent of creation; and Jesus causes all things to continue in existence and in operation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2). Jesus sustains all things.
We teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and Deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians 2:9).
We teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man- John 1:14), theeternally existing second person of the Trinity surrendered nothing of divine essence either in degree or kind, being in the form (permanent expression of essential attributes) both of God (Philippians 2:6) and of a servant (Philippians 2:7), being willing to die for us (Philippians 2:8).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23, 25; Luke 1:26-35); that He was God incarnate (John 1:1, 14); that He came to reveal God and redeem men (Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:18, 29).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross; and that His death was voluntary, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 2:24).
We teach that on the basis of the effectiveness of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God (Romans 3:25; 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
We teach that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).
We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the Deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all mankind, believers to eternal life and the rest to eternal damnation (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23-24; John 5:26-29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10).
We teach that Jesus is the mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the head of His body, the Church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), and the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David on earth (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:31-33). He also is the final judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as the Lord and Savior (Acts 17:30-31).
God the Holy Spirit
We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternally existing, possessing all the attributes of personality including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and in possession of the same substance with (essence as) the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 10:15-17; see Jeremiah 31:31-34).
We teach the sovereign activity of the Holy Spirit in creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the written revelation (2 Peter 1:20-21), and the work of salvation (John 3:5-7).
We teach that a unique work of the Holy Spirit began at Pentecost (Acts 2:2-4) when He proceeded forth from the Father as promised by Jesus (John 14:16-17; 15:26) to inaugurate the building of the Church; the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).
We teach that the broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-8); and glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:26; 16:13-14).
We teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God’s revelation, the Bible (2 Peter 1:19-21). Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18). Thus, the Spirit will personally lead believers into sanctification and the edification of the body of Christ (John 16:13).
We teach that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to each member of the Church, as He desires. The Holy Spirit neither glorifies Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 15:26; 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 2:2-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 2:4).
We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today. In the beginning days of the Church, these gifts functioned occasionally and were for the purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth. They were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Hebrews 2:1-4).
We teach that the Holy Spirit will always glorify the Lord and advance truth, so that any gift usage that draws attention away from Jesus and/or to an individual is not of God. (Matthew 7:22-23; Revelation 13:13-14).
Angels (Angelology)
Holy Angels
We teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a higher order than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14; Hebrews 1:6-7, 14; 2:6-7; Revelation 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9).
Fallen Angels
We teach that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1-14), and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15).
We teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah 14:13-14; Matthew 4:1-11; Revelation 12:9-10), the prince of this world who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20) and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
Man (Anthropology)
We teach that man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9).
We teach that God’s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life in the will of God and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the world (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).
We teach that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Romans 3:21; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14; 1 John 1:8).
We teach that because all men descend from Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam’s sin has been transmitted to all people since the fall of Adam (Jesus Christ being the only exception- since He was without sin). Therefore, man is a sinner from birth by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9-18, 23; 5:10-12).
Salvation (Soteriology)
We teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Regeneration
We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24) when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation.
We teach that genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10) and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10).
We teach that obedience to God’s Word causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). And this work of conformity shall be completed upon the glorification of the believer at Christ’s coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).
Election
We teach that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously would save, regenerate and sanctify (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-20).
We teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23; 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17). All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8).
We teach that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is not related to any initiative on their own part nor to God’s anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2).
We teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign, but He exercises the sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience. Sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9).
Justification
We teach that justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11).
We teach that justification is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the placing of our sins on Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God maintains His justice and can become the “justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).
Sanctification
We teach that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is identified as a saint [belonging to the Lord]. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer’s standing, not his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2).
We teach that by the work of the Holy Spirit there is a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18;1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23).
We teach that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict- the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh- but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of the sin nature is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide victory over sin (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).
Security
We teach that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24).
We teach that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word. At the same time, God’s Word clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for sinful living and carnality (Romans 6:15-22; 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13, 25-26; Titus 2:11-14).
Separation
We teach that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the Last Days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
We teach that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. We also teach that separation from any association with religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1; 1 John 2:15; 2 John 9-11).
We teach that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness demonstrated by a beatitude attitude (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).
The Church (Ecclesiology)
We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body; the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13); the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22-32; Revelation 19:7-8), of which Christ is the head (Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:18).
We teach that the formation of the Church; the body of Christ, began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
We teach that the Church is thus a unique spiritual entity designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers (Ephesians 2:11- 3:6). The Church is distinct from the nation of Israel (1 Corinthians 10:32). The Church is a mystery that was not revealed clearly in the Old Testament, but is made known by the first coming of Christ (Ephesians 3: 1-6; 5:32).
We teach that the establishment and continuity of the local church is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1) and that the members of the one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (1 Corinthians 11:18-20; Hebrews 10:25).
We teach that the one supreme authority for the Church is Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that Church leadership, gifts, order, discipline and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are “elders” who are to care for, lead and guide the assembly (Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 4:11). Elders must meet biblical qualifications in order to serve as elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 1:1-5).
We teach that along with elders serving in the church, there are also “deacons” and “deaconesses” which are recognized servants in the church. Although deacons and deaconesses are not part of the spiritual leadership of the church, they are held to the same biblical standards as elders, except for the requirement of being able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:2, 24; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
We teach the importance of making disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2), the mutual accountability of all believers to each other (Matthew 18:5-14), as well as the need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture (Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16).
We teach the autonomy of the local church; free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5).
We teach that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Local churches, however, through their pastors and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
We teach that the purpose of the Church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-16), by instruction from the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15: 3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42), and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42). We teach that all believers are called to the work of service (1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12).
We teach the need of the Church to cooperate with God as He accomplishes His purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the church spiritual gifts. First, He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:7-12) and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the body of Christ (Romans 12:5-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given the early Church: 1) miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the Apostle’s message (Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12) and 2) ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man’s message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (1 Corinthians 13:8-12). The only gifts in operation today are those non-revelatory equipping gifts given for edification (Romans 12:6-8).
We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today, but that God does hear and answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering and afflicted (Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7-9; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15).
We teach that two ordinance have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing fourth his faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:1-11). Water baptism also serves as a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ (Acts 2:41).
We teach that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32). We also teach that whereas the elements to communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people (1 Corinthians 10:16).
Last Things (Eschatology)
Death
We teach that physical death involves no loss of consciousness (Revelation 6:9-11), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:21-24) and that for the redeemed, such separation will continue until the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) which initiates the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6), when our soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-44. 50-54). Until that time, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8).
We teach the bodily resurrection of all men; the saved to eternal life (John 6:39; Romans 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Corinthians 4:14) and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:13-15).
We teach that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:13-15), when the soul and the resurrected body will be united (John 5:28-29). They shall then appear before the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) and shall be cast into hell; the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41-46) and be cut off from the life of God forever (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
The Rapture of the Church
We teach that 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 refers to a “rapture” of the Church. “Rapture” comes from the Greek word, “harpazo,” and the Latin word, “raptus,” meaning “to catch up” or “snatch away.” The Rapture is thus a time when all believers, living and dead, will be caught up bodily to meet the Lord in the air. At this time they will receive glorified bodies and be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:27).
We teach that this will occur before the seven-year period of the Great Tribulation (Daniel 12:1-2), also referred to as the seventieth week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27).
We teach that because the Rapture will occur to rescue the Church from the time of the Great Tribulation that will come upon the whole earth (Revelation 3:10), believers will not face a judgement for punishment, but will give an accounting to Christ for their service to Him (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10).
Therefore, believers are to encourage one another regarding the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).
The Tribulation Period
We teach that the Tribulation is a seven-year period in which Satan is given freedom to rule the earth, but that this period will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matthew 24:27- 31; 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). During this time God will pour out His righteous judgments upon an unbelieving world (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27; 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 16). This period, known as the Tribulation, was prophesied of by Daniel in his description of the seventieth week (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:15-31; 25:31-46).
The Millennial Kingdom
We teach that after the tribulation period, Christ will come to occupy the throne of David (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:3-33; Acts 1:10-11; 2:29-30) and establish His Messianic Kingdom for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-7). During this time, the saints will reign with Him over Israel and the nations of the earth (Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16).
We teach that this kingdom will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore Israel to the Promised Land (Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17; Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside (Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:1-26) but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing at the return of Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Romans 11:25-29).
We teach that this time of our Lord’s reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness and love (Isaiah 11; 65:17-25; Ezekiel 36:33-38). This golden era, however, will be brought to an end with the release of Satan (Revelation 20:7).
The Final Judgment
We teach that following the release of Satan after the thousand-year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:7), Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9). Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10) whereupon Christ, who is the judge of all men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne judgment.
We teach that this final phase of resurrection includes the physical resurrection of unsaved dead. Upon receiving their judgment (Romans 14:10-13) they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15). Also, believers who died in the Millennial Kingdom will be raised at this final resurrection, but they will enter the eternal state to reign with the Christ forever and ever (Revelation 20:11-12; 22:5).
Eternity
We teach that after the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:7-15), the Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). The saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2 Peters 3:10) and replaced with a new heaven and earth wherein only righteousness dwells (Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 20:15, 21-22). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Revelation 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy fellowship with God and one another forever (John 17:3; Revelation 21, 22). In that perfect place, the triune God will be glorified forever and ever (1 Corinthians 15:28).