MY BELIEFS

SCRIPTURE

The Bible consists of the 66 books of the Protestant Bible. These 66 books are inspired by God and without error and form a harmonious and unified statement of truth by which all truth claims must be measured. They are the only reliable source of measuring religious, theological, or other truth. The Bible is essential for knowing objective truth and all human reason, scientific and philosophical ideas must be measured by the plain teaching of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The Bible is to be believed rather than scientific or other intellectual claims that contradict God's word.

BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

It is best to read the Bible either in the original languages or a literal translation. I use the World English Bible (WEB) for the podcast for copyright reasons but suggest you follow along in a literal translation like the English Standard Version (ESV), New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995 edition or earlier), the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) or the New King James Version (NKJV), or a literal translation in the language you know best. It is important for Christians who know English better than any other language  to develop reading skills to learn to read and study from a literal English translation.

DOCTRINE OF GOD

There is but one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5, 18, 22). God the Father is the source of all things (1 Corinthians 8:6). God the Father is Spirit and those who worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth (John 4: 23-24). God the Son (Jesus Christ) is God (John 1:1-3, 18; Hebrews 1: 1-13) and is the means of all things (1 Corinthians 8:6). He is subject to God the Father (1 Corinthians 11:3; John 14:28). He came not to do his own will but the will of God the Father who sent him (John 6:37-38).  Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:30). The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father , and points beyond himself to God the Son (John 15:26). The Holy Spirit can be blasphemed and he has divine qualities and attributes showing his Deity (Matthew 12:31; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Corinthians 2:11). God is our only Savior and besides him is no other (Isaiah 45:21). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are involved in our salvation as our only savior (Titus 3:4-6). The Bible emphasizes the need to pray to God the Father, worship the Father and Son, and to obey and walk in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 6:9; John 4:23-24; John 5:23; Revelation 4: 8-11; 5:8-14). The Holy Spirit cleanses and purifies the believer from his sins at conversion and empowers him to live a holy life (Acts 15:8-9; Galatians 5:16). Christian Baptism is in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20).  God alone is our savior and his salvation includes the work of God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 43:11; Titus 3:4-7).

MAN AND SIN

Adam is the first human that God created and God made him of the dust of the ground which God had previously created and God breathed into his nose the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). God made the first woman from Adam’s rib (Genesis 2:22). Adam and Eve were created by God in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). All humans are descendants of Adam and Eve. Adam disobeyed God of his own free will and brought sin into the world (Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12-21). Man is evil from his youth up (Genesis 6:5; 8:21). Jesus was born without sin and while tempted never sinned (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 4:15). Man cannot save himself by good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).

SALVATION

Man needs to be restored to a right relation with God to make it to heaven. Since we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), we have all died spiritually and need God to give us spiritual life (Romans 6:23; John 3:3). Our sins required a perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins. God sent God the Son (Jesus Christ) to earth to live a holy life and die on the cross for our sins. This death of Jesus Christ atones for the sins of those who repent (turn from their sins to follow God), confess their sins to God, and who accept through faith Jesus’ atoning work on the cross and his resurrection from the dead as the basis of salvation. This is what it means to be born again. Jesus died for all humans so all might be saved, but only those who accept Christ and live as his faithful disciples to the end will be saved (2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Romans 6:1-11; Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:8-10; 1 John 2:1-2-6; Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Galatians 5:19-21).

THE NEED TO CONTINUE TO GROW

God equips the born again with the Holy Spirit to enable them to live the Christian life.  (Acts 15:8-9; Galatians 5: 16). Born again Christians who practice the works of the flesh and practice a sinful lifestyle, will not go to heaven unless they repent and restore their relationship with God. (Matthew 7:21-23; Galatians 5:19-21;  2 Peter 2:20-21). We are saved by faith alone in God and by God’s grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-10). Holy living after salvation is merely God working in and through us. He gets the credit (Galatians 2:20).  It would be better never to experience God's salvation than to experience it and thus turn from obeying God (2 Peter 2:20-21).  Those who have been born again who live sinful lives will not go to heaven (Matthew 7:21-23;  Acts 15:8-9; Galatians 5:19-21; Matthew 7:21-23). Christians who repent and return to God will be forgiven if they truly repent and believe (1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-2).

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHURCH ATTENDANCE AND MINISTRY

There is no substitute for putting God first in your life (Matthew 6:33). One way that is manifested is by regular church attendance. Church attendance involves gathering together with other Christians to serve and worship God and carry out the mission God has given to the church (Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; Romans 12: 1-8). Failure to join the church in its mission for Christ is like being a soldier who enlists but never serves (2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:3-4). It is like a lone basketball player who never plays on a team. The church is the body of Christ and each member of the church (body of Christ) are to serve God and encourage other Christians and be encouraged by other Christians (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27). Christians need church attendance to grow as Christians (Ephesians 4:14).  Church attendance and service of all Christians in the church is essential for Christians to effectively carry out God's mission of making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).  My podcast is no substitute for church attendance and supporting the ministry of the church you attend.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHURCH

True doctrine was of upmost importance to Jesus and the Bible. The Christian has the duty to himself and those he influences to go to a church that faithfully teaches and preaches God’s word. For you to determine the trustworthiness of a pastor or teacher you too must be a student of God’s word.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH

Jesus gave the church the commission to make disciples which includes teaching them to obey all things Jesus taught. Jesus is God (Matthew 28:18-20). The Bible is inspired by God (2 Peter 1: 20-21; 2 Timothy 3: 16). Jesus is behind and approves the entire Bible as his teaching (Matthew 5:17-20). There is no difference between the teaching of any part of the Bible and Jesus. There are no doctrinal differences between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Doctrine is of upmost importance in the church (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 4:1-5). The pastor and all Christians have the responsibility and duty to faithfully study and obey, and teach God’s word even to those who do not think doctrine is all that important. A Christian pastor takes his orders from Jesus not other Christians or non believers who do not prioritize the teaching of the Bible. Parents teach your children the truth. You are their pastor teacher (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Pastor means shepherd. Pastoring involves keeping the sheep from danger, and feeding them. As their shepherd guide, guide your children to a church that will teach them God's word accurately and truthfully.  The church's pastors and teachers help build up Christians for the work of the ministry and help build strong mature Christians who are taught the truth of the Bible so they will not be led astray with false teaching, and each believer is to strengthen other believers to live by God's truth and love (Ephesians 4:11-16).

CHRISTIAN MUSIC

Christian music should be doctrinally faithful to the word of God and include worship of God the Father and honoring the Son as we honor the Father (John 4: 23-24; John 5: 23; Revelation 4:8-11;  5: 9-14). Worship involves given praise to God and serving God. It includes worship and service (Romans 12:1-8). We worship the Holy Spirit by obeying him and serving him (Romans 8:12-17; Galatians 5:16). But it is also okay to give praises to the Holy Spirit since he too is a part of who God is.

THE CHURCH HAS ONLY TWO SACRAMENTS: COMMUNION AND BAPTISM

The main function of communion is to remember the once and for all death of Christ on the cross on our behalf in which he gave his body and blood as an atonement for our sins. The grape juice symbolizes his shed blood and the bread symbolizes his body that died for us (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32). Baptism symbolizes our cleansing from sin that happened when we were born again, and our death with Christ to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-11). Christians who refuse or fail to get baptized are being disobedient to Jesus Christ, and need to repent and obey his command to be baptized (Matthew 28:18-20).  Those born again and right with God when they die will go to heaven even though they were never baptized if they lacked the opportunity to obey Jesus to get baptized (Luke 23:39-43).

HOLINESS OVER RITUAL

Church rituals such as the sacraments are no replacement or substitute for holy living. In fact, God hates rituals, and worship of God when we are not committed to living a holy life to the best of our ability and dependance on God’s grace (Isaiah 1: 11-20).

MARRIAGE

God’s word condemns sex outside of marriage between one biological man and one biological woman (Genesis 2:24-25; Mark 10: 2-11; Hebrews 13:4). Homosexuality is a sin that God will judge, but like all sins, if we turn from all our sins God will forgive us and change us (Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1: 26-27; 1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Incest is also sinful and will be judged by God (Leviticus 18:6). A Christian is a false prophet if he says something is good that God’s word condemns (Isaiah 5:20). He also is a liar and God and unrepentant liars will not go to heaven (Revelation 21:8). Christians should be kind to sinners but must not endorse what God’s word condemns. Christians should speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

THE AFTER LIFE

Born again Christians who stay faithful to God to the end will inherit eternal life with God. To be absent from the body is to be present with Christ. However, that is no substitute for the resurrection from the dead. The Christian hope includes the resurrection of the body (1 Corinthians 15:12-19; 35-49). Those not right with God when they die will spent eternity in hell which is a place of eternal torment (Revelation 21: 6-8). This includes born again Christians who backslide and turn from living a holy life (2 Peter 2: 20-21; Galatians 5: 18-21; Matthew 7: 21-23). . Those right with God when they die will spend eternity in the new heaven and the new earth with God (Revelation 21:1-5).

THE SECOND COMING

Christ will physically return to earth to raise faithful Christians from the dead and gather Christians still living at the time of the second coming and then God will judge the world (Luke 21: 27; Acts 1: 9-11; Revelation 1:4-7; 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17).