| THIS WE BELIEVE |
GOD WOULD HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED AND TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. |
 | 1 Timothy 2:4 |
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| We believe that God has justified, that is, declared not guilty, all sinners (including you and me) for Jesus' sake. This is the central message of Scripture upon which the very existence of the Church depends (John 3:16, 17). It is a message relevant to men of all times and places, of all races and social strata, for "judgment come upon all men to condemnation" because all have sinned (Rom 5:18). All need justification before God, and Scripture proclaims that all are justified freely by God's grace (Romans 3:24), for "by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life" (Rom 5:18). |
| We believe that the individual receives this free gift of forgiveness through Christ, not by works, but only by faith (Eph 2:8,9). Justifying faith is a trust in Christ and His redemptive work. This faith justifies, not because of its own power or virtue, but only because of the salvation prepared by God in Christ, which it embraces (Rom 3:28; 4:5). On the other hand, although Jesus died for all, Scripture tells us that "he that does not believe shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). That means the unbeliever loses the forgiveness won by Christ. |
| We believe that man cannot work this justifying faith, or trust, in his own heart, because "natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him" (I Cor 2:14). In fact, "the carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom 8:7). It is the Holy Ghost who moves the heart trustingly to recognize that "Jesus is the Lord" (I Cor 12:3); Which the Holy Spirit works by means of the Gospel (Rom 10:17). We believe, therefore, that man's conversion is entirely the work of God's grace.Therefore, we have peace with our God through our Lord Christ Jesus. In this life there will be many problems and heartaches and troubles, but TAKE HEART, CHRIST HAS OVERCOME THIS WORLD AND EVERYTHING IN IT, FOR YOU. (John 16:33). |
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