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Statement of Faith

by Gary T. Panell

I Believe:

That "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). It is complete in the 66 books of the Bible (Revelation 22:18, 19). God has protected His Word down to us today, and will always protect it (Matthew 24:35).
That the Godhead eternally exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16, 17; 28:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
In the personality and deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the blessed Virgin Mary, truly God and truly man (John 1:1-3, 18-23; Titus 2:13).
In the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9).
Man was created in the image of God, after His likeness, but the whole human race fell in the fall of the first Adam (Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23).
That Jesus Christ became the sinner's substitute before God the Father and died as a propitiatory sacrifice for the sin of the whole world (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6).
In the resurrection of the crucified body of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-6; John 20:19-30).
That Christ, in the fullness of the blessings He has secured by His death and resurrection, is received by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). That faith in the Lord Jesus Christ includes repentance (Acts 17:30-31; 26:17-18).
Even though we are not saved by our good works, we are to live a life of holiness and good works after we are saved (Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:15-16; Hebrews 12:10, 14; Romans 12:1-2).
As a witness to what we have believed we are to follow Christ's command to be baptized (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38). Also, we are to remember Christ's death and look forward to His return by keeping the Communion (1 Corinthians 11).
We are saved and 'sealed' in the Church age, so we have a strong assurance of salvation. We are warned very strongly, however, against willful sin which could lead to backsliding and turning our back on the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14; John 10:27-29; 1 John 5:13; Hebrews 10:26-29; 2 Peter 2:15-22). This 'seal' is God's knowledge of who are His own (2 Timothy 2:19). God's Spirit is also given as a 'down payment' and witness with our spirit that we belong to God (Romans 8:14-16; 2 Timothy 2:19).
That the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at death immediately pass into God's presence (Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8).
That the souls of the lost remain after death in misery until the final judgment of the Great White Throne Judgment. At which time, after judgment, they will be cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:15).
In the reality and personality of Satan, that 'old serpent', called the Devil (Revelation 12:9).
In the six literal days of creation by God, and we do not hold to evolution (Genesis 1, 2; Exodus 20:11).
Christians can believe God for healing (realizing God is Sovereign), but should not feel they are guaranteed 70 or 80 years of trouble free life. They are promised persecution and trouble in this life (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; 1 Peter 2:24; 4:12-19; James 5:14; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3; 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:12).
In the filling (baptism) of the Holy Spirit. This usually takes place after salvation. Also, one is to continue to seek to be refilled after the initial filling (Acts 2:17-18, 38; 10:44-48; 19:6; Ephesians 5:18). The 'filling' comes by faith 'alone'. Signs follow as a result, but not always at the same moment of the filling. Speaking in tongues is one of the signs, and is available for every believer. This speaking in tongues is different than the 'gift of tongues' that is to be used in the church (1 Corinthians 12:30). The main benefit of personal tongues is to the individual and will result in the building up of oneself in the spirit (1 Corinthians 14:4a; Jude 20). The main result of the filling (or baptism) of the Holy Spirit will be in the boldness to do evangelism, and the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23). The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not to be forbidden from the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12-14). The gifts are to be used in love (1 Corinthians 13) to build up the body and not to tear it down. The rules of 1 Corinthians 14 must be followed in the use of the gifts.
In the evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 20:26-27).
Home Bible studies are scriptural and an important tool for evangelism, and should be practiced and encouraged in these last days. Part of the Great Commission is to train believers to reproduce (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:24-46; 5:42; 10:2; 16:31-34; 18:8; 20:20; Colossians 4:15; Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 2:2; Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Matthew 28:19-20).
In the rapture of the Church, and the return of Christ to set up a literal 1,000 year reign upon the earth in fulfillment of prophecies in Scripture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Matthew 24; Revelation 20:1-4).
That one of the main goals of the Church (that goes along with evangelism of the world) is to keep the "Unity of the Faith" (1 Corinthians 1:10-17). That the Church is composed of all who are truly born again, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 4:3-6). At the moment of salvation one is baptized into the body of Christ and the Church by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

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