The following is a basic statement of faith from dontperish.com
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THE WORD OF GOD
We believe and confess that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God. It is the only rule for faith and practice. The Word of God, is the standard by which the Christian orders his life. 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16.
THE DEITY OF CHRIST
We believe and confess that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, God in the flesh. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin womb of Mary. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) Christ as Deity hung on the cross for our sins. If Christ be not God, then we are yet in our sins and without hope. John 1:1; Matthew 1:23.
( 3 in 1 Father, Son & Holy Spirit )
FALLEN MAN
We believe and confess that man is a fallen. Created in the image and likeness of God, man sinned and fell to a condition of sin leading to spiritual death. He needs salvation via Christ alone. Genesis 6:5; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:3-5.
HEAVEN OR HELL
We believe and confess that heaven and hell are real places. People who die without Christ will live eternally being tormented apart from God. People who die in the Lord will live eternally in heaven with Christ. Matthew 13:50; Matthew 3:12; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 14:11; John 14:1-3; Matthew 5:12; Rev. 21, 22.
SALVATION
We believe and confess that all who believe in Christ shall be saved if they trust in His sacrifice on the cross and as evidence have fruit of the spirit enduring to the end. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. He is the sacrifice, the shedding of blood for the sins of fallen man. Man must respond with repentance (a change of heart) toward God and with faith (a heart attitude of belief) in our Lord Jesus Christ being transformed through being born again (John 3:3) and walking in holiness/obedience as fruit (John 14:15). Believing is a present, continuous act of a saving faith. I Corinthians 15:1-4; John 3:16; Romans 10:13; Acts 20:21; I Peter 1:5. Matthew 10 and His people must endure to the end in a saving faith. Matt 24
GOD THE FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT
We believe and confess that God is 3 in 1.. expressed in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:16, 17.
SATAN
We believe and confess that Satan is real, a fallen angelic being, who through rebellion lost his position in heaven. We recognize him as the enemy and his kingdom of darkness; we are in a spiritual battle which demands our continual standing in Christ who is our power. I Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Isaiah 14:12-17.
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe and confess in a physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth. He shall come in the same manner as He left. We should look to, hope for, and expect the coming of the Lord. This hope will cause God’s people to purify themselves. John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 John 3:3. ( we reject the man made pre-trib rapture doctrines as false / Christ returns at the last trumpet )
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
We believe and confess that the kingdom of God, or Christ, is a spiritual kingdom ( within us ) and stands in contrast to the kingdoms of the world. Christ presented a higher standard of holiness for His kingdom. Citizenship in the kingdom, therefore:
a. Separates us from the course of this world in affection, occupation, and organizational yokes and affiliations. Matthew 6:19-21, 24; Romans 12:1, 2; Colossians 3:1-3.
b. Praying for persecutors, feeding and clothing the needy as we proclaim the gospel, and doing good to all men, including enemies. Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:14-21; I Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Corinthians 15.
c. Not taking vengeance/unjust violence, suing believers through the law. Matthew 5:39-40; John 18:36; I Corinthians 6:1-8; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:18-20.
d. Requires the non-swearing oaths, “Yea, Yea and Nay, Nay” honestly, and absence of idle words in speech. Matthew 5:33-37; Matthew 12:35-37; James 5:12.
Abortion
that life is sacred and begins at conception. No person should take part in any destruction of human life, born or unborn.
Luke 18:20
DISCIPLESHIP
We believe and confess that discipleship is a clear characteristic of all true Christians. A disciple willingly bears the cross and denies himself, forsaking all things that hinder his fellowship with God. This crucifixion of the flesh is the operation of God by faith, a moment-by-moment surrender of the will to God. Luke 14:26, 27, 33; Romans 6:11-16; Galatians 2:20, 21; Colossians 2:10-12; Galatians 5:24.
NEW CREATION
God's Word teaches that all pre-conversion sin is forgiven and a person is made a new creation in Christ, with a fresh start. 2 Corinthians 5:17 This would include all sinful behavior committed before conversion (born again /made a new creation) such as fornication, drunkenness, divorce, remarriage, idolatry etc.
EVANGELISM
We believe and confess that the Great Commission given by Christ to His Disciples (Matthew 28:19, 20) was a commission to all Christians to go and tell the good news of salvation to a lost and dying world. Brothers and sisters alike are responsible to share Christ. Psalm 126:6; Mark 16:15; Acts 5:42; Acts 8:4.
ORDINANCES
We believe there are MANY more ordinances to be obeyed in the New Testament Word then the usual 2 ( baptism / Lord's supper which we do teach ) that man made faiths focus on. All of God's doctrines / instructions are in fact ordinances to be obeyed.
Marriage
We hold to marriage as designed by God to be the union of one man and one woman. Thus any sexual relationship outside this marriage is sinful. Re: adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, and any other sexual involvement is condemned by God. Heb. 13:4; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:24-28; I Cor. 6:9, 10
CHRISTIAN APPEARANCE
We believe and confess that God’s people should regulate their appearance by clear scriptural principles.
a. God’s Word shows how we are to clothe the body. 1 Timothy 2:9. Sisters are to wear a long loose unadorned robe like garment to conceal the form of the body and godly men should meet this in "similar" male example as well. Clothing shall exemplify gospel simplicity and be plain, unadorned and simple. II Corinthians 1:12; I Peter 3:3; I John 2:16.
b. The Bible forbids the wearing of gold, make up, pearls, or costly array. I Timothy 2:9. Notice the attire of the Babylonian harlot. Revelation 17:4.
c. God’s Word forbids following the changing fashions of the world. Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Peter 1:14.
d. Brethren are not to have long hair. Sisters are to wear their hair long and cover their heads and hair (glory) with a distinctive hanging veil. 1 Corinthians 11.
THE CHRISTIAN HOME
We believe and confess the importance of the godly home in the promotion of moral purity and faith. It is a haven of mutual love and godliness, a shelter from the corruption of the society. The home should be ordered according to the dictates of Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3.
Fathers are the spiritual heads of the home while the direction and the discipline of the children lie with both parents. 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 3:4; Ephesians 6:4.
Wives are to be submissive and husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the body / ekklesia . Ephesians 5; I Tim. 5:13, 14; 1 Peter 3:1-6.
Children are to be in subjection and obedient to their parents with all gravity. Ephesians 6:1; I Timothy 3:4, 5.
The body is taught in scripture to live holy (set apart) separated from the fallen carnal culture around them for God's Glory. This includes secular entertainment and offerings of the world, tv, sports, movies, secular music, secular media, carnal trends, idolatry of hobbies, worldly novels, secular festivities, fashions etc. Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15
THE BODY (Ekklesia)
We believe and confess that the body / ekklesia is the Body of Christ, both local and worldwide. 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22, 23.
The body / ekklesia consists of those persons from all nations who are redeemed by the blood of Christ, are born again (regenerated in Christ) and who have responded to the call of salvation with the obedience of faith. John 3; Acts 10:34, 35; Romans10:13; Revelation5:9; Acts 20:28.
We also recognize a great apostasy in these last days. Not all who name the name of Jesus are true Christians, but only those who manifest true scriptural fruit. (See 1 John and 2 Timothy 3).
We stand in opposition to modern and liberal theology that leads to worldliness, seeker sensitive ways, social gospel mindsets, denominational names and the man made theology that leads to sin, ritual, formalism and deadness. 2 John 1:9
Discipline
We practice Matt 18 discipline and so the unrepentant brother or sister shall be removed from the body of Christ in the spirit of love. They shall not be received back into fellowship until repentance and amendment of life/ways/sins. I Cor. 5:1-13; II Cor. 6:14
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
We are not Charismatic nor are we Cessation-ist's. We see the out of order sinfulness/theological error of both extremes and find truth in the middle with a God who can do miracles and employ gifts for His glory though not the same as it was done in Acts.
THE NEW TESTAMENT BODY LIFE
We believe and confess that the body / ekklesia is one body, submitting one to another in the fear of God. Each individual is set for the edification of the whole. 1 Corinthians 12
a. The body address each other privately concerning inconsistencies or sin that they may observe in one another. Matthew 18:15; Hebrews 3:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; I Peter 5:5.
b. Discipline must be exercised, and the Bible gives specific guidelines for different types of discipline. The motivation for such discipline is love, restoration, and purification of the body / ekklesia. Matthew 18:15-20; James 5:19, 20; Galatians 6:1.
c. Christian love is a servant. It seeks opportunities to help all men and to inspire courage and faith in others. Matthew 20:26-28; Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 6:10.
d. Love guards its speech. The body does not gossip, slander, or even speak ill of one another or of any other person. 1 Timothy 5:13; Titus 1:10; Titus 2:8; Titus 3:2; James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 3:10.
e. The body desires to honor others, esteem others before themselves, and live in humble submission. They readily forgive and rejoice in the blessings of others. Romans 12:10; I Corinthians 13:4-7; Colossians 3:12, 13; Philippians 2:1-4.
f. We believe in exposing evil and biblical rebuke (both given and received) if done in line with scripture Ephesians 5:11 and Proverbs 9:8
g. We believe in open participatory gatherings for all men to be active in (1 Corinthians 14:26) and mulitple elders to oversee (1 Timothy 3), not to control or lord over the body.
h. We believe in using our voices (no instrumental music) singing to each other in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Ephesians 4.
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THE WORD OF GOD
We believe and confess that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God. It is the only rule for faith and practice. The Word of God, is the standard by which the Christian orders his life. 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16.
THE DEITY OF CHRIST
We believe and confess that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, God in the flesh. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin womb of Mary. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) Christ as Deity hung on the cross for our sins. If Christ be not God, then we are yet in our sins and without hope. John 1:1; Matthew 1:23.
( 3 in 1 Father, Son & Holy Spirit )
FALLEN MAN
We believe and confess that man is a fallen. Created in the image and likeness of God, man sinned and fell to a condition of sin leading to spiritual death. He needs salvation via Christ alone. Genesis 6:5; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:3-5.
HEAVEN OR HELL
We believe and confess that heaven and hell are real places. People who die without Christ will live eternally being tormented apart from God. People who die in the Lord will live eternally in heaven with Christ. Matthew 13:50; Matthew 3:12; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 14:11; John 14:1-3; Matthew 5:12; Rev. 21, 22.
SALVATION
We believe and confess that all who believe in Christ shall be saved if they trust in His sacrifice on the cross and as evidence have fruit of the spirit enduring to the end. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. He is the sacrifice, the shedding of blood for the sins of fallen man. Man must respond with repentance (a change of heart) toward God and with faith (a heart attitude of belief) in our Lord Jesus Christ being transformed through being born again (John 3:3) and walking in holiness/obedience as fruit (John 14:15). Believing is a present, continuous act of a saving faith. I Corinthians 15:1-4; John 3:16; Romans 10:13; Acts 20:21; I Peter 1:5. Matthew 10 and His people must endure to the end in a saving faith. Matt 24
GOD THE FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT
We believe and confess that God is 3 in 1.. expressed in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:16, 17.
SATAN
We believe and confess that Satan is real, a fallen angelic being, who through rebellion lost his position in heaven. We recognize him as the enemy and his kingdom of darkness; we are in a spiritual battle which demands our continual standing in Christ who is our power. I Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Isaiah 14:12-17.
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe and confess in a physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth. He shall come in the same manner as He left. We should look to, hope for, and expect the coming of the Lord. This hope will cause God’s people to purify themselves. John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 John 3:3. ( we reject the man made pre-trib rapture doctrines as false / Christ returns at the last trumpet )
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
We believe and confess that the kingdom of God, or Christ, is a spiritual kingdom ( within us ) and stands in contrast to the kingdoms of the world. Christ presented a higher standard of holiness for His kingdom. Citizenship in the kingdom, therefore:
a. Separates us from the course of this world in affection, occupation, and organizational yokes and affiliations. Matthew 6:19-21, 24; Romans 12:1, 2; Colossians 3:1-3.
b. Praying for persecutors, feeding and clothing the needy as we proclaim the gospel, and doing good to all men, including enemies. Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:14-21; I Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Corinthians 15.
c. Not taking vengeance/unjust violence, suing believers through the law. Matthew 5:39-40; John 18:36; I Corinthians 6:1-8; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:18-20.
d. Requires the non-swearing oaths, “Yea, Yea and Nay, Nay” honestly, and absence of idle words in speech. Matthew 5:33-37; Matthew 12:35-37; James 5:12.
Abortion
that life is sacred and begins at conception. No person should take part in any destruction of human life, born or unborn.
Luke 18:20
DISCIPLESHIP
We believe and confess that discipleship is a clear characteristic of all true Christians. A disciple willingly bears the cross and denies himself, forsaking all things that hinder his fellowship with God. This crucifixion of the flesh is the operation of God by faith, a moment-by-moment surrender of the will to God. Luke 14:26, 27, 33; Romans 6:11-16; Galatians 2:20, 21; Colossians 2:10-12; Galatians 5:24.
NEW CREATION
God's Word teaches that all pre-conversion sin is forgiven and a person is made a new creation in Christ, with a fresh start. 2 Corinthians 5:17 This would include all sinful behavior committed before conversion (born again /made a new creation) such as fornication, drunkenness, divorce, remarriage, idolatry etc.
EVANGELISM
We believe and confess that the Great Commission given by Christ to His Disciples (Matthew 28:19, 20) was a commission to all Christians to go and tell the good news of salvation to a lost and dying world. Brothers and sisters alike are responsible to share Christ. Psalm 126:6; Mark 16:15; Acts 5:42; Acts 8:4.
ORDINANCES
We believe there are MANY more ordinances to be obeyed in the New Testament Word then the usual 2 ( baptism / Lord's supper which we do teach ) that man made faiths focus on. All of God's doctrines / instructions are in fact ordinances to be obeyed.
Marriage
We hold to marriage as designed by God to be the union of one man and one woman. Thus any sexual relationship outside this marriage is sinful. Re: adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, and any other sexual involvement is condemned by God. Heb. 13:4; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:24-28; I Cor. 6:9, 10
CHRISTIAN APPEARANCE
We believe and confess that God’s people should regulate their appearance by clear scriptural principles.
a. God’s Word shows how we are to clothe the body. 1 Timothy 2:9. Sisters are to wear a long loose unadorned robe like garment to conceal the form of the body and godly men should meet this in "similar" male example as well. Clothing shall exemplify gospel simplicity and be plain, unadorned and simple. II Corinthians 1:12; I Peter 3:3; I John 2:16.
b. The Bible forbids the wearing of gold, make up, pearls, or costly array. I Timothy 2:9. Notice the attire of the Babylonian harlot. Revelation 17:4.
c. God’s Word forbids following the changing fashions of the world. Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Peter 1:14.
d. Brethren are not to have long hair. Sisters are to wear their hair long and cover their heads and hair (glory) with a distinctive hanging veil. 1 Corinthians 11.
THE CHRISTIAN HOME
We believe and confess the importance of the godly home in the promotion of moral purity and faith. It is a haven of mutual love and godliness, a shelter from the corruption of the society. The home should be ordered according to the dictates of Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3.
Fathers are the spiritual heads of the home while the direction and the discipline of the children lie with both parents. 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 3:4; Ephesians 6:4.
Wives are to be submissive and husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the body / ekklesia . Ephesians 5; I Tim. 5:13, 14; 1 Peter 3:1-6.
Children are to be in subjection and obedient to their parents with all gravity. Ephesians 6:1; I Timothy 3:4, 5.
The body is taught in scripture to live holy (set apart) separated from the fallen carnal culture around them for God's Glory. This includes secular entertainment and offerings of the world, tv, sports, movies, secular music, secular media, carnal trends, idolatry of hobbies, worldly novels, secular festivities, fashions etc. Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15
THE BODY (Ekklesia)
We believe and confess that the body / ekklesia is the Body of Christ, both local and worldwide. 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22, 23.
The body / ekklesia consists of those persons from all nations who are redeemed by the blood of Christ, are born again (regenerated in Christ) and who have responded to the call of salvation with the obedience of faith. John 3; Acts 10:34, 35; Romans10:13; Revelation5:9; Acts 20:28.
We also recognize a great apostasy in these last days. Not all who name the name of Jesus are true Christians, but only those who manifest true scriptural fruit. (See 1 John and 2 Timothy 3).
We stand in opposition to modern and liberal theology that leads to worldliness, seeker sensitive ways, social gospel mindsets, denominational names and the man made theology that leads to sin, ritual, formalism and deadness. 2 John 1:9
Discipline
We practice Matt 18 discipline and so the unrepentant brother or sister shall be removed from the body of Christ in the spirit of love. They shall not be received back into fellowship until repentance and amendment of life/ways/sins. I Cor. 5:1-13; II Cor. 6:14
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
We are not Charismatic nor are we Cessation-ist's. We see the out of order sinfulness/theological error of both extremes and find truth in the middle with a God who can do miracles and employ gifts for His glory though not the same as it was done in Acts.
THE NEW TESTAMENT BODY LIFE
We believe and confess that the body / ekklesia is one body, submitting one to another in the fear of God. Each individual is set for the edification of the whole. 1 Corinthians 12
a. The body address each other privately concerning inconsistencies or sin that they may observe in one another. Matthew 18:15; Hebrews 3:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; I Peter 5:5.
b. Discipline must be exercised, and the Bible gives specific guidelines for different types of discipline. The motivation for such discipline is love, restoration, and purification of the body / ekklesia. Matthew 18:15-20; James 5:19, 20; Galatians 6:1.
c. Christian love is a servant. It seeks opportunities to help all men and to inspire courage and faith in others. Matthew 20:26-28; Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 6:10.
d. Love guards its speech. The body does not gossip, slander, or even speak ill of one another or of any other person. 1 Timothy 5:13; Titus 1:10; Titus 2:8; Titus 3:2; James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 3:10.
e. The body desires to honor others, esteem others before themselves, and live in humble submission. They readily forgive and rejoice in the blessings of others. Romans 12:10; I Corinthians 13:4-7; Colossians 3:12, 13; Philippians 2:1-4.
f. We believe in exposing evil and biblical rebuke (both given and received) if done in line with scripture Ephesians 5:11 and Proverbs 9:8
g. We believe in open participatory gatherings for all men to be active in (1 Corinthians 14:26) and mulitple elders to oversee (1 Timothy 3), not to control or lord over the body.
h. We believe in using our voices (no instrumental music) singing to each other in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Ephesians 4.