WE BELIEVEThat the Bible is inspired (God-breathed), inerrant, and ALL of it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
Further, that the King James AV1611 version, translated from the Majority Text (also known as the Textus Receptus and sometimes referred to as the Byzantine text), is God's Word preserved in English.
That the earth and the heavens were created in six literal 24 hour days; upon this, the foundation of the Bible rests, for if this is incorrect, then ALL scripture is suspect.
That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, died on the Cross, and rose again 3 days later; God in the flesh, who sacrificed Himself that we may know the Gift of Eternal Life.
That the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are the Trinity; three persons in one, each distinct from the others, while also the same.
That all we must do in order to receive this free gift is call upon His name, for Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; that whosever (meaning
you and I) calleth upon His name shall not die, but have everlasting life.
God had a plan when He created the world in which we live. He also had a plan when He made you. The most wonderful experience that can happen to you is to discover and participate in God's plan for your life.
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THIS GREAT DISCOVERY BEGINS WHEN YOU REALIZE GOD LOVES YOU AND HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.
GOD LOVES YOU.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." -- John 3:16
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.
"...I am come that they might have
life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (a
life of meaning and purpose) -- John 10:10
The Bible demonstrates the fact that God
loves you and wants you to enjoy the abundant life.
Why are most people not experiencing God's
love and living the abundant life?
2 BECAUSE...MAN IS A SINNER AND SIN
HAS SEPARATED HIM FROM GOD.
"...Your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face
from you...." -- Isaiah 59:2
God did not make man as a puppet on a
string to love and obey Him automatically; but gave him a
will and freedom of choice. Man chose (chooses) to
disobey God and go his own self-willed, sinful way. Every
one of us, me included, has chosen to to disobey God in
many ways.
"For there is not a just man upon
earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." -- Ecclesiastes 7:20
"For all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God." -- Romans 3:23
Sin is missing the mark of perfection; a
falling short of God's plan for your life, and results in
spiritual death.
"For the wages of sin is death...."
(separation from God and eternity in Hell) -- Romans 6:23
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MAN'S SELF EFFORTS CANNOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE CREATED BY
SIN.
Man has attempted to bridge the gulf
which separates himself from God by doing good works...living
moral lives...devising profound philosophies...even being
religious...BUT he has always failed.
"Not by works of righteousness which
we have done...." -- Titus 3:5
THERE IS ONLY
ONE REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM OF SIN AND SEPARATION.
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JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED IS GOD'S REMEDY FOR SIN.
"For Christ also hath once suffered
for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us
to God...." -- 1
Peter 3:18
When Jesus died on the Cross, He paid for
all our sins and bridged the gulf that separated us from
God.
"But God commendeth His love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
-- Romans 5:8
Jesus died a humiliating, agonizing death,
but He didn't remain in the grave. He rose again that we
might have a personal relationship with God. The gulf
created by our sin has been bridged by Jesus' death and
resurrection.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved...." -- Romans
10:9
It is not enough to discover that God
loves you and has a plan for your life; that man is a
sinner; and that Christ is God's remedy for sin.
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YOU MUST PERSONALLY RECEIVE CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND
SAVIOUR.
Receiving Christ is as simple as this:
| 1. |
Realize
your sin has separated you from God. |
| 2. |
Believe
that Jesus died for your sins, and that He rose
in victory over death. |
| 3. |
Invite
Jesus Christ to take control of your life. |
Trusting
Christ is more than mentally recognizing Him as the Son
of God or having an emotional experience; you must
receive Him as your Lord and Saviour by faith.
THE BIBLE SAYS:
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He
power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on His name." -- John
1:12
CHRIST'S INVITATION
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any
man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to
him...." -- Revelation
3:20
THE PROMISE
"For whosever shall call upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved." -- Romans 10:13
There are those that believe you can say
a prayer, and bingo, you're saved! That's not
true; it gives a false impression that saying
the prayer is what saves you. What saves you is Christ,
and only Christ. Do you need to pray? OH, YEAH!
But praying a special prayer or mantra will not help you
receive Christ. Only your decision to accept Jesus as your savior (turn to God) will save
you.
It was preached by John the Baptist and Jesus Himself that we must repent (turn away from our sinful lives), and some folks these days still preach that we must repent and accept; until recently, our statement of beliefs said this, too. However, this order is wrong. Repentence will not save us; it is belief that saves us, and God works repentence in us the moment we truly believe and are saved. True repentence is a desire of the heart to turn away from our old lives, and to turn to God and work to please Him. Just as a child will ask, "Daddy, look what I did" in order to please us and seek approval, we who have been saved earnestly desire to seek His approval. Ephesians 2:10
Trust Christ. Turn to God. Accept Jesus as your savior. Turn away from sin.
Confess to everyone that you've
accepted Jesus, not in words or deeds, but truly accepted
Him.
If you've trusted in Christ as your
saviour, then I'm happy and excited for you. Please feel
free to e-mail us and let us know of your decision!
BUT, it doesn't stop there.
Now that you're a new creature in Christ, there are some
ways to help you grow spiritually.
1. SHARE with others the
commitment you've made. Acts 1:8
2. Be baptized. Baptism
acts as a public profession of your decision, is an act
of obedience, and identifies you with Christ, . Matthew
28:19, Acts 8:35-40, Romans 6:3-5
3. Study the Bible. The
Bible will reveal God's plan for your life, and give you
guidance, strength, and solace when you need it. It is
the "guidebook" for every Christian. 2
Timothy 2:15
4. Attend church regularly.
As a person who experimented with several different
religions, I recommend you find a church that touts
itself as "fundamental". These are the few
churches that teach exactly what the Bible says, and not
what someone wants it to say. Participate in worship
services and Christian fellowship.
YOU HAVE AN EXCITING JOURNEY AHEAD
OF YOU AS YOU CONTINUE TO GROW IN CHRIST. ALWAYS REMEMBER
THAT WE'LL BE HERE FOR YOU IF YOU NEED. GOD BLESS!
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