Welcome to Immanuel Baptist Church

At Immanuel Baptist Church, we preach “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) because we believe God’s Word is inspired, infallible, and the only authority given by God to show us who God is and how sinful men can be saved and live a life pleasing to God. We interpret the Bible literally and believe all God’s promises and prophesies will be literally fulfilled as they have been through the ages.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

Authority of Statement of Faith:
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the statement of faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members, staff, and volunteers. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the statement of faith. All activities permitted or performed in any facilities owned, rented, or leased by this church, or engaged in by any member of the church staff (volunteer or paid), and all decisions of the administration of this church shall not conflict with the statement of faith, the elders, on behalf of the church, have the final authority.

Doctrinal Beliefs:

The Bible
We believe that the 66 books of the Bible are the breathed out (inspired) Words of the Creator (2 Tim. 3:16) that constitute God's revelation of Himself to man (2 Cor. 2:7-14). The Bible is an objective, propositional revelation (1 Thes. 2:13; 1 Cor. 2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2 Tim. 3:16), inerrant in the original autographs and did not originate with or undergo alteration by the men who recorded God's Words (2 Pet. 1:20, 21).

We believe in the literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of the Bible which affirms that the account of creation in Genesis was a literal six, 24-hour day creation by God (Gen. 1-31; Exodus 31:17). We believe the Bible is the only God ordained authority and rule for living a life for His glory (Mat. 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

We believe that God's inspired (breathed-out) Words were given to holy men selected by God to write down the Words as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God superintended the human authors in the context of their personalities, circumstances, and educational levels so their writings were without error (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21).

God
We believe that there is only one living and true God (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 45:5-7; 1 Cor. 8:4) who has revealed Himself to man in creation, in man's nature and in the Word of God (Rom. 1:19, 20; Rom. 2:14, 15; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17). God is an infinite Spirit (John 4:24) who exists eternally as a trinity of three Persons-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Mat. 28:19, 20; 2 Cor. 13:14). All three members of the Trinity are equal, power, wisdom and glory (Duet. 6:4; Mat. 28:19, 20).

God the Father
We believe that God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, is supreme and sovereign and has ordained all things according to His infinite wisdom and purpose. Nothing can stop Him from carrying out His will (Ps. 147:5; Eph. 1:11; Dan. 4:35). All things are by Him, through Him and concluded by Him (Rom. 11:36). God is a Father in two senses: as Creator, God is Father of all men (Eph. 4:6); as the Author of salvation, God is Father only to believers (2 Cor. 6:18). As the sovereign ruler of the universe, God the Father continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chron. 29:11) but He is not the author or approver of sin (Hab. 1:13; John 8:38-47). In God's sovereign plan, He does not make men do evil or remove them responsibility as moral creatures (James 1:13, 14; 1 Pet. 1:17). God the Father is the Potter and His creatures are the clay. He chooses those He wants to redeem while leaving others in their sins (Rom. 9:18-23).

God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, is God and is co-equal-eternal and of the same essence with the Father (John 1:1; 10:30; 14:9). We believe God the Father created all things through His Son, Jesus Christ, who also sustains all things (John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:2).

We believe that God became a Man (incarnation), but never ceased being God (John 1:14; Phil. 2:5-8). Jesus was virgin born (Isa. 7:14; Mat. 1:23, 25; Luke 1:26-35) and in the incarnation took on a human nature in indivisible oneness with His divine nature so that He became the God-Man (Micah 5:2; Col. 2:9).
We believe Jesus became the God-Man so He could represent His people before God and save them from their sins (Heb. 2:14-17; Mat. 1:21). This He did on the cross as the vicarious, penal sacrifice that alone could satisfy God's justice (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 3:24, 25)

We believe that on the basis of Jesus’ efficacious atonement, His people will be saved from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and one day from the presence of sin as they are enabled by God's grace to believe on Jesus Christ. At the moment a sinner believes on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, he is declared righteous (justified), given eternal life and adopted into the family of God (Mat. 1:21; Rom. 5:8, 9; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18).

We believe that our justification is made sure by Jesus' literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now at the right hand of the Father where He mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Mat. 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Rom. 4:25; 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).

We believe Jesus rose from the dead on the third day thus confirming His deity and giving proof that God the Father had accepted the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also, a guarantee of a future bodily resurrection for all believers (1 Cor.15:4; John 5:26-29; 14:19; Rom. 1:4; 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:20, 23).

We believe that Jesus will return on a day appointed by God to rapture the church, judge the church and the world, and establish His millennial kingdom on earth (Acts 17:31; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20).

God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is co-equal-eternal and of the same essence with God the Father and God the Son (Mat. 28:19; Acts 5:3, 4; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14). The Holy Spirit was active in creation (Gen. 1:2), the incarnation (Mat. 1:18), the written revelation (2 Pet. 1:20-21) and the work of salvation (John 3:5-7). At Pentecost, He was sent from God the Father in a special way not seen or experienced before to initiate and complete the building of the Body of Christ, the church (John 14:16-17; 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:13).

We believe that the work of the Holy Spirit includes convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; regenerating the elect of God, indwelling, sanctifying, instructing, empowering, and sealing them; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Rom. 8:19; 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13; 2 Cor. 3:18).

We believe that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The gifts are to edify the saints and to glorify Jesus Christ. The gifts are not for the glory of the Holy Spirit or the believer (John 16:13-14; Acts 5:1-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; 2 Cor. 3:18). The supernatural gifts of the early church were bestowed on certain individuals to authenticate the new message and the messengers. Once the New Testament Scriptures were completed with the passing away of the apostles, there was no more need for the gifts of tongues, predictive prophecy, dreams, visions or supernatural healings (1 Cor. 13:8; John 14:26; 16:12, 13; Eph. 3:1-5; 2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:1-4).

Man
We believe that the first man, Adam, was created by God directly and immediately in the image of God and without a sinful nature. Man was given intelligence, self-determination, and moral responsibility to God (Gen. 1:26-31; 2:7; 2:17; James 3:9).

We believe that the first man, Adam, disobeyed God, died spiritually, and acquired a sin nature. Eventually, Adam died physically as a result of his sin (Gen. 3:6-13; 5:5; Rom. 6:23).

We believe that Adam was the representative of the human race and passed his sin nature to all people. This accounts for the ruin of the creation, including the universal rebellion, pain, suffering, disease, corruption, and death that humans have experienced since Adam's fall. All human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, are dead in trespasses and sins and cannot help themselves or improve their lot. Mankind's salvation comes only by the grace of God working faith in them through Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:12; Cor. 15:21-22; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 8:7, 8; Titus 3:3-5; Eph. 2:8-10).

God's Plan of Salvation
We believe that God decreed all things in His infinite wisdom for His glory including the salvation of men (Isa. 46:10, 11; Rom. 11:33-36; Eph. 1:11; 3:10, 11). God’s plan of salvation is based on His grace alone according to His good pleasure and is not influenced by anything outside the sovereign holy and perfect counsel of the triune Godhead. (Eph. 2:8, 9; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:36; Mat. 11:25, 26).

Election - We believe God chose a people (the elect) in Christ before the world began and predestinated them to adoption of sons apart from any foreseen faith or good works in them. (Eph. 1:4-6; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 9:8-13).

Regeneration - We believe that the people chosen by God for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ will be regenerated at a time appointed by God. The Holy Spirit will work a divine and supernatural action in the heart of the one spiritually dead and make him spiritually alive. This is the new birth or birth from above which gives the sinner a new heart, a new nature and the ability to exercise the gift of faith and thus, lay hold of Jesus Christ for salvation. This salvation is accomplished through the instrumentality of the Word of God. (Eph. 2:5; John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5; John 5:24; Rom. 10:17) The elect sinner is not forced against his will, but rather is made willing by the efficacious work of the Spirit of God. Once made willing, he voluntarily and gladly comes to Christ to receive forgiveness and eternal life (Ps. 110:3; John 5:24; Acts 2:37-42; 13:44-48; 1 Thes. 1:5-10).

Justification - We believe that a man is justified by grace (Titus 3:7). Justification is what God says or declares concerning a man who believes on Christ for salvation; God declares him to be righteous (Rom. 4:3-5). Justification is not progressive but is a one-time event that occurs with the new birth (regeneration). When the repenting sinner believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to him and he is accepted by God based on the merits of Christ's substitutionary atonement. A sinner is not accepted on the merit of his faith, prayers, repentance or sincere effort. (Col. 2:13-14; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:6).

Sanctification - We believe that after God justifies a sinner, He begins the work of making that new creation more and more like Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 5:17; Acts 20:32). Sanctification is progressive and continues for the earthly life of the believer. It is a process of God's power working in the believer and the believer striving to love and obey the Lord (2 Cor. 3:17, 18; 4:17; Phil. 3:10-14; 2:12-13).

No believer can achieve absolute sinless perfection in his practical living, but he can have more and more victory over sin through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 John 18; Gal. 5:16-25; Rom. 6:1-14; Eph. 4:22-24). There is a type of sanctification mentioned in Scripture that refers to a believer's standing before God and not his progress in the Christian life. This has been called positional sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; Heb. 2:11; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Pet. 1:2).

Atonement - We believe that the atonement was designed by God to be the basis for the salvation of His elect people. Jesus came to earth to save His people from their sins (Mat. 1:21). His people were given to Him by the Father (John 6:37-40); He accomplished redemption by His atoning sacrifice on the cross (John 19:30; Rom. 3:24-30). In the application of Christ's redemptive work on the cross, each of the elect will come to Christ for salvation (John 6:37; 10:27) and will persevere in the faith, so that not one of God's chosen ones will ever fall away and perish (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:29-39; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).

Separation - We believe that God's plan of salvation includes holy living and good works as the fruits of God's saving power (Titus 2:12-14; Eph. 2:8-10). Separation is part of the believer's fruit in living for Jesus.
Biblical Separation. There are two aspects of biblical separation: separation from sin unto God based upon the clear revelation of the Word of God and abstention from certain amoral things based upon biblical principles derived from the Word of God.

Separation from Sin. With regard to separation from sin, there can be no compromise (1 Cor. 5:11; 2 Cor. 6:14-18). The believer must, by their power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, strive to be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:16) and to be separate from and rebuke sin in all its manifested forms (Eph. 5:11-12). This does not mean that wisdom is not to be exercised or that a believer is to isolate himself from the world, but that he is to be separate and holy in the world without being conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2), being in loyal obedience to all those moral precepts established in the Word of God (Heb. 10:22-25).

Separation from Things that are Amoral. With reference to the abstaining from certain things which are amoral, every believer is to strive for spiritual discernment and maturity. Participation in, use of, or abstinence from them considering Spirit-wrought conviction must be based upon biblical principles, which include but are not limited to, the principles of Christian liberty and the weaker brother. In this regard, caution must be constantly exercised against the two extremes of legalism and antinomianism (lawlessness). The following principles must always guide the Christian's exercise of liberty:
• Fear of God. As a servant of Christ, all actions must be based upon a motive of love and reverence for God, and all objects must be used for His glory. The term “liberty” is often used as a cloak of malicious self-indulgence, which is sin (1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Tim. 4:4-5; 1 Pet. 2:16, 17).
• Love of Brethren. Though no man may dictate to the Christian's conscience, the welfare of fellow saints must always deeply affect his decisions. In a spirit of serving the brethren, he must do that which he judges will edify them and prevent their stumbling (Gal. 5:13; 1 Cor. 10:23; 8:9-13).
• Compassion for Sinners. Use of liberty must always be regulated by its effect upon sinners, and that behavior chosen which will, if God pleases, save some (1 Cor. 9:19-22; James 5:20; 1 Pet. 3:1; Jude 23).
• Watchfulness over the Soul. Though free in conscience to use all of God's creation, carefulness in practice is demanded because of remaining lusts. Where the Christian judges himself weak through lust, he must abstain in order to persevere (1 Cor. 9:23-27).
• Biblical Prohibitions and Applications. Where God has not prohibited certain amoral practices in His Word, the Christian has liberty to participate in them if done so in wisdom and in harmony with biblical principles, including those listed above. In this regard, the church must be careful not to transgress against the liberty of the individual believer's conscience before his God and the God given sanctity of his home. On the other hand, individual church members must be careful not to transgress against the God given sanctity of the church collectively, because God ordained it to be the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15) and custodian of the Kingdom of God during this dispensation (Mat. 21:43). Only through the internal application of biblical principles by the indwelling Spirit can these two dangers be avoided. It must be remembered that God is sovereign in sanctification (Phil. 2:13) just as He is in predestination, calling, justification, and glorification (Rom. 8:30).

The Church
We believe that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church (sometimes referred to as the Universal Church) (1 Cor. 12:12-13), the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-32; Rev. 19:7-8), of which Christ is the Head (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Co1. 1:18).

We believe that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thes.4:13-18).

We believe that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age (Eph. 2:11-3:6). The church is distinct from Israel (1 Cor. 10:32), a mystery not revealed until this age (Eph. 3:1-6; 5:32).

We believe that the establishment and continuity of local churches are clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 1:1;1 Thes. 1:1;2 Thes. 1:1), and that the members of the one spiritual body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies (1 Cor. 11:18-20; Heb. 10:25).

We believe that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18), and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor teachers; Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11) and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5).

We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government, and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). We teach that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with one another for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation.

We believe that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph. 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Eph. 4:13-16), by instruction of the Word (2 Tim. 2:2, 15; 3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47;1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42), and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Mat. 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42).

Spiritual Gifts - We believe that God gives the church spiritual gifts. He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:7-12), and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the Body of Christ (Rom. 12:5-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-31; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).

We believe that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles’ message (Heb. 2:3-4; 2 Cor. 12:12); and ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity of a man's message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous nature is no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (John 14:26; 16:12-13; Eph. 3:1-5; Eph. 2:20). The only gifts given today are those non-miraculous, ministering gifts to be used for edification (Rom. 12:6-8).

We believe that no one possesses the gift of healing today, but that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted （Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7-9; 2 Cor. 12:6-10; James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15).

Ordinances - We believe that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:38-42).

Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8:23-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Rom. 6:1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ (Acts 2:41-42).

We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Cor. 11:28-32). We also teach that, whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, participation in the Lord's Supper is nevertheless, an actual communion with the risen Christ, who indwells every believer, and so is present, fellowshipping with His people (1 Cor. 10:16).

Marriage, Family and Human Sexuality
Marriage. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one, legitimate meaning, and this is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one biological man and one biological woman in a single, covenantal union, as delineated by Scripture. Marriage ceremonies performed in any facility owned, leased or rented by this church will be only those ceremonies sanctioned by God, joining one biological man with one biological woman as their genders were determined at birth. Whenever there is a conflict between the church’s position and any new legal standard for marriage, the church’s statement of faith, doctrines and biblical positions will govern. (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22-23; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Cor. 7:1-9).

We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and elders) of the church. (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12).

We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a wonderful gift and heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate training and discipline. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Duet. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).

We believe God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage as defined above. We believe that any other type of sexual activity, identity or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage, including those that are becoming more accepted in the culture and courts, are contradictory to God’s natural design and purpose for sexual activity. (Gen. 2:24; 19:5; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9-10; 1 Thes. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

We believe that God creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, unchangeable genders together reflect the image and nature of God, and the rejection of one’s biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (Gen. 1:26-27).

Divorce and Remarriage: We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce except in cases of adultery and desertion. Divorced and/or remarried persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service. They must be approved for official positions by the elder’s recommendation and normal voting procedures as the business meeting.

Sanctity of Life; Love, Lawsuits and Children: We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn fetus is a living human being. Abortion is murder and constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:13-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:36, 44)

We believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, facilitates premature death, is assuming a decision that is to be reserved for God. We do not believe that discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome is euthanasia. (Ex. 20:13; 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28).

Love. We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal graciously, humbly, gently, and patiently with those who oppose us. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such actions. (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; I Peter 3:8-9; 1 John 3:17-18).

Lawsuits within the church. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits with the church. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).

Protection of Children. We believe that children are from the Lord and must be absolutely protected within the church from any form of abuse or molestation. The church has zero tolerance for any person, whether paid staff, volunteer, member, or visitor, who abuses or molests a child. (Ps. 127:3-5; Matt. 19:14; Mark 10:14).

Angels
Holy Angels - We believe that angels are created beings and are not to be worshipped. God created them to serve Him and worship Him （Luke 2:9-14; Heb.1:6-7, 14; 2:6-7; Rev. 5:11-14).

Fallen Angels - We believe that some of the angels sinned against God and were cast down to hell (2 Pet. 2:4) to be reserved for the judgment of the great day (Jude 6). The devil is the leader of the fallen angels who commands an army of demons who together seek to destroy God's righteous plans (Eph. 6:10-18; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-8; Mark 5:1-16). Satan is the prince of this world but will ultimately lose his long-time battle with God through the death, burial, resurrection and return of Jesus Christ and be eternally punished in the lake of fire (John 14:30; Rom. 16:20; Rev. 20:10).

Civil Government
We believe that God ordained civil government to promote good and punish evil and thereby have order in human societies. (Rom. 13:1-7; Mat. 22:21; Titus 3:1). Believers are to pray for those in authority and obey them except in cases where the authorities require a person to disobey the will of God (1 Tim. 2:1-2; Titus 3:1; Acts 5:27-29).

Israel
We believe that Israel is an elect nation that has a special and unconditional covenantal relationship with God. (Gen. 12:1-9; 13:14-17; 15:1-21; 17:1-21; Deut. 7:6-9). God is faithful to His promises and, in spite of Israel's rebellion and unbelief at this time, He will restore Israel by His mighty power when Jesus Christ returns. At the Messiah's second coming, God’s elect nation will repent and believe; All Israel shall be brought into the New Covenant. (Gen. 17:1-21; Deut. 30:1-10;2 Sam. 7:8-16; Jer. 31:31-40; Ezk. 34:25-30; 37:21-18; Rom. 11:1-36).

Last Things
We believe that there is no loss of our immaterial consciousness upon physical death (Rev. 6:9-11), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8), that there is a separation of soul and body (Phil. 1:21-24), and that, for the redeemed, the body and soul will remain separated until Jesus returns (1 Thes. 4:13-17). At Jesus’ return there will be the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4-6), when the believer's soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord (Phil. 3:21;1 Cor. 15:35-44, 50-54).

We believe there will be a bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life (John 6:39; Rom. 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Cor. 4:14), and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Dan. 12:2; John 5:29; Rev. 20:13-15).

We believe that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Rev. 20:13-15), when the soul and the resurrection body will be united (John 5:28-29). They shall then appear at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15), shall be cast into the lake of fire (Mat. 25:41-16; Rev. 20:14-15) and be cut off from God forever (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thes. 1:7-9).

The Second Coming of Christ - We believe that Jesus will return to earth physically (Acts 1:9-11). He will rapture His church (1 Thes. 4:16-17), pour out His wrath on the wicked (Rev. 6-8,15-16), defeat anti-Christ and the false prophet and their followers, and put Satan in a bottomless pit for 1,000 years (Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-3). Jesus will establish His millennial kingdom on earth, sitting on the throne of David and bringing in a time of peace and prosperity (Mat. 25:31; Luke 1:31; Isa. 65:18-25). At the end of Christ's 1,000-year reign, Satan will be set loose and permitted to rebel one more time, but he and his followers will be destroyed by fire from heaven and Satan will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:7-10). Then the Great White Throne Judgment will take place (Rev. 20:11-15). Finally, the eternal state will be ushered in where all God's elect will dwell in perfect harmony with the triune God who will remove all tears, sorrow, pain, crying, and death. (Rev. 21:1-27).