Coffee Scribe’s Statement of Faith
Coffee Scribe is a blog that teaches and equips believers, therefore, doctrine is important; It enables us as believers to know what we believe and why. Doctrine is based upon the Scriptures—not our experiences nor feelings.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17|King James Version (KJV)
Preface
You can’t know the true biblical Jesus apart from knowing doctrine, but you can know doctrine without knowing Jesus.”
There’s more to Jesus than just love, and learning doctrine isn’t just for knowledge either. Doctrine is also for gaining a deeper love and affection for our God. Knowing and loving Jesus is also about knowing and loving His Word. My purpose in presenting a Statement of Faith is not only for doctrinal reasons, but it is motivated by my love and passion for God through Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Please note: there is a downloadable PDF file of this Statement at the bottom of this post.
Six foundational statements of Christianity
In short, these six statements summarize the main essence and the core substance of our beliefs:
1) Jesus lived a sinless life;
2) God is All-powerful, All-knowing Creator of the universe Who still rules it today;
3) Salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned;
4) Christians have a responsibility to share our faith with others;
5) The Bible is accurate in all of its teachings;
6) Satan is an entity and not just a symbol.
Coffee Scribe is a blog that takes a pre-tribulational view concerning the End Times. Teaching other views is not heresy as it is not pivotal to salvation. It’s obvious that no one has a corner on truth, and neither do I—so with that said, I could be wrong and I’m willing to change my beliefs as I continue to both learn and grow in what the Scriptures reveal.
This Statement of Faith includes other distinctives that are not core issues pivotal to salvation as well. It is not Coffee Scribe’s intention to persuade others to believe what I do, and some of the following distinctives overlap and repeat as many are interrelated. Because I, (Coffee Scribe) view doctrine as something of import, this Statement of Faith will be expressed in detail. So grab yourself a cup of coffee (or two, or three…) and kick-back and enjoy.
The Bible being God’s Word (the ‘Word of God’) is divinely inspired, authoritative, and infallible. We are not to add to nor subtract from what God has already spoken. Also, if someone gives you a ‘word’ that is not found in the Word, then that ‘word’ is NOT from God! Additionally, almost all false teachers have websites that say the correct things, but do they teach those things is what really matters. All of these doctrinal statements have been reflected in what Coffee Scribe aims to teach in each of our blog posts and articles. With that said, each of us has our unique part to play in the body of Christ and God’s plan—therefore, here is a detailed snapshot of where I believe my purpose fit’s into that amazing and diverse spectrum we know as the body of Christ.
– Coffee Scribe
Coffee Scribe Believes:
1. There is only one true God
God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). Christians worship one God, not three gods. Mankind1 is not God nor gods and never will be a god. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Additionally, God is neither male nor female, and He is definitely not both. “God is Spirit…” (John 4:24), and He has chosen to reveal Himself with masculine pronouns such as ‘He,’ ‘Him,’ ‘His,’ and ‘Himself.’
NOTES
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- When we/I (or the Bible) mentions ‘man,’ or ‘mankind,’ we are referring to all of humanity, inclusive of every man, woman, boy, and girl—in other words, all people.
2. Christ had a virgin birth
The savior of men, the risen Lord Jesus Christ, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, very God, and very man. “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God’” (Luke 1:35).
3. The Trinity and the deity of Jesus Christ
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). Nevertheless, we must also recognize that this one true God has revealed Himself to mankind as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is distinct from the other and yet all are the same—they are all equally one and the same God (Matthew 3:16-17; John 1:1,2; John 14:8-10).
The Trinity versus Modalism
God is not a shape-shifting God. We (I) take a Trinitarian view of Christianity, and not a modalism view, which falsely teaches that the persons of the Trinity represent merely three modes or aspects of God—and not distinct and coexisting persons concerning God’s divine nature. Modalism is false and should be rejected.
4. The person of the Holy Spirit, the Helper, and the Comforter
A balanced theology does not elevate one member of the Godhead above any other such as over-emphasizing the Holy Spirit and the Spirit’s gifts and power. The Spirit’s role is to highlight the Son, and not to bring attention to Himself. The Spirit’s “self-effacing” nature, is as Jesus says the Spirit “will bear witness about me” (John 15:26) and “will glorify me” (John 16:14). This does not mean we ignore the Spirit, but we are to be filled with Him daily as we glorify Jesus Christ as Lord and Master. Additionally, the Holy Spirit is not an ‘it,’ ‘thing,’ ‘energy,’ ‘force,’ nor ‘power.’ He is a person and He is God (John 16:13-15).
The Holy Spirit was there with the Father and Son at creation (Genesis 1:2); He was there overshadowing Jesus’ conception (Luke 1:35), and there at His baptism (Luke 3:22) and temptation (Luke 4:1–2). Jesus performed His miracles through the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14–19). As Spirit-filled believers in Christ, we too are empowered by the Holy Spirit as He expresses Jesus Christ in us and performs His great and mighty acts through us for God’s glory.
“‘The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you’” (John 14:26).
5. Jesus is God
Jesus is God’s supreme self-revelation to mankind (Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus is the Word of God made flesh (human) (John 1:1 and John 1:14). Jesus is not a lesser god than the Father, He is fully 100% God (Colossians. 2:9), while at the same time, He is fully 100% human (He is not 50%/50%). Never at any point in time (including on the cross during the crucifixion) did Jesus ever cease from being fully God; nor did Jesus ever require salvation (as some false teachers preach) as He is salvation and made the final atoning sacrifice for reconciliation between God the Father and mankind (for all who will put their faith and trust in Him).
The Doctrine of Christ:
1) Jesus is the one and only Christ (1 John 2:22);
2) Jesus is from the beginning, eternal (1 John 2:13; Micah 5:2);
3) Jesus had no sin (1 John 3:5);
4) Jesus came in the flesh (John 1:14; 1 John 4:2; 5:1,5; 2 John 7);
5) Jesus resurrected in the flesh (John 20:26-29; Luke 24:39);
6) Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:1,5);
7) Jesus will come back in the flesh (2 John 7; Acts 1:9-11);
8) Jesus is the one and only begotten Son of God (1 John 4:15);
9) Jesus is God incarnate (John 1:1-3; 5:17-18; 8:24; 8:56-59; 10:30-33; 20:26-29).
Christ is impeccable2; He is (and was, and always had been) perfectly sinless. Christ is holy3; He did not lose His attribute of holiness in the incarnation by taking on human flesh by becoming a man.
Additionally, we do not support in any way the false teaching of ‘the kenosis Christ’ (kenosis: the act of emptying) whereby it’s taught that Jesus is fully God but then somehow emptied himself of all divinity (His divine nature); but rather, He humbled Himself by adding to Himself the veil of humanity (Philippians 2:5-8).
Just to be clear… Jesus did NOT lay aside His divine attributes (His divinity), but rather, He laid aside His divine privileges—therefore, He never subtracted His divinity as God (instead, He emptied Himself by becoming a servant). And yes, it is true… God cannot be tempted—however, Jesus, the God-man was tempted (because He was/is fully God while being fully man). Additionally, being tempted is not a sin in itself.
NOTES
2. [Christology teaches] “The doctrine of impeccability, [which] states [that] Christ was not only sinless, He was unable to sin (non posse peccare). As the incarnate Son of God, Christ faced real temptations, but these temptations did not arise in Christ due to sinful desires. Christ was not only able to overcome temptation, He was unable to be overcome by it.”
– Shedd, Dogmatic Theology 659.
Source: Theological Primer: Impeccability by Kevin DeYoung.
Ph.D., University of Leicester, and Senior Pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, North Carolina, U.S.A.
3. “If Jesus Christ is ‘the same yesterday and today and forever’ (Heb. 13:8), He must be unchanging in his holiness. A mutable holiness would be inconsistent with the omnipotence of Christ and irreconcilable with the fact that Christ is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Christ unlike the first Adam in that He is the fountain of all holiness, and from Him can proceed nothing but life and light. If Christ were able to sin, his holiness would by definition, be open to change—His obedience open to failure…”
Source: Theological Primer: Impeccability by Kevin DeYoung.
6. Jesus Christ is Creator with the Father and the Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ is not a created being—He is Creator. He was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-4).
“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:3).
“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).
“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him” (1 Corinthians 8:6).
“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him” (John 1:10).
7. Creation
All things in the universe were created and made by God as described in Genesis 1:1-2:3 and confirmed in Exodus 20:8-11. All things which now exist are sustained and ordered by God’s providential care. However, a part of the spiritual creation, Satan and his angels rebelled against God after the creation and are attempting to thwart His divine purposes in creation.
“1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:1-3);
“1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made” (Genesis 2:1-2).
8. Christ died for our sins and He is the Only Way to the Father
Jesus is THE ONLY Way to the Father. There are no other ways to the Father, the one true God, but through the Son only. Jesus doesn’t show us the way, He IS the Way (John 14:6).
Jesus sacrificed Himself on our behalf as payment for our sin because He was and is without sin Himself; therefore He wasn’t paying for His own sin (as He hadn’t any), but for us who were guilty of sin (John 1:29).
Regarding sin
By default, everyone by nature is ‘a child of wrath’ (Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:3). No one is born as ‘a child (or children) of God’ which is often taught by most false teachers. Every person must be ‘born again’ in order to be saved from sin. Sin is both a transgression of the Law of God (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against God. Sin has been passed down through all the generations of mankind and we, Adam’s descendants, have inherited sin from him. Romans 5:12 tells us that through Adam, sin entered the world, and so death (both spiritual death and physical death) was passed on to all men because “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Likewise, everyone’s default destination is not heaven, but rather is eternal separation from God (spiritual death) in Hell, thus why we need a Savior.
Jesus is, and always was the Only Way – even during Old Testament times
How were people before Christ saved? There’s not one way to be saved in the Old Testament (O.T.) and now a different way to be saved in the New Testament (N.T.); that would be two different gospels. There wasn’t one way for the Jew to be saved, and now a different way for the Gentile to be saved; that would be two roads to Heaven. There’s only one way to Heaven, and that’s through Jesus Christ. In the O.T. the people were saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—looking ahead to the coming of Christ. Jesus said in John 8:56-58 (ESV), 56“Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” We are saved by looking back to the first coming of Christ, Who died on the cross and burring our sins. We all (both O.T. believers and N.T. saints) meet at the foot of the cross (Genesis 15:6-7) for salvation through Christ.
9. Salvation is by grace alone
Jesus saved us because we can’t save ourselves. Salvation is not knowing about Jesus and having head knowledge of Him—it’s a supernatural spiritual exchange in which our dead-to-God spirit is exchanged with a brand new alive spirit in Jesus Christ.
The essence of this remarkable exchange is that a person’s sins are transferred to Christ, and in return, His righteousness, which is the righteousness of God, is transferred to the person (2 Corinthians 5:21).
8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10|English Standard Version (ESV)
We didn’t even take the initiative in choosing Christ, He first chose us and opened our eyes that we could respond (John 15:16). Salvation is a free gift from God appropriated through Jesus’ finished and completed work of shedding His blood on the cross in payment of our sin. There is nothing we can add to or take away from His completed work of salvation on the cross: “It is finished!4” (John 19:30).
NOTES
4. The Greek word Τετέλεσται in the New Testament where Jesus said, “It is finished” means ‘PAID IN FULL.’ Just like in Colossians 2:13-14, where Paul talks about the “handwriting of debts against us,” the jail keeper would stamp the paper with ‘Τετέλεσται,’ meaning ‘paid in full.’ So the apparent correlation with Christ’s redemptive work of atonement is that He served our prison sentence for us, and when He cried out, “IT IS FINISHED,” this is exactly what he was alluding to. Jesus, by His precious blood, paid our sin obligation in full.
According to the Law of God, every person’s sin ‘obligation’ (or ‘debt’ of sin) is death (See Romans 6:23). Whereas Christ’s victory over death and hell tramples down death by death and frees us from our debts. We no longer owe anything to death or sin because of Christ.
Three aspects of salvation
1) Justification (at salvation – the moment one trusts and believes upon Christ)
Justification is a one-time work of God, resulting in a declaration of “not guilty” before Him because of the work of Christ on the cross. Justify is to declare righteous, to make one right with God. Justification is God’s declaring those who receive Christ to be righteous, based on Christ’s righteousness being imputed to the accounts of those who receive Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
2) Sanctification (on-going process – throughout one’s whole life)
Sanctification is a process, beginning with justification and continuing throughout life. Justification is the starting point of the line that represents one’s Christian life; sanctification is being made holy and set apart for God’s purposes.
3) Glorification (yet future – once in Heaven; or the time of the Rapture)
“Glorification” is God’s final removal of sin from the life of the saints (i.e., everyone who is saved) in the eternal state – yet future (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17). Until He returns, we are burdened with sin, and our spiritual vision is distorted because of the curse. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Every day, we should be diligent by the Spirit to put to death what is “fleshly” (sinful) in us (Romans 8:13).
Source: Got Questions? – https://www.gotquestions.org
10. Jesus Christ is in all Christians
Jesus IS the Life of all believers (Galatians 2:20).
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Every believer is in Jesus Christ. Each believer has one nature. The old nature (old man) has already died with Christ and is removed forever by being buried with Christ. The new nature (new man) was created in the believer through the resurrection of Christ. The old nature and the flesh (self-life) are not the same; the flesh may be defined as a condition in which man operates out of his own resources, doing things his way. The believer’s identity in Christ is perfect because the righteousness of God has been imputed and imparted making each former sinner a saint; this does not mean the believer is God or a god (such as the ‘little gods’ theory)—nor does it mean the believer is perfect in behavior and does not sin.
We are not ‘little gods’
Coffee Scribe does not subscribe to the false teaching that we are ‘little gods.’ When Colossians 2:9-10 speaks about “the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” that verse is clearly about how the fullness of deity (God) dwells bodily in Christ—NOT us! To teach God’s fullness is in us would be total blasphemy. Just to be clear, the fullness of Christ indwells us, but not the fullness of God’s deity.
“9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10 – New King James Version (NKJV).
“9-10 Yet it is in him that God gives a full and complete expression of himself (within the physical limits that he set himself in Christ), Moreover, your own completeness is only realised in him, who is the authority over all authorities, and the supreme power over all powers.” Colossians 2:9-10 – J.B. Phillips New Testament (Phi), The New Testament in Modern English, 1958.
11. Eternal life is a Person
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Eternal life is defined in 1 John 1:1-3; 5:11,20; John 10:10. Every person that ever lived will continue to live forever. However, living forever is not the same as ‘eternal’ life. To live forever means you will continue to exist (whether in Heaven or, the ‘New Heavens and New Earth’) or in Hell. Eternal life (Christ’s life) is eternal—meaning, He had no beginning, and He will never have an end (eternal). As believers, we are taken from Adam’s dead life (forever—but in the case of unbelievers, a lost, dead-to-God life), and placed into Christ’s life, which is eternal and everlasting; with no beginning and no end.
12. The Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God
The Bible is the authoritative and infallible Word of God. We are told not to add to nor subtract from what God has already spoken (Revelation 22:18-19); this includes the gift of prophecy as no prophecy should contradict the Word of God as the Holy Spirit will never contradict the Scriptures. The Bible is the closed canon of Scripture and revelation. Additionally, translations such as The Passion Translation (TPT) (which isn’t even a Bible, let alone a translation!) will not be used on this site ever as not all biblical translations are accurate, or even valid such as TPT for that matter.
Regarding the inerrancy of the Bible in contrast to ‘Progressive Christianity’
Coffee Scribe does not hold to the erroneous beliefs regarding the Bible’s lack (or missing) of its inerrancy as held to by those who follow after ‘Progressive Christianity.’ Nor do I believe such teachings they adhere to such as social justice versus (or in place of) the true gospel message—which declares Jesus’ death was both a substitutionary and penal sacrifice, (meaning that Christ, by His own sacrificial choice, was punished (penalized) in the place of sinners (substitution), thus satisfying the just demands of a holy and perfectly righteous God). Coffee Scribe believes in the infallibility of the Bible as the Bible teaches about itself; that the Bible is not merely a ‘sacred book’ that evolves, changes, or shifts, according to present-day cultural norms. The Bible clearly teaches us important doctrines that are nonnegotiable and are not up for debate just because they seem hard to follow. When the Bible says that all of humanity is sinful, it does not downplay that or mean that all people are basically good and not really in need of salvation. Likewise, the resurrection was not a metaphor instead of a historic fact. Neither are the Scriptures an ideology of science or the most recent sentiments of the age, especially according to Western sensibilities—they are the very words of God Himself, and He means exactly what He has said! One big example is ‘love.’ If we allow a 21st-century definition of love to be imported back to historic, biblical Christianity, we may end up with something quite different from what the Scriptures mean. ‘Love’ in the Bible means putting the needs of others first, but ‘love’ in the 21st century thought means accepting or embracing whatever a person wants you to accept and embrace, and that is not biblical at all.
13. Other apocryphal books such as the Book of 1 Enoch and the Book of Jubilees are important to know, although not canonical (as sacred, inspired Scripture)
Other ancient apocryphal books such as the Book of 1 Enoch5 and the Book of Jubilees—even though found within the Dead Sea Scrolls, are not part of the canon of Scripture. Therefore these additional Apocrypha books are noted as not being inspired, authoritative, or equal to the Bible, and are not God’s Word. However, it is not wrong to use these books as references for learning or to gain understanding in light of the above noted (as the Book of Jude in the Bible encourages Christians to know about the Book of 1 Enoch, as referenced in part by 1 and 2 Peter); as long as one does not quote them as though they are authoritative, canonized Scripture. A book doesn’t have to be canonical to be deemed important or useful. Just know the difference between Scripture, versus other non-inspired literature.
NOTES
5. “Perhaps the most interesting reference is one already mentioned, 1 Peter 3:18–20. As the text now stands, it describes Christ as having ‘made a proclamation’ to the disobedient spirits who were in prison during the days of Noah. Most scholarly commentaries on 1 Peter acknowledge that Christ is being described as a type of Enoch since Enoch is given the task of delivering God’s proclamation to the imprisoned Watchers during the time of Noah in 1 Enoch 11–13. Although there have been other interpretations of this passage in 1 Peter, it should not be overlooked that the corresponding reference to the saving of Noah in 2 Peter occurs directly after the reference to the angels imprisoned in Tartaros. This certainly has implications for how the author of 2 Peter understood this passage.”
Source: The Book of Enoch as the Background to 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude.
14. The Great Noachian Flood
The great biblical Flood described in Genesis, commonly referred to as the Noachian Flood, was a historic event, worldwide in its extent and effects. The Bible presents a simple but historical account of actual events and therefore provides a reliable framework for scientific research into the origin and history of life, mankind, events such as the Great Flood, the earth, and the universe. “Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made” (Genesis 7:4). “The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days” (Genesis 7:24). “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded” (Genesis 8:1).
15. Dreams and visions are never to be elevated above the Word of God
Dreams and visions are never to be placed equal to nor on par with the Word of God, as the Bible is the final authority and revelation of God. Because of this, no person, whether they claim to be an “Apostle” or “Prophet” does not have the God-given, nor Apostolic authority to add to, or to take away from what the Bible already says. As Christians, we gain revelation from the Word of God as the Holy Spirit illuminates the Living Word to us and moves upon our spirit with His Spirit—but never at the expense or replacement of what the Bible has already revealed.
16. Satan is real and so are the rulers and powers of darkness
(The) Satan is a deceiver. One of his specialties is counterfeit gifts of the “Spirit.” “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Spiritual Deception
Because there is so much deception in the Church today, I will be spending a bit more time expanding upon this point more than the others. In order to help others to understand what one believes, it is good practice to explain what one does not believe as well.
Not all spiritual gifts and revivals are of the Spirit of God. Satan lies and uses “Christianized” versions of what God does to deceive and lead the Church astray. A lot of these deceptions have parallels to practices of Eastern religions, New Age mysticism, sorcery, and witchcraft. Some examples of these deceptions might include things such as Yoga and a Kundalini spirit (a false “Holy Spirit”) awakening, Ricki, contemplative prayer, “Kingdom Now” theology (also known as “Dominion” theology or “The Seven Mountains mandate”), “Divine” spark, Hebrew Roots, Elijah House ministries and the New Apostolic Reformation movement known more commonly as NAR—same old deceptions, with new packaging.
17. All Christians have anointing and authority which are from Jesus Christ
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).
“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (I John. 2:27).
The entire body of Christ is “anointed,” not just certain people in the body of Christ—and all Christians have the same anointing and the same Holy Spirit. Those in the NAR movement elevate themselves as having a greater portion of “Holy Spirit” anointing and power than other true believers in Christ. And once again, this is not in accordance with the Bible.
18. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today
The gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible are for today and did not end with the Apostles. We are told to earnestly desire the greater gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31). One can not be a Christian without the Holy Spirit as ALL followers of Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit AT SALVATION. Paul asked the Ephesians if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed, or since they believed (Acts 1:8; 2:37-38; 8:15-16), as not all Spirit-filled Christians speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30). Believers do not pick and chose which gifts he/she wants as the Spirit is the only one Who decides (1 Corinthians 12:10-11). None of the gifts of the Holy Spirit can be taught, such as what false teachers promote through their marketing materials, workshops, conferences, YouTube channels, and books. Some cults and other false religions also have their own form of ‘tongues’ which is demonic since it is not the Holy Spirit. Ultimately for the Christian, the purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not to speak in tongues, but to provide supernatural power to witness. Therefore the “ultimate” evidence is this power for witness (Acts 1:8).
Regarding speaking in tongues
The evidence of the Holy Spirit in the believer
Christians who identify as Charismatics, Word of Faith, and Pentecostals often take this Bible verse out of context:
“And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”
(Acts 19:6 – New King James Version, NKJV).
Many of these Christians suggest that speaking in tongues is the only or ‘main’ evidence of the Holy Spirit which is completely wrong—meaning, if you don’t speak in tongues then you don’t have the Holy Spirit living inside of you. To think such a way can lead one to believe they are spiritually superior in their status, or specially gifted more than others. These are all false teaching and doctrine as the Bible talks about many different evidences of the Spirit in the believer (i.e. the conviction of sin; illumination of the Spirit while reading the Word of God; the Spirit’s power to resist temptation; God’s supernatural boldness to proclaim the gospel; and, obviously the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in one’s life).
The proper use of tongues in a public church service
Most churches are in violation concerning the public use of tongues during a church worship service—two or three at most should speak, and only if there is an interpreter:
“27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.”
(1 Corinthians 14:27-28 – New International Version, NIV).
Regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit
When you have Jesus (in reality, He has you)… you have the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the one Who is doing the filling—so you are filled with Him (Christ), by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:22-33; 3:17-19; 4:10-13). Additionally, with all things in balance—we can not forget the example in Scripture where we see Jesus who already had the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him before the Holy Spirit came upon Him in Mark 1:10, just prior to beginning His ministry in Mark 1:13 (which can also occur simultaneously with salvation as in Acts 10:43-48).
19. Healings, signs, and wonders are for today
Healings, signs, and wonders are for today. However, we are not to allow experiences to be the criteria for truth over the Bible. The danger lies in that when an experience is a basis for faith instead of the Word of God, erroneous theological ideas arise. This gives way for deviance from the Word of God—and with that can come a rise of false doctrine, teachings, and false power, signs and lying wonders:
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
Regarding healing
Many Christians today take Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) out of context:
“But He was wounded
for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our
peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.”
Yes, God can and still does heal people today, unlike what Cessationists believe that miracles have ceased. However, regarding this verse—it is not necessarily referring to physical healing only (as most believe about this verse), but rather it is also referring to spiritual healing (salvation, being healed/set free from sin) which is this Scripture’s greater meaning within its proper context.
20. Heaven and Hell are literal places
“‘And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life’” (Matthew 25:46).
Jesus didn’t go to Hell, He went to Tartarus during His burial
‘Hades’ (or translated in English, ‘Hell’) is where the human spirits go, but Jesus went to Tartarus.
“ 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water” (1 Peter 3:18-20 – ESV).
It’s clear from the context of 1 Peter 3:19 above because Jesus connects it to the flood of Noah that He’s referring to the angels who sinned in Genesis chapter six. Jesus is not in Hades where the human spirits would be, it’s clear He’s in Tartarus where the fallen angels were sent. Basically what Jesus tells them is “on the dawn of the third day, I’m getting out, but you’re still dead!”
An interesting reference from first-century literature:
“The faces of the strong will be slapped and be filled with shame and gloom.” – Enoch 46:6
“ 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;” (2 Peter 2:4-5 – ESV).
See more on Hell, Sheol/Hades, Paradise, the Grave, and the Lake of Fire:
21. Heaven’s angels are ministers to the body of Christ
The reality and ministry of supernatural angels (Hebrews 1:4-7, 14) is for believers. Angels are not to be worshiped nor prayed to. They are messengers of God to minister unto mankind—and we are not to receive any other gospel other than what has already been given to us from the Apostles. “8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9).
22. All Christians have Christ’s authority to drive out demons
All believers in the risen Lord Jesus Christ have the authority necessary to drive out demons and unclean spirits, and we are to “test the spirits” to know whether they are from God or not. “‘And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature… And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils’” (Mark 16:15,17).
Satan and his demons can appear to people as an angel of light:
“14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Therefore, we are to “test the spirits” (1 John 4: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit,…”); and to “Test all things and only hold on to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Testing is not a sin. We are to discern whether or not a spirit is from God or is an unclean or evil spirit.
23. The Rapture is imminent and is before the seven-year Tribulation period
The Rapture is a biblical doctrine. The word “Rapture” from the King James Version (KJV) of the New Testament Greek Lexicon is found in Strong’s number 726 which is “Harpazo.” It is “to seize, carry off by force; to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly; or to snatch out or away.” The rapture (or catching away) of the Church is before the seven-year Tribulation period described in Revelation 6-18 (pre-tribulation rapture). The KJV uses “Harpazo” 13 times: “catch up” four times, “take by force” three times, “catch away” two times, “pluck” two times, “catch” one time, and “pull” one time.
Scriptures about End Times:
1) Jesus comes back before the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4);
2) The Rapture occurs before the Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5);
3) The Day of the Lord is the seven-year period (Amos 5);
4) The Great Tribulation is in that seven-year period (Matthew 24 and Daniel 11);
5) The Antichrist is revealed at the beginning of the seven-year period (2 Thessalonians 2).
Regarding the rapture and the second coming
There are many views on when the rapture will occur and the second coming of Christ. I hold to the view that the rapture may take place prior to the seven-year Tribulation period. For innumerable reasons, I believe that Jesus did not return in 70 A.D. (as Partial Preterists believe) but rather, I hold to the belief that He is coming again soon to catch-up (rapture) His bride (the Church) into His heavenly bridal chamber and will return to earth with the Church to set-up His Millennial Kingdom. No one person can ultimately say when the rapture will occur as only the Father knows the exact timing—so as mentioned before, I could be wrong, and I respectfully agree to disagree with my brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ who hold to a different belief than my own. Therefore, we are to daily go about His Kingdom work in all the earth, proclaiming the gospel, healing the sick, and doing the work of the Kingdom until He comes.
24. The Church does not replace Israel
Israel is important to God and the Scriptures make it clear Israel will be back in the land. (Joel 2:30-32; 3:1,16-17; Zechariah 12:10).
God did not cast away the Jewish nation and replace them with the Gentiles, often referred to as the Church. Apostle Paul stated that Gentiles who accept Christ are “grafted” spiritually into the Jewish nation and become a part of God’s chosen people (Romans 11:11-36). The Church was grafted into God’s chosen people but never replaced Israel.
25. There will be an actual thousand-year millennial period
The Thousand-year millennial period is an actual thousand years, a literal Kingdom and a literal reign of Christ on earth (Isaiah 2:1-4; 9:6-7; 11:1-10; 16:5; 24:23; 32:1; 40:1-11; 42:3-4; 52:7-15; 55:4; Daniel 2:44; 7:27; Micah 4:1-8; 5:2-5; Zechariah 9:9; 14:16-17).
Jesus Christ will serve as King of kings and Lord of lords in the Millennial Kingdom and will fulfill the promises that He will sit on David’s throne over the house of Israel (2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89:20-37; Isaiah 11:1-16; Jeremiah 33:19-21).
The divine kingdom of Christ in the Millennium is clearly over the entire earth in fulfillment of Psalm 2:6-9, (also see: Psalm 72:8; Daniel 2:35; 7:14; Micah 4:1-2; Zechariah 9:10). This is in keeping with His title in Revelation 19:16 as “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” The Millennial Kingdom will be an absolute rule of Christ, and it will involve judgment on any who oppose Him (Psalm 2:9; 72:9-11; Isaiah 11:4).
26. Marriage is holy
The union in marriage, between one man and one woman is holy, as God’s Word does not morph with changing culture (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3-9; Hebrews 13:4). Additionally, the Bible contrasts what an unholy union looks like: “22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. 23 And you shall not lie with any animal and so make yourself unclean with it, neither shall any woman give herself to an animal to lie with it: it is perversion” (Leviticus 18:22-23).
27. Water baptism is important but isn’t necessary for salvation
Water baptism is very important but isn’t necessary for salvation—rather, it’s an outward witness of an inward reality of God’s saving grace and power in one’s life. “‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire’” (Matthew 3:11).
28. Communion is a foreshadowing of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb
Communion is a celebration of Jesus Christ as the bridegroom with His bride, which is the Church at the Wedding Feast (Marriage Supper) of the Lamb, yet future (Revelation 19:6-9; Ephesians 5:22-32). Communion was observed during the Passover Feast of Pesach in Hebrew by Christ’s disciples, which commemorated Israel’s deliverance from slavery out of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 16). While Passover pointed back to freedom from bondage as slaves in Egypt, looking forward to Messiah, it pointed to freedom from sin by the blood of God’s Lamb on the cross. The next time Christ will drink the fruit of the vine will be at our wedding with Him in heaven! “‘I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom’” (Matthew 26:29). “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
Maranatha!