Our purpose is to glorify God by
training faithful nationals & assisting in church planting to strengthen
& multiply churches
(Matt 28:19-20; 2 Tim 2:2).
Our Ministry
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1. Training Nationals
By God’s grace, the Dominican churches started by BMM have been successfully planting indigenous churches for almost thirty years now. The main need of those churches is not that missionaries come plant more churches. Rather, they urgently need missionary help to train nationals in order to strengthen the many young churches and to keep planting more churches. Jeremie's primary ministry has been presiding over the college, but he also teaches in it to mentor and disciple gospel workers. Amy's main ministry is home-based, raising their children. The Bible college is be open to men and women, but only trains men for the pastorate.
2. Church Planting, Evangelism, and Discipleship
Although the Roy’s main ministry is the Bible college, they are devoted to assisting in an established local church led by a national. Jeremie teaches Sunday School and preaches once a month in their local church or in another church, representing the college. Amy plays instruments at church, directs the nursery ministry, and teaches Sunday School. They are active in evangelism and discipleship through their Dominican local Baptist church, called La Romana Baptist Church (in Spanish).
By God’s grace, the Dominican churches started by BMM have been successfully planting indigenous churches for almost thirty years now. The main need of those churches is not that missionaries come plant more churches. Rather, they urgently need missionary help to train nationals in order to strengthen the many young churches and to keep planting more churches. Jeremie's primary ministry has been presiding over the college, but he also teaches in it to mentor and disciple gospel workers. Amy's main ministry is home-based, raising their children. The Bible college is be open to men and women, but only trains men for the pastorate.
2. Church Planting, Evangelism, and Discipleship
Although the Roy’s main ministry is the Bible college, they are devoted to assisting in an established local church led by a national. Jeremie teaches Sunday School and preaches once a month in their local church or in another church, representing the college. Amy plays instruments at church, directs the nursery ministry, and teaches Sunday School. They are active in evangelism and discipleship through their Dominican local Baptist church, called La Romana Baptist Church (in Spanish).
Our Mission Strategy
We make plans and the Lord chooses the outcome
Initial and Current Plans
Initial Plans (2016)
0. The Spanish Language
Both Jeremie and Amy are proficient in Spanish.
1. The Bible College
Upon Arrival: When the Roys arrive in the Dominican, their main priority will be to biblically train the Dominicans with a high quality university level training so that they will be well equipped for their ministries. The focus of the Bible college will be to equip the men so that they have both the knowledge and character needed to plant and pastor churches (2 Tim 2:2; cf. 1 Tim 3:1-7). The Bible college will aid in planting more churches, strengthening existing ones, and eventually enabling the DR to become a sending field.
2. Church
Upon Arrival: Since there are many new churches, the Roys hope to come alongside a Bible college student and help them in church planting. They also might serve in an established church if asked to fulfill a certain need there by a pastor.
3. Culture
Months 0-12: The Roys plans to devote time studying the Dominican culture on deputation. They also plan to do an ethnography the summer before classes start if the timing of the end of deputation and arrival to the DR allows for that. If it doesn’t, they will do the ethnography over the summer after their first Bible college year.
4: Develop an M.A. in theology once the Bible college is established.
5-10 years: Like the Bible college, the M.A. in theology is a desire of the Dominican pastors. Lord-willing, after the Bible college is up and running, it will keep developing and add a Master’s program.
5: Indiginization of Bible college:
15-20 years: Indiginization will be implanted in the DNA of the Bible college. Although, Bible college indiginization is difficult because it is often costly, Lord-willing, this will happen.
6: Theological Curriculum
Plans still in the works: Jeremie was also asked by Dominican pastors to develop a program that has a layman level of theological education so that the pastors of local churches will be able to teach their congregations. Once established in the DR, Jeremie hopes to assist the Dominicans with this need.
Initial Plans Fulfillment and Failure, and Current Plans:
Plans 0, 1, and 2 have been fulfilled. Plan 3 has only informally and partially been fulfilled. The Roys have not done an ethnography as they said they would and so they have failed in that regard. However, they have been intentional in paying attention to different cultural dimensions and learning from them. Plan 6 has not been fulfilled either, and probably will not be in the end.
Plan 4 is under development. James Peavy has started a Ph.D. in Biblical Exposition and Jeremie Roy has been accepted in a D. Min. in Expository Preaching. Lord-willing they, along with another national who is pursuing a D. Min. in Expository Preaching, and along with some international help, will be able to launch an MA in Preaching in a few years. Also, four other Dominican faculty members have agreed to pursue further education. Two of them have already started completing some M.Div. credits.
Plan 5 is in the mind of the board of directors, and is being considered as plans are made along the way. However, it is still hard to say much about its potential fulfillment as much organizational maturity and growth is unpredictable and is yet to happen, Lord-willing. Once the central campus is built, there will be a better idea of new operational costs and funding. Also, that might give Jeremie and James a more concrete idea of the potential time necessary to train a national for their respective positions, if deemed possible. For indigenization, three components are crucial: finances, the leadership roles of the president and the dean, and faculty development. Faculty development is underway, and the other two still need much work.
Initial and Current Plans
Initial Plans (2016)
0. The Spanish Language
Both Jeremie and Amy are proficient in Spanish.
1. The Bible College
Upon Arrival: When the Roys arrive in the Dominican, their main priority will be to biblically train the Dominicans with a high quality university level training so that they will be well equipped for their ministries. The focus of the Bible college will be to equip the men so that they have both the knowledge and character needed to plant and pastor churches (2 Tim 2:2; cf. 1 Tim 3:1-7). The Bible college will aid in planting more churches, strengthening existing ones, and eventually enabling the DR to become a sending field.
2. Church
Upon Arrival: Since there are many new churches, the Roys hope to come alongside a Bible college student and help them in church planting. They also might serve in an established church if asked to fulfill a certain need there by a pastor.
3. Culture
Months 0-12: The Roys plans to devote time studying the Dominican culture on deputation. They also plan to do an ethnography the summer before classes start if the timing of the end of deputation and arrival to the DR allows for that. If it doesn’t, they will do the ethnography over the summer after their first Bible college year.
4: Develop an M.A. in theology once the Bible college is established.
5-10 years: Like the Bible college, the M.A. in theology is a desire of the Dominican pastors. Lord-willing, after the Bible college is up and running, it will keep developing and add a Master’s program.
5: Indiginization of Bible college:
15-20 years: Indiginization will be implanted in the DNA of the Bible college. Although, Bible college indiginization is difficult because it is often costly, Lord-willing, this will happen.
6: Theological Curriculum
Plans still in the works: Jeremie was also asked by Dominican pastors to develop a program that has a layman level of theological education so that the pastors of local churches will be able to teach their congregations. Once established in the DR, Jeremie hopes to assist the Dominicans with this need.
Initial Plans Fulfillment and Failure, and Current Plans:
Plans 0, 1, and 2 have been fulfilled. Plan 3 has only informally and partially been fulfilled. The Roys have not done an ethnography as they said they would and so they have failed in that regard. However, they have been intentional in paying attention to different cultural dimensions and learning from them. Plan 6 has not been fulfilled either, and probably will not be in the end.
Plan 4 is under development. James Peavy has started a Ph.D. in Biblical Exposition and Jeremie Roy has been accepted in a D. Min. in Expository Preaching. Lord-willing they, along with another national who is pursuing a D. Min. in Expository Preaching, and along with some international help, will be able to launch an MA in Preaching in a few years. Also, four other Dominican faculty members have agreed to pursue further education. Two of them have already started completing some M.Div. credits.
Plan 5 is in the mind of the board of directors, and is being considered as plans are made along the way. However, it is still hard to say much about its potential fulfillment as much organizational maturity and growth is unpredictable and is yet to happen, Lord-willing. Once the central campus is built, there will be a better idea of new operational costs and funding. Also, that might give Jeremie and James a more concrete idea of the potential time necessary to train a national for their respective positions, if deemed possible. For indigenization, three components are crucial: finances, the leadership roles of the president and the dean, and faculty development. Faculty development is underway, and the other two still need much work.
Our Principles
Our principles are based on our core principle of glorifying God. The principles explain how the purpose is to be carried out. It matters to God that the both means and the end be accomplished in a way that glorifies Him. Our principles are explained in relation to God, people, and tasks.
In our Relationship with God
The Word: We believe that the worship of God includes a commitment to know God and His expectations of man by reading, studying, and meditating on the Word (Ps. 1; 119; Acts 17:11). There must be more than head knowledge of the Word: there must also be a heart knowledge of God.
Prayer: We are committed to prayer, and that is expressed by depending on and trusting in God by exercising the great privilege of talking and communing with Him (Phil 4:6; Eph 6:18; 1 Thess 3:10).
Obedience: We believe in a commitment to obey God and pursue His ways with delight. Obedience is the ultimate demonstration of worship (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6; Ps. 1).
We believe that our relationship with God includes a commitment to believe that the Holy Spirit is the member of the Trinity who enables us to please God. He regenerates, sanctifies, and glorifies us (John 3; Rom 8:12-16).
In our Relationships with People
Servanthood: We are committed to having humble servant hearts and practicing servant leadership (Gal 5:13; 1 Pet 4:10).
Build one another up: Scriptures teach a Word-centered fellowship in which believers encourage, exhort, and keep one another accountable for the sake of Christ in their interactions with each other (Heb 3:14; 1 Thess 5:11; Eph 4:29). We believe that God gives believers each other to grow and be more like Christ.
Mentorship/Discipleship: Scriptures also teach that there should be spiritual mentorship. We are committed to mentor and disciple people so that by God’s grace they will mature in Christ (2 Tim 2:2; Mt 28:19-20).
Evangelism: We are committed to relational evangelism and see it as a way of life, not just an event-based activity, although these are a useful and have their place (Mark 16:15; 1 Cor 9:22).
In Our Work
Priorities are important. We believe that our lives must be oriented in the following importance of priorities: God, people (first the spouse and family, then other people), tasks, and then leisure (Mark 12:30-31).
Excellence: We commit ourselves to not only delight in serving God and people, but also delight in our work. Excellence must be pursued because all we do is to be done as if it were done for Christ (1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:23; Eph 3:21).
Hard work is closely related to excellence. We are committed to hard work. Excellence is a product, and hard work is a character trait which is necessary for excellence. Paul uses the analogy of running the race in a way to win (2 Tim 4:7).
In our Relationship with God
The Word: We believe that the worship of God includes a commitment to know God and His expectations of man by reading, studying, and meditating on the Word (Ps. 1; 119; Acts 17:11). There must be more than head knowledge of the Word: there must also be a heart knowledge of God.
Prayer: We are committed to prayer, and that is expressed by depending on and trusting in God by exercising the great privilege of talking and communing with Him (Phil 4:6; Eph 6:18; 1 Thess 3:10).
Obedience: We believe in a commitment to obey God and pursue His ways with delight. Obedience is the ultimate demonstration of worship (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6; Ps. 1).
We believe that our relationship with God includes a commitment to believe that the Holy Spirit is the member of the Trinity who enables us to please God. He regenerates, sanctifies, and glorifies us (John 3; Rom 8:12-16).
In our Relationships with People
Servanthood: We are committed to having humble servant hearts and practicing servant leadership (Gal 5:13; 1 Pet 4:10).
Build one another up: Scriptures teach a Word-centered fellowship in which believers encourage, exhort, and keep one another accountable for the sake of Christ in their interactions with each other (Heb 3:14; 1 Thess 5:11; Eph 4:29). We believe that God gives believers each other to grow and be more like Christ.
Mentorship/Discipleship: Scriptures also teach that there should be spiritual mentorship. We are committed to mentor and disciple people so that by God’s grace they will mature in Christ (2 Tim 2:2; Mt 28:19-20).
Evangelism: We are committed to relational evangelism and see it as a way of life, not just an event-based activity, although these are a useful and have their place (Mark 16:15; 1 Cor 9:22).
In Our Work
Priorities are important. We believe that our lives must be oriented in the following importance of priorities: God, people (first the spouse and family, then other people), tasks, and then leisure (Mark 12:30-31).
Excellence: We commit ourselves to not only delight in serving God and people, but also delight in our work. Excellence must be pursued because all we do is to be done as if it were done for Christ (1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:23; Eph 3:21).
Hard work is closely related to excellence. We are committed to hard work. Excellence is a product, and hard work is a character trait which is necessary for excellence. Paul uses the analogy of running the race in a way to win (2 Tim 4:7).
Our Beliefs
Scriptures
Inspiration is the process by which the Holy Spirit supernaturally influences human authors so that they accurately record God’s propositional revelation to them. The extent of inspiration includes the 66 books of the bible. Inspiration of Scripture is plenary (all of it is inspired) (2 Tim 3:16; Matt 5:18; John 10:35; and Rev 22:18-19) and verbal, so it goes down to the very words the prophets used (2 Tim 3:16; Jer 1:9; and Mt 4:4, 7). The entirety of Scripture is authoritative (2 Tim 3:16-17; Acts 17:11; I Cor. 10:11; Matt 24:35; and Eph 6:17), and it is sufficient (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:3-4; 2 Pet 3:16) and is the only authority (Rev 22:18-19; and 1 John 4:1). Thus man must submit to the entirety of Scripture as his only authority, and see it as sufficient.
Trinity
There is only one essence in the Godhead. This essence wholly, equally, eternally, and indivisibly pervades the three persons of the Godhead. All three persons of the Trinity are one God (1 Pet 1:2; John 1:1; Acts 5:3; John 10:30; 1 Cor 3:16; Rom 8:9; and John 14:16; 18, 23). Though all the persons of the God-head are equal ontologically speaking, each one functions uniquely with the Father being first, the Son subordinate to the Father (John 14:28), and the Spirit subordinate to the Father and Son (known as the economic function of the Trinity [John 14:26, 15:26]).
Father
The God of the bible is the only true and living God (Jer 10:10, 14; Heb 7:16). He is self-sufficient (Ex 3:14), infinite (Ps 147:5), immutable (Mal 3:6; Js 1:17), all powerful (Jer 32:17), all knowing (1 John 3:20), all wise (Eph 3:10), holy (Ex 15:11; 1 Pet 1:16), just (2 Thess 1:5-7; Rom 2:6-8), faithful (Rom 11:29), love (John 3:16), and merciful (Ps 103:8-10). God’s decree includes His predestination (Eph 1:11), foreknoweledge (1 Pet 1:2), or plan (Is. 14:24, 27) for the universe, in which He has rendered certain all of the events of the universe, past, present, and future. His decree therefore includes creation, preservation of creation (John 5:17), and providence to keep the earth towards its predetermined goal (Col 1:17)
Son
Christ has existed eternally (John 1:30, 5:48). Christ the God-man is one person with two indivisible and inseparable natures. He speaks of Himself as an individual (John 17:23) and distinguishes Himself in the Trinity (John 8:18; 16:7). He also does not distinguish between His two natures (John 5:58). The deity of Christ is clearly attested by Scripture statements (He is God, Tit 2:13; He is Lord, Luke 2:11; the Holy One, Acts 3:14). Christ took on a human flesh and nature at His incarnation (John 1:14). The kenosis appears to mean that Jesus humbled himself and made himself nothing by pursuing the mission of the cross, and not in His humanity since He still is human (Luke 24:39; Rom 9:5). God accepts Christ’s substitutionary atonement (2 Cor 5:21), through which Christ imputes His righteousness to those who believe (2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9). Christ made an actual unlimited provision for the sins of the whole world (1 Tim 4:10; 1 John 2:2; 1 Pet 3:18; 2 Pet 2:1) with a legitimate offer to everyone (John 3:16). However, the application of the salvific benefit of the atonement is limited to a select few by faith (John 6:39; Eph 2:8). The atonement has non-redemptive benefits (2 Thess 2:6; Matt 5:45; Acts 14:17). Jesus resurrected (John 10:27), ascended (Luke 24:51), advocates (1 John 2:1), intercedes for believers (Rom 8:34), and now receives due glory in heaven (John 17:5; Rev 5:12; Ps. 110:1).
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third eternal Person of the Trinity and is co-equal in attributes and essence with the Son and the Father (Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Pet 1:2). The Holy Spirit is the one who gives the common grace of God to the world (Ps 145:9; 2 Thess 2:7). The Holy Spirit also convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8). He has a particular role towards the church through Spirit baptism, which happens at the new birth and started in the church age (1 Cor 12:13; cf. Eph 1:22-23; Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:11-13). The Holy Spirit has a role towards the Christian (regeneration, John 3:3; indwelling, Rom 8:9; sealing, 2 Cor 1:21-22; filling, Eph 5:18). God gives gifts to every believer to edify the local church and reach the lost (1 Cor 12:12; cf. 14:12; Eph 4:11-12). The apostles were the foundation of the church built on Christ the cornerstone (Eph 2:20; 1 Cor 3:11), and were witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:2, 8, 21-26; 1 Cor 15:8-11). The supernatural gifts were signs of the apostles, and since apostles are not alive today, sign gifts appear to have ceased (Heb 2:3-4).
Creation and Fall of Man
God supernaturally and instantaneously (“Let there be…and it was so,” Gen 1:3, 6, 9) created the heavens and the earth ex nihilo (“make,”1:26; “created,” 1:27), in six literal 24-hour days, about 7000 years ago. God’s creation was very good (Gen 1:26-27). Man was made in God’s image personally (Col 3:9-10). God created man and woman with different roles (Gen 2:18; Eph 5:22-33), but as equal persons (Gen 1:26-27). Man was created in an unconfirmed state of holiness (Gen 1:31), and was created to glorify God (Is 43:7). When Adam and Eve sinned, the effect of the fall was physical and spiritual death, in which they lost their spiritual life and fellowship with God (Gen 2:17; 3:22-24; cf. Rom 5:12-19). Man inherited a sinful state from Adam, and this is why every man and woman are born sinners (Rom 5:12). This death condemnation extended to the entirety of the human race (Rom 5:12; cf. Eph 3:1-3). The entire human race is totally and individually depraved (Rom 3:10-12).
Salvation
The human race has no hope of salvation in and of itself, except by turning and trusting in the perfect work of the God-man, Jesus Christ (Rom 3:23-25; 6:23). Before their salvation, believers were chosen/elect in connection with Christ “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4; John 6:37). At the beginning of salvation there are three subjective aspects: call, regeneration, and conversion. The general call calls everyone to believe the gospel (Mt 28:19-20). It can be resisted (Is 65:12; Mt 23:37). The effective call results in salvation (John 6:44; Rom 8:30) and is made through the gospel (2 Thess 2:14). Through this call sinners respond in repentant faith (Rom 1:7; Heb 3:1). However, this response is preceded by regeneration (Acts 16:14; 1 John 5:1; Eph 2:1; 1 Cor 2:14). It seems like regeneration happens after the call (Rom 8:30). This calling does not eliminate human freedom or responsibility to respond in repentance and faith (John 3:15; Acts 16:14). Sanctification is the continuation of salvation (2 Cor 3:18). The believer’s salvation is completed through glorification (Rom 8:30).
Sanctification and Perseverance
Sanctification is the continuation of salvation. It is the believer’s progressive outworking of the spiritual life he received in regeneration being transformed into the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18). It is not a second blessing. The believer now has two natures (Rom 7:14-25) and is able to fight the presence of sin within him, since sin no longer reigns over him (1 Jn 1: 8, 10; Rom 6:14). Along the same lines, all true believers persevere (John 8:31-32; 1 Cor 15:2).
Eternal Security
Every true believer is secure and kept in his salvation (John 6:37), and will be glorified at the second advent of Christ (Rom 8:30; Phil 1:6; 1 Thess 5:23).
Satan
Evil angels were created as good angels (Matt 25:31). However, when Satan, the blameless (Ezek 28:15) “anointed cherub,” pridefully rebelled against God (Ezek 28:14, 17), he became an evil angel. He was leader of the angels, and many angels followed him in his rebellion (1 John 3:8; cf. Matt 25:31). Satan is wicked (1 Cor 7:5; Rev 2:10; Rev 20:3; 2 Cor 4:4). With him are his wicked angels who follow his leadership (Eph 6:10-18; Dan 10:13, 20; Matt 25:41). Satan and his angels will be bound for one thousand years during the millennium (Rev 20:1-3; cf. Isa 24:21-22), released for a time (Rev 20:7-9), and their end will be eternal consignment to hell (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10).
Future Life
Believers partake of the blessings of heaven in which they eternally rejoice because of the love relationship between the Creator and them, and they eternally worship and serve God (1 Cor 13:12-13; Rev 22:3-4). After the wicked are judged (after the Millennium...the GWT judgment), the new heaven and earth are created (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1), and the elect no longer are under the sin curse (1 Cor 15:35-54; Rev 21:3-4). Believers have houses prepared for them in heaven (John 14:1-6), however, it seems like the dwelling place of believers will come down from heaven to the new earth, and that is where believers will spend eternity with God.
For unbelievers, after the Millennium, there is the resurrection of the dead in which unbelievers currently await their judgment and are in continuous torment (Luke 16:23-25). Soon after the Millennium, they will face the final Great White Throne judgment, which condemns them to eternal death in the lake of fire, a place of eternal conscious torment (Rev 14:11; 20:10-15).
The Second Coming of Christ
The first part of the second coming is the rapture of the church (1 Thess 4:16). This appears to take place before the tribulation (Dan 7:25; 12:7; 1 Thess 1:10; 5:9; Rom 5:9; Rev 3:10; Rev 12:6, 14). The Judgment seat of Christ takes place soon after the rapture (2 Tim 4:8; Rev 22:12). The marriage supper of the Lamb is at the beginning of the tribulation (Rev 19:7).
The second stage of the second coming is the Millennium (Rev 20:4-7) which takes place after the tribulation (Matt 24:29-31). The Millennium is the establishment of the Davidic kingdom (Ezek 37:24-28; Rom 11:25-27; Rev. 19:11-20:6; Jer 31:31-34) which was inaugurated at the cross (Psalm 2:7, 9; 110:1; Heb 1:5; 5:5; 5:7-10). In the Millennium, Israel has a particular role. “All Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26), and will be restored as well. The “fulfillment” (Rom 11:12), “acceptance” (Rom 11:15), and Israel being “grafted” back in (Rom 11:24) assume both the salvation and restoration of Israel in the Millennium. Those saved are the elect Israel (Rom 11:7). During the millennium, the devil and his angels will be bound (Rev 20:1-3; Isa 24:21-22).
Soon after the Millennium, there will be the Great White Throne judgment, condemning unbelievers to eternal death in the lake of fire (Rev 14:11). After the Millennium, Satan and his angels are released for a time (Rev 20:7-9), but are then eternally consigned to hell (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10). Then the new heaven and earth are created (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1).
Church
The universal church is the one body of Christ, of which He is the Head (Eph 1:22-23; 1 Cor 12:13). It includes all the Spirit-baptized believers (Eph 1:22-23; 1 Cor 12:13) between the start (Pentecost: Acts 2; cf. “mystery,” Eph 3:4-6; Acts 20:28) and the end of the church (1 Thess 4:16-17). The universal church is expressed through individual local churches that are spread out throughout the earth (1 Cor 1:2; cf. Rom 12:5).
The first office in the church is that of pastors/shepherds, elders, and overseers, which biblically are the same (1 Pet 5:1-2; Acts 20:17, 28). The second office is that of deacon. The church is led by elders (1 Tim 3; 1 Pet 5:1-2), served by deacons (1 Tim 3:8), and it is congregationally governed (discipline, Matt 18:17; 2 Thess 3:6; designation of ministers, Acts 6:3; 2 Cor 8:19; unity, Rom 12:16; 1 Cor 1:10; ordinances, 1 Cor 11:2, 23-24).
The two ordinances of the church are the baptism by immersion (Mark 1:5, 9-10; John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39), and the Lord’s Supper, which is symbolic of Christ’s broken body and shed blood (Luke 22:19-20). Baptism is administered to believers, who’s beliefs are evidenced by an orderly walk (2:41, 47; 1 Cor 1:2; 1 Cor 5:11).
The church was given the authority to go through the process of church discipline in Matthew 18 with an unrepentant brother, for the purpose of having a pure church (1 Tim 5:20) and of restoring the brother in love (relational sin, Mt 18:15-18; John 3:34; cf. gross sins, 1 Cor 5:1-13; disorderliness, 2 Thess 3:6; false doctrine, Gal 1:9, 1 Tim 1:19-20).
Separation
Personally, believers are to be in the world building redemptive relationships to win the lost (cf. Mt 28:19-20), but not of the world (1 Cor 9:19, 22-23 [in the world]; 20-21 [not of the world]; John 17:11, 13-17). There must be caution in not becoming too close in relationships in a way that the redemptive relationship is compromised (cf. 2 Cor 6:14-7:1).
Ecclesiastically, separation should take place from liberal churches (heresies, 2 John 10-11; unbelievers, 2 Cor 6:14-7:1). Association on the church level must be based on who holds to the truth of Scriptures: that is, based on whether they are true believers or not. The Scriptures also warrant separation from those who fellowship with liberal churches (2 Thess 3:6-11).
Inspiration is the process by which the Holy Spirit supernaturally influences human authors so that they accurately record God’s propositional revelation to them. The extent of inspiration includes the 66 books of the bible. Inspiration of Scripture is plenary (all of it is inspired) (2 Tim 3:16; Matt 5:18; John 10:35; and Rev 22:18-19) and verbal, so it goes down to the very words the prophets used (2 Tim 3:16; Jer 1:9; and Mt 4:4, 7). The entirety of Scripture is authoritative (2 Tim 3:16-17; Acts 17:11; I Cor. 10:11; Matt 24:35; and Eph 6:17), and it is sufficient (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:3-4; 2 Pet 3:16) and is the only authority (Rev 22:18-19; and 1 John 4:1). Thus man must submit to the entirety of Scripture as his only authority, and see it as sufficient.
Trinity
There is only one essence in the Godhead. This essence wholly, equally, eternally, and indivisibly pervades the three persons of the Godhead. All three persons of the Trinity are one God (1 Pet 1:2; John 1:1; Acts 5:3; John 10:30; 1 Cor 3:16; Rom 8:9; and John 14:16; 18, 23). Though all the persons of the God-head are equal ontologically speaking, each one functions uniquely with the Father being first, the Son subordinate to the Father (John 14:28), and the Spirit subordinate to the Father and Son (known as the economic function of the Trinity [John 14:26, 15:26]).
Father
The God of the bible is the only true and living God (Jer 10:10, 14; Heb 7:16). He is self-sufficient (Ex 3:14), infinite (Ps 147:5), immutable (Mal 3:6; Js 1:17), all powerful (Jer 32:17), all knowing (1 John 3:20), all wise (Eph 3:10), holy (Ex 15:11; 1 Pet 1:16), just (2 Thess 1:5-7; Rom 2:6-8), faithful (Rom 11:29), love (John 3:16), and merciful (Ps 103:8-10). God’s decree includes His predestination (Eph 1:11), foreknoweledge (1 Pet 1:2), or plan (Is. 14:24, 27) for the universe, in which He has rendered certain all of the events of the universe, past, present, and future. His decree therefore includes creation, preservation of creation (John 5:17), and providence to keep the earth towards its predetermined goal (Col 1:17)
Son
Christ has existed eternally (John 1:30, 5:48). Christ the God-man is one person with two indivisible and inseparable natures. He speaks of Himself as an individual (John 17:23) and distinguishes Himself in the Trinity (John 8:18; 16:7). He also does not distinguish between His two natures (John 5:58). The deity of Christ is clearly attested by Scripture statements (He is God, Tit 2:13; He is Lord, Luke 2:11; the Holy One, Acts 3:14). Christ took on a human flesh and nature at His incarnation (John 1:14). The kenosis appears to mean that Jesus humbled himself and made himself nothing by pursuing the mission of the cross, and not in His humanity since He still is human (Luke 24:39; Rom 9:5). God accepts Christ’s substitutionary atonement (2 Cor 5:21), through which Christ imputes His righteousness to those who believe (2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9). Christ made an actual unlimited provision for the sins of the whole world (1 Tim 4:10; 1 John 2:2; 1 Pet 3:18; 2 Pet 2:1) with a legitimate offer to everyone (John 3:16). However, the application of the salvific benefit of the atonement is limited to a select few by faith (John 6:39; Eph 2:8). The atonement has non-redemptive benefits (2 Thess 2:6; Matt 5:45; Acts 14:17). Jesus resurrected (John 10:27), ascended (Luke 24:51), advocates (1 John 2:1), intercedes for believers (Rom 8:34), and now receives due glory in heaven (John 17:5; Rev 5:12; Ps. 110:1).
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third eternal Person of the Trinity and is co-equal in attributes and essence with the Son and the Father (Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Pet 1:2). The Holy Spirit is the one who gives the common grace of God to the world (Ps 145:9; 2 Thess 2:7). The Holy Spirit also convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8). He has a particular role towards the church through Spirit baptism, which happens at the new birth and started in the church age (1 Cor 12:13; cf. Eph 1:22-23; Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:11-13). The Holy Spirit has a role towards the Christian (regeneration, John 3:3; indwelling, Rom 8:9; sealing, 2 Cor 1:21-22; filling, Eph 5:18). God gives gifts to every believer to edify the local church and reach the lost (1 Cor 12:12; cf. 14:12; Eph 4:11-12). The apostles were the foundation of the church built on Christ the cornerstone (Eph 2:20; 1 Cor 3:11), and were witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:2, 8, 21-26; 1 Cor 15:8-11). The supernatural gifts were signs of the apostles, and since apostles are not alive today, sign gifts appear to have ceased (Heb 2:3-4).
Creation and Fall of Man
God supernaturally and instantaneously (“Let there be…and it was so,” Gen 1:3, 6, 9) created the heavens and the earth ex nihilo (“make,”1:26; “created,” 1:27), in six literal 24-hour days, about 7000 years ago. God’s creation was very good (Gen 1:26-27). Man was made in God’s image personally (Col 3:9-10). God created man and woman with different roles (Gen 2:18; Eph 5:22-33), but as equal persons (Gen 1:26-27). Man was created in an unconfirmed state of holiness (Gen 1:31), and was created to glorify God (Is 43:7). When Adam and Eve sinned, the effect of the fall was physical and spiritual death, in which they lost their spiritual life and fellowship with God (Gen 2:17; 3:22-24; cf. Rom 5:12-19). Man inherited a sinful state from Adam, and this is why every man and woman are born sinners (Rom 5:12). This death condemnation extended to the entirety of the human race (Rom 5:12; cf. Eph 3:1-3). The entire human race is totally and individually depraved (Rom 3:10-12).
Salvation
The human race has no hope of salvation in and of itself, except by turning and trusting in the perfect work of the God-man, Jesus Christ (Rom 3:23-25; 6:23). Before their salvation, believers were chosen/elect in connection with Christ “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4; John 6:37). At the beginning of salvation there are three subjective aspects: call, regeneration, and conversion. The general call calls everyone to believe the gospel (Mt 28:19-20). It can be resisted (Is 65:12; Mt 23:37). The effective call results in salvation (John 6:44; Rom 8:30) and is made through the gospel (2 Thess 2:14). Through this call sinners respond in repentant faith (Rom 1:7; Heb 3:1). However, this response is preceded by regeneration (Acts 16:14; 1 John 5:1; Eph 2:1; 1 Cor 2:14). It seems like regeneration happens after the call (Rom 8:30). This calling does not eliminate human freedom or responsibility to respond in repentance and faith (John 3:15; Acts 16:14). Sanctification is the continuation of salvation (2 Cor 3:18). The believer’s salvation is completed through glorification (Rom 8:30).
Sanctification and Perseverance
Sanctification is the continuation of salvation. It is the believer’s progressive outworking of the spiritual life he received in regeneration being transformed into the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18). It is not a second blessing. The believer now has two natures (Rom 7:14-25) and is able to fight the presence of sin within him, since sin no longer reigns over him (1 Jn 1: 8, 10; Rom 6:14). Along the same lines, all true believers persevere (John 8:31-32; 1 Cor 15:2).
Eternal Security
Every true believer is secure and kept in his salvation (John 6:37), and will be glorified at the second advent of Christ (Rom 8:30; Phil 1:6; 1 Thess 5:23).
Satan
Evil angels were created as good angels (Matt 25:31). However, when Satan, the blameless (Ezek 28:15) “anointed cherub,” pridefully rebelled against God (Ezek 28:14, 17), he became an evil angel. He was leader of the angels, and many angels followed him in his rebellion (1 John 3:8; cf. Matt 25:31). Satan is wicked (1 Cor 7:5; Rev 2:10; Rev 20:3; 2 Cor 4:4). With him are his wicked angels who follow his leadership (Eph 6:10-18; Dan 10:13, 20; Matt 25:41). Satan and his angels will be bound for one thousand years during the millennium (Rev 20:1-3; cf. Isa 24:21-22), released for a time (Rev 20:7-9), and their end will be eternal consignment to hell (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10).
Future Life
Believers partake of the blessings of heaven in which they eternally rejoice because of the love relationship between the Creator and them, and they eternally worship and serve God (1 Cor 13:12-13; Rev 22:3-4). After the wicked are judged (after the Millennium...the GWT judgment), the new heaven and earth are created (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1), and the elect no longer are under the sin curse (1 Cor 15:35-54; Rev 21:3-4). Believers have houses prepared for them in heaven (John 14:1-6), however, it seems like the dwelling place of believers will come down from heaven to the new earth, and that is where believers will spend eternity with God.
For unbelievers, after the Millennium, there is the resurrection of the dead in which unbelievers currently await their judgment and are in continuous torment (Luke 16:23-25). Soon after the Millennium, they will face the final Great White Throne judgment, which condemns them to eternal death in the lake of fire, a place of eternal conscious torment (Rev 14:11; 20:10-15).
The Second Coming of Christ
The first part of the second coming is the rapture of the church (1 Thess 4:16). This appears to take place before the tribulation (Dan 7:25; 12:7; 1 Thess 1:10; 5:9; Rom 5:9; Rev 3:10; Rev 12:6, 14). The Judgment seat of Christ takes place soon after the rapture (2 Tim 4:8; Rev 22:12). The marriage supper of the Lamb is at the beginning of the tribulation (Rev 19:7).
The second stage of the second coming is the Millennium (Rev 20:4-7) which takes place after the tribulation (Matt 24:29-31). The Millennium is the establishment of the Davidic kingdom (Ezek 37:24-28; Rom 11:25-27; Rev. 19:11-20:6; Jer 31:31-34) which was inaugurated at the cross (Psalm 2:7, 9; 110:1; Heb 1:5; 5:5; 5:7-10). In the Millennium, Israel has a particular role. “All Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26), and will be restored as well. The “fulfillment” (Rom 11:12), “acceptance” (Rom 11:15), and Israel being “grafted” back in (Rom 11:24) assume both the salvation and restoration of Israel in the Millennium. Those saved are the elect Israel (Rom 11:7). During the millennium, the devil and his angels will be bound (Rev 20:1-3; Isa 24:21-22).
Soon after the Millennium, there will be the Great White Throne judgment, condemning unbelievers to eternal death in the lake of fire (Rev 14:11). After the Millennium, Satan and his angels are released for a time (Rev 20:7-9), but are then eternally consigned to hell (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10). Then the new heaven and earth are created (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1).
Church
The universal church is the one body of Christ, of which He is the Head (Eph 1:22-23; 1 Cor 12:13). It includes all the Spirit-baptized believers (Eph 1:22-23; 1 Cor 12:13) between the start (Pentecost: Acts 2; cf. “mystery,” Eph 3:4-6; Acts 20:28) and the end of the church (1 Thess 4:16-17). The universal church is expressed through individual local churches that are spread out throughout the earth (1 Cor 1:2; cf. Rom 12:5).
The first office in the church is that of pastors/shepherds, elders, and overseers, which biblically are the same (1 Pet 5:1-2; Acts 20:17, 28). The second office is that of deacon. The church is led by elders (1 Tim 3; 1 Pet 5:1-2), served by deacons (1 Tim 3:8), and it is congregationally governed (discipline, Matt 18:17; 2 Thess 3:6; designation of ministers, Acts 6:3; 2 Cor 8:19; unity, Rom 12:16; 1 Cor 1:10; ordinances, 1 Cor 11:2, 23-24).
The two ordinances of the church are the baptism by immersion (Mark 1:5, 9-10; John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39), and the Lord’s Supper, which is symbolic of Christ’s broken body and shed blood (Luke 22:19-20). Baptism is administered to believers, who’s beliefs are evidenced by an orderly walk (2:41, 47; 1 Cor 1:2; 1 Cor 5:11).
The church was given the authority to go through the process of church discipline in Matthew 18 with an unrepentant brother, for the purpose of having a pure church (1 Tim 5:20) and of restoring the brother in love (relational sin, Mt 18:15-18; John 3:34; cf. gross sins, 1 Cor 5:1-13; disorderliness, 2 Thess 3:6; false doctrine, Gal 1:9, 1 Tim 1:19-20).
Separation
Personally, believers are to be in the world building redemptive relationships to win the lost (cf. Mt 28:19-20), but not of the world (1 Cor 9:19, 22-23 [in the world]; 20-21 [not of the world]; John 17:11, 13-17). There must be caution in not becoming too close in relationships in a way that the redemptive relationship is compromised (cf. 2 Cor 6:14-7:1).
Ecclesiastically, separation should take place from liberal churches (heresies, 2 John 10-11; unbelievers, 2 Cor 6:14-7:1). Association on the church level must be based on who holds to the truth of Scriptures: that is, based on whether they are true believers or not. The Scriptures also warrant separation from those who fellowship with liberal churches (2 Thess 3:6-11).