“The Bible”

“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” - Psalm 12:6 

There are several translations which prove helpful in conveying Scriptural meanings into modern interpretation. We do not elevate (nor idolize) one version over the other, however, many modern translations prove to be problematic due to the permeation of certain doctrines and teachings in their “thought-for-thought” translations. Nonetheless, anyone who is truly seeking God’s truth regardless of what translation they start off with initially will come to that awareness of the differences between the KJV and other texts. The KJV is the main version we use because of its accuracy and derivation from the majority text. (Authored by the Spirit of God and recorded by men, the word of God is truth and the manual for our life) For “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We hold that the word of God is powerful in cutting through the consciences and hearts of men, and to draw them nearer to God by His Spirit. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Heb 4:12. The word of God— the sword of the spirit is also the weapon by which we combat sin, darkness and the evil in this world (Eph 6:17).

Jesus Christ Himself affirmed that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matt 4:4), and so we abide in Him by His Spirit and His word. 

“Man”

“Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” - Ecclesiastes 7:29

God created man in His image and likeness. ‘Man’ is representative of both man and woman because their oneness is an expression of God’s oneness. God made man upright with the ability to reason and the will to make decisions. With liberty, He established mankind to be governed by His instruction. “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16). However, a strangers voice emerged in the garden causing the woman first to doubt the words of God, to disobey and then influence her husband into disobedience of God’s word. Scripture states, “and when the woman saw that the tree was good for food [lust of the flesh], and that it was pleasant to the eyes [lust of the eyes], and a tree to be desired to make one wise [pride of life], she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6, 1 John 2:15-16).

The serpent in the garden convinced the woman that they would not die if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil but rather that their eyes will be opened knowing good and evil like God (Gen 3:4-5). The serpent caused the woman to doubt God’s word and to mistrust God’s intentions. We know that God does not lie and His word never returns to Him void but goes out do exactly as He sends it (Isaiah 55:11). Man has since suffered the consequences of disobedience and will continue to do so if they do not repent and align themselves with God’s truth and way which leads to life. Sin has been in our world since then. Nonetheless, every one is presented with the choice daily of obeying God’s truth or living in disobedience. Jesus said, “and a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (John 10:5) and “my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Those who are of God hear Him and follow Him.

 “Salvation”

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” - John 14:6

It helps to understand why man needs salvation and what mankind needs to be saved from. Sin is the problem in our world, and every injustice and issue plaguing our world boils down to sin and the neglect of God’s truth. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and that remains the case as has been and will always be. Therefore, those who sin are in bondage to sin and in captivity to its consequences. They are also in transgression to God’s Law (1 John 3:4). What the Son of God—Jesus Christ does, is to forgive people of their past sins as they choose to forsake them once and for all. Hence when He came, He said, as also was prophesied of Him, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 61:1). It was by His death on the cross and the shedding of His blood that He purchased freedom for those who believe that He is the Son of God and does forgive their sins.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor 5:17). Jesus Christ gives a new beginning so that the recipients of His mercy can continue in their liberty from sin and its consequences, and to now serve Him and obey Him with their clean consciences. They are to “stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1). They are to live in obedience to the Word of God and conform their lives to God rather than water-down the truth of His word to suit their preferences and ideas of what is right or wrong. (Romans 3:25, Ephesians 4:24)

Salvation is found in no name other than Jesus Christ! (Acts 4:12) This world is so hopeless, and Jesus Christ is truly our only hope! His death and resurrection demand our own death to self and sin, and resurrection to righteousness and life. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36). We are instructed to continue in righteousness because those who look back after putting their hand to the plow are not fit for the kingdom (Luke 9:62). We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:13-14) and endure to the end, in order to be saved (Matthew 24:13).

Our salvation is so great and important that there is no room for complacency and weak devotion to the Lord! Neither is there room for sin and engaging with the things of the world. “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Hebrews 2:1-3).

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22)