SUMMARY OF BELIEFS
In the 2nd chapter of the book of Ephesians the Apostle Paul gives us a panoramic view of his understanding of the way God’s dealings with mankind have been divided. He does this by making a clear, distinct and easily identifiable threefold division:
Time Past (verses 11-12 of Ephesians Chapter 2), But Now (verse 13), The Ages to Come (verse 7).
Thus we see that the Word of GOD itself provides us with the key to its own proper understanding and right division.
Time Past: In Matthew through John we find the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ to the nation Israel. In the book of Acts we have the fall of Israel and salvation going to the Gentiles (You and I today and anyone who is a non-Jew) through the ministry of the Apostle Paul.
BUT NOW: Romans through Philemon (the 13 epistles of the apostle Paul) provide the doctrine for the present dispensation of GRACE.
Ages To Come: Hebrews through Revelation focus on the ages to come when God will bring to fruition His purposes for both the nation Israel and the Body of Christ. We are not the only people in the programs and purposes of God. Remember: All of the Bible is FOR us but it is not all TO us nor is it all ABOUT us. If we fail to recognize this important fact we will never be able to properly understand just what God is doing today nor will we know just what He would have us do.
Thus it is in Paul’s writings alone that we find the doctrine, position, walk and destiny of today’s church, the Body of Christ.
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
We fully trust and believe the gospel of our salvation, which tells us that we have been redeemed!!
Redemption – Freedom by payment of a price
Propitiation – Means satisfaction, or to satisfy (in a biblical sense, this word means to satisfy the justice of God. Romans 3:21-26)
Redemption is what Christ accomplished for man, but at the same time Jesus Christ accomplished something for God the Father. Redemption is manward, but propitiation is Godward. Jesus Christ provided redemption on behalf of mankind. He purchased man’s salvation. At the same time, Jesus Christ provided propitiation on behalf of God the Father. Christ’s death on the cross SATISFIED the demands of God’s justice!
Some people don’t believe it is enough just to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. They think there must be more to do. The scriptures make it clear that God is FULLY SATISFIED by the work of Jesus Christ. Knowing this, we had better be satisfied with what God says is enough or we may just find ourselves opposing God. Since God is completely satisfied once and for all with this payment of sin, then I can rest assured that there is no sin left unpaid that can send me to hell, once I believe!
It is God’s Grace that saves us, and it is that same Grace that disciplines us. This is taken directly from God’s word and can be found in the book of Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
STATEMENT OF FAITH
2nd Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
GRACE be unto you all. (God’s Riches At Christs’ Expense)