I BELIEVE:
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God in its original documents. God has providentially preserved His Word through the totality of the existing Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek manuscripts. The Bible is God’s complete special revelation to man.
II Timothy. 3:16; John 10:35; Psalm 8:3-4; Hebrews 6:18; II Peter 3:16.
Bible Interpretation and Dispensationalism
I believe that Scripture is to be approached from a Dispensational perspective rather than from a Covenantal perspective, based on the progressive unfolding of the revelation of God, in which He worked at different times, in different ways, with different people to execute His plan for the human race. Such an approach recognizes the fundamental distinction between God’s Old Testament people, Israel, and His New Testament people, the Church. The Church began with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and is composed of all believers in Christ.
I believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal seven divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations—the law, the church, and the kingdom—are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture.
In addition, I believe the literal, historical, grammatical and contextual interpretation of Scripture to be the norm for understanding God’s Word. I believe that when consistently applied, such an interpretation will lead to dispensational conclusions.
Creation
I believe in the literal Genesis account of creation and believe that man came into existence by the direct creation of God with no evolutionary process whatsoever. I reject all forms of evolutionary theories as to the creation of the world. I reject all gap theories or re-creation theories. Gen 2
God
There is one triune God who is eternally existent, all powerful, all knowing, and the creator of the heavens and the earth. The three persons of the Trinity are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; John 14:9; I Timothy. 3:16; I John 5:7; Genesis 1:2.
The Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God, took on human flesh and was born on earth of a virgin. He was perfect, lived without sin, and voluntarily gave Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for every person by shedding His blood and dying on the cross. He was buried then rose again from the dead. This was done to pay for all sin (past, present, and future) for everyone in the world that has lived or ever will live.
I reject all views that state that Jesus died spiritually on the cross.
II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:9; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 10:10-14; Hebrews 9:12-28; Acts 13:38 41, I Peter 2:24; I John 2:2 and 3:5.
Salvation
All of mankind is fallen, sinful, and lost. The only provision God has made for the salvation of mankind is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. The moment a person trusts Christ as his Savior he is regenerated and indwelt eternally by God’s Holy Spirit. No person is regenerated until he has believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior. I reject the Reformed teaching that regeneration happens before a person trusts in Christ as Savior. God gives mankind the ability to accept or reject the salvation that He has provided. It is God’s desire that all would be saved and that none should perish. God foreknows all things, but does not predetermine for any man to be condemned or saved. God provided salvation through Jesus Christ but permits man’s eternal destiny to depend upon man’s decision to trust Christ. Man is saved by undeserved mercy (Grace) through faith and nothing of man enters into his salvation because salvation a free gift. Man’s efforts, regardless of how good or well intended, before or after salvation, have nothing to do with salvation. The work necessary for salvation has been and is accomplished by the finished work of Christ. Christ’s work on the cross has completely satisfied God’s justice, wrath, and penalty for sin.
I Timothy 2:4; II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:2; II Peter 3 9, John 6:64, 65; Acts 10:34; I Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 1:5-14; Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9:30-32. Romans 3:23; John 3:7; I Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13-14; Luke 24:49; Titus 3:5. Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 2:16; Romans 11:6; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:5; Romans 3:22.
Repentance
Repent (metanoeo) means a change of mind. Repentance is absolutely essential in salvation and the Greek the word repent means a change of mind — from any idea of religion that man may have, to an acceptance of God’s way of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. Repentance does not in any sense include a demand for a change of conduct or “turning from sin” to gain or keep salvation as that would entail a works salvation message. A perceived change of life habits is not necessarily a proof of salvation. The best assurance is found in the fact that one trusts Christ’s alone for salvation and the God has the ability to keep those who trust in His Son. One of the counterfeits Satan is using today is the misuse of the word “repent”. To insist upon repentance that in any sense includes a demand for a change of conduct either toward God or man is to add an element of works or human merit to faith. Penance is payment for sin. Penitence is sorrow for sin. Nowhere does Scripture use the phrase “repent of sin” to be saved. Acts 20:21; II Corinthians 7:8-10; Matthew 21:32.
Eternal Security and the Christian Life
Every child of God possesses eternal life, is sealed with the Holy Spirit, is safe under the blood of Christ, and is secure in his salvation for all eternity. A believer cannot lose his salvation. However, a Christian can, through sin and disobedience, lose his fellowship, joy, power, testimony, and potential rewards and incur the Father’s chastisement. Relationship is eternal, being established by the new birth in Christ; fellowship, however, is dependent upon obedience to the Lord through His Scriptures. A child of God has two births; one of the flesh, the other of the Spirit, giving man a flesh nature and a Spirit nature. The flesh nature is neither good nor righteous. The Spiritual Man does not commit any sin. This results in warfare between the Spirit and the flesh, which continues until physical death, or the return of the Lord. The flesh nature of the man does not change in any way with the new birth, but can be controlled and kept subdued by the new man as the believer is obedient to the Lord through His Word and walks in the Spirit. The child of God is not under the Law but under grace: Saved by grace and disciplined by grace.
Romans 6:14, 15; Romans 11:6; II Corinthians 3:17. John 3:3-7; Romans 7:15-25; Romans 8:8; Galatians 5:17; I John 3~9; I Peter 1:23; I John 5:18; I John 1:8. I Corinthians 3:11-17; Hebrews 12:5-11; I Corinthians 5:1-5; I Corinthians 11:30-32.
Baptism
We that are born again believers are all baptized by the Holy Spirit into the singular body of Christ. Water baptism has no part in salvation but is a testimony to the world of one’s faith and identification with his Savior Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 6:19,20; Acts 2:1-4; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5; Acts 10:47.
Satan
I believe in the existence and personality of Satan. He is the author of sin and the father of lies. As a result of his sin, he fell and is now the unholy god of this age, and the author of all the powers of darkness. He is destined to face God’s eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire.
Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41.
Sign Gifts
I believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. The gift of tongues (languages) was a manifestation of the Spirit’s power solely for the demonstration of God’s wisdom, purpose and power in the establishment of the early church, and always was in a language that was in use. The Church is established and this gift has ceased. God does still frequently choose to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing but people no longer have a gift of healing.
Acts 2:6; I Corinthians 14:22.
Lordship Salvation
Lordship or Commitment salvation, or “making Jesus Lord of your Life for salvation” is not scriptural. God’s Word says we as believers should determine to allow Jesus to be the Lord of our lives in obedience to our Savior for proper fellowship; but it should NEVER be intimated or taught that it is a requirement for gaining or keeping our salvation. John 3:16-18, Ephesians 2:10
Calvinism and Arminianism
I reject the doctrine commonly known as Calvinism including the five points commonly referred to in the acronym T.U.L.I.P. Similarly, I repudiate the doctrine known as Arminianism, which places undo emphasis on man’s part in salvation, and I hold that once a person is saved, he or she cannot lose their salvation. Arminianism’s works-oriented teaching finds no support in Scripture.
End Times
I believe that the following events, as predicted in Scripture will be fulfilled completely.
The next event in God’s prophetic time table is the imminent (at any moment) Rapture of the Church, the Bride of Christ. It will be visible, personal, pre-tribulational and pre-millennial.
Following the Rapture and the Judgment Seat of Christ, a seven year period called the 70th Week of Daniel will occur on the earth. The Church will not be affected or touched in any way by these events, since it will be with Christ in Heaven. This seven year period will be followed by the literal 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ over the earth, as the Church co-rules with Him. This will coincide with the incarceration of Satan, who will be chained and unable to influence those in the Kingdom. However, he will be freed at the end of the 1000 years for a short time. He will lead one final rebellion against Christ but will be defeated and consigned to the Lake of Fire forever.
I believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. Specifically, concerning the church, I believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection at the Rapture, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord.
I believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear before the Lord Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment.
The existing heavens and earth will be destroyed, and a new heaven and a new earth will be made to be inhabited by the redeemed of all ages. They will dwell with the triune God forever.
I Thessalonians 5:9-11; I Thessalonians 1:10; II Thessalonians 2:1-8; Revelation 3:10; Luke 21:36; Titus 2:13; Isaiah 26:17-21; Isaiah 27-1; Revelation 4:4.
Missions
I believe that God has given the church the Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who have a saving knowledge of and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. It is every Christian’s privilege and duty to make clear God’s plan of salvation to others.
Mat 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Philippians 1:27
Stand For the Faith 
Hi Jim, yes it’s a charismatic church Not reformed. Yes, my husband is in ministry. I have found some material in the ceasing of gifts but could use some more resources. I will follow your advice. Thank you for responding I will keep praying.
Hi Kate,
Thanks for the comment. Are you in a reformed or charismatic church? Is your husband ministry? Have you found material on why the sign gifts have ceased? If not, I may be able to email you some.
As to your husband, you must be patient with him. If he believes the clear gospel, then he will have to come to conclusions based on his own study. The Holy will help. Sometimes sermons or books are helpful but for many guys, he will likely have to come to understand it ultimately by the Holy Spirit and the Word. Prayer is good so keep doing that. A piece of advice to get people to reflect is to ask good questions. Accusations or to direct of an approach can sometimes put walls up. Make sure you continue to study yourself. Try if possible to study the Bible at times with him.
Jim
Excellent content! I am in the mist of not knowing my statement of faith. I was saved in a Pentecostal church (COGOP) 10 years ago and know nothing else. I recently came across reformed theology and started following some reformed teachers but the theology itself seemed off so I came across your page. And what an eye opener it has been! Thank you for all your work. My problem is that I’m stuck at this church and my husband is a firm believer in the gift of tongues, healing and prophesy. He has prayed over people and they have healed he has prophesied over people and the words were confirmed to be true by witnesses. So he believes strongly he is called to be a prophet and to produce signs and wonders. How do I get out of this belief system/church without breaking my marriage? I have prayed and still pray for him every day so that God can give him a full understanding of scripture but there is no one around to teach him /us and he is set in his ways.
Karsten, thanks for the question. The Bible does not clearly say the rapture is after the tribulation. The word “rapture” itself is not even in the Bible. But I do believe there will be a catching away of the church the bride of Christ. This is often referred to as the rapture. The point of that is to keep the bride from the wrath that is to be poured out upon the world as God resumes His 70th week kingdom program with Israel. There is then the marriage supper of the lamb for the church while those on earth go through the tribulation. At the end of the tribulation the Lord returns to set foot on the earth with His church (bride already with Him). The rapture is different as it is a catching away in the air.
There are some issues with a post trib view that aren’t easily resolved. I don’t know that it necessarily changes grace but it would be hard to reconcile God punishing His bride with the tribulation. I think the thing is that there are a lot of passages to reconcile and often people combine or mistake passages meant about one to be about the other.
I have met some Calvinists that were post trib and denied the rapture and also the beta seat judgement. If I have time I can share some verses tomorrow on it.
Karsten, thanks for the question. The Bible does not clearly say the rapture is after the tribulation. The word “rapture” itself is not even in the Bible. But I do believe there will be a catching away of the church the bride of Christ. This is often referred to ad the rapture. The point if that is to keep bride from the wrath thst us to be poured out upon the world as God resumes His 70th week kingdom program with Israel. There is then the marriage supper of the lamb for the church while those on earth go through the tribulation. At the end of the tribulation the Lord returns to set foot on the earth with His church (bride already with Him). The rapture is different as it is a catching away in the air.
There are some issues with a post trib view that aren’t easily resolved. I don’t know that it necessarily changes grace but it would be hard to reconcile God punishing His bride with the tribulation. I think the thing us us that there are a lot of passages to reconcile and often people combine or mistake passages meant about one to be about the other.
I have met some Calvinists that were post trib and denied the rapture and also the beta seat judgement. If I have time I can share some verses tomorrow on it.
The Bible clearly says that the Rapture takes place after the 7-year tribulation. However, I don’t want to argue about that here, although I find the belief in a pre-tribulation rapture highly precarious. But, since I completely agree with you in all the other points of your doctrinal statement, I have a question:
Would God’s gospel of grace and a Rapture after the tribulation be a contradiction for you? Or asked in another way: In your view, does God’s grace require a rapture before the 7-year tribulation?
Scott, I believe the gifts are for today except for the sign gifts. So tongues for example have ceased. One main reason is that we now have the completed Word of God. The church is also now already established. There is no longer a need for an apostle such as Paul to establish or confirm his authority.
As for tongues, I have never seen them be done there the Bible describes. They were known languages and the interpretation was understood. It wasn’t like jibberish or some “heavenly” language that some may talk about today.
With the scripture being completed, there cannot be new revelation given such as by dreams or visions or prophecies in that sense. The Bible warns not to add to or take away from the scriptures.
I believe women can be in ministry so long as that doesn’t including being the pastor of a church. Theirs is not the preaching role in the church. But the is nothing against them being in missions or music or teaching a Sunday school type class etc. I don’t believe they are to be deacons either but I am not bothered by the term “deaconesses” that some churches use including my own. I don’t believe there is technically such a thing defined Biblically but we have a few women dedicated to prepare communion and to oversee funeral type dinners. That is the extent of their role in the church that I attend.
I believe exactly how you believe but why are you so convinced that the gifts are not for today? What is your beliefs on women in ministry?
Marvin E,
I can assure you that I have found no version of calvinism that I believe is represented in the Bible. See my post on election. Also, I will make a new post on calvinism if you wish to be more specific there. The only sad thing is that anyone ever falls for a calvinistic twisting of scripture.
Welcome Elizabeth. Thank you. It is my pleasure to do anything I can via this site to help people stand for the faith. Yes, part of that is finding a grace oriented church that is clear on the gospel. They can be tough to find in certain areas but they do exist. Are you in the US and if so which state? It helps to narrow it down. If I don’t know, I can always reach out to my network of Christian friends and find more leads.
Now there are two churches that I recommend that do put out regular content. Calvary Community Church of Tampa http://www.calvaryoftampa.org/ and Northland Bible Baptist Church of Saint Cloud, MN http://www.northlandchurch.com/
Jim
Hi,
Thank you for your website! I have been looking for a church for a long time. Do you have a list of churches that believe this way? Thank you!
Or try Romans 4
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Was not Abraham save freely by grace through faith as anyone else?
Oh really, that is rich. Wouldn’t that be kind of like saying the atonement isn’t in the Bible. Because think about it? If Christ paid it all… then how much do you have to pay? Is salvation as in eternal life a free gift or an earned reward?
The Bible is clear on it so no need for any theories.
Try starting in Romans 5-6 and let the verses say it to you for themselves:
Rom_5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Rom_5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Rom_5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Rom_5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Rom_6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
How does someone become converted? By faith? or by Faith plus anything else?
Truthkeepers,
The Bible does not contradict itself.
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Repent here is a change of mind. The context tells you it is about what?
Jimfloyd12 freegrace theory isn’t in the Bible either.
Matt 18:3
Matt 4:17
I don’t follow but I know I would have doctrinal disagreements with them. Also they agree with you on repentance so I would think them closer to your position, not mine. Unless I looked at the wrong statement
As far as the four square church, I wouldn’t put one bit of stock in their doctrinal statement.
Hello Juan
does World stiil mean World?
Jesus Died for the sins of the Whole World..
also for all the souls in the lake of fire.
1john 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
being that you found one of the very few places on internet that earnestly contends for The Faith. The Clear Gospel of Grace.
I would hope you would at least check out what Jim has posted.
I have personally me Jim he is very educated in doctrines and was instrumental in challenging me to study Scriptures on my own praying and seeking wisdom from God..
as a saved soul I came out from my indoctrination of calvanism Works for or because of salvation.
Juan,
Yes the Bible is very clear. What is also clear though is that the Calvinistic theory of election is not what the Bible says.
Please see this post
https://standforthefaith.com/2016/03/08/no-real-scriptural-support-for-calvinism-sovereignty-and-unconditional-election/
Wow broter how can’t you see that the bible is so clear as water about the election of the redeemed, it is amazing
Daryl ,
only believers can fall away , a soul can loose their faith but never their justification those who simply believed Christ Died for the ungodly His death burial and resurrection paid my sin debt and that qualifies me Preachers/Teachers can fall away from the Truth of the Gospel .
Now it is unreasonable that a believer soul not be yielded to the Holy Spirit but has the Volition to do so
Daryl,
Those who are saved can stop believing but cannot cease being born again. And even if one does get tricked into unveils God abides faithful.
2 Tim
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Thanks for asking Daryl,
I believe that verse is in reference to an unbeliever to hears the truth in that they come to know the way of salvation but reject it and go right back to their sin. It would have been better if they had just been ignorant.
Yes, it is a dangerous thing but a thing for people who have always been unbelievers. There are some who may argue a view that says these are saved people but then it would still not be talking about losing eternal life.
Jim F
Hello, just an honest question pertaining to eternal security and 2nd Peter 2:22 Falling away doesn’t pertain to me, because I won’t. I always like clarity about teaching others, and “…the latter end shall be worse…” sounds very dangerous to me. Thanks for your time!
Scott,
As for the Four Square Church, here are the issues that stand out from their doctrinal statement that was done by Aimee Semple McPherson.
“We believe that 1while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, the Just for the unjust; 2freely, and by divine appointment of the Father, taking the sinner’s place, bearing his sins, receiving his condemnation, dying his death, 3fully paying his penalty, and signing with His life’s blood, the pardon of every one who should believe upon Him; 4that upon simple faith and acceptance of the atonement purchased on Mount Calvary, 5the vilest sinner may be cleansed of his iniquities and made whiter than driven snow.”
The problem with this is that Christ paid the penalty for all sin of all men. But only those who believe have the payment applied to their account.
The statement about faith above is then contradicted by these lordship sounding statements:
“We believe that 1upon sincere repentance, godly sorrow for sin, and a whole-hearted acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, they who call upon Him may be 2justified by faith, through His precious blood and 3that in place of condemnation they may have 4the most blessed peace, assurance and favor with God; that with open arms of mercy and pardon the Savior waits to receive each penitent who will in unfeigned contrition and 5supplication for mercy, open the door of his heart and accept Him as Lord and King.”
So you see many common additions to faith such as repent of sins, godly sorrow, calling upon, penitence, contrition, and accepting as Lord and King.
Then there is this:
“We believe that the change which takes place in the heart and life at conversion is a very real one; 1that the sinner is then born again in such a glorious and transforming manner 2that the old things are passed away and all things are become new; insomuch that the things once most desired are now abhorred, while the things once abhorred are now held most sacred and dear; and that now 3having imputed to him the righteousness of the Redeemer and having received of the Spirit of Christ, new desires, new aspirations, new interests, and a new perspective on life, time and eternity, fills the blood-washed heart 4so that his desire is now to openly confess and serve the Master, seeking ever those things which are above.”
It would not have surprised me if a Calvinist had written this. People who hold this view will likely say that if there is not sufficient evidence of this “real” change then you are not likely saved. This leads to lordship style fruit inspection and fear by wrongly discerning how the new and old natures work in the lives of believers.
This part is a problem:
“We believe that the Holy Spirit has the following 1gifts to bestow upon the believing church of the Lord Jesus Christ: 2wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation; that according to the degree of grace and faith possessed by the recipient, these gifts are divided to every man severally, as He, the Holy Spirit, wills; that they are to be most earnestly desired and coveted, 3in the order and proportion wherein they prove most edifying and beneficial to the church; and 4that the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, should be put forth, 5cultivated, and diligently guarded as the resultant adornment, the constant, eloquent, and irrefutable evidence of a Spirit-filled life.”
They teach a tithe:
“We believe that the method ordained of God to sustain His ministry and the spread of the gospel after His command is “Tithing” and is generally accepted throughout all Foursquare churches, not only as God’s method to take care of the material and financial needs of His Church, but to raise the spiritual morale of His people to the extent that God must bless them.”
But the reality is that tithing was for Israel before the age of grace. Sure people can give of their first-fruits so to speak but we are not under a strict tithing command or percentage. We are free to give as led.
There were other issues as well but I suppose I don’t need to address them all.
The other thing to note is that it appears that they support the idea of women pastors but that is not scriptural. I believe you said your daughter was a pastor there. The problem I have is that the Bible gives qualifications for pastors such as being the husband of one wife. I am not doubting you that she and her husband are wonderful people of God. I am just curious then how they would answer these issues.
Jim F
Scott,
The main reason I see for tongues being ceased is that we now have the completion of scripture. Scripture is the word of God and final authority. Therefore there will not be any further prophetic additions or need for tongues to continue to give authenticity that things are of God. Nor do we need further mysteries to be revealed. They served their purpose specifically in the days of the early church after Pentecost. As for tongues, there is nothing to go on in scripture that says one could help others with tongues now. In the early church days however people could have the ability to interpret tongues. (See 1 Cor 14).
We have to remember why tongues were needed.
1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
If you go back and read chapter 14 you will see that tongues were sought after by some but Paul points out to them that there was no benefit to the group as for edification unless there was interpretation given. I have never seen a service where a charismatic gives an interpretation for what each person in attendance is supposedly saying in tongues. Paul said for these early church believers that if they prayed in an unknown tongue the prayed to God but they would not know what they were praying.
1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Remember that Paul was an apostle. Apostle is not a church office that is in effect today. The Apostles had a specific task and role to help establish the early church. Paul said he spoke in tongues at times himself but that in the church he preferred clarity in understanding.
1Co 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Paul went on to say: 1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
So if tongues even were for today, people by in large are not doing them the correct way.
Another set of verses to consider is I Cor 13
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Debate tends to center around verse 10 concerning that which is perfect. Some say it is Christ but that can’t be due to the tenses used. Others say it is the glorification of believers but this is not likely either because it doesn’t really fit with the analogy given in 11 and 12 or with the whole overall idea that the scriptures were still being completed and the church was still being established. So for me it is either referring to the completion of the Word of God or the establishment of the church. For me it is most likely the Word of God taking everything into context. There is more to all this but perhaps I can add more later.
Jim F
Hi Scott
my Pastor just finished preaching a 3 part series on speaking in tongues I attend this Church assemble via Live Webcast . For sadly there is No preaching of the Gospel of Grace in my Area it is all works based salvation Justification and Sanctification
Curtis
Seven Key Questions About Speaking In Tongues Pt. 1
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8316139313
Seven Key Questions About Speaking In Tongues Pt. 2
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8171697551
Seven Key Questions About Speaking In Tongues Pt. 3
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=81816143470
Scott,
I will have to answer your questions in three parts to keep things manageable. So let me make some observations and address your questions in general then get to the Foursquare and tongues questions.
You were right to be concerned if they were using Kyle’s book as a guide for Bible study. Also, in looking at John Bevere’s doctrinal statement you can see his error pretty clearly:
“We believe that in order to receive forgiveness and new life we must repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.”
There are so many things wrong with that sentence. Repentance of sins is and addition, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ need a little more clarification, and submit to His will is another addition. So you have two lordship style additions and some further explanation needed.
As for spiritual gifts, I also believe in them being for the believer today. The difference is that I do not believe that the specific sign gifts have continued such as prophecy or speaking in tongues. I will explain more later.
Jim F
Scott,
Thanks for your questions and encouragement. I prepare some responses for you later tonight.
Jim F
I appreciate your ministry. My wife and I have had concerns about our churches doctorine that supports as you say “Lordship Salvation”
They are ready to start their home groups up again for the Fall season using Kyle Idleman’s book Not A Fan. We also used John Bevere’s book Good or God last session which we did not agree with. We are in a mega church and although the messages seem are very biblical with salvation calls after every service (which from my understanding Kyle Idleman speaks against) we have decided we cannot continue to be a part.
I read your answers to his book and I agree 100%. My delema is this. I believe in your Doctinal Statements 99.9% except that my Wife and I seem to be a very small minotity of people who believe in salvation by grace ALONE, eternal security and here’s the kicker The Gifts of the Spirit. Mainly my wife believes with ALL her heart she has a special calling to help people with the Gift of Tongues.
Can you help me understand why you believe Tongues are not for today?
Also my daughter and son inlaw are Four Square pastors and are wonderful people of God!
What is your opinion on the Four Square church?
One mor question. Can I attend a church like Four Square while my beliefs are closer to yours and still be edified and able to be used by God Whittington that churc?
Thank you so much for your Ministry!
It’s clear now. Thanks!
Gentleman,
I have updated the statement under Calvinism and Arminianism to make it read more clearly. I think this part was taken from another source so it was not my wording.
Regards,
Jim F
No Daniel, I understood his point. Why would I say “can” if I meant “cannot”? Make no mistakes about this. I am no Arminian and eternal life cannot be lost in any way. The Bible is clear on that.
Jim F
What Ken was saying is that Arminians believe that they CAN lose their salvation. You stated that they CANNOT. He is right in that he believes you meant to say “CAN” instead of “CANNOT.” You missed his point.
Ken,
If you want a challenge to your view, please listen to Dr. Arnold’s sermon on my Grace audio page titled Can a Believer Fall from Grace.
Jim F
No Ken,
It would be heresy to suggest that one can lose eternal salvation or that eternal life is not eternal. It would undermine the gospel making it false. John 3:16 and many other verses refute that idea.
Jim F
In this section of your statement of faith, I believe you mean to say “can” instead of “cannot”:
Calvinism and Arminianism
I reject the doctrine commonly known as Calvinism including the five points commonly referred to in the acronym T.U.L.I.P. Similarly, I repudiate the doctrine known as Arminianism, which places undo emphasis on man’s part in salvation, and hold that once a person is saved, he or she
CANNOT lose their salvation. Arminianism’s works-oriented teaching finds no support in Scripture.
I actually enjoyed reading this. With the exception of a few areas (End Times, Sign Gifts, Calvinism) I am in total agreement with your statement. Thanks for sharing…