Bio

God is Good!


I was blessed by God to be born in America to a Christian family November 14th 1989. I was raised in church I was not "bred" to be a Independent Fundamental Baptist as many say about young men in my position but was raised by a father who's family roots are Lutheran, and a mother who's roots are Presbyterian both of whom ended up at a Methodist church, then a 1st Baptist, and finally when I was about 14 we arrived at Faith Baptist Church of Chelsea Mi. More than once in my life I have sat down and tested my beliefs and the beliefs of my church against Gods word and it is because of my knowledge of the bible that I can unashamedly say I am who I am through the grace of God and not because I was conned into my beliefs.

At age 15 I got assurance of my salvation, surrendered my life to the ministry, and was called by God to youth ministry. At age 15 God also brought my wife Michelle into my life. Through high school I did my best to do what I could for God with what little knowledge I had I held a bible study in my public school and did what I could to witness and bring others to Christ. Still to this day some of my closest friends are those who God allowed me to witness to in High School.

After graduating high school in 2008 I attended Grace Baptist Bible College for 1 semester and returned to my home church to be the youth pastor only 3 months after high school, thank God for Pastor Summers giving me that opportunity.

Since becoming the volunteer youth pastor in fall of 2008 God has allowed me the best day in my life (aside form salvation) by letting me marry Michelle June 19th 2010. God has allowed me to take part in many ministries and to preach and teach to all ages from 3 years old to 109. God has let me and helped me preach not only at my church, to the teens, the church body , and the children, but also in jails, prisons, nursing homes, youth rallies, and more. Gods blessing to me are a daily reminder that I am unworthy to be alive today much less to be saved and to be allowed to serve the God of the universe, I cannot express how great God is but I pray that He continues to use my wife and I to reach souls for Him.

Galatians 6:14

UPDATE: In July of 2019 God led our family to Slippery Rock Pennsylvania where I have accepted the position of Pastor. We are excited for this new ministry and trusting the Lord to do great and mighty things!

I Believe.
Jeffrey Steven Lynn

The Word of God.
God the father
The deity of Christ/God the Son
The person of the Holy Ghost
The Trinity
Creation
Mans depravity/Sin Nature
Satan
Salvation
Baptism
Lords supper
Separation
Sanctification
Eternal Life
Judgment
Heaven
Hell
Virgin birth of Christ
Sinless life of Christ
Crucifixion of Christ
Bodily resurrection of Christ
Return of Christ
The Local Church
Missions/evangelism
Prayer
The Christian
Witnessing
Conclusion









The Word of God
The Word of God is first on my list of beliefs simply because it is the basis of every belief to follow. If there were a problem with God's Word, then there could be no assurance, peace, or hope in life.

"Psalm 6:6  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."

"2nd Peter 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

I believe God's Word is pure, everlasting, and inspired. It is Holy, not written by men but written through men by God. I believe that today we have the perfect inerrant Word of God for the English language contained in the King James Bible. I believe that the Word of God MUST be used as the final authority in all situations. I believe that God's Word is clear on all subjects when properly studied in context, there are no errors or contradictions, and I also believe that God's Word can only be properly understood by a Christian, through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

"1st Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

"2nd Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:"

"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."



God the Father
God the Father, the God of Israel, the great I Am, is an obvious person of the trinity. He gave the law in the Old Testament  (Deuteronomy 10) and He gave His only begotten Son in the New Testament (John 3:16).

God is just- "Deuteronomy 32:4  He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."

God is Holy- "Psalm 99:9  Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy."

God is all powerful- "Psalm 62:11  God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God."

God is so much more than I can understand- "Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

I believe that God is all knowing, all powerful, immutable, Holy, just, omnipresent, and infinitely more. He is indescribable, but the best description given of God is that given in

"Hebrews 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire."



God the Son/Deity of Christ
I believe that Jesus, the Christ, was and is the only begotten Son of God
(John 3:16)

I believe that Christ did, while on earth, proclaim to be God's Son and part of the Godhead, that Christ was active in the creation of the world, and that Christ is actively, at this moment, sitting at the right hand of God the Father as our intercessor.

John 14:9-11
"9  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 
10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."

John 1:1-3
"1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God.
3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

"Hebrews 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

"Romans 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."


The person of the Holy Ghost/God the Holy Spirit
I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe the Holy Spirit was active in both the creation of the world and the inspiration of God's Word. I believe the Holy Ghost is still inspiring the Word of God as it is translated into many different languages. If the inspiration of God's Word by the Holy Ghost had stopped with the original manuscripts, then we would have no true Word of God in any other language but Greek and Hebrew. I do not believe that our God is restricted by languages, therefore I believe the Holy Ghost is still active in the translation of Gods Word.

Genesis 1:2  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.

2nd Peter 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.


I also believe that the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in every believer is active in guiding our lives. It is through the help of the Holy Ghost that we are able to pray, and it is through the Holy Ghost that we are sealed in salvation.

"Romans 8:14    For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

"1st Corinthians 6:19    What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

"Romans 8:26    Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

"Ephesians 4:30    And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."


The Trinity
I believe in the doctrine of the trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit make up the Godhead. Three persons in one with separate traits and separate meanings for the Christian. God the Father loved the world and gave God the Son to die for the remission of our sins, and God the Holy Ghost is our comforter and our seal until the day of redemption. They are separate yet they are all one.

John 14:16    And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17    Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18    I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.


Mark 1:9    And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Mark 1:10    And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Mark 1:11    And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Genesis 1:26    And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.


Creation
I believe that God created the Heavens and the Earth (Genesis 1:1). I believe He created everything seen and unseen and did so in six 24 hour days.

"Genesis 1:1    In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

"Genesis 1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day."

"Genesis 1:31    And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."

"Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"


Depravity of Man/Sin Nature
I believe that when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, the entire human race was doomed to be born sinners. I believe that we are all sinners, and therefore hopeless without Jesus Christ.

"1st Corinthians 15:21    For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1st Corinthians 15:22    For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

"James4:17    Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
"1st John 3:4    Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

"Romans 3:23    For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

"Romans 6:23    For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

"Romans 5:12    Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"


Satan
I believe that Satan is a fallen angel, who rebelled against God in Heaven. I believe that because we have been created in the image of God, Satan hates us and wants us to reject the salvation of  Christ so as to join him in everlasting torments. Satan is powerful and cunning, but he is also the father of all lies and no match for God. Satan is already defeated and will one day be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity.

"Luke 10:18    And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."


"Isaiah 14:13    For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isaiah 14:14    I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isaiah 14:15    Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."

"Revelations19:19    And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Revelations 19:20    And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."


Salvation
I believe that salvation from the penalty for sin (which is death and Hell) can ONLY be received through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It cannot be earned nor can it be lost. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ as the crucified and risen son of God.

John 14:6    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Ephesians 2:8    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9    Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 10:9    That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 8:1    There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


Baptism
I believe that baptism is an outward testimony of an inward change. I do not believe that baptism is necessary in order to be saved (the thief on the cross was not baptized yet Christ saved him). I believe baptism is a picture of Christ's burial (submersion under the water) and Christ's resurrection (coming back up from under the water). Baptism is, however, something in which all new converts should partake.

"Romans 10:11    For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."


"Acts 8:36    And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 8:37    And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 8:38    And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Acts 8:39    And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."

"Matthew 28:18    And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 28:19    Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:20    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."


Lords Supper
I believe that the Lord's Supper is to be a reminder of what Christ did for us. The symbolic bread and wine, representing Christ's body and blood, is not to be partaken of lightly. We should consider our hearts before partaking in the Lord's Supper. The bread and wine do NOT turn into Christ's actual body and blood when consumed; that teaching is absolutely unscriptural. It is a reminder of the sufferings and sacrifice of Christ.

"Luke 22:19    And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luke 22:20    Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

"1st Corinthians 11:24    And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25    After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26    For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27    Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28    But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29    For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30    For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."


Separation
I believe that the Bible clearly teaches that every Christian should separate themselves from the world, the things of the world, and the people of the world in order to stay pure and usable for God. I do not believe that we should be so separated that we have no contact with the lost for evangelical purposes. (We are commanded to be a light and a witness, but not a partaker.)

"2nd Corinthians 6:17    Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"


"1st John 2:15    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16    For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

"James 1:27    Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

"1st Timothy 5:22    Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure."


Sanctification
I believe that sanctification or to be sanctified is to be set apart UNTO God for Gods use, not just to be separate from the world but to be separated from the world TO God. I believe every Christian is commanded to be sanctified unto God for His use.

"2nd Timothy 2:21    If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."

"1Pe 3:15    But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"


Eternal Life/Death
I believe that the Bible clearly teaches that after death our soul remains in either eternal life in Heaven, or eternal death and suffering in Hell.

"1st John 2:25    And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."

"Matthew 25:46    And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."


Heaven/Hell
I believe that Heaven and Hell/Lake of fire are the only two literal, physical, destinations for a soul to spend eternity in. Heaven is a place greater and more magnificent than I can ever imagine, and only those who are saved by Christ will gain access there. Hell is a place of torment, it is a temporary prison for the soul that will one day give up the dead in it to be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity.

Heaven is mentioned over 500 times in scripture.
Hell is mentioned over 50 times.

Heaven is described in
"Revelations 21"

Hell is described in
"Luke 16:23    And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24    And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26    And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27    Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28    For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment."



 Judgment
I believe that God, through His law, will judge every man. I do not believe there will be any more condemnation of sin for the believer (Romans 8:1). I believe that Gods judgment is and will be righteous and absolute.

"Hebrews 9:27    And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

"1st Peter 4:5    Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead."

"2nd Timothy 4:8    Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."


Virgin birth of Christ
I believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin as was prophesied in Isaiah.

Isaiah 7:14    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:18    Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.


Sinless life of Christ
I believe that Jesus Christ lived a completely sin free life in order to be a pure unspotted sacrifice for my sins. If Christ was not sinless then our faith is in vain, because his sacrifice would not be an acceptable, incorruptible payment.

2nd Corinthians 5:21    For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1st Peter 1:18    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. 19    But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:


Christ's Crucifixion
I believe that Jesus Christ was tortured, crucified, and killed for our sins. He paid the price for me on the cross, fulfilled the scriptures and by doing so, set me free.

Isaiah 53

"Isaiah 53:3    He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4    Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5    But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7    He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

"John 19:28    After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
John 19:29    Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
John 19:30    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."


Christ's Resurrection
I believe and am confident in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ to defeat death for me.

John 19:38-20:7

"Luke 24:5-6 Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Luke 24:5    And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Luke 24:6    He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,"

"Romans 6:9    Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Romans 6:10    For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God."

"1st Thessalonians  1:10    And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

"2nd Timothy 2:8    Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:"


Christ's Return
I believe that Christ is going to return to claim His bride, the church. I believe His return could happen any day. I believe He will rapture His church before the tribulation period recorded in Revelations.

"1st Thessalonians 4:13    But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14    For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15    For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16    For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17    Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18    Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

"Luke 17:30    Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31    In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32    Remember Lot's wife. 33    Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34    I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35  Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36    Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

"1st Thessalonians 5:2    For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."

"2nd Peter 3:9    The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."


The Local Church
I believe that the local church is an institution of God designed for the fellowship of the believers, the learning and strengthening of Christians, the preaching of God's Word to sinners and to saints, and the base of all missions and evangelical work in the community and the world. The local church is made up of every believer, and every believer has a part to play in the church.
I also believe that there is one main purpose for the church;that purpose is to see souls saved. If the church does not commit itself to this task, then it is only a place of learning (which is good) and fellowship (which is also good) but not a biblical church. A biblical church preaches to see souls saved, teaches God's Word so that  others can lead souls to Christ, and is as much a witness in the local community as possible, all for the goal of leading the lost to Christ.

"Romans 12:4    For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5    So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

"1st Corinthians 12:1    Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2    Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3    Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4    Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5    And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6    And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7    But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8    For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9    To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10    To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11    But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12    For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13    For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14    For the body is not one member, but many. 15    If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16    And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17    If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18    But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19    And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20    But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21    And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22    Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23    And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24    For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25    That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26    And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27    Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28    And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29    Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30    Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31    But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."


Missions/Evangelism
I believe that it is clear from scripture that God has commanded every Christian to be a witness of Him. God has commanded that we, as imperfect sinful human beings, take the soul saving message of the gospel of Christ to the entire world, regardless of ease, or of persecution. I believe that the missionary should be gladly affiliated with and supported by the local church.

"Philippians 4:15-16    Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16    For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity."

"Mark 16:15    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

"Matthew 28:18    And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19    Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

"Luke 6:22    Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 23    Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."


Prayer
I believe that through the help and mediation of the Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ we can pray directly to God, not through man. I believe that prayer works, and that God hears the prayers of the righteous (not the unrighteous save for the prayer of salvation). God knows what we need before we ask and prayer is an absolute necessity in order to have a relationship with God.

"Mathew 6:6    But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7    But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8    Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9    After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10    Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11    Give us this day our daily bread. 12    And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

"Acts 4:31    And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."


The Christian
I believe that the Christian should be separated from the world, sanctified unto God, and because of our new nature which we have received through Christ, Christians should be easily identifiable by their walk with God. I believe the Christian is commanded by God to live holy and pure because the Christian is the temple of the Holy Ghost. I believe a Christian should extremely active in witnessing to the lost world around them.

"1st Peter 2:9    But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"


"1st Corinthians 6:19    What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20    For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Ephesians 4:30    And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."


"Philippians  1:27    Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28    And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29    For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"

"1st Peter 1:15    But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16    Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Witnessing
I believe that every church should be active in witnessing in the community, and every Christian should be living a daily witness of  the grace of God that we have received. Many claim that witnessing is no longer effective and should, therefore be forgotten, but I believe that we should witness because God commanded it, and it pleases God. The results are up to God. We witness to please God, and everything else (souls saved, church visitors, etc) is just a bonus.

Christ prayed to God to leave us here TO BE WITNESSES

"John 17:9    I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
Joh 17:10    And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
Joh 17:11    And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Joh 17:12    While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Joh 17:13    And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Joh 17:14    I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:15    I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16    They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17    Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Joh 17:18    As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Joh 17:19    And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."

"Proverbs 31:8    Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Pro 31:9    Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy."

"1st Corinthians 1:18    For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 21    For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

"Luke 24:46 the reason He came and 47 that repentance should be preached."



Conclusion
I believe all these things and more and have faith in and through God's Word. I know and am assured of the fact that God has called me into His ministry as a preacher of His gospel, and it is my soul's desire and burden to preach the Word and lead souls toward Christ.


  Galatians  6:14    But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.