TENETS OF FAITH
A. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES - We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, are the inspired Word of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible Divine and final
authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12; Proverbs 21:30; Revelation 22:18-19)
B. THE ONE TRUE GOD – We believe there is one God, Creator of all things, who is infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy
Spirit. (Matthew 28:19, John 1:1, 14; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 5:7)
C. THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST – We believe Jesus the Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life,
miracles and healings attest to His earthly ministry. He died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of
the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. (John 14:8-11, 16:28; Hebrews 1:1-14)
D. THE FALL OF MAN – We believe man was created in the image and likeness of God, but man voluntarily sinned and thereby incurred both physical and spiritual death, which is separation
from God. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 3:23, 5:12-21)
E. THE SALVATION OF MAN – We believe the only means of our reconciliation to God is through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for
personal salvation and eternal spiritual life. The born-again believer is to separate from that which is evil and live a life of holiness unto God.
(a) The Baptism of Repentance. Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. (Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3, 5:32; 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Peter 3:9)
(b) Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. On the cross Jesus Christ became sin and sickness providing both salvation and healing for all mankind (Psalm
103:3). This salvation comes by believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing with your mouth, Jesus as Lord. (Romans 3:24, 10:8-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3;
Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5; 1 John 1:7)
(c) The inward evidence, to the believer, is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of true holiness and love. (1 John 3:23; John 13:35)
(d) Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works; however our works are evidence of our faith and will determine our rewards in eternity. (Romans 10:9-10, 14:10-12; 2
Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; James 2:18-24)
F. THE TRUE CHURCH – We believe the true Church is composed of all those who are born again, as taught in the scriptures. Through this new birth, we are united together in the body of
Christ. Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church. Every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22)
G. THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. During this age He has been sent to indwell, guide, instruct and
empower the believer for godly living and service. The Holy Spirit bestows the spiritual gifts of: (1) Word of Wisdom, (2) Word of Knowledge, (3) Faith, (4) Gifts of Healings, (5) Working of
Miracles, (6) Prophecy, (7) Discerning of Spirits, (8) Diverse Kinds of Tongues, (9) Interpretation of Tongues in and among believers on the earth since the Day of Pentecost and continuing until
our Lord’s return. (John 14:16-17; 14:26, 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31)
H. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT – We believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is granted to all believers who ask for this experience. We believe this experience is distinct from and
follows the new birth. Every believer can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. We believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of
speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. (Luke 24:49; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 38-39, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9, 19:2-6)
I. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH – We believe water baptism by immersion is a natural outward expression of the inward acceptance of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord
Jesus Christ; however, it is not to be regarded as means of salvation. We believe the communion of the Lord’s Supper is done in remembrance of Him: His suffering and death, burial and
resurrection, His present priestly ministry and His coming again. We believe the elements, bread and the fruit of the vine, are the symbols expressing our sharing in the divine nature of our Lord
Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:3-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30)
J. THE MISSION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH – We believe the mission of the local church is to assemble together as a corporate body in which man may worship God, to be an agency of God
for evangelizing the world, to be a storehouse wherein may be shared all things pertaining to life and godliness, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, to edify the body of Christ, till we
all come in the unity of the faith. (Mark 16:15-20; Hebrews 10:25; Malachi 3:8-10)
K. THE MINISTRY – We believe Christ has set in the church Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastor and Teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, to edify the body
of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith, wherein the mission of the local church may be accomplished. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
L. PROSPERITY: SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY – We believe that without faith it is impossible to please God. The atonement provides salvation for the believer, healing for the soul, healing for
the body. We are redeemed from the curse of the law, which is poverty, sickness and death. Our lives will be prosperous and healthy if we will walk in the light of this redemption with faith in
God’s Word.
(a) Spiritual (John 3:3, 11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10)
(b) Mental (2 Tim. 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3)
(c) Physical (Exodus 15:26; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17)
(d) Financial (3 John 2; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 4:19)
(e) Social (Proverbs 3:4)
M. THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH – We believe in the personal, pre-millennial, imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ, and
their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord. We believe this happening, referred to as “the Rapture”, will deliver us from the Tribulation. We will be
resurrected unto everlasting life and blessing in the presence of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)
N. THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST – We believe in the second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on the earth for a thousand years. (Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-7)
O. THE LAKE OF FIRE – We believe the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to
everlasting punishment in the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. This is the second death. (Revelation 19:20, 20:10-15)
P. THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH – We believe heaven and earth shall pass away and a new heaven and a new earth shall be created wherein God Himself will make His
residence. Believers shall be with Him eternally. (Revelation 21:1-22:5)
Q. THE LAYING ON OF HANDS. A simple belief that power or anointing or any other necessary quality can be transmitted from one person touching another. Laying on of hands was
practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing, and is our grounds for baby dedication instead of baptism. Laying on of hands for healing (Mark 5:22, 23
and 41; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11,12); laying on of hands to confer office (Acts 6:2-6); laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:16-18); laying on of hands to believe words
spoken, to receive anointing, and to cultivate the anointing (I Tim. 4:14); laying on of hands for ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools (I Tim. 4:14).
R. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; SCRIPTURAL CONDUCT.
(a) Personal Ethics. "I can do anything I want to if Christ has not said no, but some of these things aren't good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them, I'll refuse to if I think they might get such a
grip on me that I can't easily stop when I want to" (I Cor. 6:12 LB). "We can always 'prove' that we are right, but is the Lord convinced?" (Proverbs 16:2 LB) "And we beseech you, brethren, to
know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you" (I Thessalonians 5:12).
(b) Obedience to Law. "Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the laws
of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow" (Romans 13:1 2 LB). "Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you
know you should. Pay your taxes too, for these same two reasons. For government workers need to be paid so that they can keep on doing God's work, serving you. Pay everyone whatever he
ought to have; pay your taxes and import duties gladly, obey those over you, and give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due. Pay all your debts except the debt of love for others never
finish paying that! For if you love them, you will be obeying all of God's laws, fulfilling all his requirements. Another reason for right living in this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake
up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:5 8, 11 LB).
(c) Family; Household. "Honor your father and mother, that you may have a long, good life in the land the Lord your God will give you" (Exodus 20:12). "For if a man know not how to rule his own
house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" (I Timothy 3:5) "Their wives must be thoughtful, not heavy drinkers, not gossipers, but faithful in everything they do" (I Timothy 3:11 LB). "The
men you choose must be well thought of for their good lives; they must have only one wife and their children must love the Lord and not have a reputation for being wild or disobedient to their
parents. These elders must be men of blameless lives because they are God's ministers. They must not be proud or impatient; they must not be drunkards or fighters or greedy for money"
(Titus 1:6 7 LB). "That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their
children" (Titus 2:2 4). "You wives must submit to your husbands' leadership in the same way you submit to the Lord. For a husband is in charge of his wife in the same way Christ is in charge
of his body the Church. (He gave his very life to take care of it and be its Savior!) So you wives must willingly obey your husbands in everything, just as the Church obeys Christ. And you
husbands, show the same kind of love to your wives as Christ showed to the Church when he died for her, to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's Word: so that he could give
her to himself as a glorious Church without a single spot or wrinkle or any other blemish, being holy and without a single fault. That is how husbands should treat their wives, loving them as
parts of themselves. For since a man and his wife are now one, a man is really doing himself a favor and loving himself when he loves his wife. No one hates his own body but lovingly cares
for it, just as Christ cares for his body the Church, of which we are parts. (That the husband and wife are one body is proved by the Scripture which says, "A Man must leave his father and mother
when he marries, so the two shall be one.") So again, I say, a man must love his wife as a part of himself: and the wife must see to it that she deeply respects her husband obeying, praising
and honoring him. Children, obey your parents; this is the right thing to do because God has placed them in authority over you. Honor your father and mother. This is the first of God's Ten
Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: that if you honor your father and mother, yours will be a long life, full of blessing. And now a word to you parents. Don't keep
on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice"
(Ephesians 5:22 31, 33 6:4 LB).
(d) Control. "....For a man is a slave to whatever controls him" (II Peter 2:19 LB). "Even if we believe that it makes no difference to the Lord whether we do these things, still we cannot just go
ahead and do them to please ourselves; for we must bear the burden of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others of those who feel these things are wrong. Let's please the other
fellow, not ourselves, and do what is for his good and thus build him up in the Lord" (Romans 15:2 3 LB).
(e) Adultery; Immorality. "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). "...try hard to live without sinning; and be at peace with everyone so that he will be pleased with you when he returns" (II
Peter 2:14 LB). "You shall not commit adultery. But I say: Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27 28 LB). "...
Don't fool yourselves. Those who live immoral lives, who are idol worshipers, adulterers or homosexuals will have no share in his Kingdom ..."(I Cor. 6:9 LB). "But now I have written unto you
not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat" (I Cor. 5:11 LB).
(f) Drunkenness; Drugs. "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious and won't obey; he is a worthless drunkard. Then the men of the city shall stone him to death. In this way you shall put
away this evil from among you, and all the young men will hear about what happened and will be afraid" (Deuteronomy 21:20 21 LB). "...envy, murder, drunkenness, wild parties, and all that sort
of thing. Let me tell you again as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:21 LB). "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God" (I Cor. 6:10 LB). "Don't drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by Him"
(Ephesians 5:18 LB). "For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags" (Proverbs 23:21).
(g) Smoking. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy,
which temple are ye" (I Cor. 3:16 17). "Haven't you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that He lives within you? Your body does not belong to you. For God
has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God, because He owns it" (I Cor. 6:19).
(h) Homosexuality. "You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). "...God let go of them and let them do all these evil things, so that even their women
turned against God's natural plan for them and indulged in sex sin with each other. And the men, instead of having a normal sex relationship with women, burned with lust for each other, men
doing shameful things with other men and, as a result, getting paid within their own souls with the penalty they so richly deserved. So it was that when they have God up and would not even
acknowledge him, God gave them up to doing everything their evil minds could think of. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness and sin ...." (Romans 1:26 29). "Don't you know that
those doing such things have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who live immoral lives, who are idol worshippers, adulterers or homosexuals will have no share in
his Kingdom... "(I Cor. 6:9 10).
authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12; Proverbs 21:30; Revelation 22:18-19)
B. THE ONE TRUE GOD – We believe there is one God, Creator of all things, who is infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy
Spirit. (Matthew 28:19, John 1:1, 14; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 5:7)
C. THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST – We believe Jesus the Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life,
miracles and healings attest to His earthly ministry. He died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of
the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. (John 14:8-11, 16:28; Hebrews 1:1-14)
D. THE FALL OF MAN – We believe man was created in the image and likeness of God, but man voluntarily sinned and thereby incurred both physical and spiritual death, which is separation
from God. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 3:23, 5:12-21)
E. THE SALVATION OF MAN – We believe the only means of our reconciliation to God is through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for
personal salvation and eternal spiritual life. The born-again believer is to separate from that which is evil and live a life of holiness unto God.
(a) The Baptism of Repentance. Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. (Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3, 5:32; 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Peter 3:9)
(b) Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. On the cross Jesus Christ became sin and sickness providing both salvation and healing for all mankind (Psalm
103:3). This salvation comes by believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing with your mouth, Jesus as Lord. (Romans 3:24, 10:8-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3;
Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5; 1 John 1:7)
(c) The inward evidence, to the believer, is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of true holiness and love. (1 John 3:23; John 13:35)
(d) Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works; however our works are evidence of our faith and will determine our rewards in eternity. (Romans 10:9-10, 14:10-12; 2
Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; James 2:18-24)
F. THE TRUE CHURCH – We believe the true Church is composed of all those who are born again, as taught in the scriptures. Through this new birth, we are united together in the body of
Christ. Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church. Every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22)
G. THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. During this age He has been sent to indwell, guide, instruct and
empower the believer for godly living and service. The Holy Spirit bestows the spiritual gifts of: (1) Word of Wisdom, (2) Word of Knowledge, (3) Faith, (4) Gifts of Healings, (5) Working of
Miracles, (6) Prophecy, (7) Discerning of Spirits, (8) Diverse Kinds of Tongues, (9) Interpretation of Tongues in and among believers on the earth since the Day of Pentecost and continuing until
our Lord’s return. (John 14:16-17; 14:26, 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31)
H. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT – We believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is granted to all believers who ask for this experience. We believe this experience is distinct from and
follows the new birth. Every believer can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. We believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of
speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. (Luke 24:49; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 38-39, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9, 19:2-6)
I. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH – We believe water baptism by immersion is a natural outward expression of the inward acceptance of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord
Jesus Christ; however, it is not to be regarded as means of salvation. We believe the communion of the Lord’s Supper is done in remembrance of Him: His suffering and death, burial and
resurrection, His present priestly ministry and His coming again. We believe the elements, bread and the fruit of the vine, are the symbols expressing our sharing in the divine nature of our Lord
Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:3-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30)
J. THE MISSION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH – We believe the mission of the local church is to assemble together as a corporate body in which man may worship God, to be an agency of God
for evangelizing the world, to be a storehouse wherein may be shared all things pertaining to life and godliness, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, to edify the body of Christ, till we
all come in the unity of the faith. (Mark 16:15-20; Hebrews 10:25; Malachi 3:8-10)
K. THE MINISTRY – We believe Christ has set in the church Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastor and Teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, to edify the body
of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith, wherein the mission of the local church may be accomplished. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
L. PROSPERITY: SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY – We believe that without faith it is impossible to please God. The atonement provides salvation for the believer, healing for the soul, healing for
the body. We are redeemed from the curse of the law, which is poverty, sickness and death. Our lives will be prosperous and healthy if we will walk in the light of this redemption with faith in
God’s Word.
(a) Spiritual (John 3:3, 11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10)
(b) Mental (2 Tim. 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3)
(c) Physical (Exodus 15:26; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17)
(d) Financial (3 John 2; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 4:19)
(e) Social (Proverbs 3:4)
M. THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH – We believe in the personal, pre-millennial, imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ, and
their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord. We believe this happening, referred to as “the Rapture”, will deliver us from the Tribulation. We will be
resurrected unto everlasting life and blessing in the presence of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)
N. THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST – We believe in the second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on the earth for a thousand years. (Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-7)
O. THE LAKE OF FIRE – We believe the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to
everlasting punishment in the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. This is the second death. (Revelation 19:20, 20:10-15)
P. THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH – We believe heaven and earth shall pass away and a new heaven and a new earth shall be created wherein God Himself will make His
residence. Believers shall be with Him eternally. (Revelation 21:1-22:5)
Q. THE LAYING ON OF HANDS. A simple belief that power or anointing or any other necessary quality can be transmitted from one person touching another. Laying on of hands was
practiced by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing, and is our grounds for baby dedication instead of baptism. Laying on of hands for healing (Mark 5:22, 23
and 41; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11,12); laying on of hands to confer office (Acts 6:2-6); laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:16-18); laying on of hands to believe words
spoken, to receive anointing, and to cultivate the anointing (I Tim. 4:14); laying on of hands for ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools (I Tim. 4:14).
R. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; SCRIPTURAL CONDUCT.
(a) Personal Ethics. "I can do anything I want to if Christ has not said no, but some of these things aren't good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them, I'll refuse to if I think they might get such a
grip on me that I can't easily stop when I want to" (I Cor. 6:12 LB). "We can always 'prove' that we are right, but is the Lord convinced?" (Proverbs 16:2 LB) "And we beseech you, brethren, to
know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you" (I Thessalonians 5:12).
(b) Obedience to Law. "Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the laws
of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow" (Romans 13:1 2 LB). "Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you
know you should. Pay your taxes too, for these same two reasons. For government workers need to be paid so that they can keep on doing God's work, serving you. Pay everyone whatever he
ought to have; pay your taxes and import duties gladly, obey those over you, and give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due. Pay all your debts except the debt of love for others never
finish paying that! For if you love them, you will be obeying all of God's laws, fulfilling all his requirements. Another reason for right living in this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake
up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:5 8, 11 LB).
(c) Family; Household. "Honor your father and mother, that you may have a long, good life in the land the Lord your God will give you" (Exodus 20:12). "For if a man know not how to rule his own
house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" (I Timothy 3:5) "Their wives must be thoughtful, not heavy drinkers, not gossipers, but faithful in everything they do" (I Timothy 3:11 LB). "The
men you choose must be well thought of for their good lives; they must have only one wife and their children must love the Lord and not have a reputation for being wild or disobedient to their
parents. These elders must be men of blameless lives because they are God's ministers. They must not be proud or impatient; they must not be drunkards or fighters or greedy for money"
(Titus 1:6 7 LB). "That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their
children" (Titus 2:2 4). "You wives must submit to your husbands' leadership in the same way you submit to the Lord. For a husband is in charge of his wife in the same way Christ is in charge
of his body the Church. (He gave his very life to take care of it and be its Savior!) So you wives must willingly obey your husbands in everything, just as the Church obeys Christ. And you
husbands, show the same kind of love to your wives as Christ showed to the Church when he died for her, to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's Word: so that he could give
her to himself as a glorious Church without a single spot or wrinkle or any other blemish, being holy and without a single fault. That is how husbands should treat their wives, loving them as
parts of themselves. For since a man and his wife are now one, a man is really doing himself a favor and loving himself when he loves his wife. No one hates his own body but lovingly cares
for it, just as Christ cares for his body the Church, of which we are parts. (That the husband and wife are one body is proved by the Scripture which says, "A Man must leave his father and mother
when he marries, so the two shall be one.") So again, I say, a man must love his wife as a part of himself: and the wife must see to it that she deeply respects her husband obeying, praising
and honoring him. Children, obey your parents; this is the right thing to do because God has placed them in authority over you. Honor your father and mother. This is the first of God's Ten
Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: that if you honor your father and mother, yours will be a long life, full of blessing. And now a word to you parents. Don't keep
on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice"
(Ephesians 5:22 31, 33 6:4 LB).
(d) Control. "....For a man is a slave to whatever controls him" (II Peter 2:19 LB). "Even if we believe that it makes no difference to the Lord whether we do these things, still we cannot just go
ahead and do them to please ourselves; for we must bear the burden of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others of those who feel these things are wrong. Let's please the other
fellow, not ourselves, and do what is for his good and thus build him up in the Lord" (Romans 15:2 3 LB).
(e) Adultery; Immorality. "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). "...try hard to live without sinning; and be at peace with everyone so that he will be pleased with you when he returns" (II
Peter 2:14 LB). "You shall not commit adultery. But I say: Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27 28 LB). "...
Don't fool yourselves. Those who live immoral lives, who are idol worshipers, adulterers or homosexuals will have no share in his Kingdom ..."(I Cor. 6:9 LB). "But now I have written unto you
not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat" (I Cor. 5:11 LB).
(f) Drunkenness; Drugs. "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious and won't obey; he is a worthless drunkard. Then the men of the city shall stone him to death. In this way you shall put
away this evil from among you, and all the young men will hear about what happened and will be afraid" (Deuteronomy 21:20 21 LB). "...envy, murder, drunkenness, wild parties, and all that sort
of thing. Let me tell you again as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:21 LB). "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God" (I Cor. 6:10 LB). "Don't drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by Him"
(Ephesians 5:18 LB). "For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags" (Proverbs 23:21).
(g) Smoking. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy,
which temple are ye" (I Cor. 3:16 17). "Haven't you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that He lives within you? Your body does not belong to you. For God
has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God, because He owns it" (I Cor. 6:19).
(h) Homosexuality. "You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). "...God let go of them and let them do all these evil things, so that even their women
turned against God's natural plan for them and indulged in sex sin with each other. And the men, instead of having a normal sex relationship with women, burned with lust for each other, men
doing shameful things with other men and, as a result, getting paid within their own souls with the penalty they so richly deserved. So it was that when they have God up and would not even
acknowledge him, God gave them up to doing everything their evil minds could think of. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness and sin ...." (Romans 1:26 29). "Don't you know that
those doing such things have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who live immoral lives, who are idol worshippers, adulterers or homosexuals will have no share in
his Kingdom... "(I Cor. 6:9 10).
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