What I Believe

                                                  "What I Believe"

This post is a response to the question I have been asked, "What, exactly, do you believe?"  I chose at the time of my ordination and licensure into ministry to be independent clergy.  I chose this as I am fully licensed, but not tied to one building or specific denominational body (though I may certainly pastor a church or congregation, and I have).  I am Christian is my short answer to the question.  What does that mean, though, really?  Roman Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, among many claim to be "Christian".  As I studied in seminary, I learned I line closest with Southern Baptist beliefs and doctrine.  Let me give you "my" core, personal, doctrinal statement, and see what you think, ok? 

First, Jesus IS the ONLY way.....

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Second, The Bible Alone

2Timothy3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Peter1:21 -  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.

Luke 24:44 - And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Jesus attests to the Word)

1 John 2:5 - But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Third, men need to be born again....

John 3:3,5 - Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans10:9-10 - 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


Fourth, as born again people we receive an eternal seal and are regenerated...

Ephesians 1:13-14 - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Titus3:4-5 -  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Galatians 4:5-6 - To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Fifth, there Is ONE God with three personhoods (Trinity or TriUnity).....

Exodus 20:3 - Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (ONE God, three persons)

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.

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:

Luke 1:35 - And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

John 14:16-17 - And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  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.

Sixth, believers need to repent (confess) of sins.....

Acts 3:19 - Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

1John1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Isaiah 1:15 - And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.


Seventh, prayer is necessary in the believer's daily life....

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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.

Ephesians 6:18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Colossians 1:3 - We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Philippians 1:4 - Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

2 Timothy 2:1 - I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 Timothy 2:8 - I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18- Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Psalm 122:6 - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Eighth, Baptism of Water and Spirit....

Matthew 3:11 - I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

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:

Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 1:4 -5 -  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.


Ninth, Fellowship of Believers.....

Acts 2:44-46 - And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Galatians 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12- Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Romans 1:12 - That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.


Tenth, Pray for and Exercise Spirit Gift(s)....

While many gifts of the Spirit were for the early church, given to use as signs for the unbelievers, there are many given to believers today.  As we all have abilities and talents passed on from our earthly parents, God gives the believer a gift that he or she can contribute to the kingdom while here on terra firma.  These are; Evangelism (Eph4:11), Pastor(Eph4:11), Serving(Ro12:7,1Cor12:28,Eph4:11), Teaching(Ro12:7,1Cor12:28,Eph4:11),  Faith(1Cor12:8-10, it is a faith above and beyond the measure given to all), Exhortation(Ro12:8), Discerning of Spirits(1Cor12:10), Showing Mercy(Ro12:8), Giving(Ro12:8), and Administration(as in organizational, church administrator, Ro12:8,1Cor12:28).

Eleventh, Evangelize.....

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


Twelfth, Study and Know Prophecy....

1 Thessalonians 5:20 - Despise not prophesyings.

1 Peter 1:19-21 - We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  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

Romans 15:4 - For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Thirteenth, End Time Events....

To be straightforward, I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture (1Thess4:16-18;Lk21:36) and a literal (unless God states otherwise), chronological order of events as recorded in the book of Revelation, Daniel, and the prophets. 

Fourteenth, Israel.....

God's Word says whoever blesses Israel He also will bless and whoever curses Israel He shall curse (Ge12:3), and calls Israel and her people "the apple of God's eye" (Zech2:8).  I believe Israel is the center of the nations when it comes to God and the order of end time events.  Jesus wept for Israel as He thought of her future (Lk19:41-44). God loves Israel and so do I.  I support groups who join Christians and Jews, and am a life long member of CUFI (Christians United For Israel).

Finally, An Orderly Walk......

In addition to these beliefs and practices of my faith, I maintain other aspects of Christian living that are demonstrated in the Word of God.  I partake, regularly, of the Communion, or Lord's Supper (1 Cor11:23-26).  I also set aside a time as Sabbath as God commanded His people (Ex20:8-11).  This can be difficult when I can be called at anytime to serve one in need, however, it is important for the believer to have fellowship with God, his creator.  I pray daily.  I read the Bible daily, as I believe it is the literal, truthful, reliable, perfect, authoritative, complete, authentic and final Word of God, from God Himself to men.  I lean to no other sources for defining truth and for my source of knowledge in ALL aspects of life.  God says it, thus it's so!  I am bold, uncompromising, and stand firmly on the Scriptures.
If there is any other aspect of faith I did not cover, feel free to ask.  I am very open and love speaking with people.

I have a passion for seeing people accept Jesus as Saviour.  I know it is God's will and wish for His people.  If you have not yet been reborn and sealed with His Holy Spirit you can -right now!  Confess your sins to God, ask Jesus to be Lord of your heart and your life.  Ask for His Holy Spirit to fill you, and guide your every step for the rest of your days.  Get a Bible and read daily.  He will forgive you.  Revelation 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Rev. Aaron M Mathews, Th.M.
reverendamathews@yahoo.com

http://www.facebook.com/AmericanThinker#!/aaron.mathews1
June 15, 2012