Trinity Center Community Church
Doctrinal Statement
Trinity Center Community Church
THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE (Bibliology)
Revelation
God has chosen to reveal Himself to man generally through nature (Romans 1:18-20) which demonstrates His presence and authorship (Psalms 19:1-6). He has revealed Himself through His written Word, the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21) which are given at different times and in various ways (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:20-21), and recorded by holy men of God (Daniel12:4; Revelation 1:11). He has also revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews1:1-4; John 1:14-18).
Authority
God's revelation of Himself in creation is authority for His existence and judgment (Romans1:19-20). The written revelation of God, the Holy Scriptures, has complete authority for faith (Romans10:17) and conduct (James 1:25; 2 Timothy 3:15-17), and is spoken of by God as having authority to accomplish His purpose (Matthew 5:17-18, Isaiah 55:11). Since Jesus Christ is God, the living Word, He is the source of authority (John 1:1-3). We accept only the 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books as Scripture, rejecting any apocrypha or other writings as such.
Inspiration
We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). This inspiration is the intervention of God in the human authors which produced every thought or meaning He intended (Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 5:18) without violating the individual author's personality, vocabulary, and style while writing (verbal plenary inspiration). Inspiration applies only to the original autographs producing authority equal to every other revelation from God. God's written Word is without error and is in harmony with His will. Inerrancy has its foundation in inspiration and is ensured in the original writings of the author. With the original written Word being inerrant, it produces complete truth (John 17:17).
Hermeneutic
We believe in a "literal," "historical," and "grammatical" interpretation of scripture. By literal we mean the everyday, normal plain use of the words of scripture. By historical we mean the normal use of the word in light of the ways, tools, manners, methods and culture of a given people during the time it was written. By grammatical we mean applying the normal grammatical principles of the language in which it was written.
Dispensational
A literal interpretation of scripture cannot help but lead to a dispensational position.
THE NATURE OF GOD (Theology Proper)
The Existence of God
We believe in one God who is the only true God in the entire universe (Isaiah 45: John 17:3). A God who is an everlasting Spirit (Isaiah 40:28; John 4:24). He is the creator of the universe and all that is contained in it (Isaiah 45:18; Revelation 4:11), yet is vastly greater and distinct from His creation (Isaiah 40:21-28). He is not dependent upon any part of His creation, but is self sufficient in Himself (1Timothy 1:17; John 5:26). He is personal and has chosen to reveal Himself to us in 3 basic ways:
Through His creation (Romans 1:20)
Through His revealed Word (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:21)
Through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2-3)
The Attributes of God
God has certain characteristics which have been revealed to us and yet they are not a totality of His being, for God is incomprehensible (Isaiah 40:28) and infinite (Psalms 45). Of the attributes God has revealed to us, we can understand a portion of His character and see His uniqueness.
He is Holy (Isaiah 6:3; Romans 3:5-8). He is omniscient - knowing everything (Romans11:33-34), and omnipresent - being everywhere (Psalms 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23-24). He is omnipotent - all powerful (Matthew 19:26; Isaiah 40:23-26), and with His power He is sovereign (Psalms 135:6). He is changeless (Malachi 3:6), and transcendent (1 Kings 8:27). He is love (1 John 4:8,16), and life (John 5:26) and truth (Deuteronomy 32:4; John 17:3).
The Trinity
We believe in one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) who in His nature is triune (Romans 1:20). He consists of three persons; God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), who share equally the same essence that make them God (i.e., His divine attributes and every aspect of His nature). They are indivisible (Isaiah 45:5, 22; 46:9) and do not act independent from the other members of the Trinity (John 14:9-11; 16:13-15; 17:4).
THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST (Christology)
The Person of Christ
We believe Jesus Christ has from eternity been God (John 1:1-2; Micah 5:2; John 10:30; Isaiah 9:6-7; 1 Timothy 3:16). In His incarnation He took the form of man (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Philippians 2:7), and was human in all aspects as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, He was fully man and fully God, the union of two natures in one person. His deity was never limited by His humanity, neither did He minister to His humanity out of His deity. Christ was tempted with sin (Luke 4) yet did not sin (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He was tempted in His humanity because God cannot be tempted with sin (James 1:13).
The Completed Work of Christ
Christ's predetermined death on the cross (Acts 2:14) was the ransom (redemption) paid for the sinner which satisfied (propitiation) God's Holy demands (Titus 2:14; Colossians 2:14; Romans 3:25). He took the sinner's sin upon Himself and the sinner's place in judgment before God (Colossians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21). His death is the basis for: Justification (Romans 3:24-25), no condemnation (Romans 8:1; John 3:16-18) and no penalty for sin (Romans 6:23).
In His death, provision was not only made for the elect, but for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Therefore reconciliation was provided for all, not just the elect (2 Corinthians 5:15, 19). After Christ's death, He was raised from the dead, ensuring the believer's own resurrection (Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, 12-23). Christ also created all things (Colossians 1:16; John 1:3).
The Present Work of Christ
All mankind must presently come through Jesus Christ to be saved (John 14:6). Those who are saved through Him are presently indwelt by Him (2 Corinthians 11:10, 13:5; Ephesians 3:17). In the believer, He is the source of strength (Philippians 4:13) and the ground of our hope (Colossians 1:27).
He is our High Priest seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:15). As priest, He is our advocate and intercessor before the Father (1 John 2:1; Romans 8:34). He is in the process of building His Church (Matthew 16:18) and is its head in authority and example (Ephesians 1:22, 5:23). As head and example, He is the Great Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4; Luke 15:3-9) caring for and leading His sheep (John 10:1-16). He is presently sustaining His creation by His Word (Colossians 1:17) and is also preparing a place in Heaven for those who believe in Him (John 14:2-3).
The Future Work of Christ
Christ will come and claim His bride, the Church, in what is called the Rapture of the Church, which is separate and distinct from His second coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). We believe the rapture of the Church precedes the 70th week of Daniel, also called the Great Tribulation (2 Thessalonians 2:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10; Revel. 3:10,11; 4:1) At that time, He will purify the Church by conforming believers to His image (1 John 3:2). Every Church believer must appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged for their works and receive, or suffer the loss of, rewards (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
In His second coming, He will remove all unbelievers from the earth, whether in battle (Isaiah 63:1-6 Revelation 19:11) or in judgement (Matthew 25:31-32). He then will reign as king over the whole earth for a thousand years and the Saints of all ages will reign with Him (Revelation 20:4). Finally, He will judge all unbelievers at the Great White Throne Judgment and cast them into the Lake of Fire (Hell) (Revelation 20:11-15; John 5:22).
THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Pneumatology)
The Person of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is one in essence with the Father and the Son and is not a power of God or an attribute, but God Himself. He is called God in Acts 5:3-4. He also possesses the attributes of God such as omnipresence (Psalms 139:7), truth (1 John 5:6) and omniscience (1 Corinthians 2:11-12). He is equated with God (Isaiah 6:1-13; Acts 28:25) and He proceeds from the Father as having His being and purpose in Him (John 15:26). He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak (John 16:13).
The Holy Spirit is a person having emotion - He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). He has intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) and has His own will (1 Corinthians 12:11).
The Work of the Holy Spirit in:
Salvation
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11). The Holy Spirit imparts new birth or regenerates the unsaved man at the time of salvation and gives him life (John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5). At the time of salvation the Holy Spirit baptizes the believer (1 Corinthians 12:13), placing him in the body of Christ and indwells him for he is the Spirit's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). He is also the earnest and seal of the believer's salvation, giving the believer eternal security (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30).
The Believer
He is our Comforter, called along side to help us (John 14:16, 26). He gives us continuous assurance of salvation by bearing witness with our spirit that we are saved (Romans 8:14-16). He intercedes for us when we don't know how to pray (Romans 8:26). He is our teacher, leading the believer into truth (John 14:26, 16:12-15; 1 John 2:27). He imparts spiritual gifts to the believer according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:11). Believers are to be filled with and walk in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16).
Creation
The Holy Spirit gave creation order (Genesis 1:2) and gave it life and breath (Genesis 2:7). He was involved in creation's planning (Isaiah 40:12-13) and its beauty (Job 26:13). He sustains and replenishes the life therein (Acts 17:24-25; Psalms 104:24-30; Job 33:4).
THE DOCTRINE OF MAN’S ORIGIN (Anthropology)
We believe that God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:26) from the dust of the earth and breathed into him the breath of life and he became alive (Genesis 2:7). God created man different from all creation making him a tricotomy of three parts: Body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Mark 12:30; Hebrews 4:12). God created woman as a helper for the man in his work (Genesis 2:18) and gave them dominion over creation (Genesis 1:26, 28). Man was created without sin and with a free will to obey or disobey God's specific command (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:6,11).
THE DOCTRINE OF SIN (Harmartiology)
Man's original sin was disobedience to the command of God not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17, 3:6). Sin brought shame and recognition of guilt (Genesis3:10) and curses upon the man, woman and the earth (Genesis 3:15-19). Adam's sin brought consequences upon all men, spiritual death and physical death (Genesis 2:17; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 5:12-14), and an inherited sin nature (Romans 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:3).
Man is also an individual sinner (Romans 3:9-12, 23, 5:12). Therefore man in his condition is unable to produce a righteousness that will give him merit in God's eyes (total depravity) (Romans 3:23; John 3:19). This does not mean man is as evil as he could be, or completely evil (Matthew 7:11).
THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION (Soteriology)
Conditions for Salvation
We believe in the election of man by God to salvation (Ephesians 2:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 1:1; 2 Timothy 2:10; Romans 11:7). This election has its foundation in God's love (Ephesians 1:4), His wisdom (Jude 25), His eternality (Ephesians 1:4), and His glory (Ephesians 1:12-14). Therefore, election is in complete harmony with God's character.
Man's responsibility in salvation is to exercise faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12, 3:16, 6:47; Acts 4:10-12, 16:30-31; Romans 10:9-10), trusting in Him alone for salvation. No work, creed, effort, or ritual can add to this salvation which is by faith in Christ alone (Romans 3:28, 4:2-3, 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Benefits of Salvation
At the time of salvation the believer receives the righteousness of Christ imputed to him by faith (Rom. 1:17; 3:22,25; 4:11-13; 22-24; 9:30; Phil. 3:9). This righteousness makes the believer fit for heaven and renders him as perfect as Christ in the eyes of God.
In relation to sin, man in salvation receives forgiveness and is no longer under condemnation for it (John 3:18; Romans 8:1). Sin no longer has dominion or rule over the believer (Romans 6:14, 22) because he is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:18). And in the future, sin will be absent from the believer's presence (Revelation 21:26-27; 1 John 3:2-3). Every believer will be conformed to Christ's image (I John 3:2-3) and have a glorified, resurrected body (1 Corinthians 15:21-27). The believer in his relationship to God is justified before Him (Romans 3:24, 28). God also sanctifies the believer (Ephesians 5:26). He has adopted the believer as His son (Galatians 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:5) and as full sons gives us an equal inheritance with Christ (1 Peter 1:4; Romans 8:14-17).
Assurance and Security
The believer is assured and secure in his salvation not by any discovery of his own worthiness, but wholly upon the testimony of God in His written Word (John 20:31; 1 John 5:13). The believer is assured of his salvation by the witness of the Holy Spirit with his spirit (Romans 8:16) and by the Word of God (1 John 5:13). God promises to keep the believer secure (John 6:39-40, 10:28-30; Romans 8:33; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5), and has given us His Spirit as the earnest and seal in our hearts until the day we are redeemed (2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30).
THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS (Angelology)
Apparently angels witnessed the creation of the earth (Job 38:4-7). They were created beings for God's glory (Revelation 4:1). They are said to be spirits (Hebrews 1:14) and differ in rank, power and form (Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 5:2, 10:1, 4:6-8). They are personal beings possessing intellect (1 Peter 1:12), feelings (Luke 2:13) and a will (Jude 6). They minister to believers (Hebrews 1:14), to nations (Daniel 12:1), to unbelievers (Acts 12:23) and before God's throne (Revelation 4). The unfallen angels are called elect, or holy angels (Matthew 25:31; 1 Timothy 5:21).
The fallen angels are those who followed Satan in his rebellion against God (Revelation 12:3-4) and are demons (Matthew 12:24). Satan's sin was that of pride (1 Timothy 3:6), wanting to be God (Isaiah 14:13-14). His fallen nature is everything contrary to God (John 8:44; Ephesians 6:12). Satan has been judged at the cross (John 12:3, 16:11), and will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever (Revelation 20:10).
THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH (Ecclesiology)
The Universal Church
We believe the universal church is composed of all saved individuals on earth present (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), and the dead who are in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This includes both Jew and Gentile believers (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14-18). The universal church is not synonymous with national Israel. They are separate and distinct programs of God (Romans 11; Ephesians 2:11-15). The church began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:-4) and therefore was not found in Old Testament Israel. Christ is presently building His Church (Matthew 16:18) and it will be completed at His coming for it,(1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Its ultimate destiny is glorification (Romans 8:30; 1 John 3:2; Ephesians 5:27). Church saints will be judged for their works at the judgment seat of Christ and rewarded (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 4:4; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
The Organization
We believe scripture teaches that the local church is to be autonomous (Acts 11:19-30, 13:1-5), having within each local church the offices of Elder (Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:1-7) and Deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13) by which to govern themselves (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5). The office and authority of the Apostles ceased when the Apostles died. We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman divinely instituted (Genesis 2:24), designed for the happiness of man, that God intended for man to have a companion, helper and an equal (Genesis 2:18).
The Body of Christ
The universal church is called the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4). Every believer has a different function in this body (1 Corinthians 12:14-25) with Christ as its head. We believe the church is also the Bride of Christ awaiting the Bridegroom's return (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-27; Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 12:7-10).
THE DOCTRINE OF FUTURE THINGS (Eschatology)
Israel
God has a plan for national Israel in the future. Their purification will take place during the time of Jacob's trouble, or the Great Tribulation (Daniel 12:1; Zechariah 13:8-9, 14:1-3) followed by national salvation (Zechariah 12:9-13; Daniel 12:1-3; Matthew 24:29-31; Romans 11:26). After their national salvation, Israel will enjoy an earthly kingdom with Christ as their King (Psalm 2; Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-10; Ezekiel 34:11-31).
Tribulation
The time of Jacob's trouble, the seventieth week of Daniel, or the Great Tribulation, is a period of seven years divided into two parts of three and one half years each (Daniel 9:27, 12:7; Revelation12:6,14). This period follows the rapture of the Church and begins with the revealing of the man of sin, the Roman prince (2 Thessalonians 2:3-6) making a peace covenant with Israel for 7 years (Daniel 9:27). The middle of the tribulation is marked out with the Man of Sin defiling God's temple (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15). The Man of Sin has Satan as his head (Revelation 13:4), exalts himself as God (2 Thessalonians 2:4) and causes no one to buy or sell save they have his mark, the number of his name (Revelation 13:16-18). This is also a period of Divine wrath which will be poured out upon the earth (Revelation 6, 8-9, 16-19). It ends with the second coming of Christ in battle and the setting up of His kingdom (Matthew 24:29-30; Revelation 19:11-21).
At the end of the tribulation the Old Testament saints and the tribulation saints will be resurrected (Daniel 12:13) and reign with Christ a thousand years in His kingdom (Revelation 20:4-8).
Millennium
Following the tribulation, the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20) and Satan is bound for one thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3). Christ will literally reign on earth for one thousand years (Isaiah 9:6-7; Ezekiel 34:11; Revelation 20:4), from a literal Jerusalem (Ezekiel 44:1-4; Isaiah 9:7). During the millennium, the creation will be restored to its original order (Isaiah 11:1-10, 65:18-25; Ezekiel 47:10-12). At the end of the millennium, Satan will be loosed for a short season to deceive the nations and bring them against Christ (Revelation 20:7-9). Fire comes down from heaven and kills those who rebel, and the Devil is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:8,10). Then the final judgment of the unsaved, called the Great White Throne Judgment takes place (Revelation 20:11-15). The unsaved of all time are judged according to their works, "and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15) where they are tormented forever (Isaiah 66:24; Revelation 20:10).
Eternal State
God will create a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 66:22), the old being destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10,12). The believer will be saved from sin's presence (2 peter 3:13; Revelation 21:27) where they shall consciously enjoy God and serve Him forever (Revelation 21:1-4).