We believe the following statements to be true and of such
a nature as to provide a sufficient basis for fellowship and
coordinated efforts among all who truly believe them. Our
unity in keeping with Jesus' prayer in John chapter seventeen
glorifies God.
There is one God, Who is omnipotent, omnipresent,
and omniscient, existing in three (Triune)
co-equal and eternal persons; the Father, the Son (Logos),
and the Holy Spirit, each sharing the same being and essence.
(Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4; Gen. 18:14; Mk. 10:17; Ps. 138:7,
Isa. 46: 9-10; Gal. 6:4; Mic. 5:2; Heb. 4:14; 7:3; 18:8; Acts
5:4; John 10:30).
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, (Mk.1:1),
was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Mt. 1:23,
conceived by the Holy Spirit (Isa. 9:6; Luke 1:35), was truly
man as well as truly God (Phil. 2:5-11). He co-existed from
eternity past with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Jn. 1:1,
Heb 7:3; 13:8; Ps. 90:2, Heb. 9:14), and that He,
being God, became flesh and lived among us (Jn. 1:1, 14).
We believe that man's greatest problem is that of
spiritual death and separation from God as a result
of sin (Rom. 2:23, 5:2). We believe that the only remedy for
this dilemma is found through faith in Jesus Christ, and in
His blood, shed on the cross as payment for the sin of the
World (Acts 4:12; Heb. 9:12) through Whom we can know our
sins are forgiven and be assured of eternal life (Col. 1:14;
1 John 5:13). We believe that all of this was made possible
through the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross, and
His bodily ressurection from the grave on the third day for
our justification (1 Cor. 15:3-4). We believe that conversion
to Christ, should soon be followed by baptism as a public
confession of faith in, and obedience to, the Lord (Matt.
28:19-20, Acts 8:35-39).
We believe there is a literal Heaven, prepared
by Christ for all who know Him (2 Cor. 5:8) and a literal
Hell, prepared for Satan and his angels, the destiny
of all who do not accept God's free gift of eternal life through
Jesus Christ (Rev. 20:11-15).
We believe the Bible is the inerrant and
verbally inspired word of God in the original manuscripts
(2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 1:20-21) and that the widely accepted
English translations are reliable and accurate.
We believe in the literal, physical, personal return
of Jesus Christ to this Earth. We believe He will
rule and reign on Earth, as in Heaven, in a very direct and
absolute way (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:9-11). Please see I.C.A.
policy statement concerning Eschatology.
Our Definition Of A "Cult" Or "False Religion"
"Two or more people who have a real or imaginary
need they are trying to meet, or fulfill, by believing that
which is false about the Person and work of the Biblical Jesus
Christ."
Policy Statement Regarding Eschatology
The doctrine of the return of Jesus Christ in the same manner
as He was seen to depart the Earth is one that is vitally
important in order to maintain true Orthodoxy and therefore
fellowship. It is important to affirm that Jesus will return
as a full grown resurrected man (Zechariah 14:4) to the Mount
of Olives outside the city of Jerusalem. This return will
be very public. "Behold He cometh with clouds and every
eye shall see Him" (Rev. 1:7) To deny this is to call
the infallible testimony of both the Old And New Testaments
into question.
This, of course, has very significant ramifications for the
occultic "New Age" view of the return of Christ
as a reincarnated soul inside of a baby. You cannot have a
full grown resurrected Nazarene physically appear inside a
woman's womb. You also cannot have an "unseen spiritual
return" fit the description of the preceeding verses.
It is also important to the veracity of the Scriptures that
the words of the angels (Acts 1:11) who watched Jesus depart
be taken literally. If we do not do this we are calling the
Bible a lie. He will return, as they testified, in "like
manner" as He departed. He departed physically and was
detectable to the visual sense of the people on Olivet watching
Him leave.
There have been needless divisions over eschatology that
has separated true brothers and kept them from co-operating
in areas of social concern and evangelism. We, therefore,
recognize those who believe in His literal physical return
as brothers in Christ. It is not necessary for Orthodoxy to
affirm more than the physical return of Christ to rule in
glory and full Deity over all creation. We are willing to
minister in the area of Apologetics, the cults and the occult
to Churches that disagree with us on eschatological particulars.
There are, however, some serious errors that we perceive as
emanating from groups that use an allegorical hermeneutic
in regard to prophecy. Where we are permitted to do so we
intend to expose such errors.
Having said this it is important for us to state
very clearly our own particular view of eschatology:
We believe that the Lord Jesus is going to return as the
Savior of the whole Earth and the Machiach or Messiah of the
people of Israel in particular. We believe He will fulfill
every promise made to the Patriarchs of Israel, Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3 & 13:15) and their descendants.
He will rule on Earth as King of the Jews (Zechariah 12:1,10;
14:9) and also of the nations. We believe therefore in a Pre-millennial
return of Jesus. This is so because it fits best with a consistent
hermeneutic that takes the Old Testament literally in areas
the people of ancient Israel should have taken it.
The people of Israel should have recognized the literal nature
of the prophecies regarding the first coming of Messiah. Jesus
chided them for not knowing their time of visitation. In the
same way the people of today should be interested in prophecies
concerning the return of Jesus Christ. When the disciples
asked Jesus for signs of His return, He didn't tell them not
to ask such foolish things. He, instead, gave them signs to
look for. As we look at the things He spoke of, it is important
to make sure we carefully distinguish between what the Bible
actually says and what our interpretations or speculations
are. We don't believe it is wrong to rationally speculate
on trends that seem to be harbingers of the coming "time
of Jacob's trouble" or "tribulation period"
as long as we don't attempt to set a date and that we make
it clear we are only speculating and not making Divine pronouncements
or certitudes about the signs of the times we are living in.
The Christian And Political Involvement
Jesus said that His Kingdom is not of this world, and that
if it were of this world His disciples would pick up the sword
and fight. Of course this is what Islam tells its people to
do. It has been noted that war is politics being carried out
on the battlefield rather than through the ballot box. Though
we may or may not agree with this statement, it does bring
out the fact that politics and warfare both alienate people
from each other on a basis other than the simple Gospel. This
is one of the dangers of having the Church at large being
identified too closely with a political party or any temporal
group that is in conflict with another. It is better to use
a non-theological name (ie: "The Moral Majority"
as opposed to "The Christian Coalition") when identifying
a group concerned with temporal moral and ethical issues so
unbeleivers won't confuse the eternal Gospel message of the
Church with an earthly agenda they may oppose. This can make
an entire group of people believe that because they are in
conflict with people claiming to represent Christ that Christ
then is their enemy as well. Therefore, this can in their
own minds, effectively eliminate the Gospel as being something
for them. Pains must be taken to insure that eternal matters
are differentiated from temporal or secular concerns so as
not to place a stumbling block in front of a soul coming to
faith in Christ.
Does this mean that Christians should be unconcerned about
politics? To the contrary, Christians as individuals ought
to be salt and light wherever their influence can be felt.
They should, however, always remember the main enduring source
for social change is the preaching to and the persuading of
people about the truth of the Gospel. This will change hearts
and lives for time and eternity. The Apostle Paul in the book
of Romans chapter thirteen tells us that the governing authorities
"do not wield the sword in vain." We are also admonished
to pray for those in authority over us. It is, therefore,
appropriate for Christians to be publicly involved in corporate
prayer for political figures that we may live in peace. They
should also put "feet to their prayers" by seeking
to influence society, and those leaders, in whatever ways
that are righteous and present themselves for their just betterment.
This would include voting, running for office, or helping
out in a political campaign.
There are those that teach that the Church's main mission
is to bring all temporal governments under the authority of
the Gospel and thus bring in the Millennial or Messianic era.
This, of course, is a huge political statement. We strongly
disagree with the Post-millenialist or Dominionist position
that would have the Kingdom on Earth without the King and
the Messianic era without the return of the Messiah.
We believe that the "poor will be with us always"
until the Messiah Jesus returns. At that time He will bring
justice in a very political sense to the poor. He will be
king of the Earth and will usher it in with a sword coming
out of His mouth in Divine warfare against His enemies. He
will strike dead those who have not received His offer of
peace and clemency through His own sacrificially and propitiously
shed blood. At that time His kingdom will take on a very political
quality in that His will also be a government that will not
"wield the sword in vain."
Prior to His return, our main efforts and energy must be
focused on fulfilling Jesus' great commission to us of taking
His Gospel to the whole world. This does not preclude speaking
out prophetically on temporal social and political justice
issues. We should do one without neglecting the other.
Mount Carmel Outreach
All donations to The Institute For Christian
Apologetics are
tax-deductible, greatly needed and equally appreciated!
Make your checks out to:
The Institute For Christian Apologetics
Send them to P.O. Box 5761 Rockford, IL 61125
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