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look at what we believe and practice in Madagascar

Our beliefs

The Bible

I believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible by God through the agent of the Holy Spirit. I believe God’s Word is without error and is incapable of error. It is authoritative for both the believer and unbeliever. I believe God has preserved His Word through the Masoretic Text and the Textus Receptus and is best represented in the King James Version. The sixty-six books of the Bible are God’s complete Word.(2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:128; Proverbs 30:5; 1 Peter 1:19-21)

God is a Spirit and exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He has generally revealed Himself through creation, history, and conscience; and specifically through the Bible and His Son. God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy, love, merciful, and eternal. He is the creator and sustainer of the world and by Him all things consist.

(John 4:24; Matthew 3:16-17; 1 John 5:7; Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20; John 1:1; Jeremiah 32:17; Isaiah 40:28; Psalm 139:7-12; Isaiah 6:3; 1 John 4:7; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 90:2; Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16)

God

I believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, and His sinless life. He is the eternal Son of God and the second person of the Godhead. He is fully God and possesses all the attributes and qualities of God; and He is fully man and had to be in order to die for the sinfulness of man. Presently, He is the head of the church and is interceding on behalf of the believer.

(John 5:17-18; John 8:58; John 10:30; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18; Hebrews 4:15; John 10:36; Hebrews 9:28, Romans 5:15, 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 5:23; Romans 8:34)

Jesus Christ

Holy Spirit

I believe that the Holy Spirit is God and the person of the Trinity. He possesses a will, emotions, and intelligence. He was involved in Creation, the Inspiration of the Bible, and the conception of Christ. He presently illuminates, intercedes, and produces fruit in believers and convicts the world of sin. Further, He comforts, enacts special gifts, and indwells believers.

(Acts 28:25-27; Matthew 3:16-17; Acts 16:6-11; Ephesians 4:30; Romans 8:27; John 16:13; John 16:8; Galatians 5:22)

Fall of Man

I believe God created man perfect, in His own image. I believe Adam willfully disobeyed God and sinned. The consequence for Adam’s sin was death, or separation from God for eternity. This death passed upon all men because all have sinned both by nature and by choice. Fallen man is thus condemned and under the wrath of God. He is incapable of saving himself.

(Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10-23; John 3:18; Romans 1:18; Ephesians 2:1)

Security of the Believer

The security of the believer in Christ is inclusive of the gift of salvation. The moment one receives the free, unmerited gift of eternal life, God graciously grants them an eternal home in heaven. Evidences for eternal security rely on the work of all three parts of the Trinity. God the Father’s intent is to predestinate, justify, then glorify. Further, Christ said no one is able to pluck us out of the Father’s hand. Christ’s death on the cross and present ministry of reconciliation also provides security to the believer. On the cross, Christ paid for the past, present, and future sins of mankind caring for the condemnation of a believer. Lastly, the Spirit of God provides assurance and security to the believer. Once one believe in Christ, the Spirit of God regenerates, indwells, and the seals the believer.

(John 10:27-30; 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 8:31-39; John 3:5-7; 1 John 3:24; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:30)

Angels

I believe that angels were created during the six literal days of Creation and were created as ministering spirits to and for the Lord. Though there are different names and classes of angels, they were all created to minister. One third of the angels fell from heaven after Satan sinned. These fallen angels can plague people both physically and mentally. They also have some involvement in government and in the world as a whole.

(Job 38:6-7; Isaiah 14:12; Hebrews 1:14; Isaiah 6:1-3; Psalm 104:4; Jude 1:6; Ezekiel 28:14-16; Isaiah 14:12-14; Matthew 12:24, Revelation 12:7)

Gift of Salvation

I believe man fell into sin when Adam disobeyed and willfully ate the forbidden fruit, plunging mankind into sin and depravity. I believe God sent His Son in human form to pay the penalty of sin by dying in our place so mankind could be restored to a proper relationship with God. I believe this salvation is only accomplished by faith in the finished work of Christ. Further, I believe we are justified through Christ, sanctified to walk in newness of life, and will one day be glorified in heaven. I believe man’s purpose is to accept Jesus Christ and glorify Him with his life.

(Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12; Matthew 1:18; Matthew 20:28; Romans 5:18; Ephesians 2:14; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 3:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 4:11)

The Church

I believe that the New Testament local church is a visible church comprised of baptized believers. I believe that the church began on the day of Pentecost for the purpose of preparing and equipping believers to do the work of the ministry. I believe the church is distinct from Israel and that its next step on the prophetic timetable is the imminent rapture of believers. I believe there are two offices within the church: the pastor and the deacons. I believe there are two ordinances in the church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. I believe Christ is the head of the church, the pastor is the leader of the church, and the congregation is the final say in the church.

(Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 2:20; Acts 2:4; Ephesians 4:12; Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:41; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Philippians 4:15; Acts 6:1-7)

End Times

I believe prophecy should be taken literally defining each word by the simple, normal, and easily understood meaning. I believe the next event in God’s prophetic timetable is the rapture of the church. I believe the Tribulation will follow the Rapture when God judges the earth and its inhabitants for their rejection and refusal of His Son. At the end of the seven-year Tribulation, Christ will return to the earth and reign for one thousand years. I believe the church, along with others, will reign with Christ. I believe Satan will be bound for one thousand years then loosed for a short season when he will gather a large remnant of unbelievers and rebel against Christ. I believe Satan will be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity. I believe all unbelievers will stand at the Great White Throne and believers will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Finally, I believe that Israel will inhabit the new earth while believers dwell in the new Jerusalem.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 6:16-17; Daniel 9:24-27; Isaiah 24:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Jeremiah 30:7; Revelation 19:15; Daniel 7:14; Psalm 48:2; Isaiah 2:3; Revelation 20:1-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 21:1; John 14:3)