When I initially wrote this paper, I took for granted that the definition I have for the word believe was the same definition that everyone else held. However over a course of several years, I have come to understand that before I can tell you what I believe, I must first preface the statement by making sure you understand what I mean when I say I believe something.
It seems today that the word believe is often used, and holds very little value. Many in our world will claim to believe in Jesus, yet willingly live their lives in a way so as to deny Him. Many will claim to believe the Bible, yet have no qualms about breaking its commands. Many people claim to believe all sorts of things, but it has been my observation, that in todays society to believe something doesnt really have to change anything at all. I have found that many people think the word believe means to have an intellectual understanding of something, or to be in agreement with a truth. This in reality may actually be a good definition of the word believe, but it falls way short of what I mean when I say I believe something.
When I say I believe something, I do not merely mean that I have been persuaded by men to acknowledge a certain truth. When I say I believe something, I mean I have been convicted, and convinced by God (Matt. 16:17, II Tim. 3:14-17). For me to believe something means it is woven into the very fabric of my being. It changes the way I live; it dictates my motivations, my actions, and my desires. If I come to believe something there is no way I can, nor will ever compromise it, for it was given to me by God, and only He has the right to change my mind. I want all who have reason to be interested in what I believe to fully understand this, so there will be no surprise when I not only claim to believe these truths, but act upon them as well.
I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, (Matt. 3:17, 17:5), who was in heaven (Phil.2:6), and came to earth, born of a virgin, in the form of a man (Matt. 1:25; Phil 2:6, Luke 2:7; Jn.1:14). He committed no sin. (I Pet. 2:22) He is God.(Jn.10:30; Gen1:26) He was crucified as a sacrifice for my sins.(Jn.19:18; II Cor.5:21) He died a physical death.(Jn.19:30-33) He rose from the dead.(Lk.24:6) He now sits in heaven (Lk.24:51), at the right hand of God (Acts 5:31), interceding on my behalf (Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14-16; 7:23-25). I believe Jesus Christ is sufficient (Jn. 12:32, Psalm 65). I believe He is the only way (Jn.14:6, Acts 4:12) I believe He will come again (II Pe.3:10), not as the humble servant, but as the glorified king (Rev.19:11-16)
I believe God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in the earth, including me (Gen.1:1; Col.1:16). I believe God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient (Matt. 28:20, Ps.139:1-10). He is God (Isa.43:10-18). He loves me and sent His Son to die instead of me (Jn.3:16). He wants my love in return (Ex.20:3; Jsh.24:19). He is not bound by time and space as we are (Rev.1:8, Rev.4:8). He is faithful (I Thes.5:24). He is Holy (Rev.4:8). He is love (I Jn.4:8; 16) He is the sovereign Most High (Da.4:25). Nothing happens outside of His control (Job1&2). He forgives my sins (Ps.103:12). So one day I will be able to live with Him (Rev.21:3). His grace is sufficient (Gal.2:17-21).
I believe the Holy Spirit is present, living in believers (Jn.14:17). He is God (Matt.28:19 I Cor.12:3-6; II Cor.13:14). He convicts me of sin (Jn.16:8-11). He comforts me (II Cor.1:3). He teaches me (Jn.14:26). He changed my heart (Gal.5:22-23). He equips me for service (Rom.12:5-8). He leads me to all truth (Jn.16:13). He comes to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ (Jn.16:14). I do believe He still speaks today, He does so through Scripture.
I believe man is sinful, totally depraved, and incapable of making himself pleasing to God (Rom. 3:10-18,23). Because of his extreme lostness, he is in desperate need of a Savior (Jn. 14:6). Since the only Savior is Jesus Christ, man cannot be justified before God, except through Him (Rom. 5:1-2, 8:1-4). This justification, or salvation originates according to the Sovereign wisdom of Holy God (Rom. 9:16, Rom.8:29-30), is offered by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 6:44, Eph.2:8-9), must be accepted according to the responsibility of man (Rom. 10:13), is made effective by the death of Jesus (Rom. 5:6-8), and is guaranteed by His resurrected life (Rom. 5:9-10).
I believe the Bible is the infallible word of God, written by man, but inspired by God (II Tim.3:16; II Pe.1:20) and the truth it contains is not a matter of the readers interpretation, but is a matter of the Holy Spirits revelation. For truth is not interpreted, but revealed (II Pet. 1:20-21). I believe every word applies today (Rev. 22:18-19; Matt. 5:18-19). I believe all scripture is useful for teaching, and rebuking, and exhorting (II Tim. 3:16). I believe we are to obey the scripture as a way of showing our love for God, and because He commanded it (John 14:23; I John 2:3-6). It is a way of growing in the knowledge of God (II Pet. 3:18).
I believe God made a covenant with Israel, and He will not break it. Thus I believe that although by in large the Jews today are lost because they have rejected Jesus, one day, they will look on Him whom they have pierced, and will be saved (Zech. 12:10, Rom. 11:25-28), for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). I believe in a literal thousand-year reign of Christ, after He returns (Rev. 20:1-3).
I believe in the Church. I believe it is built upon the foundation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matt. 16:16-18). I believe the builder of the Church is Jesus Christ, not man. This means He is not only responsible for adding bricks, but has the sole privilege of designing the Church as well (Matt. 16:18). I believe the Church belongs to Christ, and thus must remain subject to whatever He wants from His bride (Matt. 16:18). I believe the Church is powerful, and not only will withstand the attacks of the enemy (John 16:33, II Cor. 2:14), but the Church will also defeat the enemy when it goes on the offensive (Matt. 16:18). I believe the Church has been commissioned with the authority of Christ, namely the authority to stand upon, and enforce His word (Matt. 16:19, 18:15-18). I believe the Church has nothing to do with the buildings we meet in, but exists in the hearts of the redeemed (Acts 7:48). I believe the Bible outlines strict guidelines for the leadership of Christs church, and these guidelines include that the authoritative teacher role of the church is restricted to men. (I Timothy 2:12-15).
I believe in the perseverance of the saints (John 6:39; Matt.10:22). I believe baptism is biblical (Matt. 28:19), but it does not save you (I Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 10:47; Lk. 3:16). I believe the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ (I Jn. 5:11-12, Jn.3:16). I believe once we are saved, our lives should change (II Cor.5:17). I believe we should live a Godly example (Matt.5:16). I believe we are to correct, rebuke, and encourage fellow believers (II Tim.4:1-4). I believe we are to be servants of God (Mk.10:45). I believe we should follow Christ daily (Lk.9:23), and praise His name (Heb.13:15). I believe we should stand for God (I Cor.15:58). I believe we should love God (Matt.22:37). I believe I am to live to be approved by God (II Tim.2:15). And I believe God is smarter than me (I Cor.1:25), stronger than me (I Cor.1:25), better looking than me (Ps.27:4), and that he has a reason for everything, even when I don’t understand (Deut.29:29).
I believe we should be urgent in evangelism, presenting the gospel without hesitation, or reservation (Matt.28:18-20). The gospel should be plainly presented, without compromise, and without being watered down, for it is the power of God for salvation (Rom.1:16). I believe homosexuality is wrong (Rom.1:26-27), abortion is wrong (Prov.6:17), divorce is wrong (Mal.2:16), and condoning sin is wrong (II Tim.4:1-5). I believe husbands are to love their wives, and wives are to submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:25-33; 1 Peter 3:1-8) I believe our faith should be put into practice (James 2:14-18). And I believe even when I don’t know why, God is always right (Job 38)!
I believe Adam and Eve were the first humans of God’s creation (Gen.2:7). I believe Cain killed Able (Gen.4:8), Noah built an ark (Gen.6:22), Abraham would have killed Isaac (Gen.22:10), God spoke to Moses through a burning bush (Ex.3:4), the Israelites crossed the Red sea on dry ground (Ex.14:21-22), Joshua conquered Jericho through obedience to God (Jsh.6:20), Elijah called fire from heaven to prove that our God is God (I Kings 18:38), Isaiah prophesied the coming of Christ (Isa.9:6-7: Isa.52&53), Shadrack Meshack, and Abednego, survived the fiery furnace (Dan.3:26-27), Daniel spent the night in the lion’s den and lived (Dan.6:22-23), David killed Goliath (I Sam.17:49-50), Samson pushed down the temple of the Philistines (Judges 16:29-30), Lazarus was raised from the dead (Jn.11:44), and that Methuselah lived to the ripe old age of 969 (Gen.5:27)
I wrote this letter in 1998, to challenge myself to see if I knew why I believed what I claimed to believe. It has been added to since that day. The main truth I’ve found, is I can’t possibly write down all that I believe about God, or His word, but it is the desire of my heart to study the Word of God, to come to a point of understanding, and to preach and obey what God has taught me.
