The Bibles Truths!

Pennellwood Church Of God has a rich heritage of firm biblical teaching. We do not easily accept doctrinal traditions that are not aligned with the Word of God, nor do we seek to blend with social or religious standards. Often Christians will become too committed to precise wording of doctrines and statements of faith. We believe that it is important to present Christian faith that is in harmony with God’s Word. Therefore, we stand on these basic, biblical doctrines:

God:

We believe in a living God. He is the Father and Creator of all, the One True God who is eternally existent. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Christ. He ultimately will rule over all when the eternal Kingdom of God is established on the earth. (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 121:1-2; Isaiah 44:6-8; Ephesians. 4:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6, 15:58; Revelation 5:10, 21:1-4)

Jesus Christ

Jesus the Christ (Messiah) is God's only Son, born of God's Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary. This Jesus is both God’s Son and Son of Man. God's plan from eternity was made flesh in the person of Jesus, who perfectly represented God, his Father. Jesus is the promised Savior, the Messiah. Jesus died on a cross as an atonement for the sins of mankind. He himself was mortal and remained in death three days until God gave Jesus immortality by raising him from the dead. He then ascended to heaven, God's dwelling place, and sits at the right hand of God interceding for Christians. He is the one and only way for man to know and serve God. God is going to send Jesus back to this earth to establish His Kingdom and to begin God's concluding plan for all of eternity. (Luke 1:35; John 3:16, 20:31; 1 John 5:5; Acts 7:55; Colossians 1:20; 1 Timothy 2:5)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the power and presence of God active and at work in the lives of all believers. The Holy Spirit renews us and opens our eyes to our sins so that we may repent of them and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Each believer receives the Holy Spirit at conversion and is equipped with spiritual gifts for the work God gives us. It is through this Spirit that we receive the fruit of the Spirit and the mind of Christ as evidenced in each individual’s life in regards to our actions, attitudes, and disposition. (John 14:15-17, 16:5-15; Romans 5:5, 8:9; II Corinthians 3:2-3, 3:17-18; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:11-13; I John 4:2-3)

Grace and Salvation

God’s single most important attribute is that He loved us while we were yet sinners. Through His grace we can know, love and serve Him and those He loves. God’s plan of salvation is to present Jesus as the only way to Him. Salvation is a choice. It is up to each of us as individuals to decide to accept this gift or not. (John 3:16; Acts 2:38, 8:12, 17:30-31; Romans 3:23-25, 5:6-8, 6:12-13; Galatians 2:20, 6:14-15; I John 4:7-21)

The Bible

God inspired people throughout history to write down His thoughts, plan, and intentions in words understandable to mankind. His perfect will did not allow errors to come into the Scriptures and it is a document trustworthy in every respect. It has authority over our lives and ministry. It is the inspired, infallible guideline to teach, rebuke, correct and train us to be thoroughly equipped to be God’s people. The central theme of both the Old and New Testaments are the revelation of Jesus the Christ and his presence in every believer. (Psalm 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

Man:

We believe that man was made in the image of God and is now in rebellion against him, thus under His judgment. The only way for reconciliation with the Father to take place is through God’s grace revealed in Jesus the Christ. The natural man of body and soul is subject to death because of sin. Man can only attain eternal life by faith in God through our Lord Jesus the Christ. All who have died sleep in the grave awaiting the second coming of Christ when they will be made new with immortality and incorruptibility. (Genesis 2:7; Job 14:1-15; Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 3:20, 9:5, 9:10, 12:7; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29, 11:25-26; Acts 2:29; Romans 5:17, 6:23; I Corinthians 15; I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Future Hope and The Kingdom of God:

The gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus. Those who receive Christ will be included in the Kingdom of God in the age to come. It will be physically established on this earth at the return of Jesus Christ. This Kingdom will follow the resurrection of the dead (those who sleep in death). Then, shall the whole earth be filled with the glory of God in the Eternal Kingdom of God. (Psalm 37; Acts 1:11; I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:13- 18; 2 Timothy 2:11-12; Revelation 5:10, 19:16, 21:1-8, 22:1-5)

Baptism:

Baptism by immersion is an act or expression of faith and obedience to Christ. Baptism symbolizes putting to death the old person, to rise from the water and walk in a new way of life. (Matthew 3:15; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:2-11; Colossians 2:12)

Communion:

We believe that communion is an ordinance of the church, remembering the body and blood of Christ, proclaiming the power of Christ’s death and resurrection until he comes. We believe it is for those who accept the reality of sin in their life and the grace of God through His son Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 53:4-9; Matthew 26:17-30; I Corinthians 11:17-34)

Marriage:

We believe that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Genesis 2:18-25)

Prayer:

God has opened an avenue of communication directly to Himself for people. In this way, Christians are to come to Him as a child to a father and expect answers to prayer.

Church:

We believe and teach that the church is formed of believers called from among all nations. It is a community of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and have received God’s Holy Spirit. The church is called to worship God, preach the Gospel, make disciples, and build up other believers. The church presents God’s transforming purpose to the world. (Matthew 5:16, 28:19-20; Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:12-14, 12:25-27; Ephesians 2:19- 22)

This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Pennellwood Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Elders is Pennellwood Church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.