NoPlaceLeft is a network of disciples of Jesus that are passionate about seeing the great commission accomplished in our life time through following the example that Jesus gave and was continued by the apostles in the book of Acts. Their example can be summarized as multiplying disciples, churches, leaders, and movements until there was no place left for them to work.
IN VISION
• Kingdom: We believe it is our Father’s heart to create a harvest (Matt. 9:37-38) and bring His Kingdom fully in each locale (Matt. 6:9-10) for His Glory.
• Global: A global Acts 1:8 movement in which disciples make reproducing disciples to fully reach their own diverse contexts and then unreached peoples of the earth for Christ. We foster interdependent partnerships in mission between autonomous churches and apostolic bands (Acts 13, Philippians 1:5).
• CPM-Based: We catalyze Spirit-led church planting movements as the avenue for reaching a whole area—emphasizing 1) finding God prepared people (entry), 2) reproducing evangelism, 3) reproducing disciples, 4)reproducing churches and 5) reproducing leaders.
• Finishing The Task: Therefore, we are about finishing the task of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20;24:14) whatever it may cost us for His Glory (John 12:24).
• Generational Growth: We are a decentralized movement (starfish) of reproducing generations of disciples and churches, knowing that until we see consistent fourth generation and beyond, a stream is not becoming a movement (Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:2; Matt. 13:31-33).
IN PRACTICE
• Gospel, Word & Spirit: We are Christ-centered, proclaiming the gospel of grace (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 20:24), reliant on the Word as our guide (John 15:1-16) and the Spirit as our Empowerer (John 14:23-26).
• Urgency: We live and work with urgency keeping THE DAY in mind—hastening the end of the age as we await Christ’s coming (Heb. 10:24-25; 2 Pet. 3:12).
• Prayerful Practice: We pray for laborers while practicing as laborers ourselves (Luke 10:2). We all take personal ownership of the Great Commission and allocate time to reaching the lost within our spheres of influence (1 Cor9:16).
• Disciples Not Converts: We go to new believers where they are and disciple them to obey Jesus’ Commands out of love (Matt 28:18-20, Jn. 14:21), with the expectation that the Word will reproduce in their lives as they do the same with others (Matt 13).
• Humility: Our aspiration is to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God (James 4:6-10) to live by His Grace, honor one another in love (Rom. 12:9-11), and continue as learners of the counter-intuitive ways of the King (Mk 1:15).
IN STRUCTURE
• Volunteer Movement: An open-membership open-source volunteer movement (or coalition) built around the Matthew 24:14/Romans 15:23 vision. Anyone aspiring to the vision and ethos can enter the movement as a free-will offering (Psalm 110:3), and we are open-handed in our interactions (Prov. 11:24-25). Leaders grow into influence, they don't go into position; spiritual authority is extended to leaders, not extracted by them.
• Not an Organization: We are a network with no hierarchy or defined leadership structure. Therefore we are not an organization with associated structures. Nor are we defined by any organizations, regional initiatives or ventures bearing the name No Place Left. They may simply be manifestations of this network in its various forms.
• Not a Funding Base Or Conduit: Practitioners in our coalition pursue funding in a variety of ways and mechanisms, but No Place Left is not a funding conduit.
• Cross Denominational: Though our practitioners are Evangelical in orientation, we are not restricted to any one denomination or church.
Amendments
1• Reconciliation: Discipleship is messy, and conflict is inevitable within and outside the No Place Left coalition. Because Christ commands quick reconciliation (Matt 5:23-25), forgiveness (Matt 6:12) and a clear process for achieving this restoration through humble repentance (Matt 18), we strive for the oneness He desires of His Body that the world would believe the Father sent Him (John 17:20-21).
2• Priesthood of Believers: All followers of Jesus are priests and ambassadors sent by Jesus and bearing all the authority given from Jesus (1 Peter 2:9, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Matt 28:18, John 20:21). Being that we are individually priests of God with all authority to execute every command of Christ necessary to make disciples, we are corporately the priesthood of believers gathered within local churches regularly meeting anywhere and everywhere for encouragement, accountability, and equipping for the work of ministry as the day of Christ draws near (Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 4:11-16).
3• Leadership: We are a movement, not an organization. However, we do have recognized leaders who practice spiritual leadership. Leaders are identified from within the coalition who have shown a track record of Biblical character, integrity, personal holiness, and faithfulness in stewarding the Biblical principles of movements. Leaders are not identified by positions, titles, academic degrees or denominational accolades. We each voluntarily submit to the leadership of others who have proven faithful to God, effective for His Kingdom, and committed to His Vision (Ephesians 5:21).
4• The Gospel, Prosperity, and Suffering: This movement is absolutely opposed to any false Gospel message promoting or promising monetary or physical prosperity as a result of following Jesus or any particular Christian leader. Jesus portrayed following Him as the narrow and difficult path leading to life (Matt 7:13-14). Along His Path of life, as we faithfully work toward finishing His global Mission, Jesus promises His Presence with every follower through suffering, persecution, trials and death in this world (Matt 5:10-11; 10:22-23; 13:21; 24:9; John 15:18-20; Romans 8:18, 35-39; 2 Corinthians 1:5-6; 2 Timothy 3:12).
5• Open Source: Freely we were given these Biblical principles from the doctrine and practice of Jesus, His Disciples, and the first churches as recorded in the New Testament. So freely we give away all training, tools, and resources created to execute these principles today for His glory. All principles and tools are open source for any and all practitioners to freely use and give away (Matt 10:7-8).
November 1, 2024
Fellow North American #NoPlaceLeft Leaders,
“Theology” is simply our understanding, beliefs and response to the nature of God and His works. Everyone has a theology. Our theology helps us interpret our view of the world. A theological doctrine is scriptural belief in the form of a statement that helps clarify a theological value for ourselves and others. When used in an unhealthy manner, theological doctrines are a boundary of control that exclude or even divide the body of Christ. But, when used in a healthy manner, theological doctrines become a center or plumbline of values which invite collaboration between co-laborers pursuing the will of God.
This statement represents the basic doctrinal center or plumbline of the signatories. We, the undersigned, offer these doctrinal statements as contributions for clarity and demonstrations of basic shared scriptural values which keep the #NoPlaceLeft movement towards our true Center, Jesus and His purpose. We invite our coalition to consistently search the Scriptures as our final authority in all matters of faith and practice, both as individuals and in our communities of practice, to embody the desire of #NoPlaceLeft practitioners to believe and practice what is true.
If these basic confessions do not conflict with your core beliefs, we, the undersigned, invite you to join us in committing to a step of clarity for contributing to the development, collaboration, and direction of the coalition in the United States through your signature, for the glory of God in Jesus Christ among people from every tribe, tongue and nation until there is #NoPlaceLeft.
Sincerely,
Mark Goering - New York, NY
Bud Houston - Dallas, TX
Chris Lynch - Houston, TX
Philip Lynch - Houston, TX
Zach Medlock - San Francisco, CA
Dave Miller - Oklahoma City, OK
Kyle Pierson - Anaheim, CA
Will Smith- Atlanta, GA
Jeff Timblin - Orange County, CA
Enclosure(s):
Mark Goering, Chris Lynch, Dave Miller discussed the benefit of a confession and its relationship to creeds here.
Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men and divinely inspired by God as his revelation of himself to all people and his will for all people. All scripture is true and trustworthy, without error, and therefore is the ultimate authority and standard for all life, faith, and practice. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training.
Trinity
The one eternal triune God reveals himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One in essence and nature, God is sovereign, perfectly holy and personal, therefore worthy of the highest worship through love and obedience.
God the Father
God the Father is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-wise. Through his perfect will, all creation began and is sustained by his providential care for the purposes of his grace and will for his glory.
God the Son
God the Son has eternally existed. He took on flesh when miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, born through the virgin Mary, and was named Jesus, who is called Christ. Both fully God and fully man, Jesus accomplished the Father’s purposes of grace and will for the Father’s glory through his sinless life, death on the cross in place of sinful man, burial, and bodily resurrection from the dead on the third day. He ascended to heaven as the eternal King and will come again as Judge. Jesus is the only mediator for reconciliation between God and man and the perfect model of the Christian life.
God the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God and has eternally existed. He empowers the Father’s purposes of grace and will and glorifies Jesus. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He indwells and empowers every believer at the moment of faith in Jesus for an obedient new life in the purposes of God through comfort, teaching, encouragement, gifting, joy, assurance, and witness, in all truth.
People
Human beings were created intrinsically as male and female in the image of God and therefore are special among all of God’s creation to uniquely glorify God. However, people have rebelled against the creation purpose by disobeying God and his commands. The consequences of sinful rebellion is physical and spiritual death for all humans, and eternal separation from God. Yet, because all people are created in the image of God, every person has dignity and should be treated with Christian love.
However, only through faith in Jesus Christ who accomplished salvation in his righteous life, death, burial and resurrection, will the consequences of sin be satisfied and the sure hope of eternal new life received. In submission to Christ as King, holiness among followers of Jesus shows the superior beauty and worth of abundant life in Christ for witness to the world and for joy among God’s people.
Gospel
The Gospel is the good news and hope of salvation in Jesus by grace alone because of his sinless life, substitutionary death, and bodily resurrection for all who repent of their sinful rebellion by placing their faith in Christ alone. There is no salvation apart from an individual’s faith in Jesus. God freely offers salvation to all people, therefore the gospel must be proclaimed to all people.
The Church
Christ Jesus is the Head of His Body, the Church. Christ is building His Church and the gates of hell will never overcome it. The Church, as the Body of Christ, includes all people throughout history who place individual faith in Jesus Christ. The Church is expressed locally as a Kingdom community of baptized believers who covenant together in partnership for the gospel in all the earth. Local churches multiply primarily through evangelism where the Holy Spirit gifts every believer, male and female, with spiritual gifts to build up every local church to maturity and to take the gospel to new people and places.
A healthy local church regularly gathers to encourage one another in faithfulness to Jesus, love, and good works for the purposes of the Father and his glory until the return of Jesus Christ. They pursue New Testament qualifications for local church elders. They equip the priesthood of all believers as necessary for multiplication and maturity.
Marriage, Family and Singleness
Marriage, designed by God to be a covenant between one biological male and one biological female for life, was affirmed by Jesus as the Father’s intent. God’s design for marriage demonstrates the selfless love of Jesus for his church and the obedient love of the church for Jesus. Children, from conception, are to be stewarded as blessings from the Lord. Singleness is a blessing for undivided focus on the work of Christ’s Kingdom, and just as a godly marriage, godly singleness is honoring to the Lord.
Christ’s Second Coming
The original creation will conclude at the personal physical return of Jesus Christ. All people throughout history who place individual faith in Jesus Christ will be raised to life and will enjoy eternity with God in the new heaven and new earth, under the just and righteous rule of King Jesus. Those who have not placed individual faith in Jesus will be separated eternally from God under his wrath.
Priesthood of All Believers: Worship, Gospel Proclamation and Disciple Making
The Church is a kingdom of priests who worship Jesus in both adoration and obedience. Because of the eternal effects of this life for all people, urgency for the proclamation of the gospel is of utmost importance. Making disciples as we go, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all Jesus commands is the Great Commission command of Jesus to all believers. As the church follows Jesus, he will make his church fishers of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Completed and signed in this original, final and entire version November 1, 2024.
Signatories
November 1, 2024
We, the undersigned, offer these doctrinal statements as contributions for clarity and demonstrations of basic shared scriptural values which keep the #NoPlaceLeft movement towards our true Center, Jesus and His purpose. We also commit to consistently search the Scriptures as our final authority in all matters of faith and practice, both as individuals and in our communities of practice, embodying the desire of #NoPlaceLeft practitioners to believe and practice what is true.
Beth Altman - Albuquerque, NM
Everett Altman - Albuquerque, NM
Jim Ball- Chattanooga, TN
Tyler Barber - New York, NY
Tre’ Baugues - Memphis, TN
Tyler Brown - Charleston, SC
Brett Butler - Lexington, KY
Robert Caballes - Costa Mesa, CA
Amin Calvo - Dallas, TX
Tom Clark - Jensen Beach, FL
Nathan Elliott - Shawnee, OK
Matt Foshee - New York, NY
Jordan Giusti - Long Beach, CA
Mark Goering - New York, NY
Brian Gordner, Hendersonville, NC
Kirk Goss - Oklahoma City, OK
Tom Hall - McKinney, TX
Eric Holand - Clarkston, GA
Tim Hutchison - Irving, CA
Bud Houston - Dallas, TX
Jake Jarrell - Madrid, Spain
Stacey Jarrell - Madrid, Spain
David Kauffman - Nashville, TN
Kenton Killebrew - New York, New York
Brian King - Tulsa, OK
Tony Lasavath - San Diego, CA
Travis Lewis - Houston, TX
Peter Lindell - Peoria, Illinois
Cesar Loya - Albuquerque, NM
Chris Lynch - Houston, TX
Lacey Lynch - Houston, TX
Philip Lynch - Houston, TX
Sean Lyons - Riverside, CA
Jenna Maddox - Detroit, MI
Zach Medlock - San Francisco, CA
Ann Miller - Oklahoma City, OK
Dave Miller - Oklahoma City, OK
Amy Pierson - Anaheim, CA
Kyle Pierson - Anaheim, CA
Michael Pasqualotto - Tampa, FL
M. Puckett - Charlotte, NC
Jill Ramsey - McKinney, TX
Ross Ramsey - McKinney, TX
Rodger Shull - Raleigh, NC
Carol Smith- Atlanta, GA
Will Smith- Atlanta, GA
Chris Stromlund - Greenville, SC
Jeff Timblin - Orange County, CA
Jordan - Raleigh, NC
Don Waybright - Houston, TX
Barbara Wilson - Raleigh, NC
Berk Wilson - Raleigh, NC
These scriptures are provided, to not only reference the doctrinal statements, but to provide a starting point for an individual and community process to develop increasingly local and indigenous doctrinal statements which contribute to a robust and biblically maturing community of #NoPlaceLeft practitioners. May we, like the Bereans of Acts 17, be people of noble character who receive the Word with eagerness and examine the Scriptures daily to understand and practice the truth.
Scriptures
Psalm 119
The Holy Bible was written by men and divinely inspired by God
Exodus 24:14, Jeremiah 36:1-32, Romans 16:25-26, Hebrews 1:1-2, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 3:16
as his revelation of himself to all people and his will for all people.
Isaiah 34:15, Luke 24:44-47, John 5:39, Acts 17:11,
All scripture is true and trustworthy,
Psalm 19:7-10, Psalm 119:89, Isaiah 40:8, Luke 21:33, 1 Peter 1:25
without error,
Psalm 119:40, Isaiah 55:8-11, Matthew 5:17-18,
and therefore is the ultimate authority and standard for all life, faith, and practice.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Joshua 8:34, Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 22:29, John 16:13-15, Acts 2:16-47, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 19:9-16
It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training.
Psalm 119:11, 105, Jeremiah 15:16, John 17:17, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:15-17,
Trinity
The one eternal triune God reveals himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1-3, Deuteronomy 6, 1 Chronicles 29:10, Matthew 23:9, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 1:9-11, John 1:1-18, 4:24, 5:26, 8:58, 14:6-13
One in essence and nature,
1 Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 4:1-7, Colossians1:15,
God is sovereign,
Psalm 139, Jeremiah 10:10
perfectly holy and personal,
Isaiah 43:3, Hebrews 11:6, 12:9,
therefore worthy of the highest worship through love and obedience.
Psalm 19, 1 Timothy 1:1
God the Father
God the Father is eternal,
Exodus 3:14, 1 Chronicles 29:10
all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-wise.
Exodus 15:1-18, Psalm 139, Matthew 7:11, Matthew 23:9, Acts 1:17, Romans 8:14-15, Galatians 4:6, Hebrews 12:9, 1 Peter 1:17,
Through his perfect will all creation began and is sustained by his providential care
Genesis 1-2, Deuteronomy 32:6, Isaiah 43:15, Isaiah 64:8, Jeremiah 17:13
for the purposes of his grace and will for his glory.
Exodus 20:1-21, Leviticus 22:1-3, Deuteronomy 6, Matthew 6, Mark 1:9-11, John 17:1-8
God the Son
John 1, Philippians 2, Colossians 1, Hebrews 1;
God the Son has eternally existed.
Gen 1:1-3, John 1:1-4, John 8:58, 17:5, Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrew 1:2;
He took on flesh when miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, born through the virgin Mary,
Matthew 1:18, 1:20, Luke 1:34-35;
and was named Jesus, who is called Christ.
Matthew 1:1-16, 1:18-21, 1:25, Mark 1:1, Luke 1:31, 2:21;
Both fully God and fully man,
Psalm 8, Psalm 80, Psalm 146, Daniel 24:3-30, Daniel 7:13-14, Matthew 8:20, 9:6, 10:23, 12:32, 12:40, 13:37, 13:41, 16:13, 16:28, 17:9, 17:12, 19:28, 20:18, 20:28, 24:17, 24:30, 24:37, 24:39,
24:44, 25:31, 26:2, 26:24, 26:45, 26:64, Revelation 9:1-20;
Jesus accomplished the Father’s purposes of grace and will
Daniel 11:36, 12:7, Luke 12:50, John 4:34, 17:4, 19:28, 19:30, Hebrews 1:3, 4:1-3, 8:1-6, 10:12, Revelation 3:21;
for the Father’s glory
Psalm 117:1, Isaiah 61:3, Daniel 4:37, Luke 2:20, 5:25, Luke 13:13, 18:34, 23:47, John 8:54-56, 12:27-28, 13:31-32, 17, Romans 15:4-13, 2 Corinthians 9:13, Philippians 1:11, 2:4-11, 4:19-20, 1 Timothy 1:11, Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 2:12, 4:16, Jude 1:24-25, Revelation 7:9-11;
through his sinless life,
Psalm 50:2, Isaiah 25:1, Ezekiel 16:13-14, Matthew 5:48, 1 Corinthians 13:10, Hebrews 2:10, 4:15, 5:9, 7, 9:11, 10:14;
death on the cross in place of sinful man, burial
Isaiah 53, Matthew 26:26-28, 27:45-66, Mark 10:45, 15:22-47, Luke 22:19-20, 23:44-56, John 10:15, 10:17, 15:13, 19:17-42, Romans 3:21-26, 1 Corinthians 11:25-26, Hebrews 2:14-17, 1 John 2:2, 3:16, 4:10;
and bodily resurrection from the dead on the third day.
Matthew 28:1-15, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-49, John 20:1-29, 21:1-14, Acts 1:3, 3:15, 4:10, 10:41, 13:34, 17:3,31, 25:19, 26:23, Romans 4:24, 6:4, 7:4, 8:11, 1 Corinthians 15, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 1:8, 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 1:3, Revelation 1:5
He ascended to heaven as the eternal King and will come again as Judge.
Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11, Isaiah 40, Micah 4:6-8, 5:2, Zechariah 6:9-15, 10:4 Matthew 2:6, 25:31-46, 28:18, Luke 24:50-52, John 14, Acts 1:9-11, 5:31, 7:35, 10:42, 17:31, Romans 3:26, 15:12, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 15:23-28, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Ephesians 1:20-23, Colossians 1:16, 2:10-15, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Revelation 1:5, 2:26-28, 3:21, 6:10, 9:1-20, 11:18, 18:8, 12:5, 15:3, 16:5, 17:14, 19:11-16, 21:1-22:5;
Jesus is the only mediator for reconciliation between God and man
John 5:19-22, 6:27, 6:40, 10:1-30, 12:26, John 14, John 15, 16:1-27, 17:11, 17:21, Romans 4:16,
8:12-16, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, Galatians 3, 4:6, Ephesians 2:18, 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:1-10:18,
12:24, 1 John 1:1-4, 2:1, 2:23, 3:1-13, 4:14, 2 John 1:9, Revelation 1:5-6, 3:5;
and the perfect model of the Christian life.
Genesis 1:26-28, Matthew 28:18-20, John 5:19, Romans 6:13, 8:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:4, Colossians 1:15, 3:1-17, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Timothy 1:13, Hebrews 4:14-16
God the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God and has eternally existed.
Genesis 1:1-3, Psalm 139, Matthew 12:31-32, 28:19, John 4:24, Acts 5:3, Hebrews 9:14
He empowers the Father’s purposes of grace and will
Judges14:6, Job 26:13, Psalm 51:11, Joel 2:28-32, Matthew 1:18, 12:25-32, Luke 1:35, 24:49, Romans 8:14-15, Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 2 Peter 1:21
and glorifies Jesus.
Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 4:18-19, John 5:6-9, 15:26, 16:14-15, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 Timothy 3:16,
He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
John 16:7-11
He indwells and empowers every believer at the moment of faith in Jesus
Luke 11:13, Acts 2:38, 8:17, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-6, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, 2 Timothy 1:14, Revelation 1:10,
for a obedient new life in the purposes of God
Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:12, Luke 4:1, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:31, Acts 6:3, 7:55, 8:39, Romans 8:12-17, 1 Corinthians 12:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:19,
through comfort, teaching, encouragement, gifting, joy, assurance, and witness, in all truth.
Luke 12:12, John 14:15-26, 15:26, 16:12-13, Acts, 1:8, 2:1-4, 13:2, 15:28, 16:6, Romans 8:18-29, 1 Corinthians 2:10-14, 12:4-11, Ephesians 4:30, 1 Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 9:8, 1 John 4:13, 5:6-7,
Revelation 22:17
People
Human beings were created intrinsically as male and female
Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 5:1-2, Romans 1, Matthew 19: 4-6, Mark 10:6-9, 1 Corinthians 11:7
in the image of God
Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 5:1-2
and therefore are special among all of God’s creation to uniquely glorify God.
Genesis 9:6, Isaiah 43:7
However, people have rebelled against the creation purpose by disobeying God and his commands.
Genesis 3:8-24, Genesis 6:5, Romans 1:19-32, Romans 3:9-23
The consequences of sinful rebellion is physical and spiritual death
Romans 5:12 , Romans 5:18-21, Romans 6:23, Romans 7:14-25, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, Ephesians 2:1-22, Colossians 1:21-22
for all humans,
Romans 5:12 , Romans 5:18-21, Romans 6:23
and eternal separation from God.
Matthew 25:46, John 3:16, John 3:36, Revelation 21:8
Yet, because all people are created in the image of God
Genesis 1:26-29, 5:1-2
and Christ died for all people,
John 11:45-53, Acts 2:21, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Titus 2:11-14
every person has dignity
Genesis 9:6, James 3:9-10
and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 7:12
However, only through faith in Jesus Christ
John 1:12, 14:6, 20:30-31, Acts 4:9-12, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-13, Revelation 12:11
who accomplished salvation in his righteous life, death, burial and resurrection, will the consequences of sin be satisfied
Romans 3:21-26, 5:8-10, 6:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:21
and the sure hope of eternal new life received.
John 3, 5:24, 10:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:19, Revelation 21-22
In submission to Christ as King
Acts 2:36, Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 12:3
holiness among followers of Jesus shows the superior beauty and worth of abundant life in Christ
Exodus 19:3-6, Leviticus 11:44, 18:22, Proverbs 4:5-9, Matthew 13:44-45, Romans 1:20-32, 6:12-16, 1 Corinthians 1:20-25, 6:9-10, 20:13; Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Timothy 1:8-10; 1 Peter 1:13-19, 3:9
for witness to the world
Exodus 19:3-6, 20, 1 Peter 2:1-12, 2 Peter 3
and for joy among God’s people.
Numbers 6:22-27, Deuteronomy 30:11-20, 2 Chronicles 9-12, 1 Peter 1:13-25
Gospel
The Gospel is the good news of salvation and hope in Jesus
1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 11, Colossians 1:5
by grace alone
Acts 15:11, Acts 20:32, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:8-9
because of his sinless life,
Matthew 27:22-28:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21
substitutionary death,
John 11:45-53, 19:30, Romans 3:23-26, Romans 5:8-10, 1 Corinthians 15:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13, Titus 2:11-14, Hebrews 9:24-28, 1 Peter 1:2-23, 1 John 1:6-2:2
and bodily resurrection
Luke 24:36-49, 1 Corinthians 15:4-8
for all who repent of their sinful rebellion
Matthew 4:17, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30-31, Romans 2:4
by placing their faith in Christ alone.
John 14:6, Acts 4:10-12, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 10:9-13, Galatians 2:20, 1 Peter 1:2-23
There is no salvation apart from an individual’s faith in Jesus.
Matthew 1:21, John 1:12
God freely offers salvation to all people,
John 11:45-53, Acts 2:21, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Titus 2:11-14, Hebrews 9:24-28, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 2:2
therefore the gospel must be proclaimed to all people.
Matthew 24:14, Romans 10:9-15
The Church
Christ Jesus is the Head of His Body, the Church.
Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 5:22-32, Colossians 1:18
Christ is building His Church and the gates of hell will never overcome it.
Matthew 16:15-19, Ephesians 2:19-22, Revelation 12:11
The Church, as the Body of Christ, includes all people throughout history who place individual faith in Jesus Christ.
Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Hebrews 11:39-40, Revelation 5:9-10, Revelation 7:9-10
The Church is expressed locally as a Kingdom community of baptized believers who covenant together
Matthew 5:19-20, 18:15-20, 18:36, 25:34, John 3:3-5, 18:36, Acts 1:1-8, 2:36-47, 28:30-31, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Revelation 1:4-6, 5:10, 11:15, 12:10
in partnership for the gospel in all the earth.
Matthew 24:14; Luke 24:44-48; Acts 1:8, Acts 13:1-3, 14:26-27, Philippians 1:4, Revelation 5:9-10
Local churches multiply primarily through evangelism
Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2,
where the Holy Spirit gifts every believer, male and female, with spiritual gifts to build up every local church to maturity and to take the gospel to new people and places.
Luke 8:1-3, 23:53-24:10, Acts 1:14; 2:16-18; 5:14, 8:3-4; 9:1-2, 12:12; 16:13-15, 40; 18:1-4, 24-28, 21:8-9, Romans 16:1-16, 1 Corinthians 9:5, 12-13, 14:33-40, Ephesians 4:12-16, Philippians 4:2-3, Colossians 4:15, 1 Timothy 2:9-15; 2 Timothy 1:5, Titus 2:3-5
A healthy local church regularly gathers to encourage one another in faithfulness to Jesus, love, and good works
1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Ephesians 4:11-32, Hebrews 10:24-25
for the purposes of the Father and his glory
Ephesians 3:14-21, Philippians 2:11
until the return of Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:8-11, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Peter 3
They pursue New Testament qualifications for local church elders.
Acts 11:29, 14:21-23, 20:17-35, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 5:17-18; 1 Peter 5:1-5, Titus 1:5
They equip the priesthood of all believers
Ephesians 4
as necessary for multiplication and maturity.
Acts 9:31, Acts 16:4-5
Marriage, Family and Singleness
Marriage, designed by God to be a covenant between one biological male and one biological female for life
Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 2:20-24, Proverbs 18:22, 31:10-31, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 9:9, Malachi 2:14-16, Matthew 5:31-32, 18:2-5, 19:1-12, Mark 10:1-12, Romans 1:18-32, 7:1-3, 1 Corinthians 7:1-16, 25-40, Hebrews 13:4
was affirmed by Jesus as the Father’s intent.
Matthew 19:4-6
God’s design for marriage demonstrates the selfless love of Jesus for his church and the obedient love of the church for Jesus.
1 Corinthians 7:1-16, 25-40, Ephesian 5:21-33, Colossians 3:18-21, 1 Peter 3:1-7
Children, from conception, are to be stewarded as blessings from the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Psalm 127:3-5, 139:13-16, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:6,15, 29:15-17, Jeremiah 1:5; Ecclesiastes 11:5, Luke 1:41-44; Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 3:20
Singleness is a blessing for undivided focus on the work of Christ’s Kingdom, and just as a godly marriage, godly singleness is honoring to the Lord.
Acts 8:26-40, 1 Corinthians 7
Christ’s Second Coming
The original creation will conclude at the personal physical return of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:27, Matthew 24, Matthew 26:64, Mark 8:38, Luke 12:40, Luke 17:22-37, Luke 21:27-28, John 14:1-3, Acts 1:6-11, Romans 8:18-25, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 15:20-28, 35-58, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:4 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, 1 Thessalonians 5, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12, 1 Timothy 6:14, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:24-28, James 5:8 2 Peter 3:7-18, 1 John 2:28, 3:2, Revelation 3:11
All people throughout history who place individual faith in Jesus Christ will be raised to life
Matthew 25:34, John 1:12, John 5:24, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Timothy 6:12
and will enjoy eternity with God in the new heaven and new earth,
Revelation 21-22
under the just and righteous rule of King Jesus.
Matthew 25:31-33
Those who have not placed individual faith in Jesus will be separated eternally from God under his wrath.
Matthew 18:8-9, 25:46, Luke 16:19-26, John 3:16, John 3:36, Acts 17:31, Revelation 1:18, Revelation 20-22
Priesthood of All Believers: Worship, Gospel Proclamation and Disciple Making
The Church is a kingdom of priests who worship Jesus in both adoration and obedience.
1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:9-10
Because of the eternal effects of this life for all people,
Ecclesiastes 3:11, Ephesians 3:1-11, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 22:17
urgency for the proclamation of the gospel is of utmost importance.
Matthew 9:37-38, 10:5-15, 13:18-43, 16:19, 22:9-10, 24:14, Luke 10:1-18, 24:46-53, John 4:34-42, 14:11-12, 20:21, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:32, Acts 10:42-48, Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-15, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, 1 Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Timothy 4:5 1 Peter 1:13, 2:4-10, 2 Peter 3:12
Making disciples as we go, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all Jesus commands is the Great Commission command of Jesus to all believers.
Matthew 28:18-20, John 14:15, 15:7-8,16, 1 John 2:1-11
As the church follows Jesus, he will make his church fishers of people
Matthew 4:19, Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 3:6-11
from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Revelation 5:9-10, Revelation 7:9-10, Revelation