STATEMENT OF FAITH

INTRODUCTION 

This brief Statement of Faith was written by Dr. Max High, Senior Pastor of SouthWinds Christian Church.  It is representative of what he believes and teaches.  We also believe that we are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.  We have no written creed other than the Bible and adhere to the Bible alone for our doctrines of faith and practice. 

THE INERRANACY OF THE BIBLE

The Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, is the word of God, inerrant in the original writing.  All parts of the Bible (the 66 books) is the canon of God and as such all parts are acceptable for teaching, rebuking, correction, and admonishment that the man of God attains maturity in Jesus Christ.  Deut. 6:6-9, Col. 3:16, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 

JEHOVHA 

We believe in the one true God who has been revealed in three characters.  The Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.  EX. 6:2,7, MT. 28:19-20, JN 1:1-2, 14, JN 14:1, 26 

JESUS 

Jesus is the divine Son of God.  He was, while on the earth, completely God and totally human.  He is the Christ and nobody comes to the Father but through him.  Mat 14:33, Mt 16:16-17, JN 6:69, JN 14:6, JN 16:27, Gal. 4:4, Col. 2:9-10 

VIRGIN BIRTH 

We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin.  MT. 1:23, Isa 7:14, Lk. 1:34 

SALVATION 

We believe that we are saved by the grace of God, through faith, for good works, and that not of ourselves lest any man should boast.  Baptism is by immersion and it is a direct command in the Bible.  The salvation is a free gift of God.  We demonstrate our faith by obedience to the commands of Christ when we accept him as Lord and Savior.  These commands include believing, repentance, confession of Christ before men, baptism, and living a Christian life.  Mk. 16:16, Acts 2:36-38, 17:30, 8:36-39, 9:18, 16:33, 2Cor. 5:21-6:1, Epf. 2:8-10, 1 Pet 3:21, 2:9-11, Eph 1:7; 2:5, Jn. 3:16-17 

THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH 

We believe that all Christians are part of Christ's universal body.  We believe that we are not the "only Christians", but we are "Christians only."  As such we are making an effort to follow Christ's commands just as they are revealed in the Holy Bible rather than man's ordinances. MT. 16:18, Acts 15:4 

THE GREAT COMMISSION 

We believe that Matthew 28:19-20 is the primary purpose and goal of the church and as such it must be completed.   

THE SECOND COMING CHRIST 

We believe that one day Jesus will return for his church.   JN. 14:3, acts 1:11, Phil. 3:20-21, 1 Tim. 4:13-17, Rev. 1:7 

HEAVEN 

We believe in a literal eternal reward for the church in heaven.  MT. 16:27, JN 14:3, Gen: 22:11,  

Deut 4:39 

HELL 

We believe in the eternal punishment of the lost in hell.  Mt. 5:22, 5:29-30, Mk 10:28, LC 12:5, 16:23, 2Pet 2:4 

THE HOLY SPIRIT 

The Holy Spirit of the New Testament is the spirit of God.  It is not an emotion or feeling, but an intelligent person and part of the deity.  In conversion he moves and convinces man of their sin. He lives in each Christian.  Among his activities the Spirit helps the Christian, he guides the Christian, he comforts the Christian and affirms to the Christian the truth of the word of God.  Jn 14:16-17, 15:26, Acts 2:38, Rom 8:9 

THE LORD'S SUPPER 

We believe that Christ instituted this memorial service and that it was a prominent part of the worship experience for the first century Church. Acts 2:42, 20:7, and 1Co. 11:27-30 help us to discover that one of the primary reasons of congregating to worship is to participate in communion.  Without question the first century Christian participated in this memorial at least once a week (Sunday). This continues to be our practice.  It is the table of the Lord and for his people, and for this reason it is not appropriate for non-Christians to participate. 

 APOSTASY

We believe that one is "saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves, lest any man should boast" (Eph 2:8-9). However, if we are to be faithful to the scripture, we must believe that the possibility of apostasy does exist. We cannot ignore the clear teachings of passages such as Heb. 6:4-6, 10:23-27 & 38-39, 1Tim 4:1 & Matthew 11:6. 

SECURITY OF OUR SALVATION 

We believe that the Christian can know the security of his salvation.  The epistle of 1 John tells us that we can trust our salvation.  Other scriptures declare the same thing.  The truly regenerated person will maintain his/her faith-as a new creature in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). The Christian will hunger and thirst for justice.  As the Holy Spirit lives within the Christian, he guides, he moves and he strengthens the person in Christ.

Only blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable.  We believe that this is the rejection of Jesus as Lord and His Holy Spirit until the death.  Apostasy exists, and is achieved with great difficultly by the desire, will and actions of the person.  Heb. 10:22 

Written by Dr. Max E. High, Jr.

June 1986