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1. Doctrine of Salvation

Salvation is a gift of God brought to us by grace through faith alone (as the sole condition that's needed to be born again) in Christ alone.

Man is in need of a savior because he has been separated from God. The Bible teaches that it is man who separated himself from God at the fall (Gen. 3). As a result everyone born is guilty of sin; practices sin themselves, and are bound for God’s punishment of eternal separation from Him (Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 3:19-20; 2 Co. 4:3-4).

In order for God to maintain His holiness He must maintain perfect justice. God’s perfect justice and holiness demand a perfect payment for sin. Since man is the cause of his separation from God, man must make the payment. However, since man is sinful and lives in rebellion of God (Jn. 3:19-20; 2 Co. 4:3-4), it is impossible for him to offer a payment sufficient to satisfy God’s perfect justice and holiness. The only One who could offer a perfect sacrifice was God Himself, for only He is perfect. In order for this to happen, God entered time and came into the world in the form of a man (John 1:14; Phil. 2:5-11). The Father sent His only begotten Son into the world to offer His life as the perfect payment for the sins of humanity (Jn. 3:16), which is received through faith in Jesus (John 3:16, 5:24, 6:40; Acts 15:6-11; Rom 4:1-5; Eph 2:8-9).

2. Historical authenticity and integrity of Scriptures

I believe the entire word is inspired by God (Prophets – 2 Sam 23:2-3; Isa 59:21; Jer 1:9, Christ – Matt 5:18; 22:42-43; Mark 12:36; John 10:35; 16:12, and Apostles – Luke 10:7; Acts 1:16; 4:24-25; 28:25; 1 Cor 2:13; 14:37; Gal 1:7-8; 1 Thess 4:2, 15; 2 Thess 3:6, 12, 14; 1 Tim 5:18; Heb 3:7; 10:15-16; 2 Pet 1:20-21; 3:16). I believe that the Scripture is without error, inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16).

3. Virgin birth and deity of Christ
I believe in the pre-existence (John 1:1-18) and deity of Jesus Christ ([Gospels] John 1:1-3, 18, 8:58 [cf. Ex 3:14], 9:35-37, 10:30, 20:28, Mt 28:19; [Epistles] Acts 10:28, Ro 9:5, 2 Cor 5:19-21, Phil 2:5-8, Col 1:14-19, 2:9, Tit 2:13, 2 Pet 1:1, Heb 1:2-13.) He became man without parting with His deity (John 1:14), having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Isa 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35).

4. Death and resurrection of Christ

I believe that Jesus physically died on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of the world (John 3:16; Rom 3:21–4:25; 5:9-10; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 John 2:2); and that our justification is made sure by His literal physical resurrection from the dead making our resurrection sure (Rom 10:9-10; Acts 2:18-36; 1 Cor 15:1-58).

5. Personality, baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit
I believe that the Holy Spirit is God (Mt 28:19; Ac 5:3,4,9; 2 Co 3:17-18) and He is a distinct person (Intelligence: Jn 14:26; 15:26; Ro 8:27; 1 Co 2:10-13, Demonstrating His Will: Ac 8:29; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 1Co 12:11, Manifesting Emotion: Isa 63:10; Eph 4:30; Heb 10:29, Advocating in our Relationship to God: Jn 14:26 Ro 8:26, Blasphemy of the Spirit Is Worse than that of the Father or Son: Mt 12:31). He also has divine attributes (Omniscience [Isa 40:13; 1Co 2:10], omnipotence [Isa 40:13-17], omnipresent [Ps 139:7-9; 1Co 2:10-11]; holiness [Eph 4:30]) and divine titles (Jesus’ conception from HS [Mt 1:20, Lk1:35]; creation of the universe [Ge 1:2; Isa 40:12; Ps 33:6]; inspiration of Scripture [2Ti 3:16, 2Pe 1:20]. The Spirit ministers to Christians, regenerating [Jn 3:5-7], baptizing [1Co 12:13], sealing [Eph 4:30], indwelling [1Cor 6:19], and filling [Eph 5:18], comforts us [Ac 9:31], intercedes for us [Ro 8:26], gives us spiritual gifts and fruit, and will resurrect us [Ro 8:11]). I believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Co 12:13), which is positional and filling which gives power (Acts 7:55; Eph 5:18).

6. Healing and tongues today
I believe that some gifts of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues and miraculous healings were temporary. These gifts were not common or necessary gifts nor signs of the baptism of the Spirit, and that the deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection (Acts 4:8, 31; Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 13:8).

7. Security of the believer

I believe that all who believe in Jesus Christ for eternal life possess the gift of eternal life (John 5:24; 1 John 5:9-13). Good works are the expected result of the new life, not the requirement. In fact they cannot be involved at all. If they are, you are not receiving justification salvation by grace (Ro. 11:6). All believers are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever. The believer is eternally secure since Jesus Christ guarantees it (John 6:35-40; 11:25-27; 1 John 3:25).

8. The Church, including the ordinances
I believe that all who are united (from the moment of faith) to the risen and ascended Son of God, Jesus Christ are members of the church, the body and bride of Christ, which began at Pentecost and is completely distinct from Israel. Through the local church, God commands the continual unity, worship and strengthening of one another (Matt 16:16-18; Acts 2:42-47; 13:1-4; 14:27; 15:19-31; 20:17, 28-32; 20:28; Rom 12:5; 16:1, 41 Cor 3:9; 11:2; 12:12-27; Eph 1:20-23; 4:3-10, 17-29; Col 3:9-15; Heb 10:24-25). There are two ordinances: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These ordinances have no salvation value but are mere commemorative ceremonies that recount the one time event of salvation. Baptism should only be practiced once to express externally the conviction of faith in Christ that occurred internally. However, the Lord's Supper ought to be celebrated regularly to remember Christ's sacrifice and His second coming (Matt 28:18-20; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 10:47-48; 18:7-8; 1 Cor 11:24-26).

9. Rapture of the Church

I believe that the Church will have no part in the Tribulation period and will be raptured before this period begins (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thess 1:10, 4:13-5:11). This is the next prophetic event and is an imminent event for believers that they should be watching for.

10. The Millennium

For a thousand years following Jesus’ Second Coming, Christ will reign over the nations of the earth, bringing them righteousness, justice, and peace (Isa 9:6-7; Rev 20:1-10). At the end of this time Satan will be released and allowed to foster a rebellion against the King of kings. That final rebellion will be put down by Christ and will be followed by the Great White Throne Judgment and the eternal state (Rev 20:7-10).

11. Eternal punishment

Unbelievers will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power (Matt 25:46; Luke 16:19-26; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev 20:11-15).

12. Satan and demons

I believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall of man. He is the declared enemy of God and man; he and his fallen angels shall be eternally punished in the lake of Fire (Gen 3:1-15; Job 1:6-7; Isa 14:12-17; Ezek 28:11-19; Matt 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev 20:10). He appears as an angel of light, but is at enmity with God’s plan of salvation (Gen 3:1-15; Rom 5:12-14; 2 Cor 4:3-4; 11:13-15; Eph 6:10-12; 2 Thess 2:4; 1 Tim 4:1-3).

13. Believers’ responsibility toward evangelism
I believe in the Great Commission, the value of the lost, and their eternal doom. I believe that believers are ambassadors of Christ and have a ministry of reconciliation (Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; John 17:18; 20:30-31; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 5:18-20; 1 Pet 1:17; 2:11).

Michael grew up in Flint, MI, moved to New Orleans when he was 14, and finally landed in Dallas in 2000 to finish up seminary. He started his M.Div. at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and finished his Th.M. at DTS in 2003. He is currently finishing his Ph.D. at Trinity College (Bristol University, U.K.). Michael has been on mission trips to Honduras twice, Spain where he led a demographics research team for the IMB, and Ethiopia where he taught a survey of doctrines course at the college in Addis Ababa. He currently teaches in their local church on Sundays and is employed as the ESL & Foreign Language Department Chair at an area middle school.

Gina grew up in Panama City, Panama and moved to Dallas when she was 12. She attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX and received a degree with a dual major in both Spanish and Psychology. She has taken graduate courses in counseling from both Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Amberton University. She is currently co-director of VBS and the women’s ministry at Centerpoint Church in Mesquite, TX. She is employed as a Spanish teacher (3 Honors and 4 AP) at an area high school.

Michael and Gina met at a Spanish church in 2002 and married on July 31, 2004. They had their first child, Emma Sophia, on May 5. They also have a German Shepherd named Dublin.

Michael likes to watch movies, play the guitar, research, train their dog, and play with computers. Gina enjoys watching movies, spending time with friends, and raising Emma.

Michael plans to serve as a Professor at SETECA in Guatemala. Gina would like to raise the kids and either work at the high school, in a women’s ministry, or in a children’s ministry in or around Guatemala City.