What We Believe at Clear Springs

Proclaiming Jesus...Bringing people to know Jesus... Helping people to grow in Jesus...Sending people to show Jesus...

(1) The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The scriptures are inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed. Indestructible and forever settled in Heaven are the Holy Scriptures; they are the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. We further believe that verbal inspiration demands providential preservation; and therefore, by necessity, the Holy Scriptures have been providentially preserved with exact precision. Likewise, it is our contention that to assume our sovereign and almighty God would carelessly abandon what, in the first instance, He gave to mankind is not only unreasonable, but also dishonoring to His divine character and holy nature. Moreover, we believe that a perpetual miracle has been wrought by God to preserve His Word and that the Authorized King James Version of the English Bible is the product of such a miracle. Based on this belief, the Authorized King James Version of the Bible shall be the official translation used by this church.

Psalm 19:7-11; Psalm 119:89; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:130; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; Luke 16:17; Luke 21:33; John 5:39; John 10:35; John 17:17; II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 1:23; II Peter 1:19-21; and Revelation 22:18-19

(2) The One True God

We believe in THE ONE TRUE GOD: an intelligent, sovereign, spiritual, and personal Being; perfect, infinite, and eternal in His being, holiness and love, wisdom and power; absolutely separate from and above the world as its Creator, yet everywhere present in the world as the Upholder of all things. He is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons but without division of nature, essence, or being, and each having a distinct ministry in God’s relation to His creation and people.

Genesis 1:1; Exodus 15:11; Psalm 83:18; Psalm 139:7-9; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; and John 15:26.

(3) The Lord Jesus Christ

We believe in THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: the Second Person of the Triune God, the eternal Word and Only Begotten Son; that without any change in His divine Person, He became man by miracle of the Virgin Birth, thus to continue forever as both true God and true Man, one Person with two natures; that as Man He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin; that as the perfect Lamb of God He gave Himself in death upon the cross, bearing there the sin of the world, and suffering its full penalty of divine wrath in our stead; that He arose from the grave in a glorified body; that as our great High Priest He ascended into heaven, there to appear before the face of God as our advocate and intercessor.

John 1:1,14,18; 3:16; Matthew 1:18-25; Galatians 4:4,5; Philippians 2:6-11; I Corinthians 15:3-7; Hebrews 4:14-16; and I John 2:1,2.

(4) The Holy Spirit

We believe in THE HOLY SPIRIT: the Third Person of the Trinity, and the divine Agent in nature, revelation and redemption; that He convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment; that He regenerates, indwells, baptizes, seals and anoints all who become children of God through Christ; that He further empowers, guides, teaches, sanctifies and fills believers who daily surrender to him.

John 3:5-8; John 14:16,17, 26; John 16:7-14; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:13; II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 1:13; and Ephesians 5:18.

(5) The Sin of Mankind

We believe ALL MEN ARE BY NATURE AND CHOICE SINFUL AND LOST: that man was the direct creation of God, made in His image and likeness; that by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, man became a sinful creature, the father of a fallen race which is universally sinful in both nature and practice, thus alienated from the life and family of God, under the righteous judgment and wrath of God, and has within himself no possible means of salvation.

Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12, 19; and Galatians 3:11.

(6) Salvation

We believe in SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH: that salvation is the free gift of God, neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by any virtue or work of man, but received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all true believers have as a present possession the gift of eternal life, a perfect righteousness, son-ship in the family of God, deliverance and security from all condemnation, every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and the divine guarantee that they shall never perish; that this salvation affects the whole man; that apart from Christ there is no possible salvation.

Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; John 1:12; John 3:14-16; John 10:28,29; Romans 8:1; and Philippians 1:6.

(7) Christian Conduct

We believe in RIGHTEOUS LIVING AND GODLY WORKS: not as a means of salvation in any sense, but as its proper evidence and fruit; and therefore, as Christians we should obey the Word of our Lord, seek the things which are above, walk as He walked, accept as our solemn responsibility the duty and privileges of bearing the gospel to a lost world; remembering that a victorious and fruitful Christian life is possible only for those who in gratitude for the infinite and undeserved mercies of God, have presented themselves wholly to Christ.

Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1,2; and Philippians 2:12-16.

(8) The Existence of Satan

We believe in THE EXISTENCE OF SATAN: originally created a holy and perfect being, but through pride and wicked ambition rebelled against God, thus becoming utterly depraved in character, the great adversary of God and His people, leader of all other evil angels and wicked spirits, the deceiver and god of this present world: that his powers are vast, but strictly limited by the permissive will of God who overrules all his wicked devices for good; that he was defeated and judged at the cross, and therefore his final doom is certain; that we are able to resist and overcome him only in the armor of God, by the blood of the Lamb, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 14:12-15; Ephesians 6:12; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; and Revelation 12:9-11,20:10.

(9) The Return of Jesus Christ and the Rapture of the Church

We believe in THE IMMENENT RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST: that His coming in the air to rapture His Church, which is our blessed hope, is always imminent; that when He has first by resurrection of the saved dead and translation of the living, removed from the earth His waiting Church.

Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; James 5:8; Hebrews 10:37; Jude 14,15; and Revelation 19:11-16 20:4-7.

(10) Future Life, Bodily Resurrection, and Eternal Judgment

We believe in FUTURE LIFE, BODILY RESURRECTION, AND ETERNAL JUDGEMENT: that the spirits of the saved at death go immediately to be with Christ in Heaven, that their works shall be brought before the Judgment (Bema) Seat of Christ for the determination of rewards which will take place at the time when Christ comes for his own; that the spirits of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hell where they are kept under punishment until the final day of judgment, at which time their bodies shall be raised from the grave, that they shall be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire, the place of final and everlasting punishment.

I Corinthians 15; II Corinthians 5:8-10; Luke 16:19-23; and Revelation 20:11-15.

(11) Church and State Relationship

We believe in the separation of CHURCH AND STATE as pertaining to two specific domains. First, we believe in separation of church and state with regard to the establishment of a national church. In his Commentaries on the Constitution, Vol. II, P. 728, former Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story commented:

The real object of the first amendment was…to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects and to prevent any national ecclesiastical establishment which should give to a hierarchy the exclusive patronage of the national government.

This local assembly adheres to this reasoning and believes that it is consistent with the original intent of our nation’s Founding Fathers.

Second, we believe in the separation of church and state in that each has definite and distinct spheres of influence and responsibility. Earthly government, under the leadership of men, regulates only the outward actions of individuals with the well being of society as a whole in final view; whereas, the Church, under leadership of the Triune God-head, ministers the Gospel of salvation to the hearts of individuals, with the magnification and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ in final view.

Although we believe in the separation of church and state concerning these two domains, we do not believe that government should divorce itself from the fundamental principles of honor and morality promoted by the Church of the Living God. Recorded in the Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. XVI, P. 291, Jefferson wrote:

The liberty to worship our Creator in the way we think most agreeable to His will is a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support.

In the History of the United States, P. 339, Noah Webster also commented, “The moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.” Likewise, from The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Vol. IX, P. 636, Adams declared, “Religion and virtue are the only foundations…of republicanism and of all free governments.”

Furthermore, we believe that civil government is of divine appointment; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously obeyed and respected; except only in things that violate Gods Word and are opposed to God’s will.

Exodus 18:21-22; II Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 22:21; Matthew 23:10; Acts 5:29; Acts 23:5; Romans 13:1,3; Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14; I Peter 2:17; and Revelation 19:16.

(12) The Priesthood of All Believers

We believe in THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS: that Christ is our Great High Priest and through Him every born-again person has direct access into God’s presence without the need of a human priest; that the believer has the right and responsibility to personally study and interpret the Scriptures guided by the Holy Spirit.

John 14:6; Hebrews 4:16; II Timothy 2:15; and I Peter 2:2,5, & 9.

(13) The Lordship of Jesus Christ

We believe in THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST: that He alone is Head of the body of Christ, into which all true believers are immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit; that all members of this spiritual body should assemble and identify themselves in local churches.

I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22,23; Ephesians 4:11-16; Galatians 1:22.

(14) The Lords Day

We believe that the first day of the week is THE LORD’D DAY. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; Mark 2:27-28; John 4:21-24; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33: 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12.

(15) The Importance of the Local Church

We believe in THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH: that a New Testament church is a local assembly of born-again baptized believers united in organization to practice New Testament ordinances, to meet together for worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, encouragement, and a united testimony, and to actively engage in carrying out the Great Commission.

Acts 2:41,42; I Corinthians 11:2; and Matthew 28:19,20; Hebrews 10:25.

(16) The Autonomy of the Local Church

We believe in THE AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH: that each New Testament church is free to govern itself without ecclesiastical interference, and should cooperate with other New Testament churches as the Holy Spirit leads; that it is responsible to follow the pattern of the New Testament church and is directly accountable to God.

Matthew 18:17; Acts 6:1-5; Acts 13:1-3; and Acts 15:22,23.

(17) The Ordinances of the Local Church

We believe THE ORDINANCES GIVEN TO THE LOCAL CHURCH ARE TWO: BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER: that baptism is by immersion of believers, thus portraying the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ; that the Lord’s Supper is the partaking of the bread and cup by the believer as a continuing memorial of the broken body and shed blood of Christ.

Matthew 26:26-30; Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:38-39; and I Corinthians 11:23-34.

(18) Evangelism and Missions

We believe in the importance of EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS. It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.

Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:17.

(19) Stewardship

We believe in the biblical teaching of STEWARDSHIP. God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the God’s kingdom on earth.

Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

(20) The Family

We believe in the biblical definition of the FAMILY. God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.

The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love and sacrifice for his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.

Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.