At Included in Christ, we search the Scriptures daily and depend on the Holy Spirit to illuminate the truth God has given in His Word. With humility and reverence, we hold the following theological positions:
- The inerrancy of the Word of God, a steadfast emphasis on verse by verse Bible study and proper exegesis, and a declaration that Scripture is our highest authority.
- An understanding that entry into God’s eternal family is granted by simply believing in Jesus, according to Scripture, and does not require calling on the Lord, putting one’s trust in the Lord, repentance, confessing Him, or even maintaining belief in Him until death. (Those are required of a faithful disciple, but the free gift of everlasting life is simply free and does not require works.)
- A recognition of mistakes in mainline Christendom, including salvation by works, the need to prove one’s salvation, the possibility of losing eternal life, lack of eternal security, and the profound misunderstanding of the gospel inherent in the phrase, “truly saved,” and those like it.
- Awareness that carnal Christians, and believers who renounce the Lord Jesus, maintain the gift of eternal life, and that eternal life is truly eternal. It can never be lost or rescinded.
- Theology that recognizes judgment and punishment, including “suffering loss” for unfaithful Christians at the Bema Judgment seat. We believe that Scripture demonstrates profound temporary punishment on the other side of eternity for carnal and faithless believers. However, in the eternal phase of the kingdom, the Lord Jesus will wipe away every tear of pain and regret. That’s a promise!
- Celebration of rewards, including crowns, commendations, positions of authority, co-heirship of the kingdom, and proximity to our Lord Jesus in eternity, based on faithful Christian living, daily anticipating His return, here and now.
- An emphasis on prayer and a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. We believe that the Lord still speaks to us, recognizing that every word from the Lord will line up with Scripture.
- Scripture is the standard against which we measure everything, every word, attitude, profession, prophecy, relationship, decision, and on the list goes, forever. Scripture is our highest authority in every aspect of life.
- Belief in the ongoing power of God to bring about miracles described in Scripture, including healing, provision, deliverance, restoration, and guidance.
- Theology which affirms gay Christians and faithful, Christ-centered, gay Christian marriage.
- Our eschatology:
- We believe that Scripture teaches a pre-tribulation rapture, to include both faithful and carnal believers.
- The seven year period of judgment will take place on earth and culminates in the Battle of Armageddon. The Lord Jesus will return in glory with His faithful and easily defeat the armies of the earth.
- He will set up His glorious kingdom on a restored earth. He will rule from Jerusalem, and the faithful in Christ will co-inherit the kingdom and rule with Him. To clarify, we believe in a literal, earthly 1,000 year reign of Christ, during which the devil is literally bound.
- At the end of the Millennial Reign, the devil is released to lead a rebellion, which is quickly defeated, and he is then sent to the lake of fire for eternity.
- The Great White Throne judgment commences, where the Lord Jesus will judge unbelievers by their works, to determine levels of “tolerability” for their eternal destiny in the lake of fire. Only those “not found written in the Book of Life [will be] cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
- The eternal phase of the kingdom refers to the new heaven and the new earth and the glorious New Jerusalem. In the eternal phase of the kingdom, the Lord will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more grief and no more sorrow. We will live in His glorious presence for eternity!
Included in Christ 