What The Reverend Mark Believes!

1. The Reverend Mark believes that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the literal Creator of all things. God is perfect in every way and He is sovereign. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1; Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

2. The Reverend Mark believes the Holy Bible is the infallible, inspired, Word of God. As such, it is our final authority for all matters of faith and Christian practice. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

3. The Reverend Mark believes that death seals the eternity of each person (Hebrews 9:27). Those who are forgiven will spend eternity with God in heaven; those not forgiven will be eternally separated from God in hell. (John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2)

4. The Reverend Mark believes heaven is a literal place of eternal peace, joy, comfort and security. It is the place where God will be present with the redeemed, Jesus Christ, forever. There will be no more crying, suffering or death experienced by those people who go to heaven. (Revelation 21:3,4)

5. The Reverend Mark believes hell is a literal place of eternal suffering and punishment for all who are not redeemed. It is a lake of burning sulfur, where the devil and all demons will suffer eternally, as will the spirits of all of the dead who were not redeemed. (Revelation 20:10-15)

6. The Reverend Mark believes that man, created by God, willfully sinned and as a result is lost and without hope apart from receiving Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Acts 4:12)

7. The Reverend Mark believes Jesus Christ is God incarnate, existing from the beginning with God the Father. He was born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life making Him the only worthy sacrifice to pay for the sins of man.

8. The Reverend Mark believes God's love for us was extended through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to become the atonement for our sins. Jesus willfully gave His life and was brutally tortured and nailed to a cross to die, all because of His love for mankind. (John 3:16) After three days, he rose from the dead, proving His victory over sin, death, and the devil. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

9. The Reverend Mark believes in the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost), the Spirit of the Living God, who draws people to Christ and who lives in every person who has received Christ. (John 16:8-9; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13-14)

10. The Reverend Mark believes we cannot earn salvation. Salvation, or the forgiveness of sins, is available only by the grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ. This free gift of forgiveness is offered to all who receive Christ as Lord and Savior. We can only be saved by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8,9) (John 1:12)

11. The Reverend Mark believes faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life in heaven (Acts 4:12). He is the one mediator between man and God, and the only way to a relationship with God is through Jesus.

12. The Reverend Mark believes the Holy Bible clearly teaches the pattern to receive Christ is to believe in Jesus as God's Son and Savior of the world, repent of personal sin, and confess Christ publicly. (Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16)

13. The Reverend Mark believes that Jesus came to earth for more than opening the door to heaven. Jesus said "I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10). The way to tap into that abundant life is to enjoy a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through regularly reading the Holy Bible, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers.

In Conclusion: We were created to experience God, to love and serve Him, and to love others. If we miss that, we miss out on so much of the life God intended for us.