Salvation

We believe that a person is saved solely by the grace of God and not by what that person does or has to do (Ephesians 2:8-9 , Galatians 2:16 , 2 Timothy 1:9 ). We believe that God elected and chose, in the eternal counsel of the Holy Trinity, some people to eternal salvation. We believe he did this from the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5 , Romans 8:28-30 , Romans 9:11 , 1 Peter 1:2 , Revelation 17:8 ). We believe that this election was free in God and was done for His own pleasure, not for any or with reference to any foreseen works of faith by a dead alienated sinner (2 Timothy 1:9 ). We believe that all people, until they are quickened (made alive) are dead and alienated from God by their own trespasses and sin, and by the sin of Adam (the natural father of us all) (Romans 5:12 , 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 ). We believe that a dead alienated sinner is totally depraved from the Spirit of God (being dead) and thus can only live in the flesh which cannot please God (1 Corinthians 2:14 ). But when God quickens that person, God gives him a measure of Faith and calls him with an effectual calling (Ephesians 1:18 , Romans 12:3 ). This Faith is from Christ and not from ourselves (Galatians 2:16 , Galatians 5:22 ). It is with that measure of Faith that the person accepts Christ as the Lord of his life and picks up his own cross and follows Jesus. We also believe that making our calling and election sure is a duty that demands and deserves our utmost diligence (2 Peter 1:10 ).