WHAT WE BELIEVE
At Mount Tabor, we understand that without sound doctrine, it is impossible to attain consistent Christian growth. In order to know God, we must also know about Him and His teachings given to us through His Word, the Bible. This is our doctrinal statement.
Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are plenarily and verbally inspired by God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1: 20-21
Of the True God
We believe that there is one and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth; that He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worth of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost- equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. John 4:24, Exodus 15:11, John 10:30, Psalm 83:18, Matthew 28:19, Ephesians 2:18
Of the Fall of Man
We believe that God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he voluntarily transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherited a nature which is corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law; therefore he is under condemnation and as soon as he is capable of moral action, he becomes an actual transgressor by choice. Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:6-24, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 5:12, Romans 5:19
Of the Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature; that being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, yet without sin, He honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour. Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16, Hebrews 7:25, Isaiah 53:4-5, Hebrews 2:18
Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God, whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with contrition, confession, and a plea for mercy; and at the same time, we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and rely on Him alone, as the only and all sufficient Saviour. Mark 1:15, Acts 2:37-38, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 20:21, Acts 11:18
Of Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer, and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means- especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer. John 17:17, Philippians 2:2-13, II Peter 3:18
Of the Local Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by his laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are pastors and deacons; that in matters of administration and policy it is self-governing. Matthew 28:20, I Corinthians 1:1-13, I Corinthians 11:2, Acts 2:41-42, I Timothy 3
Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. We believe that the Lord’s Supper, in which baptized believers, by the sacred use of the bread and juice are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, is to be preceded always by solemn self-examination. Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Acts 2:41-42, I Corinthians 11:26, I Corinthians 11:28
Of Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers
We believe that all the redeemed are kept by God’s power, and are thus secure in Christ forever. We believe that it is the privilege of the believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. John 5:24, Jude 24, John 10:27-30, 1 John 5:11-13
Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the Word and will of God, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Romans 13:1-7, Matthew 22:21, Acts 5:29, Matthew 23:10
Of the World to Come
We believe that the end of this age is approaching. 1 Peter 4:7 We believe in “That blessed hope” –the personal, imminent return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Acts 1:11, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved; and the everlasting punishment of the lost. Acts 24:15, Revelation 22:11, Matthew 24:31-46
Of Premillennialism
We believe the Lord Jesus when He said, “I will come again.” And it is our conviction that the Lord may come at any moment and receive His own. His coming for the saints precedes the tribulation, after which He comes with His saints to reign for a thousand years. Undergirding our evangelistic and missionary zeal, is our faith in the Lord’s return. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Revelation 4:1, Revelation 20
