Pastor Randy's Bio
My Biblical/theological beliefs are evangelical in nature, with a strong adherence to affirming the efficacy of God's Word as the standard of faith and practice in life.
THE BIBLE
I believe that the Bible is the Word of God, not merely that it becomes the Word or contains the Word. The sixty-six books of the Old Testament make up the canon of holy writ. Furthermore, I affirm the Word’s efficacy throughout, as I hold to the verbal plenary theory of inspiration- the very words of scripture are inspired by the Holy Spirit, as is the totality of the Word, thereby it is given the title Special Revelation. The entire Bible is profitable for study, instruction, and correction (II Timothy 3:16). Additionally, the writers of scripture did not write their own thoughts, but the Holy Spirit took their minds and communicated the words to them, allowing them to incorporate their unique, individual style of writing, keeping in mind the cultural setting and spiritual situation in view. (II Peter 1:21, 22).
THE DESTINY OF THE SAVED AND THE LOST
Those who are ‘saved’ due to their conversion in Christ are destined to live a life of demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit. The saved are kept by the power of the Holy Spirit in their Christian walk in this life and are awaiting the return of Jesus Christ at any moment. Those who die as believers in Christ for their deeds done in the flesh. The crown presented to them is evidence of their heavenly reward. The eternal destiny of the saved person is eternal bliss with God and the saints for all eternity in heaven. Those who are lost will find that the wages of their sins is death, both physically and spiritual. The punishment for their life of disobedience and lack of trust in Christ is eternal damnation, being separated from God as the place of the damned where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth due to the anguish of suffering by fire. God has made it clear in His Word that these destinies are real realities, though He has provided salvation in Son as the remedy from Hell.
THE TRINITY
I believe that the Trinity is the most appropriate title used to describe the tri-unity of the Judeo-Christian godhead. The three designations of God are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of the three members is equal in power and might, differing in their function and purpose, though all are fully God. The Father is corporeal head of the Trinity designed as Yahweh, Elohim, and Adonai, among other deified names. The Father is the One who answers prayers, judges the hearts of men, and has created the world and all that is therein. The Son, Jesus Christ, is the second member of the godhead who is the Savior of the World, the God/man who entered time and space to become the atonement for our sins. Jesus lived a life of sinless perfection and paid the ransom for our sins by dying on the cross of Calvary, was buried in a grave, yet rose victorious on the third day in power and might. He currently sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for the saints when they pray. The Holy Spirit is the third member of the godhead who indwells believers by representing Jesus in their lives. He guides, guards, and protects Christians from the world and the Evil One. he resides permanently in the Word of God and truth, as He illumines their hearts and minds to do God’s will.
THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE WORLD
I believe that Jesus issued the Great Commission to His disciples and to believers today for the purpose of leading the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19, 20 declares the responsibility of the believer to present an answer of the eternal hope that is within him in a verbal and non-verbal way. According to John 3:16, God loves the world and has given His Son as the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. It is incumbent upon Christians to tell the story of salvation so that those outside of Christ will hear and respond to the message of love and forgiveness as He has offered in the gospel. The good news of salvation is the only hope of the world, since Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Him.
SALVATION
I believe that salvation is found not in good works or deeds, but in the fact of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sins of the world corporately and persons individually. Salvation is found in no other name but Jesus. It is seen in scripture as the sinner’s acknowledgement of his lost condition outside of Christ and the need of that individual to turn from sin by the act of repentance. Conversion occurs when God appropriates the perfect life of Christ as the individual is changed from a state of being lost in sin and death, to the position of being found and given eternal life, in the act of justification. By faith the new convert trusts in the completed work of Christ for his salvation that results in living the abundant life in Christ. The new life in Christ is governed by the Holy Spirit who guides and directs the believer in Christ in his daily walk with the Lord, who gives the believer encouragement and strength.
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
Many do not have an accurate understanding of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ since they do not adequately understand His First Coming. The First Coming of Christ announced His coming as the Savior of the world and the need for man to accept Him as Lord and Savior. The Second Coming of Christ is prophesied in scripture on numerous occasions alerting those outside of Christ to accept Him and flee the wrath to come. For the unbeliever the clarion call is to make Christ their Lord and find forgiveness in Him. For the believer it is a blessed hope of the return of the Lord so that believers will look forward to spending eternity with Christ in heaven forever. No man knows the day or the hour of His appearing, but His appearing will be visible. Every eye will see it. I believe that His Second Coming will result in the saved of Christ being caught up to be with Him in the air and forever be with the Lord. As for the timing of the Tribulation and its subsequent events I can adequately lay out all three, major theological views and make a biblical case for each. However, my personal focus is on heralding the rapture and its significance, instead of making pronouncements about the timing of certain events upon which godly and gifted individuals differ. The same is true for the teaching of the Millennium and the distinctions between the First and Second Resurrections. In a theology class I can discuss all of these ancillary issues at length, but my goal in a discussion of the Second Coming is to prepare an individual for Christ’s soon return.
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1143 Center Church Rd. New Castle PA 16101
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