I certainly appreciate what they are trying to do and would like to see them have lots and lots and lots of competition (with beliefs closer to what I believe would be more pleasing to the Lord).
In other words,
more efforts should be made for providing education of this kind
and if I (or anyone else) don't like theirs, I (we) should start my (our) own....
IMHO, my ideas of their beliefs that are in opposition to the Bible and to what I believe would be more pleasing to the Lord
are in bold blue.
Their beliefs I believe show great promise for promotion in the things of God are in bold red.
Be sure to see their GREAT STAND on "MARRIAGE".
The Sumter Bible Church Constitution is at this link:
ARTICLE Ill, ARTICLES OF FAITH
Members of Sumter Bible Church subscribe to the following Articles of Faith:
1. THE SCRIPTURES: "We believe that a natural
interpretation of their contents reveals several dispensations* which, if disregarded, lead to much confusion and error."
2. THE GODHEAD: Holy Spirit: "We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts men of sin, regenerates,
baptizes at salvation*.."
3. MAN: : "...that all men are thereby corrupted in body, mind and spirit: that all are in need of redemption: and that all are utterly incapable of remedying their lost condition."
4. SALVATION: "We reject the doctrines of limited atonement and predestination to salvation** or to damnation*."
5. THE CHURCH: "We believe that the Church, in its invisible form, is the true Body and Bride of Christ, and that all who are born again are members, regardless of organizational affiliation*...
"We believe that the local Church is to observe two ordinances:
"The Lord's Supper: The Lord's Supper shall be observed by the Church regularly as the official Board* shall decide. The Lord's Supper shall be open to all true believers*..."
7. THE FUTURE: "We believe that Jesus Christ will come in the air, for the saints, to gather them unto Himself at the Rapture, before the Tribulation, and that He will come to the earth, with His saints, to establish His Messianic kingdom at the Second Advent, after the Tribulation, to reign over the earth for one thousand years*. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just to eternal felicity in the glory of His presence, and the bodily resurrection of the unjust to everlasting, conscious punishment in Hell."
* 8. MARRIAGE: We believe that God instituted the bond of marriage between a man and a woman and that “Marriage is honorable” (Hebrews 13:4). We believe that any sexual activity outside the Biblical definition of heterosexual marriage is contrary to the teaching of Scripture. We believe that God’s Word supersedes any laws made by man regarding the definition of marriage. Therefore, we reserve the right to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in accepting, retaining, or dismissing members, staff, volunteers, etc.
Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-28; I Corinthians 7:2; Ephesian 5:31.
= GREAT STAND, HERE!!
* I simply do not see these particular things in the bible, anywhere, leaving them destitute of a position from which to 'teach' them.
** I am sorry they, or any other Christian, would "...reject the doctrines of limited atonement and predestination to salvation...".
con't