FYI: "About" Doug Hamp
http://www.douglashamp.com/doctrinal-and-theological-positions-of-douglas-hamp/
Doctrinal and Theological Positions of Douglas Hamp
Doctrinal: What I believe regarding:
The Bible
I believe that the Bible is God’s Word in its entirety and is infallible and inerrant. We can trust it in everything that it says.
God
I believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Christ
I believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
The Holy Spirit
I believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.
The Trinity
I believe that the triunity of God is a doctrine taught in Scripture. There are many verses that can be cited, but perhaps two of the clearest passages are Isaiah 48:16 “…And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me.” where we see the three persons of the trinity in view. Also Matthew 28:19 where Jesus commanded us to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. There is only one God who exists in three persons.
Election
I believe that God desires all men to be saved (I Tim 2:4) and that Jesus’ work on the cross is the means by which man can be saved (John 3:14-19). God has called all men to repent (Acts 17:30) and that all who believe in Him will have eternal life (John 3:16). God has predestined us to be conformed into the image of His Son (Eph 1:3-6) not to eternal life. Everyone has a free will to choose Jesus as savior or to reject Him. God does not predestine some to heaven and some to hell. Those that enter into hell will do so because they rejected Jesus as their savior (John 3:18, 19).
Perseverance of the Saints
I believe that all who trust in and believe upon Jesus for their salvation are saved. God will not lose any who are in Him.
Heaven and Hell
I believe that Heaven and Hell are real places that a person will go to after this life. It is determined once for man to die and after this the judgment (Hebrew 9:27). All those forgiven by the work of Jesus on the Cross will spend eternity with Him in Heaven. All others will be eternally separated in Hell.
Judgment
I believe that Jesus Christ will judge believers at the Bema seat of Christ (for our good works – but not salvation). All those not covered with the blood of Christ will appear before Him at the Great White Throne after the millennium for judgment and their part in the Lake of Fire.
Truth About Angels (Good And Evil)
I believe that God created all angels good but Satan (Lucifer) took a third of the angels with him when he fell. He and they are now referred to as fallen angels or demons. Angels do the biding of God in this world whereas the demons serve Satan.
Humanity
I believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Sin
Sin in its most basic sense is rebellion against God. The Bible refers to three types (sin, trespasses and iniquity). We generally refer to all three as “sin”. The Bible declares that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Jesus died to erase our debt of sin.
Salvation
There is only one name under heaven by which we must be saved: the Lord Jesus Christ. There is salvation in no other except the Lord Jesus. Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except by me. In order to inherit eternal life, we must receive what Jesus did for us on the cross. We can not save ourselves through good works. It is by faith and not of works, Paul tells us, so that no one should boast.
The Church
The Church is comprised of all who are trusting in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The building is not the “church” but the body of Christ is regardless of denomination. All true believers are “the Church”.
Assurance
I believe that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus and are called according to His purpose. I have passed from death into life when I put my trust in God. Since He is the one who saved me, He is also the one who assures me of eternal life.
Sanctification
I believe that once we put our trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit then begins to work within us in order to conform us more into the image of Jesus Christ. It is a lifelong process and will only be completed once we are with the Lord. However, hopefully, as I draw near to God in this life, I am looking more like Him a little more every day.
Ordinances
I believe that the Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism are ordinances to be observed by the Church during this present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means to salvation.
Dispensations
I believe that God has revealed His plan or will to man progressively through time in what is referred to as dispensations. We are currently in the dispensation of the Church.
Resurrection
I believe that Jesus Christ will raise bodies of those in Him when he returns and then we who are alive and remain will be caught up with Him and will receive our new bodies in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.