Much time, thought and prayer went into my decision to switch from posting on Facebook to writing my own blog. I will continue to have a presence on Facebook, but primarily for ministry updates, keeping in touch with close friends and sharing links to this blog.
My use of Facebook had sent me into a variety of directions both socially and theologically. I enjoyed encouraging my friends about current events in the media as well as writing about my doctrinal positions on the latest religious trends. Over time I watched Social Media as a whole spiral out of control into a beast that controlled its users and manipulated the outcome of all types of social and political agendas. The more I worked around these trends and warned my friends of their dangers, the deeper I seemed to sink into a virtual bog of quicksand. Hence, my decision to launch this endeavor, to continue writing about my doctrinal positions, but without being shrouded by the beast that Social Media evolved into.
I am an Independent, Fundamental Baptist, missionary/pastor, serving my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in New Zealand.
As an Independent Baptist
I am not affiliated with any organization, convention, association, fellowship or any other ruling body. I recognize no ecclesiastical authority higher than the local assembly that answers to Jesus Christ (Eph 1:15-23).
As a Fundamental Baptist
I affirm the doctrines identified as the “Fundamentals of the Faith” (the deity, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and imminent return of Jesus Christ). However, I stand in rejection of the claim that other doctrines taught in God’s word are “non-essentials” (Matt 5:19).
As a Baptist
I affirm the Baptist Distinctives as aligning with the New Testament Church, which can be generally summarized with the acrostic “BAPTISTS”:
B • Bible as rule of faith and practice (1Thess 2:13; 2Tim 3:16, 17; 2Pet 1:20, 21)
A • Autonomy of the local church (2Cor 8:1-5, 19, 23; Col 1:18)
P • Priesthood of the believer (1Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 5:9, 10)
T • Two offices: pastor and deacon (Acts 20:17-38; Phil 1:1; 1Tim 3:1-13)
I • Individual soul liberty (Rom 14:5, 12; 2Cor 4:2; Tit 1:9)
S • Saved, baptized church membership (Acts 2:41-47; 1Cor 12:12; 2Cor 6:14)
T • Two ordinances: baptism and Lord’s Supper (Matt 28:19, 20; 1Cor 11:23-32)
S • Separation (Matt 22:15-22; Acts 15:17-29)
Love you