STATEMENT OF FAITH

The following statement of faith is what shall be taught, promoted, and to which all the ministries and ministers of this church shall adhere. At the same time, this does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. We define ministers as anyone performing a service(s) under the auspices of this church, whether paid or volunteer, member or nonmember.


Section A. The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (Matt 4:4; 5:18; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21).

We believe the Holy Spirit sovereignly protected and moved along the authors of both testaments, ensuring that what was written was totally free from error. This does not, however, eradicate the authors’ personalities, backgrounds, circumstances, etc. (Luke 1:1-4; John 14:26; Acts 4:24-25; 2 Pet 1:20-21).


Section B. The GodheaD

We believe that the one triune God eternally exists in three persons--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and are worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience, while executing distinct, but harmonious offices and activities (Deut 6:4; Isa 48:16; Matt 3:16-17; 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-14; 1:18; 16:13-15; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor 13:14; Heb 1:1-3).

We believe that the triune God created the heavens and earth by His powerful word (Gen 1:3; Ps 33:6; John 1:3; Col 1:15-17; Heb 1:2), that He created all things in six 24-hour days (Gen 1; Ex 20:11; Job 38:4-7), and that all things were created for the glory and pleasure of God (Job 38:4-7; Ps 19:1; Rom 1:20-21; Rev 4:11).


Section C. The Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, Who having pre-existed as God from all eternity (John 1:1; 8:58), and Who was directly involved in creation (John 1:3; Col 1:15-17; Heb 1:2), became man without ceasing to be God (John 1:14; Heb 13:8). He was conceived of a virgin (Matt 1:23; Luke 1:34-35) and had not inherited a fallen nature. He voluntarily laid aside the independent use of His divine attributes by taking on the limitations of humanity without being any less God (Phil 2:5-8). Today, He continues forever as both true God and true man, one person, the God-man (Col 2:9; Rev 22:16).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ lived without sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5). As the Redeemer, Christ voluntarily gave Himself as a vicarious, substitutionary, blood sacrifice on the cross (Matt 20:28: Mark 10:45; John 10:18; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 2:24; 3:18). He became man’s Savior by suffering the full penalty of divine wrath. His death provided the price necessary for our redemption (Mark 10:45; Rom 3:24; 1 Cor 6:20; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13; Heb 9:15; 1 Pet 1:18-19). Christ, being our propitiation, fully appeased God’s holy demands against sin (Rom 3:24-25; Heb 2:17; 9:15; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). Because of Christ’s person and work, reconciliation with God is possible (Rom 5:10-11; 2 Cor 5:17-21). We believe the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ literally and physically arose from the dead (John 20:27-28; 1 Cor 15:4-8), ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11), was glorified at God’s right hand (Acts 2:33; Heb 1:3), and now fulfills in His exalted state, the high priestly ministry of representative, intercessor, and advocate before God for all believers (Rom 1:3-4; 8:34; Phil 2:5-11; Heb 7:24-25; 1 John 2:1-2).


Section D. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Godhead, has the primary ministry of glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:13-14). His other ministries include involvement in creation (Gen 1:2), in the revelation and inspiration of the Scriptures (John 14:26; 2 Pet 1:20-21), in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11; Acts 7:51), and in regeneration (John 3:5; 2 Thess 2:13; Titus 3:5). At the time of regeneration, He simultaneously seals and indwells the believer. The Holy Spirit is also the personal means by which Christ baptizes the new believer into union with the body of Christ. He abides with all believers today individually and collectively (Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16-17; 6:19; 12:13; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 1:13; 2:19-22; 4:30). The Spirit gives the believer assurance (Rom 8:16) and guidance (Rom 8:14), prays for him [Whenever he/him/his is used throughout the document, this reference is gender neutral and in accordance with historical and grammatical practices.] (Rom 8:26) and is the Comforter (John 16:7). He also bestows spiritual gifts to all believers for the common good and edification of the body of Christ (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:8-30; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Pet 4:10-11), and produces Christlike character in them (Gal 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowal of all His gifts. Some gifts were temporary (e.g. apostleship). Likewise, the sign gift of speaking in tongues, for example, fulfilled a necessary and vital role, authenticating and authorizing the apostolic ministry and serving as a sign to unbelieving Jews. Since it fulfilled its predetermined role it ceased to play an active part in the lives of New Testament believers (Acts 2; 8:4-18; 10:44-11:18; 19:1-6; 1 Cor 12:13-14; 13:8-12; 14:22; 2 Cor 12:12; Eph 2:20; 4:7-12; Heb 2:3-4). It is the privilege and duty of every believer to be filled with (i.e. controlled by) the Spirit (Eph 5:18).

We believe that God does heed and answer the prayer of faith in accord with His own will for the sick and afflicted; that divine healing is of God. Healing by God cannot be commanded by men, nor is it accomplished on a mass basis (John 15:7; James 5:14-16; 1 John 5:14-15).


Section E. The Total Depravity of Man (Humankind)

We believe in the creation of man by the direct act of God on the sixth day of creation (Gen 1:24-31). God made man with both a material and an immaterial part and the image of God is stamped on man’s very being (Gen 1:26-28; 2:7; Matt 10:28; James 3:9). Man was originally created in a state of innocence or unconfirmed righteousness, yet he willfully chose to sin by disobeying God. As a result of Adam’s sin, the whole human race acquired a depraved nature, sharing in Adam’s guilt (Gen 1:31; 3; Rom 3:19-20, 23; 5:12-21; Eph 2:1-3). Man is totally depraved and thereby affected by sin in all his capacities, alienated from God, and under God’s judgment. Man also actively sins, which is any personal lack of conformity to the moral character or desire of God (Rom 3:9-20, 23; James 4:17; 1 John 3:4; 5:17).


Section F. Salvation

We believe that salvation in its broadest sense includes every divine undertaking for the believer from his deliverance out of the lost estate to his final presentation in glory conformed to the image of Christ. Consequently, salvation covers one’s past (salvation from the penalty of sin), one’s present (salvation from the power of sin), and one’s eternal future (salvation from the presence of sin).

We believe that salvation is the free gift of God (Rom 3:24; 6:23) and that it is given by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9). It cannot be merited or secured in any way by man’s efforts or character (Isa 64:6; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). It is appropriated or received through repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12; 5:24; 6:29; Acts 20:21; Rom 3:21-28; Eph 2:8-10). Forgiveness is possible because of the shed blood of Christ on the cross (Rom 3:25-26; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:11-14; 9:22-10:18) and salvation is possible only through the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5).


Section G. Everlasting Safety of Believers

We believe that once born again by the Spirit of God, all Christians are kept by God’s power alone and are thus secure in Christ forever, sealed by the Holy Spirit, Who is the down-payment of our inheritance (John 3:15-16; 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom 8:1; 8:35-39; 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13-14; 4:30; Phil 1:6; 1 Pet 1:3-5; 1 John 3:9; Jude 24-25).

We believe that it is the privilege of the believer to rejoice in the assurance of his salvation through the testimony of God’s Word which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for careless living (John 8:31, 34; Rom 8:5, 13; 13:13-14; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 5:13; Eph 4:1; Phil 2:12-13; Heb 10:26-31; 1 John 2:1-2; 2:6; 3:3, 6-10).

We believe that provision is made for victory over sin through the power of the Holy Spirit, but that all claims to the eradication of man’s sinful propensity in this life are unscriptural (Rom 6:6, 13; 7:13-25; 8:12-13; Gal 5:16-25; Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:10; 1 Pet 1:14-16; 1 John 1:6-2:2; 3:5-9).


Section H. Separation

We believe that all who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ are responsible to live godly, consistent Christian lives without bringing reproach upon their Lord; that God commands separation from all religious apostasy and from all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations. We further believe that the Scripture plainly teaches that those who are born again should not marry, or have any other entangling alliances with unbelievers (Rom 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1; 2 Tim 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society, that leaders are to be prayed for and conscientiously honored and obeyed; except in things clearly opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ex 18:21-22; 2 Sam 23:3; Dan 3:17-18; 6:10; Matt 22:21; Acts 4:19-20; 5:29; 23:5; Rom 13:1-7; 1 Tim 2:1-2).


Section I. The Church

We believe that the Church, which began on the day of Pentecost, is the body and espoused bride of Christ and is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again believers of the present age (Matt 16:18; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4, 33; 11:15-16; 1 Cor 12:12-14; 2 Cor 11:2; Gal 3:27; Eph 1:22-23; 4:5; 5:25-27; Col 1:18; 1 Thess 4:13-18).

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught in the New Testament (Acts 2:38-42; 14:27; 20:28-32; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:1-15; Titus 1:5-11).


Section J. Marriage, Family, and Personhood

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.

We believe that marriage as God intends it is a lifelong, heterosexual, monogamous bond. Marriage is a covenantal commitment before God and people. Therefore, it is the strong desire of this church to always proclaim God’s holy and pure standards which alone can bring genuine and lasting security, intimacy, peace, fulfillment, and contentment. We believe that God has intended that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We also wish to promote the beauty of the marriage bond and the resultant families through various ministries (Gen 1:26-27; 2:18-25; Deut 24:1-5; Hosea 1-3; Mal 2:16; Matt 5:27-32; 19:1-12; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; Rom 7:1-3; 1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; 7:10-16; Eph 5:22-33; 1 Tim 3:2, 4, 12; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Pet 3:1-7).

We believe that Biblical revelation teaches consistently that personhood begins at conception.

  1. The Bible does not make a definitional distinction between a child in the womb and a child after birth. In the Old Testament, Exodus 21:4 and 21:22 serve as good examples. The same Hebrew word refers to both postnatal life and prenatal existence, respectively. In the New Testament the same Greek word is used to refer to John the Baptist in his prenatal period (Luke 1:41, 44) and the infants Pharaoh slaughtered after their birth (Acts 7:19). Consequently, Hebrew and Greek terminology and culture understood personhood to exist prior to birth.

  2. Conception is closely connected with depravity which is a major component of personhood (Psalm 51:5). Consequently, personhood exists at conception.

  3. A person, not a thing, is formed in the womb (Job 10:8-12; Psalm 139:13-16).

  4. God has personal involvement in each child’s conception, formation and development in the womb (Genesis 29:31; 30:22; Ruth 4:13; Job 10:8-12; Psalm 139:13-16).

  5. God consecrated Jeremiah as a prophet while he was in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5). Jeremiah later (20:17) declared that if he had died before birth his mother’s womb would have become his grave. Therefore, the death of Jeremiah in the womb would have been the death of God’s prophet, not a non-person.

  6. Moses explained that if a child’s life in the womb were taken it would be grounds for a life to be given, or capital punishment (Exodus 21:22-23). The principle of “life for life” could only be imposed if the unborn child were a person.

  7. One of the creation mandates is that “kind multiply after its own kind” (Genesis 1:24-25). It would be contradictory to suggest that a person procreates a non-person. Consistency demands that a person begets a person. Thus, personhood logically begins at conception.

  8. Even in the womb, God has a plan and purpose for each human life (Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 1:15).

  9. Christ was born in the manner of man (Galatians 4:4) and in the likeness of humanity (Hebrews 2:17). Because Christ did not cease to be a person as a fetus, we can conclude that all who are conceived in the human womb are persons from conception.

  10. John the Baptist in the womb is filled with God’s Spirit (Luke 1:15) and is repeatedly referred to in clearly human terminology (Luke 1:36, 41, 44). He responds actively and noticeably in the womb of Elizabeth at the presence of the living person Jesus in the womb of Mary and is addressed as a person by Elizabeth (Luke 1:36-44).

In summary, the mind of God is clear on the matter. Personhood begins at conception which reflects His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-28). Although some doctors call it “post-conception fertility control,” abortion is the legal term. God declares such an event murder, which is expressly forbidden in His Word (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 20:13; 21:12; Matthew 5:21) and it remains murder regardless of edict, mandate, or law by human governments or nations. We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life (Psalm 139).


Section K. Missions

We believe that it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and by word to the truths of Holy Scripture. It is the duty and privilege of the Church to take the Word of God to all the world. We further believe that it is the responsibility of the Church to pray for believers to be sent to the mission fields, to support them financially, and to pray for their ministry and their safety (Matt 9:36-38; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 5:19-20; Eph 6:18-20; 2 Thess 3:1-2).


Section L. The Ordinances

We believe that biblical Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life. This act of obedience serves as an outward proclamation of the inner faith we have in our identification, association, and union with Christ. It serves as a testimony to our triune God and a commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12; 10:47-48; 16:30-34; 22:16; Rom 6:3-5; 1 Cor 1:10-17; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:21).

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. Since it is the Lord’s table, we believe that no follower of the Lord Jesus Christ should be barred. However, the pastor should frequently explain the meaning of the ordinance and state the scriptural order, which places salvation and self-examination as pre-requisites (Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor 10:14-22; 11:23-32).


Section M. The Personality of Satan

We believe that Satan is a spirit being, originally created holy and perfect. But through pride and rebellion against God, he fell from his high estate. He became utterly depraved, the open and declared enemy of God and men, and the cause of the fall of man (Job 1:6-7; Matt 4:1-11; John 8:44; 1 Tim 3:7; Rev 12:10). Satan is the leader of all fallen angels, the deceiver and god of the world. He possesses supernatural powers, but is limited to God’s permissive will (Matt 12:24- 26; 2 Cor 4:4; 2 Thess 2:9). Satan was defeated and judged strategically through Christ’s death and resurrection (Luke 10:18; John 12:31-32; 1 Cor 15:54b-57). In the middle of the tribulation period he will be cast out of heaven (Rev 12:7-9). He will be bound in the abyss during the millennium (Rev 20:1-3), and after leading a final revolution will be cast into the lake of fire with all the fallen angels (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:7-10). Satan is defeated tactically by Spirit-filled believers through the whole armor of God and on the basis of the blood of Christ (Gal 5:22-23; Eph 5:18; 6:10-18; Col 3:15-17; 1 John 4:4; Rev 12:11).


Section N. The Last Things

We believe the following to be true about the End Times. This blessed and imminent hope should motivate us to godly living (John 14:1; 1 Thess 4:18; 5:11, 23; Titus 2:13; 2 Pet 3:11-14; 1 John 3:1-3).


1)         PENTECOST marks the beginning of the Church Age (Matt 3:11; 16:18; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 1:5, 8, 11; 2; 11:15; 1 Cor 12:13).

            2)         CHURCH AGE characteristics are generally described in Matthew 13.

            3)         The  RAPTURE (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:51-57; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 2 Thess 2:1-12) marks the end of the Church Age (1 Thess 1:10; 5:9; 2 Thess 2; Rev 3:10).  The Rapture is the time when Christ gathers the Church Age saints, both the living and the dead (Luke 23:42; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; 3:21) to Himself (1 Thess 4:13-18).  At this same juncture, the judgment seat of Christ for the Church Age saints will take place (Luke 19:11-27.; Rom 14:10; 1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:10).  Also, the marriage supper of the Lamb seems to occur here (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22; Jude 24; Rev 19:7-10).

            4)         The 7 YEAR TRIBULATION, which is divided into two 3 1/2 year time periods, will follow the Rapture (Dan 7:24-27; 9:27; 12:1-7, 11-12; Rev 11:2-3; 12:6).  Satan will be cast out of heaven at the mid-point of the tribulation  (Rev 12:7-9).  This is a time of God greatly pouring out His wrath upon the earth (Rev 8-9; 11:15-19; 14:10; 16).

            5)         The REVELATION  of Jesus Christ with His saints, or the Second Return takes place at the end of the tribulation (Zech 14:4; Acts 1:11; 2 Thess 1:8-9; Rev 19:11-16).  At this time the completion of the Battle of Armageddon takes place (Rev 19:11-21) and the judgment of the beast and the false prophet (Rev 19:20), the Gentiles who live through the tribulation (Joel 3:2, 11-17; Matt 25:31-46), and the Jews who live through the tribulation (Ezek 20:34-38; Matt 25:14-30).

            6)         The  MILLENNIUM is the time period after the revelation of Jesus Christ when the Lord Himself shall reign upon the earth for a thousand years (Rev 20:4-6).  Just prior to this millennial reign Satan will be bound (Rev 20:1-3).  Also the resurrection of the dead tribulation saints will occur (Rev 20:4-5) and possibly this will be when the Old Testament saints are raised (Dan 12:2).  At the conclusion of the millennium Satan will be loosed for a short time (Rev 20:3) and the rebellion of Gog and Magog will occur (Rev 20:7-9).  This will be decisively squelched and Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev 20:10).  Following this will be the Great White Throne Judgment in which all the unsaved people will be resurrected and judged according to their works (Rev 20:11-15).  They too will be thrown in to the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment, after the great judgment is complete (Matt 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; 2 Thess 1:7-9).

            7)          ETERNITY is described for us in the concluding chapters of Revelation (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21-22).

Pleasant View Church is a growing community of believers located in Van Wert County Ohio. If you would like more information or to contact us, please visit the About section of this website.