Doctrine
The churches in Master Builders are all autonomous.
That being the case, there are certain doctrinal distinctives that we would
expect should exist. Nevertheless, there is a body of teaching that we do hold
to as a fellowship based solidly on our understanding of the Word of God. It starts with the Apostles Creed, which we strongly believe sums up every Christian's basic beliefs. Listed below you will find a more lengthly detailed account of what we believe.
The Scriptures
We believe the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments to be the inspired,
infallible Word of the living God. Written by men under the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit, the Bible is a record of God's1 own disclosure to the human race.
It is through the Scriptures that we are led to faith in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, the Bible, as originally given, is free from human error since it is
verbally inspired. All believers should study the Bible and become acquainted
with its teachings so they can apply them to their lives. They are the
normative and authoritative guide for all Christian living, practice, and
doctrine. The Scriptures are totally sufficient and nothing can be added to
them. Whatever we believe as individuals or churches, it must be solidly based
on what Holy Scripture teaches.
The Triune God
There is one eternal God, the Almighty from Whom all things exist. In the
unity of the godhead there are three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
These are co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal.
God the Father is the Creator of all things who by his word and for his glory
freely created all things. He did so ex-nihilo, (out of nothing) creating the
visible universe out of nothing that previously existed. He also rules over all
and is the only Sovereign. His plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. It was
his good pleasure to give us Jesus Christ for the redemption of mankind. Men
and women were made in his image to have fellowship with him. All of creation
exists for the praise of his glory.
Jesus Christ, God's Son, is the only begotten Son of God, was the eternal Word
made flesh, supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a Jewish
virgin. He is the God-Man, perfect in nature and in obedience. He was always with
God from the beginning, Himself being God. It was through him that all things
have come into being and are presently held together. He is the image of the
invisible God, the first-born of all creation. In him dwells all the fullness
of the Godhead bodily. He is the world's only Savior, bearing in his own body
our sins on the cross so that we might be redeemed. After dying for our sins,
he bodily rose from the dead, victorious over death and all the powers of
darkness. He then appeared to his apostles and to over five hundred brethren
over a period of forty days and nights. He then ascended into heaven where, at
Gods right hand, he rules as Lord of all over the church and the nations. He is
the Head of his body, the Church, and is blessed forevermore. He is the author
of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
The Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, was sent from the Father through
the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He works
chiefly to convince the world of their need of the Gospel and to apply the
finished work of Christ to those who believe. It is the Holy Spirit's task to
unite the believer to Christ, bring about the new birth, and dwell within the
regenerate. He also leads the Church into a right understanding and application
of the truth of God's Word, the Scriptures. He is the Third Person of the
blessed Trinity and is fully God.
Man
The human race, both male and female, were made in the image and likeness of
the Creator and as such are the crown of creation. Yet as a result of the Fall,
mankind is fully and completely depraved, subject to divine wrath, and apart
from God's1 grace, completely under the wrath of God. This depravity is radical
and pervasive extending to the mind, will and affections of every man and
woman. Unregenerate man lives under the dominion of sin and Satan. He is at
enmity with God and is hostile toward Him. Fallen, sinful people, whatever
their character or attainments are lost without hope apart from salvation in
Christ.
The Gospel
The Gospel is the good news of what Jesus Christ has accomplished for the
human race. Christ's crucifixion is the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins.
His death satisfies the demands of God's holy justice and appeases his holy
wrath. His resurrection is proof of our justification with God The heart of the
Gospel is the announcement that for all who believe upon Him, their sins are
forgiven. There is no other name under heaven by which men are able to be
saved. At the heart of the Gospel is the cross of Christ. Jesus Christ is the
only mediator between God and man.
Man's Response to the Gospel
Human beings respond to the Gospel by God's grace alone. It is God's grace
which imparts faith to the heart. As a man believes the Gospel he is brought to
repentance (conversion) turning from his sins and clinging to Jesus Christ.
When one believes the Gospel (evidence?) evident through faith and repentance,
he is joined to Christ forever. Biblical conversion is characterized by a
changed life, and saving faith is evidenced by kingdom service and works.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers for Christian witness and service. Being
indwelt by the Holy Spirit and being baptized in the Holy Spirit are
theologically distinct experiences, though the latter may occur in close
proximity to the former. The promise of the Father is freely available to all
who believe in Jesus Christ, thereby enabling them to exercise the powers of
the age to come in ministry and mission. As portrayed in the Books of Acts,
speaking in tongues is a common and immediate evidence, but not a necessary
evidence, that the gift of the Holy Spirit has been received. The Holy Spirit
desires to continually fill each believer with power to witness, and imparts
his supernatural gifts for the edification of the Body and the work of ministry
in the world. All the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work in the church of the
first-century are available today and are to be earnestly desired and
practiced. They are essential in the mission of the Church in the world today.
The Church of the Living God
God, through the Word and the Holy Spirit, calls sinful men out of the
whole human race and into the fellowship of Christ's Body. This Church is not a
religious institution or organization, but a living organism made up of true
followers of the Lamb who have personally appropriated the Gospel. The Church
exists to glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to propagate the Gospel
to the four corners of the earth. Upon conversion, newly redeemed man and women
are added to a local church where they devote themselves to teaching,
fellowship, the breaking of break, and prayers.
God has given to the Church five distinct ministries (Ephesians 4:11) in order
to prepare God's people to adequately serve Him and be built up in the faith.
These five ministries, apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher, still
function today and are necessary for the Church to reach its ultimate goal of
fullness (Ephesians 4:12). The local church should have input from these five
ministries regularly. The result is that the saints are not only regularly
built up, but thoroughly equipped for their unique work of advancing the
kingdom in their God-appointed spheres.
The Appearing of our Lord
Jesus Christ will return bodily to this planet at a time fixed by God and
according to his sovereign decree. When he appears, the dead in Christ as well
as those who are alive and remain will be resurrected. There will then be a
judgment of the just and the unjust, and the fulfillment of Christ's kingdom in
the new heavens and the new earth. Satan and his hosts and all those outside
Christ will be finally separated from the presence of God and banished to
everlasting torment, but the righteous will live on forever in His presence in
glorious bodies like unto his. They will remain with Him forever serving and
giving him unending praise and glory. Then creation itself will be transformed
and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God who makes all things new.