Note: Inclusion of a link on this site does not necessarily imply approval or agreement with EVERYTHING found at that site (unless otherwise noted). However, we have tried to do our best to help ensure that only truly sound, conservative, and biblical ministries and/or websites are listed below.
Disclaimer
Doctrinal Statement
Pastor (emeritus) Paul C. Fedena’s Doctrinal Statement
The statements below refer specifically to doctrines which some fundamentalists and even Baptists may disagree with and that is the reason I address them here. In the vast majority of cases I would agree with the less controversial doctrines and/or positions of Baptists and fundamentalists” and the Statements of Faith you will find in their church Constitutions.
First let me establish that I am a Bible* believer. I am not a “Fundamentalist” as it is usually defined. If a Fundamentalist is one who only believes in 5 or 6 “fundamental” doctrines, count me out! The Roman Catholic priest, the liberal main line church pastors, et. al. accept the Virgin Birth of Christ, His Deity etc. But that doesn’t make them Bible believers. If God says it, I believe it…even when I may not be able to fully explain it or comprehend it, e.g. Christ’s glorification or His omniscience or other of His non-communicable attributes.
I can’t even comprehend the new birth or our own coming glorification or the concepts of heaven or hell. When I use the term “Bible believer” I specifically refer to the *AV1611 or *King James Bible. To clarify that statement my personal creed is: *I believe the King James Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant, indestructible and preserved Word and words of the Living God. Now I realize that this statement is in contradiction to what most “fundamentalists” believe, even when they hold up a KJB and declare that they believe it is “the Word of God”. (Most fundamentalists will stop reading the rest of this statement at this point.) However, they usually believe that only the “originals” or “autographs” are the actual “words” of God. They do not believe that God’s providential oversight can apply to any translation. They believe that every believer must be able to have access to the autographs to actually hold in their hand God’s words. (Go ahead, ask them!) Of course no one has ever seen, handled or read the autographs in one place, at one time. And most Christians couldn’t read the Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek if they could somehow magically produce them. Our Lord in both the Old and New Testaments declared not only the inspiration, but also the preservation of His “words” – not just His “Word”. (In over 40 references in the Bible to “Scripture” not one time does it refer to the originals.) Our Savior said “It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Deut. 8:3 - Mt. 4:4 – Luke 4:4)
Because I am a Bible believer, I am also a Creationist. I believe the first 10 words in the Bible state clearly and solve completely the so-called space/time continuum still being sought after by scientists/evolutionists.
“In the beginning…” - time
God created… - energy
the heaven… - space
and the earth.” - matter
All of the gaps and missing links evolutionists are still searching for are still missing! There are NO transitional creatures linking one “kind” (species?) to another or slowly evolving into new forms of life. Dogs still have puppies and lions still have cubs. Snakes still slither and monkeys still swing from trees. God created the universe in 6 literal days about 6000 years ago (not 6 billion years ago). The “Big Bang” never occurred, but it is on its way. (2 Peter 3:10)
I am also a Baptist because of agreement with their historic position which is totally Bible based. I embrace the Baptist Distinctives.
However, I do not accept the current redefining of those traditional doctrines. When they deviate from the AV1611 Scriptures (King James Bible) I distance myself from them.
The burgeoning contemporary movement in so-called “Baptist” (many have dropped the term) and non-denominational churches is also alarming. I have no problem if the preacher doesn’t wear a necktie (I don’t think Paul the Apostle wore one, and of course, most of our church supported missionaries do not wear American style suits and ties. I do believe in proper dress standards and decorum for all Christians and the preacher should set the example. I see the erosion of modesty even in strict fundamental churches. Fashion prevails over decorum. Modesty must be foremost). I am not completely against all contemporary Christian music although much of it is lacking in doctrine. With the use of all kinds of musical instruments in the O.T. I think some “fundamentalists” criticism of CCM is overboard.
All Christian music was at one time “contemporary”. Whatever music we use must be biblically sound, of course. All Rock, Rap, Heavy Metal, et.al. is evil, demonic, devilish. (See my study on “God Loves Music” for a breakdown of my position on music.)
I believe there is a growing and dangerous trend for preachers not to take a public stand against governmental intrusion into the church’s domain. With “political correctness” gone extreme, the “cancel culture” crowd dictating how we as believers must act, think, and talk our biblical stand is being eroded. Too many preachers are fearful and are backing away from preaching against biblical positions which have become “hot potato” issues, e.g. abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, etc. What ever happened to obeying God over men?!
Acts 5:25-29 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
I am a “separatist” in that I believe Christians should not yoke up with unbelievers, in business, church organizations, worldly enterprises, marriage, etc.
• Amos 3:3 – "Can two walk together except they be agreed?"
• Ephesians 5:11 – "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…"
• II Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers..." etc.)
Of course spiritual separation would also include our…
• Mental Life: Thoughts, reading, attitudes
• Physical Life: Dress, physical contact, entertainment, speech
• Social Life: Friendships, courtship, career, marriage, business relationships, etc.
• Spiritual Life: Personal devotional life, fellowship with other Christians, the Church
The term Bible believer implies the concept of separation (see above Scripture references). When a person becomes a believer, he automatically becomes a separatist. He can no longer participate in most worldly pursuits, activities, entertainment, etc. His relationships change with friends, business associates and even family members. A believer must of course be cordial, polite and even friendly with the unsaved, but cannot enter into any activity or even use language (“OMG”, hell, damn, etc.) which will weaken or threaten or cast doubt on his biblical position. His lifestyle must agree with his new biblical position. Anything which tends to water down his testimony may become a snare and of course will bring questions concerning his relationship to Christ.
I am a soul-winner and believe and practice the Great Commission to do whatever I can to attempt to reach the lost. That includes getting the Gospel of Christ into the hands of the unsaved through personal witness, tracts, sermons, Bible lessons, documents, articles in papers, magazines, online and any avenue available to me. I believe in “confrontational” witnessing and supplement that with “lifestyle evangelism”.
I am also a dispensationalist. I believe that God has dealt differently with nations and individuals since creation in relation to man’s need and their response to His commands. Israel does not equal Church, for example. Circumcision does not equal Baptism, etc. We are not under the Mosaic Law and are not required to bring animal sacrifices to Him for acceptance. Before there was any written Word or words of God, Job was somehow informed by God concerning his future resurrection. (Job 19:26-27 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.) Salvation has always been secured by the blood of Christ on the cross and His subsequent resurrection, but that does not always mean that people living before those events occurred always understood the details.
I love my local church and every believer should do so. In 2020, due to the COVID 19 virus is has become easy to “forsake the assembling” while avoiding the inconvenience of getting dressed, travelling to an assembly point (local church) and actually fellowshipping with other believers. Sitting at home in your pajamas, while sipping coffee and watching a computer monitor, smart phone or TV is not what the Savior had in mind. Believers have not been given “the spirit of fear” and should not avoid church services. Believers should not fear dying anyhow! “Absent…present…”
By the way, I believe in the local assembly as well as the “body of Christ” – both of which are referred to as the “church” in Scripture. Of course, many “fundamentalists” do not believe this. They limit the word “church” to the local assembly. While it is true that most references to “church” refer to the local church it is also hard or impossible to squeeze that concept into a few Bible references.
For example:
Matthew 16:18…more than a few local assemblies have been dissolved by Satan and “the gates of hell” have prevailed. Romans 12:4,5…1 Cor. 12:12…Eph. 4:4…Col.1:24…Col. 1:18…Eph. 5:23…Col. 2:19…Eph. 5:29,30…Eph. 4:11-13…1 Cor. 12:12-31
When it comes to the doctrine of last things or eschatology. I am in general agreement with traditional fundamentalists. However the timeline for future events is not always specific or clear. I would however identify myself as a pre-tribulation rapturist and a premillennialist. I believe God has a definite plan and future for the nation of Israel and that the Church and Israel are distinct entities. I also believe we are living in the last days Paul spoke of in his epistles and that our Savior taught about during His earthly ministry.
I believe the Lord has revealed much about our eternal state in Heaven, but there will be many surprises awaiting us. Many use the passage in 1 Cor. 2:9 (“eye hath not seen, nor ear heard…”) to excuse their lack of knowledge about eternity, but fail to read the next verse (v.10) which says “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…” As believers we are told to “Study to shew ourselves approved unto God…rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Sincerely in the Savior,
Pastor (e) Paul C. Fedena
The statements below refer specifically to doctrines which some fundamentalists and even Baptists may disagree with and that is the reason I address them here. In the vast majority of cases I would agree with the less controversial doctrines and/or positions of Baptists and fundamentalists” and the Statements of Faith you will find in their church Constitutions.
First let me establish that I am a Bible* believer. I am not a “Fundamentalist” as it is usually defined. If a Fundamentalist is one who only believes in 5 or 6 “fundamental” doctrines, count me out! The Roman Catholic priest, the liberal main line church pastors, et. al. accept the Virgin Birth of Christ, His Deity etc. But that doesn’t make them Bible believers. If God says it, I believe it…even when I may not be able to fully explain it or comprehend it, e.g. Christ’s glorification or His omniscience or other of His non-communicable attributes.
I can’t even comprehend the new birth or our own coming glorification or the concepts of heaven or hell. When I use the term “Bible believer” I specifically refer to the *AV1611 or *King James Bible. To clarify that statement my personal creed is: *I believe the King James Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant, indestructible and preserved Word and words of the Living God. Now I realize that this statement is in contradiction to what most “fundamentalists” believe, even when they hold up a KJB and declare that they believe it is “the Word of God”. (Most fundamentalists will stop reading the rest of this statement at this point.) However, they usually believe that only the “originals” or “autographs” are the actual “words” of God. They do not believe that God’s providential oversight can apply to any translation. They believe that every believer must be able to have access to the autographs to actually hold in their hand God’s words. (Go ahead, ask them!) Of course no one has ever seen, handled or read the autographs in one place, at one time. And most Christians couldn’t read the Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek if they could somehow magically produce them. Our Lord in both the Old and New Testaments declared not only the inspiration, but also the preservation of His “words” – not just His “Word”. (In over 40 references in the Bible to “Scripture” not one time does it refer to the originals.) Our Savior said “It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Deut. 8:3 - Mt. 4:4 – Luke 4:4)
Because I am a Bible believer, I am also a Creationist. I believe the first 10 words in the Bible state clearly and solve completely the so-called space/time continuum still being sought after by scientists/evolutionists.
“In the beginning…” - time
God created… - energy
the heaven… - space
and the earth.” - matter
All of the gaps and missing links evolutionists are still searching for are still missing! There are NO transitional creatures linking one “kind” (species?) to another or slowly evolving into new forms of life. Dogs still have puppies and lions still have cubs. Snakes still slither and monkeys still swing from trees. God created the universe in 6 literal days about 6000 years ago (not 6 billion years ago). The “Big Bang” never occurred, but it is on its way. (2 Peter 3:10)
I am also a Baptist because of agreement with their historic position which is totally Bible based. I embrace the Baptist Distinctives.
However, I do not accept the current redefining of those traditional doctrines. When they deviate from the AV1611 Scriptures (King James Bible) I distance myself from them.
The burgeoning contemporary movement in so-called “Baptist” (many have dropped the term) and non-denominational churches is also alarming. I have no problem if the preacher doesn’t wear a necktie (I don’t think Paul the Apostle wore one, and of course, most of our church supported missionaries do not wear American style suits and ties. I do believe in proper dress standards and decorum for all Christians and the preacher should set the example. I see the erosion of modesty even in strict fundamental churches. Fashion prevails over decorum. Modesty must be foremost). I am not completely against all contemporary Christian music although much of it is lacking in doctrine. With the use of all kinds of musical instruments in the O.T. I think some “fundamentalists” criticism of CCM is overboard.
All Christian music was at one time “contemporary”. Whatever music we use must be biblically sound, of course. All Rock, Rap, Heavy Metal, et.al. is evil, demonic, devilish. (See my study on “God Loves Music” for a breakdown of my position on music.)
I believe there is a growing and dangerous trend for preachers not to take a public stand against governmental intrusion into the church’s domain. With “political correctness” gone extreme, the “cancel culture” crowd dictating how we as believers must act, think, and talk our biblical stand is being eroded. Too many preachers are fearful and are backing away from preaching against biblical positions which have become “hot potato” issues, e.g. abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, etc. What ever happened to obeying God over men?!
Acts 5:25-29 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
I am a “separatist” in that I believe Christians should not yoke up with unbelievers, in business, church organizations, worldly enterprises, marriage, etc.
• Amos 3:3 – "Can two walk together except they be agreed?"
• Ephesians 5:11 – "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…"
• II Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers..." etc.)
Of course spiritual separation would also include our…
• Mental Life: Thoughts, reading, attitudes
• Physical Life: Dress, physical contact, entertainment, speech
• Social Life: Friendships, courtship, career, marriage, business relationships, etc.
• Spiritual Life: Personal devotional life, fellowship with other Christians, the Church
The term Bible believer implies the concept of separation (see above Scripture references). When a person becomes a believer, he automatically becomes a separatist. He can no longer participate in most worldly pursuits, activities, entertainment, etc. His relationships change with friends, business associates and even family members. A believer must of course be cordial, polite and even friendly with the unsaved, but cannot enter into any activity or even use language (“OMG”, hell, damn, etc.) which will weaken or threaten or cast doubt on his biblical position. His lifestyle must agree with his new biblical position. Anything which tends to water down his testimony may become a snare and of course will bring questions concerning his relationship to Christ.
I am a soul-winner and believe and practice the Great Commission to do whatever I can to attempt to reach the lost. That includes getting the Gospel of Christ into the hands of the unsaved through personal witness, tracts, sermons, Bible lessons, documents, articles in papers, magazines, online and any avenue available to me. I believe in “confrontational” witnessing and supplement that with “lifestyle evangelism”.
I am also a dispensationalist. I believe that God has dealt differently with nations and individuals since creation in relation to man’s need and their response to His commands. Israel does not equal Church, for example. Circumcision does not equal Baptism, etc. We are not under the Mosaic Law and are not required to bring animal sacrifices to Him for acceptance. Before there was any written Word or words of God, Job was somehow informed by God concerning his future resurrection. (Job 19:26-27 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.) Salvation has always been secured by the blood of Christ on the cross and His subsequent resurrection, but that does not always mean that people living before those events occurred always understood the details.
I love my local church and every believer should do so. In 2020, due to the COVID 19 virus is has become easy to “forsake the assembling” while avoiding the inconvenience of getting dressed, travelling to an assembly point (local church) and actually fellowshipping with other believers. Sitting at home in your pajamas, while sipping coffee and watching a computer monitor, smart phone or TV is not what the Savior had in mind. Believers have not been given “the spirit of fear” and should not avoid church services. Believers should not fear dying anyhow! “Absent…present…”
By the way, I believe in the local assembly as well as the “body of Christ” – both of which are referred to as the “church” in Scripture. Of course, many “fundamentalists” do not believe this. They limit the word “church” to the local assembly. While it is true that most references to “church” refer to the local church it is also hard or impossible to squeeze that concept into a few Bible references.
For example:
Matthew 16:18…more than a few local assemblies have been dissolved by Satan and “the gates of hell” have prevailed. Romans 12:4,5…1 Cor. 12:12…Eph. 4:4…Col.1:24…Col. 1:18…Eph. 5:23…Col. 2:19…Eph. 5:29,30…Eph. 4:11-13…1 Cor. 12:12-31
When it comes to the doctrine of last things or eschatology. I am in general agreement with traditional fundamentalists. However the timeline for future events is not always specific or clear. I would however identify myself as a pre-tribulation rapturist and a premillennialist. I believe God has a definite plan and future for the nation of Israel and that the Church and Israel are distinct entities. I also believe we are living in the last days Paul spoke of in his epistles and that our Savior taught about during His earthly ministry.
I believe the Lord has revealed much about our eternal state in Heaven, but there will be many surprises awaiting us. Many use the passage in 1 Cor. 2:9 (“eye hath not seen, nor ear heard…”) to excuse their lack of knowledge about eternity, but fail to read the next verse (v.10) which says “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…” As believers we are told to “Study to shew ourselves approved unto God…rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Sincerely in the Savior,
Pastor (e) Paul C. Fedena
I am a “separatist” in that I believe Christians should not yoke up with unbelievers, in business, church organizations, worldly enterprises, marriage, etc.
• Amos 3:3 – "Can two walk together except they be agreed?"
• Ephesians 5:11 – "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…"
• II Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers..." etc.)
Of course spiritual separation would also include our…
• Mental Life: Thoughts, reading, attitudes
• Physical Life: Dress, physical contact, entertainment, speech
• Social Life: Friendships, courtship, career, marriage, business relationships, etc.
• Spiritual Life: Personal devotional life, fellowship with other Christians, the Church
| doctrinal_statement_`.pdf |
