What We Believe

We rejoice in the fact that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Peter 3:18).
 
We believe this salvation is a gift of God’s grace, appropriated through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ.  This faith is a gift of divine grace, and is not simply knowledge of Jesus Christ, but is an act of personal trust accompanied by the miracles of regeneration and justification, leading to sanctification and glorification.
​
CLICK HERE to continue reading our Statement of Faith.
CLICK HERE to visit our Foundations audio messages.

Sunday Morning Sermon:

The Lord With Us
Revelation 4, 5
2/08/2026
​Jerry W Arnold
​Please visit our Facebook page​ to view this service.

 Sunday Evening Sermon:

The Plot
Jeremiah 18:17-23
​Jerry W Arnold
​2/08/2026
Please visit our Facebook page​ to view this service.

Theological Studies

Theology of the Holy Spirit
Methods of Revelation
​2/08/2026
CLICK HERE for more Theology Class messages.

Weekly Pastor's Pen:

Matthew 16:16-17
​The Christ, the Son of the Living God – Part Two
Click Here to view more Pastor Pens.
In our last paper on Matthew 16:16-17 (part one), we noted Peter’s great confession of faith. In this paper we will only examine Matthew 16:18 and Jesus’ reply to Peter’s confession.

Prior to Peter’s confession, and after Peter’s confession, we know that vast multitudes were following Jesus, yet, with many of these followers there was no heartfelt faith. But in verse 18, Jesus distinguishes Peter’s faith apart from the vast multitudes.

Peter’s faith was real, it was genuine! Most within the vast multitude had no real knowledge about their sin, and no real faith that Jesus was the Messiah – the One who came to save His people from their sin. They were interested in one thing: the miracles Jesus did.

But Peter’s faith was different; and it was different not because of the miracles, but because of divine revelation from God the Father. Therefore, Jesus said to Peter:

“… I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

This is something new; this is a divine declaration that was never revealed in the Old Testament. The church is not an Old Testament institution, but is a very distinct body of believers made up of all nations where there is neither Jew nor Greek (See: Galatians 3:26 28).

The church is mentioned only two times in the Gospels: Matthew 16:18; 18:17, and it is a very distinct body of believers, having a distinct mission, and a definite point of beginning and a unique point of ending.

Remember that when our Lord spoke these words, He was well aware of where He was in His ministry, and that now many things would shape up rather quickly. He knew now that national Israel had rejected Him, and now, for the first time He utters the word church.

It is vitally important that we notice closely what Jesus said about the church. The important phrase takes into account eight words: “… upon this rock I will build my church.”

Within the framework of these eight words, we notice three things:

(1) The church at the time Jesus uttered these words was not then in existence. Jesus did not say, upon this rock I have been building the church through all past ages. 

(2) Jesus did not say, upon this rock I am building my church.

(3) But Jesus did say, upon this rock “I will” build my church.

Therefore, when Jesus did speak these words, the church was still a thing in the prophetic future, but not yet in existence. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus only announces His intention to build the church, and He would soon lay the foundation of the church in His death and resurrection.

​The church was never an Old Testament institution. When Jesus spoke these words the formation of the church (as I previously said) was still in the future, and it was not until after His death and resurrection that the church was born on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
​
Jerry W. Arnold
All Rights Reserved - Free for Personal Use
Posted: 02/08/2026

Weekly Bible Study Sermon:
St. John Chapter 21

Simon Peter, Lovest Thou Me
Part 2
John 21: 15-25
​Posted: 7/26/23
CLICK HERE to view other sermons.

Our Kid's Corner:

BIBLE STORIES:
Saul and David  

​CLICK HERE to visit our Bible Stories tab and view this children's message as well as others!

CHILDREN'S CHURCH:
​"God"

CLICK HERE to visit our Children's Church tab and view the audio sermons available for kids!
VISIT OUR ACTIVITIES PAGE

Our Q&A:

Did the Pharisees blaspheme?

CLICK HERE​ to find out the answer to this question as well as many others!

Question: What is paradise?

CLICK HERE to view other Q&A audio material.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.                                                                                                          John 10:7-11
KIDS CORNER      FAQ      ABOUT US      CONTACT US