The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible word of God. This includes both the Old and the New Testaments (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:19-20). The Bible was written by men and authored by God, who guided them by His Holy Spirit to accurately write every word that He intended to be written. The Bible is our authoritative guide in all matters of faith and practice.

There is one true, living, all-powerful God who created all things and is completely sovereign over His creation (Deut. 4:35; John 17:3; Jeremiah 10:10; Psalm 42:2; I Thess. 1:9; Gen. 1:1; Heb. 11:3; Psalm 47:2; Acts 17:24). God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; I Peter 1:2).

Jesus Christ is God. He is entirely God and entirely man. He was born of a virgin (Matt. 1:18-25) for one purpose, to provide redemption for all mankind by the shedding of His blood on the cross. Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead the third day as scripture says (Luke 24:1-6). He is alive today, seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven (Hebrews 12:2), there to be an intercessor for the believer.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14). He is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. He is a person that possesses all the attributes of Deity (Heb. 9:14; Job 33:4; Psalm 139:7).

Salvation is the free gift of God given to mankind through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This gift is accepted by faith and cannot be earned (Eph. 2:8-9). God offers this gift out of His grace and love, which He demonstrated by sending Christ to pay the penalty for sin (John 3:16; I Tim. 2:6; Rom. 5:8).

Sin is the transgression of the Law of God (I John 3:4). Sin has corrupted the human race because of the fall of Adam (Rom. 5:12). Sin affects every aspect of human nature (Rom. 7:18).

The Church is what scripture refers to as the Bride or Body of Christ. The church consists of all those who, by the Spirit, have been born into the family of God (I Cor. 12:13; I Peter 1:3). The term "church" in scripture has several possible meanings: the universal Body of Christ throughout the world (Matt. 16:18; I Cor. 10:32; Col. 1:8), a local church in a particular city or region (Acts 8:1; 9:31; 13:1), or churches meeting in individuals homes (Rom. 16:5; I Cor. 16:19).

Last Things: We believe in the imminent return of Christ for His Church. This will take place by the rapture of all those who have been saved. This will signify the end of the church age and mark the beginning of the Great Tribulation period. After the Great Tribulation, Christ will come again and establish the Millennial Kingdom on earth.

If you wish to have a more detailed discussion of the doctrinal beliefs listed above please contact Pastor Hammond personally, either by sending him an e-mail message:(douglasehammond@odbm.org) or calling his mobile line: (253)303-2189. There is also a more detailed doctrinal statement available from Timberland Baptist's mission, Open Door Baptist Missions (ODBM) at their website: www.odbm.org.