DOCTRINAL STATEMENT FOR EVANGELIST RANDY CHOVAN
Godhead:
God is one (Deut. 6) yet has revealed Himself in three distinct personalities (Matt. 3) The triune God created all things (Gen. 1-2) The attributes of God include love, holiness, sovereignty, omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience, justice, immutability, impeccability.
Jesus Christ:
The Second Person of the Godhead, and thus, deity (Isa, 6:9), (Micah 5:2), (Jn.1:1-3), (Jn. 20:28), (Phil. 2:5-11), (1 Tim.3:16), He is the Savior of the world, the Redeemer (1 Pet. 1:18), the lover of our souls (Rom. 5:8) and the only way of salvation (Jn. 14:6), (Jn..10:9), (Acts 4:12) He ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25) and is coming again (Jn.14:1-2), (Tit.2:13), (1 Thes.4:16-17).
Holy Spirit: (including position on spiritual gifts)
He is the Third person of the Godhead, and thus, deity (Acts 5). He is a person, not just a force. He can be grieved (Eph. 4:30). He can be quenched (1Thes. 5:19). He directs and calls people into ministry (Acts 13:1-4). He convicts the sinner of sin (Jn. 16:8) and is the power of regeneration (Tit. 3:5). Basically, the miraculous sign gifts of the first century ceased with the destruction of Jerusalem (tongues) and with the completion of the New Testament (1 Cor. 13: 8-10).
Man & Sin:
Man is inherently a sinner and separated from God (Ps. 51:5) (Jer. 17:9) (Isa. 59:2), (Ro.3:10, 23) and, thus, must be saved and born again (Jn. 3:1-8).
Creation of the World:
God created the Heavens and the Earth in six literal days (Gen. 1:1-27). He sustains His creation and is in complete control of it.
Salvation:
Salvation is received by faith through the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9), (Tit. 3:5), (Rom. 4:4--5). It is based solely in the Person and finished work of Christ on the cross where He bore our sins in His own body on the tree (1 Pet. 2:24) and then rose again from the dead (1Cor. 15:1-3), (Rom. 4:25).
The proper heart conditions required to bring about salvation (also called the New Birth or Regeneration) are repentance and faith (Acts 20:21). Repentance is a change of mind or attitude resulting in a change of direction or behavior.
1. Concerning Christ's identity (that He is God Incarnate) (Acts 2:37-38)
2. Concerning Sin- sinners must be brought to a conviction of sinfulness, thus, convinced that they are deserving of death and eternal hell. The Spirit of God produces a desire to be delivered of sin's penalty and sin's enslaving power. (2 Tim. 2:25-26) (Mark 2:17) (Acts 17:30) (2 Pet. 3:9).
Eternal Security:
The genuine believer is sealed by the Spirit of God (Eph. 4:30) and cannot be lost again because he is in an unconditional covenant relationship with the Living God (Jn. 6:37,39), (Phil.1:6), (Jn. 10:28-30), (Tit. 1:2), (Heb. 7:25).
Justification:
To be declared righteous by receiving the imputed righteousness of Christ (II Cor. 5:21), (Rom. 10:1-4) and thus pardoned by the mercy of God (Tit. 3:5) and reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
Sanctification:
To be set apart from the penalty and power of sin, from the world and its condemnation unto God (1 Pet. 2:9), (1 Cor.11:32), (1 Thess. 4:1-3).
Church: (origin, offices and ordinances)
The church was designed by Christ (Matt. 16:18) and birthed and empowered at Pentecost (Acts 2). It is a living organism not an organization, and thus, it is not run like a “business.” Its purpose is to fulfill the will of its head, the Lord Jesus Christ and carry out the purposes he designed for it. It has two offices, Pastors and deacons, whose qualifications are found in 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1. The ordinances are baptism (Matt. 28:19) and the Lord’s Table (1 Cor. 11).
Israel:
Israel is the Apple of God’s eye (Zech. 2:8) and was chosen by God to enjoy unconditional covenant blessings (Gen. 12, 15). She is distinct from the church although members of Israel can be saved and become part of the church. God has a program for Israel that is distinct from the program of the church. Israel will be prepared to receive her Messiah nationally through the tribulation period and will call upon Christ at the Revelation (Rev. 1:7) (Zech. 12:10).
Spirit World: (good and evil angels)
God has created an innumerable company of angels and they perform His bidding. They are ministers to those who shall be the heirs of salvation(Heb. 1:-4) . Evil angels rebelled with Lucifer (Isa. 14:12-15) and are the demons today. Satan drew a third part of the angels with him in his rebellion (Rev. 12:4).
Civil Government:
God has ordained Human government (Rom. 13:1-7) for the purpose of keeping order, punishing evil doers and rewarding the good. Tribute is to be paid to sustain it and its laws are to be obeyed.
Things to Come:
The rapture of the church has always been imminent and no signs need to be fulfilled for this event (1 Thess. 4:16-17), (2 Thess. 2:1), (1 Cor. 15:51-58). All believers will be caught up and given glorified bodies (Phil. 3:21). Only then can Antichrist be revealed (2 Thess. 2:3). He begins by ruling over the revived Roman Empire (Dan. 2 and 7). The actual 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27) does not begin with the rapture but the confirmation of a covenant between the Antichrist and Israel. Forty-two months into the tribulation, the Beast (Rev. 13:1ff) will defile the holy place of the temple with his own image (Rev. 13:15)(2 Thess. 2:4). At this point he becomes a world dictator and commands the world to receive his mark (Rev. 13:16-18). Those who receive the mark are damned (Rev. 14:9-11). At the end of the tribulation is the battle of Armaggedon (Rev. 16:16) when the Beast and his armies attack Israel (Zech. 14:2). Jesus comes and delivers His people and destroys the attacking armies (Zech. 14:3-12), (Rev. 19:11-16). Jesus sets up His Kingdom and we reign with Him for a thousand years (Rev. 20:4,6). At the end of the Kingdom age the wicked are resurrected and judged at the Great White Throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). God then creates a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:12).
Bible: Bible Versions
The Bible is the Word of God and is inspired of God and thus perfect (2 Tim. 3:16), (Ps. 19:7). He has preserved His Word to every generation (Ps. 117), (Ps. 12). There are various families of manuscripts today, but I believe that the Byzantine text is the Preserved Word of God. I use the KJV exclusively, but do not make the translation issue a point of contention, division, or test of fellowship.
OUR POSITION ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS IS AS FOLLOWS:
Calvinism vs. Arminianism:
I reject Arminianism as it teaches that one genuinely saved can be lost. I am an electionist because the Word of God teaches it (Eph. 1) but also believe that “Whosoever will” can come and be saved because the Word of God teaches that as well (Jn. 3:16).
The Ecumenical Movement:
I reject this movement because it sets doctrine aside for the sake of unity. This movement is not of God and will ultimately result in the one world church of the tribulation period (Rev. 17:1-7, 13-18; 18:1-5).
New-Evangelicalism:
I reject this philosophy of ministry because it fraternizes and accepts liberals as brothers and seeks bridges rather than separating from apostacy. This movement advocates looking and sounding like the world in order to win the world. This is a misinterpretation of 1 Cor. 9:22 and violates Jesus words in Matt 5:13.
The Charismatic Movement:
I reject this movement which is based in experience and not in the sound doctrine of Scripture. They have abused and misused the gifts just as the Corinthian church did. The correction that Paul gave this church in 1 Cor. 12, 13, 14 is needed today in this movement.
Divorce, remarriage, and service:
God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16) and gave His teaching of it through His Son (Matt. 5 and 19). It is controversial today and many Christians draw their lines in many different places. I personally see no Biblical justification for divorce (exception clauses). God is merciful and forgiving and can restore believers who fall into this sin of violating vows they made before God (Ecc. 5:4-5). They can serve the Lord in any area of the church as long as they are spiritually qualified. The two exceptions of service are pastor and deacon (1 Tim 3).
Contemporary Christian Music:
While there is contemporary music which honors the Lord, we stand firmly against the mode of music known as CCM, in the services of the church or in the private use of a Christian. God is holy and His song should be holy (Is. 12:2). Believers are to be separate from the world, not using the music of the world.
