What We Believe

Thanks for your interest in Little Dove. Please review what we believe below.

If you are interested in becoming a member or learning more about what we believe, please reach out to Pastor Garrett at 352-340-1690 or LittleDoveOcala@gmail.com

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

We believe the Bible, in its original documents, is the inspired Word of God, the written record of His revelation of Himself to man, absolute in its authority, complete in its revelation, final in its content, and without error.

(II Timothy 3:16; John 10:35; Hebrews 6:18).

GOD

We believe there is one God, Creator of heaven and earth. He is manifested in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and each having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Genesis 1:2; John 14:9; I John 5:7).

JESUS

We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (John 1:1,3; Luke 1:35).

We believe that Jesus Christ is sinless, and that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24,25; I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7;) His death was to pay for all sins (past, present, and future) of all the world (II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:10-14; Hebrews 9:28; Acts 13:38-41; I Peter 2:24).

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and indwells in all believers, sealing them unto the day of redemption. The moment a person receives Christ as his Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells that believer (John 16:8-11, I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13,14; Ephesians 4:30).

PREDESTINATION VS. FREE WILL

SIN

We believe each member of the human race is fallen, sinful, and lost. We believe that salvation by the Holy Spirit happens when one places their faith in the finished work of Christ (Romans 3:23; John 3:7; Titus 3:5; Luke 24:49; Eph. 1:13-14).

We believe God is sovereign and, in His sovereignty, He gave man a free will to accept or reject the salvation that He has provided. It is God’s will that all would be saved and that none should perish. God permits man’s destiny to depend upon man’s choice. Therefore, we do not accept either Arminianism or Calvinism. (I Timothy 2:4; II Peter 3:9; Acts 10:34; I Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 1:5-14; Matt. 23:37; Romans 9:30-32; John 1:12).

SALVATION

We believe man is saved by undeserved mercy through faith. Salvation is a free gift. Man’s efforts, regardless of how good or well intended, before or after salvation have nothing to do with obtaining or keeping salvation. Salvation is by the finished work of Christ, and nothing can be added to it (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8,9; Galatians 2:16; Romans 11:6; Colossians 2:13; Romans 3:22).

We believe repentance is necessary for salvation. The Greek work for “repent” is “metaneo”, which means “to change one’s mind”. It does not mean “to turn from sin”, since that would mean works for salvation.

A child of God is not under the law, but under grace. He is saved by grace and disciplined by grace (Romans 6:14,15; Romans 11:6; II Corinthians 3:17).

Salvation is not the result of what we do, but it is the result of believing on what God has done for us (Acts 13:38,39; Galatians 1:8,9; Galatians 2:16,21; Galatians 3:1-3; Galatians 5:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-10; II Corinthians 5:21; II Corinthians 11:13-15; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5-8; John 3:16-18).

THE CHURCH

We believe that the church, the bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all those who have trusted Christ as their Savior. (Ephesians 1:22,23; Ephesians 5:25-27; I Corinthians 12:12-14; II Corinthians 11:2).

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; Acts 20:17; Acts 28-32; I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)

We believe that the two ordinances of the local church instituted by Christ are water baptism and the Lord’s supper (communion). These are steps of obedience in a Christian’s life (service) and are not for salvation (Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 11:23-28).

THE CHRISTIAN WALK

We believe every child of God possesses eternal life, is justified by faith, sanctified by God, sealed with the Holy Spirit, safe and secure for all eternity, and cannot lose his salvation. However, a Christian can, through sin, lose fellowship, joy, power, testimony, and rewards, and incur the Father’s discipline and guidance. Relationship is eternal, being established by the new birth. Fellowship, however, is dependent upon obedience. (I Corinthians 3:11-17; I Corinthians 5:1-5; I Corinthians 11:30-32; Hebrews 12:5-11).