PATH Ministry’s Foundational Beliefs
Our beliefs are rooted in Scripture and align with historic, conservative evangelical doctrine.
Our Theological Framework
We hold to a conservative evangelical theology rooted in the inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture. Guided by systematic theology, we seek to organize biblical truth into clear, cohesive doctrines that shape both belief and practice. Within this, we embrace a classic dispensational framework and a Free Grace view of salvation—by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Good works are the natural fruit of being born again, but they are neither the condition for salvation nor the proof of it. Our assurance rests fully in God’s promises, not in our performance.
We value the Spirit-led process of sanctification and desire to walk in daily dependence on the Holy Spirit, combining doctrinal accuracy with practical, Spirit-empowered living. The theological clarity of Charles Ryrie and Charles Stanley, alongside the pastoral heart of Warren Wiersbe and Adrian Rogers, has deeply influenced our perspective and maturity in Christ.
As part of this framework, we affirm that dispensationalism is more than an end-times position—it is a way of interpreting Scripture that recognizes God’s distinct stewardships across history. These do not represent different ways of salvation but rather God’s unfolding redemptive plan, helping us rightly divide the Word (2 Tim. 2:15), uphold the literal-grammatical-historical method of interpretation, and maintain the biblical distinction between Israel and the Church.
We hold to a pretribulational, premillennial view of Christ’s return, anticipating the literal fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel and the Church. This conviction flows from a consistent dispensational reading of Scripture and strengthens our confidence in God’s faithfulness.
Above all, we seek to handle God’s Word faithfully, live lives transformed by His grace and truth, and disciple others into a Spirit-filled, Christ-centered walk.
The Word of God
We believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, complete as a revelation of God’s will for salvation, and the supreme and final authority in faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Pet. 1:19–21).
The Trinity
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, sharing the same nature and attributes. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Mt. 3:16–17; 28:19).
God the Father
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayers, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Jn. 16:23–27; Gal. 4:4–6; Eph. 1:3; 17–23).
God the Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s eternal Son. He is true God and true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We believe in His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, His priestly intercession on behalf of His people, and His personal, visible return from heaven. (Mt. 1:18–23; Lk. 24:1–8; Jn. 1:1, 14; Acts 1:11; 2 Cor. 5:19–21; Heb. 4:14–16; 7:24–25; 1 Jn. 2:1; Rev. 19, 20).
God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a person and is fully God. He regenerates, baptizes into the body of Christ, indwells every believer, guides and empowers believers, and gives gifts to all believers to be used in ministry so that the church fulfills its mission on earth. (Mt. 28:19; Jn. 3:5; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 5:3–4; 1 Cor. 6:11, 19; 12:4–13; Eph. 3:16; 4:1–16).
Man
We believe God created man, male and female, in the image of God and free from sin. We further believe that man, because of his fall in Adam, is a sinner by nature and choice and is therefore spiritually dead, in need of salvation. (Gen. 1:26–27; 2:7–3:19; Rom. 3:23; 5:12–21; 6:23).
Salvation
We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We further believe that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, was purchased by Christ on the cross, and is received by man through faith, apart from any human merit, works, or ritual. Salvation results in righteous living, good works, and proper social concern. Salvation is by grace, through faith, and is often accompanied by repentance from sin and a genuine confession of Jesus as Lord. However, these are responses to faith, not prerequisites for salvation. (Luke 13:3; Jn. 1:12; 3:3–7; 5:24; Romans 2:5; 3:25; 10:9–10; 11:6; Eph. 2:8–10; 1 Tim. 2:5).
Eternal Security
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept secure in Christ forever, based on the promises of God, not the performance of man. (Jn. 10:28–29; Rom. 8:38–39; Eph. 1:13–14).
Election
We believe that God, in His sovereignty and foreknowledge, chose to save those who would respond in faith to the Gospel, in harmony with His justice, mercy, and offer of salvation to all. (Rom. 8:29–30; 1 Pet. 1:2).
Israel and the Church
We believe that Israel and the Church are distinct in God’s program. Israel consists of the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and God’s covenants with Israel—including the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants—remain in effect and will be literally fulfilled. The Church is a mystery revealed in the New Testament, composed of all who have been saved through faith in Christ during the present age, and does not replace Israel in God’s plan. (Rom. 9–11; 1 Cor. 10:32; Eph. 3:1–10; Rev. 7:4–8).
The Church
We believe that the church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the head. The true church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. This body expresses itself in local assemblies whose members have been baptized upon a credible confession of faith and have associated themselves for worship, instruction, evangelism, and service. We believe the ordinances of the local church are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We also believe in the interdependence of local churches and the mutual submission of believers to each other in love. (Mt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; 2:41–47; Eph. 5:21; Col. 1:18; Heb. 10:24–25).
Separation of Church and State
We believe that each local church is self-governing in function and must be free from interference by any external (outside of the church) or political authority. We further believe that every human being is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life, and that each should be free to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. (Mt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1; 1 Tim. 2:1–6).
Christian Conduct (Holiness)
We believe that the supreme task of every believer is to glorify God in his life. The believer should live blamelessly (not found wanting) before the world, be a faithful steward of his possessions, and pursue spiritual maturity in Christ through the Spirit-led process of sanctification, obedience, and discipleship. (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 6:6–9; 1 Pet. 1:14–15).
Last Things
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved and lost, the eternal conscious existence of all men either in heaven or hell, and in divine judgments, rewards, and punishments. (Jn. 5:29; 1 Cor. 3:11–15; 15:51–58; 2 Cor. 5:6–10; 1 Thes. 4:13–18; 2 Jn. 8; Revelation 19, 20).