The Sufficiency of God's Grace

 

 

We can do nothing without Christ. It is with his help that we are able to be successful in our endeavors and we must always remember where that strength and those abilities come from which bring about success. It is when we start to feel that our success is achieved through our own works that we find trouble.

 

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."                                                        2 Corinthians 12:9

 

Paul boasted and the Bible tells us of afflictions he suffered because of that boasting. While it doesn't go into detail as to what his afflictions were, it is assumed that they were likely more spiritual than physical as demons were allowed to further torment that affliction.

Many wonder - how can a loving and caring God allow us, his children, to suffer? But we must remember that God knows what is best and he gives us the grace of Jesus so that we may bear those afflictions that we are given. Sometimes, when we ask for our afflictions to be lifted we are met with a stern "No" from God. We must understand that he knows best, and it is in those times that we must pray for grace. God knows our needs and he addresses them in his way, it is through his grace that we are able to come out the other side better than when we first faced our affliction(s).

 

 Titus 2 - Be a model for others. God helps us to make it through our trials and tribulations, we should use that experience to show others God's grace and mercy. Follow God and his examples and through your life exemplify what a true Christian is.

 

God takes care of everything in the end...sometimes the outcome isn't exactly what we desired, or what we had planned, but it is always God's will and it is always accompanied by Jesus' grace which allows us to make it through whatever we are up against. Go to God with every need - anything that is important to you is important to God. There is nothing you can pray about or ask of him that would be a shock, because he already knows your thoughts and your needs.

Don't ever quit God - Mark 4:35-40 In these verses we see that even the men riding on the ship with Jesus doubted. How must they have felt when they woke him out of a sound sleep, shaking with fear, and he calmly walked out, waved his hand and calmed the sea. How clear would the awesome power of God be if we were to see that miracle? How could you ever give up on someone who could do such amazing things once you saw such wonders? The key is faith. The Bible tells us of the wonders Jesus did so that we can have that as testimony to his awesome power. It also testifies that he will be there for us just as he was there for the men on the ship which we read about in Mark chapter 4.

 

Jesus' grace is sufficient now as it was then. There is not a situation that will arise which God can't get you through. Nothing can happen to you that God wouldn't care about, he is there for us through it all. 

 

Have you been talking to God lately? Have you asked for His grace? When you find yourself in trouble - don't whimper, don't whine - go to God. As for his grace. Trust in his time to send the help you WANT and while you wait trust in him to give you the grace you NEED. Don't hold anything back from Jesus....

 

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

                                                                                            Galatians 2:20

 

" do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

                                                                                            Galatians 2:21 

Standing Strong in the Lord

God has blessed each one of us with different traits and has called us each accordingly. It is up to us to be happy in whatever our calling is!

    "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." 1 Corinthians 7:20

Abide means to dwell in or reside and a calling is like a profession or occupation. You will notice that everyone here on Earth is different. Some are handy with building things, others are intelligent with words and others with numbers. The key is to remember that each of us is special and we have all been blessed with gifts that the Lord intends us to use for the greater good, His greater good.

1 Corinthians 7:22 - Choose your master wisely... a servant of man is a slave while a servant of the Lord is free. When you serve the Lord you are treated justly and if you do well at your calling then you can grow within that. God loves to promote people in their ministry!

Isaiah 45:22 - Look to the Lord and his ways and come to him through Jesus.
Isaiah 55:3 - In this verse we are told to "Incline our ears" - what that phrase means is quite simple... LISTEN! God wants us to listen to the Word and not only hear but obey!

If those on Earth knew the exact date that Jesus was set to return what would a majority of them do? They would live their lives however they wanted to until right before Jesus' return... they would enjoy the sins of the earth until they knew it was almost too late. That is the nature of sin. When you follow the pleasures of this world you fall to sin - but if you act on the direction you find in God's Word then you shall prevail.

Above we learned that if you serve the Lord then you in turn earn your freedom in a sense. You can see in both Romans 10:13 and Matthew 11:28 that God promises to give us rest. How great is it that the all powerful God will come to our aid and give US rest? He is a kind master that rewards those that do His work and serve Him. It is definitely not a one sided relationship.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 outlines that we were given instructions directly from God. They come in the form of the gospel found in the Holy Bible.  We are to abide (or live) in the Word and to share it with others. Be steadfast in our faith and let our lives and how we serve in our calling be an outward demonstration of his amazing grace. You may be the model that makes someone desire a Christian life - you may be confident in your salvation but what about your friends and family?

Acts 8:26
Romans 1:1-6
Psalms 37
1 Chronicles 29:1-9
As we look at the above scriptures and the stories behind them you find that the Lord decides our calling and asks us to offer ourselves willingly. We don't always know the outcome but we must trust in God and submit fully.

Good Enough for Heaven??

 

 

"WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?"

 

RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE LOST. ~

 

No one will make an effort to escape danger until he recognizes the fact that he is in danger. God's Word shows the danger of being lost.

 

"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not," Ecclesiastes 7:20

 

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

RECOGNIZE THAT JESUS DIED AS YOUR SUBSTITUTE ~

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," John 3:16

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."  II Corinthians 5:21

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree," Galatians 3:13

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." I Peter 2:24

REPENT TOWARD GOD, WITH GENUINE SORROW FOR THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER ~

 

"Repent ye...But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance," Matthew 3:2, 7, 8

 

"Except ye repent, ye shall all....perish," Luke 13:3

 

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death," II Corinthians 7:10

 

ASK GOD TO SAVE YOU, TO FORGIVE YOUR SIN FOR JESUS' SAKE, AND TRUST (BELIEVE) WHOLEHEARTEDLY THAT HE WILL ~

 

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," Acts 16:31

 

"The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in they heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved," Romans 10:8-10, 13

 

WHEN SHOULD YOU BE SAVED? ~

 

"Behold, now is the accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation," II Corinthians 6:2

 

WHAT CAUSES ONE TO BE LOST? ~

 

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God," John 3:18

 

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him," John 3:36

 

June 8th Morning Sermon

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."                                 Matthew 5:3

Don't Let Defeat, Discouragement or Depression drive you from God!!

 Starting out in Psalms 42:1-5 you read verses written by the Sons of Korah. They were written while they were frustrated and suffering spiritually. They were persecuted and struggling in their lives - yet they reached out to God. It is important to remember that no matter what is going on in our personal lives, God knows our hearts and can see us through if we let him. Don't turn your heart on God no matter what the situation.

Looking in the book of Job you find that he went through great troubles and strife and in the end he ended up with more than he started with. The key is that Job didn't give up on the Lord...even when Satan took away everything he owned, nearly all that he loved and even his own health - he didn't curse the Lord.

Malachi 3:6 - The Lord is unchanging and he remains merciful. He says "Trust Me" and that we must do. Sometimes it is "giving it to God" that is the hardest part for us has humans.

We often find that when people get discouraged they turn from God. It is those times of despair, when they need God most, we find that people often:

• Stop Praying
• Stop Reading their Bible
• Stop Going to Church

When you abandon your studies and stop fellowshipping with the Lord you drift apart. You must be proactive about your spiritual life - talk to God and read the Word. God says, "Return to Me and I will return to you.". You must submit to God and resist Satan. The Word is your weapon. James 4:8.

Matthew 5:16 - Let God's light shine in you. It is up to us to show how great it is to be a Christian. We all know that just because we are Christians doesn't mean that we are going to make it through life with no worries and no strife - quite the opposite actually. It is our duty, however, to take everything life gives us in stride. We know that everything that happens is part of God's plan and we have to trust that he is in control and doing what is best.

Often we find that the most difficult times in our lives were there to shape and mold someone - often times us...but sometimes we suffer solely for the benefit of others. How awesome is that opportunity? To have the chance to bear the burdens of others for no benefit of your own... sound familiar? That is what we must do as Christians. We must take whatever the world gives us and take it with a smile. It is our job to make people want what we have spiritually, and if you are busy having a pity party you aren't living a life anyone is striving for.

It is also not our job to judge others. We aren't the judge or the jury - we are models. Ask yourself, "What kind of advertisement am I for Jesus?" Replace the negative with positive and accentuate on it ~ encourage others and build up one another. In everything remember to rely on the Lord, for without him everything is done in vain.

Psalm 37:1-5 Would you rather be rich on Earth or in Heaven? You can't have both, for the riches of this world are not the same as the riches of Heaven. Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord in ALL WAYS. It is up to us to let our words, our actions and our lives give Him glory.

God's Simple Plan of Salvation

 

My Friend: I am asking you the most important question of life. Your joy or your sorrow for all eternity depends upon your answer. The question is: Are you saved? It is not a question of how good you are, nor if you are a church member, but are you saved? Are you sure you will go to Heaven when you die?

God says in order to go to Heaven, you must be born again. In John 3:7, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.”

In the Bible God gives us the plan of how to be born again which means to be saved. His plan is simple! You can be saved today. How?

First, my friend, you must realize you are a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Because you are a sinner, you are condemned to death. “For the wages [payment] of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This includes eternal separation from God in Hell.

“ . . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

But God loved you so much He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to bear your sin and die in your place. “ . . . He hath made Him [Jesus, Who knew no sin] to be sin for us . . . that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus had to shed His blood and die. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). “ . . . without shedding of blood is no remission [pardon]” (Hebrews 9:22).

“ . . . God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Although we cannot understand how, God said my sins and your sins were laid upon Jesus and He died in our place. He became our substitute. It is true. God cannot lie.

My friend, “God . . . commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). This repentance is a change of mind that agrees with God that one is a sinner, and also agrees with what Jesus did for us on the Cross.

In Acts 16:30-31, the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas: “ . . . ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved . . . .’ ”

Simply believe on Him as the one who bore your sin, died in your place, was buried, and whom God resurrected. His resurrection powerfully assures that the believer can claim everlasting life when Jesus is received as Savior.

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

Whosoever includes you. Shall be saved means not maybe, nor can, but shall be saved.

Surely, you realize you are a sinner. Right now, wherever you are, repenting, lift your heart to God in prayer.

In Luke 18:13, the sinner prayed: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Just pray: “Oh God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus was my substitute when He died on the Cross. I believe His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection were for me. I now receive Him as my Savior. I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins, the gift of salvation and everlasting life, because of Your merciful grace. Amen.”

Just take God at His word and claim His salvation by faith. Believe, and you will be saved. No church, no lodge, no good works can save you. Remember, God does the saving. All of it!

God’s simple plan of salvation is: You are a sinner. Therefore, unless you believe on Jesus Who died in your place, you will spend eternity in Hell. If you believe on Him as your crucified, buried, and risen Savior, you receive forgiveness for all of your sins and His gift of eternal salvation by faith.

You say, “Surely, it cannot be that simple.” Yes, that simple! It is scriptural. It is God’s plan. My friend, believe on Jesus and receive Him as Savior today.

If His plan is not perfectly clear, read this tract over and over, without laying it down, until you understand it. Your soul is worth more than all the world.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Be sure you are saved. If you lose your soul, you miss Heaven and lose all. Please! Let God save you this very moment.

God’s power will save you, keep you saved, and enable you to live a victorious Christian life. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Do not trust your feelings. They change. Stand on God’s promises. They never change. After you are saved, there are three things to practice daily for spiritual growth:

 Pray -- you talk to God.
Read your Bible -- God talks to you.
Witness -- you talk for God.
You should be baptized in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ as a public testimony of your salvation, and then unite with a Bible-believing church without delay. “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord . . . .” (2 Timothy 1:8)

“Whosoever therefore shall confess [testify of] Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).

 

 

Welcome to Columbia River Baptist Church

Message From the Pastor

My name is Dan Sheffield and I serve as the Pastor of the Columbia River Baptist Church in Columbia City, OR. I want to personally thank you for visiting our church website. The primary purpose for the Columbia River Baptist Church website is to sow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ around the world. 

Columbia River Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church located near the Columbia River in northern Oregon. Our fellowship is centered around our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and God's Word. We are a Bible preaching, Bible teaching, Bible centered, New Testament church.
 

 If you are in our area, I extend an invitation to you to visit with us. To all, I ask you to stop back by our website from time to time as we will be continually improving, updating and adding to the site.
 

 Let me close this note with a verse from John 14:6. The Lord Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." My prayer is that this website will lead you to know our Savior. If you already know Him as your Lord and Savior, I pray what is on this website will help you to grow in His grace and knowledge.

                                                                           May God bless you,

                                              Pastor Dan Sheffield

What We Believe

1. The Holy Scriptures:  We believe the Authorized Version (KJV) of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are infallible, inerrant  and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old Testament and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. We believe that the Bible reveals God, the Fall of Man, the Way of Salvation, and God’s Purpose for the Ages.(I Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). 

2. God:  We believe in one Triune God, existing eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:10,26).

 

A. God the Father:  Perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, rich in grace, supreme in love, and measureless in power.  He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of all mankind, He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him in faith through Jesus Christ.

 

B. God the Son, Jesus Christ: 

    (a) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, that He became man, without ceasing to be God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8).
    (b) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
    (c)We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:24; 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2).

 

C. God the Holy Spirit: 

   (a) We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 18:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians  1:13-14.)
   (b) We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures (Ephesians 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27).

   (c) We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7-12).
    (d) We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gifts of healing, were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection.(1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22).
    (e) We believe that the modern day charismatic movement is not Scriptural; therefore, we abstain from any involvement with this movement and any of its practices.

 

3. Man:  We believe that man was created in the image of God but because of Adam’s transgression (disobedience) that the whole human race fell.  Because of this, all men, without Christ are spiritually dead and lost.  All men everywhere are sinners, both by nature and by choice.  To die in this condition is to be damned forever and eternally separated from God.

 

4. Satan:  We believe in a personal devil (Satan) who is presumptuous, proud, powerful, wicked, malignant, subtle, deceitful, religious, and fierce.  He was cast out of Heaven and is now prince of the air and this world system.  He caused the fall of man, is his constant adversary, and seeks to beguile, tempt, accuse, and devour him.  He opposes the work of God, hinders the Gospel, and works lying miracles (wonders).  Satan has already been judged and someday will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night, forever and forever.

5. Salvation:  We believe that salvation is only through the blood of Christ.  To obtain this salvation is to repent of one’s sin toward God and to have faith toward Christ (to receive Him in the heart by faith) Rom 10:9.  This great salvation is solely by grace, a free gift, through the shed blood of the Son of God.  The blood of Jesus Christ was shed for the sins of the whole world (all mankind).  As a work of God’s grace and not man’s works, it is an eternal work.  Those who are truly saved can never be lost again.  Those who are truly saved will persevere until the end.  It entails what Christ called the new birth, being born again from above by the Word of God (the instrument), and the Spirit of God (The Person).

6. Heaven & Hell:  We believe that Heaven and Hell are literal places, prepared by God as the only eternal abodes of mankind.  All those who have been saved (born-again) shall live eternally with God in Heaven.  All those without Christ (devoid of spiritual life) shall abide in Hell. Death and Hell shall be cast into the lake of fire, where the lost shall be eternally separated from God.

7. Church:  We believe the New Testament Church is a local Body of baptized believers banded together for worship, work, and spiritual fellowship, spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth.  The local church is to be governed independently of outside persons, groups or authorities. The local church has Jesus Christ as its head and the Holy Spirit as its guide.  The authority to carry on the work of God in this dispensation is given to the local church.  As such, all Christians and all Christian ministries should be the ministry of, and accountable to, a local New Testament church.  Scripture knows nothing concerning the authority of, or accountability to a universal church.  Each local church is to be independent, autonomous, and free from political authority or ecclesiastical hierarchy.  We believe in separation of church and state.  The officers of the church are pastor (i.e. bishops or elders) and deacons (not required) whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Holy Scriptures (KJV).

8. Ordinances:  There are two ordinances that have been given to the local church. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  These two ordinances are for believers only and to be administered by the local church.

   

• Baptism:  The prerequisite to Scriptural baptism is the new birth. We believe that the only Scriptural baptism is by complete immersion in water, in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.   Baptism does not have saving power, but is the first step of obedience of every Christian. Baptism identifies the new believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Scriptural baptism must be administered by a local, New Testament, Bible-believing church.
• The Lord’s Supper:  We believe that the Lord’s Supper consists of unleavened bread, and unfermented fruit of the vine. We believe that they are symbols that represent the body and the blood of Jesus Christ, which was broken and poured out on the cross for our sins.  The prerequisites to Scriptural observance of the Lord’s Supper are the new birth, and Scriptural baptism.  Those receiving the Lord’s Supper are to be members of the local church where being administered.  There is no Scriptural grounds for the practice of Open Communion whereby anyone is invited to take of the elements.

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the only ordinances of the New Testament assemblies and are not for believers apart from the assemblies.

9. Separation:  We believe in Bible separation, that is, to be set apart from the world, sin, self, and Satan, and to be separated “unto the praise of His glory” and the furtherance of the Gospel.  We believe in being separated from pride, lying, tattling, backbiting, envy, jealousy, bitterness, malice, foolish talking, ingratitude, covetousness, and any other sin of the flesh or spirit.  We believe in being separated from the world, and therefore not participating or indulging in the things of this world, its organizations and lodges, or being a part of anything that dishonors our Lord or jeopardizes the Gospel.  This is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit when He fills and controls our life.  True separation can only come when we are filled with His Spirit.

 

We believe that every believer is born of the Spirit, and are filled with the Spirit. They should walk in the Spirit, and should be led by the Spirit,  that by His power and grace we might bear the fruit of the Spirit.  Every Christian is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the family of God at the time of the new birth, but the power of the Spirit is a daily requirement and need in our lives.

10. Witness:  We believe that all believers are to be a witness unto the lost for Christ.  We believe that all believers have certain God-given gifts and are stewards for God. Some are called to preach or to other special tasks.  We also believe that all who have rejected the Gospel or have never heard the Gospel are lost and that it is every believer’s responsibility to help get the Gospel to them.  The individual Christian and the local church should do everything in their power to get the Gospel to the ends of the world through both local and foreign missions.

11. Creation:  We believe in the Genesis account of creation as literal and factual. We believe therefore that God created all that exists in 6 literal days.  God spoke and it was!  Our God is big enough to do all that He did without the need of millions or billions of years.  The fact that God created a mature earth, and that earth was later covered in a worldwide flood, leaves scientists with the impression that it took millions or billions of years when in fact it was all accomplished in 6 days.  We would also deny the need of any gap theory between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.