- We do not claim infallibility for this affirmation and are open to refinement and correction from Scripture. (1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Peter 3:18)
- Yet we do hold firmly to these truths as we see them and pray that the reader, whether in agreement or disagreement, will emulate the “fair-minded” people of Berea who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)
- “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
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1. Holy Scripture
God has revealed all that is necessary for life and salvation in the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is the Word of God (1). All Scripture is inerrant and infallible, transmitted through human authors by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2). Scripture alone is the final authority in all matters of doctrine and practice. Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men (3).
(1) Matthew 4:4; Romans 1:16; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 1:3; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 3:15-16
(2) Psalm 19:7-9; 119:160; Proverbs 8:8; 30:5; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
(3) Isaiah 8:19-20; Psalm 138:2; Proverbs 30:6; Acts 17:11; Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Timothy 1:3; 6:3-5:20-21; 2 John 9-112. God and the Trinity
There is one true and living God (1) who exists in three eternally distinct persons (2): the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (3). These three are one in essence (4), united in purpose (5), and equally worthy of honor (6). God is invisible, eternal, omni-present, almighty, all-knowing, unchanging, dependent upon none, sovereign, righteous, holy, just, gracious, loving, merciful, patient, and good (7).
(1) Deuteronomy 4:39; Isaiah 44:6; 45:5; 46:9
(2) Matthew 28:19; Titus 3:4-6
(3) The Father: Matthew 3:17; 6:9; John 17:1,5,11,21,25; The Son: Matthew 1:23; 3:17; John 1:1,14; 5:19-23; 8:58 (cf. Exodus 3:14); John 10:31-33; 17:1,5,11,21,25; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; 3:4,6 (cf. Isaiah 43:11; 45:21); 2 Peter 1:1; The Holy Spirit: Matthew 1:18 (cf. Luke 1:35); John 14:16-17; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 12:11, 12:18
(4) Genesis 1:26-27; 3:22-24; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 3:16
(5) Isaiah 42:1; 48:16; 61:1-3; Matthew 28:19; John 5:19, 5:30; 14:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Titus 3:4-6
(6) Matthew 12:31-32; John 4:24; 5:23; 17:5; Hebrews 1:6; 10:29; Revelation 4:11 (cf. Job 33:4); Revelation 5:12-14
(7) invisible-John 1:18; 4:24; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 4:12; eternal-Deuteronomy 33:27; Genesis 21:33; Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17; omnipresent-Psalm 139:7-12; Proverbs 15:3; almighty-Psalm 62:11; 65:6; Isaiah 40:15,28; Psalm 115:3; all-knowing-Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:13-14,28; 66:18; Romans 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 25; unchanging-Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17; dependent upon none-Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:25; sovereign-1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Psalm 47:2; 115:3; Proverbs 21:1; Lamentations 3:37-38; Isaiah 46:9-11; John 19:10-11; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:15; righteous-Ezra 9:15; Nehemiah 9:8; Psalm 89:14; 92:15; John 17:25; holy-Psalm 99:3,5,9; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; just-Psalm 89:14; Isaiah 45:21; Romans 3:26; gracious-Exodus 34:6; Jonah 4:2; 1 Peter 2:3; loving-John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 3:1; 4:8-10 (cf. Malachi 1:2-3; Romans 9:10-15; Hebrews 12:5-8); merciful-Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 136; Lamentations 3:22 (cf. Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:15); patient-Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Jonah 4:2; 2 Peter 3:9; good-Exodus 34:6; Psalm 34:8; Luke 18:193. Creation
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1This work of creation was completed in six days followed by a day of rest, and all that was created was declared to be very good by its Creator. The created order was effectively constructed by the omnipotent word of God, “so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3 (1). The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit acted together in the work of creation (2). Out of all living things, only man was created in God’s image. God granted him dominion over all lesser forms of life and over the earth itself (3).
(1) Genesis 1:1-31; Exodus 20:11; 31:17; Acts 17:24; Romans 4:17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11
(2) Genesis 1:1-2,26-28; Job 33:4; Psalm 33:6,9; 104:30; Jeremiah 10:12-13; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2; 11:3
(3) Genesis 1:26-28; 9:6; Psalm 8:6-8; Colossians 3:10; James 3:94. Sovereign Providence
God orders and directs His universe in every detail (1). Every event in nature and every human action and decision is according to His decree and purpose (2). In God’s infinite wisdom and power, all things work together for the benefit of His people (3), and for His glory (4).
(1) Numbers 23:19; Job 38:4-41; Proverbs 16:33; Isaiah 46:9-11; Ephesians 1:11; Acts 17:25,28; Hebrews 1:3
(2) Exodus 7:3-4; Proverbs 16:9; 21:1, Daniel 4:25,35; Matthew 10:29; John 6:37-40; Acts 4:27-28; 13:48; Philippians 2:12-13
(3) Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 7:10 (cf. Romans 2:4); Hebrews 12:5-11
(4) Exodus 9:16; Isaiah 60:21; Ezekiel 28:20-23; Romans 9:22-23; 11:33-36; Ephesians 1:11-145. The Fall and Its Effects
God made Adam perfect, holy, and upright (1), appointing him representative and head of the human race (2). He fell from his original righteousness into sin when he disobeyed God’s command (3). By his sinful act, Adam brought all people into a state of death and condemnation, passing to each one of them a corrupt sinful nature (4).
(1) Genesis 1:26-31; Ecclesiastes 7:29
(2) Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:22
(3) Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-24
(4) Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Isaiah 48:8; Romans 3:19, 3:23; 5:12, 5:18-19; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:226. Man’s Inability
The Fall brought every man into a state of utter depravity, meaning all aspects of his being are distorted by sin (1). Apart from the grace of God, fallen man treats sin as his master (2), God as an enemy (3), and the message of the cross as foolishness (4). Until he is born again, he possesses neither the desire nor the ability to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to repent of sin, or to trust in Christ (5).
(1) Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1:28-32; 3:9-18; Titus 1:15
(2) Romans 6:16-22; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:26; Titus 3:3
(3) Deuteronomy 32:41; Romans 5:10; 8:7; Colossians 1:21; James 4:4
(4) Acts 17:32; 26:22-24; 1 Corinthians 1:18,21; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16; Philippians 3:18-19
(5) Deuteronomy 5:29; Jeremiah 4:22; John 3:19-20; 6:44, 6:65; 8:43-47; 14:17; 15:5; Romans 1:21; 3:9-18; 8:6-8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1; 4:17-19; Colossians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Hebrews 11:67. The Birth and Life of Christ
God sent His Son into the world to save His people from their sins (1). Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (2), He was and is both God and man (3). He was tempted in every way yet without sin (4), living the perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His people (5).
(1) Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 3:16-17; Philippians 2:5-8
(2) Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-35
(3) John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:7-8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; John 1:14; Romans 5:15, 18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:47-49; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17
(4) John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26-28; 1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 3:5
(5) Galatians 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:218. The Death of Christ
Christ died on the cross (1) as the perfect sacrifice for sin (2), forever finishing the substitutionary work of atonement (3) for His people, the church (4).
(1) Mark 15:37,44; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Revelation 1:18; Romans 10:9
(2) 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:10; 9:9-14; 10:10-14
(3) John 19:28-30; Romans 3:23-25; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
(4) John 10:15; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:28-34; Ephesians 5:25; Hebrews 10:12-149. The Resurrection of Christ
On the third day, Christ rose bodily from the grave (1). The resurrection affirms the deity of Christ (2) and assures believers of their future bodily resurrection (3).
(1) Matthew 28:5-7; Luke 24:5-8, 39, 42-43
(2) Romans 1:4; John 2:19-21; 5:21-26; Acts 17:30-31
(3) Romans 6:5; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:12, 15:19-22; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 3:20-2110. The Ascension of Christ
Jesus ascended into heaven (1) to appear in the presence of God as our perpetual High Priest, presenting Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin (2). He is the one and only Mediator between God and men (3), and Head of His church (4). He intercedes forever on behalf of His people (5) and rules over all things for their sake (6).
(1) Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11
(2) Romans 4:25-5:1; Hebrews 7:23-25; 9:1-12, 9:24; 10:4, 10:14
(3) 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24
(4) Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18
(5) Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:23-25; 1 John 2:1
(6) 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Romans 8:37-39; Philippians 2:9-1111. Election and Responsibility
Before the foundation of the world, God elected a great multitude of men and women to eternal life (1) as an act of His free grace alone. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith, decision, works, or merit (2). In the unsearchable realm of God’s sovereign will (3), all men remain responsible beings, subject to God’s commands to repent and believe, and accountable to God for their rebellion, impenitence, and rejection of Christ (4).
(1) Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 13:48
(2) Romans 9:10-12; 11:5-10; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 1:9
(3) Deuteronomy 29:29; Job 11:7-9; 36:22-23; Isaiah 55:8-11; Romans 11:33-35; 1 Corinthians 2:16
(4) Mark 1:15; John 3:36; 6:37; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 1:18-21; 9:19-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-1012. Calling and Regeneration
To accomplish God’s redemptive purpose (1), the Holy Spirit works effectively through the gospel of Christ (2), regenerating elect sinners (3) and drawing them irresistibly to repentance and saving faith (4).
(1) Isaiah 55:10-11; Ezekiel 34:11-13,16 (cf. Luke 19:10); 2 Thessalonians 2:13
(2) Romans 1:16; 10:14-17; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:14
(3) Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 1:13; 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:5b; James 1:18
(4) John 6:37, 6:44-45, 6:65, 10:16; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Hebrews 9:1513. Justification
The elect are declared righteous in the sight of God because of Christ’s perfect life, His substitutionary death, and the imputation of His righteousness (1). Justification can never be the reward or result of human works or merit (2), nor does it grow out of an infusion of Christ’s righteousness (3). It is granted through faith alone.(4) in the person and work of Christ alone (5).
(1) Isaiah 53:11; Romans 4:5-8,11,16,20-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:18-19
(2) Romans 3:20-21, 3:27-28; 4:1-4; Galatians 3:10-14; Titus 3:4-5
(3) Romans 4:5; 1 Timothy 1:15
(4) Genesis 15:6; John 1:11-12; Romans 1:17; 3:20, 3:26-28; 4:5, 4:20-21, 4:24; 5:1; Galatians 2:20-21; 3:2-3,5-9,11-13, 5:1-6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9
(5) John 3:14-18, 3:36; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 2 John 9; 1 Corinthians 16:2214. Sanctification
According to God’s purpose in predestination, the justified are progressively conformed into the image of Christ (1). All true believers direct their will and affections toward this purpose (2), putting to death the desires and deeds of the flesh (3) by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit (4) as God’s Word is more fully understood and applied (5). While sinless perfection will never be attained in this life (6), it is a certainty in heaven (7).
(1) Proverbs 4:18; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 4:3; 5:23
(2) Matthew 7:21; John 14:21,23a; 2 Timothy 2:19b; Hebrews 12:14; James 2:14-26; 3 John 11; 2 Peter 1:5-11; 1 John 3:3
(3) Psalm 119:9-11; Matthew 5:6; Phil 3:14; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:1-11
(4) Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:8-14; Philippians 2:13
(5) Psalm 1:1-3; 19:7-8; 119:9-11; Psalm 133; Proverbs 2:1-9; John 17:17; Acts 20:32; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; James 1:21-25; 1 Peter 2:1-3
(6) Proverbs 20:9; Philippians 3:12-14; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8,10
(7) 1 Corinthians 13:9-12; Ephesians 4:13; 5:27; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 10:14; 12:1-2; Jude 24; Revelation 21:2715. Perseverance
All who are chosen, called, regenerated, and justified shall persevere in faith and never finally fall away (1). Perseverance is not a human accomplishment but a work of God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who creates, sustains, and nourishes a living, growing, transforming, and enduring faith in all true believers (2).
(1) John 5:24; 10:27-29; Romans 8:1-2; 8:28-39; Hebrews 3:14; 1 John 2:19
(2) Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 1:3-516. The Church
The local church is the body of Christ and is under the authority of Christ alone (1). Nevertheless, qualified elders represent Him as they care for His body (2). Qualified deacons are to assist the elders as needs arise (3). Each member of the church is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to edify the body (4). The local church must recognize and fellowship with the universal body of Christ represented in other true churches (5).
(1) 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-24a
(2) Acts 20:17,28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2-4
(3) Acts 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:8-13
(4) 1 Corinthians 12:7,11; 14:12,26b, Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11
(5) Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 3:26 (cf. 1:2); 2 Corinthians 11:28; Colossians 4:1617. Baptism
Baptism is the first act of Christian obedience (1). True baptism is immersion in water (2), signifying the believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection to new life (3), as well as cleansing from sin (4). Baptism may only be administered to those who demonstrate repentance from sin and make a credible profession of faith in Christ (5).
(1) Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 2:41; 8:37-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:14-15, 16:31-34; 18:8
(2) Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; John 3:23; Acts 8:36-38
(3) Acts 19:3-5; Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:11-14
(4) Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:22
(5) Matthew 28:19; John 1:12-13; Acts 2:38; 8:3718. The Lord’s Supper
Following their baptism, Christians may, and indeed, must regularly partake of the Lord’s Supper (1). By breaking and eating the bread and drinking the cup, believers commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross (2). Through the Lord’s Supper, they affirm and celebrate their oneness, their separation from the world, and their fellowship with Christ in the New Covenant (3).
(1) Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:25
(2) Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:26
(3) Matthew 26:27-28; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 10:21; 11:2519. Evangelism
It is the calling of every local church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded (1). It is a priority in evangelism to unite new believers with local churches (2).
(1) Matthew 9:36-38; 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
(2) Ezekiel 34:11-14 (cf. Acts 20:28); Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:520. The Return of Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead bodily, both righteous and unrighteous (1). The justified shall enjoy everlasting life in the presence of God in heaven, while the unjustified shall eternally endure God’s wrath in hell (2).
(1) John 5:28-29; 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28
(2) Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelation 20:15; 21:4; 22:3-521. The Old Covenant
The Old Covenant, with the Law of Moses as its core (1), was revealed to the nation of Israel (2), promising earthly blessings for obedience (3), and threatening curses for disobedience (4). Its purpose was never to offer eternal life (5), but rather to govern the life and worship of the Old Testament nation of Israel (6), to reveal the extent of man’s depravity (7), and to foreshadow Christ and the New Covenant (8).
(1) Exodus 19:4-5; 20:1-17 (cf. Exodus 31:18; 32:15-16; 34:28-29; Deuteronomy 4:13; 5:1-22; 1 Kings 8:9,21; Hebrews 9:4); Joshua 8:30-35; 2 Chronicles 34:14-15,19,30; Ezra 3:2; Nehemiah 8:1-9; Matthew 19:3-8 (cf. Deuteronomy 24:1-4); John 1:17; Acts 15:5; Hebrews 10:28
(2) Deuteronomy 4:7-8; Romans 3:1-2; Galatians 2:14b
(3) Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:12-22; 11:13-15,26-29; 28:1-14
(4) Deuteronomy 11:16-17,26-29; 28:15-68
(5) John 5:39; Romans 3:19-21; 10:1-4; Galatians 2:16; 3:19-23; Hebrews 7:19
(6) Deuteronomy 4:5-6,14; 6:1-3; 10:12-13
(7) Romans 3:20; 5:20; 7:7-11; Galatians 3:21-22
(8) Deuteronomy 18:15-19 (cf. Acts 3:14-24; 7:37,7:51-53); Luke 24:44; John 5:39; Hebrews 9:6-14; 10:1; 13:11-1222. The New Covenant
The New Covenant, established through the Person and redemptive work of Christ (1), provides eternal blessings which are acquired by grace through faith (2). The Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ, thus becoming obsolete (3). God’s final words of revelation, given through Christ and His New Testament apostles and prophets (4), have become the authority concerning Christian conduct, and the interpretive lens through which the Old Testament must be understood, and applied (5).
(1) Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 7:22; 8:6; 9:11-26; 13:20
(2) Romans 4:1-25; 6:14; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7
(3) Matthew 5:17-20; Romans 6:14; 7:4,6; 10:4; 2 Corinthians 3:2-11; Galatians 3:24-25; 4:21-31; Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:13-14; Hebrews 7:11-12, 7:18-19, 7:22; 8:1-13; 10:9
(4) John 1:17-18; 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5 (cf. John 16:12-13)
(5) Deuteronomy 18:15-19 (cf. John 12:49); Isaiah 42:1-4; Matthew 5:22, 5:28, 5:32, 5:34, 5:39, 5:44; 28:20; John 13:34-35; 14:15, 14:21, 14:23; 15:10, 15:14; Acts 15:5,10,22-29; Romans 14:5-6; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Ephesians 2:20 (cf. 3:5 and John 16:12-14); Ephesians 6:2-3 (cf. Deuteronomy 5:16); Colossians 2:16-17 (cf. 2 Chronicles 2:4; 8:13; 31:3; Nehemiah 10:33); Colossians 3:1-17; Hebrews 7:12; 10:28-29 (cf. Deuteronomy 18:19; John 12:47-49)23. The Glory of God
Christians must live for God’s glory alone (1) through their awareness and enjoyment of His Person (2), submission to His authority (3), and reliance upon His goodness (4). In truth, all things that have or will transpire, serve to glorify God as their highest purpose, “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
(1) Leviticus 10:3; Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 1:4-6; Philippians 1:9-11
(2) Psalm 23:4; 46:1, 139:7-10, 139:17-18; Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 16:17; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5
(3) 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Micah 6:8; John 15:8,14-16; Ephesians 2:10; Acts 5:32; Hebrews 12:28-29
(4) Psalm 23; 34:7-10; Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 6:25-32; Luke 11:11-13; Acts 17:28; Romans 8:28-39; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7