The Doctrinal Statement of Calvary Bible Church
In the links that follow, you will find our full doctrinal statement, church covenant, and statements of our position on key moral issues. Although we do not have webpages for our constitution, you can download a copy of our entire Doctrinal Statement and Constitution. This document requires software that can read pdf files, such as Adobe Reader which is available free here.
When considering the essentials for membership in a true gospel church, a church that seeks to be Christ-honoring and obedient to the Holy Scriptures, two truths must be kept in mind:
- Certain truths are absolutely essential in belief and practice for biblical Christianity to be maintained (Jude 3-4 [show]Jude 1:3-4
[3]Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. [4]For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (ESV)
). If truths such as the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the vicarious blood atonement, etc., are forsaken, Biblical Christianity is lost at the same time. Because Christianity is a religion based upon truth, the truth of the Bible, all Christians, regardless of race or gender, have historically agreed on certain truths. Those truths will never be in dispute by those who truly profess the name of Christ. - Other truths, while perhaps one could be a Christian without endorsing, are necessary as prerequisites for membership so that the church of Jesus Christ can stand together in one mind and heart, contending for the cause of Christ (Phil. 1:27 [show]Philippians 1:27
[27]Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, (ESV)).
In consideration of the above two criteria, the following Doctrinal Statement has been composed. Any of the truths which are not endorsed by those seeking membership, must be made known in specific written detail to the senior pastor and/or Board of Elders. The Board of Elders is given the authority to thereupon determine if the applicant should be granted membership status or if the differences are of a serious enough nature that membership should be denied.
The Bible
We believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the Bible, consisting of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments. We further believe that the Bible was given by divine inspiration and is the inerrant Word of God in all matters that it addresses including historical, geographical, and scientific data (II Tim. 3:16-17 [show]2 Timothy 3:16-17
[16]All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17]that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (ESV); II Pet. 1:19-21 [show]2 Peter 1:19-21
[19]And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, [20]knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. [21]For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (ESV); I Thess. 2:13 [show]1 Thessalonians 2:13
[13]And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (ESV)); that it is sufficient, harmonious, and authoritative; that it reveals man’s state by nature (Rom. 3:10-12 [show]Romans 3:10-12
[10]as it is written:
"None is righteous, no, not one;
[11]no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
[12]All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.") and presents the only means of his salvation (Acts 4:12 [show]Acts 4:12
[12]And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (ESV)); that it constitutes the only perfect rule and final authority in all matters pertaining to Christian faith and practice (Matt. 5:18-19 [show]Matthew 5:18-19
[18]For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. [19]Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (ESV); Acts 17:11 [show]Acts 17:11
[11]Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (ESV); Isa. 8:20 [show]Isaiah 8:20
[20]To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. (ESV)); and it sets forth the principles by which man will be judged (Rom. 2:1-3, 16 [show]Romans 2:1-3
[2:1]Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. [2]We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. [3]Do you suppose, O man--you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself--that you will escape the judgment of God? (ESV)
Romans 2:16
[16]on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. (ESV)). We believe that the only infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself. Moreover, we believe that the canon of Scripture is closed (Heb. 1:1-2 [show]Hebrews 1:1-2
[1:1]Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2]but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (ESV)) and that all canonical revelation from God has ceased.
The Godhead
We believe that there is only one true God (Deut. 6:4 [show]Deuteronomy 6:4
[4]"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (ESV); Isa. 45:21-22 [show]Isaiah 45:21-22
[21]Declare and present your case;
let them take counsel together!
Who told this long ago?
Who declared it of old?
Was it not I, the LORD?
And there is no other god besides me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me.
[22]"Turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.); eternally existing (Exod. 3:14; Jer. 10:10 [show]Jeremiah 10:10
[10]But the LORD is the true God;
he is the living God and the everlasting King.
At his wrath the earth quakes,
and the nations cannot endure his indignation.) in three persons of one substance, power, and eternity (Matt. 28:19 [show]Matthew 28:19
[19]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (ESV); II Cor. 13:14 [show]2 Corinthians 13:14
[14]The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (ESV)): Father (John 4:23-24 [show]John 4:23-24
[23]But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. [24]God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (ESV)), Son (John 1:1-14 [show]John 1:1-14
[1:1]In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2]He was in the beginning with God. [3]All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4]In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5]The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
[6]There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7]He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. [8]He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
[9]The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. [10]He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. [11]He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. [12]But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13]who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
[14]And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (ESV); Rom. 9:5 [show]Romans 9:5
[5]To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. (ESV)), and Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4 [show]Acts 5:3-4
[3]But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? [4]While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." (ESV)). These three are the same in essence though distinct in personality, responsibility, and function, equal in every divine perfection and attribute (Phil. 2:6 [show]Philippians 2:6
[6]who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (ESV); Heb. 9:14 [show]Hebrews 9:14
[14]how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (ESV)), and working harmoniously to accomplish the manifold acts and purposes of God (John 14:26, 15 [show]John 14:26
[26]But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (ESV)
John 14:15
[15]"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (ESV):26, 17:3).
God the Father
We believe that God the Father began to assume his place as Father in relation to the Son and Holy Spirit in the council of the Godhead before creation and time (Ps. 2:7-10 [show]Psalm 2:7-10
[7]I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
[8]Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
[9]You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
[10]Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.); that, although equal in nature, the Son and Holy Spirit have been subordinate to the Father since the council and will remain in that relationship until eternity future (I Cor. 15:28 [show]1 Corinthians 15:28
[28]When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. (ESV)), and the subordination is for the purpose of executing the divine purpose (John 4:34, 5 [show]John 4:34
[34]Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. (ESV)
John 4:5
[5]So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. (ESV):17-18, 14:16; Eph. 1:3-14 [show]Ephesians 1:3-14
[3]Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4]even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5]he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6]to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. [7]In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8]which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9]making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10]as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
[11]In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, [12]so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. [13]In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, [14]who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (ESV)). The Father is the ultimate source of all things (I Cor. 8:6 [show]1 Corinthians 8:6
[6]yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. (ESV); Ephesians 3:9 [show]Ephesians 3:9
[9]and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, (ESV)); sustains a Fatherhood relationship to spirit beings (Job 1:6 [show]Job 1:6
[6]Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. (ESV); Heb. 12:9 [show]Hebrews 12:9
[9]Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? (ESV)); sent the Son into the world (John 3:16 [show]John 3:16
[16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)), and with the Son sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, 15 [show]John 14:26
[26]But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (ESV)
John 14:15
[15]"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (ESV):26), but the Father is never the sent one. The Father enters a Fatherhood relation with men through their spiritual new birth (John 1:12-13, 3 [show]John 1:12-13
[12]But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13]who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (ESV)
John 1:3
[3]All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (ESV):1-7); indwells believers (John 14:23 [show]John 14:23
[23]Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (ESV); Eph. 4:6 [show]Ephesians 4:6
[6]one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (ESV)); makes them partakers of the divine nature (II Pet. 1:4 [show]2 Peter 1:4
[4]by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (ESV)); calls them his born ones (I John 3:9 [show]1 John 3:9
[9]No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. (ESV)); forgives their sins (I John 1:9 [show]1 John 1:9
[9]If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)); and answers their prayers (John 16:23 [show]John 16:23
[23]In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. (ESV)).
Jesus Christ
We believe in the identification of Jesus Christ as the impeccable (able not to sin and not able to sin) Son of God and God the Son (Matt. 16:13-16 [show]Matthew 16:13-16
[13]Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" [14]And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." [15]He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" [16]Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (ESV); John 10:36 [show]John 10:36
[36]do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? (ESV)); His incarnation (Heb. 10:5 [show]Hebrews 10:5
[5]Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
"Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me;); that he was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Isa. 7:14 [show]Isaiah 7:14
[14]Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (ESV); Matt. 1:18-25 [show]Matthew 1:18-25
[18]Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. [19]And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. [20]But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21]She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." [22]All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
[23]"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel"
(which means, God with us). [24]When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, [25]but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (ESV)); his vicarious atonement for the sins of the world (Isa. 53:1-12 [show]Isaiah 53
[53:1]Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
[2]For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
[3]He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
[4]Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
[5]But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
[6]All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned--every one--to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
[7]He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
[8]By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
[9]And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
[10]Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
[11]Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
[12]Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.; John 3:16 [show]John 3:16
[16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV); Gal. 4:4-5 [show]Galatians 4:4-5
[4]But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5]to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (ESV)), the resurrection of his body from the tomb (Matt. 28:5-7 [show]Matthew 28:5-7
[5]But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [6]He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. [7]Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." (ESV); Luke 24:46 [show]Luke 24:46
[46]and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (ESV); I Cor. 15:3-4 [show]1 Corinthians 15:3-4
[3]For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4]that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (ESV)); his ascension into heaven (Mark 16:19 [show]Mark 16:19
[19]So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. (ESV); Luke 24:51 [show]Luke 24:51
[51]While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. (ESV)), as our High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16 [show]Hebrews 4:14-16
[14]Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15]For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16]Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (ESV)) and Advocate (I John 2:1-2 [show]1 John 2:1-2
[2:1]My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. [2]He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (ESV)), before the throne of God (Heb. 1:3 [show]Hebrews 1:3
[3]He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (ESV); Rev. 3:21 [show]Revelation 3:21
[21]The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (ESV)); that he is both God (Isa. 9:6 [show]Isaiah 9:6
[6]For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.; Phil. 2:6 [show]Philippians 2:6
[6]who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (ESV)) and man (Matt. 20:28 [show]Matthew 20:28
[28]even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (ESV); Phil. 2:7-8 [show]Philippians 2:7-8
[7]but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8]And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (ESV)), the two natures being inseparably united in one glorious Person without sin; and that he is the only sufficient mediator between God and humanity (I Tim. 2:5-6 [show]1 Timothy 2:5-6
[5]For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6]who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (ESV)).
Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 15:26 [show]John 15:26
[26]"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. (ESV)). His principle ministries since his advent at Pentecost are: to reveal Christ to all in the regeneration and sanctification of souls (John 16:12-16 [show]John 16:12-16
[12]"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13]When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. [14]He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. [15]All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
[16]"A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me." (ESV)); to reprove or convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8-11 [show]John 16:8-11
[8]And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: [9]concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; [10]concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; [11]concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (ESV)); to restrain the progress of evil until God’s purposes are accomplished (II Thess. 2:7 [show]2 Thessalonians 2:7
[7]For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. (ESV)); to bear witness to the truth preached (Acts 5:30-32 [show]Acts 5:30-32
[30]The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. [31]God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. [32]And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (ESV)); to regenerate those who repent of their sins and exercise faith in Christ (John 3:3-8 [show]John 3:3-8
[3]Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." [4]Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" [5]Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [6]That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7]Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' [8]The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (ESV); Tit. 3:5 [show]Titus 3:5
[5]he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (ESV)); to instruct, comfort, and guide God’s children (John 14:16-18, 14 [show]John 14:16-18
[16]And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, [17]even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
[18]"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (ESV)
John 14:14
[14]If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV):26, 16:13); to sanctify them (II Thess. 2:13 [show]2 Thessalonians 2:13
[13]But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. (ESV); I Pet. 1:1-2 [show]1 Peter 1:1-2
[1:1]Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, [2]according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you. (ESV)); to empower them for life and service (Rom. 8:2 [show]Romans 8:2
[2]For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (ESV); Acts 1:8 [show]Acts 1:8
[8]But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (ESV); Eph. 3:16 [show]Ephesians 3:16
[16]that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (ESV); I Cor. 2:1-4 [show]1 Corinthians 2:1-4
[2:1]And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2]For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3]And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, [4]and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (ESV); I Thess. 1:5 [show]1 Thessalonians 1:5
[5]because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (ESV)); to give life to their mortal bodies that he seals (Rom. 8:11 [show]Romans 8:11
[11]If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (ESV); Eph. 1:13 [show]Ephesians 1:13
[13]In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, (ESV)); to indwell the believer (Rom. 8:11 [show]Romans 8:11
[11]If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (ESV)); to intercede for the believer in his prayer life (Rom. 8:26-27 [show]Romans 8:26-27
[26]Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27]And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (ESV)); and, to bestow gifts sovereignly upon each believer (I Cor. 12:7-11 [show]1 Corinthians 12:7-11
[7]To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. [8]For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9]to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10]to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. [11]All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (ESV)). While certainly not a part of the modern-day charismatic movement, we do believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is available in our day and is absolutely necessary for the believer to live a holy life.
His Creation
We believe that man was created by an immediate act of God and not by a process of evolution; that he was created in the image and likeness of God, possessing personality and holiness; that he was endowed with power of rational and responsible choice in view of moral ends; and that the purpose of his creation was to glorify God (Gen. 1:27 [show]Genesis 1:27
[27]So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.; Col. 3:10 [show]Colossians 3:10
[10]and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (ESV); Acts 17:24-28 [show]Acts 17:24-28
[24]The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, [25]nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. [26]And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, [27]that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, [28]for
"'In him we live and move and have our being';
as even some of your own poets have said,
"'For we are indeed his offspring.').
His Fall
We believe that in the providence of God, man was brought to trial in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-6 [show]Genesis 3:1-6
[3:1]Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.
He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" [2]And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, [3]but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" [4]But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. [5]For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." [6]So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (ESV)). Under trial he lost his holy estate, incurring spiritual death for himself and all of humanity (Rom. 5 [show]Romans 5
[5:1]Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2]Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3]More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4]and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5]and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
[6]For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7]For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- [8]but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9]Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. [10]For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. [11]More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
[12]Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-- [13]for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. [14]Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
[15]But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. [16]And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. [17]For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
[18]Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. [19]For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. [20]Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, [21]so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (ESV)); was alienated from God (Eph. 4:18 [show]Ephesians 4:18
[18]They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (ESV)); and became depraved physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually by voluntarily transgressing his positive command, and yielding to the enticement of Satan. In consequence of this act of disobedience, the entire human race became involved in sin so that in every heart there is by nature that evil disposition which eventually leads to responsible acts of sin and to just condemnation (Gen. 3:1-6 [show]Genesis 3:1-6
[3:1]Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.
He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" [2]And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, [3]but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" [4]But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. [5]For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." [6]So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (ESV); Rom. 1:19-32, 3 [show]Romans 1:19-32
[19]For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. [20]For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. [21]For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22]Claiming to be wise, they became fools, [23]and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
[24]Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, [25]because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
[26]For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; [27]and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
[28]And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. [29]They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, [30]slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, [31]foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. [32]Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (ESV)
Romans 1:3
[3]concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh (ESV):10-12, 3:23, 5:12, 5:18; Eph. 4:18 [show]Ephesians 4:18
[18]They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (ESV); I John 1:8-10 [show]1 John 1:8-10
[8]If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9]If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10]If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV)).
His Redemption
We believe that God has provided redemption for men through the mediatorial work of Christ, who voluntarily offered himself on Calvary as a perfect sacrifice for sin, the just suffering for the unjust, bearing sin’s curse and tasting death for every man (Matt. 20:28 [show]Matthew 20:28
[28]even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (ESV); Heb. 9:11-12 [show]Hebrews 9:11-12
[11]But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) [12]he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. (ESV); I Pet. 3:18 [show]1 Peter 3:18
[18]For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (ESV); Gal. 3:13 [show]Galatians 3:13
[13]Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"-- (ESV); Heb. 2:9 [show]Hebrews 2:9
[9]But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (ESV); I Timothy 2:5-6 [show]1 Timothy 2:5-6
[5]For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6]who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (ESV)).
Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is through the Son of God, who is the Savior by virtue of his substitutionary death for sinners (Eph. 5:23 [show]Ephesians 5:23
[23]For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (ESV); II Pet 1:11 [show]2 Peter 1:11
[11]For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (ESV)); salvation is completely dependent upon the grace of God (Eph. 2:8 [show]Ephesians 2:8
[8]For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (ESV)); can be obtained only through the gift of God (Eph. 2:9 [show]Ephesians 2:9
[9]not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV); Rom. 6:23 [show]Romans 6:23
[23]For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)); that man can in no way merit salvation (Tit. 3:5 [show]Titus 3:5
[5]he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (ESV)); the basis of salvation is the shed blood of Christ (Rom. 3:25 [show]Romans 3:25
[25]whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (ESV); Eph. 1:7 [show]Ephesians 1:7
[7]In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (ESV); Heb. 9:22 [show]Hebrews 9:22
[22]Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (ESV)); the conditions of salvation are with repentance and faith in the resurrected Son of God (Eph. 2:8-9 [show]Ephesians 2:8-9
[8]For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9]not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV); Acts 16:31 [show]Acts 16:31
[31]And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (ESV)); the instruments of salvation are the Word of God (Rom. 10:17 [show]Romans 10:17
[17]So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV); I Pet. 1:23 [show]1 Peter 1:23
[23]since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; (ESV)), and the Holy Spirit who applies the Word to the heart of man to bring conviction of sin (John 15:26 [show]John 15:26
[26]"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. (ESV); 16:7-11); that in salvation the believer is elected, called, regenerated, converted, justified, adopted, sanctified, and glorified (Rom. 8:30 [show]Romans 8:30
[30]And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (ESV)), forgiven all sins (Col. 1:14 [show]Colossians 1:14
[14]in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)), and endowed with all spiritual blessings in Christ (Eph. 1:3 [show]Ephesians 1:3
[3]Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (ESV)); that the true believer is secure in Christ, nothing being able to separate him from God, and that this security is dependent upon God’s ability to keep the believer and not the believer’s ability to keep himself (Rom. 8:35-39 [show]Romans 8:35-39
[35]Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36]As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
[37]No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38]For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39]nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV); John 10:27-29 [show]John 10:27-29
[27]My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28]I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29]My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (ESV); Phil. 1:6 [show]Philippians 1:6
[6]And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (ESV); II Tim. 1:12 [show]2 Timothy 1:12
[12]which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. (ESV)).