Interpretation of the Articles of Faith
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The Articles of Faith shall be interpreted as follows: |
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1. |
The Scriptures |
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We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and therefore supremely authoritative in
all matters of faith and life. By inspiration we mean that "holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost" in such a manner that the sixty-six books of the Bible, as originally written,
are entirely free from error and constitute the very Word of God.
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21 |
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2. |
God |
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We believe in one God who is Spirit, self-existent, holy, sovereign, eternal, infinite
in wisdom and power, holiness and love. He is the Creator, Upholder and Absolute Ruler
of the world.
John 4:24; Psalm 102:25-27; I John 4:8 |
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The Person of Christ |
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We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal and pre-existent Son of God, that He was miraculously
begotten of the Holy Ghost, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can be born of
woman. We believe that He perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the law, that He died as our
substitute, "the just for the unjust to bring us to God". We believe in His bodily resurrection
for our justification, in His ascension to the right hand of God where He is our Advocate.
John 1:1; Philippians 2:8; Romans 4:25; Hebrews 4:16;
John 8:46; Hebrews 1:3;
Luke 24:36-45; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 7:24-26; I John 2:1 |
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4. |
The Holy Spirit |
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We believe in the personality of the Holy Spirit Who convicts of sin and reveals Christ
to men in regeneration and sanctification. He is sent forth by the Father and the Son
and brings to perfection the works of God.
John 14:16; Acts 2:17-18; Acts 5:3; John 16:8-10;
John 15:26; Ephesians 4:30 |
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5. |
The Trinity |
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We believe that these Three – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – are one God. Each
of these is presented to us as a divine person, to be distinctly recognized and adored, yet they
are the same essence and are one God.
Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 1:3; John 14:26 |
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6. |
Man |
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We believe that God created man in his own image and likeness. But man by his
disobedience fell from the estate in which he was created. Having thus become guilty before
God he incurred physical and spiritual death.
Genesis 1:27,31; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10-18 |
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7. |
Salvation |
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We believe in the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus Christ, that redemption is provided
through the blood of Christ, and that salvation, freely offered by the grace of God, is by faith and not
of works, that this salvation received by faith is eternal.
I Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 1:6; Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8,9;
John 10:27-30; Romans 8:33,39 |
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8. |
The Second Coming of Christ |
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We believe that Jesus Christ will return to this earth, that this coming will be without sin
unto salvation and that this coming will be personal, visible and glorious.
Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 9:28; Titus 2:11-14 |
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9. |
The Church |
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We believe that a New Testament church is a body of baptized believers recognizing
the Lordship of Christ, governed and guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit for worship, the
observance of the ordinances, service, and the spread of the gospel through the world. Its
regular officers are Pastors (Bishops) and Deacons.
Acts 2:41-47; I Corinthians 1:2; I Timothy 3; Titus 1 |
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10. |
The Ordinances |
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We believe in two ordinances to be observed in their scriptural order:
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1. |
Baptism, which is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, and which sets forth the essential facts in redemption, namely, the death and
resurrection of Christ, and the essential facts in the experience of the believer, namely, death to sin
and resurrection to newness of life.
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2. |
The Lord's Supper, which is the partaking of bread and wine, the symbols of Christ's body and blood,
in commemoration of His death till He comes.
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Acts 2:41-42; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-26 |
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11. |
The Life to Come |
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We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the righteous (saved) to eternal life and
blessedness with Christ, and the unrighteous (unsaved) to eternal conscious punishment and
separation from God.
John 5:28-29; Luke 16:19-31; I Corinthians 15:51-58; Revelation 20:11-15 |
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