Preface
Recognizing that the Bible is the very Word of the
Living God to man, and understanding the priority of
knowing and obeying its truths, Grace to You is
committed to teaching Scripture with diligence and
authority.
Thus, the central ministry of Grace to You is the
continuous imparting of biblical truth to the people
of God that they may become equipped to do the work
of the ministry.
This statement presents our convictions regarding
the theological truths of the Bible, built on years
of study and teaching. They are the primary
doctrines of the Christian faith, and they reflect
the heart of the teaching of Grace to You.
The Holy Scriptures
We teach that the Bible is God's written revelation
to man, and thus the sixty six books of the Bible
given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the
plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God
(1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We teach that the Word of God is an objective,
propositional revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1
Corinthians 2:13), verbally inspired in every word
(2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the
original documents, infallible, and God-breathed. We
teach the literal, grammatical-historical
interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief
that the opening chapters of Genesis present
creation in six literal days (Genesis 1:31; Exodus
31:17).
We teach that the Bible constitutes the only
infallible rule of faith and practice (Matthew 5:18;
24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians
2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter
1:20-21).
We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a
process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so
superintended the human authors that, through their
individual personalities and different styles of
writing, they composed and recorded God's Word to
man (2 Peter 1:20 21) without error in the whole or
in the part (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16).
We teach that, whereas there may be several
applications of any given passage of Scripture,
there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of
Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies
the literal grammatical-historical method of
interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy
Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1
John 2:20). It is the responsibility of believers to
ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of
Scripture, recognizing that proper application is
binding on all generations. Yet the truth of
Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men
stand in judgment of it.
God
We teach that there is but one living and true God
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4),
an infinite, all-knowing Spirit (John 4:24), perfect
in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally
existing in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)—each
equally deserving worship and obedience.
Yahuah the Father
We teach that God the Father, the first Person of
the Trinity, orders and disposes all things
according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm
145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of
all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the
only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe,
He is sovereign in creation, providence, and
redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His
fatherhood involves both His designation within the
Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As
Creator He is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but
He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans
8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His
own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians
1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs
all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In
His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of
sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47), nor does He
abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent
creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen
from eternity past those whom He would have as His
own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who
come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His
own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon
adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15;
Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).
Yahshua the Son
We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the
Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and
in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and
coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9).
We teach that God the Father created according to
His own will, through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom
all things continue in existence and in operation
(John 1:3; Colossians 1:15 17; Hebrews 1:2).
We teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man)
Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity
but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree
or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing
second Person of the Trinity accepted all the
essential characteristics of humanity and so became
the God Man (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9).
We teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and
deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23;
14:9-10; Colossians 2:9).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born
(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23, 25; Luke 1:26 35); that
He was God incarnate (John 1:1, 14); and that the
purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem
men, and rule over God's kingdom (Psalm 2:7-9;
Isaiah 9:6; John 1:29; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews
7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
We teach that, in the incarnation, the second person
of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full
prerogatives of coexistence with God and took on an
existence appropriate to a servant while never
divesting Himself of His divine attributes
(Philippians 2:5-8).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our
redemption through the shedding of His blood and
sacrificial death on the cross and that His death
was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary,
propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans
3:24-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).
We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of the
death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner
is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the
power, and one day the very presence of sin; and
that he is declared righteous, given eternal life,
and adopted into the family of God (Romans 3:25;
5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
We teach that our justification is made sure by His
literal, physical resurrection from the dead and
that He is now ascended to the right hand of the
Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and
High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts
2:30-31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1
John 2:1).
We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son
and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning
work of Christ on the cross. Jesus' bodily
resurrection is also the guarantee of a future
resurrection life for all believers (John 5:26-29;
14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; 1 Corinthians
15:20, 23).
We teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive
the church, which is His Body, unto Himself at the
rapture, and returning with His church in glory,
will establish His millennial kingdom on earth (Acts
1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20).
We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One
through whom God will judge all mankind (John
5:22-23):
Believers (1 Corinthians 3:10-15;
2 Corinthians 5:10)
Living inhabitants of the earth
at His glorious return (Matthew 25:31-46).
Unbelieving dead at the Great
White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15).
As the Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5),
the Head of His Body the church (Ephesians 1:22;
5:23; Colossians 1:18), and the coming universal
King, who will reign on the throne of David (Isaiah
9:6; Luke 1:31-33), He is the final Judge of all who
fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior
(Matthew 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31).
The Precence of The the Holy Spirit
We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person,
eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of
personality and deity, including intellect (1
Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30),
will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews
9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience
(Isaiah 40:13-14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and
truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine
attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the
Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4;
28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14;
and Jeremiah 31:31-34 with Hebrews 10:15-17).
We teach that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to
execute the divine will with relation to all
mankind. We recognize His sovereign activity in
creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew
1:18), the written revelation (2 Peter 1:20-21), and
the work of salvation (John 3:5-7).
We teach that the work of the Holy Spirit in this
age began at Pentecost when He came from the Father
as promised by Christ (John 14:16-17; 15:26) to
initiate and complete the building of the Body of
Christ, which is His church (1 Corinthians 12:13).
The broad scope of His divine activity includes
convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and
of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and
transforming believers into the image of Christ
(John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Romans 8:29; 2
Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22).
We teach that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural
and sovereign Agent in regeneration, baptizing all
believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians
12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies,
instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them
unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2
Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13).
We teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher,
who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth
as they committed to writing God's revelation, the
Bible (2 Peter 1:19-21). Every believer possesses
the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the
moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those
born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by)
the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18;
1 John 2:20, 27).
We teach that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual
gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies
neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious
displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing
His work of redeeming the lost and building up
believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14;
Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians
3:18).
We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit
is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for
the perfecting of the saints today, and that
speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles
in the beginning days of the church were for the
purpose of pointing to and authenticating the
apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were
never intended to be characteristic of the lives of
believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2
Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7 12; Hebrews 2:1-4).
Man
We teach that man was directly and immediately
created by God in His image and likeness. Man was
created free of sin with a rational nature,
intelligence, volition, self determination, and
moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25;
James 3:9).
We teach that God's intention in the creation of man
was that man should glorify God, enjoy God's
fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by
this accomplish God's purpose for man in the world
(Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).
We teach that in Adam's sin of disobedience to the
revealed will and Word of God, man lost his
innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and
physical death, became subject to the wrath of God,
and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable
of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God
apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers
to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly
lost. Man's salvation is thereby wholly of God's
grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus
Christ (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19; John 3:36; Romans
3:23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1
Timothy 2:13-14; 1 John 1:8).
We teach that, because all men were in Adam, a
nature corrupted by Adam's sin has been transmitted
to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only
exception. All men are thus sinners by nature, by
choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1-3;
Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9-18, 23; 5:10-12).
Salvation
We teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on
the basis of the redemption of Jesus Christ, the
merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of
human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7;
2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Regeneration
We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of
the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and
divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is
instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the
power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality
of the Word of God (John 5:24) when the repentant
sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in
faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine
regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of
repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes
and conduct. Good works are the proper evidence and
fruit of regeneration (1 Corinthians 6:19-20;
Ephesians 2:10), and will be experienced to the
extent that the believer submits to the control of
the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful
obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17-21;
Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10).
This obedience causes the believer to be
increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord
Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a conformity
is climaxed in the believer's glorification at
Christ's coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John
3:2-3).
Election
We teach that election is the act of God by which,
before the foundation of the world, He chose in
Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves,
and sanctifies (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2
Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2).
We teach that sovereign election does not contradict
or negate the responsibility of man to repent and
trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23, 32;
33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:22-23; 2
Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17).
Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the
means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as
the gift itself, sovereign election will result in
what God determines. All whom the Father calls to
Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith
the Father will receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts
13:48; James 4:8).
We teach that the unmerited favor that God grants to
totally depraved sinners is not related to any
initiative of their own part or to God's
anticipation of what they might do by their own
will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy
(Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2).
We teach that election should not be looked upon as
based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly
sovereign, but He exercises this sovereignty in
harmony with His other attributes, especially His
omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and
love (Romans 9:11-16). This sovereignty will always
exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent
with His character as revealed in the life of our
Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9).
Justification
We teach that justification before God is an act of
God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous
those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their
sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4;
2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him
as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians
12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). This
righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of
man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation
of our sins to Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter
2:24) and the imputation of Christ's righteousness
to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By
this means God is enabled to "be just and the
justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans
3:26).
Sanctification
We teach that every believer is sanctified (set
apart) unto God by justification and is therefore
declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a
saint. This sanctification is positional and
instantaneous and should not be confused with
progressive sanctification. This sanctification has
to do with the believer's standing, not his present
walk or condition (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2,
30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1;
10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2).
We teach that there is also, by the work of the Holy
Spirit, a progressive sanctification by which the
state of the believer is brought closer to the
standing the believer positionally enjoys through
justification. Through obedience to the Word of God
and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer
is able to live a life of increasing holiness in
conformity to the will of God, becoming more and
more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17,19;
Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians
4:3-4; 5:23).
In this respect, we teach that every saved person is
involved in a daily conflict—the new creation in
Christ doing battle against the flesh—but adequate
provision is made for victory through the power of
the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle
nevertheless stays with the believer all through
this earthly life and is never completely ended. All
claims to the eradication of sin in this life are
unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible,
but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over
sin (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24;
Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter
1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).
Security
We teach that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept
by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever
(John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1,
31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews
7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24).
We teach that it is the privilege of believers to
rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through
the testimony of God's Word, which, however, clearly
forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion
for sinful living and carnality (Romans 6:15-22;
13:13-14; Galatians 5:13, 25-26; Titus 2:11-14).
Separation
We teach that separation from sin is clearly called
for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that
the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last
days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2
Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
We teach that out of deep gratitude for the
undeserved grace of God granted to us, and because
our glorious God is so worthy of our total
consecration, all the saved should live in such a
manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and
so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and
Savior. We also teach that separation from all
religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices
is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1
Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John
2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).
We teach that believers should be separated unto our
Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews
12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life
of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching
of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual
pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians
7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).
The Church
We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus
Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit
into one united spiritual Body, the church (1
Corinthians 12:12-13), the bride of Christ (2
Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation
19:7-8), of which Christ is the Head (Ephesians
1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18).
We teach that the formation of the church, the Body
of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts
2:1-21, 38-47) and will be completed at the coming
of Christ for His own at the rapture (1 Corinthians
15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
We teach that the church is thus a unique spiritual
organism designed by Christ, made up of all
born-again believers in this present age (Ephesians
2:11-3:6). The church is distinct from Israel (1
Corinthians 10:32), a mystery not revealed until
this age (Ephesians 3:1-6; 5:32).
We teach that the establishment and continuity of
local churches is clearly taught and defined in the
New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28;
Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1;
2 Thessalonians 1:1) and that the members of the one
spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves
together in local assemblies (1 Corinthians
11:18-20; Hebrews 10:25).
We teach that the one supreme authority for the
church is Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians
1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that church leadership,
gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all
appointed through His sovereignty as found in the
Scriptures. The biblically designated officers
serving under Christ and over the assembly are
elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor
teachers; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11) and deacons,
both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (1
Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5).
We teach that these leaders lead or rule as servants
of Christ (1 Timothy 5:17-22) and have His authority
in directing the church. The congregation is to
submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
We teach the importance of discipleship (Matthew
28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2), mutual accountability of
all believers to each other (Matthew 18:5-14), as
well as the need for discipline of sinning members
of the congregation in accord with the standards of
Scripture (Matthew 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; 1
Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1
Timothy 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16).
We teach the autonomy of the local church, free from
any external authority or control, with the right of
self-government and freedom from the interference of
any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus
1:5). We teach that it is scriptural for true
churches to cooperate with each other for the
presentation and propagation of the faith. Each
local church, however, through its elders and their
interpretation and application of Scripture, should
be the sole judge of the measure and method of its
cooperation. The elders should determine all other
matters of membership, policy, discipline,
benevolence, and government as well (Acts 15:19-31;
20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
We teach that the purpose of the church is to
glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up
in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-16), by instruction of
the Word (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16-17), by fellowship
(Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances
(Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by advancing and
communicating the gospel to the entire world
(Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42).
We teach the calling of all saints to the work of
service (1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 4:12;
Revelation 22:12).
We teach the need of the church to cooperate with
God as He accomplishes His purpose in the world. To
that end, He gives the church spiritual gifts. He
gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the
saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians
4:7-12), and He also gives unique and special
spiritual abilities to each member of the Body of
Christ (Romans 12:5-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1
Peter 4:10-11).
We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given
the early church: miraculous gifts of divine
revelation and healing, given temporarily in the
apostolic era for the purpose of confirming the
authenticity of the apostles' message (Hebrews
2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12); and ministering gifts,
given to equip believers for edifying one another.
With the New Testament revelation now complete,
Scripture becomes the sole test of the authenticity
of a man's message, and confirming gifts of a
miraculous nature are no longer necessary to
validate a man or his message (1 Corinthians
13:8-12). Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited
by Satan so as to deceive even believers (1
Corinthians 13:13-14:12; Revelation 13:13-14). The
only gifts in operation today are those
nonrevelatory equipping gifts given for edification
(Romans 12:6-8).
We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing
today, but that God does hear and answer the prayer
of faith and will answer in accordance with His own
perfect will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted
(Luke 18:1-6; John 5:7-9; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10;
James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15).
We teach that two ordinances have been committed to
the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper
(Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism by immersion (Acts
8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a
believer showing forth his faith in the crucified,
buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in
death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans
6:1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and
identification with the visible Body of Christ (Acts
2:41-42).
We teach that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration
and proclamation of His death until He comes, and
should be always preceded by solemn self examination
(1 Corinthians 11:28-32). We also teach that,
whereas the elements of Communion are only
representative of the flesh and blood of Christ,
participation in the Lord's Supper is nevertheless
an actual communion with the risen Christ who
indwells every believer, and so is present,
fellowshipping with His people (1 Corinthians
10:16).
Angels
Holy Angels
We teach that angels are created beings and are
therefore not to be worshiped. Although they are a
higher order of creation than man, they are created
to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14;
Hebrews 1:6-7, 14; 2:6-7; Revelation 5:11-14; 19:10;
22:9).
Fallen Angels
We teach that Satan is a created angel and the
author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by
rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12-17;
Ezekiel 28:11-19), by taking numerous angels with
him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1-14),
and by introducing sin into the human race by his
temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15).
We teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy
of God and man (Isaiah 14:13-14; Matthew 4:1-11;
Revelation 12:9-10); that he is the prince of this
world, who has been defeated through the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20); and
that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of
fire (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew
25:41; Revelation 20:10).
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Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself
with a particular religion or affirming a certain
value system. Being a Christian means you have
embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and
salvation. Consider the following truths found in
Scripture.
God Is Sovereign Creator
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of
evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a
personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless
fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it
was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3;
Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules
everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has
authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute
allegiance, obedience, and worship.
Yahuah Is Holy
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3),
therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James
1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. First
Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
Mankind Is Sinful
According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin:
"There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46).
That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts
of human kindness. But we're utterly incapable of
understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own
(Romans 3:10-12).
Sin Demands a Penalty
God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be
punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4). That's why simply
changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our
sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus Is Lord and Savior
The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who
created everything (Colossians 1:16). Therefore He
owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means
He has authority over our lives and we owe Him
absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship. Romans
10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as
Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him
from the dead, you shall be saved." Even though
God's justice demands death for sin, His love has
provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for
sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the
demands of God's justice and Christ's perfect life
satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2
Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive
and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans
3:26).
The Character of Saving Faith
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from
sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are
sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a
conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1
Thessalonians 1:9) and pursue Christ (Matthew
11:28-30; John 17:3) and obedience to Him (1 John
2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about
Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the
true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey
Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience
(Ephesians 2:10).