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BAPTIST
FAITH & MESSAGE
From
the Chairman of the Committee on the Baptist Faith and Message
Dear
Southern Baptist:
On behalf of the Committee on the
Baptist Faith and Message, I am pleased to release this report
and recommendation to the Southern Baptist Convention.
President Paige Patterson appointed our
committee by authorization of the Convention as it met in
Atlanta last year. Meeting over a period of several months, we
reviewed the confessional history of our denomination and
considered the challenges faced by the Baptists of this
generation.
We were guided by the
rich heritage embodied in the 1925 and 1963 editions of the Baptist
Faith and Message . We have sought to retain all the
strengths of that noble heritage, to clarify the truths there
expressed, and to address the needs of our own times.
Baptists cherish our
doctrinal inheritance. We are a people of the Book, who
recognize no other authority for faith and practice but God's
Word. Thus, we receive and affirm those doctrines revealed in
the Bible, and we are unembarrassed to take our stand upon the
solid rock of biblical authority.
Our confessions
represent statements of those doctrines revealed in the Bible.
The Bible is the source of our authority, not merely a support
for our historic doctrines.
In 1925, the Southern
Baptist Convention first adopted the Baptist Faith and
Message as a public statement of our faith and doctrine.
Nearly forty years later, faced with new challenges and
questions, the Convention adopted a revised edition of the Baptist
Faith and Message in 1963. Now, again nearly four decades
after the Convention's last comprehensive action, a new
generation must take up the stewardship of the faith "once
for all delivered to the saints" [Jude 3].
Our generation faces the reality of
a postmodern culture, complete with rampant relativism and the
denial of absolute truth. A pervasive secularism has infected
our society and its corrosive effects are evident throughout the
life of our nation. Moral decay and assaults upon cherished
truths dominate the arena in which we must now minister, and to
which we must now proclaim the Gospel.
Our profound respect for the
heritage of the previous statements is reflected in the
intentional decision of our committee to incorporate language
from both the 1925 and 1963 editions in our recommendation. Both
of these historic statements speak to the present, as well as
the past.
Scripture instructs us always to be
ready "to give an account" for the hope that is within
us [I Peter 3:15]. This is our motivation and the cause to which
we have dedicated this process.
As the Baptists of old acknowledged,
each generation faces the responsibility of speaking to the
issues of its day, and facing the challenges of its own climate.
The preface to our report sets forth
the rationale and method for our work. With the 1963 committee,
we cite the principle set forth by our forebears in 1925:
"As in the past, so in the future, Baptists should hold
themselves free to revise their statements of faith as may seem
to them wise and expedient."
We now propose a new edition of our
honored confession. This generation must set forth its witness
to the truths revealed in the Bible. Where necessary, we have
proposed changes and additions to certain sections. We have
retained the structure of the confession and the substance of
each article. We have proposed no new articles. Several of the
articles are presented without any revision at all. Our
recommendation is intended to clarify our doctrines for this
present age, and to define our beliefs against the backdrop of
modern confusion.
Our hope is that a rising generation
of Baptists will recognize the significance of our biblical
doctrines, embrace our Baptist heritage, and own this confession
of faith for themselves.
The following is a summary of revised articles included in
our report:
1. We have sought to clarify the intention of both previous
editions of the Baptist Faith and Message as reflected
in Article I: The Scriptures. We have made the total
truthfulness and trustworthiness of the Bible even more
explicit, and we point to Jesus Christ as the focus of divine
revelation.
We have removed the statement that identified
Jesus Christ as "the criterion by which the Bible is to
be interpreted," because it has been subject to
misunderstanding. Jesus Christ cannot be divided from the
biblical revelation that is testimony to Him. We must not
claim a knowledge of Christ that is independent of Scripture
or in any way in opposition to Scripture. Likewise, Scripture
cannot be set against Scripture.
2. In the context of modern denials of the
omniscience, exhaustive foreknowledge, and omnipotence of God,
we have reaffirmed the teachings of the Bible and the
consistent teaching of our Baptist tradition, as reflected in
Article II: "God."
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God has all knowledge. He knows all things
simultaneously. His knowledge is immediate, without
the process of thought, reason, or inference. His
foreknowledge of events does not necessarily mean that
He predetermined them. He knows the workings of his
natural, physical, moral, and spiritual laws which
work toward definite ends. Man is free to choose in
the light of them, but is responsible for his choices.
God knows these choices beforehand, but does not
predetermine them.
Herschel H. Hobbs, The Baptist Faith and Message
(1971), p. 36.
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3. We have made clear our embrace of the
substitutionary character of Christ's atonement in Article II:B
"God the Son."
4. We have clarified God's creation of human
beings as male and female, both made in His image. The gift of
gender is thus part of the goodness of God's creation. This is
reflected in Article III: "Man."
5. Baptists must also make clear our affirmation
of the blessing of racial and ethnic diversity, and acknowledge
that all races possess full dignity by the creative intention of
God. This is also included in Article III: "Man."
6. Given the pervasive influence of a postmodern
culture, we are called to proclaim Jesus Christ as the only
Savior and salvation is in His name alone. Baptists thus reject
inclusivism and pluralism in salvation, for these compromise the
Gospel itself. Salvation comes only to those who call upon the
name of the Lord, and come to personal faith in Jesus Christ as
Savior. Article IV: "Salvation," includes this
clarification.
7. We reaffirm the New Testament heritage of
Baptist congregationalism in Article VI: "The Church,"
recovering the language of the 1925 Baptist Faith and Message
and affirming the contribution of the 1963 statement as
reflected in the last paragraph of the article. The church
comprises all the redeemed, and will include "believers
from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation."
8. The Convention has spoken clearly its
conviction that while both men and women are gifted and called
for ministry, the office of pastor is limited to men as
qualified by Scripture. This is included in Article VI:
"The Church."
9. Our Baptist ancestors of a mere generation
ago could not have imagined the need to address the issues of
abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, and all manner of deviant
and pagan sexuality. We answer with a clear word of biblical
correction. This is found in Article XV: "The Christian and
the Social Order."
In other articles we
have made minor clarifications, adjusted language to modern
usage, and added phrases from the 1925 statement as appropriate.
Sincerely,
Adrian Rogers, Chairman
Report
of the Baptist Faith
and Message Study Committee
to the
Southern Baptist Convention
June 14, 2000
The
1999 session of the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in
Atlanta, Georgia, adopted the following motion addressed to the
President of the Convention:
"I move that in your capacity as Southern Baptist
Convention chairman, you appoint a blue ribbon committee to
review the Baptist Faith and Message statement with the
responsibility to report and bring any recommendations to this
meeting next June in Orlando."
President Paige Patterson appointed the committee as follows:
Max Barnett (OK), Steve Gaines (AL), Susie Hawkins (TX), Rudy A.
Hernandez (TX), Charles S. Kelley, Jr. (LA), Heather King (IN),
Richard D. Land (TN), Fred Luter (LA), R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
(KY), T. C. Pinckney (VA), Nelson Price (GA), Adrian Rogers
(TN), Roger Spradlin (CA), Simon Tsoi (AZ), Jerry Vines (FL).
Adrian Rogers (TN) was appointed chairman.
Your committee thus constituted begs leave to present its
report as follows:
Baptists are a people of deep beliefs and cherished
doctrines. Throughout our history we have been a confessional
people, adopting statements of faith as a witness to our beliefs
and a pledge of our faithfulness to the doctrines revealed in
Holy Scripture.
Our confessions of faith are rooted in historical precedent,
as the church in every age has been called upon to define and
defend its beliefs. Each generation of Christians bears the
responsibility of guarding the treasury of truth that has been
entrusted to us [II Timothy 1:14]. Facing a new century,
Southern Baptists must meet the demands and duties of the
present hour.
New challenges to faith appear in every age. A pervasive
anti-supernaturalism in the culture was answered by Southern
Baptists in 1925, when the Baptist Faith and Message was
first adopted by this Convention. In 1963, Southern Baptists
responded to assaults upon the authority and truthfulness of the
Bible by adopting revisions to the Baptist Faith and Message
. The Convention added an article on "The Family" in
1998, thus answering cultural confusion with the clear teachings
of Scripture. Now, faced with a culture hostile to the very
notion of truth, this generation of Baptists must claim anew the
eternal truths of the Christian faith.
Your committee respects and celebrates the heritage of the Baptist
Faith and Message, and affirms the decision of the
Convention in 1925 to adopt the New Hampshire Confession of
Faith, "revised at certain points and with some
additional articles growing out of certain needs . . . ."
We also respect the important contributions of the 1925 and 1963
editions of the Baptist Faith and Message.
With the 1963 committee, we have been guided in our work by
the 1925 "statement of the historic Baptist conception of
the nature and function of confessions of faith in our religious
and denominational life . . . ." It is, therefore, quoted
in full as a part of this report to the Convention:
(1) That they constitute a consensus of opinion of some
Baptist body, large or small, for the general instruction and
guidance of our own people and others concerning those
articles of the Christian faith which are most surely held
among us. They are not intended to add anything to the simple
conditions of salvation revealed in the New Testament, viz.,
repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and
Lord.
(2) That we do not regard them as complete statements of
our faith, having any quality of finality or infallibility. As
in the past so in the future, Baptists should hold themselves
free to revise their statements of faith as may seem to them
wise and expedient at any time.
(3) That any group of Baptists, large or small, have the
inherent right to draw up for themselves and publish to the
world a confession of their faith whenever they may think it
advisable to do so.
(4) That the sole authority for faith and practice among
Baptists is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
Confessions are only guides in interpretation, having no
authority over the conscience.
(5) That they are statements of religious convictions,
drawn from the Scriptures, and are not to be used to hamper
freedom of thought or investigation in other realms of life.
Baptists cherish and defend religious liberty, and deny the
right of any secular or religious authority to impose a
confession of faith upon a church or body of churches. We honor
the principles of soul competency and the priesthood of
believers, affirming together both our liberty in Christ and our
accountability to each other under the Word of God.
Baptist churches, associations, and general bodies have
adopted confessions of faith as a witness to the world, and as
instruments of doctrinal accountability. We are not embarrassed
to state before the world that these are doctrines we hold
precious and as essential to the Baptist tradition of faith and
practice.
As a committee, we have been charged to address the
"certain needs" of our own generation. In an age
increasingly hostile to Christian truth, our challenge is to
express the truth as revealed in Scripture, and to bear witness
to Jesus Christ, who is "the Way, the Truth, and the
Life."
The 1963 committee rightly sought to identify and affirm
"certain definite doctrines that Baptists believe, cherish,
and with which they have been and are now closely
identified." Our living faith is established upon eternal
truths. "Thus this generation of Southern Baptists is in
historic succession of intent and purpose as it endeavors to
state for its time and theological climate those articles of the
Christian faith which are most surely held among us."
It is the purpose of this statement of faith and message to
set forth certain teachings which we believe.
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I.
The Scriptures
The
Holy Bible was written by men divinely
inspired and is the record of God's revelation
of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of
divine instruction. It has God for its author,
salvation for its end, and truth, without any
mixture of error, for its matter. It reveals
the principles by which God judges us; and
therefore is, and will remain to the end of
the world, the true center of Christian union,
and the supreme standard by which all human
conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should
be tried. The criterion by which the Bible is
to be interpreted is Jesus Christ.
Ex. 24:4; Deut. 4:1-2; 17:19; Josh.
8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isa.
34:16; 40:8; Jer. 15:16; 36; Matt. 5:17-18;
22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39;
16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Rom.
15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2;
4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
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I.
The Scriptures
The
Holy Bible was written by men divinely
inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to
man. It is a perfect treasure of divine
instruction. It has God for its author,
salvation for its end, and truth, without any
mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore,
all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy.
It reveals the principles by which God judges
us, and therefore is, and will remain to the
end of the world, the true center of Christian
union, and the supreme standard by which all
human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions
should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony
to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine
revelation.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19;
Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10;
119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8;
Jeremiah 15:16; 36; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29;
Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15;
17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4;
16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2;
4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
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I.
The Scriptures
We
believe that the Holy Bible was written by men
divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure
of heavenly instruction; that it has God for
its author, salvation for its end, and truth,
without any mixture of error, for its matter;
that it reveals the principles by which God
will judge us; and therefore is, and will
remain to the end of the world, the true
center of Christian union, and the supreme
standard by which all human conduct, creeds
and religious opinions should be tried.
Luke 16:29-31; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Eph.
2:20; Heb. 1:1; 2 Peter 1:19-21; John
16:13-15; Matt. 22:29-31; Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm
119:1-8.
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II.
God
There
is one and only one living and true God. He is
an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being,
the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of
the universe. God is infinite in holiness and
all other perfections. To him we owe the
highest love, reverence, and obedience. The
eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal
attributes, but without division of nature,
essence, or being.
1. God the Father
God as Father reigns with
providential care over His universe, His
creatures, and the flow of the stream of human
history according to the purposes of His
grace. He is all powerful, all loving, and all
wise. God is Father in truth to those who
become children of God through faith in Jesus
Christ. He is fatherly in his attitude toward
all men.
Gen. 1:1; 2:7; Ex. 3:14; 6:2-3;
15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Levit. 22:2; Deut. 6:4;
32:6; 1 Chron. 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isa.
43:3,15; 64:8; Jer. 10:10; 17:13; Matt.
6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John
4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Rom.
8:14-15; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gal. 4:6; Ephes. 4:6;
Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:6; 12:9; 1
Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.
2. God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of
God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was
conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the
virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did
the will of God, taking upon Himself the
demands and necessities of human nature and
identifying Himself completely with mankind
yet without sin. He honored the divine law by
His personal obedience, and in His death on
the cross He made provision for the redemption
of men from sin. He was raised from the dead
with a glorified body and appeared to His
disciples as the person who was with them
before His crucifixion. He ascended into
heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of
God where He is the One Mediator, partaking of
the nature of God and of man, and in whose
Person is effected the reconciliation between
God and man. He will return in power and glory
to judge the world and to consummate His
redemptive mission. He now dwells in all
believers as the living and ever present Lord.
Gen. 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.;
Isa. 7:14; 53; Matt. 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29;
11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19;
Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46;
John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50;
14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22;
20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56;
9:4-5,20; Rom. 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21;
8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2:2; 8:6;
15:1-8,24-28; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; 8:9; Gal. 4:4-5;
Ephes. 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Phil. 2:5-11; Col.
1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thess. 4:14-18; 1 Tim. 2:5-6;
3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Heb. 1:1-3; 4:14-15;
7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter
2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15;
5:9; 2 John 7-9; Rev. 1:13-16; 5:9-14;
12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
3. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit
of God. He inspired holy men of old to write
the Scriptures. Through illumination He
enables men to understand truth. He exalts
Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness
and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour,
and effects regeneration. He cultivates
Christian character, comforts believers, and
bestows the spiritual gifts by which they
serve God through His church. He seals the
believer unto the day of final redemption. His
presence in the Christian is the assurance of
God to bring the believer into the fulness of
the stature of Christ. He enlightens and
empowers the believer and the church in
worship, evangelism, and service.
Gen. 1:2; Judg. 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms
51:11; 139:7ff.; Isa. 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32;
Matt. 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark
1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12;
24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14;
Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55;
8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6;
Rom. 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; 3:16;
12:3-11; Gal. 4:6; Ephes. 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18;
1 Thess. 5:19; 1 Tim. 3:16; 4:1; 2 Tim. 1:14;
3:16; Heb. 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13;
5:6-7; Rev. 1:10; 22:17.
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II.
God
There
is one and only one living and true God. He is
an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being,
the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of
the universe. God is infinite in holiness and
all other perfections. God is all powerful and
all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends
to all things, past, present, and future,
including the future decisions of His free
creatures. To Him we owe the highest love,
reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune
God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, with distinct personal
attributes, but without division of nature,
essence, or being.
A. God the Father
God as Father reigns with providential care
over His universe, His creatures, and the flow
of the stream of human history according to
the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful,
all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is
Father in truth to those who become children
of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is
fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3;
15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy
6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3;
Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13;
Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark
1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts
1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6;
Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15;
1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter
1:17; 1 John 5:7.
B. God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His
incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived
of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin
Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the
will of God, taking upon Himself human nature
with its demands and necessities and
identifying Himself completely with mankind
yet without sin. He honored the divine law by
His personal obedience, and in His
substitutionary death on the cross He made
provision for the redemption of men from sin.
He was raised from the dead with a glorified
body and appeared to His disciples as the
person who was with them before His
crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is
now exalted at the right hand of God where He
is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in
whose Person is effected the reconciliation
between God and man. He will return in power
and glory to judge the world and to consummate
His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all
believers as the living and ever present Lord.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms
2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew
1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33;
16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11;
Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29;
10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11;
16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts
1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4;
3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians
1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians
5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20;
3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians
1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1
Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews
1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2;
13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9;
3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation
1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully
divine. He inspired holy men of old to write
the Scriptures. Through illumination He
enables men to understand truth. He exalts
Christ. He convicts men of sin, of
righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men
to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. At
the moment of regeneration He baptizes every
believer into the Body of Christ. He
cultivates Christian character, comforts
believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by
which they serve God through His church. He
seals the believer unto the day of final
redemption. His presence in the Christian is
the guarantee that God will bring the believer
into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He
enlightens and empowers the believer and the
church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13;
Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel
2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32;
28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19;
11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26;
15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3;
6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6;
19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1
Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13;
Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18;
1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2
Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter
1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10;
22:17.
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II.
God
There
is one and only one living and true God, an
intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being,
the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the
universe, infinite in holiness and all other
perfections, to whom we owe the highest love,
reverence, and obedience. He is revealed to us
as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with
distinct personal attributes, but without
division of nature, essence, or being.
Gen. 1:1; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Deut. 6:4; Jer.
10:10; Isa. 48:12; Deut. 5:7; Ex. 3:14; Heb.
11:6; John 5:26; 1 Tim. 1:17; John 1:14-18;
John 15:26; Gal. 4:6; Matt. 28:19.
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III.
Man
Man
was created by the special act of God, in His
own image, and is the crowning work of His
creation. In the beginning man was innocent of
sin and was endowed by his Creator with
freedom of choice. By his free choice man
sinned against God and brought sin into the
human race. Through the temptation of Satan
man transgressed the command of God, and fell
from his original innocence; whereby his
posterity inherit a nature and an environment
inclined toward sin, and as soon as they are
capable of moral action become transgressors
and are under condemnation. Only the grace of
God can bring man into His holy fellowship and
enable man to fulfil the creative purpose of
God. The sacredness of human personality is
evident in that God created man in His own
image, and in that Christ died for man;
therefore every man possesses dignity and is
worthy of respect and Christian love.
Gen. 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6;
Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isa. 6:5; Jer.
17:5; Matt. 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Rom.
1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25;
8:14-18,29; 1 Cor. 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22; Eph.
2:1-22; Col. 1:21-22; 3:9-11.
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III.
Man
Man
is the special creation of God, made in His
own image. He created them male and
female as the crowning work of His creation.
The gift of gender is thus part of the
goodness of God's creation. In the beginning
man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his
Creator with freedom of choice. By his free
choice man sinned against God and brought sin
into the human race. Through the temptation of
Satan man transgressed the command of God, and
fell from his original innocence whereby his
posterity inherit a nature and an environment
inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as
they are capable of moral action, they become
transgressors and are under condemnation. Only
the grace of God can bring man into His holy
fellowship and enable man to fulfill the
creative purpose of God. The sacredness of
human personality is evident in that God
created man in His own image, and in that
Christ died for man; therefore, every person
of every race possesses full dignity and is
worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6;
Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5;
Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31;
Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6;
7:14-25; 8:14-18,29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31;
15:19,21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians
1:21-22; 3:9-11.
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III.
The Fall of Man
Man
was created by the special act of God, as
recorded in Genesis. "So God created man
in his own image, in the image of God created
he him; male and female created he them"
(Gen. 1:27). "And the Lord God formed man
of the dust of the ground, and breathed into
his nostrils the breath of life; and man
became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7).
He was created in a state of holiness under
the law of his Maker, but, through the
temptation of Satan, he transgressed the
command of God and fell from his original
holiness and righteousness; whereby his
posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in
bondage to sin, are under condemnation, and as
soon as they are capable of moral action,
become actual transgressors.
Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:7; John
1:23; Gen. 3:4-7; Gen. 3:22-24; Rom.
5:12,14,19, 21; Rom. 7:23-25; Rom.
11:18,22,32-33; Col. 1:21.
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IV.
Salvation
Salvation
involves the redemption of the whole man, and
is offered freely to all who accept Jesus
Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own
blood obtained eternal redemption for the
believer. In its broadest sense salvation
includes regeneration, sanctification, and
glorification.
1. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a
work of God's grace whereby believers become
new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change
of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through
conviction of sin, to which the sinner
responds in repentance toward God and faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Repentance and faith are inseparable
experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine
turning from sin toward God. Faith is the
acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of
the entire personality to Him as Lord and
Saviour. Justification is God's gracious and
full acquittal upon principles of His
righteousness of all sinners who repent and
believe in Christ. Justification brings the
believer into a relationship of peace and
favor with God.
2. Sanctification is the experience,
beginning in regeneration, by which the
believer is set apart to God's purposes, and
is enabled to progress toward moral and
spiritual perfection through the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him.
Growth in grace should continue throughout the
regenerate person's life.
3. Glorification is the culmination of
salvation and is the final blessed and abiding
state of the redeemed.
Gen. 3:15; Ex. 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matt.
1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke
1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36;
5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21;
4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Rom.
1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23;
8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Cor.
1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Cor. 5:17-20; Gal.
2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephes. 1:7; 2:8-22;
4:11-16; Phil. 2:12-13; Col. 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1
Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Tim. 1:12; Titus 2:11-14;
Heb. 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14;
James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John
1:6-2:11; Rev. 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
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IV.
Salvation
Salvation
involves the redemption of the whole man, and
is offered freely to all who accept Jesus
Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own
blood obtained eternal redemption for the
believer. In its broadest sense salvation
includes regeneration, justification,
sanctification, and glorification. There is no
salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus
Christ as Lord.
A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a
work of God's grace whereby believers become
new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change
of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through
conviction of sin, to which the sinner
responds in repentance toward God and faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith
are inseparable experiences of grace.
Repentance is a genuine
turning from sin toward God. Faith is the
acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of
the entire personality to Him as Lord and
Saviour.
B. Justification is God's gracious and full
acquittal upon principles of His righteousness
of all sinners who repent and believe in
Christ. Justification brings the believer unto
a relationship of peace and favor with God.
C. Sanctification is the experience,
beginning in regeneration, by which the
believer is set apart to God's purposes, and
is enabled to progress toward moral and
spiritual maturity through the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him.
Growth in grace should continue throughout the
regenerate person's life.
D. Glorification is the culmination of
salvation and is the final blessed and abiding
state of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8;
Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke
1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36;
5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21;
4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans
1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23;
8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1
Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2
Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13;
5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16;
Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22;
3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy
1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9;
9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter
1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20;
21:1-22:5.
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IV.
The Way of Salvation
The
salvation of sinners is wholly of grace,
through the mediatorial office of the Son of
God, who by the Holy Spirit was born of the
Virgin Mary and took upon him our nature, yet
without sin; honored the divine law by his
personal obedience and made atonement for our
sins by his death. Being risen from the dead,
he is now enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting in
his person the tenderest sympathies with
divine perfections, he is in every way
qualified to be a compassionate and
all-sufficient Saviour.
Col. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:7-10; Gal. 2:19-20;
Gal. 3:13; Rom. 1:4; Eph. 1:20-23; Matt.
1:21-25; Luke 1:35; 2:11; Rom. 3:25.
V.
Justification
Justification
is God's gracious and full acquittal upon
principles of righteousness of all sinners who
believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed,
not in consideration of any works of
righteousness which we have done, but through
the redemption that is in and through Jesus
Christ. It brings us into a state of most
blessed peace and favor with God, and secures
every other needed blessing.
Rom. 3:24; 4:2; 5:1-2; 8:30; Eph. 1:7; 1
Cor. 1:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:21.
VI.
The Freeness of Salvation
The
blessings of salvation are made free to all by
the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept
them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing
prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner
except his own voluntary refusal to accept
Jesus Christ as teacher, Saviour, and Lord.
Eph. 1:5; 2:4-10; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Rom.
5:1-9; Rev. 22:17; John 3:16; Mark 16:16.
VII.
Regeneration
Regeneration
or the new birth is a change of heart wrought
by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become
partakers of the divine nature and a holy
disposition is given, leading to the love and
practice of righteousness. It is a work of
God's free grace conditioned upon faith in
Christ and made manifest by the fruit which we
bring forth to the glory of God.
John 3:1-8, 1:16-18; Rom. 8:2; Eph.
2:1,5-6,8,10; Eph. 4:30,32; Col. 3:1-11; Titus
3:5.
VIII.
Repentance and Faith
We
believe that repentance and faith are sacred
duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought
in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of
God; whereby being deeply convinced of our
guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the
way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God
with unfeigned contrition, confession, and
supplication for mercy; at the same time
heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as
our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on
him alone as the only and all-sufficient
Saviour.
Luke 22:31-34; Mark 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:13;
Rom. 3:25,27,31; Rom. 4:3,9,12,16-17; John
16:8-11.
X.
Sanctification
Sanctification
is the process by which the regenerate
gradually attain to moral and spiritual
perfection through the presence and power of
the Holy Spirit dwelling in their hearts. It
continues throughout the earthly life, and is
accomplished by the use of all the ordinary
means of grace, and particularly by the Word
of God.
Acts 20:32; John 17:17; Rom. 6:5-6; Eph.
3:16; Rom. 4:14; Gal. 5:24; Heb. 12:14; Rom.
7:18-25; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:16,25-26.
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V.
God's Purpose of Grace
Election
is the gracious purpose of God, according to
which He regenerates, sanctifies, and
glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the
free agency of man and comprehends all the
means in connection with the end. It is a
glorious display of God's sovereign goodness,
and is infinitely wise, holy, and
unchangeable. It excludes boasting and
promotes humility.
All true believers endure to
the end. Those whom God has accepted in
Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will
never fall away from the state of grace, but
shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall
into sin through neglect and temptation,
whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their
graces and comforts, bring reproach on the
cause of Christ, and temporal judgments on
themselves, yet they shall be kept by the
power of God through faith unto salvation.
Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:5-8; 1
Sam. 8:4-7,19-22; Isa. 5:1-7; Jer. 31:31ff.;
Matt. 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34;
Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48;
John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65;
10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32;
Rom. 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36;
1 Cor. 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephes. 1:4-23; 2:1-10;
3:1-11; Col. 1:12-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim.
1:12; 2:10,19; Heb. 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter
1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.
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V.
God's Purpose of Grace
Election
is the gracious purpose of God, according to
which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies,
and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with
the free agency of man, and comprehends all
the means in connection with the end. It is
the glorious display of God's sovereign
goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and
unchangeable. It excludes boasting and
promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the end. Those
whom God has accepted in Christ, and
sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away
from the state of grace, but shall persevere
to the end. Believers may fall into sin
through neglect and temptation, whereby they
grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and
comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of
Christ and temporal judgments on themselves;
yet they shall be kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel
8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.;
Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34;
Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48;
John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65;
10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6, 12, 17-18; Acts 20:32;
Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15;
11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28;
Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians
1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy
1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39-12:2; James 1:12;
1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19;
3:2.
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IX.
God's Purpose of Grace
Election
is the gracious purpose of God, according to
which he regenerates, sanctifies and saves
sinners. It is perfectly consistent with the
free agency of man, and comprehends all the
means in connection with the end. It is a most
glorious display of God's sovereign goodness,
and is infinitely wise, holy, and
unchangeable. It excludes boasting and
promotes humility. It encourages the use of
means in the highest degree.
Rom. 8:30; 11:7; Eph. 1:10; Acts 26:18;
Eph. 1:17-19; 2 Tim. 1:9; Psalm 110:3; 1 Cor.
2:14; Eph. 2:5; John 6:44-45,65; Rom.
10:12-15.
XI.
Perseverance
All
real believers endure to the end. Their
continuance in well-doing is the mark which
distinguishes them from mere professors. A
special Providence cares for them, and they
are kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation.
John 10:28-29; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19;
1 Cor. 11:32; Rom. 8:30; 9:11,16; Rom. 5:9-10;
Matt. 26:70-75.
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VI.
The Church
A
New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ
is a local body of baptized believers who are
associated by covenant in the faith and
fellowship of the gospel, observing the two
ordinances of Christ, committed to His
teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and
privileges invested in them by His Word, and
seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of
the earth.
This church is an autonomous body,
operating through democratic processes under
the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In such a
congregation, members are equally responsible.
Its Scriptural officers are pastors and
deacons.
The New Testament speaks also of the church
as the body of Christ which includes all of
the redeemed of all the ages.
Matt. 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts
2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27;
15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2;
3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephes.
1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Phil.
1:1; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim. 3:1-15; 4:14; 1 Peter
5:1-4; Rev. 2-3; 21:2-3.
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VI.
The Church
A
New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ
is an autonomous local congregation of
baptized believers, associated by covenant in
the faith and fellowship of the gospel;
observing the two ordinances of Christ,
governed by His laws, exercising the gifts,
rights, and privileges invested in them by His
Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the
ends of the earth. Each congregation operates
under the Lordship of Christ through
democratic processes. In such a congregation
each member is responsible and accountable to
Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are
pastors and deacons. While both men and women
are gifted for service in the church, the
office of pastor is limited to men as
qualified by Scripture.
The New Testament speaks also of the church
as the body of Christ which includes all of
the redeemed of all the ages, believers from
every tribe, and tongue, and people, and
nation.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts
2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27;
15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1
Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14;
12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21;
5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1
Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews
11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3;
21:2-3.
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XII.
The Gospel Church
A
church of Christ is a congregation of baptized
believers, associated by covenant in the faith
and fellowship of the gospel; observing the
ordinances of Christ, governed by his laws,
and exercising the gifts, rights, and
privileges invested in them by his word, and
seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of
the earth. Its Scriptural officers are
bishops, or elders, and deacons.
Matt. 16:18; Matt. 18:15-18; Rom. 1:7; 1
Cor. 1:2; Acts 2:41-42; 5:13-14; 2 Cor. 9:13;
Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 4:14; Acts 14:23; Acts
6:3,5-6; Heb. 13:17; 1 Cor. 9:6,14.
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VII.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Christian
baptism is the immersion of a believer in
water in the name of the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience
symbolizing the believer's faith in a
crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the
believer's death to sin, the burial of the old
life, and the resurrection to walk in newness
of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to
his faith in the final resurrection of the
dead. Being a church ordinance, it is
prerequisite to the privileges of church
membership and to the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of
obedience whereby members of the church,
through partaking of the bread and the fruit
of the vine, memorialize the death of the
Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
Matt. 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark
1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John
3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; Acts
20;7; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 10:16,21; 11:23-29;
Col. 2:12.
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VII.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Christian
baptism is the immersion of a believer in
water in the name of the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience
symbolizing the believer's faith in a
crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the
believer's death to sin, the burial of the old
life, and the resurrection to walk in newness
of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to
his faith in the final resurrection of the
dead. Being a church ordinance, it is
prerequisite to the privileges of church
membership and to the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is a
symbolic act of obedience whereby members of
the church, through partaking of the bread and
the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death
of the Redeemer and anticipate His second
coming.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20;
Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20;
John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33;
20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21;
11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.
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XIII.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Christian
baptism is the immersion of a believer in
water in the name of the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit. The act is a symbol of our
faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour.
It is prerequisite to the privileges of a
church relation and to the Lord's Supper, in
which the members of the church, by the use of
bread and wine, commemorate the dying love of
Christ.
Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 4:1; Rom. 6:3-5;
Col. 2:12; Mark 1:4; Matt. 3:16; John 3:23; 1
Cor. 11:23-26; 1 Cor. 10:16-17,21; Matt.
26:26-27; Acts 8:38-39; Mark 1:9-11.
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VIII.
The Lord's Day
The
first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is
a Christian institution for regular
observance. It commemorates the resurrection
of Christ from the dead and should be employed
in exercises of worship and spiritual
devotion, both public and private, and by
refraining from worldly amusements, and
resting from secular employments, work of
necessity and mercy only being excepted.
Ex. 20:8-11; Matt. 12:1-12;
28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke
24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts
20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Col. 2:16; 3:16; Rev.
1:10.
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VIII.
The Lord's Day
The
first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is
a Christian institution for regular
observance. It commemorates the resurrection
of Christ from the dead and should include
exercises of worship and spiritual devotion,
both public and private. Activities on the
Lord's Day should be commensurate with the
Christian's conscience under the Lordship of
Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12;
28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke
24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24, 20:1,19-28; Acts
20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2;
Colossians 2:16, 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
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XIV.
The Lord's Day
The
first day of the week is the Lord's day. It is
a Christian institution for regular
observance. It commemorates the resurrection
of Christ from the dead and should be employed
in exercises of worship and spiritual
devotion, both public and private, and by
refraining from worldly amusements, and
resting from secular employments, works of
necessity and mercy only excepted.
Ex. 20:3-6; Matt. 4:10; Matt. 28:19; 1
Tim. 4:13; Col. 3:16; John 4:21; Ex. 20:8; 1
Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7; Rev. 1:1; Matt.
12:1-13.
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IX.
The Kingdom
The
kingdom of God includes both His general
sovereignty over the universe and His
particular kingship over men who willfully
acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the
kingdom is the realm of salvation into which
men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to
Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to
labor that the kingdom may come and God's will
be done on earth. The full consummation of the
kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and
the end of this age.
Gen. 1:1; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 23:5-6; Matt.
3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46;
26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2;
12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36;
Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Rom. 5:17; 8:19; 1 Cor.
15:24-28; Col. 1:13; Heb. 11:10,16; 12:28; 1
Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Rev. 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15;
21-22.
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IX.
The Kingdom
The
Kingdom of God includes both His general
sovereignty over the universe and His
particular kingship over men who willfully
acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the
Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which
men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to
Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to
labor that the Kingdom may come and God's will
be done on earth. The full consummation of the
Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and
the end of this age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah
23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28;
13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1;
Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21;
23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31;
Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28;
Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1
Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10;
11:15; 21-22.
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XXV.
The Kingdom
The
Kingdom of God is the reign of God in the
heart and life of the individual in every
human relationship, and in every form and
institution of organized human society. The
chief means for promoting the Kingdom of God
on earth are preaching the gospel of Christ,
and teaching the principles of righteousness
contained therein. The Kingdom of God will be
complete when every thought and will of man
shall be brought into captivity to the will of
Christ. And it is the duty of all Christ's
people to pray and labor continually that his
Kingdom may come and his will be done on earth
as it is done in heaven.
Dan. 2:37-44; 7:18; Matt. 4:23; 8:12;
12:25; 13:38,43; 25:34; 26:29; Mark 11:10;
Luke 12:32; 22:29; Acts 1:6; 1 Cor. 15:24;
Col. 1:13; Heb. 12:28; Rev. 1:9; Luke 4:43;
8:1; 9:2; 17:20-21; John 3:3; John 18:36;
Matt. 6:10; Luke 23:42.
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X.
Last Things
God,
in His own time and in His own way, will bring
the world to its appropriate end. According to
His promise, Jesus Christ will return
personally and visibly in glory to the earth;
the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge
all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will
be consigned to hell, the place of everlasting
punishment. The righteous in their resurrected
and glorified bodies will receive their reward
and will dwell forever in heaven with the
Lord.
Isa. 2:4; 11:9; Matt. 16:27; 18:8-9;
19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark
8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26;
17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11;
17:31; Rom. 14:10; 1 Cor. 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58;
2 Cor. 5:10; Phil. 3:20-21; Col. 1:5; 3:4; 1
Thess. 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thess. 1:7ff.; 2; 1
Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Heb.
9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John
2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Rev. 1:18; 3:11;
20:1-22:13.
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X.
Last Things
God,
in His own time and in His own way, will bring
the world to its appropriate end. According to
His promise, Jesus Christ will return
personally and visibly in glory to the earth;
the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge
all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will
be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting
punishment. The righteous in their resurrected
and glorified bodies will receive their reward
and will dwell forever in Heaven with the
Lord.
Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9;
19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark
8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26;
17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11;
17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5;
15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10;
Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1
Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians
1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8;
Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2
Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14;
Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
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XV.
The Righteous and the Wicked
There
is a radical and essential difference between
the righteous and wicked. Those only who are
justified through the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are
truly righteous in his sight. Those who
continue in impenitence and unbelief are in
his sight wicked and are under condemnation.
This distinction between the righteous and the
wicked holds in and after death, and will be
made manifest at the judgment when final and
everlasting awards are made to all men.
Gen. 3:19; Acts 13:36; Luke 23:43; 2 Cor.
5:1,6,8; Phil. 1:23; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thess.
4:17; Phil. 3:21; 1 Cor. 6:3; Matt. 25:32-46;
Rom. 9:22-23; Mark 9:48; 1 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev.
22:20.
XVI.
The Resurrection
The
Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from
the dead. His grave was emptied of its
contents. He appeared to the disciples after
his resurrection in many convincing
manifestations. He now exists in his glorified
body at God's right hand. There will be a
resurrection of the righteous and the wicked.
The bodies of the righteous will conform to
the glorious spiritual body of Jesus.
1 Cor. 15:1-58; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; 1 Thess.
4:17; John 5:28-29; Phil. 3:21; Acts 24:15;
John 20:9; Matt. 28:6.
XVII.
The Return of the Lord
The
New Testament teaches in many places the
visible and personal return of Jesus to this
earth. "This same Jesus which is taken up
from you into heaven, shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven." The time of his coming is not
revealed. "Of that day and hour knoweth
no one, no, not the angels in heaven, but my
Father only" (Matt. 24:36). It is the
duty of all believers to live in readiness for
his coming and by diligence in good works to
make manifest to all men the reality and power
of their hope in Christ.
Matt. 24:36; Matt. 24:42-47; Mark
13:32-37; Luke 21:27-28; Acts 1:9-11.
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XI.
Evangelism and Missions
It
is the duty and privilege of every follower of
Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus
Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all
nations. The new birth of man's spirit by
God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for
others. Missionary effort on the part of all
rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the
regenerate life, and is expressly and
repeatedly commanded in the teachings of
Christ. It is the duty of every child of God
to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ
by personal effort and by all other methods in
harmony with the gospel of Christ.
Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:5-6; Isa. 6:1-8;
Matt. 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30,37-43; 16:19;
22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18;
24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15;
20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3;
Rom. 10:13-15; Ephes. 3:1-11; 1 Thess. 1:8; 2
Tim. 4:5; Heb. 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter
2:4-10; Rev. 22:17.
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XI.
Evangelism and Missions
It
is the duty and privilege of every follower of
Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus
Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all
nations. The new birth of man's spirit by
God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for
others. Missionary effort on the part of all
rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the
regenerate life, and is expressly and
repeatedly commanded in the teachings of
Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded
the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It
is the duty of every child of God to seek
constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal
witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle,
and by other methods in harmony with the
gospel of Christ.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah
6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18- 30,
37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke
10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16;
17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48;
13:2-3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1
Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews
2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation
22:17.
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XXIII.
Evangelism and Missions
It
is the duty of every Christian man and woman,
and the duty of every church of Christ to seek
to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.
The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy
Spirit means the birth of love for others.
Missionary effort on the part of all rests
thus upon a spiritual necessity of the
regenerate life. It is also expressly and
repeatedly commanded in the teachings of
Christ. It is the duty of every child of God
to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ
by personal effort and by all other methods
sanctioned by the gospel of Christ.
Matt. 10:5; 13:18-23; 22:9-10; 28:19-20;
Mark 16:15-16; 16:19-20; Luke 24:46-53; Acts
1:5-8; 2:1-2,21,39; 8:26-40; 10:42-48;
13:2,30-33; 1 Thess. 1-8.
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XII.
Education
The
cause of education in the kingdom of Christ is
co-ordinate with the causes of missions and
general benevolence and should receive along
with these the liberal support of the
churches. An adequate system of Christian
schools is necessary to a complete spiritual
program for Christ's people.
In Christian education there should be a
proper balance between academic freedom and
academic responsibility. Freedom in any
orderly relationship of human life is always
limited and never absolute. The freedom of a
teacher in a Christian school, college, or
seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of
Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of
the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose
for which the school exists.
Deut. 4:1,5,9,14; 6:1-10; 31:12-13; Neh.
8:1-8; Job. 28:28; Psalms 19:7ff.; 119:11;
Prov. 3:13ff.; 4:1-10; 8:1-7,11; 15:14; Eccl.
7:19; Matt. 5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20; Luke 2:40;
1 Cor. 1:18-31; Eph. 4:11-16; Phil. 4:8; Col.
2:3,8-9; 1 Tim. 1:3-7; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:14-17;
Heb. 5:12-6:3; James 1:5; 3:17.
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XII.
Education
Christianity
is the faith of enlightenment and
intelligence. In Jesus Christ abide all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound
learning is, therefore, a part of our
Christian heritage. The new birth opens all
human faculties and creates a thirst for
knowledge. Moreover, the cause of education in
the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the
causes of missions and general benevolence,
and should receive along with these the
liberal support of the churches. An adequate
system of Christian education is necessary to
a complete spiritual program for Christ's
people.
In Christian education there should be a
proper balance between academic freedom and
academic responsibility. Freedom in any
orderly relationship of human life is always
limited and never absolute. The freedom of a
teacher in a Christian school, college, or
seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of
Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of
the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose
for which the school exists.
Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9,14; 6:1-10;
31:12-13; Nehemiah 8:1-8; Job 28:28; Psalms
19:7ff.; 119:11; Proverbs 3:13ff.; 4:1-10;
8:1-7,11; 15:14; Ecclesiastes 7:19; Matthew
5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20; Luke 2:40; 1
Corinthians 1:18-31; Ephesians 4:11-16;
Philippians 4:8; Colossians 2:3,8-9; 1 Timothy
1:3-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; Hebrews
5:12-6:3; James 1:5; 3:17.
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XX.
Education
Christianity
is the religion of enlightenment and
intelligence. In Jesus Christ are hidden all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All
sound learning is therefore a part of our
Christian heritage. The new birth opens all
human faculties and creates a thirst for
knowledge. An adequate system of schools is
necessary to a complete spiritual program for
Christ's people. The cause of education in the
Kingdom of Christ is coordinate with the
causes of missions and general benevolence,
and should receive along with these the
liberal support of the churches.
Deut. 4:1,5,9,13-14; Deut. 6:1,7-10;
Psalm 19:7-8; Prov. 8:1-7; Prov. 4:1-10; Matt.
28:20; Col. 2:3; Neh. 8:1-4.
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XIII.
Stewardship
God
is the source of all blessings, temporal and
spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to
Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to
the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the
gospel, and a binding stewardship in their
possessions. They are therefore under
obligation to serve Him with their time,
talents, and material possessions; and should
recognize all these as entrusted to them to
use for the glory of God and for helping
others. According to the Scriptures,
Christians should contribute of their means
cheerfully, regularly, systematically,
proportionately, and liberally for the
advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.
Gen. 14:20; Lev. 27:30-32; Deut. 8:18;
Mal. 3:8-12; Matt. 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23;
25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts
2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Rom. 6:6-22;
12:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2
Cor. 8-9; 12:15; Phil. 4:10-19; 1 Peter
1:18-19.
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XIII.
Stewardship
God
is the source of all blessings, temporal and
spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to
Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to
the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the
gospel, and a binding stewardship in their
possessions. They are therefore under
obligation to serve Him with their time,
talents, and material possessions; and should
recognize all these as entrusted to them to
use for the glory of God and for helping
others. According to the Scriptures,
Christians should contribute of their means
cheerfully, regularly, systematically,
proportionately, and liberally for the
advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32;
Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew
6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke
12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11;
17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1
Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2
Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1
Peter 1:18-19.
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XXIV.
Stewardship
God
is the source of all blessings, temporal and
spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to
him. We have a spiritual debtorship to the
whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel,
and a binding stewardship in our possessions.
We are therefore under obligation to serve him
with our time, talents and material
possessions; and should recognize all these as
entrusted to us to use for the glory of God
and helping others. Christians should
cheerfully, regularly, systematically,
proportionately, and liberally, contribute of
their means to advancing the Redeemer's cause
on earth.
Luke 12:42; 16:1-8; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter
4:10; 2 Cor. 8:1-7; 2 Cor. 8:11-19; 2 Cor.
12:1-15; Matt. 25:14-30; Rom. 1:8-15; 1 Cor.
6:20; Acts 2:44-47.
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XIV.
Co-Operation
Christ's
people should, as occasion requires, organize
such associations and conventions as may best
secure co-operation for the great objects of
the kingdom of God. Such organizations have no
authority over one another or over the
churches. They are voluntary and advisory
bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct
the energies of our people in the most
effective manner. Members of New Testament
churches should co-operate with one another in
carrying forward the missionary, educational,
and benevelent ministries for the extension of
Christ's kingdom. Christian unity in the New
Testament sense is spiritual harmony and
voluntary co-operation for common ends by
various groups of Christ's people.
Co-operation is desirable between the various
Christian denominations, when the end to be
attained is itself justified, and when such
co-operation involves no violation of
conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ
and his Word as revealed in the New Testament.
Ex. 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judg. 7:21; Ezra
1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Neh. 4; 8:1-5; Matt.
10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3;
Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37;
13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Cor. 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12; 2
Cor. 8-9; Gal. 1:6-10; Eph. 4:1-16; Phil.
1:15-18.
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XIV.
Cooperation
Christ's
people should, as occasion requires, organize
such associations and conventions as may best
secure cooperation for the great objects of
the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no
authority over one another or over the
churches. They are voluntary and advisory
bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct
the energies of our people in the most
effective manner. Members of New Testament
churches should cooperate with one another in
carrying forward the missionary, educational,
and benevolent ministries for the extension of
Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New
Testament sense is spiritual harmony and
voluntary cooperation for common ends by
various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation
is desirable between the various Christian
denominations, when the end to be attained is
itself justified, and when such cooperation
involves no violation of conscience or
compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word
as revealed in the New Testament.
Exodus
17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4;
2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew
10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3;
Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37;
13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17;
3:5-15; 12; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians
1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18.
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XXII.
Co-Operation
Christ's
people should, as occasion requires, organize
such associations and conventions as may best
secure co-operation for the great objects of
the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no
authority over each other or over the
churches. They are voluntary and advisory
bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct
the energies of our people in the most
effective manner. Individual members of New
Testament churches should co-operate with each
other, and the churches themselves should
co-operate with each other in carrying forward
the missionary, educational, and benevolent
program for the extension of Christ's Kingdom.
Christian unity in the New Testament sense is
spiritual harmony and voluntary co-operation
for common ends by various groups of Christ's
people. It is permissable and desirable as
between the various Christian denominations,
when the end to be attained is itself
justified, and when such co-operation involves
no violation of conscience or compromise of
loyalty to Christ and his Word as revealed in
the New Testament.
Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Neh.
4:4-6; 8:1-4; Mal. 3:10; Matt. 10:5-15;
20:1-16; 22:1-10; Acts 1:13-14; 1:21:26;
2:1,41-47; 1 Cor. 1:10-17; 12:11-12; 13;
14:33-34,40; 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:1-15; Eph. 4:1-16;
3 John 1:5-8.
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XV.
The Christian and the Social Order
Every
Christian is under obligation to seek to make
the will of Christ supreme in his own life and
in human society. Means and methods used for
the improvement of society and the
establishment of righteousness among men can
be truly and permanently helpful only when
they are rooted in the regeneration of the
individual by the saving grace of God in
Christ Jesus. The Christian should oppose in
the spirit of Christ every form of greed,
selfishness, and vice. He should work to
provide for the orphaned, the needy, the aged,
the helpless, and the sick. Every Christian
should seek to bring industry, government, and
society as a whole under the sway of the
principles of righteousness, truth, and
brotherly love. In order to promote these ends
Christians should be ready to work with all
men of good will in any good cause, always
being careful to act in the spirit of love
without compromising their loyalty to Christ
and his truth.
Ex. 20:3-17; Lev. 6:2-5; Deut. 10:12;
27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zech. 8:16;
Matt. 5:13-16,43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark
1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21;
10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15; Rom.
12-14; 1 Cor. 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24;
10:23-11:1; Gal. 3:26-28; Eph. 6:5-9; Col.
3:12-17; 1 Thess. 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27;
2:8.
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XV.
The Christian and the Social Order
All
Christians are under obligation to seek to
make the will of Christ supreme in our own
lives and in human society. Means and methods
used for the improvement of society and the
establishment of righteousness among men can
be truly and permanently helpful only when
they are rooted in the regeneration of the
individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus
Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians
should oppose racism, every form of greed,
selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual
immorality, including adultery, homosexuality,
and pornography. We should work to provide for
the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged,
the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on
behalf of the unborn and contend for the
sanctity of all human life from conception to
natural death. Every Christian should seek to
bring industry, government, and society as a
whole under the sway of the principles of
righteousness, truth, and brotherly
love. In order to promote these ends
Christians should be ready to work with all
men of good will in any good cause, always
being careful to act in the spirit of love
without compromising their loyalty to Christ
and His truth.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5;
Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah
6:8; Zechariah:16; Matthew 5:13-16,43-48;
22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21;
Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12;
17:15; Romans 12-14; 1 Corinthians
5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians
3:26-28; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17;
1 Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27;
2:8.
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XXI.
Social Service
Every
Christian is under obligation to seek to make
the will of Christ regnant in his own life and
in human society to oppose in the spirit of
Christ every form of greed, selfishness, and
vice; to provide for the orphaned, the aged,
the helpless, and the sick; to seek to bring
industry, government, and society as a whole
under the sway of the principles of
righteousness, truth and brotherly love; to
promote these ends Christians should be ready
to work with all men of good will in any good
cause, always being careful to act in the
spirit of love without compromising their
loyalty to Christ and his truth. All means and
methods used in social service for the
amelioration of society and the establishment
of righteousness among men must finally depend
on the regeneration of the individual by the
saving grace of God in Christ Jesus.
Luke 10:25-37; Ex.
22:10,14; Lev. 6:2; Deut. 20:10; Deut. 4:42;
Deut. 15:2; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Ezek. 18:6;
Heb. 2:15; Zech. 8:16; Ex. 20:16; James 2:8;
Rom. 12-14; Col. 3:12-17.
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XVI.
Peace and War
It
is the duty of Christians to seek peace with
all men on principles of righteousness. In
accordance with the spirit and teachings of
Christ they should do all in their power to
put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war
spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme
need of the world is the acceptance of His
teachings in all the affairs of men and
nations, and the practical application of His
law of love.
Isa. 2:4; Matt. 5:9,38-48; 6:33; 26:52;
Luke 22:36,38; Rom. 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19;
Heb.12:14; James 4:1-2.
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XVI.
Peace and War
It
is the duty of Christians to seek peace with
all men on principles of righteousness. In
accordance with the spirit and teachings of
Christ they should do all in their power to
put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit is the
gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the
world is the acceptance of His teachings in
all the affairs of men and nations, and the
practical application of His law of love.
Christian people throughout the world should
pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9,38-48; 6:33;
26:52; Luke 22:36,38; Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7;
14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:1-2.
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XIX.
Peace and War
It
is the duty of Christians to seek peace with
all men on principles of righteousness. In
accordance with the spirit and teachings of
Christ they should do all in their power to
put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war
spirit is the pure gospel of our Lord. The
supreme need of the world is the acceptance of
his teachings in all the affairs of men and
nations, and the practical application of his
law of love.
We urge Christian people throughout the
world to pray for the reign of the Prince of
Peace, and to oppose everything likely to
provoke war.
Matt. 5:9,13-14,43-46; Heb. 12:14; James
4:1; Matt. 6:33; Rom. 14:17,19.
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XVII.
Religious Liberty
God
alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has
left it free from the doctrines and
commandments of men which are contrary to His
Word or not contained in it. Church and state
should be separate. The state owes to every
church protection and full freedom in the
pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing
for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or
denomination should be favored by the state
more than others. Civil government being
ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians
to render loyal obedience thereto in all
things not contrary to the revealed will of
God. The church should not resort to the civil
power to carry on its work. The gospel of
Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for
the pursuit of its ends. The state has no
right to impose penalties for religious
opinions of any kind. The state has no right
to impose taxes for the support of any form of
religion. A free church in a free state is the
Christian ideal, and this implies the right of
free and unhindered access to God on the part
of all men and the right to form and propagate
opinions in the sphere of religion without
interference by the civil power.
Gen. 1:27; 2:7; Matt. 6:6-7; 24:16:26;
22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Rom. 6:1-2;
13:1-7; Gal. 5:1,13; Phil. 3:20; 1 Tim. 2:1-2;
James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
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XVII.
Religious Liberty
God
alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has
left it free from the doctrines and
commandments of men which are contrary to His
Word or not contained in it. Church and state
should be separate. The state owes to every
church protection and full freedom in the
pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing
for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or
denomination should be favored by the state
more than others. Civil government being
ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians
to render loyal obedience thereto in all
things not contrary to the revealed will of
God. The church should not resort to the civil
power to carry on its work. The gospel of
Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for
the pursuit of its ends. The state has no
right to impose penalties for religious
opinions of any kind. The state has no right
to impose taxes for the support of any form of
religion. A free church in a free state is the
Christian ideal, and this implies the right of
free and unhindered access to God on the part
of all men, and the right to form and
propagate opinions in the sphere of religion
without interference by the civil power.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7, 24;
16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans
6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians
3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter
2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
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XVIII.
Religious Liberty
God
alone is Lord of the conscience, and he has
left it free from the doctrines and
commandments of men which are contrary to his
Word or not contained in it. Church and state
should be separate. The state owes to the
church protection and full freedom in the
pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing
for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or
denomination should be favored by the state
more than others. Civil government being
ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians
to render loyal obedience thereto in all
things not contrary to the revealed will of
God. The church should not resort to the civil
power to carry on its work. The gospel of
Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for
the pursuit of its ends. The state has no
right to impose penalties for religious
opinions of any kind. The state has no right
to impose taxes for the support of any form of
religion. A free church in a free state is the
Christian ideal, and this implies the right of
free and unhindered access to God on the part
of all men, and the right to form and
propagate opinions in the sphere of religion
without interference by the civil power.
Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2;
Gal. 3:9-14; John 7:38-39; James 4:12; Gal.
5:13; 2 Peter 2:18-21; 1 Cor. 3:5; Rom. 6:1-2;
Matt. 22:21; Mark 12:17.
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XVIII.
The Family
God
has ordained the family as the foundational
institution of human society. It is composed
of persons related to one another by marriage,
blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man and one
woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.
It is God's unique gift to provide for the man
and the woman in marriage the framework for
intimate companionship, the channel for sexual
expression according to biblical standards,
and the means for procreation of the human
race.
The husband and wife are of equal worth
before God, since both are created in God's
image. The marriage relationship models the
way God relates to His people. A husband is to
love his wife as Christ loved the church. He
has the God-given responsibility to provide
for, to protect, and to lead his family. A
wife is to submit herself graciously to the
servant leadership of her husband even as the
church willingly submits to the headship of
Christ. She, being in the image of God as is
her husband and thus equal to him, has the
God-given responsibility to respect her
husband and to serve as his helper in managing
the household and nurturing the next
generation.
Children, from the moment of conception,
are a blessing and heritage from the Lord.
Parents are to demonstrate to their children
God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to
teach their children spiritual and moral
values and to lead them, through consistent
lifestyle example and loving discipline, to
make choices based on biblical truth. Children
are to honor and obey their parents.
Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18-25; 3:1-20; Ex.
20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Josh. 24:15; 1 Sam.
1:26-28; Ps. 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128;
139:13-16; Prov. 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4;
13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14;
24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Eccl. 4:9-12; 9:9;
Mal. 2:14-16; Matt. 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9;
Mark 10:6-12; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 7:1-16;
Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; 1 Tim.
5:8,14; 2 Tim. 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Heb. 13:4;
1 Pet. 3:1-7.
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XVIII.
The Family
God
has ordained the family as the foundational
institution of human society. It is composed
of persons related to one another by marriage,
blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man and one
woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.
It is God's unique gift to reveal the union
between Christ and His church and to provide
for the man and the woman in marriage the
framework for intimate companionship, the
channel of sexual expression according to
biblical standards, and the means for
procreation of the human race.
The husband and wife are of equal worth
before God, since both are created in God's
image. The marriage relationship models the
way God relates to His people. A husband is to
love his wife as Christ loved the church. He
has the God-given responsibility to provide
for, to protect, and to lead his family. A
wife is to submit herself graciously to the
servant leadership of her husband even as the
church willingly submits to the headship of
Christ. She, being in the image of God as is
her husband and thus equal to him, has the
God-given responsibility to respect her
husband and to serve as his helper in managing
the household and nurturing the next
generation.
Children, from the moment of conception,
are a blessing and heritage from the Lord.
Parents are to demonstrate to their children
God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to
teach their children spiritual and moral
values and to lead them, through consistent
lifestyle example and loving discipline, to
make choices based on biblical truth. Children
are to honor and obey their parents.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus
20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1
Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128;
139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22;
12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15;
23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31;
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16;
Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12;
Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16;
Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21;
1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus
2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.
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