1-1. The Holy Scriptures, both Old
and New Testaments, are the inspired,1 infallible Word of God,2
a divine revelation, the original writings of which were verbally inspired by
the Holy Spirit.3 They are the supreme and final authority of faith
and conduct.4
1-2. Inspiration is a special act of
the Holy Spirit3 by which He guided the writers of the Scriptures so
that their words would convey the thoughts He wished conveyed, would bear a
proper relationship to the thoughts of the other inspired books, and would be
kept free from error of fact, doctrine, and judgment.5
1-3. The Holy Scriptures, the written
Word of God, are composed of all books of the Old Testament and New Testament,
namely:
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Old Testament |
New Testament |
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Genesis |
Ecclesiastes |
Matthew |
I Timothy |
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Exodus |
Song of Solomon |
Mark |
II Timothy |
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Leviticus |
Isaiah |
Luke |
Titus |
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Numbers |
Jeremiah |
John |
Philemon |
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Deuteronomy |
Lamentations
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Acts |
Hebrews |
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Joshua |
Ezekiel |
Romans |
James |
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Judges |
Daniel |
1 Corinthians |
I Peter |
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Ruth |
Hosea |
2 Corinthians |
II Peter |
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1 Samuel |
Joel |
Galatians |
I John |
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2 Samuel |
Amos |
Ephesians |
II John |
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1 Kings |
Obadiah |
Philippians |
III John |
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2 Kings |
Jonah |
Colossians |
Jude |
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1 Chronicles |
Micah |
I Thessalonians |
Revelation |
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2 Chronicles |
Nahum |
II Thessalonians |
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Ezra |
Habakkuk |
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Nehemiah |
Zephaniah |
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Esther |
Haggai |
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Job |
Zechariah |
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Psalms |
Malachi |
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Proverbs |
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Holy
Scripture Bible References
Article 2 - The Trinity
Equal in power and glory1,2,3.
Article 3 - God The Father
3-1. There is but one living and true
God,1 immanent, transcendent, infinite in being and perfection, pure
spirit,2 invisible, immutable,3 eternal, almighty, all
wise,4 most holy, most free, most loving, most gracious, most
merciful, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving wickedness,
rebellion and sin,5 the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him,
and withal most just and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin. He will by
no means clear the guilty.
God The Father Bible References
Article 4 - God The Son
4-1. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is
the Word,1 the eternal and true God who is of one substance and
equal with the Father.2 He took on Himself man's nature, with all of
its essential properties except sin: Being conceived of the Holy Spirit and
born of the Virgin Mary,3 He embodied two perfect and distinct
natures in one person. He is truly God and truly man, the only mediator between
God and man.
4-2. The Lord Jesus Christ is the
revelation of God to man.4 In the days of His humiliation5
He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, taught the will of God,5
was crucified, and died. He was buried and arose bodily from the dead on the
third day. The Lord Jesus offered Himself a sacrifice for sins,6 satisfied
the justice of the Father, propitiated the wrath of God, reconciled God and
man,7 and obtained an eternal inheritance.
4-3. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended
into heaven, from whence He had come, and was exalted, taking His place at the
right hand of the Father, where He makes intercession on behalf of all who come
to God through Him.8
Article 5 - God the Holy Spirit
5-1. The eternal1 Holy
Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son,2 is of the same
substance and equal in power and glory with the Father and the Son. By Him the
prophets were moved to speak the Word of God, and all writers of the Holy
Scriptures were inspired to record infallibly the mind and will of God.3
He is the only efficient agent in the application of redemption. He convicts
men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment,4 moves them to
repentance, and regenerates5 them by His grace, enabling them to
embrace Jesus Christ by faith.
5-2. The Holy Spirit indwells all
true believers, baptizing them into one body, of which Christ is the head.6
He, the divine Comforter, Intercessor, and Advocate, empowers the believer for
service.7
God The Holy Spirit Bible References
Article 6 - Creation
6-1. The triune God, according to His
sovereign will, created out of nothing and out of things that He had made, by
immediate and mediate action, the worlds and all that is in them.1
He is the Governor and Upholder of the creation by His wisdom and by the word
of His mighty power.2
Article 7 - Satan
7-1. Satan is a created angelic
being who fell from his first estate.1 He is the god of this age,
ruling by the permissive will of God.2 He exercises authority over
the unsaved, tempts the believer to sin, and continually accuses the brethren
before the throne of God.3
7-2. He has been defeated by the
finished work of Christ on Calvary. During the millennium he will be confined
to the abyss,4 to be released at the end of that period to lead the
armies of evil against God. He will be finally judged and doomed to the lake of
fire.5
Article 8 - Man
8-1. God, by a special, instantaneous
act, created man in His image1 -- holy, righteous, and possessing
true knowledge2 -- by forming him out of the dust of the earth and
breathing into his nostrils the breath of life. Thus man became a living soul.
8-2. Our first parents did not remain
in the glorious and happy state of their original creation, but, through the
subtlety and deception of the devil,3 they disobeyed and
transgressed the command of God the creator, incurring on themselves and their
posterity the sentence of spiritual and physical death. The guilt and
consequences of Adam's sin are imputed to the whole human race, so that all men
are guilty,4 inherently corrupt, totally depraved,5 and
subjects of the wrath of God.6
Article 9 - Sin
9-1. Sin is any lack of conformity to
the will of God1 or any transgression of the law of God.2
Sin separates man from God, incurring His wrath and judgment, and it is
manifest in the selfishness, rebellion, and total depravity of man's conduct
and behavior before God and man. Sin is the cause of the curse on and
defilement of the created universe.3
10-1. In his original creation man
was endowed with the ability to will and do good or evil and was accountable
for his willing and doing.1 But by the fall of Adam man lost his
ability, apart from God's grace,2 to will and to do those things
necessary for a right relationship with God;3 however, he is still
accountable to God for obedience to all of His commands.4 Man has
not lost his ability to make decisions,5 but left to himself, he
acts only in accordance with his fallen, sinful nature.6
10-2. Only by God's infinite grace
can man will or do anything necessary to his salvation.7 By that
grace, God saves men8 whom He causes to will and to do good; however,
He does this without nullifying man's ability to act responsibly.9
Human Ability And Responsibility
Bible References
Article 11 - Election
11-1. Election is a free act of the
sovereign God in which from eternity,1 for reasons known only to
Himself,2 and apart from any goodness in man3 He
graciously chose from among the fallen mankind a people unto salvation,3
that they might be conformed to Christ's image.4 Those so chosen He
redeemed5 by His Son and seals by His Spirit.6
Article 12 - Salvation
12-1. Salvation is offered in the
gospel to all men1 and is received by grace through faith and the
instrumentality of the Holy Spirit,2 apart from works or human
merit.3 Salvation centers in a person, Jesus Christ, and receiving
Him4 includes the remission of sins on the grounds of His shed
blood,5 the imputation of His perfect righteousness,6 the
reception of the Holy Spirit,7 and the impartation of eternal life.8
Article 13 - Repentance
13-1. Repentance unto life is a
voluntary act of man,1 accomplished by the convicting power of the
Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Repentance consists in a knowledge of sin,2
a sense of guilt and corruption that results in the confession and forsaking of
sin and a turning to God.3
Article 14 - Regeneration
14-1. Regeneration, or the New Birth,1
is an instantaneous creative act of God through the agency of the Holy Spirit,2
whereby divine life is imparted to those dead in sin, making them members of
the family of God.3
Article 15 - Justification
15-1. Justification is the act of
God's grace whereby the sinner is declared righteous solely through faith1
in the redemptive work of Christ.2 By this action the righteousness
of Christ is imputed,3 sin is pardoned, and the sinner is restored
to divine favor.4
Justification Bible References
Article 16 - Sanctification
16-1. Sanctification is a progressive
work of the Holy Spirit in the believer1 that purifies the life2
and conforms the whole man to the image of Christ as the Word of God is
believed and obeyed.3 It begins at regeneration,4
continues throughout the believer's life5 on earth, and reaches its
completion at the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.6
Sanctification Bible References
Article 17 - Perseverance of the Saints
17-1. Salvation is the work of God,
from its commencement to its consummation.1 Those regenerated by the
Word of God through the work of the Holy Spirit become partakers of the divine
nature.2 They are preserved by the power of God3 so that
they shall never totally or finally fall away,4 but shall persevere
unto the end.5
Perseverance of the Saints
Bible References
Article 18 - The Church
18-1. The Church is the body of which
Christ is the head.1 All those redeemed by His blood2 and
born of His Spirit are members of that body and are in mystical union and
communion with Christ3 and fellow believers.4 The Church
is universal and local, visible and invisible. The visible Church consists of
all those professing faith in Christ. The invisible Church is composed of all
those born of the Spirit.5
18-2. The purpose of the Church is to
worship God,6 to edify the saints7 and to evangelize the
world.8
18-3. The Head of the Church
administers the affairs of His body through overseers chosen by Himself and
selected by the people.9
18-4. A properly constituted local
Church must include the ministry of God's Word, the observance of the
ordinances, the oversight by officers,10 and the exercise of
discipline.11 The overseers of the Church are to be prayed for,
obeyed, and honored.12
Article 19 - The Evangelistic Mission of the Church
19-1. The Church has been
commissioned by Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to all nations.1
Each Particular Church and every believer bear responsibility for this
commission.2
19-2. God has clearly revealed in the
Gospel the only way of salvation sufficient for and applicable to the whole
lost race of mankind.3 Based on His infinite and perfect love and
His expressed desire that all men be saved,4 He bids that the Church
- with urgency, compassion, and persuasion - proclaim the gospel to all people
and invite them to believe.5
19-3. It is the duty and privilege of
everyone who hears the gospel to repent and receive its merciful provisions.6
Those who do are saved,7 and those who continue in impenitence and
unbelief incur aggravated guilt and perish by their own fault.8
Evangelistic Mission of the Church
Bible References
Article 20 - Ordinances
20-1. Baptism. Water baptism,1
the immersion of the believer, is a visible testimony to the work of
regeneration2 and a mark of identification and union with Christ.3
It has no saving or cleansing power, but it is the answer of a good conscience
before God; hence, it should be administered only to those who have, by faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ, realized the forgiveness of sins and possess the
assurance of acceptance with God.
20-2. The Lord's Supper. The Lord's
Supper is an ordinance of the New Testament,1 in which, by the
giving and receiving of bread and wine, according to the appointment of Jesus
Christ, His death is proclaimed.2 Those who worthily partake in this
remembrance of Him feed upon Him to their spiritual nourishment and growth in
grace,3 have their union and communion with Him confirmed, and
testify and renew their thankfulness and commitment to God4 and
their mutual love and fellowship each with the other as members of the same
mystical body.5 The Scriptures direct that each one spiritually
examine himself before partaking of the bread and the cup "until He
come."6
Article 21 - The Lord's Day
21-1. The first day of the week has
been recognized by the Church as the Lord's Day since apostolic times.1
We believe, therefore, that it ought to be observed by all believers,
voluntarily and in love, as a continuation of the sabbath principle,2
a day of remembrance of the resurrection of our Lord from the dead and a day of
worship of God, rest from physical toil, service for the Master, and fellowship
of the saints. Christians should engage only in duties of necessity and mercy
on the Lord's Day.
Article 22 - Divine Healing
22-1. It is the believer's privilege
to seek the will of the Lord in matters of physical healing. This healing,
whether by natural, medical, or supernatural means, must come from the
omnipotent God who created the human body. The believer may implore the Lord
for physical restoration according to the Scriptures,1 and if the
healing is for the highest glory of God, His power will be displayed.2
Divine Healing Bible
References
Article 23 - Civil Government
23-1. God ordained and instituted
civil government1 for the welfare of society, to promote and to
protect the good and restrain and punish the evil.2 It is the duty
of Christians to pray3 for those in authority, to render due
loyalty,4 respect, and obedience5 to them, and to pay
taxes and customs demanded of them. Where demands of civil law militate against
the supreme and higher law of God, Christians should obey God rather than man.6
Civil Government Bible References
Article 24 - Resurrection
24-1. The bodily resurrection of
Christ is the basis for the resurrection of man.1 At the return of
the Lord the bodies of the righteous dead will be raised, and the living
believers will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.2
Believers will, at the resurrection, receive spiritual and immortal bodies like
Christ's own glorious body.3
24-2. The event of the resurrection
is divided into two stages, separated by a period of a thousand years and
differing in respect to both their subjects and their issues.4 The
first resurrection includes only the righteous dead.5 The second
resurrection is universal and occurs at the close of the millennium when all
the unregenerate dead are raised to be brought before the great White Throne
for judgment.6
Article 25 - The Second Coming of Christ
25-1. The Second Coming of Jesus
Christ is the personal visible, bodily return of our Lord to this earth1
to conform believers to His image and to establish the millennial kingdom. In
connection with Christ's return there will be the resurrection of the righteous
dead,2 the rapture of the saints,3 the salvation of
Israel,4 the great tribulation,5 and the inauguration of
the millennial reign.6 Following the millennium will be the
resurrection and judgment of the unrighteous. The righteous will be eternally
glorified with Him; the unrighteous will be eternally punished.
25-2. The Second Coming is the
believer's source of encouragement and comfort inspiring him to active service
for Christ, and is a motive for purification and holy living.7
Second Coming Bible References
Article 26 - The Judgments
26-1. The Scriptures enumerate
several judgments that differ in time, place, subjects, and results. All
judgment has been entrusted to the Son by the Father.1
26-2. Through the death of Christ on
the cross, the believer's sins have been judged, and he has passed from death
unto life.2 In no case do the redeemed come again into judgment
concerning their eternal destiny. Each saint, however, will be required to give
an account before the judgment seat of Christ regarding his works and conduct.3
26-3. The unregenerate will be
judged, condemned, and banished to eternal damnation in the lake of fire.4
Article 27 - The Millennium
27-1. The Millennium is that aspect
of the Kingdom of God that will be ushered in when the Lord Jesus Christ
returns to the Earth to rule in righteousness. The unfulfilled Messianic
prophecies will then be completed.1 During this period, Satan will
be bound and his deceitful activities2 thus restricted. The created
universe will undergo a transformation,3 with universal prosperity
and peace prevailing on earth.4 The saints will reign with Christ,5
and the earth will be full of the knowledge and glory of the Lord.6
28-1. There are two final, eternal
destinies for man: heaven for the righteous and penitent, and hell for the
unrighteous and impenitent.1 At the great white throne judgment, all
of the enemies of God will be consigned to the place of eternal conscious
punishment, from which there is no escape.2 The new heavens and the
new earth shall be created3 as the final state in which the
righteous shall dwell forever in the presence of God.4
Eternal State Bible References