On a
Growing At Gateway
Stage 3
A Firm Foundation
Our Statement of Faith
Contents
Bibliology:
The Doctrine of the Bible 2
Theology
Proper: The Doctrine of God 3
Anthropology:
The Doctrine of Man 5
Christology:
The Doctrine Jesus Christ 6
Soteriology:
The Doctrine Salvation 8
Pneumatology:
The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit 11
Ecclesiology:
The Doctrine of the Church 13
Eschatology:
The Doctrine of the End Times 15
Historic
Creeds 17
Book List 18
I.
The Doctrine of Scripture
A. Revelation:
God discloses Himself through both general and special revelation
General
Revelation: God reveals Himself to the whole of humanity through the works of
creation and the individual’s moral conscience.
(Genesis 8:20-22; Psalm 19:1-6; Acts 14:14-17; Acts 17:22-29; Romans
1:19-21; Romans 2:14-15)
Special
Revelation: God reveals His mind and will in a unique and special way to His
own people through His mighty acts in history and the interpretation of those
acts through the Scriptures.
B. Inspiration:
The Holy Spirit acted upon the writers of Scripture in such a way that
the words they penned were not only the words of men, but also the words of
God. Scripture then is an accurate
record of God’s person, God’s acts and God’s will. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Peter
3:14-16; 1 John 4:6; Revelation 22:18-19)
C. Canon: The canonical extent of the inspired
Scriptures is the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty seven
books of the New Testament. These
Scriptures contain the whole counsel of God and are authoritative for all
doctrine, faith and lifestyle. (2
Timothy 3:16)
This
foundation of faith, doctrine and practice is established so that those who
hold such tenets are charged to preserve them and not add or subtract from
them. (Jude 3)
D. Inerrancy: The Holy Spirit supernaturally acted upon
the writers of the Scripture rendering them the infallible communicators of
God’s mind and will. Therefore the Bible
is fully true in all of its teachings and affirmations.
II.
Theology Proper: The Doctrine of God
A. God’s Perfections:
God’s perfections are distinguished according to those perfections that
belong to God alone (Incommunicable); and those perfections which can be
discovered in limited ways in people (Communicable).
God’s Incommunicable Divine, or Transcendent Perfections
Spirituality:
God is pure spirit and does not possess any bodily parts. (John 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17)
Immutability:
God does not change His character, nature, purposes or promises. (Numbers
Eternity:
God is not a created being and is not subject to the limitations of time. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 57:15;
1Timothy
Simplicity: There are no division or contrary elements in
God’s Divine nature. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2
Corinthians 1:19)
Omnipresence: God is present everywhere. (1 Kings
Omnipotence: God can do anything consistent with His
nature and will. (2 Chronicles 20:6;
Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 14:27; Jeremiah 32:17; Daniel 4:35; Mark
Omniscience:
God knows all things past, present and future.
(Psalm 139:1-4; Isaiah 40:28; Hebrews 4:13)
God’s Communicable or Moral Perfections
Holiness: God is morally perfect and is exalted above all
creation. (Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:3;
Revelation 4:8)
Love: God cares deeply for His children and is
committed to meeting their needs. (Psalm
42:8; Psalm 63:3; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 John 4:10)
Wisdom: God pursues worthy goals and chooses optimum
means for achieving those ends. (Psalm
104:24; Jeremiah 10:7; Daniel 2:20-21
Grace:
God gives sinners what they have not earned by extending His favor and
forgiveness. (Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm
103:8; Ephesians 1:6; Titus 2:11)
Mercy: God does not give sinners the judgment they
deserve when they place their trust in Jesus’ substitutionary death. (Romans 9:16; Ephesians 2:4-5; Titus 3:5)
Goodness: God is generous with His whole creation. (Psalm 145:8-9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17;
James 1:5, 17)
Patience:
God restrains His wrath from full expression in spite of mankind’s
rebellion. (Numbers 14:18; Romans 2:4; 2
Peter 3:9, 14-15)
Righteousness: God does nothing wrong. (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 89:14)
Justice: God impartially executes His judicial
will. (Psalm 72:7; Psalm 98:9; Acts
17:31; Romans 3:25-26)
Truthfulness: God’s words, actions and character are
completely dependable. (Numbers 23:19;
John 14:6; John 17:7)
Faithfulness: God is reliable in all that He is, says and
does; and He is steadfastly loyal to His people. (Deuteronomy 7:9; Joshua 23:14; 1
Thessalonians 5:23-24)
B. God is Creator:
God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing, according to His
express intention and will. (Genesis
1:1f; Nehemiah 9:5-6; Psalm 33:6)
Having
created the heavens and the earth, God in His Providence sustains all that He
has made as He directs all things to their appointed end. (Psalm 33:6; Matthew 10:29; Acts 17:28;
Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3)
The
ethical application of God as Creator includes man’s dependence upon God, and
accountability to Him.
God’s
will from the beginning is to fill the earth with His image-bearers, and to
bring all things under the government of Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:26-31; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians
1:9-10)
C. The Trinity:
There is one God who eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son
and Holy Spirit, who each possess fully the Divine nature. They are one essence, co-equal, yet each possesses
distinct personality and function. Understanding
the Trinity is not something easily understood.
Rather, it is a truth revealed, and then bowed down to. (See Doctrines of Jesus Christ and the Holy
Spirit for evidence from Scripture)
III.
Anthropology: The Doctrine of Man
A. Men and women are created by God, in God’s
image: After God created all the other
creatures, God created Adam and Eve in His own image, and pronounced His
creation “very good;” that is perfect
and without sin. He conferred upon the first man and the first woman a mandate
to have children, take dominion over creation and fill the earth. (Genesis 1:26-31)
People
are created in God’s image regarding their identity as intellectual, moral,
responsible, volitional and aesthetic persons.
This means all people have God given abilities. Moreover, every person should be treated with
dignity because God’s mark is upon them.
Also,
people are in God’s image regarding how they act in true righteousness and
holiness, resulting from their harmony with
God.
Thus,
the image of God in people can be understood in terms of both ability, and
morality.
B. The Fall: Adam
and Eve, seduced by Satan, broke God’s command to refrain from the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, and brought upon themselves and the whole of
humanity, God’s curse. They fell from
their righteous state, broke communion with God, and became dead in their
sin. Sin is the human condition of
separation from God that arises from opposition to God’s will.
C. The Fall affected all People: Since Adam and Eve are the root of all
mankind, and though one, represent the whole of humanity. This Federal Theology, whereby one represents
many, is reversed by Jesus who, though righteous, represented all sinners in
his death.
Thus,
Adam and Eve conferred upon their descendents the depravity of their own sin,
rendering each and every person in a sinful state, separated from God. Though not every person is as bad as they
could be, all their faculties are infected with the stain of original sin. This is the doctrine of total depravity.
Total
depravity causes people to be naturally disposed to commit specific sins which
violate God’s commands. Man’s problem
then is his or her sinful state, and not only their individual sins.(Romans
3:9-12;
Sin
is pride: “I am most important.”
Sin
is selfishness: “I want my own way.”
Sin
is autonomy: “I don’t need God.”
Since
all men and women are in a state of sin they are under God’s wrath as a present
reality, and not just a future threat.
(John 3:36; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3;
IV.
Christology: The Doctrine Jesus
Christ
A. Jesus Christ is fully God (Isaiah 7:13-14; Isaiah
9:6; Matthew 26:63-65; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 1:17; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13;
Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1)
Jesus
is eternal. (John 1:1-3; John 8:58; John
17:5)
Divine
titles are ascribed to Jesus. (Isaiah
9:6; Acts
Jesus
has universal power and authority.
(Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22)
Jesus
was active in creating the world. (John
1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2; cf. Isaiah 44:24 which says the Lord created
by Himself)
Jesus
sustains the universes. (Colossians 1:17
Jesus
forgives sins. (Mark 2:5-6)
Jesus
receives prayer. (Acts
Jesus
receives worship. (Matthew 28:16-17; John
10:28)
Jesus
is the final judge of mankind. (Matthew
25:31-32; John 5:22, 27)
B. The Incarnation: Though fully God, Jesus came to
earth as a man.
He
took upon himself all the attributes of human nature except for sin. (John 1:1, 14; Matthew 4:1-2; Matthew
8:23-24; Philippians 2:7-8)
Jesus
was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25)
Though
a man, Jesus lived a sinless life.
(Isaiah 53:9; John 8:29, 46; John 14:30-31; Acts 3:14; 2 Corinthians
5:21; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26-28; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
Jesus’
entire life on earth was characterized by obedience to the Father. (Luke 2:49-51; John 6:38; John 8:29; John 14:31;
Romans 5:18-19; Philippians 2:8)
C. Jesus’ life:
Jesus inaugurated the presence of the
Through
Jesus Christ the
D. Jesus’ death: The
Atonement is the center of Christ’s work and lies at the heart of the Christian
faith.
By
his death on the cross Jesus took the place of sinners, so that he might
satisfy God’s wrath, and release men from the penalty of sin. By sacrificing himself willingly, Jesus is
the only one who mediates for sinners their reconciliation and restoration of
fellowship with God. Apart from Jesus
there cannot be salvation. (Mark 10:45;
John 10:14-18; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1
Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10
E. Jesus rose from the dead.
Following
his death on the cross Jesus rose from the dead in bodily form. This demonstrates his victory over sin, death
and the devil. While he was crucified as
punishment for sin, he was raised, in law court language, for the justification
of sinners. (Luke 24:36-39; Romans
1:2-4; Romans 4:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
F. Jesus ascended into heaven.
At
the conclusion of his resurrection appearances, Jesus ascended to heaven where
he sits exalted above all, at the right hand of the Father. From here he sends the promised Holy Spirit;
he sends men and women as gifts to the church; he directs the mission of the
church; and he intercedes for his followers.
(Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11; Acts 2:32-33; Ephesians 1:19-21;
Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 7:25)
G. Jesus will come again to judge the living and the
death
V.
Soteriology: The Doctrine Salvation
A. All people are
separated from God because God is holy, and they are sinful.
Though
men and women are capable of doing good in man’s eyes (philanthropy), they are
totally depraved, spiritually dead and corrupt.
They are incapable of seeking God, satisfying His demands for
righteousness and remain in a hopeless state of separation from God, under His
wrath. (Isaiah 64:5-7; Luke 19:10; John
3:36; Romans 1:18-20; Romans 3:10-18; Ephesians 2:1-3)
B. God has designed a plan of escape for sinners from
this predicament.
The
only escape for man is to repent of his or her rebellion against God, believe
in Jesus’ substitutionary death and so receive the forgiveness of sins. Men and women do not deserve this gift of
salvation but have it bestowed upon them freely and sovereignly by God. (John 3:36; John 14:6; Acts 2:38; Ephesians
2:4-9)
Through
rebirth, adoption, redemption and reconciliation, God sovereignly saves sinners
from sin and all its effects. God
changes the sinner by giving him or her a new heart and mind, and He writes His
ways upon their intentions and desires.
(Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 1:12-13;
John 3:1-6; Ephesians 1:3-14)
When
the eyes of men are opened to such a great salvation, they must respond with
repentance, faith and confession that Jesus is Lord. (John 1:14-15; Acts 2:37-38; Romans 10:8-10)
By
faith God imputes Christ’s righteousness to the believer. Through his substitutionary death, and his
righteous life, Jesus satisfied God’s condemnation for disobedience as well as
His demand for perfect obedience. God
credits this righteousness to the believer as his or her own. (Romans 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Those
who belong to Christ will increasingly evidence the fruit of the Spirit, love
for God, practical concern for others and less attachment to worldly desires
and habits. (Galatians 6:16-24;
Ephesians 4:1; the book of 1 John)
Those
who profess faith in Christ but continue to live in open sin should not be
assured of their salvation. (1
Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; the book of 1 John)
C. Romans 8:29-30 and other supporting Scriptures
describe the order of salvation.
God
calls predestined sinners to receive the gift of salvation, and to be conformed
to the image of Jesus.
The
result of that call is the new birth, or regeneration, where eyes are opened so
that an individual sees the truth about Jesus and the
The
person, having seen God’s kingdom in truth, repents of rejecting Christ and
living for him or herself, and places their trust in Jesus’ accomplishments in
death, resurrection and ascension. (John
3:16; Acts 2:38)
Those
who believe in Jesus, responding to him this way, have their sins taken away;
they are declared righteous in God’s sight; and so they are justified. (Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:1)
Those
who are justified are also adopted as God’s children and brought into His
family. (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians
4:4-5)
God
sanctifies His children in that He sets them apart from sinful humanity, and
designates them holy, sacred and fit for service. However, there is also a process of
sanctification whereby God through His abundant provision of grace and the gift
of righteous living, enables the believer to have victory over sin and live a
righteous, though not perfect, life. (1
Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Titus 2:14; Romans 5:17;
Romans 6:6-7; Hebrews 13:20-21)
Those
whom God truly calls He strengthens to the end so that they could never lose
their salvation. (John 6:37-39; John
10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 4:18)
The
salvation of men and women ends ultimately with their glorification when
believers receive glorified bodies, enjoy God’s presence for eternity and experience
the removal of all sorrow, mourning and tears.
(2 Corinthians 5:1-6; Revelation 21-21)
D. The Metaphors of Salvation
Justification:
law court metaphor describing God’s prerogative to declare a sinner righteous
because Jesus suffered their judgment by dying on the cross. Justification is “just as if I never sinned.”
Adoption:
family metaphor describing God’s initiative in bringing lost, hopeless children
into His family.
Reconciliation:
relational metaphor describing God’s initiative in restoring a broken
relationship with sinners.
Redemption:
market place metaphor describing God’s purchase of enslaved sinners.
Deliverance:
war time metaphor describing God’s liberation of captives to a powerful enemy.
VI.
Pneumatology: The Doctrine of the
Holy Spirit
A. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.
The
Holy Spirit’s presence is felt throughout the theological landscape. He was present at the creation; active in the
formation of Scripture; central to the work of the incarnation; the one who empowered
Jesus for his earthly work; instrumental in the birth of the church; and He is
the one who applies all of Christ’s benefits to the individual believer.
B. The Holy Spirit’s primary work is to bring sinners
into the
C. Jesus baptizes his followers in the Holy Spirit.
As
a distinct experience Jesus baptizes his followers in the Holy Spirit so that
they receive power to live a New Testament life. Administered with or without the laying on of
hands, the signs of spirit filled living include bold and powerful witness,
speaking in tongues, prophecy, dreams, visions and living a godly
lifestyle. While all believers are born
again by the Spirit, this unique, identifiable experience introduces them to
life in the Spirit, and engenders thirst to be filled by the Holy Spirit
continuously. (Luke 3:15-17; Acts 1:6-9;
Acts 2:1-4; Acts 4:23-35; Acts 8:12-17; Acts 9:1-20; Acts 10:34-48; Acts
19:1-7; John 7:37-39; Ephesians 1:15-21; Ephesians 5:18)
D. The Holy Spirit exhibits all the characteristics of
personality as a person, and not an impersonal force.
He
brings life. (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 104:30)
He
illumines the mind. (1 Corinthians
2:10-16)
He
convinces people that they are sinners.
(John 16:8)
He
leads and teaches Jesus’ disciples.
(John 14:26; John 16:13-15)
His
presence fills the life of individual believers. (Ephesians 5:18)
He
can be grieved through sin, and quenched through resistance. (Ephesians 4:30-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:19)
He
always seeks to bring glory to Jesus.
(John 15:26)
He
works in the life of the believer so that he or she conforms to the image of
Jesus. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
E. The Holy Spirit’s work in a believer can be seen by
concrete evidence.
The
Holy Spirit’s works in a believer’s life so that he or she displays outward
evidence of godly fruit and character.
Specifically, through the Spirit, those who follow Jesus exhibit love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. Believers, through the
Spirit, resist and defeat sinful impulses.
(Romans 6:15-22; Romans 8:5-14; Galatians 5:16-25)
F. The work of the Holy Spirit is central to the life of
the church.
The
Holy Spirit gave birth to the church.
(Acts 2:1f)
The
Holy Spirit calls individuals to church office.
(Numbers 27:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:4-12)
The
Holy Spirit empowers the church for mission.
Believers receive “Spirit baptism” from Jesus as a definite, conscious
experience. This filling of the Spirit
propels the church into the world as a bold witness, and enables it to live as
a countercultural community. (Acts 2:1f;
Acts
The
Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to church members, and reveals Himself in
supernatural ways, to the strengthen the church, and to validate its witness in
the world. (The book of Acts; 1
Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 3:5)
God
lives in the church through the Holy Spirit.
At its most fundamental core, the church is the place where God is present. Church members gather to each other, around
the truth of God’s word, the finished work of Jesus Christ, and the real,
active presence of God. (Ephesians
2:19-20)
VII.
Ecclesiology: The Doctrine of the
Church
Much of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit
relates also to the doctrine of the church.
Many combine these two doctrines, and subsume the teaching about the
Holy Spirit under the doctrine of the church.
We have distinguished the two while trying not to be repetitive. What follows then are characteristics of the
church not included above.
A. The church is founded upon the revelation that Jesus
is the Son of God, Lord and Savior, exalted and ruler of all. (Matthew 16:13-19; Acts 2:36; Ephesians
1:15-23)
B. The Sphere of the Church is:
Universal—all
believers from all ages are called the people of God. In this the church is one, holy, worldwide
and apostolic. The church unites as one
around the truth of Jesus regardless of time and place. Its members live in the world, yet separate
and distinct in character and purpose.
The church commits itself to spreading the message around the world
(Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:22-24)
Local—all
Christians in a specific geographic area.
(1 Corinthians 1:2)
Local/local—a
specific gathering of local believers built around a common understanding of
scripture, common vision, common values and a shared life.
C. The nature of the church is mission and community.
The
church is a community of Jesus’ followers bound together in love and in
mission.
The
churches missional nature derives from a missional God.
D. Local churches are governed by elders under the
absolute authority of Scripture. (Acts
Church
leaders are to guard the moral and doctrinal purity of the church. (Acts 20:28-31)
Church
leaders are to remember the church belongs to God, and they should work to see
that God’s purposes remain priority.
(Acts
Church
leaders are to prepare God’s people to do works of service. (Ephesians 4:7-16)
E. Local churches should be related to trans-local
apostolic leadership so that they could fulfill their purpose, be related to
the larger work of the worldwide church and to start new churches. (the lives of Peter and Paul; Ephesians
4:7-16)
F. The purpose of the church is to reveal God’s glory by
proclaiming His greatness, holiness, love, forgiveness, coming judgment, and to
make disciples from all nations.
G. Those who profess faith in Jesus should be baptized.
Jesus
commands his followers to be baptized.
(Matthew 28:19)
Baptism
follows profession of faith. (Acts
Baptism
expresses desire to follow Jesus as his disciple.
Baptism
is for those who identify with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. (Romans 6:3-7)
Baptism
vividly demonstrates that Christian believers are new creations. They have been crucified with Christ and have
risen to new life by faith in him.
Baptism expresses, but does not cause, regeneration. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20)
H. Christian believers frequently participate in the
Lord’s Table. (Matthew 26:26-29; Luke
22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
During
the Lord’s Supper believers remember Jesus death and all that it has
accomplished for them.
Participation
in the Lord’s Table proclaims Jesus’ death.
(1 Corinthians 11:26)
Though
we reject any al transforming of the elements, believers in a spiritual,
yet real sense, actually fellowship and participate with Jesus during the
supper. Because Jesus participates in
the meal, grace is conferred and those who receive the bread and wine benefit. (1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:29)
Those
who receive the bread and wine demonstrate their need, and not their
righteousness. The Lord’s Table puts
Jesus in the place as one who serves, and his followers in the place as those
who receive. Those who come to the Table
confess, “I need Jesus.”
The
Lord’s Table expresses the unity of Christian believers. (1 Corinthians 10:17)
We
freely offer communion to any who express desire for Jesus in their lives.
VIII.
Eschatology: The Doctrine of the End
Times
A. The last days encompass the entire period between the
first and second coming of Christ.
(Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 John 2:18)
B. The
God’s
rule is now, as well as future. Those
who believer in Jesus have “tasted the powers of the age to come.” (Hebrews 6:5)
C. Individual eschatology concerns teaching about the
last days relevant to the individual.
After
death believers enter the presence of the Lord though their bodies return to
dust. (Matthew 24:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8;
Philippians 1:23-24)
Unbelievers,
after death, enter a state of judgment and separation from God. (Luke 16:19-28; Hebrews 9:27)
After
Jesus’ return, believers will receive glorified bodies and enter the
everlasting presence of God. (Matthew
25:46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 21:1-4)
After
Jesus return, unbelievers will be condemned to eternal judgment in the lake of
fire. (Revelation 20:11-14)
D. General eschatology concerns teaching about the
events of the last days in general.
At
the end of human history, Jesus will return in one, sudden decisive appearing
in great power and glory, so that “every eye will see him.” (Matthew 24:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:16;
Revelation 1:7)
Prior
to his return the
The
New Testament teaches that the church consists of both Jews and Gentiles. These are the “true Israel of God,” or people
of God. Therefore belonging to
At
the same time in the last of the last days, there will be a final concentration
of wickedness, the spirit of antichrist, in one man, described as the
Antichrist, the man of lawlessness or the beast. There will be increasing difficulties, tribulation
and persecution. This culminates, but in
no way minimizes the extent of tribulation suffered by the church throughout
her history. (Matthew 24; 2
Thessalonians 2:3-12; 1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:3; Revelation 20:7-8)
The
end of this conflict will see Jesus defeat Satan in a final, ultimate sense,
and thus vindicate his Lordship over all.
By his return, Jesus will complete the redemptive purposes of God across
the ages. All God’s enemies, sin, death
and the devil, will be removed from God’s world. A new order will be established in which
God’s original purposes for mankind and creation will find realization in a new
heavens and new earth. In this new
world, God will leave among His people, and “He will wipe away every tear form
their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any
mourning, or crying or pain.” (Ephesians
1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 20:9-10;
Revelation 21 and 22)
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended
into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
(325/381AD)
We
believe in one God the Father, the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We
believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of
the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten,
not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For
us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy
Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made truly human. For
our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was
buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he
ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will
come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have
no end.
We
believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the
Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and
glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We
believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one
baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen
Book List
Wayne Grudem, Systematic
Theology
Wayne Grudem, Bible
Doctrine (Abridged)
A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of
the Holy
R.C. Sproul, Grace
Unknown