Bible Doctrines: Abridged Edition
Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 4:16; Titus 1:9
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3)
That the Holy Bible, consisting of 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament, is the inspired Word of God. We take the Bible as final authority in all matters concerning Christian conduct and work.
References: 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Proverbs 30:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19.
That the Godhead consists of three separate, distinct, and recognisable personalities and qualities, perfectly united in one. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are different Persons in the Godhead, not merely three names for one Person.
References: Matthew 3:16,17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19,20.
The virgin birth of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, as well as His crucifixion, death, burial and bodily resurrection.
References: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4.
The total depravity, sinfulness and guilt of all men since the Fall, rendering them subject to God's wrath and condemnation.
References: Psalm 51:5; Job 14:4; Romans 3:23; 5:12-17; Mark 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:1.
That repentance is a complete turning away from all sins and their deceitful pleasures and that it is required from every sinner before he can truly and effectively believe in Jesus with saving faith.
References: Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:7; Ezekiel 18:21-23; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:46,47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:20,21; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Hebrews 6:1-3.
That restitution is making amends for wrongs done against our fellow-men, restoring stolen things to their rightful owners, paying debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and man.
References: Genesis 20:1-8,14-18; Exodus 22:1-7; Leviticus 6:1-7; Numbers 5:6-8; 2 Samuel 12:1-6; Proverbs 6:30,31; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Matthew 5:23,24; Luke 19:8,9; Acts 23:1-5; 24:16; James 4:17.
That justification is God's grace through which one receives forgiveness and remission of sins and is counted righteous before God through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus. Having thus been cleared of every guilt of sin, the regenerated stands before God as though he had never sinned, not on the basis of personal merit but in the light of what Christ accomplished by His substitutionary death.
References: Psalm 32:1,2; Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:19; Acts 13:38.
That water baptism is essential to our obedience after reconciliation with God. Water baptism is one immersion (not three) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as Jesus commanded.
References: Matthew 28:19; 3:13-17; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 8:38,39; 19:1-5; Romans 6:4,5.
That the Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ so that all believers might partake thereof regularly, to show the Lord's death till He comes. The emblems used are unleavened bread and the juice of the fruit of the vine.
References: Matthew 26:29; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30.
That entire sanctification is a definite act of God's grace, subsequent to the New Birth, by which the believer's heart is purified and made holy. It is obtained by faith in the sanctifying blood of Jesus Christ. Holiness of life and purity of heart are central to Christian living.
References: Luke 1:74,75; John 17:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3,7,8; 5:22-24; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 2:11; 10:10,14; 13:11,12; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:14-16.
That the baptism in the Holy Ghost is the enduement of power from on high upon the sanctified believer, accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. We stress purity before power, and affirm that the gifts of the Spirit are for believers today.
References: Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8; Luke 3:16; 24:49; John 1:30-33; 7:37-39; 14:16,17,26; 15:26; 16:12-15; Acts 1:5-8; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-18; 10:44-46; 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 14:1-40.
That redemption from the curse of the law, healing of sickness and disease, as well as continued health are provided for all people through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.
References: Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalm 103:1-5; Proverbs 4:20-22; Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; 1 Peter 2:24; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 13:16; John 14:12-14; 10:10; Acts 10:38; James 5:14-16; 3 John 2; Galatians 3:13,14.
That personal evangelism is a God-given and God-ordained ministry for every believer. Jesus commanded and God requires every believer to be a compassionate and fruitful soul-winner, bringing others to Christ.
References: Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 17:18; Acts 1:8; Psalm 126:5,6; Proverbs 11:30; Daniel 12:3; Ezekiel 3:17-21.
That marriage is binding for life. Monogamy is the uniform teaching of the Bible. Polygamy is contrary to God's perfect will and institution. Under the New Testament dispensation, no one has a right to divorce and remarry while the first companion lives.
References: Genesis 2:24; Deuteronomy 7:1-4; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Malachi 2:14,15; Romans 7:2,3; Ephesians 5:31-33; Matthew 5:31,32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; John 4:15-19; Genesis 20:3-7.
That the rapture is the catching away from the earth of all living saints and all who died in the Lord. It will take place before the Great Tribulation and can happen any time from now.
References: John 14:1-3; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:4-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7; Philippians 3:11,20,21; 1 John 3:1-3.
That the resurrection of the dead is taught in the Bible as clearly as the immortality of the soul. Every individual who has ever lived will be resurrected, some to honour and glory and others to everlasting shame and contempt.
References: Job 19:25-27; Psalm 71:20; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16; Hebrews 6:1,2; Philippians 3:8-11; Revelation 20:4,6,12,13.
That the Great Tribulation will occur after the rapture and will be a time of terrible suffering on earth. During this time the Antichrist will take possession of this world for a reign of terror. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place above while the Tribulation continues on earth.
References: Matthew 24:21,22,29; Mark 13:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Daniel 8:23-25; Revelation 9:16; 13:1-10; 19:1-10.
That the second coming of Christ will be just as literal and visible as His ascension, and He is coming to execute judgement upon the ungodly and set up His Kingdom to reign on this earth.
References: Zechariah 14:3,4; Matthew 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 13:24-37; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:8; Jude 14,15.
That Christ's Millennial Reign is the 1,000-year literal reign of Jesus on earth, ushered in by His return with His saints. During this time the devil will be bound, and it will be a reign of peace and blessing.
References: Jude 14,15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 20:2,3; Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25; Hosea 2:18; Zechariah 14:9-20; Isaiah 2:2-4.
That the Great White Throne Judgement is when God finally judges all who have ever lived on the face of the earth according to their works. The devil and his angels are judged at this time and sent to the lake of fire forever.
References: John 5:24; 3:17-19; Daniel 12:2,3; Matthew 10:15; 11:21-24; 12:41,42; John 5:28,29; Romans 2:15,16; 14:12; 2 Peter 2:9; Jude 6; 1 Corinthians 6:1-4; Acts 10:42; Revelation 20:11-15.
That the New Heaven and the New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, will be made by God and the redeemed shall dwell therein with God forever.
References: Psalm 102:25,26; Isaiah 51:6; 65:17; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-7; 22:1-5; Isaiah 66:22; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2,3.
That hell fire is a place of everlasting punishment where sinners (all who do not have their names in the book of life) will suffer torment forever. It was prepared for the devil and his angels, and all who reject Christ's salvation will be cast there because of sin.
References: Psalm 9:17; Matthew 25:46; Luke 12:4,5; 16:19-31; Matthew 5:22,30; Mark 9:43-47; Revelation 14:10,11; 20:10,12,15.