The Triune God — There is one God, self-existent (no one made God) and eternal, infinitely perfect, the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. (Genesis 1:1, 1:23, 2:1–4; Deuteronomy 6:4, 33:27; Psalm 22:28, 103:19, 147:5; Isaiah 40:28, 45:18; Daniel 5:21; 2 Samuel 22:31; Nehemiah 9:6; Ecclesiastes 12:1–6; Matthew 5:48, 28:18; Mark 12:29–34; John 1:1–3; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Romans 16:26; Colossians 1:16–17, 2:3; Hebrews 1:1–3, 9:14; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 1:8, 4:11). — The Godhead is triune: one God, three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each Person is fully God, their glory equal and their majesty coeternal (Genesis 1:1–2; Matthew 3:15–17; John 1:1–3). — For his own glory and by his own decree, the triune God created heaven and earth, time, and all things, visible and invisible, living and nonliving, material and nonmaterial (Genesis 1:1–2:3; Exodus 20:11, 31:17; Isaiah 46:9–10; Nehemiah 9:6; 1 Timothy 1:17; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 22:13). — Our Lord Jesus Christ, the uncreated Creator and only begotten Son of God, took on human flesh to be fully man without ever ceasing to be fully God (Luke 24:39; John 1:1–3, 1:14, 1:18, 3:16, 8:58; Colossians 1:16; Acts 2:22; 1 Corinthians 15:47; Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 1:1–3). — Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life (Isaiah 7:14, 53:4–6; Matthew 1:16–23; John 8:29, 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21–22). — Jesus died on the cross, making a full and satisfactory atonement for man’s sin. (Matthew 1:16–23; Luke 1:30–31; John 19:30; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Hebrews 9:11–12, 10:12–14; 1 Peter 1:17–18; 1 John 2:2). — Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead, ascended to heaven, is currently seated at the right hand of God the Father as our Intercessor, and shall return in person (bodily and visibly) to this earth as Judge of the living and the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–5; Acts 17:31; Ephesians 1:17–23; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 7:25). — The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, is Lord and Giver of life, who glorifies our Lord Jesus Christ and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. (John 15:26, 16:8–11, 16:14; 2 Corinthians 3:17) — The Holy Spirit’s work is necessary for sinners to repent and believe in Jesus Christ through the gospel call (Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2:6–14, 12:3; Titus 3:3–7). — The Holy Spirit lives and works in each believer to endow them with spiritual gifts and produce the fruits of righteousness (John 14:16–17; Acts 1:8, 4:31; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:18–20; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:22–23; Ephesians 2:19–22).
Scripture — The 66 books of the Bible are the unique, written Word of God. The Bible is divinely inspired (God-breathed), inerrant (without error), infallible (trustworthy, incapable of error), supremely authoritative, and sufficient in everything it teaches. Its assertions are factually true. Its authority is not limited to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes but includes its assertions in such fields as history and science. (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Revelation 22:18–19) — The final guide to the interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself. (Proverbs 8:8–9; Matthew 12:3–5, 19:4, 22:31; Mark 7:13, 12:10, 12:26; Luke 6:3; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Timothy 3:16–17) — All things necessary for our salvation are expressly and clearly taught in Scripture. (foundation of the gospel: Genesis 1:1, 1:31, 3:17–19; Romans 5:12, 3:23; presenting the gospel: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 6:23, 10:9; John 3:14– 18; Acts 16:30–31; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 5:1–2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Origins and History — The account of origins presented in Genesis 1–11 is a simple but factual presentation of actual events, and therefore, provides a reliable framework for scientific research into the question of the origin and history of life, mankind, the earth, and the universe. — The various original life forms (kinds), including mankind, were made by direct, supernatural, creative acts of God (i.e., not by natural, physical processes over millions of years). The living descendants of any of the original kinds (apart from man) may represent more than one species today, reflecting the genetic potential within each original kind. Only limited biological changes (including mutational deterioration) have occurred naturally within each kind since creation (i.e., one kind does not change over time into a different kind: Genesis 1:11–12, 1:21, 1:24–25, 30:37–42; 1 Corinthians 15:39). — The various original life forms (kinds), including mankind, were made by direct, supernatural, creative acts of God (i.e., not by natural, physical processes over millions of years). The living descendants of any of the original kinds (apart from man) may represent more than one species today, reflecting the genetic potential within each original kind. Only limited biological changes (including mutational deterioration) have occurred naturally within each kind since creation (i.e., one kind does not change over time into a different kind: Genesis 1:11–12, 1:21, 1:24–25, 30:37–42; 1 Corinthians 15:39). — The great flood of Genesis was an actual historic event, worldwide (global) in its extent and catastrophic in its effects. At one stage during the flood, the waters covered the entire surface of the whole globe with no land surface being exposed anywhere—the flood of Noah is not to be understood as any form of local or regional flood. The Noachian flood was a significant geological event, and most fossiliferous sediments were deposited at that time (Genesis 7:19–20; 2 Peter 3:5–7). — The days in Genesis do not correspond to geologic ages but are six consecutive, 24-hour days of creation; the first day began in Genesis 1:1, and the seventh day, which was also a normal 24-hour day, ended in Genesis 2:3 (Genesis 1:1–2:3; Exodus 20:8–11, 31:17; Hebrews 4:3–4). — The gap theory, progressive creation, day-age, framework hypothesis, theistic evolution (i.e., evolutionary creation), functionality–cosmic temple, analogical days, day-gap-day, and any other views that try to fit evolution or millions of years into Genesis are incompatible with Scripture. — The view, commonly used to evade the implications or the authority of biblical teaching, namely that knowledge and/or truth may be divided into secular and religious, is unbiblical and therefore should be rejected (Psalm 89:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17)
Man — Mankind, consisting of two genders (male and female), is created in the image of God. Each of these two distinct, complementary genders reflects the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27, 5:2, 9:6; Matthew 19:4–6; Mark 10:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9–10). — Gender and biological sex are equivalent and cannot be separated. A person’s gender is determined at conception (fertilization), coded in the DNA, and cannot be changed by drugs, hormones, or surgery. Rejection of one’s biological sex (gender) or identifying oneself by the opposite sex is a sinful rejection of the way God made that person. These truths must be communicated with compassion, love, kindness, and respect, pointing everyone to the truth that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking his mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Genesis 1:26–28, 5:1–2; Psalm 51:5, 139:13– 16; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 1:20–21, 19:4–6; Mark 10:6; Luke 1:31; Acts 3:19–21; Romans 10:9–10; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Galatians 3:28). — The special and unique creation of Adam from dust and Eve from Adam’s rib was supernatural and immediate. Adam and Eve did not originate from any other preexisting lifeforms. (Genesis 2:7, 2:21–23, 3:19; 1 Corinthians 11:8–12, 15:47–49). — The only legitimate marriage, based on the creation ordinance in Genesis 1 and 2, sanctioned by God is the joining of one naturally born man and one naturally born woman in a single, exclusive union as delineated in Scripture. God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other and has commanded that no sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. Any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, prostitution, homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, abuse, or any attempt to change one’s gender, or disagreement with one’s biological gender, is sinful and offensive to God. (Genesis 1:27–28, 2:24; Matthew 5:27–30, 19:4-5; Mark 10:2–9; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 18-20 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; Hebrews 13:4). — All human life is sacred and begins at conception (defined as the moment of fertilization). Each unborn child is a unique, living human being, created in the image of God, and must be respected and protected both before and after birth. The abortion of an unborn child or the active, intentional taking of human life through euthanasia or assisted suicide constitutes a violation of the sanctity of human life and is a crime against God and man. (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17; Psalm 51:5; 1 Corinthians 15:49; James 2:11) — There is only one race of mankind—the human race or Adam’s race (Adamic). Adam and Eve were the first two humans. All people alive today are the descendants of Adam and Eve and subsequently Noah. (Genesis 1:26–27, 3:20, 10:1, 10:32; 1 Corinthians 15:45–47; Luke 17:27; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5) — Since all humans are made in the image of God, all humans have equal dignity and value regardless of age (including the unborn), intelligence, gender, physical ability, shade of skin tone, ethnicity, or any other characteristic. (Genesis 1:26–27, 3:20, 11:9; Acts 17:26–28) — The concepts of “the social justice movement (SJM),” “intersectionality,” and “critical race theory (CRT)” are anti-biblical and destructive to human flourishing (Ezekiel 18:1–20; James 2:8–9)
Sin — The highest of the created angels, Lucifer, aspiring to displace God, fell from heaven, became Satan, and caused man’s fall into sin, thus introducing sin into the entire human race. His objective today is to thwart the plan of God, deceive, if possible, the whole world, and to be an adversary to God’s elect. (Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 25:41; Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9-10, Revelation 12:19-20, 20:10, 21:8) — The special creation of Adam (the first man) and Eve (the first woman) and their subsequent fall into sin is the basis for the necessity of salvation for mankind. (Genesis 2:7, 2:17, 2:22–23, 3:6–20; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:45–49) — Human death (both physical and spiritual) as well as all animal death, disease, bloodshed, suffering, extinction, thorns and thistles, and all other natural evils. (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.) entered this world subsequent to, and as a direct consequence of, man’s sin. (Genesis 2:16–17, 3:8, 3:19, 4:4–8; Romans 5:12, 8:20–22; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22) — All mankind are sinners, inherently from Adam and individually (by choice), and are therefore subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. (1 Kings 8:46; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 116:11; Proverbs 16:5; John 3:16–18, 12:48; Romans 3:23; 5:12-19)
Salvation — Freedom from the penalty and power of sin is available to man only through the sacrificial death and shed blood of Jesus Christ and his complete and bodily resurrection from the dead. (Luke 24:39; John 8:12, 8:36, 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:3–6; 1 Peter 1:3) — Salvation is by God’s grace alone, a gift received by faith alone in Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:3–7) — The one who is born of God has repented, recognized the death of Christ as full payment for sin, and received the risen Christ as Savior and Lord. (John 1:12–13; Acts 3:19, 16:31, 17:30–31, 20:21; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20–21; 1 John 3:9)
Church — Preface The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The church was born on the day of Pentecost, having been purchased by the crucified and risen Christ, who ascended to the right hand of the Father, who “put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22). (Acts 2:1–21, 38–47; 20:28; cf. Col. 3:1–4) The New Testament pictures the church as made up of those who have been delivered out of the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13). The Thessalonians, for example, had turned from idols to serve a true and living God (1 Thess. 1:9). The church has been called into fellowship with Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:9). Christ has called his redeemed out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9). (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 10:32; 11:16, 22; 15:9; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; 1 Thess. 2:14; 2 Thess. 1:4; cf. Rom. 16:16) (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:11; 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Pet. 5:10; cf. Rom. 8:28-30). Biblically, we may regard the church in two ways: as the universal church or as the local church. The universal church includes all genuine Christians throughout the entirety of the church age. They are members of “the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Heb. 12:23), having been declared righteous because their sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:5). All true believers throughout church history—both those alive today and those already in heaven— make up the universal church. The New Testament instructs those who are part of the universal church in every generation, scattered throughout the world, to meet together regularly in local assemblies. Such was clearly the pattern of the early church. In keeping with that paradigm, the author of Hebrews offers this directive, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24–25). (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; 1 Cor. 11:18–20; Gal. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1) — The local church is designed to equip believers by feeding them through the teaching of God’s Word, leading them in corporate praise and worship, protecting them under the shepherding oversight of godly leaders, and providing them with opportunities to serve one another. In accordance with God’s design, active involvement in a local church is imperative for believers as they seek to live in a way that honors Jesus Christ. — It is only through the ministry of the local church that Christians can receive the regular teaching, accountability, and encouragement necessary for them to stand firm in the faith they are called to proclaim. God has ordained the local church to provide the kind of environment where an uncompromising life can thrive as his people grow spiritually through the teaching of the Word. (Acts 2:42; 20:28; 1 Tim. 4:13; Eph. 5:18–20; Heb. 13:7, 15, 17; 1 Pet. 2:2–3; 4:10–11; 5:1–4) A church that is passionately pursuing the glory of God will likewise have a strong emphasis on evangelism, both locally and around the world. The church’s evangelistic commission is articulated by Jesus himself in Matthew 28:18–20.
Christ’s Return -Death- — The Bible teaches that physical death involves no loss of our immaterial consciousness (Revelation 6:9-11), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ, that there is a separation of soul and body, and that, for the redeemed, such separation will continue until the rapture, which initiates the first resurrection, when our soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord. Until that time, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8). (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:4-6; Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, 50-54) — There will be a bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (John 6:39; Romans 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:13-15) — The souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:13-15), when the soul and the resurrection body will be united (John 5:28-29). They shall then appear at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) and shall be cast into hell, the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41-46), cut off from the life of God forever (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). — The rapture of the church will precede the seven-year tribulation period, at which time the Lord Jesus Christ will translate His church from this earth (both living and those asleep) to meet Him in the air. (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11) — Immediately following the removal of the church from the earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27; 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 16), and these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matthew 24:27-31; 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged (Daniel 12:2-3; Revelation 20:4-6). This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:15-31; 25:31-46). — After the tribulation period, Christ will come with his saints to earth to occupy the throne of David (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 1:10-11; 2:29-30) and establish His messianic kingdom for 1,000 years on the earth (Revelation 20:1-7). During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth (Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16). This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet (cast alive into the lake of fire), and by the removal of Satan from the world (Daniel 7:17-27; Revelation 20:1-7). — This kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel (Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17) to restore them to the land that they forfeited through their disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside (Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:1-26), but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Romans 11:25-29). — This time of our Lord’s reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isaiah 11; 65:17-25; Ezekiel 36:33-38), and will be brought to an end with the release of Satan (Revelation 20:7). — Following the release of Satan after the 1,000-year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:7), Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9). — Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10), whereupon Christ, who is the Judge of all men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne Judgment. — This resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment, they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-15). — After the closing of the millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 20:7-15), the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10) and replaced with a new earth, wherein only righteousness dwells (Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 20:15; 21:1-27; 22:1-21). — Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Revelation 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another (John 17:3; Revelation 21-22). — Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28), that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever (1 Corinthians 15:28).