Concise statement of faith: 

Revelation

 

Revelation is God’s unveiling truth of Himself to mankind, who bears His image. God reveals His existence through the magnificence of the natural universe, written word and the embodiment of His Son, Jesus Christ.  An inward witness to God’s existence is written on the heart of every man and is illuminated by the Holy Spirit. God reveals Himself through scripture, miracles, fulfilled prophecy and ultimately the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Through revelation, mankind is reassured that God is a personal God who has had a plan for redemption, salvation and triumph from the beginning.

 

Romans 1:20:  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…

 

2Timothy 3:16:  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

 

John 1:14:  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and truth.

 

1Peter 1:19-20: But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world..

 

(Thiessen, 1949, p. 31-46) (Strong, 2014, p. 5-80)  

 

Sin

 

Sin is the lack of conformity to the moral law of God, which is perfect and just. Sin has its origin in heaven, committed by angels.  Man introduced sin into the world by the direct disobedience of God by Adam and Eve, made possible by free will. God hates sin. Some sins are detestable to Him and therefore carry more weight. The consequence of sin is physical and spiritual death, and separation from God. Mankind is marred by sin, but still bears Gods’ image and may accept the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Angels are irredeemable. By grace, mankind is redeemed.

 

Isaiah 1:14:  How art hour fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!...

 

Proverbs 6:16: These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto Him:

 

Romans 6:23: The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ..

 

Romans 5:18: Therefore as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

 

(Grudem, 1994, p. 490-518) (Geisler, p. 81-131)

Reconciliation

 

Reconciliation is the restoration of right relationship between mankind and God. Because of sin, mankind is separated from God, but through the atoning work of Christ mankind is free from the bondage of sin. Christ died to appease God’s wrath against mankind’s sin, by becoming sin for mankind, and imputing His righteousness. Reconciliation is the process of God turning favor toward mankind. God is active in reconciliation by providing what He himself demands.

 

Romans 3:23-24:  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins..

 

2Corinthians 5:18:  Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them…

 

2Corinthians 5:21:  For He had made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

 

(Strong, p. 408-411) (Erickson, 2001, p. 261-265)

 

Creation

 

God is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He made all things. God is the uncreated and infinite being that created the finite heavens and earth. He made everything out of nothing by His will. He spoke creation into existence. He gave power to His word by His Spirit. He created mankind in His image, and gave mankind dominion over all the earth. Mankind reflects God’s nature and was made for his pleasure, to honor and glorify Him.

 

Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

 

Genesis 1:27: So God created man in His own image…male and female He created them.

 

Psalm 33:6:  By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

 

Revelation 4:11: Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

(Thiessen, 1949, p. 161-172) (Geisler, 2003, p. 441-459)

 

Eschatology

 

Eschatology is the study of last things. The eschatological truths as revealed to mankind through Gods Word are a source of comfort and assurance for those found in Christ. Individual eschatology deals with the inevitable reality of death judgment before God. Cosmic eschatology is the inevitable reality of mankind’s future hope in Christ’s return to earth and the culmination of God’s plan to defeat death and sin. God’s judgment will bring either life in heaven with God in glorified bodies, worshiping and serving Him, or eternal destruction and exclusion from His presence.

 

Philippians 3:20-21: For our conversion is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby ye is able to even to subdue all things unto Himself.

 

1Corinthians 15:54-56:  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be bought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

 

Revelation 22:12-13: And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according to his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

 

(Grudem, 1994, p. 810-829) (Erickson, 2001, p. 371-415)

 

 

 

 

References

Erickson, M. J. (2001). Introducing Christian Doctrine (2nd ed.). PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids MI 49516-6287: Baker Book House.

Geisler, D. (2002). Systematic Theology, Volume One. 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438: Bethany House Publishers.

Geisler, D. (2003). Systematic Theology, Volume Two. 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438: Bethany House Publishers.

Geisler, D. (2004). Systematic Theology, Volume three. 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438: Bethany House Publishers.

Grudem, W. (1994). Sytematic Theology, An introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 3900 Sparks Dr. SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546: Zondervan.

Strong, A. H. (2014). Systematic Theology, complete. Middletown, DE: Create Space independent Publishing Platform.

Thiessen, H. C. (1949). Lectures in Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids Michigan: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

​

​