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STATEMENT OF FAITH
PREFACE
Recognizing that the Bible is the very Word of the Living God to man, and understanding
the priority of knowing and obeying its truth, the elders at Edgewood Bible Church
are deeply committed to studying and teaching Scripture with diligence and authority.
Thus the centeral ministry of Edgewood Bible Church is the continuous imparting
of Biblical truth to the people of God that they may know God and serve Him in worship
and ministry. These are the primary doctrines of the Christian faith, and they reflect
the heart of the teaching here at Edgewood Bible Church.
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THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We teach that the Bible is God's written revelation to man, and thus the sixty-
six books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary inspired
equally in all parts) Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21). We teach
that the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (1 Thessalonians
2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely
inerrant in the original documents, infallable, and God breathed.
We teach the literal, grammatical historical interpretation of Scripture which affirms
the belief that the opening chapter of Genesis present cration in six literal days
(Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17).
We teach the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice (Matthew
5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17;
Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The
Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities
and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God's Word to man (2
Peter 1:20-21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy
3:16).
We teach, that whereas there may be several applications of any passage of Scripture,
there is but one interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one
diligently applies the literal grammatical historical method of interpretation under
the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15;
1 John 2:20). It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true
intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding
on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgement of men; never
do men stand in judgement of it.
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GOD
We teach that there is but one living and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5
7; 1 Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, all knowing Spirit (John 4:24), perfect in all
His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Persons; Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14) each equally deserving worship
and obedience.
GOD, THE FATHER
We teach that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes
all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8 9; 1 Corinthians
8:6). He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1 31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only
absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence,
and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation
within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to
all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14;
2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass
(Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and
events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver
of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38 47), nor does He abridge the accountability of
moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity
past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4 6); He saves from sin all
who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as his own all those who come to
Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians
4:5; Hebrews 12:5 9).
GOD, THE SON
We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all the
divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with
the Father (John 10:30; 14:9).
We teach that God the Father created according to His own will, through His Son,
Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operation (John 1:3;
Colossians 1:15 17; Hebrews 1:2).
We teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the
prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind.
In His incarnation, the eternally existing second Person of the Trinity accepted
all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God Man (Philippians
2:5 8; Colossians 2:9).
We teach that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness
(Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9 10; Colossians 2:9).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23,
25; Luke 1:26 35); that He was God incarnate (John 1:1, 14); and that the purpose
of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God's kingdom (Psalm
2:7 9; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:29; Philippians 2:9 11; Hebrews 7:25 26; 1 Peter 1:18
19).
We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding
of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary,
vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24
25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).
We teach that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection
from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where
He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38 39; Acts
2:30 31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).
We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed
the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ
on the cross. Jesus' bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection
life for all believers (John 5:26 29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5 10; 1 Corinthians
15:20, 23).
We teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His Body,
unto Himself at the rapture, and returning with His church in glory, will establish
His millennial kingdom on earth (Acts 1:9 11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18; Revelation
20).
We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the One through whom God will judge all mankind
(John 5:22 23): a. Believers (1 Corinthians 3:10 15; 2 Corinthians 5:10) b. Living
inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matthew 25:31 46). c. Unbelieving
dead at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11 15). As the Mediator between God
and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the Head of His Body the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23;
Colossians 1:18), and the coming universal King, who will reign on the throne of
David (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:31 33), He is the final Judge of all who fail to place
their trust in Him as Lord and Savior (Matthew 25:14 46; Acts 17:30 31).
We teach that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one
day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life,
and adopted into the family of God (Romans 3:25; 5:8 9; 2 Corinthians 5:14 15; 1
Peter 2:24; 3:18).
GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT
We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, underived, possessing
all the attributes of personality and deity including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10
13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews
9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7 10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13 14), omnipotence
(Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is
coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3
4; 28:25 26; 1 Corinthians 12:4 6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; and Jeremiah 31:31 34 with
Hebrews 10:15 17). We teach that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the
divine will with relation to all mankind. We recognize His sovereign activity in
creation (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation (Matthew 1:18), the written revelation (2
Peter 1:20 21), and the work of salvation (John 3:5 7).
We teach that the work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He
came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16 17; 15:26) to initiate and
complete the building of the Body of Christ, which is His church (1 Corinthians
12:13). The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of
sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming
believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7 9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians
3:18; Ephesians 2:22).
We teach that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign Agent in regeneration,
baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy
Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals
them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13).
We teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided the apostles and
prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God's revelation, the Bible.
Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment
of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with
(controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19
21; 1 John 2:20, 27).
We teach that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy
Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He
does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building
up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13 14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4
11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
We teach, in this respect, that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing
of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today and that speaking in tongues
and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the
purpose of pointing to and authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth,
and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers (1 Corinthians
12:4 11; 13:8 10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7 12; Hebrews 2:14).
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MAN
We teach that man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness.
Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self
determination, and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15 25; James 3:9).
We teach that God's intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify
God, enjoy God's fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by this accomplish
God's purpose for man in the world (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).
We teach that in Adam's sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God,
man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became
subject to the wrath of God; and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable
of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With
no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost.
Man's salvation is thereby wholly of God's grace through the redemptive work of
our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16 17; 3:1 19; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1
Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1 3; 1 Timothy 2:13 14; 1 John 1:8).
We teach that because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam's sin has
been transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception.
All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm
14:1 3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9 18, 23; 5:10 12).
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SALVATION
We teach that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the redemption
of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit
or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8 10;1 Peter 1:18 19).
REGENERATION
We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy
Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3 7; Titus 3:5).
It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through
the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, as
enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation.
Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated
in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit
(1 Corinthians 6:19 20; Ephesians 2:10), and will be experienced to the extent that
the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful
obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17 21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16;
2 Peter 1:4 10). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed
to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a conformity is
climaxed in the believer's glorification at Christ's coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter
1:4; 1 John 3:2 3).
ELECTION
We teach that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the
world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies
(Romans 8:28 30; Ephesians 1:4 11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter
1:1 2).
We teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility
of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11;
John 3:18 19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:22 23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10 12; Revelation 22:17).
Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of
salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God
determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all who
come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37 40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8).
We teach that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners is
not related to any initiative of their own part nor to God's anticipation of what
they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy
(Ephesians 1:4 7; Titus 3:4 7; 1 Peter 1:2).
We teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty.
God is truly sovereign but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other
attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love
(Romans 9:11 16). This sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner
totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus
Christ (Matthew 11:25 28; 2 Timothy 1:9).
JUSTIFICATION
We teach that justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He
declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke
13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6 7) and
confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9 10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians
4:5; Philippians 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man
(Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the imputation of our sins to Christ (Colossians
2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us (1 Corinthians
1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is enabled to "be just and the justifier
of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:26).
SANTIFICATION
We teach that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification
and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. This
sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive
sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer's standing, not
his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians
2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2).
We teach that there is also by the work of the Holy Spirit a progressive sanctification
by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer
positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God
and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing
holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord
Jesus Christ (John 17:17,19; Romans 6:1 22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians
4:3 4; 5:23). In this respect, we teach that every saved person is involved in a
daily conflict?the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh?but adequate
provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The
struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and
is never completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are
unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide
for victory over sin (Galatians 5:16 25; Ephesians 4:22 24; Philippians 3:12; Colossians
3:9 10; 1 Peter 1:14 16; 1 John 3:5 9).
SECURITY
We teach that all the redeemed once saved are kept by God's power and are thus secure
in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37 40; 10:27 30; Romans 5:9 10; 8:1, 31 39; 1 Corinthians
1:4 8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24).
We teach that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their
salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which, however, clearly forbids the
use of Christian liberty as an occasion for sinful living and carnality (Romans
6:15 22; 13:13 14; Galatians 5:13, 25 26; Titus 2:11 14).
SEPARATION
We teach that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New
Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy
and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1 5).
We teach that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us
and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved
should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as
not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior.
We also teach that separation from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful
practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1 2, 1 Corinthians 5:9 13; 2 Corinthians
6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15 17; 2 John 9 11).
We teach that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians
1:11 12; Hebrews 12:1 2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient
righteousness that reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2 12) and
a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1 2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14;
Titus 2:11 14; 1 John 3:1 10).
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THE CHURCH
We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by
the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:12
13), the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23 32; Revelation 19:7
8), of which Christ is the Head (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18).
We teach that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day
of Pentecost (Acts 2:1 21, 38 47) and will be completed at the coming of Christ
for His own at the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 18).
We teach that the church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ,
made up of all born again believers in this present age (Ephesians 2:11 3:6). The
church is distinct from Israel (1 Corinthians 10:32), a mystery not revealed until
this age (Ephesians 3:1 6; 5:32).
We teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught
and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 27; 20:17, 28; Galatians
1:2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1) and that the members
of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves together in local
assemblies (1 Corinthians 11:18 20; Hebrews 10:25).
We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ (1 Corinthians
11:3; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18) and that church leadership, gifts, order,
discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the
Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the
assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor teachers; Acts 20:28;
Ephesians 4:11) and deacons, both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy
3:1 13; Titus 1:5 9; 1 Peter 5:1 5).
We teach that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (1 Timothy 5:17 22)
and have His authority in directing the church. The congregation is to submit to
their leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
We teach the importance of discipleship (Matthew 28:19 20; 2 Timothy 2:2), mutual
accountability of all believers to each other (Matthew 18:5 14), as well as the
need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards
of Scripture (Matthew 18:15 22; Acts 5:1 11; 1 Corinthians 5:1 13; 2 Thessalonians
3:6 15; 1 Timothy 1:19 20; Titus 1:10 16).
We teach the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control,
with the right of self government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy
of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). We teach that it is scriptural for
true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation
of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation
and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method
of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership,
policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well (Acts 15:19 31; 20:28; 1
Corinthians 5:4 7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1 4).
We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building
itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13 16), by instruction of the Word (2 Timothy
2:2, 15; 3:16 17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances
(Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38 42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the
entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; 2:42).
We teach the calling of all saints to the work of service (1 Corinthians 15:58;
Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12).
We teach the need of the church to cooperate with God as He accomplishes His purpose
in the world. To that end, He gives the church spiritual gifts. First, He gives
men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry
(Ephesians 4:7 12), and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to
each member of the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5 8; 1 Corinthians 12:4 31; 1 Peter
4:10 11).
We teach that there were two kinds of gifts given the early church: miraculous gifts
of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily in the apostolic era for the
purpose of confirming the authenticity of the apostles' message (Hebrews 2:3 4;
2 Corinthians 12:12); and ministering gifts, given to equip believers for edifying
one another. With the New Testament revelation now complete, Scripture becomes the
sole test of the authenticity of a man's message, and confirming gifts of a miraculous
nature are no longer necessary to validate a man or his message (1 Corinthians 13:8
12). Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan so as to deceive even believers
(1 Corinthians 13:13-14:12; Revelation 13:13 14). The only gifts in operation today
are those nonrevelatory equipping gifts given for edification (Romans 12:6 8).
We teach that no one possesses the gift of healing today but that God does hear
and answer the prayer of faith and will answer in accordance with His own perfect
will for the sick, suffering, and afflicted (Luke 18:1 6; John 5:7 9; 2 Corinthians
12:6 10; James 5:13 16; 1 John 5:14 15).
We teach that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and
the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:38 42). Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8:36 39)
is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the
crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and
resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:1 11). It is also a sign of fellowship and
identification with the visible Body of Christ (Acts 2:41 42).
We teach that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death
until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self examination (1 Corinthians
11:28 32).
We also teach that whereas the elements of Communion are only representative of
the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord's Supper is nevertheless an actual communion
with the risen Christ who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people
(1 Corinthians 10:16).
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ANGELS
HOLY ANGELS
We teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshiped. Although
they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and
to worship Him (Luke 2:9 14; Hebrews 1:6 7, 14; 2:6 7; Revelation 5:11 14; 19:10;
22:9).
FALLEN ANGELS
We teach that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment
of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12 17; Ezekiel 28:11 19), by
taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1 14),
and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1
15).
We teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah 14:13
14; Matthew 4:1 11; Revelation 12:9 10); the prince of this world, who has been
defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20); and
that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12 17; Ezekiel
28:11 19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
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LAST THINGS
DEATH
We teach 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
(Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8), that there is a separation of
soul and body (Philippians 1:21 24), and that, for the redeemed, such separation
will continue until the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13 17), which initiates the first
resurrection (Revelation 20:4 6), when our soul and body will be reunited to be
glorified forever with our Lord (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35 44, 50 54).
Until that time, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship
with our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8).
We teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life (John 6:39;
Romans 8:10 11, 19 23; 2 Corinthians 4:14), and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting
punishment (Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:13 15).
We teach that 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
We teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven year
tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Titus 2:13) to translate His church from this
earth (John 14:1 3; 1 Corinthians 15:51 53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11) and, between
this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers according
to their works (1 Corinthians 3:11 15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
THE TRIBULATION PERIOD
We teach that 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 that 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).
THE SECOND COMING AND THE MILLENIAL REIGN
We teach that, after the tribulation period, Christ will come 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 a thousand 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, and by
the removal of Satan from the world (Daniel 7:17 27; Revelation 20:1 7).
We teach that the 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
which 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).
We teach that 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).
THE JUDGEMENT OF THE UNSAVED
We teach that following the release of Satan after the thousand 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.
We teach that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical
resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment (Romans 14:10 13), they will be
committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41;
Revelation 20:11 15).
ETERNITY
We teach that 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 22). 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).
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