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The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and therefore are inerrant and infallible. They are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and Christian obedience.
Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; 2 Peter 1:21
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God
There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
Deut. 6:4-5; Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 43:10-13; Isaiah 45:22.
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The Trinity
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
Matthew 3:16-17; I Peter 1:2
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The Fall of Man
God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
Genesis 3; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:9-20; Romans 5:12
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The Mediator
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the Law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator: being our Prophet, Priest, and King, the Sovereign of the Universe.
I Timothy 2:5; Galatians 4:4-5; Hebrews 2:14-18; Hebrews 4:15; Philippians 2:5-10
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Regeneration
Regeneration (the New Birth) is a change of the heart, that is, the whole person (intellect, desires, and will). It is wrought by the Holy Spirit Who makes those spiritually alive who were once dead in trespasses and sins, enlightening their minds spiritually and saving them to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love Christ and follow Him in holiness. It is a mysterious work of God’s free and special grace alone.
John 3:3-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:4-5
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Repentance
Repentance is a gift of God wherein a person, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is made sensible of the great evil of sin, humbles himself and with godly sorrow and self-abhorrence turns to God and from sin; setting his heart to walk before God, living now for His pleasure.
Ezekiel 18:30-31; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 55:7; Luke 24:47; Acts 11:18
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Faith
Saving faith is also a gift of God, wherein the person believes, upon God’s authority, whatever is revealed in the Scriptures concerning the person and work of Christ; receiving Him and resting upon His work alone for justification (full forgiveness) and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, leading to a life of obedience and love for God.
John 1:12; Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 12:2; James 2:14-26
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Justification
Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who trust in Christ alone, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything done in them or by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receive and rest on Him and His righteousness alone, by faith.
Romans 3:22-28; Romans 4:5-8; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 5:17-19; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5-7
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Sanctification
Those who have been made alive in Christ (regenerated) are also sanctified (set apart to God), by God’s word and Spirit dwelling in them. Thus sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all Christians seek to obtain, pressing after a Christ like life out of a heart of love for Him.
Romans 6:5-6; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Philippians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 12:14
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Perseverance of the Saints
Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and set apart by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace (our relationship with God), but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5-9; 2 Peter 1:10: 1 John 2:19
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The Church
The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples, and He possesses all power for its government. According to His commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into particular assemblies/churches: and to each of these churches He has given needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which He has appointed. The requirement for membership in the local church being a credible testimony of true conversion. The work of the church is threefold: to worship the true and living God; to equip the Christians and build them up into the full measure of the stature of Christ; and to give to unbelievers a clear and credible witness to Christ’s person and work.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:43-47; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:11-13; Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 1:18-19; Colossians 1:28-29; Hebrews 10:24-25
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Baptism
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with Christ in His death and resurrection, of the remission of his sins, and of his giving himself up to live unto God in newness of life.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:3-5
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The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by his churches till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate his death. It is shared by all who love the Lord in truth and whose conscience is clear before Him.
Mark 14:22-4; 1 Corinthians 11:22-28
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The Lord’s Day
The Lord’s Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, resting from worldly employments and amusements, works of necessity and mercy only excepted.
Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58: 13-14; Acts 20:7
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Judgment
God has appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds: the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous into everlasting life.
Ecclesiastes 12: 14; Matthew 12:36-37: Luke 16:23-24; Romans 2: 16; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Jude 6,7; Revelation 20:11-15; 22:30