Statement of Faith

STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

Holding the Bible as the complete and only divine revelation, we strongly believe that God is eternally one and also eternally the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, the three being distinct but not separate.

Bible — 2 Timothy 3:16

2 Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

complete — Revelation 22:18-19; Colossians 1:25 

Rev. 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this scroll; (19) And if anyone takes away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and out of the holy city, which are written in this scroll.
Col. 1:25 Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship of God, which was given to me for you, to complete the word of God,

divine — 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16

2 Pet. 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of one’s own interpretation; (21) For no prophecy was ever borne by the will of man, but men spoke from God while being borne by the Holy Spirit.
2 Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

God is eternally one — 1 Corinthians 8:4; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 2:5

1 Cor. 8:4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is no God but one.
Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel, Jehovah is our God; Jehovah is one.
1 Tim. 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator of God and men, the man Jesus Christ.

eternally the Father — Revelation 1:8 

Rev. 1:8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, He who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.

the Son — Romans 9:5; Hebrews 1:8

Rom. 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and out of whom, as regards what is according to flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Heb. 1:8 But of the Son, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

the Spirit— Hebrews 9:14

Heb. 9:14 How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

the three being distinct but not separate — Matthew 28:19

Matt. 28:19 Go therefore and disciple all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

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We hold that Christ is both the complete God and the perfect man. Without abandoning His divinity, He was conceived in the womb of a human virgin, lived a genuine human life on earth, and died a vicarious and all-inclusive death on the cross. After three days He resurrected bodily and has ascended to the heavens. He is now in glory, fully God but still fully man. We look to His imminent return with the kingdom of God, by which He will reign over the earth in the millennium and in eternity.

complete God — Colossians 2:9

Col. 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,

perfect man —1 Peter 2:22

1 Pet. 2:22 Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth;

Without abandoning His divinity — Romans 9:5, Philippians 2:6-

Rom. 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and out of whom, as regards what is according to flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Phil. 2:6-7 Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped, (7) But emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the likeness of men;

He was conceived in the womb of a human virgin — Luke 1:35

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore also the holy thing which is born will be called the Son of God. 

lived a genuine human life on earth — Hebrews 4:15

Heb. 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched

vicarious — 2 Corinthians 5:21

2 Cor. 5:21 Him who did not know sin He made sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

all-inclusive death on the cross— John 1:29; Romans 6:6; Hebrews 2:9; John 12:24

John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Rom. 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be annulled, that we should no longer serve sin as slaves;
Heb. 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little inferior to the angels because of the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death on behalf of everything.
John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

After three days He resurrected — 1 Corinthians 15:4

1 Cor. 15:4 And that He was buried, and that He has been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures;

bodily — Luke 24:39

Luke 24:39 See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you behold Me having.

ascended to the heavens — Mark 16:19

Mark 16:19 So then the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.

now in glory — Luke 24:26

Luke 24:26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into His glory?

fully God but still fully man — 1 Timothy 2:5

1 Tim. 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

His imminent return — Hebrews 10:37; Revelation 22:20

Heb. 10:37 For in yet a very little while the Coming One will come and will not delay.
Rev. 22:20 He who testifies these things says, Yes, I come quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Rev. 3:11 I come quickly; hold fast what you have that no one take your crown.

kingdom of God — Matthew 16:28

Matt.16:28 Truly I say to you, There are some of those standing here who shall by no means taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

reign over the earth in the millennium — Revelation 20:4, 6; 5:10

Rev. 20:4, 6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and of those who had not worshipped the beast nor his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (6) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Rev. 5:10 And have made them a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth.

eternity — Revelation 11:15

Rev. 11:15 And the seventh angel trumpeted; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.

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We confess that the third of the Trinity, the Spirit, is equally God. All that the Father has and is, is expressed by the Son; and all that the Son has and is, is realized as the Spirit.

the third of the Trinity, the Spirit, is equally God — Acts 5:3-4; John 4:24

Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to deceive the Holy Spirit and to put aside for yourself some of the proceeds of the land? (4) While it remained, was it not your own? And when it was sold, was it not under your authority? Why is it that you have contrived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.

John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truthfulness.

All that the Father has and is, is expressed by the Son – Colossians 1:15; 2:9

Col. 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation,

Col. 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,

all that the Son has and is, is realized as the Spirit — John 14:16-18

John 14:16-18 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may be with you forever, (17) Even the Spirit of reality, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him; but you know Him, because He abides with you and shall be in you. (18) I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.

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We further believe that mankind is in need of God’s salvation. Though we were absolutely unable to fulfill the heavy demands of God’s righteousness, holiness, and glory, Christ fulfilled all the requirements through His death on the cross. Because of Christ’s death, God has forgiven us of our sins, justified us by making Christ our righteousness and reconciled us to Himself. Based on Christ’s redemption, God regenerates the redeemed with His Spirit to consummate His salvation that they may become His children.

mankind is in need of God’s salvation – 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 3:23; 1 Kings 8:46a; 1 Timothy 2:4

2 Thes. 2:13 But we ought to thank God always concerning you, brothers beloved of the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,

Rom. 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 Kings 8:46a If they have sinned against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them up to the enemy,

1 Tim. 2:4 Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.

we were absolutely unable to fulfill the heavy demands of God’s righteousness, holiness, and glory – Genesis 3:24; Romans 7:22-23; Acts 15:10

Gen. 3:24 So He drove the man out, and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a flaming sword which turned in every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

Rom. 7:22-23 For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man, (23) But I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members.

Acts 15:10 Therefore why are you now testing God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 

Christ fulfilled all the requirements through His death on the cross – Romans 8:3, 4a; Colossians 2:14; Romans 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 1:31

Rom. 8:3, 4a For that which the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of the flesh of sin and concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh, (4a) That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, 

Col. 2:14 Wiping out the handwriting in ordinances, which was against us, which was contrary to us; and He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.

Rom. 5:18-19 So then as it was through one offense unto condemnation to all men, so also it was through one righteous act unto justification of life to all men. (19) For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be constituted righteous.

1 Cor. 1:31 That as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

God has forgiven us of our sins, justified us by making Christ our righteousness, and reconciled us to Himself. — Romans 2:24-25; 4:25; 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 5:10

Rom. 3:24-25 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; (25) Whom God set forth as a propitiation place through faith in His blood, for the demonstrating of His righteousness, in that in His forbearance God passed over the sins that had previously occurred,

Rom. 4:25 Who was delivered for our offenses and was raised for our justification.

Rom. 5:1 Having been justified out of faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom. 5:18-19 So then as it was through one offense unto condemnation to all men, so also it was through one righteous act unto justification of life to all men. (19) For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be constituted righteous.

1 Cor. 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God: both righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Rom. 5:10 For if we, being enemies, were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more we will be saved in His life, having been reconciled, 

God regenerates the redeemed – 1 Peter 1:3

1 Pet.1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has regenerated us unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

that they may become His children – John 1:12

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name, 

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Now possessing God’s life and nature, the believers enjoy a daily salvation in His Body in this age and the eternal salvation in the coming age and in eternity. In eternity we will dwell with God in the New Jerusalem, the consummation of God’s salvation of His elect.

possessing God’s life – 1 John 5:12; John 1:12; Colossians 3:4

1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name,

Col. 3:4 When Christ our life is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.

possessing God’s … nature – 2 Peter 1:4

2 Pet. 1:4 Through which He has granted to us precious and exceedingly great promises that through these you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is in the world by lust.

enjoy a daily salvation in His Body, in this age – Philippians 1:19 

Phil.1:19 For I know that for me this will turn out to salvation through your petition and the bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

eternal salvation – Hebrews 5:9

Heb. 5:9 And having been perfected, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

in the coming age – Mark 10:30

Mark 10:30 But that he shall receive a hundred times as much now at this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming age, eternal life.

in eternity – Revelation 22:1-2

Rev. 22:1-2 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb in the middle of its street. (2) And on this side and on that side of the river was the tree of life, producing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

In eternity we will dwell with God in the New Jerusalem – Revelation 21:3,22; 3:12

Rev. 21:3,22 And I heard a loud voice out of the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will tabernacle with them, and they will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. (22) And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Rev. 3:12 He who overcomes, him I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall by no means go out anymore, and I will write upon him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My new name. 

Rev. 21:7 He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be God to him, and he will be a son to Me.

Rev. 21:2 And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

the consummation of God’s salvation of His elect – Revelation 4:3; 21:18

Rev. 4:3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance, and there was a rainbow around the throne like an emerald in appearance.

Rev. 21:18 And the building work of its wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.

 

All verses taken from the Holy Bible Recovery Version. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 2003.