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Article 3: The Holy Spirit
The Bible declares and we believe in the Holy Spirit, who proceeds1 from and is one in being2 with the Father and the Son. He convinces the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.3 He leads men through faithful response to the gospel into the fellowship of the Church. He comforts, sustains, empowers and sanctifies the faithful, and guides them into all truth.4
1 John 14:16-17; 15:26-27
2 Acts 5:3-4
3 John 16:8-11
4 John 14:26; 16:7, 12-13
Article 4: The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Scriptures in their entirety are the fully inspired, inerrant, written Word of God.1 They alone contain the will of God as far as it is necessary for us to know it for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.2 By the Holy Scriptures we understand those sixty-six canonical books of the Old and New Testament.
In both the Old as well as the New Testament, everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, Who being both God and man, is the only Mediator3 between God and man. Even though Christians are not bound by the ceremonies and rites of the Old Testament4 they are nevertheless not exempt from the keeping of the moral law.5
1 Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21
2 Galatians 1:8-9; Revelation 22:18-19
3 1 Timothy 2:5
4 Galatians 3:11, 24-25; 4:9-10; Colossians 2:16
5 Matthew 22:37-40; James 2:8; 1 Timothy 1:5
Article 5: Sin, Prevenient Grace and Free Will
The Bible declares and we believe that through the transgression of Adam man is fallen from original righteousness1 and apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is not only entirely destitute of holiness, but is inclined to evil.2 Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.3 Man in his own strength, without divine grace, cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God.
The Bible further declares that man is a free moral agent and that he is responsible for his eternal destiny, and that, influenced and empowered by the Holy Spirit and due to the prevenient grace of God4 is enabled to exercise his will for good and to the glory of God.5
1 Ephesians 2:1; Romans 3:10-18, 23; 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:22
2 Genesis 6:5; Psalm 51:5; 58:3
3 John 3:3-7
4 Romans 2:4; Titus 2:11
5 Acts 17:24-28; Romans 5:15-21; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:8-9
Article 6: Reconciliation Through Christ
The Bible declares and we believe that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. The offering of Christ freely made on the cross is the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, redeeming man from all sin, so that no other satisfaction is required.
John 19:30; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:6; 4:10; Hebrews 7:26-27; 9:13-14, 26; 10:10-14; 1 John 2:2
Article 7: Justification and the New Birth
The Bible declares and we believe that we are never accounted righteous before God through our works or merit,1 but that, only by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and by virtue of His expiatory sacrifice of His shed blood, repentant sinners are reconciled to God, justified before God and considered as righteous by God.2 Regeneration3 or the New Birth is the renewal of man in righteousness through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, whereby we are made partakers of the divine nature and experience newness of life. This is initial sanctification. By this new birth the believer becomes a child of God, receives the spirit of adoption,4 and is made an heir of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Holy Spirit bears witness to this gracious work5 and immediately assures the regenerate believer that he has passed from death unto life, that his sins are all forgiven and that he is a child of God.
1 Isaiah 64:6; Galatians 2:16
2 Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:3-5; 5:1-2; Galatians 5:5-6
3 Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 1:12
4 1 John 3:1; Romans 8:15; 2 Corinthians 6:18
5 Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:4-7
Article 8: Sanctification and Christian Perfection
The Bible declares and we believe that sanctification begins in the new birth and is the work of God’s grace through the Word and the Holy Spirit, by which those who have been born again are cleansed from sin in their thoughts, words and acts, and are enabled to live in accordance with God’s will1 and to strive for holiness without which no one will see the Lord.2
Entire sanctification is a state of perfect love, righteousness and true holiness which every born again believer may obtain by being delivered from the power of sin, thus enabling us to love God with all of our heart, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves.3 This gracious gift may be obtained in this life instantaneously. However, it is preceded and followed by a progressive work of the Holy Spirit. The conditions for receiving it are a total consecration of the whole self to God, total death to sin and faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary.4 It should be sought earnestly by every child of God.
This experience of entire sanctification does not deliver us from the infirmities, ignorance and mistakes common to man, nor from the possibility of further sin. A person is freed so that he may experience a continued growth in divine knowledge, spiritual strength and good works to the glory of God.5 The Christian must continue to guard against spiritual pride. He will seek to gain victory over every temptation to sin.6 There will follow a life of Christian perfection which consists in a purity such as that of Jesus,7 resulting in the same mind which was also in Him, and enabling us to live even as He lived.8
1 Acts 15:8-9; Romans 6:6; 8:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
2 Hebrews 12:14
3 Matthew 22:37-38; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 1:9
4 Romans 6:1-2, 11-14; 12:1-2
5 Hebrews 12:10-15; Philippians 2:1-5
6 1 Corinthians 10:13; Colossians 1:9-14
7 Matthew 5:48; 1 John 3:3; Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:28; 1 Peter 5:10
8 Philippians 2:2, 5
Article 9: Sin after Justification
The Bible declares and we believe that every Christian is called to walk in the Spirit in obedience and faith.1 Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit. Wherefore the grace of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Spirit, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and, by the grace of God, through repentance and faith, rise again and return to righteousness and true holiness.2 And therefore we should condemn the opinion of those who affirm that they can no longer sin as long as they live, and of those who deny the possibility of forgiveness for whosoever sincerely repents of his sins. However, anyone who voluntarily persists in sin and who refuses to repent, hardening his heart, has no claim to eternal life, regardless of the experience that he has had or believes that he has had.3
1 Galatians 5:16, 25; Philippians 1:6; 2:12; 1 Jean 1:7
2 Galatians 6:1
3 Hebrews 6:1-6; 10:26-31; Matthew 7:21-23; 18:15-35; Galatians 5:4, 19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Article 10: Good Works
The Bible declares and we believe that good works are the necessary fruits of faith and follow the new birth.1 But they do not have the virtue to remove our sins or to avert divine judgment.2 We believe good works, pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, spring from a true and living faith, for through and by them faith is made evident even as a tree is discerned by its fruit.3
Voluntary works – besides, over and above God’s commandments – which they call works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogance and impiety. For by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for His sake than the bounden duty is required. Christ said plainly, “When you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants’”.4
1 Ephesians 2:10
2 Galatians 2:16
3 Matthew 12:33; James 2:17-18; 3:10-13; Philippians 1:10-11; John 15:1-8
4 Luke 17:10
Article 11: The Church
The Bible declares and we believe that the Christian Church is the community of all true born again believers under the Lordship of Christ. We believe that it is one, holy, apostolic and catholic. It is the fellowship in which the Word of God is preached by men called of God, and the sacraments are duly administered according to Christ’s own appointment. Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit the Church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers and the redemption of the world.1 The Church is not divided by the fact that there exist many different Christian denominations with different statements of faith, nor is it unified by the merger of Ecclesiastical organizations, for there can never be more than one true body of Christ and its membership record is in heaven, not on earth.2 It is the responsibility of the Church and of each member to obey Christ’s great commission to reach the whole world with the gospel.3
The teaching of the Roman Church concerning purgatory, absolution, worshiping and adoration of images and relics, and also the invocation of saints, are vain inventions, which, far from having a basis in Holy Scripture, are in contradiction to the Word of God.
1 Acts 2:41-47; 1 John 1:7; Romans 1:18, 21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Colossians 1:18
2 Ephesians 4:4; Hebrews 12:23
3 Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8
Article 12: The Sacraments
The Bible declares and we believe that the sacraments ordained by Christ are symbols and pledges of the Christian’s profession and of God’s love toward us. They are means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in Him. Jesus Christ, our Lord, ordained two sacraments, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Baptism1 signifies entrance into the household of faith, and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from all sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a mark of Christian discipleship, and is to be administered to those who have received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord.
The Lord’s Supper2 is a representation of our redemption, a memorial of the sufferings and death of Christ, and a token of love and union which Christians have with Christ and with one another. Those who rightly, worthily and in faith eat the broken bread and drink the blessed cup partake of the body and blood of Christ in a spiritual manner until He comes.
The offering of Christ, once made,3 is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual. And there is note other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of masses, in the which it is commonly said that the priest offers Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable and dangerous deceit.
1 Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-41; 8:36-39; 16:30-33; Romans 6:3-4
2 Luke 22:19-22; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
3 Hebrews 9:12; 10:10
Article 13: The Fruit of the Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
The Bible declares and we believe that the Fruit of the Spirit, in all of its aspects, should be evident in the life of every Christian who is growing in faith.1 The Spirit of God distributes His gifts to each one just as He determines. Every born again Christian receives at least one spiritual gift and no one has all the gifts. The gifts are for the common good and should contribute to the edification and unity of the Church.2 The Fruit of the Spirit and a life of holiness, rather than any gift or manifestation of the Spirit, are the proof of spiritual maturity and of a life filled with the Spirit.3 The lists of the Fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts are representative and not exhaustive.
1 Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9
2 Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12 – 14; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11
3 Matthew 7:16-20; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 3:1-2; 12:4-5, 11; Galatians 5:22-25
Article 14: Divine Healing
The Bible declares and we believe that God is able to heal and that we ought to pray for those who are sick. Healing cannot be demanded of God, but it may be sought following the instructions in James 5:13-16. God heals in three ways: 1.) Through the natural processes of the human body which may be aided by medical help, 2.) Through the instantaneous intervention of God bringing healing to the body, and 3.) Through the death and resurrection of the body to a glorified state.
James 5:13-16
Article 15: The Lord’s Day
The Bible declares and we believe that the Lord’s Day is ordained by God for private and public worship, for rest from unnecessary work, and should be devoted to spiritual improvement, Christian fellowship and service. It is commemorative of our Lord’s resurrection and is an emblem of our eternal rest. It is essential to the permanence and growth of the Christian Church, and important to the welfare of the civil community.
Matthew 28:1; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Hebrews 10:25; Revelation 1:10
Article 16: Public Worship
The Bible declares and we believe that divine worship is the duty and privilege of man, who in the presence of God, bows in adoration, humility and dedication.1 It is essential to the life of the church, and the assembling of the people of God for such worship is necessary to Christian fellowship and spiritual growth.2
We believe that the order of public worship need not be the same in all places but may be modified by the church according to circumstances and the needs of men. It should be in a language and form understood by the people, consistent with the Holy Scriptures to the edification of all, and in accordance with the order and Discipline of the Church.
1 Psalm 95:1-2, 6; Ephesians 5:19
2 Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Article 17: The Second Coming of Christ
The Bible declares and we believe that the coming of Christ will be a bodily return to the earth and that He will cause the fulfillment of all prophecies made concerning His final and complete triumph over all evil. Faith in the imminence of Christ’s return is a rational and inspiring hope to the people of God.
Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonicians 4:15-18; Titus 2:11-13
Article 18: Resurrection, Judgment and Future State
The Bible declares and we believe that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.1 All men stand under the righteous judgment of God.2 The Bible further teaches an eternal state of rewards in which the saved dwell in endless life in heaven3 and the unsaved in endless punishment in hell.4
1 Matthew 22:23-32; Acts 24:15
2 Ecclesiastes 12:14; John 5:22; Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10
3 Isaiah 35:8-10; Luke 14:13-14
4 Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8
Article 19: Marriage and Sexuality
The Bible declares and we believe that it is the plan of God for human beings to experience sexual intimacy within the framework of marriage which is the union, before God and the civil authorities, of one man and one woman.1 Sexual relations outside of marriage, whether they are real (such as concubinage, adultery, or homosexual relationships) or virtual (such as pornography or cybersex), are incompatible with the Christian life.2 Such relationships cannot have the blessing of God. It is not appropriate for those who practice such things to be members, pastors or to have any other responsibility in the Church of Jesus Christ. However, should they repent of their sins, they can be forgiven and have their lives transformed by the power of God which will make it possible for them to turn away from their former lifestyle and live a life of purity.3
God may, however, call some people to a life of celibacy. In this case, He gives grace to live a life of purity and chastity.4 God’s law nowhere commands ministers to take a vow of celibacy. Therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians, to marry at their own discretion, if they judge the marriage favorable to their growth in godliness.5
1 Genesis 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 7:2
2 John 4:17-18; Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-28; Galatians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Leviticus 18:22-23
3 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
4 1 Corinthians 7:8-9
5 1 Corinthians 9:5
Article 20: Christian Property
The Bible declares and we believe that God is the owner of all things and that the individual holding property is lawful and is a sacred trust under God. Private property is to be used for the manifestation of Christian love and liberality, and to support the Church’s mission in the world. All forms of property, whether private, corporate or public, are to be held in solemn trust and used responsibly for human good under the sovereignty of God.
Exode 19:5; Leviticus 25:23; 1 Chronicles 29:14; Psalm 24:1; Ephesians 4:28
Article 21: Civil Government
The Bible declares and we believe that civil government derives its just powers from the sovereign God. As Christians we recognize the governments under whose protection we reside1. We believe such governments should be based on, and be responsible for, the recognition of human rights under God.
We believe that, generally speaking, war and bloodshed are not in keeping with the Gospel and Spirit of Christ. Nevertheless, at times, in order to preserve orderly governments in the world, war is the unpleasant alternative. We believe that it is the duty of Christian citizens to give moral strength and purpose to their respective governments through sober, righteous and godly living.2
1 Matthew 22:17-21; Romans 13:1-10; 1 Peter 2:13-14
2 Titus 2:11-12; 3:1
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