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Certificate of Theological Apologetics

 

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

We believe in sola Scriptura, that is, Scripture is the ONLY sole infallible rule of faith for the church. Scripture is sufficient above all things, hence the ultimate authority and starting point for spiritual life and all theology. All truth  necessary for salvation is taught implicitly or explicitly in Scripture alone (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 3:16). 

 

We believe the biblical and historical doctrine of the Trinity. Scripture presents that there is one God (cf. Deut. 6:4; 4:35; Isa. 44:6, 8). Scripture also presents that there are three Persons or Selves that are and are called God or Yahweh: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 1:7; John 1:1c: theos ēn ho logos, “God was the Word”; Titus 2:13; Acts 5:3-4). Additionally, Scripture presents that

 

1. Each of the three Persons are self-aware Subjects, cognizant of their own existence, and have eternally existed in a loving relationship with each other (cf. John 1:1b: pros, “with”; 17:5: para, “with /along side”).

 

2. Each of the three Persons share the nature or essence (ousia) of the one God (cf. Heb. 1:3: charaktēr tēs hupostaseōs autou, “[the Son is the] exact representation of the nature of Him [the Father]”).

 

3. The three Persons are differentiated (co-distinct) from each other  (cf. Matt. 28:19; John 5:31-32; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 2:18; Titus 3:5-7).

 

4. The Being of God is unquantifiable, inseparable, and indivisible. Hence, the one eternal God revealed Himself in three distinct coequal, coeternal, and coexistent Persons or Selves.

 

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal God (cf. John 1:1a: En archē ēn ho logos, “In [the] beginning was the Word”; 8:24; 8:58; 13:19: egō eimi, “I AM”; Rev. 22:13), Creator of all things (cf. John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17). He is of the same substance (homoousios) as the Father (cf. Heb. 1:3). “The Word became [egeneto] flesh” (John 1:14). “Perfect in Godhead and also Perfect in manhood; very God and very man” (Chalcedonian Creed) (cf. John 1:1, 14; 20:28; Rom. 1:3-4; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:6-7; Titus 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:1).

 

We believe the distinct Person of God the Holy Spirit is coequal, coeternal, and  coexistent with God the Father and God the Son (cf. Acts 5:3-4; Heb. 3:7; 10:15-18). He sanctifies and empowers the church for works of service (cf. Acts 1:8; Titus 3:5-7).

 

We believe in Original sin, which is the result of the first sin in the Garden. The un-regenerate man is dead, morally corrupt, and incapable of saving himself (cf. Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-10).

 

We believe in the atonement by means of one sacrifice on the cross. By Jesus’ obedience and death, He fully discharged the debt of sin of all those who are justified (cf. Rom. 3:26; 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus Christ the divine Mediator provided the propitiation of sins on behalf of His people (cf. John 10:14, 26-30; Rom. 8:32; Heb. 10:11ff.).

 

We believe God saves infallibly. Salvation is solely by grace alone through faith alone and by Christ alone. Man can only be regenerated by means of the Holy Spirit. Saving faith and repentance are a gift that is granted by God (cf. Acts 5:31; 13:48; Phil. 1:29; 2 Tim. 2:25), He can never merit or add to his justification. Justification is the work of God alone (cf. Rom. 8:33). Christians are credited as righteous or just (dikaios) through faith alone apart from any additions or modifications. Blessed is the man “whom God credits [imputes] righteousness apart from works [logizetai dikaiosunēn chōris ergōn]” (cf. Rom. 4:4-8; 5:1; Gal. 2:16).
        The righteousness of Christ, that is, His obedience both passive and active is imputed (not infused) to the believer (ibid.). Hence, the sole ground of justification is the righteousness of Jesus Christ—the sole instrument is faith. This righteousness did not originate in the believer, but rather it was a foreign righteousness from Christ’s account being imputed to the believer. Christians are permanently justified in Christ Jesus (cf. John 5:24; 10:28; Rom. 4:8). Justification is a one-time declaration; sanctification is ongoing in the believers’ life. Justification is a declarative act where God pronounces the guilty sinner “just” or “righteous.” Justification is the gracious act of God the Father through the perfect work of Christ (cf. John 6:37-44; Rom. 5:1). Works are the fruit not the cause of salvation (cf. Eph. 2:8-10).  

 

We believe that Jesus Christ was physically resurrected (cf. John 2:19-22; 1 Cor. 15:3ff.).

 

We believe in a literal eternal Hell for the unregenerate (cf. Matt. 25:46; John 3:36; Rev. 14:10, 11).

 

We believe that the Person of God the Son, Jesus Christ, will physically come again in which He will gather His elect to be with Him forever (cf. 1 Thess. 4:14-18; Titus 2:13).

 

Athanasius 


If any new heresy has risen since the Arian, let them tell us the positions, which it has devised, and who are its inventors? . . .  for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things; but if a Council be needed on the point, there are the proceedings of the Fathers, for the Nicene Bishops did not neglect this matter, but stated the doctrine so exactly, that persons reading their words honestly, cannot but be reminded by them of the religion towards Christ announced in divine Scripture (Athanasius De Synodis 6).