The Bible
God has chosen to make Himself known (Heb 1:1-4). God is not only a living God but a revealing God. He has revealed Himself to mankind. God has revealed His person, His character, and His will (Ex 34:6-7, John 14:9, Col 1:15-20). And He has revealed Himself in such a way that humankind can not only know about Him, but they can know Him personally and have fellowship with Him (1 John 1:1-4). God has revealed himself through creation and through man’s conscience. The main reason for this is to lead others to personal redemption (2 Tim 3:14-17). But the revelation of God to people is primarily found in the authoritative and propositional form of the Bible. The best way to know God is not through an inner awareness or a dialectical presence, but through the truth of Scripture (John 17:17).
The Bible is inspired (2 Tim 3:16). The Bible is the God-breathed Word of God and it is inspired in its entirety (2 Tim 3:16). It is not inspired in spots but in every spot. God supernaturally influenced God-called men of old to write down His spoken word under the superintending work of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-21). Therefore, the human author was inspired, as well as the writings themselves (2 Peter 1:19-21). The inspiring work of the Holy Spirit upon human agent resulted in the writer writing down the actual words of God. This means that it was not just an idea our thought that was inspired but that the Holy Spirit actually gave the writer every word to write. This was not in a dictatorial way where the author was used as a puppet. But rather, it was in a confluent way where the writer, in his own personality and consciousness, was freely writing under the Holy Spirit’s leading (2 Pet 1:19-21). Also it must be said that the preservation, the putting together, and the arrangement of the Bible is also inspired.
Since the Bible is divinely and totally inspired it is also inerrant. Inerrancy means that the original manuscripts, when rightly understood, are completely truthful in all of their teaching. Thus the Word of God perfect (Ps 19:7-9). It does not matter what the Bible speaks to it always gets it right. It will never contain error or falsehood (Matt 5:18; John 10:35; Heb 6:18; 2 Tim 3:16; Ps 119:160; John 17:17). If the Bible cannot be trusted in one area then it cannot be trusted in any area. Thus it is perfectly true without any error whatsoever.
The Bible is also divine in its authority. That means that the Bible carries the same weight of authority as God Himself. Thus when the Bible speaks God is speaking (Gen 1:3; 2 Tim 3:16). Jesus claimed them to be authoritative (Matt 5:17-20; John 14:25-26; Matt 19:4-5; Luke 11:51). The Apostles claimed the authority of the scriptures (1 Tim 5:18; 2 Pet 3:16). Also, both Jesus and the Apostles’ teaching are considered to be authoritative (Acts 1:1; Eph 2:20; Acts 2:42; 2 Pet 3:16).
Finally, because the Bible is the very Word of God, inspired and authoritative, it is also sufficient. It is sufficient in leading to a knowledge of sin and a person’s need of salvation (2 Tim 3:15; 1 Pet 1:23; James 1:18). It is also sufficient in telling believers how to live as disciples of Jesus Christ (2 Tim 3:14-17). Lastly, the Bible is sufficient for the faith and practice of the church (2 Tim 3:14-17; 2 Tim 4:1-5).
In conclusion the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, and sufficient Word of God that cannot err. And to add to or to take away what God has indeed said is to invite judgment upon oneself (Deut 4:2, 12:32; Prov 30:5-6; Rev 22:18-19).
God
The Bible itself never argues for the existence of God. The Scripture writers present His existence as fact (Gen 1:1; John 1:1; 1 Cor 3:3; Acts 14:17; 17). There is natural evidence that God exists. Creation gives testimony to the existence of God (Psa 19:1-6; Rom 1:18-32). Man’s conscience gives testimony to God’s existence (Rom 2). Jesus Christ proves the existence of God (John 1:14; Col 1; Heb 1:3). Lastly, the canon of Scripture reveals that there is a God who exists.
God is one. There is only one God; not many gods (Exo 20:3; Deut 6:4). The Scripture consistently teaches the worship of the One True God (Exo 20:3-6). Secondly, God is triune in His being. Although there is one God, He is a triune God. God is one in three persons, meaning there is plurality in the Godhead (Gen 1:1, 26; Isa 6:8). There are not three gods (Tri-theism), but one God (Monotheism) in three persons. Therefore one should conclude that the Father is God (John 6:27; Eph 1:3; 1 Pet 1:2; Matt 6:9). Jesus Christ the Son is God (John 1:1-14; 5:18; 10:30; 14:9; Phil 2; Col 1; Heb 1). The Holy Spirit is God (Gen 1:2; John 14-16; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 3:16).
Thus the Bible teaches unity, but it also teaches distinction within the Godhead. The Son is distinct from the Father and the Spirit is distinct from the Son and the Father (Matt 11:27; John 5:20-22; 14:16; 16:7). The conclusion is then, that although there is distinction there is no division within the Godhead. The three persons of the Godhead are one in essence; they are all one in being. They are all co-equal, co-eternal, co-powerful, and co-active. This truth is especially seen in the work of creation and redemption (Gen 1; Col 1; Eph 1; 1 Peter 1:1-2).
One can never fully understand God. He is infinite and certain truths about His being are unsearchable (Psa 145:3; 147:5; Rom 11:33). But He is also a personal God who has revealed Himself to the world so that one might know Him. Therefore, He can be known (Jer 9:23-24; 1 John 2:13). His attributes are what we know about Him. His attributes are what is true about Him, and they are true of Him all the time.
God is self-existent, self-sufficient, and immutable (Exo 3:14). He is the God who is, who has always been, and who will always be (Psa 90:2; Isa 43:10). God is infinite and immeasurable (Psa 145:3; Job 11:7-9; 1 Kings 8:27). He is all-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful (Psa 139:7; Jer 23:23-24; Matt 10:29; Psa 139:2; Isa 46:9-10; Acts 15:8; 1 Sam 23:12). He is timeless (Psa 102:27; 1 Tim 1:7; Rev 1:8). He is spirit (John 4:24; Col 1:15). He is life (John 14:6; Heb 7:16). He is personal (Exo 3:14; 1 Cor 2:11). He is all wise (Job 9:4; Rom 16:27), and He is faithful (Lam 3:22-23; John 17:3). God is loving (1 John 4:8), good (Psa 34:8; 100:5; Luke 18:19), and holy (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8). He is perfectly righteous and just in all of His actions and judgments (Psa 19:8; Isa 45:19; Rom 3:25-26). He is completely sovereign (Isa 40:15; Dan 2:21; Rev 19:16).
God is Creator (Gen 1; Acts 17). He alone created the universe. He did this without any help or aid (Jer 10:10-12). He created the universe and all its complexity in perfect wisdom and with the power of His word (Gen 1; John 1). God’s creation was good, ordered, and purposeful (Gen 1-2). Since God is creator, He alone is Lord over His creation (Psa 24:1). He governs and sustains everything that happens in the universe (Heb 1:2-3; Acts 17). Because of all this, everything in the world is to worship the God who creates and who consummates (Psa 150; Rev 19-22).
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God (Matt 22:41). He existed as the second person of the Trinity even before time began (John 8:58). Although He is not the Father, He is the Son, and He is coequal, coeternal, and co-powerful with the Father making Him one with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9-10; Col 2:9). The Son is the awesome radiance and the accurate representation of God of the Father (John 8:12; Heb 1:3; John 1:14, Col 1:15, Heb 1:3). He is so much God that he is referred to as God (John 1:1, 18; 20:28; Rom 9:5; Titus 2:13; Heb 1:8; 2 Pet 1:1). He is also the eternal Word of God (John 1:1). He is the Word and Agent by which the Father created the universe (Col 1:15-16). By His sovereign Word he maintains and directs all things that happen in the world (Heb 1:3). He is the final Word and revelation given by the Father, by which all truth must line up with (Heb 1:1-2).
Jesus Christ is also God in the flesh (John 1:14). He came to earth as a man clothed in human-likeness (Phil 2:5-8; Rom 8:3). His incarnation was carried out through His virgin birth (Mt 1:23; 25; Lk 1:26-35). Christ’s becoming a man did in no way compete with, weaken, or annul His deity. He was truly God and truly man; not one or the other, or one more than the other. He was one person with two natures; His deity and humanity are distinct but never divided (Rom 1:3-4; 1 Cor 2:8). His deity and humanity are both affirmed in the Scriptures (John 10:30; 14:9-10; John 8:58; Matt 1; Lk 1; 2:52; John 4; 11:35, 19:28, 34-35; Mk 15:39). Jesus Christ, after being born of the Virgin Mary, grew up and lived on this earth (Lk 2:52). He was tempted as every human would be in His earthly life (Matt 4:1-11). His temptation was real and at every point, yet He remained sinless (Heb 4:15; 2 Cor 5:21).
Jesus Christ came with the primary mission of redeeming humanity (Luke 19:10). He came as the sacrificial Lamb of God to shed His own blood for the sins of the world (John 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7; 1 John 2:2). His death was voluntary, but also in accordance with the sovereign will of the Father (John 10:17-18; Luke 22:22; Isa 53:10-12; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28). His death was necessary because of the severity of sin which had to be atoned for (Lev 16:30; Rom 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; Heb 9:22). Therefore, He became the atoning sacrifice who substituted His life and took upon Himself humanity’s sin and punishment (Isa 53; Mk 10:45; 1 Cor 15:3; Gal 3:13). His atoning death satisfied the Father and was sufficient, never to be repeated (Isa 53:10-12; Rom 3:25; Heb 9; Heb 10:1-18). His death provided forgiveness and cleansing and conquest for all who believe (Col 2:13-15; Heb 9:14; 1 John 1:7; Rev 1:5).
On the third day after His death, Christ was raised again (Lk 24:1-3; 21; 1 Cor 15:4). His resurrection was unto eternal life never to die again. His was the first fruits of a redeemed people (1 Cor 15:20, 23; Col 1:18). He was raised by the Father, by His own power, and by the regenerating power of the Spirit (Acts 2:24; Rom 6:4; John 2:19; 10:17; Rom 1:4; 8:11). His resurrection guarantees the believer’s justification, resurrection, and victory over death (Rom 1:4; 2 Cor 13:4; 1Cor 15; Rom 4:25; 6:4; 1 Cor 15:55-57). After His resurrection Christ ascended to be with the Father in Heaven (Lk 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-11). His ascension is built upon his resurrection and points to His session and second coming (Acts 1:1-11). His ascension was necessary because He came from the Father and because it would bring the promised Holy Spirit (John 20:21; Gal 4:4; John 14-16). His ascension confirms that He is a Triumphant King, a Ministering Priest, and a Reigning Lord (Col 2:14-15; Rev 1:17-18; 1 Cor 15:55-57; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 9:11-12; Heb 7:25; 1 John 2:1; Ps 110:1; Acts 2:33-36; Phil 2:5-11; 1 Tim 3:16).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Godhead. He is the divine eternal Spirit of God the Father and God the Son (Rom 8:9). Although He is not the Father and not the Son, He is coequal, coeternal, and co-powerful with the Father and the Son (Acts 28:25, 26; 1 Cor 12:4-6; 2 Cor 13:14; Heb 10:15-17). He has the attributes of God: intelligence, emotions, will, eternality, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, holy, and truthful (1 Cor 2:10-13; Eph 4:30; 1 Cor 12:11; Heb 9:4; Rom 15:13; Ps 139:7-10; Is 40:13, 14; Is 6:3; John 16:13). Thus He is called God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 2:11-14; 2 Cor 3:17). He is also personal. He can be sinned against as God by being blasphemed by men and grieved by sin (Matt 12:31; Acts 7:51; Gal. 3:1-3; Eph 4:30).
The Spirit is involved in the Triune work of the Godhead (1 Cor 8:6; Eph 1:1-14; 1 Pet 1:2). All things are from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit (Rom 11:36). He was involved in creation (Gen 1:2; Job 33:4). He was involved in the incarnation (Lk 1:35). He was involved in the inspiration of Scripture (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21). He is involved in illuminating the Scriptures (John 14:26; John 16:13; 1 Cor 2). By the Spirit’s illumination people can know the Father and the Son (John 16:12-15).
In the Old Testament the Spirit was active and had special tasks from the Father to God’s people. He governed and guided history (Ez 39:29). He revealed the Word of the Lord through the Prophets (Ez 11:5; Zech 7:12). He manifested God’s presence (Num 11:25; Dan 4: 8-9; Dan 5:11-14). He empowered God’s people for special tasks (Ex 31:3; 35:30-35; 1 Sam 16:13-14; Deut 34:9; Judg 6:34). In the New Testament the ministry of the Spirit was greater and more complete. There was a new pouring out of the Spirit that the Old Testament prophesied (Joel 2:28). John the Baptist spoke of the new work of the Holy Spirit in terms of a baptizing ministry (Matt 3:11; see also Mk 1:8; 10; 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5). Jesus talked repeatedly about the coming of the Spirit and His ministry in the world (John 14-16).
The Spirit’s work and ministry in the world now consists first of all of conviction. Jesus said the Spirit would convict the world of their unbelief in Christ; their need of it imputed righteousness, and the nearness of judgment (John 16:8-11). He woos and draws the lost to Christ (John 6:44). He effectually calls and regenerates the sinner bringing them life, renewal, and recreation (John 3:1-8; Rom 8:30; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:3, 23). He baptizes them into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). The Spirit sanctifies the believer as holy before God and progressively into the image of Christ (2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2; John 17:17; Rom 6:1-22; Rom 8:29; Phil 1:6). He indwells the believer at conversion and seals them unto the final redemption day (Ez 36:27; John 14:16, 17; Acts 2:4; 1 Cor 6:19; Eph 1:13, 4:30). The Spirit teaches and guides believers into the truth (John 14:26; 16:13). He also empowers believers for witness and service (Acts 1:8; 4:31). He anoints those who preach Christ (Luke 4:18-19; Acts 2:14; Acts 6:8-15; Acts 7:54-56; 1 Cor 2:1-5; 1 Thess 1:5; 1 Thess 2:1-13). He prays for and comforts God’s children (Rom 8:26; John 14-16; Eph 3:16). He cultivates and manifests Christ-likeness in the life of the believer (Gal 5:22-23). He is present in the assembly of the Saints (Matt 18:20; 1 Cor 3:16-17; Rev 2-3). Lastly, He sovereignly imparts gifts to the Church for the building up of the body (1 Cor 12; Rom 12; 1 Pet 4:10-11; Eph 4:11-13).
Because of the indwelling and abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, believers are to live in the power, presence, and influence of the Spirit on a daily basis. They are to be continually filled and yielded to the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18).
Salvation
The Bible says that man is born with a sinful nature, is spiritually dead in his sins, a child of God’s wrath; and is alienated from God (Psa 51:5; Gen 6:5; Rom 3:10-18; Eph 2:1; Col 1:21; Rom 5:16-18). Because of man’s depraved sinful condition he is in need of salvation. So from the very beginning God planned the redemption of His people (Gen 3:15; Eph 1:4). Salvation is wholly of God from start to finish (Rom 8:29-30). God the Father planned man’s redemption (Eph 1; 1 Pet 1:1-5). God the Son is the provider and securer of salvation (Eph 1:7; Rev 1:5). The Spirit of God is the applicator of salvation (Tit 3:5).
Salvation is a pure gift from God that cannot be earned (2 Cor 8:9; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 6:23). Grace is God’s unmerited favor to sinners through the work of Jesus Christ (Rom 5:8). God’s grace begins with His election of some persons unto eternal life (Rom 9). God’s election is personal and individual. It never runs over man’s will and does not demand a counter election of some being automatically damned to Hell ( Rom 9-11; Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:2; John 3; Luke 13:3-5).
By His grace God effectively calls those whom He has chosen unto salvation through His Holy Spirit (Acts 16:14; Rom 8:30; 1 Cor 1:9-29). After man responds to the call of grace, he is born again or regenerated (John 3:3-5; Tit 3:5; 2 Cor 5:17). The sinner then is united with Christ in a supernatural spiritual way (John 14:16-23; Gal 2:20). The sinner is justified and made right with God through faith in Christ alone (Rom 1:17; Rom 4; Gal 3). God then sanctifies the repentant sinner by transforming him into the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). Glorification is the final culmination and result of salvation (Rom 8:30). It is when sinners are finally glorified and likened unto their glorified Lord (1 Cor 15:20-58; 1 John 3:2).
Salvation must be received by man (John 1:12). Man responds to the call of grace in two inseparable ways: repentance and faith (Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15). Repentance is essential and means to change one’s mind, heart, loyalty, and love whereby they turn from sin to God in Jesus Christ (Luke 13:3-5; Acts 3:19; Acts 26:20). Faith is when a sinner places his complete trust and loyalty in Christ as Savior and Lord wherein he then receives God’s forgiveness and eternal life (John 1:12; 3:16; 1John 5:1-12).
Finally, salvation is secured and protected by God (1 Pet 1:5). Those who are children of God are protected by the sovereignty of God (John 10:27-29; Jude 24). They are protected by the sufficient work of Jesus (Heb 7:25; Heb 10:12-14). And they are protected by the sealing of the Spirit (Eph 1:13). This is also known as the perseverance of the saints. Those whom God saves will be preserved till the very end by God’s sustaining grace and abiding Spirit (Eph 1:13-14; Heb 3:14; Jude 24; 1John 2:19).
The Church
The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a community of blood-bought regenerate people who have been saved by God’s grace. The scriptures speak of the church as being both universal and local (Eph 1:22-23; Rev 5:9-10; 1Cor 1:2; Gal 1:2). Other names given to the church are the people of God, the Body of Christ, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and the Saints (1 Pet 2:9; Eph 4:12-16; 1 Cor 3:16-17; Phil 1:1).
The idea of the church is grounded in the Old Testament (Ex 12:3; Deut 4:10). It is anticipated in the Gospels (Matt 16:18; 18:17). It is birthed and expanded in the book of Acts (Acts 2). It obtains its identity and development in Paul’s epistles (1 and 2 Tim; Tit).
The church’s mandates are primarily three. First, there is its mission, which is to take the gospel to the ends of the earth (Mt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Secondly, there is the church’s ministry which is carried out by the members when they care for those around them by helping, serving, and building one another up in love (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12-14). Thirdly, there is the church’s method. The method of the church is the preaching of the Word of God (Luke 24:47; 2 Tim 4:1-5). Therefore, the church is to exalt God in worship, edify and equip other believers, evangelize the lost, and establish new churches (Acts 2:47, Eph 4:12; Matt 28:19-20; Acts 13-28).
The church has two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the ordinance whereby born-again believers are completely immersed into water. This act is a physical picture and symbol of a spiritual reality (1 Pet 3:21). It symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:4-6). The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance whereby believers in Christ commemorate the death of Christ and His soon return for them (Matt 26:26-30; 1 Cor 11:23-26). The partaking of the bread and juice is special and sacred but in no way mystical or magical.
A New Testament church is an autonomous group of believers who operate by a congregational model of church government (Matt 18:15-20; Acts 1; 6; 13). The church operates under the Lordship of Christ and according to the will of the people. The church has two offices pastor and deacon (1 Tim 3). The pastor is also the elder and bishop of the local church (Acts 20:28-38; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9). Pastors are the spiritual leaders of the flock and are to be respected and obeyed (Heb 13:17). Deacons are servants in the church (Acts 6:1-7). They are men who are qualified and chosen by the congregation to minister to the needs of the church in cooperation with the elders/pastors (Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim 3).
Finally, the church has the divine right, in accordance with Jesus’ authority, to discipline those who are living in open unrepentant sin (Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5; 2 Thess 3:14-15; 1 Tim 5:19-20). This is to maintain the doctrinal and moral purity of Christ’s church (1 Cor 5).
Last Things
The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all of history (Isa 46:10). He began all things and he will end all things. And he will do this in the person of his Son Jesus Christ at his second coming (Dan 7; Rev 5; 19). The revelation and second coming of Jesus Christ is a literal event. The Bible contains over 300 prophecies of Christ’s return. The Bible teaches a literal, visible, personal return of Christ (Zech 14; John 14:1-3; 1 Thess 4:13-18). When he comes the second time he is coming as sovereign king and judge (Rev 1:9-20; 19).
Believers must be ready for his coming (Matt 24:32, 44; Matt 25; 1 Thess 5:1-3). There are disagreements among Evangelicals on the timing and all the events surrounding his coming. The main point of unity must be then that Jesus Christ is literally coming again and he will rule over all things. Events surrounding the second coming the Jesus Christ are as follows.
(1) The rapture of the church. That is when Christ will come for the church, his bride. Every born again believer will experience this. The dead in Christ will rise first and then those living at his return will be caught up (raptured) to be forever with the Lord in heaven (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thess 4:13-18). The Bible seems to teach that this will happen imminently and before the time of Great Tribulation (1 Thess 1:10; 4:13-5:10; Rev 3:10). Thus the return of Christ for his church is an imminent hope and comfort.
(2) After the rapture of the church there will be a time of great sorrow and suffering on the earth. This time is called The Great tribulation, The Day of the Lord, and Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Matt 24:21; Rev 7:14; 1 Thess 5:1-3; Dan 9:24-27). It is a seven year time period of unprecedented suffering when God will judge the unbelieving world and begin to deal with the nation of Israel again (Matt 24; Mark 13; Rom 11; Rev 6-18). In this time there will be a world ruler known as the Anti-christ who will deceive and dictate the world, leading it to Satanic worship (Dan 7-9:24-27; Matt 24:15; 2 Thess 2; 1 John 2; Rev 13).
(3) At the end of this seven year period Christ will return in all of his glory with all of his saints (Rev 19:11-20). He will slay the Anti-christ and all those who oppose him with the breath of his mouth (2 Thess 1:6-10; 2:8-10; Rev 19:11-20).
(4) Then Christ after touching down on the Mount of Olives will raise the rest of the righteous and will set up his millennial kingdom (Zech 14; Rev 20:1-6). He will literally reign on the earth (Jerusalem) for one thousand years (Rev 20:1-6). This is a fulfillment to Israel and to David that one would set upon David’s throne (2 Sam 7; Matt 1:1-17). This time will be a time of world wide peace, justice, and no more war (Joel 3:10; Mal 4:3).
(5) Then will come the final judgment of Satan and the resurrection and judgment of all the unsaved (Rev 20:7-15). All of the righteous will enter into God’s presence and all the lost and unbelieving will be sentenced to eternal hell (John 5:28-29; Rev 20). Both heaven and hell are literal places. The righteous through faith in Jesus Christ will be with him forever and will worship in his peaceful and joyful presence (John 14:1-3; Rev 4; 21; 22). The wicked will forever suffer and be tormented in hell away from Jesus Christ forever and ever (Mark 9:35; Luke 16:19-31; Rev 14:9-11).