|
|
||||
|
|
|||||
|
Here is a summary of what we believe the Bible teaches. A fuller expression of what we believe can
be found in the historic London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. To read the confession in modern English, click
on
OUR COMMON
CONFESSION The Doctrine Upheld by the Fellowship of Independent Reformed
Evangelicals 1. God and the Trinity. We believe in the one true and living God, in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who
is invisible, personal, omnipresent, eternal, dependent on none, unchanging, truthful, trustworthy, almighty, sovereign, omniscient,
righteous, holy, good, loving merciful, longsuffering and gracious. 2. The Holy Scripture. We believe that Almighty God has revealed all that is necessary to life and salvation in the sixty-six
books of Holy Scripture, which are the Word of God. All Scripture was given by
inspiration of God, is infallible and inerrant, and is the final arbiter in all disputes.
Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men. 3. Election We believe that God, before the foundation
of the world, for His own glory did elect a great multitude of men and women to eternal life as an act of free and sovereign
grace. This election was in no way dependent upon His foresight of human faith,
decision, works or merit. 4. Adam Our Representative. We believe that God made our first father Adam perfect, holy and upright.
He was appointed representative and head of the human race, thereby exposing all his offspring to the effects of his
obedience or disobedience to God's commands. 5. The Fall and Its Effects. We believe that Adam fell from his original righteousness into sin and brought upon himself and all his
offspring death, condemnation and a sinful nature. 6. Man’s Inability. We believe it is utterly beyond the power of fallen man
to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the gospel, to repent of sin or to trust in Christ. 7. Christ Our Representative. We believe that God sent His Son into the world, conceived of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, unchangeably
sinless, both God and man, born under the law, to live a perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His elect people. 8. Particular Redemption. We believe that God's Son died at Calvary to effect propitiation, reconciliation, redemption and atonement
for His elect people. God bore testimony to His acceptance of His Son's work
by raising Him bodily from the dead. 9. The Ascension of Christ. We believe that God's Son ascended to the right hand of His Father and is enthroned in glory, where He
intercedes on behalf of His people and rules over all things for their sake. 10. Irresistible Grace.
We believe that God the Son has poured out the Holy Spirit to work alongside the preached Word. The Spirit of God regenerates elect sinners and draws them irresistibly to faith in Christ the Savior. 11. Justification. We
believe the elect, who are called by grace, are justified in the sight of God on account of the imputed righteousness of Jesus
Christ, which is received by faith alone. 12. Perseverance. We
believe that all who are regenerated, called and justified shall persevere in holiness and never finally fall away. 13. Evangelism. We
believe it is the calling of every local church to participate in fulfilling the Great Commission by making disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything
Christ has commanded us. 14. The Church. We believe that the local church is under the authority of Christ alone. Nevertheless, He has appointed men to be elders (undershepherds) to represent Him as they care for His
body. Deacons also serve Christ as His ministers of mercy. Furthermore, the communion
of saints requires the recognition of and fellowship with other local evangelical churches. 15. Church Ordinances.
We believe that baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper are gospel ordinances belonging only to regenerated believers. 16. Eschatology. We
believe that the Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead bodily, both righteous and unrighteous, and that the
righteous shall enjoy everlasting life and the wicked endure everlasting punishment. |
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|