Pondering His Holy Word

Summary of my statement of faith in short: 

• Sola Scriptura: I believe that scriptures alone are the ultimate and trustworthy authority in faith and practice
• Sola Fida / Sola Gratia: I believe we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ because of God’s grace and Christ’s merit alone. 
• Solus Christus: I believe that Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King. 
• Soli Deo Gloria: I believe that we live for the Glory of God Alone. God’s glory is the motivation for salvation.

Scripture Alone

• I believe the Holy Bible / Scriptures is the inerrant word of God. The scriptures were written by servants of God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures have supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 

About God

I believe the Scriptures teach that God is a personal, intelligent, all-encompassing Spirit.  God is one substance and three persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

God the Father

I believe the Father is God almighty who is the creator of heaven and earth and everything (visible and invisible) in them. 

God the Son

I believe Jesus Christ is the eternally begotten Son of God, Light from Light. All things were made through him. He came to earth, from the Father, via the Holy Spirit, which overshadowed the Virgin Mary to become Man. Jesus Christ bore our sins so that whoever believes may have everlasting life. Jesus was crucified by sinful men. Then, on the third day, He rose again and ascended to heaven after a 40-day post-resurrection ministry to sit at the right hand of God. Jesus is fully man, being a descendent of King David. I believe Jesus is fully God, being of the same substance of the Father and the Holy Spirit.  

God the Spirit

I believe the Holy Spirit preceded from the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit testified of Himself through the prophets. He is the Presence and Power of God with us now. Before his ascension into heaven, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to testify of Him. The Holy Spirit regenerates and dwells within all believers. The Holy Spirit is the infallible interpreter of the Holy Scriptures. 

About Creation

I believe that God created heaven, earth, and all within them in 6 literal, consecutive days. On the 7th day, He rested and made that day a holy Sabbath. 

Man’s Creation

I believe that God created man in His likeness on the 6th day. Man is the  God didn’t think that man should be alone, so He created a woman with a rib of Adam. So when a man leaves his mother and father and is united with his wife, they become one flesh. God saw that man and woman as good. Man was created for God’s glory.  

Because Adam disobeyed God’s command not to eat from the tree of good and evil, the entire human race was cursed because of death in trespass. On our own, man cannot seek a relationship with God. Whenever a man doesn’t seek to glorify God. he has fallen into sin.

Justification

The only way man can be in right standing with God is by rebirth by way of the Holy Spirit through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which justified the believer in the eyes of God. By having faith, which is a gift from God,  in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God credits man with his righteousness. Salvation is a gift of grace through faith alone. Good works are evidence of faith, but good works cannot save a person. All good works proceeds from the Holy Spirit. 

Sanctification

I believe Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which those who are born again by the blood of Jesus Christ become partakers in the holiness of God. Santification begins at regeneration and is carried out by the presence of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter) via the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

Sacraments 

I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted two sacraments which are believers baptism and the Lord Supper, which all believers should observe until Christ’s return. Though I believe both sacraments are symbolic, I believe that Jesus Christ is present when we are taking part in both sacraments (Matthew 18:20). 

Baptism 

I believe in believer’s baptism either by immersion or sprinklings. Baptism should occur after the believer’s profession of faith. A believer’s baptism is the practice of baptizing those who makes a profession of faith to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (Roman 10:9). Baptism is a demonstration of our outward profession of Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

Lord’s Supper

Before Jesus was betrayed by Judas, He instituted the Lord’s supper which He blessed and gave bread which symbolizes His body and He passed the wine which symbolizes His blood of the new covenant. Jesus tells His disciples to do this in remembrance of Him until his return. 

Resurrection

• I believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the unsaved. The saved will be resurrected to eternal life in heaven, and the unsaved will be resurrected to eternal damnation. 

The Church and the Great Commission

• I believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of regenerated persons of which Christ is the head.
• I believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated by faith for worship, work, and fellowship.
• I believe God has given gifts to men and women to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. 
• I believe that Jesus charges all believers with the same Great Commission that he charged with his disciples. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)