COVENANT OF GRACE
Seventh Day Baptist Church
Statement of Faith
Seventh Day Baptist have their historical roots within the protestant reformation and are indebted to those who have come before us. We do believe that the Lord has been present with His church throughout the ages. While there are times which seem dimmer or darker than others throughout the gospel age, God has always been with His church preserving her, nurturing her, and at times reforming her. There is one holy church of God and we acknowledge and hold dearly to many of the historic church's creeds and confessions. As you read our statement of belief you may be familiar with much of the wording found in it. This was not by accident. Much of its influence comes from the Scots Confession by John Knox, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort, Westminster Confession of faith, the 1689 London Baptist Confession, 1761 Seventh Day Baptist Catechism, and the 1833 Seventh Day Baptist Expose of Sentiments. We also affirm the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. Due to these major influences within our church, our statement of faith is well thought out, however, it is not meant to be exhaustive.
Frequently asked questions
We believe that through nature, the works of creation, and
providence, God has been revealed to all mankind; even His divine
nature and His invisible attributes have clearly been seen so that man is left without excuse for his grievous sins of unbelief.
(Job 5:10, 38:1-41; Psalm 19:1-4, 104:14; Matthew 6:26-30 Acts 17:22-30;
Romans 1:18-20)
However, these are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God
and of His will which is necessary for salvation. Therefore, it pleased God to reveal Himself and to declare His will through the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament which are divinely inspired by the Spirit of God.
(Romans 2:17-20, 3:2, 3:9-20; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 2nd Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-2;
2nd Peter 3:14-16)
Being thus inspired by the Spirit of God, the Holy Scripture is
inerrant and infallible and communicates to man all things necessary to be known for salvation and instructs us in all holiness and how we ought to live and glorify God.
(Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:1-3; Hebrews 6:18; Psalm 19:7-11, 119:105-112; 2nd Timothy 3:14-17)
We acknowledge that the Holy Scripture alone is our ultimate
authority as it is God breathed. If there are any traditions of men which nullify or contradict the Word of God so that the clear Word of God becomes void, we must obey God rather than man.(Deuteronomy 5:32; Joshua 1:7-8; Acts17:11; 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:9-13; Acts 5:29)
We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom only we must cleave, whom only we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom only we must put our trust; who is eternal, infinite, unmeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible: one in substance, and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and in earth, as well visible as invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by His inscrutable providence, to such end as His eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice has appointed them, to the manifestation of His own glory.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; 13; Psalm 96:4-5; John 15:4; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 118:8; Psalm 90:2; Revelation 22:13; Psalm 102:25-27; Job 26:36; Deuteronomy 33:27; John 1:1; Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 147:5; Deuteronomy 29:29; Colossian 1:15; Hebrews 11:27; 1st Timothy 6:16; Matthew 28:19; 1st John 5:7; Luke 1:32; 2:11; 2nd Corinthians 3:17; Hebrews 1:8; Acts 5:3-5; Colossians 1:16; Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 4:35; Proverbs 21:1; Romans 8:28; Matthew 10:29-30; Ephesians 1:11-12)
We believe that God, by the word of His power and for the purpose of His glory, created all things as revealed to us in the Holy Scripture, visible and invisible, in the space of six days and all things which He made was very good. On the Seventh day, God rested from His work; not that God was in any need of rest for He neither faints nor is weary, but that, through His sovereignty, He may communicate to His creatures His authority over creation and time and that He, knowing the need of the creature and the fall of man, set apart the Seventh day and called it Holy so that we may rest and commune with God and know more fully His eternal promises.
(Genesis 1-2; Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 1:2-3, 11:3; Nehemiah 9:6; Revelation 4:11; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16-17; Isaiah 45:18; Genesis 2:1-3; Hebrews 4)
We believe that, at creation, God created man, male and female, after His image in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, in communion with God, and gave him dominion over the creatures. Though man was created good, upright, and in His image, he was still subject to the fall as he was left in the freedom of his will. Therefore, God promised him life upon the condition of perfect obedience, and condemnation upon breaking His law and eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
(Genesis 1:26-28; Eccl 7:29; Genesis 3:6;17; 2:17; Hosea 6:7)
Yet through the temptation of Satan, our parents subjected themselves willfully to sin and transgressed the law of God by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thereby falling from original righteousness and communion with God. Having subjected themselves under the curse of the law and corrupted their entire nature and the nature of their posterity, as all are found as children of wrath having inherited from our first parents depravity and death which has corrupted our wills and affections to make us unfit for the Kingdom of God and disinclines us to come to Christ or receive His truth, the natural man is dead in trespasses and is at enmity with God and his will is found captive and a slave to sin.
(Genesis 3:13; 2nd Cor. 11:3; Genesis 3:6-8; 24; Romans 5:12-21; Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:3; John 3:5-7; 6:44, 63-65; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 Peter 4:6; Genesis 6:5; 8:21; Eccl 9:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-19; 8:7-8; 2nd Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 4:17-19; 5:8; Romans 6:16; John 3:3; 8:34-36)
The Covenant of Grace / Gospel
Undeserving Grace
We believe that since all people have sinned in Adam and have come under the sentence of the curse and eternal death, God would have done no injustice if it had been his will to leave the entire human race in sin and under the curse and to condemn them on account of their sin.(Romans 3:19, 23; 5:12, 18; 6:23; 1st Corinthians 15:21-22)
But God being rich in mercy and love was pleased to establish a covenant of grace whereby He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ through faith in Him, so that communion may be restored between God and man through the atonement and accomplished work of Christ, and that man may escape the just and due wrath of God which was upon them, and that through the gift of faith and the regenerating work of the Spirit of God upon the heart of the sinner, the curse of the law is removed and the promise of eternal life is assured.
(Ephesians 1:7; 2:1,4,8,13; 3:8; Mark 14:22-25; Romans 3:24, 5:1, 9-11, 8:1, 11; 2nd Corinthians 5:18, Ezekiel 36:26-27, 37:26, John 3:6-8, 14-15, 6:63, 19:30; 1st Thessalonians 1:10; Galatians 3:13)
The Covenant Revealed
This covenant is revealed in the Gospel; first to Adam in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman and further revealed in divine promises, prophecies and sacrifices which signified the promised Seed (Christ) to come.
(Genesis 3:15, 22:18; Romans 1:1-3, 3:21; Isaiah 53; Galatians 3:16, Luke 18:31, 24:44; Matthew 1)
In the Old Testament economy, though found in early stages, the gospel was proclaimed and those who through the operation of the Holy Spirit placed faith in the promised Messiah, received full remission of sin and eternal salvation.
(John 8:56; Romans 1:17, 4:13-14; Galatians 3:8; Hebrews 4:2, 9:15, 11:13)
The Atonement Made and the Gospel Declared
This Gospel which was promised beforehand in the Holy Scripture was fully declared when, at the time appointed by the Father, He sent forth His eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed eternal God who is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the word of God through whom all things were made and all things are held together; to take on human nature and the common infirmities thereof yet without sin, and being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary and coming as the promised Seed of the woman according to the Scripture.
(Romans 1:1-3, 3:21, 9:5; 1st Corinthians 15; Galatians 4:4; John 1:1-3, 3:16, 4:6, 11:35, 19:28; 1 John 3:5, 4:14; Hebrews 1:3, 8, 4:15; Colossians 1:16; Matthew 1; Isaiah 7:14; Genesis 3:15)
Though being equal with God the Father and in complete unity with Him, He willingly humbled Himself and set aside His glory to take on the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of man, thus His human nature was united to His divine so that the two perfect natures were joined in one Person, truly God, and truly Man.
(Philippians 2:5-9, John 10:18, 30, 17:21, Colossians 2:9)
This humiliation which the Lord willingly took was necessary for the salvation of His people, for He was born under the law and did perfectly obey it in all points.
(John 10:11, 18; 1st John 3:16; Galatians 2:20, 4:4; Ephesians 5:25; Romans 5:19)
Though He was without sin, He has born the sins of His people and was thus made sin and a curse for them.
(2nd Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:15)
He thereby satisfied the wrath and justice of God which was due upon them all by enduring the most grievous sorrow in His soul and most painful suffering in His body and was crucified and suffered death on their behalf.
(Isaiah 53:10; Romans 3:25, John 3:36; 1 John 4:10; Matthew 26:37-38, 27:32-50; Luke 22:44-45)
Yet He was raised on the third day with power and glory and ascended into heaven where He has taken His seat at the right hand of God thereby conquering death, and removing the curse from His people, and making intercession for them.
(Matthew 28; 1st Corinthians 6:14; Acts 3:15, 7:55, 10:40; Romans 4:24, 6:4, 8:2, 33-39; 1 Peter 1:21, John 11:25-26; Galatians 3:13; 2nd Corinthians 5:17; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3, 2:17-18, 7:25, 9:24, 12:2; Psalm 110:1; Colossians 3:1; Ephesians 1:20, 1st John 2:1; Luke 22:32)
Saving Faith and its Benefits
Therefore those who, through the work of the Spirit of God, recognize their sin and their inability to satisfy the justice of God through any good works and are genuinely met with repentance and faith which rest on Christ and His righteousness alone for salvation, are brought into this covenant of Grace and receive all the benefits thereof which include justification, adoption, sanctification, assurance, perseverance, and glorification.
( John 6:63-65, 47, 16:7-8, 3:16, 14:6, 1st Corinthians 2:12-14; Acts 11:18, 16:14, 2:38, 3:19, 4:12; Titus 3:4-8; Romans 3:20, 23, 28, 4:4, 6:23, 8:15, 28-30; Luke 5:32, 22:19-23, 2nd Timothy 1:9; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9, 1:5; Hebrews 12:2, 8:7-13; Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:25-27)
Justification
By justification we mean, these are those who have been called by God for no reason in and of themselves but by God’s sovereign grace and election who receive the gift of faith, the full remission of sins, the due penalty of God’s wrath removed, and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness by which we are declared right before God.
(Romans 8:1,30,9:11-13, Acts 13:48, 3:19, 2:38; Ephesians 2:8-9, 1:7; 2nd Peter 1:1, Philippians 1:29, John 16:65, 3:36; Hebrews 8:12, 10:17; Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah 31:34; 1st Thessalonians 5:9, 1:10; 2nd Corinthians 5:21)
Adoption
By adoption we mean, all those who have been justified and removed from the domain of Adam to become numbered as the children of God by which they enjoy all the privileges and are counted heirs according to the promises of God.
(Romans 5:12, 21, 8:16-17; John 1:12; Galatians 3:26-29; 1st Corinthians 15:22; 1st John 3:1; 2nd Corinthians 1:20)
They receive an inheritance, become partakers of the commonwealth of Israel, receive the Spirit of adoption, are granted access to the throne of Grace, and are able to cry unto the Lord as “Abba, Father,” and are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as a Father; yet never cast off but sealed to the day of redemption and everlasting life.
(Ephesians 1:5, 11-14, 2:12, 4:30; Colossians 3:23-24; 1st Peter 1:3-12; Romans 8:15, 28, 9:4-5, 11; Galatians 4:5-6; Matthew 6:9; Psalm 103:13-14; Isaiah 54:8-9, 17, 41:10, 16:1, 46; Hebrews 12:6; Jeremiah 31:37 John 6:39)
Sanctification
By Sanctification we mean, those who have been called and regenerated who receive one of the greatest promises of this covenant which is a new heart and a new Spirit in them which writes the law of God onto their heart.
(1 Peter 1:2; Titus 3:5; 1st Corinthians 6:11, Ezekiel 36:26; 2nd Corinthians 3:3, 5:17; Jeremiah 24:7, 31:31, 32:39; Hebrews 8:8-12)
This law which was previously engraved on tablets of stone is now written onto their hearts by the Spirit of God.
(Exodus 20; Jeremiah 31:33)
They have received the promise of the Spirit which now dwells in them and conforms them into the image of Christ by convicting them of sin and causing them to more eagerly obey the law of God and are more strengthened to practice true holiness.
(Galatians 3:14; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 1:3-4, 2:9; Romans 8:1-9, 26, 29, 12:2; 2nd Corinthians 3:18; 1st Corinthians 3:16-17, 15:49; Colossians 3:10; John 16:8-11; Jeremiah 31:33)
This sanctification is a continual process in which the whole man is being renewed day by day yet throughout this life there still remains remnants of corruption found in the believer’s flesh which makes war with the Spirit and the Spirit makes war with the flesh.
(1st Thessalonians 5:23; Colossians 3:10; 2nd Corinthians 4:16; Romans 12:2, 7:7-8:11, 29; 1st John 1:8; Galatians 5:17, 19-21,24)
In this war, the flesh may for a time prevail, yet through the work of the Spirit, the regenerate believer is able to overcome and grows in grace, holiness, and the fear of God which presses towards obedience to the law of God, and further conformity to the image of Christ, and eternal life.
(Romans 7:23, 6:14, 8:1-4, 3:31; 2nd Peter 3:17-18; Ephesians 4:16; Hebrews 12:14-15; 2nd Timothy 2:21; Galatians 5:16; 1st John 2:4, 3:2; John 14:15, 17:17; James 1:25; 2nd Thessalonians 2:13; 2nd Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6)
Assurance, Perseverance, and Glorification
By assurance, perseverance, and glorification, we mean those of whom God predestined, called, and justified He will also glorify.
(Romans 8:29-30, Philippians 1:6)
The basis of this assurance, rest on the sovereign decree of God found within the covenant itself as well as the inheritance promised by the Father to the Son.
(Jeremiah 31:31-36; Ezekiel 36:26; John 6:37-39, 10:29; Psalm 2:7-9)
In the covenant itself we are assured that God Himself will be our God and He will not cast off His offspring nor let anyone take them away, and that our hearts would not turn from Him.
(Ezekiel 36:23, 27; Jeremiah 31:33, 37, 32:38-41; Hebrews 8:10; Revelation 21:3, Isaiah 46:3-4; 2nd Timothy 4:18; John 10:27-30)
And to the Son He promised that He shall see His offspring and bring them to glory.
(Hebrews 2:10-13; Isaiah 53:10)
Those with this promised assurance and perseverance may nevertheless through the temptations of the world and Satan fall into a grievous sin whereby they incur God’s displeasure and grieve the Holy Spirit and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.
(1 John 2:15-19, 1:8-9; 1st Peter 5:8; 2nd Corinthians 11:3; 1st Corinthians 7:5, 11:32; 1st Thessalonians 3:5; Romans 7:21-23; Psalm 89:31-32; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 12:6)
There are others who through no sin of their own may experience a time where they are deprived of the comforts of God and feel alienated from His grace yet are being used as instruments to bring glory to God in seeking Him more earnestly and conforming to His image. Yet even these are not deprived of the seed of God, life of faith, and the love of God which nothing is able to separate them from.
(John 9:3; Psalm 31:32, 51:11, 22:1, 71:12; 1st Peter 4:12-19; James 1:2-4; Philippians 3:10; 2nd Corinthians 1:3-7; Romans 8:31-37)
In this order of salvation, glorification is the final benefit of redemption which occurs upon the return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead, and sanctification has reached its end.
(Romans 8:30; 1st Corinthians 15:20-28; John 6:40, 1st Thessalonians 4:16, 5:23; Philippians 3:20-2; Romans 8:23)
The sufferings of this life of sin and misery, accompanied by the sting of death, will be altogether swallowed up in victory when those who are Christ’s upon His return are resurrected to life in body and soul, and the curse incurred by Adam is wholly removed, and the elect enter into a glorified state of unending blessedness in the presence of God.
(Revelation 21-22:5; 1st Corinthians 15:35-56)
We believe that since there is only one true and living God above all and there is only one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ who is called the Great Shepherd of the whole flock and the Head of the entire church, there is also therefore only one catholic or universal church which consist of all the elect called out of the world by God in all places and at all times from all nations, tribes, peoples, and languages who are all gathered into one fold and one body under Christ.
(Hebrews 13:20; John 10:16; Colossians 1:18; Romans 8:29-30; Revelation 5:9)
While there was a difference in times and ceremonies contained under the old covenant, there was then, and still remains, the one true church of Jesus Christ who is the Head of the whole body and who unites all His saints into one faith, one fellowship, one flock, and one communion.(Acts 7:38; Hebrews 4:2; Hebrews 11; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 2)
A particular local church is a visible gathering instituted and appointed by Christ and consist of those who have repented of their sins and profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The members of these churches visibly manifest and show evidence of their faith and obedience unto God and they willingly consent to walk together by giving themselves up to the Lord and to one another. Being thus divinely united, they are joined together in love so that they may enjoy and have communion in each other’s gifts and graces for the strengthening, encouragement, and edification of the body.
(Romans 1:7; 1 Corinth 1:2; Galatians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; Revelation 2-3; Acts 2:41-42; 2nd Corinthains 9:13; Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Corinth. 14:12, 26)
We believe that baptism is a sacrament of the New Covenant, instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ to be a sign and seal to the believer that he has become united to Christ and has joined fellowship with Him in His death and resurrection and it communicates to those who receive it their ingrafting into Christ, their full remission of sins, and the freedom which they have received from the bondage of sin and Satan so that they may now walk in newness of life.
(Matthew 28:19; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-11; Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; 22:16)
Baptism is to be reserved for those who profess repentance towards God, and faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ. The ordinary administration of baptism is to be done by immersion and those who receive it must be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41; 8:36-37; 8:38; 10:44-48; Ephesians 1:13; Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; Romans 6:4; Matthew 28:19-20)
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of the New Covenant, instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ on the night He was betrayed. The partaking of the elements of bread and wine are to be observed by the church for their mutual benefit and communion in the Lord. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is the proclamation and remembrance of His death and is to be observed by the church perpetually until His return.
(Luke 22:19-20; Matthew 26:26-28; 1st Corinthians 11:23-25; 10:14-22; 11:26)
We believe that God, who has lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and does good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart and with all the soul and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by Himself, and so is limited by His own revealed will, that He may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.
(Psalm 24:1, 50:6, 145:9, 103, 95, 89:5-7 Acts 14:17; Deut. 6:4, 12:32; Leviticus 10:1-3; Matt. 15:9; Acts 17:23-25; Deut. 4:15-20; Ex. 20:4-6)
Worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to Him alone; not to angles, saints or any other creature. Such worship revealed to us in scripture constitutes of prayer, reading of scripture, sound preaching and conscionable hearing of the Word, singing of Psalms and Hymns, and the administering and receiving of the sacraments at their appointed time. All worship is to be done with thanksgiving, according to His will, with all reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love and perseverance. Worship is to be done in Spirit and truth in each sphere that God has ordained including the daily and private life of the individual and family and more solemnly in the public assemblies which should not be carelessly or willfully forsaken and neglected.
(Luke 4:8; Matt. 2:2; 14:33; John 5:23, 9:38; Hebrews 1:6; Matt. 28:19; Rev. 5:11-13; Acts 10:25-16; Acts 5:1-4; Colossians 2.18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1; Ephesians. 6:18; 1 John 5:14; Hebrews 12:28; James 5:16; Luke 4:16-17: Acts 15:21; Colossians. 4:16; 2nd Tim. 4:2; Acts 5:42; James 1:22; Acts 10:33; Matt. 13:19; Hebrews 4:2; Colossians 3:16; Eph. 5:19; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-19; Acts 2:42; John 4:23; Jer. 10:25; Deut. 6:6-7; Matt. 6:6; Dan. 9:3-4; Hebrews 10:25; Psalm 122:1, 84:1-12; Luke 4:16; Acts 13:42, 44)
While it is generally revealed in nature that man was created to worship God and to rest from his labor, nature itself is insufficient and incapable of revealing the prescribed time and manner in which such rest and worship is to be instituted and practiced. Therefore, it pleased to God to reveal, institute and prescribe to man the acceptable way of worship. Such is the revealed will of God in the Holy Scripture, without such revelation, man is lost and left to his own folly and devices of worship.
(Rom 1:20; Exodus 20:8-11; 16:29; Ezekiel 20:12; Acts 17:11; Deut. 8:3; 2nd Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 19:17-10; Mark 7:7-8)
Since the beginning of creation God has established a perpetual commandment binding all men in all ages to a set apart time for rest from their daily labors and for the worship of Himself. For such time, He has particularly revealed and appointed the Seventh day for the Christian Sabbath, which was sanctified at creation, instituted at the giving of the law, kept, confirmed, and more fully revealed by the Lord, His apostles, and the early church. This commandment was not changed or abrogated by Christ but rather confirmed, even so after His resurrection, and will be continued until the end of the world.
(Gen. 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Matthew 12:8, 12; Mark 1:21, 2:27; Luke 13:14-16, 14:5; Isaiah 56:6; Acts 13:42, 44, 15:21, 17:2; Colossians 2:16; Luke 23:56; Hebrews 4)
The Sabbath is therefore to be kept holy unto the Lord with joy and a pure heart by putting aside all common worldly affairs and employments, and setting apart the Seventh day for rest and the public and private exercises of worship, and performing duties of necessity and mercy.
(Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12-17; Neh. 13:15-22; Luke 4:16; Acts 13:42, 44; Matt. 12:1-13; Mark 3:1-5; Luke 14:1-6)
We believe marriage is to be between one man and one woman. It is not lawful for any man to have more than one wife nor for any woman to have more than one husband. It is not lawful to entertain or engage in any such pollutions of marriage including men given to men, women given to women, incestuous relations, relations with children, or relations with any beast.
(Genesis 1:27-28, 2:18-24; Matthew 19:5-6, 18:6; 1st Corinthians 5:1, 6:9-10, 7:2; Deuteronomy 17:17, 27:20-23; Leviticus 18:6-18, 22-23, 20:13, 17; Romans 1:26-27; Jude 1:7; 1st Timothy 1:10; Numbers 1:18; Ezekiel 16; Exodus 22:19)
Though these pollutions may be recognized by civil governments as lawful, such civil governments are found to be in rebellion to God and under His judgment. No man, nation, civil governments, church, or authorities can annul or alter this creation ordinance of God.
(Romans 1:18-32; Leviticus 18:24-30; Deuteronomy 9:4, 18:12; Matthew 5:18-19)
It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry who are able with judgment to give their consent, yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord. Therefore, those which profess true religion should not marry the ungodly and be unequally yoked.
(Numbers 12:1; Hebrews 13:4; 1st Corinthians 7:39; 2nd Corinthians 6:14; Nehemiah 13:25-27)
Marriage was ordained by God as a lifelong commitment between husband and wife for their mutual help and their mutual joy. Moreover, marriage is for the good and preservation of societies and for the increase of children so that such offspring should fill the earth to the glory of God. Such lawful and undefiled unions are able to communicate to the church the mystery of Christ and His headship, love, and union with her.
(Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-24, 9:1; Proverbs 5:18-19, 18:22, 23:26-28; Hosea 1:2; Leviticus 18:24-30; Malachi 2:16; Psalm 127:3-5, 128:3; Ephesians 5:22-33)
We believe that the law of God is the perfect rule of righteousness; delivered by God upon Mount Sinai and reveals to us the most holy nature of God and that which pleases and displeases Him. It is most just, most equal, most holy, most pure, and most perfect.
(James 1:25; 2:8, Romans 13:8; Deut. 10:4; Exodus 34:1; 20:3-17; Psalm 19:7; Romans 7:12)
This perfect law of God commands those things which, if kept in perfection, were able to give life, and able to bring man to eternal happiness. But our fallen nature is so corrupt, so weak, and so imperfect that we were never able to fulfill the works of the law in its perfection. Therefore, the law is used to move us to apprehend Christ with His justice, satisfaction, and accomplishment of it.
(Deuteronomy 5:32; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 8:8; Romans 3:20; Galatians 4:4-5; 1st Peter 2:24; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:4; John 19:30)
While the law of God was perfectly delivered to Israel under the old covenant age, ceremonial ordinances pertaining to that priesthood and its administration have been set aside. These ceremonies prefigured Christ, His graces, actions, and sufferings and were appointed to that administration until the time of reformation.
(Hebrews 7:1-22; 10:1-25; 9:10; Isaiah 53; Exodus 12)
Although true believers are not under the law, as a covenant of works, to be justified or condemned; the law of God is a great use to them in that, as a rule of life, it informs them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly. It reveals to them the sinful pollutions in their nature, hearts, and lives so that they may come to further conviction and hatred of sin and shows them with a clearer sight the need they have for Christ.
(Romans 6:14; Romans 3:20; Romans 3:3; Romans 7:7; Matthew 5:17-19; 1st John 5:3; 2:3-5; John 15:10; Deut. 10:12-13; Psalm 19:7; Galatians 3:24; Romans 10:4)
While the Law of God is powerless in that it cannot change the hearts of men, it is to be used in civil governments for the betterment of their societies and for the restraint of the unruly passions and external acts of evil found within.
(Romans 8:3-4; Mark 10:19; Matthew 15:3-9; 5:17-19; 1st Timothy 1:8-10; Duet. 13:6-11; 19:16-19; Romans 13:3-4)
We believe that on the last day there will be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. The bodies of the just, by virtue of Christ their federal head and His resurrection, shall be raised in power, incorruption, glory, and inherit eternal life. The bodies of the unjust shall be raised in dishonor and judgment.
(Acts1:11; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; John 5:28-29; 6:39 Romans 8:11; Philippians 3:21; Matthew 25:33)
Immediately after the resurrection shall follow the final judgment. The righteous who are found in Christ shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted and fully freed from all their sin and misery, being filled with inconceivable joys, made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, and in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels, and in perfect and full communion with the LORD. The wicked shall inherit their due reward of judgement and receive their fearful but just sentence of condemnation which is pronounced against them. They shall be cast out from the favorable presence of God, and suffer the punishment of eternal destruction.
(Eccles. 12:14; 2nd Cor. 5:10; Romans 14:10; 1st Cor. 15:42-43; Matthew 25:33-34; Ephesians 5:27; Psalm 16:11; Heb. 12:22-23; 1 John 3:2; Romans 8:29; Matthew 25:41-43; Matthew 25:46; 2nd Peter 2:4-11)