An Expanded Confession of Our Faith *
Introduction:
The purpose of this "Expanded Confession of Our Faith" is to better explain our understanding of some of the great truths of God’s Word. This is not an attempt to in anyway replicate the great Reformed confessions of the church, which in the least would be absurdly presumptuous. It is only hoped that what is written is substantially consistent with their content. Confessions and other sources will be referenced throughout the document where appropriate and necessary. The wording that is used is original with the writing, although having studied and taught from confessions, certain phrases and expressions may sound similar. May the Holy Spirit guide our efforts in this challenging endeavor.
Jim Wenger
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I. The Scriptures:
The Bible is the unique, inspired Word of God and is without error in the original languages. The Bible's integrity and accuracy has been providentially preserved through the process of the formation of the Canon and its translation into the languages of the nations throughout the History of the church (a.). The completed Canon of Scripture is comprised of thirty nine books of the Old Testament and twenty seven books of the New Testament, totaling sixty six books, excluding the non-canonical books of the Apocrypha (b.). It is God’s complete and final revelation of Himself to mankind and is the final authority of Christian faith and practice. Only through the Scriptures alone, can we know the way of salvation and reconciliation to God (c.). The Bible is not to be added to or subtracted from by means of man made cunningly devised traditions, commandments, theological systems, false religious teachings or supposed divine revelations. Neither are the Scriptures to be interpreted in such a way as to ignore, subvert or deny the clear plain meaning of its words in their given context, literary intent, intended timed and timeless audience and correlation with the rest of Holy Scripture (c.).
(a.) Matthew 21:42, 22:29, 26:54 -56; John 5:39; 2 Peter 1:19
(b.) Of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I. & II Samuel, I. & II Kings, I. & II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Of the New Testament: The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; The Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s Epistles to the Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon; The Epistle to Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude; The Revelation of John
(c.) 2 Timothy 3:15-16; Hebrews 1:1-2 (d.) Matthew 5:17, 15:9; 1 Corinthians 1:17-24, 10:11; Galatians 1:8; Colossians 2:18-22; Titus 1:14; 2 Peter 1:19-21, 3:15-16; Revelation 22:18-20
II The Triune God:
The true and living God is infinite, eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, immutable and perfect in holiness, righteousness, love, mercy, grace and truth. He is sovereign in all His ways, working all things according to the council of His own will. All of His works are ordained to glorify the perfections of His person and the splendor of His attributes (a.). He essentially and eternally exists as one God in the three distinct persons of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit who are co-existent, co-equal, and co-eternal.
(a.) Exodus 15:1; Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Chronicles 29:1; 2 Chronicles 20:6; Psalm 76:10, 107:8, 139:14 I, 145:4 & 10; Daniel 4:34-35; Jeremiah 23:24; Romans 9:9-16, 11:33-35; Ephesians 1:11
All three members of the Godhead are actively involved in our world and our lives as our creator, sustainer, judge, ruler and redeemer (a.).
(a.) Jeremiah 23:23-24, Matthew 3:16-17, 28:18-20, John 1:1-3,18; 10:30-33; John 14:7-11; Acts 7:55, 10:38, 17:27; Philippians 2:1-11; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 5:6-8
A. God The Father, Creator And Sustainer:
The Father, in conjunction with the Son and the Holy Spirit, created the heavens and the earth and all that it contains, miraculously by the breath of His mouth in six consecutive, literal, twenty-four hour days, resting on the seventh day (a.). God’s creation was perfect and completely functional and still reflects His eternal wisdom, power, and majesty, though now subject to the curse of the fall (b.). The Godhead providentially sustains our present world and its environment regardless of man’s destructive behavior or supposed efforts to preserve it (c.).
(a.) Genesis 1:1-2:3; Exodus 20:11, 31:1; Acts 17:28; 2 Peter 3:5 (b.) Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31; Psalm 8, 19:1-6, 33:6-9, 139:14-17; Romans 1:19, 8:19-23 (c.) Psalm 8, 104, 145:15-16; Jeremiah 14:22,
B. God The Father, Judge And Ruler:
God is still our lawgiver and judge upholding the moral order of the universe. He providentially distributes His divine justice and judgment upon a fallen humanity according to His law and our just deserts (a.). He maintains the paradise of Heaven for the believing just and the fires of Hell for punishment of the wicked (b.). His kingdom is both a present reality as well as a sure and perfect future hope (c.). God is not the author of sin nor does He delight in iniquity, but rather makes it serve His sovereign purposes and even as a means of glorifying Himself (d.).
(a.) Psalm 9:7, 50:4, 96:13; Proverbs 11:3, 12:14, 24:11, Ecclesiastes 3:17, 12:13; Isaiah 5:16, 59:18; Jeremiah 17:10, 32:19; Matthew 8:29, 10:15; Romans 2, 14:10; 1 Corinthians 3:8, 13, 4:5; Galatians 6:5; Ephesians 6:7; Colossians 3:25; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 2:1-3, 9:27; Revelation 19, 20 (b.) Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 12:9; John 14:1-3; Matthew 25:21-23. (c.) Psalm 22:27-28, 145:13; Matthew 3:1-2, 20:20-23, 25:34-40, Luke 21:31, 2 Timothy 2:1, 2 Peter 1:11, Revelation 11:15, 12:10, 20, 21 (d.) Habakkuk 1:13; Lamentations 3:33-36; Proverbs 16:4; Psalm 76; 1 Peter 2:21-22; Revelation 19:1
C. God The Father, The Redeemer And Saviour:
1. Of Divine Election:
Before the foundation of the world God the Father chose a people to redeem from the fallen descendants of Adam (a.). This choice was not on the bases of any foresight of faith, human merit, good works, or perseverance therein, but solely on the bases of the Father's own good pleasure and grace (b.). God’s unconditional election unto salvation before the creation of man does not mean that God ordained the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden; rather God who knows all things, fore-knew the outcome of their free actions (c.). Though the salvation of God’s elect is sure and certain, it does not mean that the redeemed are forced against their wills to repent and believe the Gospel; but rather affirms the wisdom, omnipotence, goodness and power of God’s grace in drawing us freely, yet necessarily to Himself. The doctrine of divine election does not negate the free offer of God’s grace to all men in the Gospel, but does insure that indeed there will be those who will respond to its call. Otherwise, if left solely up to human choice, Christ’s death would be in vain, which is inconsistent with God’s goodness, grace and wisdom and His plan of redemption revealed in His Word (d.).
(a.) Jeremiah 31:1-3; Matthew 25:34; John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4-6; Titus 1:1; Peter 1:2-3, 20; Revelation 17:8 (b.) Malachi 3:6-7; Romans 9:6-28; John 1:12-13; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 3:3-7 (c.) Genesis 3:1-13, 17; Ecclesiastes 7:28-29; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Timothy 2:13-15 (d.) Exodus 7:1-3, 13-14, 22-23, 8:15, 32, 7, 9:12, 34-35, 9:34-35, 10:1, 20, 27-28, 11:9-10, 12:30-32, Exodus 14:1-31, (Cross reference to Romans 9:11-29); Psalm 110:3; Isaiah 55:1-3; Matthew 23:37; John 3:16-21, 5:39-40, 6:37; Acts 2:38, 4:12, 17:30; Romans 9:11, 10:9-13, 11:1-36; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Titus 1:1-2; Hebrews 6:17-18; Revelation 22:17.
2. Of The Covenant of Redemption:
In the Covenant of Redemption the Son pledged to the Father to redeem these chosen in His incarnation, His passion and His redemptive work upon the cross (a.). Also In this Covenant lies the bases of the certainty and security of the believer’s salvation and God’s providential, effectual and irresistible call unto faith and salvation (b.)
(a.) Genesis 3:15; Psalm 40:5-7; Matthew 26:39, 42; John 10:11-18, 15:16, 17:4, 6, 9-12; Revelation 13:8 (b.) John 6:36-44, 10:27-30; Romans 8:28-39; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 1:1-2; Hebrews 6:10-18
(b.) The London Confession, Chapter 7, Art 3:
http://www.ccel.org/creeds/bcf/bcfc07.htm#chapter7
D. God The Son, Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, co-existent and co-equal with the Father, and became the only begotten Son in the incarnation having been conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin womb of Mary (a.). Joseph, a godly man, was only the lawful father of Jesus but the biological father of Jesus' siblings (b.). Jesus was God in the flesh being fully God yet fully man in order to be our perfect High Priest, sin bearer and atoning sacrifice. Jesus though tempted, lived a sinless life earning that perfect righteousness that is imputed to all that believe in Him (c.). Not only was His birth of miraculous character, but also His life, ministry, death and resurrection, all in accordance with the accounts of the inspired Gospels (e.). Jesus Christ and His redemptive work upon the cross is the only way of man’s salvation and reconciliation with the Father, Christ being the only mediator between God and man (f.).
(a.) Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1, 18, 3:16-18, 8:58; Colossians 1:15; Philippians 2:5-9; Hebrews 1:5, 2:16-18 (b.) Matthew 1:1-21, 25, 12:46-47; Mark 3:31-32, 6:2; Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:17-19 (c.) Matthew 1:23, 4:1-10; Mark 4:38; Luke 2:52; John 19:28; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 5:2; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Hebrews 9:26-28, 10:10-12, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:22 (c.) Luke 1:1-4; John 10:37-38, 14:11; Acts 10:38; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 1:1-3 (f.) John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:3-6
Jesus' death on the cross was an act of substitutionary atonement wherein He became our sin and bore its punishment in the place of all that the Father chose to redeem (a.). His death was an act of propitiation wherein the wrath of the Father against the sins of His elect and the holy demands of God’s law were satisfied. It is only through the sacrificial atoning death of His Son can God the Father be just yet the justifier of all who believe in Him (b.).
(a.) Matthew 20:28; Romans 5:8-11, 2 Corinthians 5:21 (b.) Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11; Romans 3:24-26; Galatians 1:4; 1 John 2: 2, 4:10, 1 Peter 2:24
E. God, The Holy Spirit:
The Spirit of God, the third person of the Godhead, is co-existent and co-eternal with the Father and the Son and is not just the power, force or influence of God. He can be lied to, grieved, resisted, and His person and work blasphemed. He is present in all of God’s works of creation, providence, judgment, revelation, redemption and salvation (a.).
(a.) Genesis 1:1-2, 26, 6:3; Exodus 28:3, 31:3, 35:31; Numbers 11:17-29; Judges 6:34, 14:6, 15:14; 1 Samuel 10:6, 16:13; Psalm 51:11, 104:30; Proverbs 1:23; Isaiah 11:1-2; Ezekiel 2:2; Joel 2:28; Zechariah 4:6; Matthew 3:16, 4:1, 10:20, 28:18-19; Mark 3:29; Luke 1:67; 2:25-27, 4:14-18; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 3:5; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 1:21
In the economy of the New Covenant He is the Spirit of Evangelism calling God’s chosen to faith and repentance in the Gospel (a.). The Holy Spirit indwells all that He regenerates in the new birth, constituting them members of the Body of Christ and temples of the living God (b.). He is the Spirit of sanctification causing the believer to persevere in the faith and bear spiritual fruit unto holiness with out which no man shall see the Lord (c.). He is the Spirit of assurance affirming our adoption as God’s children and sealing us unto the day of redemption. (d.) All who are redeemed are indwelled by the Spirit, if they have not the Spirit they are none of His (e.).
(a.) John 16:7-11; Romans 5:5 (b.) John 3: 3-8, 6:63; Titus 3:4-5 (c.) Romans 8:10-13, 14:17, 15:16 (d.) 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 5:16-25; Galatians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2
The Spirit’s baptism of the believer includes the bestowing of an abundant measure of the Spirit’s fullness, operation, calling, power and gifting; all the spiritual gifts still being given to all believers diversely as the Spirit wills. This baptism can occur with the Spirit’s indwelling at regeneration and also as a subsequent refreshing. The equipping and filling of the Spirit can and should be a multiple occurrence in the life of every believer (a.) (1.) (2.).
(a.) Joel 2:28-29; John 3:1-8, 14:16-18, 15:26, 16:7-15; Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 16-21, 38-39, 8:14 –17, 9:17, 10:44 – 47, 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Galatians 3:2-5; Ephesians 5:18; Hebrews
(1.) Have the Extraordinary Gifts Ceased? By James Wenger
http://www.graceplaceonline.net/_mgxroot/page_10814.html
(2.) What Does the Bible Teach Regarding Divine Healing? By James Wenger
http://www.graceplaceonline.net/_mgxroot/page_10815.html
III Man:
In the beginning God created Adam and Eve as unique single individuals, distinct in sex, male and female for the purpose of marriage and procreation. They were not chosen by God to represent a larger population of pre-created, pre-existing human beings, nor were they representative of an evolving human species. Both were the first human occupants of God’s newly created Garden in His newly created World and are the first parents of the entire human race (a.).
(a.) Genesis 1:27-31, 2:2-23, 3:20; Deuteronomy 32:8; 1 Chronicles 1:1-54; Matthew 19:3-5; Luke 3:23-38; Acts 17:24-26; Romans 5:1-5, 12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:45; 1 Timothy 2:13; Jude 1:14
Adam and Eve were created upright in the image and likeness of God. God gave them an eternal soul, a superior intellect and the powers of volition and reason, the skills for work and creativity, the capabilities and authority to rule over God’s creation. And most importantly the spiritual capacity to know, obey, serve, worship and commune with God (a.).
(a.) Genesis 1:26-31, 2:5-7, 15-20, 3:1-6, 8, 22-23, 4:20-22; Ecclesiastes 7:29
A. The Creation Ordinance:
In the Creation Ordinance God made Adam first from the dust of the ground and afterward Eve from a rib of Adam's side, thereby establishing the order and nature of the relationship that is to exist between the sexes in marriage, in the church and in human society (a.)
(a.) Genesis 1:26-31, 2:7, 18-25, 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-15
1. The Creation Ordinance and Marriage:
God first created Adam, and placed him in the garden instructing him to name the animals, from which he deduced his lack of a mate, which God also confirmed (a.). He then created Eve from Adam’s rib and presented her to him, performing the first wedding ceremony between the first man and the first woman (b.). This order of events and the manner of Eve’s creation was all designed by God to impress upon Adam his need of a mate, and the unique relationship he bore to her as his wife and her to him as her husband (c.). Eve’s relationship to Adam was impacted by the fall with God pronouncing to Eve, “…thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (d.). In the New Testament the marriage relationship is paralleled to the relationship that Christ bears to the church and the church to Christ. The husband therefore is to occupy the position of headship over the wife in order to love, nurture and care for her as his own body. He is to rule over her to serve her as Christ does the Church. The wife is to desire, love, respect, serve and submit to her husband as the Church does to Christ (e.).
(a.) Genesis 2:7-9, 2:15-20, 1 Timothy 2:13 (b.) Genesis 2:21-24 (c.) Genesis 2:7, 15, 18-23; 1 Corinthians 11:7-12 (d.) Genesis 3:16 (e.) Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:7-12; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Titus 2:1-5; Peter 3:1-7
2. The Creation Ordinance and the Church:
In the church, believing men and women are to respect and encourage the practice of the distinct roles God established in the Creation Ordinance and in His Word (a.). Only duly qualified and appointed men are to occupy the spiritual offices of pastor, elder and deacon; all the Apostles, elders and deacons of the early church being men (b.). Women are not permitted to exercise teaching and ruling authority over men but may lead and instruct other women as well as the youth of the congregation (c.). However women are not forbade to speaking or participate in public prayer, worship and service in the church. Instead their gifts are to be recognized and utilized and their thoughts, feelings and opinions solicited and respected (d.). The diversity of roles set forth in God’s Word do not infer any inequality between men and woman in spiritual worth and favor before God, nor are they inferior in spiritual understanding, gifting and abilities (e.). If there is any diversity of gifting and abilities between men and women it reflects their distinct callings rather than their capabilities, capacities and spiritual usefulness. God has ordained these distinctions because He is not the author of confusion but of order in the church (f.).
(a.) 1 Corinthians 11:1-3, 10, 13, 16; 1 Timothy 2:11-14 (b.) Luke 6:13-16; 1 Corinthians 15:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-12; Titus 1:5-8 (c.) 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Titus 2:1-5 (d.) Acts 1:13-15, 21:8-9; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 (e.) Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:16-18, 16:14-15; Galatians 3:27-29; Hebrews 11:11, 31, 35 (f.) 1 Corinthians 14:33
3. The Creation Ordinance and Society:
Godly men and women should also respect these Biblical distinctions in society as much as it lies within their ability to do so. All sociological trends and practices that ignore the distinctions that God has established in creation and in His Word between men and women are in direct opposition to God’s ordained social structure and authority (a.).
(a.) Deuteronomy 22:5; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Isaiah 3:11-12; Romans 1:26-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3
C. Man, A Fallen Creature:
The Scriptures teach that man is a fallen creature, all stemming from our first parents whose actions in the Garden of Eden impacted all their posterity. Adam and Eve were created sinless and perfect with the freedom of the will to act as free moral agents. Adam was also designated by God to be the Federal head of the human race whose actions and choices were representative and binding on all of his posterity (a.).
1. The Covenant of Works:
In the Garden of Eden the Lord placed two trees, The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life (a.). The Lord gave our first parents a clear commandment not to partake of the fruit of The Tree of The knowledge of Good and Evil. In this commandment God established a Covenant of works with Adam with the promise of life in his obedience to this simple prohibition and the clearly stated consequences of death if he did not obey (b.) (c.). Herein God was testing their faith and obedience in His goodness and integrity as their maker and Lord (d.). God permitted the Devil to act as an agent of temptation possessing a serpent and deceiving them. (e.)
(a.) Genesis 2:9, 15-17, 3:2-3 (b.) Genesis 2:15-17, 3:2-3, Romans 10:5, 12-20; Gal 3:10-12 (c.) The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chap. VII. - Of God’s Covenant with Man, Sec. 2. “The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, (Gal. 3:12) wherein life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity, (Rom. 10:5, Rom. 5:12–20) upon condition of perfect and personal obedience. (Gen. 2:17, Gal. 3:10)”
(d.) Genesis 2:16- 17, 3:4 –5 (e.) Genesis 3:1, John 8:44
2. The Transgression Of The Fall:
The choice to eat of the forbidden fruit on the part of both of our first parents was premeditated, free and volitional, wherein they heeded the enticements and lies of the Serpent and willfully disobeyed God’s commandment. Eve gratified her own lust and appetite, eating something that was pleasant looking and seemingly tasteful even though God forbade it. She yielded to her own pride to become her own god desiring the power and wisdom of being the arbitrator of right and wrong apart from her Creator. And then she tempted Adam who willingly joined her in her transgression thereby plunging them and all their posterity into the sin, rebellion and death of the fall (a.).
(a.) Genesis 3:1-6, 13, 17; Romans 5:14; 1 Timothy 2:14; James 1:12-17; 1 John 2:15-16, 3:4
From the Biblical account it can be deduced that Adam was negligent in failing to protect his wife from the wiles and temptations of the Serpent, abrogating his headship over her. Instead he allowed her to first experiment with the eating of the forbidden fruit. When it became apparent there were no immediate consequences, he following her committing the same transgression. However, there was the immediate consequence of hiding from the Lord being conscious of their nakedness and guilt. Both refused to accept responsibility for their actions with Adam blaming Eve and Eve blaming the Serpent. The Serpent also tempted them to doubt the integrity and benevolence of their creator and to reject His rule and government over them, thereby joining Satan in his rebellion (a.). Eve’s sin did not involve sexual copulation with the Serpent nor was Cain the offspring of Satan but a fallen son of Adam as was all his posterity (b.). Our first parent's access to the Tree of Life was contingent upon them keeping God’s commandment concerning the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (c.)
(a.) Genesis 2:25, 3:4-7, 10-13, 17, 20:1-18; Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:2–3, 6, 13-17; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Matthew 25:4; John 8:44; James 1:12-17; 1 John 2:15-16 (b.) Genesis 3:6, 4:1, 8, 24; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (c.) Genesis 2:9, 3:22-24; Revelation 2:7, 22:1-2, 14
3. The Consequences of the Fall:
Adam’s willful transgression resulted in the imposition of the divine curse upon Adam and Eve and all their posterity. This curse included the imposition of physical and spiritual death upon the human race, as well as the rest of God’s creation (a.)
(a.) Genesis 2:17, 3:3, Genesis 3:16-17, 19, 5:5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 27, 29, 31; Psalm 89:48; Romans 8:19-23; Hebrews 9:27.
Adam and his posterity were rendered spiritually unable and depraved. Apart from God’s grace, man is unable to engage in genuine godly repentance, good works, faith or redeeming actions where by he can justify himself before God, or please and merit His favor. Man’s will is now in bondage to sin and his life now characterized by its servitude. Though man is not necessarily as evil and depraved as he could be, still the totality of his being and nature has been tainted, twisted and marred by sin (a.).
(a.) Genesis 4:9-15; Job 15:14- 16; Psalm 14:1- 4; Matthew 7:9-11, 19:16-17; John 8:34; John 8:36; Romans 1:18-32, 3:9-20, 23-24, 6:12-18, 7:18-24, 8:5-8; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11; Ephesians 2:1-5, 8-9; Colossians 1:21-22, 2:13
Though the image of God in which man was created is now distorted and degraded, he still retains enough of its resemblance to bear witness to his original state (a.). It is because man is created in God’s image premeditated murder should be restrained and punished by capital punishment (b.). Men are not to kidnap, abuse, and enslave one another wherein they reduce the existence of another to that of an animal or piece of property thereby robbing them of all human dignity and worth. Mankind should promote peace, social justice and righteousness all in accordance with God’s commandments. We are to treat all men according to the second great commandment given in the law and the Gospels, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. (c.)
(a.)1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9 (b.) Genesis 9:5-6; (c.) Exodus 21:1-12, 26; Leviticus 25:53; Deuteronomy 24:14; Zechariah 8:16-17; Matthew 5:38-46; 22:36-40; Luke 10:29-37; Philippians 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:8-10
> Upon Eve:
God’s curse altered Adams headship over her and increased her desire and emotional dependence upon her husband. It also included the imposition upon her and her female descendants increased risks to life and health in childbirth and the sorrows that accompany the rearing of children with sinful fallen natures (a.).
(a.) Genesis 3:16, 4:1-8, 23-24, 6:5-6; Psalm 48:6, 51:5, 58:3; Isaiah 13:8, 26:17; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18; 1 Timothy 2:11-15
> Upon Adam:
Upon Adam and the world of his male posterity, God imposed a harsh living environment where their sustenance would now be by the sweat of their brow, with the earth producing thorns and thistles along with their food (a.).
(a.) Genesis 3:17-19, 5:29; Genesis 5:29; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
> Upon the Serpent:
God cursed the Serpent by altering his means of mobility from that of walking upon legs to that of slithering on his belly, which is symbolic of the character of Satan and the position he would ultimately occupy in relationship to the rest of God’s creation (a.). He was created as the anointed cherub attending God’s throne, walking among “the stones of fire”, “upon the holy mountain of God” (b.). Yet when he rebelled against God he was cast out from God’s presence. Though he still is allowed to appear before God and is called "the accuser of the brethren", he will be confined to the earth during the Great Tribulation and then confined to the bottomless pit during the millennial reign of Christ. He is now “the prince and power of the air”, and the source of much evil, sickness, sin and misery upon the earth (c.). He will make his final abode in the lake of fire with his fallen angels and all those who followed him and received his mark (d.).
(a.) Genesis 3:14; Isaiah 27:1, 65:25; Luke 13:16 (b.) Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-15 (c.) Job 1:6-7; John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2, 6:12; Revelation 12:7-10, (d.) Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10
D. Man and The Covenant of Grace:
Because man failed to keep the Covenant of Works and fell from His original moral estate, God in His goodness and mercy established with Adam and Eve and their posterity a Covenant of Grace. In the Covenant of Grace God promised a redeemer who would be born of Adam’s seed and who would crush the head of the Serpent destroying the works of Satan in the fall (a.). This promised Covenant was later confirmed to Abraham, wherein God promised that Sarah would bear a single son whose posterity would be as numerous as the stars of heaven, through whom also the Messiah would be born and all the nations of the earth would be blessed. In the Covenant of Grace God unilaterally deals with His people, not on the bases of their sins and fallen condition, but rather on the bases of His unmerited favor. The Law of the Old Covenant, though weak thorough the flesh, was a part of the Covenant of Grace. In the law the will of God was revealed, a covering for sin was provided and the person and the sacrificial death of the Messiah was portrayed in ceremony, type and symbol. The law was not given to Israel as a means of justification apart from it being the instrument of worship, faith and obedience to God (b.).
(a.) Genesis 3:14 –15, 4:25 – 26 (Cross reference to: Luke 3:23, 38) (b.) Exodus 33:19, 34:5- 7; 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 25:6, 32:1, 11, 57:9- 11, 89:14, 117:2, 119:64, 130:3-4, 145:8-9, 54:7-10, Isaiah 55:6-13, 57:19; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Matthew 5:43 – 48; Romans 9:15-29
The key facilitator of this covenant is Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God who came as our Messiah and redeemer. His sinless life and atoning death on the cross insures that all who believe in Him may and will be spared from Divine wrath and receive the gift of eternal life (a.). The Covenant of Grace and the provision of salvation contained therein are proof beyond all controversy that God has not left man without recourse for divine reconciliation and forgiveness (b.).
(a.) Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:18 – 23, 18:11; Luke 19:10; John 1:29-36, 3:16-17, 36, 8:24; Hebrews 10:1- 21 (b.) John 1:4-5, 3:13-19, 8:12; Act 4:12; Romans 1:16-32, 3:1-31, 10:8-21; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, 5:17- 21; Hebrews 1:1-3, 2:1- 4; Revelation 3:20
Apart from God’s grace, because of the hardness of mankind’s heart and bondage of his will to sin, mankind refuses to accept the way of salvation which has been procured in Christ’s death upon the cross (a.). God therefore insured the efficaciousness of this Covenant by graciously and unconditionally choosing a people from the nation of Israel and the tribes and nations of the world who He would call to faith, repentance and obedience to His revealed Will (b.). These chosen are saved by grace alone through faith alone, solely upon the merits and shed blood of Jesus Christ; who is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world.
(a.) Ephesians 2:1-9; Colossians 2:13; Revelation 1:5 (b.) Romans 1:5- 6, Ch. 9-11, 6:25- 26; Ephesians 1:3-7, 2:8-9; Titus 3:4 – 7; Revelation 13:8
III. The Church
A. The Nature Of The Church
The church in its broadest Biblical definition is made up of all that God has redeemed throughout the ages. The Church universal is comprised of the redeemed who are alive now upon the earth and those who are in heaven, for God is not the God of the dead but of the living (a). The living Church upon the earth is comprised of the company of all who believe in the New Testament Gospel as described I Corinthians 15:1-8:
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2.) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (3.) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4.) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (5.) And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: (6.) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. (7.) After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. (8.) And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."
Any confession of the Christian church that does not include belief in the substitutionary atoning death of Jesus Christ upon the cross and His resurrection from the dead, as the only bases for the forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life is not a valid Christian confession (b.).
(a.) Matthew 22:31-32, Ephesians 3:21, Philippians 1:21-24. (b.) Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9-10, I Corinthians 2:1-2; 15:12-24, Galatians 1:6-9
B. The Church, The Body Of Christ
The living Church upon the earth is also the spiritual body of Christ consisting of all those who are born again through faith in Christ and indwelled by the Holy Spirit (a.). Therefore the spiritual essence of the church does not consist of an ecclesiastical institution, denomination, organization, building or meeting locality (b.). However, the Scriptures do prescribe that the body of Christ have a local corporate life in order to fulfill the four-fold activities of Acts 2:42, exercise the spiritual gifts for mutual edification, and fulfill the great commission (c.).
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).
Where and when providentially possible, regular gatherings should be conducted for the preaching and teaching of God's Word, Christian fellowship and the exercise of all the spiritual gifts and ordinances in accordance with Scripture (d.) The local church should organize and govern itself according to the pattern prescribed in Titus 1:5-9, I Timothy 3:1-13 and Ephesians 4:7-16. There should be the appointment of Pastor(s), Elders and Deacons as servant-leaders who are to be recognized, respected and submitted too (e.). Though Biblical church government is essentially congregational in nature, still the congregation must voluntarily submit to the leadership that they are directed by the Holy Spirit to appoint (h.).
"For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" (1 Corinthians 14:33).
(a.) John 3:3-7, 1 Corinthians 12:3, 12-27, Ephesians 1:22-2; 2:18-22, Colossians 1:18; 2:10, 19 (b.) John 4:20-24, I Corinthians 12:27 (c.) Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 14:19, I Corinthians 14:12, Ephesians 4:10-16 (d.) Acts 2:38, 41; 9:31, Romans 12:3-8, I Corinthians 11:20-34; 12; 13; 14 & 16:1-2, Hebrews 10:23-25. (e.) I Timothy 5:17-19, 1 Peter 5:1-4 (h.) Acts 6:1-7, 13:2-3, 15:22
C. Church Worship
Every aspect of church life should be an act of service and worship to the Triune God, all done in an atmosphere of reverence and devotion (a.). Church organizations, buildings, ministries, programs, music and worship styles are not to become an end in and of them-selves, but only as a means of serving, glorifying and worshipping the true and living God. Music used in worship should be truly Christian in its lyric, style and rhythm and not just entertainment. Nor should it become a substitute for the preaching and teaching of God's Word. Music is an important medium of cultural expression and a means by which we communicate our emotions, sentiments and values. In some cases the music that is listened to, can play a vital role in the formation of these emotions and values and therefore becoming inseparably associated with them in our minds. Church music therefore, should primarily reflect the beliefs, emotions and values of the Christian Faith and not that of the pagan, sinful culture from which we have been redeemed. This is to recognize that some forms of secular music do not necessarily have sinful cultural associations and can be used as a satisfactory medium for Christian music. It is also understood that certain popular and familial forms of secular musical compositions can be instrumental in enhancing congregational singing and worship because of their familiarity. Musically, a worship service should be "traditional" or "blended" but not just "contemporary", and should show respect to all ages and groups within the congregation, as well as the worship and musical traditions of the Christian faith (b.)
(a.) Psalm 150, Romans 11:36, 12:1-2, Ephesians 3:2, 1Colossians 3:17 (b.) Ephesians 5:19-20, 2 Thessalonians 2:15.
B. The Ordinances:
The New Testament teachers that there are two specific ordinances the church is to observe the ordinances of Baptism and the celebration of the Lord's supper.
To be continued: Still under construction
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Reference Links:
(1.) http://www.ccel.org/creeds/bcf/bcfc07.htm#chapter7 Chapter VII, Art. 3
(2.) http://www.geocities.com/Athens/3150/christianworldandlifeview.html
See Also:
The London Confession of Faith of 1689: http://www.ccel.org/creeds/bcf/toc.htm#contents
The Westminster Confession Of Faith (1646): http://www.reformed.org/documents/westminster_conf_of_faith.html
The Gospel of Jesus Christ: An Evangelical Celebration:
http://www.ligonier.org/thegospel_affirmations.php
