We believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God; that He was crucified, buried, and rose again on
the third day. Upon returning to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to
perpetually indwell
all who would believe. We also believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of
God. As Christian Marital Artists, we pledge to bring our art into
submission to the
Lord Jesus Christ and use it to His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.
Article One: Of The
Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired;
that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and
therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and
final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian
union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and
opinions should be tried.
1. By "The Holy Bible" we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from
Genesis to Revelation, which, as originally written does not only contain
and convey the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God.
2. By "inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy
men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way
that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from
error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.
Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Proverbs
30:5-6; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:31; 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39,45-47;
12:48; 17:17; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Romans 3:4; 15:4; Ephesians 6:17; 2
Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19
Article Two: Of The True
God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite,
intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth;
inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence
and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing
distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Article Three: Of The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father
and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that
in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God's
purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness;
that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony;
that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches,
witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.
Genesis 1:13; Matthew 3:11; 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35;
3:16; 24:49; John 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11, 13; Acts
5:30-32; 11:16; Romans 8:14, 16, 26-27; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Thessalonians
2:7, 13; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2
Article Four: Of The Devil, Or Satan
We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through
pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of
angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the
unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of
God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false
religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy; the lord of the
antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness - destined however to
final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal
justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:25;
25:41; 27:39; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; 2
Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11; 1 Peter
5:8; 2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; 2 John 7; Jude 6; Revelation
12:7-10; 13:13-14; 19:11, 16, 20; 20:1-3,10
Article
Five: Of Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted
literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly
in God's own image and after His own likeness; that man's creation was not a
matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through
interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and
vegetable life was made directly and God's established law was that they should
bring forth only "after their kind."
Article Six: Of The Fall Of Man
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by
voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of
which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but of choice; and
therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.
Article Seven: Of The Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous
manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be
born of a woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.
Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthews 1:18-25;
Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 15:47; 1 John
5:20
Article Eight: Of The
Atonement For Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the
mediatorial offices of the Son of God, Who by appointment of the Father, freely
took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His
personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our
sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as
a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place,
the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own
body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in
heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine
perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and
an all sufficient Savior.
Article Nine: Of Grace In
The New Creation
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new
birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a
process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a
partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God;
that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not
by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by
the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure
our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the
holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3, 6-7; Acts 2:41; Romans
6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 19; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:1; 5:9; Colossians
2:13; 1 John 5:1
Article Ten: Of The
Freeness Of Salvation
We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made
free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them
by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of
the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary
rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated
condemnation.
Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-18, 36; 5:40; 6:37;
Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29-30; 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5;
Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter
1:2; Revelation 22:17
Article Eleven: Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as
believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin,
and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed
not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but
solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto
us.
Article Twelve: Of Repentance
And Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also
inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God;
thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of
the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition,
confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the
Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient
Savior.
Psalm 51:1-4, 7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8;
18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Romans 10:9-11, 13
Article Thirteen: Of The Church
We believe that a Christian Church is a congregation of baptized believers
associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel, said church
being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the Divine and Eternal
Grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the
gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of
ordination are pastors or elders whose qualifications, claims, and duties are
clearly defined in the scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is
found in the Great Commission: First, to make individual disciples; Second, to
build up the church; Third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not
believe in the reversal of this order; we hold that the local church has the
absolute right of self government, free from the interference of any hierarchy
of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is
Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to
cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of
the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and
method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of
government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is
final.
Article
Fourteen: Of Baptism And The Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in
the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of
the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in
the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and
resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a
church relation and to the Lord's supper, in which the members of the church, by
the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together
the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Matthew 3:6; 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42;
8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Colossians 2:12
Article
Fifteen: Of The Perseverance Of The Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their
persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from
superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare;
and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:20; 13:19-21; John 8:31-32;
10:28-29; 16:8; Romans 8:28, 35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21-23;
Hebrews 1:14; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 2:19
Article Sixteen:
Of The Righteous And The Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the
righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the
name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly
righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief
are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among
men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the
everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Genesis 18:23; Proverbs 11:31; 14:32; Malachi 3:18;
Matthew 7:13-14; 25:34; Luke 9:26; 16:25; John 8:21; 12:25; Acts 10:34-35;
Romans 1:17; 6:16-18, 23; 7:6; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Galatians 3:10; 1 Peter
4:18; 1 John 2:7, 29; 5:19
Article Seventeen: Of Civil
Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and
good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for,
conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of
our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming
Prince of the kings of the earth.
Exodus 18:21-22; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalm 72:11; Daniel
3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:19-20; 23:5; Romans 13:7;
Philippians 2:10-11; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14, 17
Article
Eighteen: Of The Resurrection And Return Of Christ
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face
and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "The
third day according to the Scriptures"; that He ascended "to the right hand of
the throne of God"; that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in
things pertaining to God"; "that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into
heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven," bodily,
personally, and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first"; that the
living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at
the last trump"; "that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father
David"; and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He
hath put all enemies under His feet."
Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 11:4-5; Matthew 24:27,42; 28:6-7; Mark
16:6,19; Luke 1:32; 24:2, 4-6, 39, 51; John 14:3; 20:27; Acts 1:9,11; 1
Corinthians 15:4; Philippians 4:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Timothy 2:5;
Hebrews 2:17; 5:9; 8:1; 9:28; 12:2
Article Nineteen: Of Missions
The command to give the gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this
Commission was given to the churches.
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them,
saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you and, lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen."
Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature."
John 20:21, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I
you."
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth."
Romans 10:13-15, "For whosoever shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they
have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they
preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good
things!"
2 Corinthians 8:7, "Therefore, as ye abound in every
thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in
your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the
church) upon the first day of the week.
1 Corinthians 16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let
every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there
be no gatherings when I come."
Under Grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe - "Abraham
GAVE the tenth of the spoils," (Hebrews 7:2, 4) and this was four hundred
years before the law, and is confirmed in the New Testament; Jesus said
concerning the tithe, "these ought ye to have done" Matthew 23:23.
We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church.
Leviticus 27:30, "The tithe ... is the Lord's."
Malachi 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes into the
storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith,
saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and
pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
In the New Testament, it was the common treasury of the church.
Acts 4:34,35,37, "And brought the prices of the things
that were sold and laid them down at the apostles' feet ... Having land,
sold it, and brought the money, and laid it AT THE APOSTLES' FEET."
Black
Belts of the Faith International
