We are convinced by Scripture and by reason that:
God provided Jesus Christ as the only solution to the problem of sin.
Salvation
Salvation is entirely by God’s grace, based on the redemption provided by Jesus Christ through His perfect life and atoning blood, not on human effort or merit (John 1:12; Romans 5:18–19; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8–10; 1 Peter 1:18–19).
- Election
- Election is God’s sovereign choice, made before the world was founded, selecting those who would be regenerated, saved, and sanctified in Christ (Romans 8:28–30; 9:11–16; Ephesians 1:4–11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1–2).
- God’s sovereign election does not cancel out human responsibility to repent and believe in Christ (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18–19, 36; 5:40; Romans 9:19–23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12; Revelation 22:17).
- God’s grace encompasses both the means of obtaining salvation and the gift itself, ensuring that those elected by the Father will come to faith and be received (John 6:37–40, 44; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:30).
- God’s choice of sinners, who are entirely depraved, is based on His sovereign will and grace, not on any action or foreseen faith on the part of the sinner (Romans 9:11, 16; Ephesians 1:4–7; Titus 3:4–7; 1 Peter 1:2).
- Election should be understood as being in harmony with God’s other attributes like omniscience, justice, and love, and is always consistent with His character as shown in Jesus Christ (Romans 9:11–16; Matthew 11:25–28; 2 Timothy 1:9).
- Atonement
- Jesus, through His perfect obedience and sacrifice offered to God, satisfied God’s justice, appeased His wrath, achieved reconciliation, and secured an eternal inheritance for believers (Hebrews 9:14; 10:14; 2:17; 1 John 4:10; Romans 3:25–26; 5:10; Hebrews 9:15; John 6:39; 10:14–15, 28–29; 17:2, 9, 24).
- Regeneration
- Regeneration is a supernatural act of the Holy Spirit, bestowing a new nature and spiritual life, accomplished instantaneously through God’s Word by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3–7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; John 5:24; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23).
- The repentant sinner, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 John 5:1).
- Justification
- Justification is God’s act of declaring righteous those who repent and believe in Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord (Romans 8:33; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6–7; Acts 16:31; 20:21; Romans 1:16; 3:22, 26; Galatians 3:22; Romans 10:9–10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11).
- Righteousness is declared legally and consists of our sins being imputed to Christ and His righteousness being imputed to us through faith alone (Deuteronomy 25:1; Romans 8:1, 33–34; Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:18–19; Romans 3:28; 4:4–5; 5:1; Galatians 2:16; 3:11, 24).
- Sanctification
- Every believer is sanctified at the moment of conversion, set apart for God, and declared holy; this positional sanctification is immediate and distinct from progressive sanctification (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2).
- Progressive sanctification involves becoming more like Christ through obedience to God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s power (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1–22; 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–4; 5:23).
- Believers are engaged in a daily struggle against sin, with the Holy Spirit providing victory over sin (Galatians 5:16–25; Ephesians 4:22–24; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:9–10; 1 Peter 1:14–16; 1 John 3:2–9).
- Security
- The redeemed are eternally secure in Christ, kept by God’s power (John 5:24; 6:37–40; 10:27–30; Romans 5:9–10; 8:1, 31–39; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24).
- Those who deny Christ after professing faith reveal they were never truly saved (1 John 2:19).
- Believers should rejoice in their salvation’s assurance while avoiding sinful behavior (Romans 6:15–22; 13:13–14; Galatians 5:13, 25–26; Titus 2:11–14).
- Genuine salvation produces righteous attitudes and conduct, evidenced by good works through obedience to God’s Word (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 5:17–21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4–10; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2–3).
- Separation
- Scripture calls for separation from sin, especially as apostasy and worldliness increase in the last days (2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1–5).
- Out of gratitude for God’s grace, believers should live in a way that shows love for God and avoids bringing reproach upon Him, separating from apostasy and sinful practices (Romans 12:1–2; 1 Corinthians 5:9–13; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; 1 John 2:15–17; 2 John 9–11).
- Believers should be devoted to Christ and pursue a life of obedient righteousness, reflecting the Beatitudes and striving for holiness (2 Thessalonians 1:11–12; Hebrews 12:1–2; Matthew 5:2–12; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11–14; 1 John 3:1–10).
