COMMON SALVATION AND COMMON FAITH - 1

ONE FAITH- BIBLIOLOGY-  We, at Church of the Resurrection, affirm that the seven-fold unity recorded in Ephesians 4:1-7 is indeed the essential truth of doctrine for the church, the Body of Christ, and therefore we affirm that Eph.4: 4-7 stands alone as the Doctrinal Unity for the Age of Grace. Therefore, in full accord with the mind of the Spirit, we hold the following doctrinal beliefs. . The entire 66 books of the Bible in its original writings, was verbally inspired by God (II Tim.3: 16-17; II Pet.1: 20-21), is the completed WORD (Revelation) of God and is of plenary authority (I Cor.2: 4-5, 10-13; Col.1: 23-25).  We are directed to "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Tim.2: 15), to avoid confusion (Ps.71: 1; I Cor.14: 33), to hold fast the faithful Word as we have been taught through Sound Doctrine (Titus 1:9) and to understand that the whole Bible is profitable for that Doctrine (II Tim.3: 16).

ONE GOD- THEOLOGY PROPER - The Doctrine of God.  There is only ONE living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a pure spirit, invisible, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, wise, holy, free, absolute, omniscient, omnipresent, working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and righteous will, for HIS OWN GLORY (John 4:24; Malachi 3:6; Ps.90: 2; Jer.32: 17; Eph.1: 10-11). God is eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each is equal, infinite, eternal, and almighty.

ONE BAPTISM- SOTERIOLOGY - The Doctrine of Salvation. Mankind was created in the image and likeness of God and by his own volition, he disobeyed God, incurring both physical and spiritual death - which is separation from God. Everyone is born into this state having a sin nature,being spiritually dead and is totally depraved by nature, thus having a need for salvation from spiritual death. Man's efforts, regardless of how well intended, cannot earn salvation. Man's salvation is a free gift, made available by faith in the completed payment for sin, through Jesus Christ's substitutional death on the cross, His burial and resurrection, being now seated at the right hand of God the Father (Rom.3: 9-12, 24-28; 4:1-8; I Cor.1: 18-31, 15:3-4; Eph.2: 8-9; Ps.110: 1; Lev.1: 4; II Cor.5: 21; I Peter 2:24; Matt.22: 44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42-43; Acts 2:34-35; Heb.1: 13, 10:12).Total Depravity: All men by nature are spiritually dead and, hence, are totally unable and unwilling to do anything pleasing to God (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 3:9-12). Because man, in his natural state, hates and opposes the sovereign God of Scripture, no man can nor will come to Christ unless he is irresistibly drawn by the Spirit of God (John 6:37, 44; Rom. 3:10-11; Eph. 4:18). Irresistible Grace (Unconditional Regeneration): Solely on the basis of God’s redeeming love, the Holy Spirit regenerates the elect “ thereby causing them to believe, repent, and exercise faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:1-9; Acts 13:48; John 6:44-45, 63-65; 2 Th. 2:13). This work is irresistible and sovereign. Perseverance and Sanctification: The believer is kept eternally secure by the power of God (Rom. 8:29-39), as follows: the Holy Spirit’s work in the elect delivers them from the controlling power of the sin nature (though the sin nature is never eradicated during this life) and creates in them a new nature which loves and obeys God (Php. 2:11, 12; Col. 3:9-11; Rom. 6:11, 7:22; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:16-25; Ps. 110:3).  God justifies ungodly sinners by His Grace through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit producing personal faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ His Son. This salvation is complete, eternal and given as a free gift from God apart from man's works (Rom.3: 24-28, 5:1-11; Eph.2: 8-9). The only means of our salvation is by His shed blood on the cross (Rom.3: 24-26; Eph.1: 5-7; I Tim.2: 5; II Tim.1: 8-9).  While the believer is assured of eternal security, eternal damnation is certain for the lost, the unbeliever or those who "know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom.5: 1-2, 8:29-39; Eph.1: 13-14; Phil.1: 6; Titus 1:2; II Thes.1: 7-9; Rom.2: 1-11; Eph.5: 6; Matt.25: 41; Rev.14: 10-11, 20:11-15, 21:8). Because of Christ's victory over sin and the indwelling Holy Spirit in believers, all of the saved may and should experience deliverance from the power of sin in their lives by obedience (Rom.6: 11; Titus 2:10), but we deny that the sin nature of man is ever eradicated during this life in the flesh (Rom.7: 18-19; II Cor.7: 1). But wonderfully above and beyond this there is the possibility of giving oneself to God's service and thus being pleasing to Him (Rom.12: 1-2). This is made possible in the "new man" (Eph.4: 20-24).  We recognize and acknowledge that God gave gifts from the Holy Spirit to men in other ages. However, the only gifts given to men today are from God the Son for the work of the ministry and the edification of the Body of Christ. These gifts are enumerated in Eph. Chapter 4 and Romans Chapter 12. These gifts are persons who have the responsibility to prepare the church for the responsibility of its spiritual life and the maturing of the Saints for the work of the ministry (Eph.4: 12-16) or gifts of ministry (Romans 12:1-21) for service to those both within and without the Body of Christ.

ONE LORD- CHRISTOLOGY - The Doctrine of Christ. Jesus Christ, Who has always existed (since eternity) is GOD THE SON. He was begotten by the Holy Spirit in human form and was born of the Virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully man (Phil.2: 6-8; Luke 1:35; John 1:1 {The Word}; Rom.1: 3-4; Col.2: 9; I Tim.2: 5). He was crucified, died, buried, and rose on the third day (I Cor.15: 3-4) as the Savior (Eph.5: 23). Today, in His Glory, He is seated at the right hand of God the Father in the heavenly places and has a name which is exalted above every name (Eph.2: 6-7; Phi.2: 9-11). God the Son is the creator and sustainer of all things (Deut.6:4; Isa.48:16; Eph.4:4-6; I John 5:7)

ONE SPIRIT-PNEUMATOLOGY - The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit.  God the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity (i.e. not a force, influence or power). The Holy Spirit equips the believer for spiritual battle,being the author of the Scriptures, II Tim. 3:16) by which we take His sword, the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). By the work of the Holy Spirit every saved person is baptized into the Body of Christ (I Cor.12: 13), is eternally sealed (Eph.1: 13), in-dwelt (Eph.3: 16), regenerated (Titus 3:5-6), taught and illuminated through the Word (I Cor.2: 10-13; Rom.10: 17) a producer of His first "fruit of the Spirit ,i.e. "a life guided by the Holy Spirit" (Gal.5: 22-25).