Reproach of Men

Historically, a Statement of Faith is the declaration of what a church or an individual believes concerning the major doctrines of the Holy Bible. Statements of Faith have been used primarily to declare one’s adherence to Scripture, both for the adversary and the brethren. As such, Statements of Faith have been used as a means of answering the accuser and extending the hand of fellowship to brethren in declaring like faith and order. In these things, this Statement of Faith is no different.

To the end of achieving that dual purpose, the following is the synopses of what I believe concerning certain major scriptural doctrines. Currently this Statement of Faith contains 25 points of doctrine that are deemed to be the most crucial to declaring what I believe and determining adherence to Scripture. This Statement of Faith was borne out of the Statement of Faith of the first proper New Testament church that I was a member of, but has been rewritten and the Scriptural support for the Statement strengthened. This basic Statement will not change, however certain items may be added as circumstances warrant. Moreover, I believe that a Statement of Faith ought to be a teaching tool. In furtherance of that goal, each article is linked to its own page, in which it is further clarified by the addition of Scriptures. In the future, explanations of how each verse supports the doctrine will be added.

I do strongly encourage every born-again child of God to set forth their own Statement of Faith from the Scriptures. Even if you simply put the synopses in your own words, and search out and study each and every one of the verses and passages used to support the tenets of doctrine, you will find that it is an excellent way to grow in the knowledge of the LORD God and His word.

In Christ,

Paul W. Davis

I. Of the Scriptures, or Holy Bible

I believe that the Holy Bible was written by men that were supernaturally inspired. The Scriptures are the truth without any admixture of error for their matter. They are, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man. The Holy Bible is the true center of Christian union. The Scriptures are the only standard by which all human creeds, conducts and opinions are to be presently judged, and will be judged at the day of the LORD. More . . .

II. Of the One and Only True God

I believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God. The one true God is the LORD God as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures. The LORD God is a self-existent, infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth. As such, and by virtue of this fact, all things and persons in every place and time, both spiritual and physical are His property. He is present in all places at all times, which is from everlasting to everlasting, and nothing is or can be hid from His knowledge. The LORD God is infinite in knowledge, wisdom and understanding, and in power and presence. More . . .

III. Of the Lord Jesus Christ

I believe The Lord Jesus Christ is the Word fulfilling the office of the Son, and is the appointed Lamb of God. The Word is the second Person of the Godhead and is the Creator and Sustainer of all creation. The Word, when He took the office of the Son, did not lose His equality with the Father, but made Himself subject to the authority of the Father. In so doing He became the only begotten Son of God and the Lamb of God. This was done in order to effect the redemption of man, and is utterly necessary for our salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ is thus the only Saviour of man, and there exists no other means of salvation; no other means of reconciliation with God. More . . .

IV. Of the Holy Ghost

I believe that the Holy Ghost is a divine person, fully equal with the Father and the Word and is of the same nature, will and intent. The Holy Ghost is infinite in power, presence and in knowledge and is from everlasting to everlasting. The Holy Ghost was present and active in the creation and is the agent in the new birth. His continuing relationship with the unbelievers in this world is to convict them of sin, of the righteousness of God, and of judgment. In His work he restrains the power and influence of the Devil until the time appointed by the LORD God for the Antichrist to rule upon the earth. He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel when it is preached and testimony of it is given. More . . .

V. Of the Devil, or Satan

I believe that Satan is a spiritual person who was at one time known as the angel Lucifer. He was created righteous and holy, perfect in all his ways to hold one of the highest positions in heaven: as one of the covering cherubs of the throne of God. Being created with great intelligence, wisdom, beauty and ability in music, he became full of pride, lost his righteousness, and attempted to overthrow the throne of God. In his rebellion he deceived a third of the host of heaven into following him. As a result of his rebellion, he lost his position in heaven and was cast out. Now, he is known as the Devil, the dragon, the prince of the power of the air, and the god of this world. More . . .

VI. Of the Creation

I 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. I hold that all of creation was not, and is 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 and is, that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” More . . .

VII. Of the Fall of Man

I believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker. That the LORD God created man in a righteous state. That Adam’s righteousness was finite, and thus required the LORD’s guidance. However, Adam voluntarily chose to transgress the command of God, and in so doing, fell from his sinless and happy state. Thus, all men, being the descendants of Adam, are born with a nature to sin, and so exercise that propensity by choice at the first opportunity. More . . .

VIII. Of the Virgin Birth

I 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 be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God the Son. More . . .

IX. Of the Atonement for Sin

I believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, though the mediatorial offices of the Son of God. The Lord Jesus Christ, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins. His atonement was 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, the Lord Jesus Christ bearing our sins in His own body on the tree. And, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. More . . .

X. Of Grace in the New Creation

I believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again. This work of God is not by coercion, but by a person’s voluntary obedience to the gospel upon conviction of the Holy Ghost. This event is called the new birth and begets a new creature in Christ Jesus. Moreover, that it is instantaneous and not a process and 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. This new creature is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Ghost in connection with divine truth. More . . .

XI. Of the Freeness of Salvation

I believe in the election of God’s grace. Through this grace, salvation and its blessings are made free to all by the gospel. It is the incumbent and immediate duty of all to accept salvation by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith. There is nothing to prevent the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel. It is this rejection of the gospel which will involve him in an aggravated condemnation. More . . .

XII. Of Justification

I believe that no man may stand before the LORD God, except that they are justified in His sight. Justification means that one’s righteousness is equal to the righteousness of the LORD God, so that in all things one is as righteous as God. This justification is not possible, nor is it found in anyone or anything except the Lord Jesus Christ, and that by His work of atonement on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Justification is granted to all, who in repentance and faith, place their full trust and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood. More . . .

XIII. Of Faith and Repentance

I believe that Faith and Repentance are granted by the grace of God, and are solemn obligations and requirements for salvation. Without faith, it is impossible to understand the truth of the word of God, or to come to God in any meaningful manner. By the instrument of faith one understands their position before the LORD God as a sinner under condemnation. Through faith, one also comes to the understanding of who the Lord Jesus Christ is, and the atonement for sin and gift of eternal life He offers. More . . .

XIV. Of the Church

I believe that the church the Lord Jesus Christ established on this earth is a type or kind that consists of a local body of baptized believers bound together by covenant between each and every individual and the Lord Jesus Christ for the spread of the gospel and the maintenance of the doctrine of the Scriptures. As such, each and every local congregation is the New Testament church, and is the body of Christ for that locale. The church is not, and does not consist of all believers everywhere, neither does it consist of all the churches collectively or universally. The New Testament church has only one head, which is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. More . . .

XV. Of Baptism

I believe that proper New Testament baptism solely consists of immersing the believer fully in water; and that this is done in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by the authority of the local church. As such, it is an ordinance of the local church that cannot be set aside, or taken lightly. The purpose of this is to show forth a solemn and beautiful emblem of faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour. Though it is not effectual for salvation, More . . .

XVI. Of the Lord’s Supper

I believe the Lord’s Supper is the second of the two ordinances of the local church, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and the unfermented blood of the grape (wine), commemorate together the death of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper is not open to anyone who is not a member of that particular local church, and is always to be preceded by a solemn self-examination. More . . .

XVII. Of Missions

I believe that the sending forth of missionaries is an imperative set forth by the Lord Jesus Christ that cannot be set aside or ignored by the true New Testament church. The Lord’s churches are not at liberty to determine whether they will have missions, but are plainly commanded to send forth those individuals who are called of the Holy Ghost to preach the gospel to every person and establish New Testament churches. More . . .

XVIII. Of the Preservation of the Saints

I believe the born-again believer is eternally secure in Christ, and reject the false doctrines of Calvinism and Arminianism. The Scripture is plain that the believer’s security is not based upon any works of righteousness the believer does, or could do, nor is it based upon being preselected or predestined for salvation. Rather, it is based solely upon the work of the Lord Jesus Christ within the covenant established between the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost. More . . .

XIX. Of Liberty of the Conscience

I believe that liberty of the conscience, which is the liberty of the soul to freely choose what one will believe and accept, is essential for the individual to be accountable before God for the choices that are made and actions that are taken. I believe that the LORD God, in creating men and angels with a free will, bestowed upon us liberty of the conscience, and it is His desire that it be no other way. Howsoever, it is also the LORD’s express will that all men be reconciled to Him through Christ Jesus so that the original design of man is fulfilled, . . . More . . .

XX. Of the Grace Of Giving

I believe that tithes and offerings are ordained of God for the provision of the ministry and spread of the gospel. The giving of tithes and offerings is not, nor has ever been for the establishment of righteousness, rather it demonstrates the individual’s recognition of the provision the LORD God has made for our very existence, and is an acknowledgment that all things belong to God. As such, the tithe is a basic form of worship that all believers ought to partake of. More . . .

XXI. Of the Righteous and the Wicked

I believe that the true distinction and difference between the righteous and the wicked exists in the soul of the individual. The determining factor between those who are righteous and those who are wicked is whether they have the nature of Christ, or the nature of Adam, in the inner man. This distinction ought to be visible in outward appearance and action, but outward appearance and behavior are not the standard by which the LORD God determines who is and is not justified in His sight. More . . .

XXII. Of Government

I believe governments are ordained of God as a result of man’s wicked, sinful and rebellious nature. Government is necessary for the good order and beneficial interest of all mankind. A government reflects the society it governs as it is the LORD God that raises up the leadership of a nation for either the blessing, or judgement of that nation. I believe government is authorized by God to judge those under it, even to bring the penalty of death upon they that shed the blood of others without cause. More . . .

XXIII. Of Christian Citizenship

I believe that the citizenship of the born-again believer is in the kingdom of God. This kingdom is not an earthly kingdom, rather it is a spiritual kingdom that is greater than any and all nations, states and governmental authorities of this world. Indeed, all authorities are less than the authority of kingdom of God. As such, the believers only responsibility is to the kingdom of God. In this, the LORD God has commanded the believer to be obedient to the laws of the earthly authorities and to serve them to the extent that it is not contrary to their service to the LORD. More . . .

XXIV. Of the Resurrection

I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was bodily resurrected on the third day as the Scriptures plainly state. That this resurrection was not only for our justification, but also as the firstfruits of the resurrection to come; in which the body of the believer will be changed from sinful flesh to a sinless body so that the believer will be righteous as Christ is righteous, and be forever sealed in that righteousness. I believe that upon Christ’s return prior to the Great Tribulation, those who are dead in Christ will rise first, . . . More . . .

XXV. Of the Return of Christ and Related Events

I believe in the imminent and personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to resurrect those that sleep in Christ and catch up, or rapture His church and those that are alive in Christ. This event immediately precedes the time of Jacob’s trouble called the Great Tribulation, in which Israel will be called again to witness to the world of the salvation that is in Christ, and in Him alone. This witness is accompanied at different times by an angel preaching the everlasting gospel and two chosen witnesses. During this time the world will experience the judgement and wrath of God for its rejection of Him. More . . .