I. Preface

The purpose of this doctrinal statement is to express the foundational theological truths upon which our club is built and will be protected by. A doctrinal statement is not a sermon or a devotional, rather, it is a theological foundation upon which our club stands, as well as a theological fence that protects our club from false teaching. For an idea of how we apply these doctrinal truths in our local congregation, please listen to our sermons at www.gcclittleton.org where you can also find contact information to speak to a pastor about any questions you may have concerning our doctrinal statement.

We believe that human beings were created in the image of God to live in a relationship with him and to display his glory and beauty throughout the world as they commune with him. Because of sin we have been separated from God and do not know him and are therefore unable to live according to our God-given design and purpose and are under his just judgment. We are brought into a relationship with him only through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. Therefore, the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is essential and central to the fulfillment of our mission to fill the earth with the knowledge of God. The following doctrinal statement outlines the biblical truths that are central to our ministry. To God alone be the glory for all of the good things he will do in the ministry. 

II. The Bible

We believe that God, through human instruments, is the author of all the Scripture, not just parts of it, and thus the entire Bible is divinely inspired (2 Ti. 3:16). 

Though the Scripture came from God, God used men to write the Scriptures. In writing the Scriptures the personalities and vocabularies and experiences of the men are evident in their writings. However, though God used these men in such a way that their individuality is obvious, this by no means implies that the Scripture was a combination of God’s message commingled with man’s message. Though the Bible was written by men, these men did not in any way originate this message, but rather were carried along by the Holy Spirit in such a way that they recorded the Word of God exactly the way that God alone intended it to be recorded (2 Peter 1:20-21). 

Because God is the author of Scripture we believe that in its original manuscripts, original languages and according to its intended meaning, all of the Scripture is without error and is our only infallible guide (Ps. 19:7; Jn. 17:17) as it pertains to the truth about God and his eternal plans and purposes in Christ. As such the Scripture is the final authority on all matters and is binding on all of creation. 

We also believe that the canon of Scripture is complete and that there is no new genuine revelation from God that was, or will be given to man after the completion of the New Testament (Heb. 1:2; Rev. 22:18-19). The Bible, which contains 66 books (39 OT and 27 NT) is a sufficient revelation of God and it is complete and we adamantly reject any notion of additional revelation being given to man after the completion of the canon of Scripture, nor do we accept any apocryphal writings as carrying the same authority as Scripture.

III. The Trinity

We believe that there is one God (Dt. 6:4; 1 Ki. 8:60; Isa. 44:6-8; 45:5-6; 45:21-22; Mk 12:29; Ro. 3:30; 1 Cor. 8:6; 1 Ti. 2:5; Ja. 2:19) eternally existing in three persons. We believe the three persons of the Trinity are God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, co-eternal, and co-equal within the Godhead (Biblical texts for this will be shown below when each person of the Trinity is broken down). All three persons of the Godhead are to be honored as God and worshipped and obeyed fully.  There are several statements in the Bible wherein each person of the Triune God are mentioned together due to the fact that they comprise the 3 persons of the Trinity, who is the one God over all (Mt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Pe. 1:2; Jude 20-21). The plans and purposes of the Triune Godhead are one yet we believe that each person of the Trinity plays a distinct role in the execution of the plans and purposes of the Godhead. 

IV. God the Father

We believe that God the Father is the first person of the Trinity and that he is fully God (John 17; Jn. 20:17; 2 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 11:31; Eph. 1:3; 1 Pe. 1:3). We believe that as the first person of the Trinity, God the Father has the position of authority within the Trinity and is fully obeyed by God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (Jn. 4:34; 8:28-29; Jn. 14:31; Php. 2:8-11; Jn. 16:13). 

We believe that through Jesus Christ, the Father is the creator and sovereign ruler over all things, (Ps. 22:28; 104:14, 27-29; 135:6-7; 139:16; Pr. 16:4, 33; Jr. 1:5; Da. 4:34-35; Ro. 8:28; Gal. 1:15; Ge. 50:20; Php. 4:19; Mt. 6:33; Ex. 4:21, 7:3; 9:12; 14:4,8; Ro. 9:17-18; Isa. 45:7; 46:10), including salvation (Jn. 6:44; 10:29-30; 17:1-3, 6-11; Ephesians 1:4-6, 11-12; Romans 8:29-30; 9:14-24). 

All of the Father’s purposes and plans in creation (Ge. 1:1-31; Jn. 1:1-4; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:1-3; Acts 17:26;) and redemption are to display his glory and they are accomplished in and through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:12), and thus we believe that there is a glorious Christ-centeredness in the exercise of his sovereign will in fulfilling his eternal plans and purposes (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:9; Ro. 8:3; Eph. 1:10-11; Col. 1:15-20). 

V. Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is the 2nd person of the Trinity and is the unique God-man who is at the same time fully man and fully God. He is co-eternal with the Father and is thus fully God (Ex. 3:14 and Jn. 8:58; Jn. 20:25-28; Ro. 9:5; Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:6, 10-13), and through him creation came into being and is sustained (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-20; Heb. 1:1-3). We believe that Jesus Christ was born on earth of the virgin Mary and is thus fully human as well (Matthew 1:18-21; Gal. 4:4; Php. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:14-18). In becoming human in no way did he surrender his divine essence or being. We also believe that he is completely sinless in every way (John 14:31; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pe. 1:19; 1 Jn. 3:5). 

According to his Father’s purposes in redemption Jesus Christ willingly left his glory in heaven and in so doing showed that as the 2nd person of the Trinity, he was fully submissive to the Father and is under his authority, and accomplished salvation in obedience to the Father (Mt. 26:42; Jn. 4:34; 8:28-29; Jn. 14:31; Php. 2:8-11).

Through his perfect life, substitutionary death on the cross for sinners, and his resurrection from the dead, his intercession for his people, and his imminent return, he has accomplished salvation for sinners according to the Father’s plan (Ro. 4:25-5:1; 1 Cor. 15:3-5; Eph. 1:10-11; Heb. 7:25; 9:28). We believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead bodily after being buried in his tomb for 3 days and that he appeared to many and gave convincing proofs for his resurrection from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-8). He is therefore the firstborn from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20-23; Col. 1:18) and has ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9) where he sits on his throne at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for his people as their great High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16; 7:23-25; 9:24-28; 10:11-14; Ro. 8:34). He is also the head of a new creation as the firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:17-20). We believe that he makes all of his people new creatures in himself and that one day he will renew all things, including the entire created order, and thus he will reconcile all things to himself (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:8-10; Colossians 1:20; Revelation 21:5).

VI. The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of the Trinity and is therefore God and should be honored as such (Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:17). The Holy Spirit participated with the rest of the Triune Godhead in creation (Ge. 1:2). The Holy Spirit is given the divine attribute of omniscience in the Scriptures (1 Cor. 2:10-11). The Holy Spirit is also given the divine attribute of omnipresence as well (Ps. 139:7-8). We also see that the Holy Spirit is the agent by which those who are spiritually dead are regenerated and made alive according to the sovereign work of God alone, (Ez. 36:26-27; 37:1-14; Jn. 3:3-8; 6:63; 7:37-39; Gal. 5:25) and are brought into a spiritual union with Christ, and thus are made to be spiritual children of God (John 1:12-13; 3:5-8; 1 Jn. 3:9; Tit. 3:5; Ez. 36:26-27). Therefore, we believe that it is through the work of the Spirit that the application of the saving work of Jesus Christ is made to the believer. We believe that these things clearly demonstrate the deity of the Holy Spirit.

We believe the Holy Spirit is with and dwells in all believers and is essential for salvation (Jn. 14:17; Romans 8:9; Tit. 3:5). The Holy Spirit is also the endowment of our future inheritance in glory and the guarantee that our salvation is secure as he seals us when we come to faith in the Gospel (Ephesians 1:13-14). We therefore believe that it is impossible for a true believer to lose the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (Jn. 16:8) and is given to glorify Jesus Christ (Jn. 16:14-15). We believe that as the Holy Spirit indwells believers he enables us to live a holy life that bears holy fruit as a result of his work in us and our fellowship with him (2 Cor. 13:14; Ro. 8:13; Galatians 5:22-25). We believe that the Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual gifts for service in the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 12:4-11). We believe that the Spirit unifies all true believers (Eph. 4:3). We also believe that it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the writers of the Bible and thus insured that the message was inerrant, and is a faithful and true witness of God and his glory in Christ (2 Ti. 3:16-17; 2 Pe. 1:21).

VII. Creation

We believe, that by the spoken power of God’s Word alone, that the Triune God sovereignly created the universe out of nothing (Hebrews 11:3) in 6, literal, 24 hour days (Genesis 1). We also believe that God sustains all things in creation by the Word of his power (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17) and that all things were made for is glory (Psalm 19:1, Ro. 1:19-20).  

VIII. Man

We believe that human beings, both male and female, were created in the image of God for the purpose of living in fellowship with him and displaying his glory to the creation (Ge. 1:26-28). In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve fell into sin and thus failed to live according to their God-given design and were therefore punished by God (Ge. 3:16-24). As was true of Adam and Eve after the fall, we believe that because of sin, we being in union with Adam, are now by nature evil, spiritually dead, unable to have true fellowship with each other, condemned under God’s judgment, subject to physical death, unable to live according to our God-given design, separated from God, and under his wrath (Ro. 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Eph. 2:1-3; Col 1:21). We believe that man is completely unable to remedy his condition by his own will, or power, or resources and is in desperate need of God’s salvation in Christ as man can do nothing to contribute to his own salvation in any way. 

Concerning the current issue of transgenderism we believe that God has sovereignly created each individual person as either male or female, and both male and female image forth our glorious creator God in their own unique way (Ge. 1:27). We believe that the authority and prerogative to determine each person’s gender lies with God alone who sovereignly designed each person according to his own purposes. Therefore, any change or alteration of one’s gender is rebellion against God’s design and authority, who alone has the right to create us according to his will (Ps. 139:13-16; Isa. 43:1-7; Ro. 9:20-21; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11, 10:6). Therefore, to claim to identify with or alter one’s body unto becoming a gender contrary to that which God himself made a person to be, is sin and rebellion against the design of our good and wise God. 

This sin is not so unique in that it cannot be pardoned. Like all of us fallen people, transgender individuals are seeking an identity outside of God’s design and who he made us to be in Christ. Others do this as well when they seek identity in beauty, riches, achievements, or anything else other than Christ. If a transgender individual, or any other sinner, confesses their sin to God, trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation believing his death on the cross atones for their sin, believes God raised Jesus from the dead on the 3rd day, and walks in repentance towards God, he will be saved and given a new identity in Christ (Acts 13:39; Romans 10:9; Eph. 1:1-14; Col. 1:21-23). God loves transgender people and so do we. In love, both God and we his people call the transgender community (and all communities) to faith in Christ and repentance towards God unto salvation (Acts 17:30).

IX. The Gospel

We believe that the Gospel is the good news that though man has sinned and thus has become evil, separated from God, and under God’s wrath, God has made a way for sinners to be saved through Jesus Christ. God so loved the world that he sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world, to do for us, what we cannot do for ourselves, namely, remove the wrath of God from ourselves, gain a relationship with God, and change our nature. When Jesus came to the earth he lived a perfect life in our place (1 John 3:5). Since he did not have any of his own sin to pay for, when he died on the cross he was able to pay the full penalty for the sins of his people (Isaiah 53:5; Colossians 2:14; Romans 3:23-26; 1 John 2:1-2). 3 days after dying on the cross for sinners, Jesus was risen from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), thus defeating the grave on behalf of his people. Therefore, anyone who believes Jesus died on the cross for their sins and rose from the dead to defeat Satan, sin, and death, will be forgiven for their sins, reconciled to God, and will be made a new creation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:9; Colossians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20). The believer will have the assurance that he has been saved from God’s wrath through the forgiveness of sins and will have eternal life and dwell with God forever (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Philippians 1:21-26; Revelation 21:1-5).

“For Christ died, once for sins, the just for the unjust that he might bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Romans 10:9-10

“In Him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Ephesians 1:7

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” 1 Timothy 1:15

For a fuller and more detailed explanation of the components of our salvation in Christ, see the section below on salvation.

X. Salvation

We believe that salvation, from beginning to end, is solely by the sovereign grace of God alone that he has displayed and achieved in the person and work of His Son Jesus Christ. Salvation is only in Jesus Christ and there is salvation in no other (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12). Sinners receive salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone believing his death on the cross paid the price for sin, and his resurrection from the dead defeated death for his people (Romans 4:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-10; Gal. 2:16; 3:10-14; Php. 3:8-10; Col. 1:21-23; 2:14-15; Tit. 3:4-7), which is always accompanied by repentance (2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 17:30; Luke 5:32; 13:3,5 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 11:18; 20:21; 26:20; 2 Ti. 2:25; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pe. 3:9). We believe in the eternal security of the believer and hold to the biblical notion that it is impossible for a genuine believer to lose his or her salvation (Jeremiah 32:38-41; John 6:39; 10:27-29; 17:2, 6-12, 15-17; Ro. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:13-14; Heb. 7:25; 1 Pe. 1:5; 1 Jn. 2:19). 

We also believe that while the true believer’s salvation is secure and guaranteed by the grace of God in Jesus Christ, nevertheless it is demanded of believers that we persevere to the end of our lives in faith and holiness (Mt. 7:21-23; 10:22, 24:13; John 8:31-32; Col. 1:22-23; Heb. 3:12-14; 1 Jn. 2:19; 3:9-10). God’s power and indwelling Spirit towards us who believe will enable and cause us to persevere in faith to the end and thus our salvation is eternally secure, because by God’s sovereign grace, he will personally see to it that his people persevere to the end (Jr. 32:38-41; Ez. 36:26-27; Ro. 8:29-30; 1 Pe. 1:5). 

This does not mean that we do not possess salvation in this life, but rather, we believe that we do possess our salvation now, and yet, there still remains a future reality of our salvation that has not yet occurred, but is guaranteed because of the person and work of Christ. Therefore, we believe that our salvation takes place in stages with a clear beginning, middle, and end, which are guaranteed to be completed for all true believers (1 Cor. 15:1-2; Ro. 8:29-30). Below are the stages and components of a believer’s salvation that unfold in his life.

1. Election

We believe that apart from any foreseen faith, merit, or goodness in his people, but solely according to his own grace, purpose, and will, that the Father has chosen a people from every tribe, language, and nation, for salvation in Christ before the foundation of the world to the praise of his glorious grace according to his free purposes in election (Jn. 6:44; 10:29-30; 17:1-3, 6-11; Ephesians 1:4-6, 11-12; Romans 8:29-30; 9:14-24).

2. Effectual Calling

We believe that God effectually calls to himself, those whom he has chosen for salvation. By his power and grace the Father begins to woo and draw his elect to Jesus Christ and he is the initiator who causes them to become aware of their sins and compelled to come to Christ. When God effectually calls his elect to him, all of those whom he has chosen will in fact gladly come to him because of the power and greatness of his call which is the primary cause of their coming to Jesus as he clearly taught in John 6:44. Additionally, Paul taught that all of God’s elect are called by God, and that all who are called are justified and glorified by God, and thus we see that this effectual calling is only to the elect (John 6:44; Romans 1:6; 8:29-30; 1 Cor. 1:9; Eph. 1:18; 1 Th. 2:12; 2 Ti. 1:8-9; 1 Pe. 2:9; 2 Pe. 1:3). The effectual call of God goes forth through the human proclamation of the Gospel, and when the effectual call is operative, there is divine power in the hearer’s heart to respond to the message with saving faith.

There is also a general Gospel call (Mt. 11:28-30; 22:14; John 7:37-39;) to all people to come to Jesus Christ, but this general call is not the same as God’s effectual call. It is a sincere call to all sinners to come to Jesus Christ. However, being incapable of responding to that call on their own because of the hardness and deceitfulness of sin, those who are not of the elect will never willingly choose to respond to the call and will not come to Jesus. Acts 13:26-48 is a good example of both calls at work. The Gospel was proclaimed through Paul, a human instrument, to all who were there indiscriminately, a response to the Gospel was called for, and some were hardened and unbelieving (vs. 44-46), and others responded with saving faith and these people are the ones about whom the text is careful to say in vs.48, “…as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” The Gospel call went out to all, but it was only the individuals who were appointed by God for eternal life who were effectually called and enabled to come to saving faith by God’s sovereign grace. 

3. Regeneration

In regeneration, which is essential for salvation, we believe that when the Father effectually calls his elect, the Holy Spirit sovereignly regenerates their hearts and gives them spiritual life enabling the elect to believe, imparting a new divine nature into the inner man of the genuine believer. This is a sovereign act of the Holy Spirit whereby he indwells all believers, and this is not something that a believer does for himself, but rather, as God’s elect, the believer has this work done to him by God (John 1:11-13, 3:3-8; Ro. 6:1-23, 8:9; Gal. 3:2-5,14; Eph. 1:13:14, 2:4-10, 3:17; 2 Peter 1:3-4;). In regeneration sinners become new creatures in Christ (2 Co 5:17), whereby they are given a new heart and live a transformed life as they now hate the sin they once loved, and they love the true glory of God and all of his ways, which they once hated (Jr. 31:33, 32:39-40; Ez. 36:26-27; 1 Jn. 3:9-10).

4. Faith and Repentance (Genuine Conversion)

Having been chosen by God’s free grace in election, having been effectually called by him to Jesus, and having been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and given new life (all of which are things God does to us), the believer then gladly, freely, and willingly responds to the Gospel with faith and repentance. This is the first thing that the believer does in salvation. He willingly chooses to trust in Jesus Christ and what he has accomplished in the Gospel on the sinner’s behalf, as the sole basis for his salvation, and this salvation is received by faith alone (Ro. 4:1-8; Gal. 3:10-14; Eph. 2:8-10). The essence of this faith is that it is sincere, it is heartfelt, and it is “living faith,” in that it is genuine and not false. All true saving faith will be accompanied by repentance, which is a sincere and heartfelt remorse for sin, a sincere confidence in Christ for salvation, and a genuine turning away from a life of sin and rebellion against God, which will then express itself in a life of good deeds that flow from faith and the new life the believer has received in Christ (Romans 4:1-8; 6:1-4; Ja. 2:18-23; Mt. 3:1-10; Titus 2:11-14). Zaccheus is a good example of such a life (Lk. 19:1-10). 

5. Justification

We believe that justification is a legal declaration made by God towards a believer wherein the believer is declared to be not guilty and is also declared to be just in God’s sight. Justification is received solely by faith in Jesus Christ alone and in no way do our works contribute to our justification before God (Romans 3:28, 4:1-8; Gal. 2:16, 3:1-9). Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life of love to the Father in our place and was fully pleasing to God (Jn. 14:31; Heb. 4:15; 1 Jn. 3:5). This perfect life is credited to all of Christ’s people who, by faith alone, come to him alone for acceptance with God (Jr. 23:6, 33:16; Ro 4:23-25; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Cor. 1:30; Php. 3:9). In justification, the very righteousness of Christ himself is credited to believers and it is by virtue of possessing His righteousness by faith that our legal standing with God is one of being declared righteous. The justifying righteousness that Jesus achieved for his people through his sinless life is essential to their salvation. We believe that any denial of the imputation, or crediting, of the righteousness of Christ to the believer is tantamount to proclaiming a false Gospel. 

6. Propitiation

In propitiation, we believe that at the cross Jesus was punished by God in the place of his people for their guilt and sin (Isa 53:5; Ro 3:25-26; 1 Jn. 2:2;) and thus he satisfied the wrath of God towards all true believers.

7. Redemption

In redemption we believe that the ransom price required to redeem us from slavery to sin was paid by Jesus Christ on the cross when he purchased our redemption with the sacrifice of his own life (Mt. 20:28; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:13-14; Tit. 2:14; Heb. 9:12; Rev. 1:5).

8. Reconciliation and Adoption

We believe that through faith in Jesus Christ and his saving Gospel, sinners who were once hostile to God, at enmity with God, and who were separated from God, become reconciled through the Gospel, are now at peace with God (Romans 4:25-5:2, 5:6-11; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Col. 1:21-23; 1 Pe. 3:18). 

We also believe that once a sinner is reconciled to God through the Gospel, then that person is adopted into God’s family and becomes his child, and therefore an heir of God himself, as well as all things as a co-heir with Christ in the New Heavens and the New Earth. God’s children share in the blessings of receiving a new identity, a new relationship to God, and an imperishable, eternal inheritance kept in heaven for his children (Jn. 1:12; Romans 8:14-17, 31-32; Gal. 3:26-29, 4:4-7; Eph. 1:5; 1Pe. 1:3-5; 1 John 3:1-2;).

9. Sanctification

Sanctification is the process that begins at the believer’s conversion whereby God, in cooperation with the believer, progressively conforms believers into the image of Christ as the Christian walks in a relationship with God and is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. In Sanctification both God and man actively participate and are in partnership as the believer grows in holiness throughout his or her Christian life (Php. 2:13). All genuine believers, though sincere in their faith and truly regenerated and born again by God’s Holy Spirit, still battle remaining sin in their lives, and always will as perfection is not possible in this life (Jn. 15:2; Gal. 5:5, 17; Php. 3:8-16; 1 Jn. 1:8). Through the Word of God, prayer, the church, creation, and the circumstances, blessings, and difficulties of life, God progressively transforms the believer into Christ likeness as we behold the glory of Christ (Jn. 15:1-7; Ro. 7:4-6; 2 Cor. 3:18, 12:1-10; Eph. 4:15-16; Php. 1:6; 1 Th. 5:23-24; Heb. 12:1-14; 13:20-21).

By God’s grace and power that works in his life, the believer, responds in faith and obedience to God, confesses his sins, repents of his sins, and declares war on his sins as he lays hold of the means of grace to make genuine grace-wrought efforts to strive to grow in holiness by faith as he walks with God (Micah 6:8; Ro. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:17-5:21; Php. 3:8-16; Col. 3:5-17; 1 Ti. 4:6-16; Tit. 2:11-15;). This process is operable in the life of a believer until their death or until the Lord returns. 

10. Glorification

The final and consummate stage of our salvation is glorification, which is when the spirits of all believers will be united to their literal, resurrected, glorified bodies at the resurrection. The believer’s spirit is fully sanctified and made perfect at their death (Heb. 12:23). However, it is not until the Day of Resurrection when the believer will receive a resurrected and glorified body that is united to his perfected spirit. Our glorified bodies will be perfect, sinless, immortal, incorruptible, and will enable us to perfectly see and behold the undiluted glory of Christ forever and ever (Jn. 5:25-29; 6:44; 11:23-27; Ro. 8:23; 1 Cor. 15:20-57; 1 Jn. 3:1-3).

We also believe that not only will believers be glorified with Christ, but also, the entire creation itself, things in heaven, and things on earth shall also be made new, and God’s people will enjoy God in a New Heaven and  New Earth for all eternity (Ro. 8:18-25; Eph. 1:9-10; Col. 1:20; Rev. 21:1-5).

11. Union with Christ

We believe that each genuine believer is placed in an unbreakable, spiritual union with Jesus Christ at his conversion wherein we die to slavery to sin and are given new life in Christ to walk in union with him (Ro. 6:3-11). He indwells true believers (Eph. 3:17), and we are imitators of him as he lives in us (1 Cor. 11:1).

It is in this union with Christ that believers possess all spiritual blessings, including every component of our salvation stated above (Eph. 1:3), as well as every aspect of our relationship with him. It is in Christ that we were elected by God for salvation and adoption as sons (Eph. 1:4-5). In Christ we are effectually called unto salvation (1 Cor. 7:22). In Christ we are born again (regenerated) by being raised to newness of life (Eph. 2:10). In Christ we receive a right standing with God by being justified in his sight (Gal. 2:17; 2 Cor. 5:21; Ro. 8:1). In Christ we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 1:7). In Christ our sins have been fully paid for and God’s wrath has been propitiated (Ro. 3:23-25). In beholding Christ, by having life in him, and living in a relationship with him, believers are progressively conformed to the image of Christ in their sanctification (2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Jn. 2:6; 1 Jn. 5:11 Jn. 15:1-7). In Christ we will be raised from the dead and glorified with him at the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:22). Thus, every promise and blessing for the believer is in Christ and is ours by virtue of our union with him (2 Cor. 1:20-22; Eph. 1:3).

XI. The Last Things

1. The Return of Christ.

We believe in the glorious, visible, and bodily return to the earth of our Lord Jesus Christ with his angels to consummate his Kingdom and bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (1 Cor. 15:20-28; 2 Th. 1:5-10; Heb. 9:28; 1 Jn. 3:1-2).

2. Hell and Eternal Judgment

We believe in the literal, bodily resurrection of the wicked. We believe the wicked will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment and along with Satan and his demons, will be justly condemned to hell, which is a place of eternal conscious torment, in punishment for their rebellion against God and rejection of the Gospel (2 Th. 1:7-9; Jn. 3:18; Ro. 3:19-20; Mt 25:41-46; Mk 9:42-49; Rev 14:9-11; Rev 20:10-15). 

3. Heaven and Eternal Life

We believe in the literal, bodily resurrection of the righteous and that their final dwelling place will be in the presence of the Triune God in the New Heavens and the New Earth wherein they will enjoy God forever and glorify him by worshipping in spirit and truth for all of eternity (Mt. 25:31-40; 1 Cor. 15:20-23, 42-57; Rev. 21:1-5; Rev. 22:1-5).