Statement of faith (South Austin)

1. The Bible: The Bible is the Word of God, directly inspired by Him in all its parts, and without error in the originals. It is powerful to accomplish His purpose in those who believe. Neh 9:30; Isa 55:11; 2Ti 3:16,17; Heb 1:1; 2Pe 1:21.
2. God: There is only one God, the Father, who created all things. He is all-wise and all-powerful. He desires that man might seek Him and be saved. Deu 6:4; Isa 45:6,12; 55:8,9; Eze 33:11; Mar 12:29; Joh 17:3; Act 17:24-29; Rom 11:36; 1Co 8:6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 1:17; 2:5; 4:10; 6:15,16.
3. The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the power of God, the means by which He carries out His will. It is not a distinct "god" or "person", but is part of the Father Himself. Luk 1:35; Act 1:5-8; 8:18,19; 10:38.
4. Jesus, the Son of God: Jesus is the Son of God, begotten of the virgin Mary by the power of God, without a human father. He is not the second person of a "trinity", and he had no pre-human existence except in the mind and purpose of his Father. Psa 2:7; Isa 7:14; Mat 1:18-25; 3:16,17; 19:17; Luk 1:26-35; Joh 14:28; Act 2:22-24,36; 8:37; 10:38; Gal 4:4; Phi 2:8; 1Ti 3:16.
5. Jesus, the Son of Man: Although he was the Son of God, Jesus was also truly and altogether a man; he shared our condemned, mortal nature. Act 2:22; 3:22; 13:23; Rom 8:3; 2Co 5:21; 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:14; 4:15; 1Jo 4:2; 2Jo 1:7.
6. Sin and Death: The first man was Adam, who disobeyed God and was condemned by Him. Adam was responsible for bringing sin and death into the world. Gen 2:7; 3:17-19; Psa 103:14; Rom 5:12; 7:24; 1Co 15:21,22; 1Pe 1:24; Jam 1:10,11.
7. The "Soul": There is no consciousness or other existence in death. The "soul" simply means the body, mind, or life; it is not immortal. Souls die. Jos 11:11; Psa 6:5; 89:48; 146:3,4; Ecc 3:19,20; 9:5,6; Isa 38:17-19; Eze 18:4,20; Act 3:23; 1Ti 6:16.
8. "Hell": "Hell" means the grave, or absolute destruction. There is no eternal torture for the wicked. The wages of sin is death. Psa 16:10; 31:17; 37:20,34; 116:3; Isa 66:24; Mat 10:28; Mar 9:43; Rom 6:23.
9. The Sacrifice of Christ: Although he was of our weak and sinful nature, Jesus was enabled through faith in his Father to overcome all temptation and to live a righteous and sinless life. His sacrificial death was the means by which he was saved, and by which those who believe in him may be saved from sin and death. God was working in the sacrifice of His Son to express His love for all men -- not His wrath against them. Isa 53:5; Joh 1:29; 3:16; Act 2:23; 7:52; 10:39; Rom 3:23-29; 5:6; 1Ti 1:15; 2:6; Tit 2:14; Heb 5:7,8; 7:27; 9:12,26.
10. The Resurrection of Christ: Because of his perfect righteousness, Jesus was raised from the dead and glorified by God. Later he ascended to heaven. Psa 110:1; Mar 16:19; Act 1:3,9; 2:24,31; 5:30; 10:40; 17:31; 26:23; Rom 1:3,4; 6:9; 2Ti 1:10; 2:8; Heb 13:20; Rev 1:18.
11. The Mediatorship of Christ: Being exalted to God's right hand, Jesus is the only priest and mediator between God and man. Psa 110:4; Isa 53:12; Joh 17:9; Act 4:12; 1Ti 2:5; Heb 4:14,15; 7:24,25; 1Jo 2:1.
12. The Second Coming of Christ: Jesus will return to the earth personally and visibly. Psa 110:1,2; Zec 14:3,4; Mat 16:27; Act 1:10,11; 3:20,21; Phi 3:20; Tit 2:13; 1Pe 1:13; 1Jo 2:28.
13. Resurrection: After his return, Jesus will raise many of the dead -- those who are responsible to him by knowledge. He will also send forth his angels to gather them together with the living who are responsible to the great judgment. (Those who are ignorant of God and His purpose will remain in the grave.) Psa 49:12,20; Pro 21:16; Isa 26:13,14; Dan 12:1,2; Joh 5:29; 11:24; 12:44-48; Act 10:42; 24:21; 26:8; Rom 14:10-12; 2Co 5:10; 1Th 4:14-17; 2Ti 4:1.
14. Judgment and Reward: The unfaithful will be punished with a second, eternal death. The faithful will be rewarded, by God's grace, with everlasting life on the earth, receiving glorified and immortal bodies. Deu 18:15,19; Psa 110:3; Mat 5:5; 7:26; 8:12; 25:31-46; Luk 20:37,38; Act 24:15; 1Co 15:13,14,53,54; Phi 3:20,21; 2Th 1:8.
15. The Promises to Abraham: The promises made to Abraham, confirmed to Isaac and Jacob, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, require a literal inheritance in the earth for Christ and all the faithful, who are the spiritual "seed of Abraham". The righteous do not go to heaven at death. Gen 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 26:2,4; 28:13,14; Psa 37:9,11,22,29; Luk 13:28; Joh 3:13; Act 2:29,34; 7:5; Rom 4:13; Gal 3:8,16,26-29; Heb 11:8,9,39,40; Rev 5:9.
16. The Promises to David: The promises made to David, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, require him to rule over God's Kingdom, which is the kingdom of Israel restored. Jerusalem will be the capital of this kingdom. 2Sa 7:12-14; Psa 2:6-9; Isa 9:6,7; 24:23; 55:3,4; Jer 3:17; 33:15; Eze 21:27; Zec 14:16; Mat 5:35; 19:28; Luk 1:30-33; Act 13:23,34; 2Ti 2:8,12.
17. The Kingdom of God: Jesus will be assisted by his immortal brothers and sisters in ruling over the mortal peoples in the Kingdom of God. This kingdom will result in everlasting righteousness, happiness, and peace. Finally all sin and death will be removed, and the earth will at last be filled with the glory of God. The earth will not be literally burned up or destroyed. Psa 67:4-7; 72:4,17; 115:16; Isa 2:4; 11:1-5,9; 25:6-8; 32:1-6; Dan 2:44; 7:13,14,18,27; Mic 4:2; Hab 2:14; Luk 13:28,29; 22:30; 1Co 15:24-28; Rev 2:26,27; 3:21; 5:10; 11:15; 20:6; 21:4.
18. The "Devil": The "devil" is another name for sin in ourselves; it is not a separate supernatural being or fallen angel. Christ overcame this "devil" in himself by defeating the tendencies to sin in his own nature. Therefore he can provide us with a covering for our sins. Joh 6:70; 1Ti 3:11; Tit 2:3; 2Ti 3:3; Heb 2:14; 9:26; Jam 1:14,15; 4:7,8; 1Jo 3:5,8.
19. "Satan" and "Demons": "Satan" is a Hebrew word which means an adversary; it is used about people and circumstances which oppose God's will. "Devils" (Greek "demons") are not agents of any supernatural "devil" or "god" of evil. In New Testament times, people who had mental illnesses or disorders were referred to as having "demons". Isa 45:5,7; Mat 12:22; 16:23; 17:15-18; Mar 8:33; 9:17; Act 5:3,9; 17:18.
20. Justification by Faith: Justification, or righteousness, can be obtained only by the mercy of God, through faith in Christ. Man cannot save himself by his own works, no matter how good or numerous. Rom 4:13,21-25; Gal 3:26; Eph 2:8,9; 2Ti 1:9; Tit 3:6,7; Heb 11:6.
21. Baptism: There is only one true gospel, which cannot be altered. Belief of this gospel, true repentance, and baptism (total immersion in water) are essential for salvation. In baptism our sins are forgiven, we identify with Christ in his life and death, and we are born again in him. The sprinkling of babies is not true Scriptural baptism. Mat 7:13,14; 22:14; 28:20; Mar 16:16; Joh 3:5; Act 2:38-41; 8:12,36-38; 10:43,47,48; 22:16; 26:20; Rom 6:4; Gal 1:8; 3:27-29; Eph 4:4-6; 2Ti 2:11; 1Pe 3:21.
22. The One Body: Those who believe the gospel and are baptized into Christ become "brethren in Christ". They also become a part of the "one body", with Christ as their head. God calls them His children, and they become partakers of His grace and love. Psa 103:13-18; Joh 1:12; Rom 8:14-17; 12:1,4,5; 1Co 12:12-27; Eph 4:4,12-16; Col 1:2; 2Ti 1:9; 1Pe 1:23; 1Jo 3:1.
23. The Breaking of Bread: The breaking of bread and drinking of wine, in remembrance of Jesus, was instituted by him for his true followers. It is a commandment to be obeyed whenever possible. Luk 22:19,20; Act 2:42; 1Co 10:16,17; 11:23-26; Heb 10:25.
24. The Jews: The Jews are God's chosen people. Though scattered now because of disobedience, they will be regathered, purified (after repentance and faith), and made ready for the coming of the Messiah. Jer 31:33; Eze 37:12,22; Joe 3:2; Zec 8:23; 12:10; Act 3:19-21; Rom 11:25-29.
25. The Commandments of Christ: All those who believe these teachings should strive also to live godly, Christ-like lives. This involves the keeping of Christ's commandments, and separateness from the affairs of this world, including its politics and police and military service. The commandments of Christ, including those of his apostles, are therefore an important part of any Statement of Faith.