11. The Apostolic Statement of Faith
We now have the raw materials with which to
construct an apostolic statement of faith, using the approaches outlined above
to determine which Bible teachings are essential for salvation.
The following statement leans heavily on the
“Acts statement of faith”, and somewhat, for further support, on
Paul’s Ephesians 4 summary, and the “sayings of faith” in the
Pastoral Letters.
Further corroboration is found in the
“gospel test”. Finally, the Apostles’ Creed and the earliest
Christadelphian Statement of Faith were consulted as to any possible omissions.
Additional clauses (such as #s 6, 7, 8, 18, and
19) are added to the original 13 clauses of the Acts Statement. These additional
clauses are the other “essential teachings” not immediately
derivable from the Acts lectures, etc., but negatively inferred (in the most
straightforward way) from the positives of the original “essential
teachings”. As examples,
- The fundamental Bible teaching of the resurrection of the body
as the one true hope should, as a matter of first principle, rule out the
erroneous teaching of an “immortal soul” (hence Clause
7).
- The fundamental Bible teaching of the One God should
likewise rule out the erroneous teaching of a superhuman, fallen-angel
“devil/Satan” (hence Clauses 18 and
19).
Only teachings supported by such direct evidence
— either positive or negative — are included in the Apostolic
Statement of Faith.
For ease of further comparison, the order now
followed is as much as possible that of the common Christadelphian statement
— the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith.
Bible proofs for each clause include those
derived from the “essential doctrines” research outlined earlier
(these are denoted by CAPITALS AND BOLD ITALICS) as well as other
supplementary passages (in simple italics).
As much as is feasible, the statement uses the
words of the Bible itself and commonly-understood terms rather than theological
jargon and archaic words.
The Apostolic Statement of
Faith
1. The Bible: The Bible is the Word of
God, directly inspired by Him in all its parts. It is powerful to instruct man
in righteousness, and to accomplish God’s purpose in those who believe.
Neh. 9:30; ISA. 55:11; ACTS 3:18,21; 7:38; 2 TIM. 3:16,17; Heb. 1:1;
1Pet. 1:23-25; 2 Pet. 1:21.
2. God: There is only one God, the
Father, who created all things. He is the Eternal King, all-wise and
all-powerful. He has a definite plan which He will bring to pass by His mighty
power. He desires that man might seek Him and be saved. DEUT.
6:4; ISA. 45:6,12; 55:8,9; Ezek. 33:11; Mark 12:29; John 17:3;
ACTS 17:24-29; Rom. 11:36; 1 COR. 8:6; GAL. 3:20; EPH. 4:6; 1 TIM.
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. LUKE 1:35; ACTS 1:5-8; 8:18,19; 10:38; Eph.
4:4.
4. Jesus, the Son of God: God — in
accordance with His eternal plan, and in His goodness and kindness and grace
— manifested Himself through a Son. Jesus of Nazareth is that unique and
holy 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” of
“gods”, and he had no pre-human existence except in the mind and
purpose of his Father. PSA. 2:7; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25;
3:16,17; 19:17; LUKE 1:26-35; John 14:28; ACTS 2:22-24,36; 8:37;
10:38; GAL. 4:4; PHIL. 2:8; 1 TIM. 3:16; 2 TIM. 1:10; TIT. 2:11;
3:4.
5. Jesus, the Man: Although he was the
Son of God, Jesus was also truly and altogether a man; he shared our mortal
nature, with all its sorrows and griefs. Gen. 3:15; ISA. 7:14;
53:3; Matt. 1:23; ACTS 2:22; 3:22; 13:23; 17:31; Rom. 8:3; 2 Cor.
5:21; GAL. 4:4; 1 TIM. 2:5; Heb. 2:14; 4:15; 1 John 4:2; 2 John
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; 1 Cor. 15:21,22; 1 Pet. 1:24; James
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. Josh. 11:11; Psa.
6:5; 89:48; 146:3,4; Eccl. 3:19,20; 9:5,6; Isa. 38:17-19; Ezek. 18:4,20; ACTS
3:23; 1 TIM. 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; Matt. 10:28; Mark 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 and love
for his Father, to overcome all temptation and to live a righteous and sinless
life. His crucifixion — accomplished by wicked men but according to
God’s plan — 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 and grace and forbearance toward all
men — not His wrath against them. ISA. 53:5; John 1:29;
3:16; ACTS 2:23; 7:52; 10:39; ROM. 3:23-29; 5:6; PHIL. 2:8; 1 TIM. 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, it was not possible for Jesus to be held by death.
God raised him from the dead and glorified him. Later Jesus ascended to heaven.
GEN. 22:17; PSA. 16:10,11; 110:1; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51;
ACTS 1:3,9; 2:24,31; 3:15; 5:30,31; 7:55,56; 10:40; 17:31; 26:23;
ROM. 1:3,4; 6:9; Eph. 1:20; PHIL. 2:9-12; 2 TIM. 1:10; 2:8;
Heb. 13:20; Rev. 1:18.
11. The Mediatorship of Christ: Being
exalted to God’s right hand in heaven, Jesus is the only priest and
mediator between God and men. PSA. 110:1,4; ISA. 53:12; John
17:9; ACTS 4:12; 1 TIM. 2:5; Heb. 4:14,15; 7:24,25; 1 John
2:1.
12. The Second Coming of Christ: Christ
will remain in heaven until the time for restoring all things, including the
kingdom to Israel. Then he will return to the earth in glory — personally
and visibly — to fulfill the hope of all true believers. PSA.
110:1,2; Zech. 14:3,4; Matt. 16:27; ACTS 1:10,11; 3:20,21; PHIL.
3:20; Col. 1:5; TIT. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:13; 1 John
2:28.
13. Resurrection: After his return, Jesus
will raise many of the dead, the faithful and the unfaithful. He will also send
forth his angels to gather them together with the living to the great judgment.
Dan. 12:1,2; John 5:29; 11:24; 12:44-48; ACTS 10:42; 24:15,21;
26:8; Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Thes. 4:14-17; 2 TIM.
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. DEUT. 18:15,19; PSA. 110:3; Matt. 5:5; 7:26;
8:12; 25:31-46; Luke 20:37,38; ACTS 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:13,14, 53,54; Phil.
3:20,21; 2 Thes. 1:8; Tit. 3:7.
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; ISA. 45:18; Matt. 1:1; Luke 13:28; John
3:13; ACTS 3:25; 7:5; 13:32,33; 26:6,7,18; ROM. 4:13-18; 8:17;
GAL. 3:8,16, 26-29; Tit. 2:13; 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 Jesus to sit on
David’s throne and rule over God’s Kingdom, which is the kingdom of
Israel restored. Jerusalem will be the capital of this kingdom. 2 SAM.
7:12-14; 1 CHRON. 17:10-14; PSA. 2:6-9; Isa. 9:6,7; 24:23;
55:3,4; Jer. 3:17; 33:15; Ezek. 21:27; Zech. 14:16; Matt. 1:1; 5:35;
19:28; LUKE 1:30-33; ACTS 1:6,11; 2:29,30; 3:19-21; 13:23,34; 2 TIM. 2:8,12;
Tit. 2:13.
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; Luke 13:28,29;
22:30; 1 Cor. 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 human nature; 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. John 6:70;
1 TIM. 3:11; TIT. 2:3; 2 TIM. 3:3; Heb. 2:14; 9:26; James 1:14,15; 4:7,8;
1 John 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; Matt. 12:22; 16:23;
17:15-18; Mark 8:33; 9:17; Acts 5:3,9; 17:18.
20. Justification by Faith: Man can obtain
justification, or righteousness, only by the grace and mercy of God, through
faith in Christ. Man cannot save himself by his own works alone, no matter how
good or numerous. ROM. 4:13,21-25; GAL. 3:26; EPH. 2:8,9; 2 TIM. 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 we
turn to God, our sins are forgiven, we become heirs of the promises to Abraham
and his spiritual “seed”, 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. MATT. 7:13,14; 22:14; 28:18-20; MARK 16:16;
John 3:5; ACTS 2:38-41; 3:19; 8:12,36-38; 10:43,47,48; 22:16; 26:20;
ROM. 6:4; GAL. 1:8; 3:27-29; EPH. 4:5; 2 TIM. 2:11; 1 Pet.
3:21.
22. The One Body: Those who believe the
gospel and are baptized into Christ become “brethren in Christ”,
without regard to nationality. 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; John 1:12; ACTS
10:34-36; 26:17-23; ROM. 8:14-17; 12:4,5; 1 COR. 12:12-27; GAL. 3:16-29;
EPH. 2:16; 4:4,12-16; Col. 1:2; 2 TIM. 1:9; 1 Pet. 1:23; 1 John
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 means of affirming their status as members of the
“one body” of Christ. It is a commandment to be obeyed whenever
possible. Luke 22:19,20; ACTS 2:42; 1 COR. 10:16,17; 11:23-29;
Heb. 10:25.
24. The Jews: The Jews are God’s
chosen people. Though scattered because of disobedience, they will be purified
(after repentance and faith), regathered, and made ready for the coming of the
Messiah. Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 37:12,22; Joel 3:2; Zech. 8:23; 12:10; ACTS
3:19-21; Rom. 1:25-29.
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.