|
Phone: 609-561-4208 |
|
9. THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted 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, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful Person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
Isa. 53:4-7, 11-12; Luke 19:10; John 3:16; 10:18; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24-25; I Cor. 15:3,20; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:4; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 2:7-8; Heb. 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2; I Pet. 2:24; 3:18; I John 2:2; 4:10.
10. GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; 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; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; 3:3,6-7; Acts 2:41; Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:17,19; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 2:1; 5:9; Col. 2:13; II Pet. 1:4; I John 5:1.
11. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe in God's electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and does not prevent the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in aggravated condemnation.
Isa. 1:18; 55:1,6-7; Matt. 11:28; 23:37; John 3:15-16,18,36; 5:40; 6:37; Acts 16:30-31; Rom. 5:15-18; 6:23; 8:29-30; 10:13; I Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:4-5,8-9; Col. 3:12; I Thess. 1:4; I Tim. 1:15; Titus 1:1; I Pet. 1:2; Rev. 22:17.
12. JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.
Isa. 53:11; Hab. 2:4; Zech. 13:1; Acts 13:39; Rom. 1:17; 4:1-8; 5:1,9; 8:1; Gal. 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Heb. 10:38.
13. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour.
Psa. 51:1-4,7; Isa. 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; 13:3; 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Rom. 10:9-11,13.
|