Doctrinal Statement

I. THE DOCTRINE OF THE WORD OF GOD


A. The Word of God

I affirm the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, on Biblical Hermeneutics, and on Biblical Application. I also affirm that the Bible is God's word and our highest authority in any question it addresses. I further affirm that studying the Bible is an essential part of a Christian life.

I deny that the Bible is a book only for some elite to be read or that it should be explained only by scholars. But I also deny that the church should be a movement only of lay people.

(2 Tim 3:16; John 17:17; 1 Cor 12:28)

B. The Canon of Scripture

I affirm that the 66 books of Scripture are the inspired word of God. I further affirm that the canon of the Bible is closed. I also affirm that the entire Bible (OT and NT) is the word of God for Christians.

I deny that God does not speak anymore today to and through individual persons. I further deny that any such speaking of God could have authority equal to or higher than the Bible.

(Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18-19; 1 Cor 14:29)

C. The Four Characteristics of Scripture

1. Authority

I affirm that the Bible as the word of God is our highest authority in anything it addresses and that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.

I deny that any interpretation of Scripture, any creed, or any statement of faith could ever have equal or higher authority to/than the Bible. I further deny that Scripture is only authoritative in theological and ethical questions.

(2 Tim 3:16-17; Matt 28:20; Heb 1:1-2)

1a. Inerrancy

I affirm that the Bible in its original manuscripts is without errors or contradictions and is not saying anything that is contrary to fact.

I deny that, because we do not have the autographs, we do not know what the original manuscripts said. I further deny that the very few uncertain verses could change any important Christian doctrine.

(2 Tim 3:16; Jn 17:17)

2. Clarity

I affirm that the Bible can be understood by anyone (according to and dependent on his or her intellectual capabilities), also by lay people, children and illiterates.

I deny that an understanding of the Bible is possible without personal effort, without the help of the Holy Spirit, or that we ever could understand any passage fully.

(Deut 6:6-7; Ps 1:2)

2a. Proper Interpretation of Scripture

I affirm that the Bible should be interpreted through grammatical-historical exegesis and that every text in the Bible has only one right meaning but several applications. I affirm that this meaning of one text never contradicts any other biblical verse. I further affirm that difficult passages must be interpreted in the light of the clearer texts and the Bible is its own best interpreter.

I deny that extrabiblical sources cannot be helpful in understanding the Bible. I further deny that these sources are necessary to understand all that is needed for salvation and for sanctification.

3. Necessity

I affirm that the Bible is necessary to know the gospel, God's will and for living a Christian life in obedience to God. I therefore affirm that evangelism, Bible study, and preaching from Scripture is essential.

I deny that Scripture is necessary to know that there is a God, creator of the universe and moral standard.

(2 Tim 3:16-17; Rom 10:14, 17; 1:20)

4. Sufficiency

I affirm that in the Bible everything is written that we need for salvation and for obedience to God.

I deny that God demands us to believe anything outside of Scripture as absolutely true. I further deny that God wants us to obey any rule that is not explicitly or implicitly given in the Bible.

(Rom 14:17; Matt 28:20)

N.B.: God commands us to be obedient to human authority (Rom 13:1-2) as long as it does not contradict his direct commands. A differing view on a topic alone does not justify disobedience to the church or the state government.
N.B.: Science can reveal truths about nature that are not found in the Bible.

D. The role of Scripture in Theology

I affirm that the Bible is the only absolutely reliable foundation of theology. I further affirm that no teaching outside Scripture can be binding.

I deny that applications today must not differ from biblical times. I deny that theology cannot develop and reveal new insights into the Bible.

(2 Tim 3:16-17)

E. Translations of the Bible

I affirm that a Bible translation should reflect the meaning of the original words as closely as possible for every word of the autograph is God's word. I also affirm that we must not add or take away from the original meaning of Scripture. I further affirm that a Bible translation should be as readable as possible to reflect the clarity of Scripture.

I deny that the KJV is an (in the biblical sense) inspired translation or that it is the only translation that Christians should use.

(2 Tim 3:16, Deut 6:7)


II. THE DOCTRINE OF GOD


A. The existence of God

I affirm that the triune God, creator of heaven and earth, always existed and will always exist.

I deny that the gods of different religions are all gods or that they are all God. I deny that all things are God (Pantheism).

(Gen 1:1; Ps 90:2; Deut 6:4)

B. The knowability of God

I affirm that "his eternal power and divine nature" can be seen in creation by anyone (Rom 1:20). I affirm that only through God's revelation in the Bible and through a personal insight through the Holy Spirit can one realize who God is and have a personal relationship with him.

I deny that we ever could know God fully. I further deny that we cannot know God truly.

(Rom 1:20; 1 Cor 2:10; Rom 11:33)

N.B.: While everyone has partly different insights and knows God partly in a different way, our knowledge of God is not mere vague intuition but real.

C. The attributes of God

I affirm that God is spirit, invisible, all-knowing, and omnipresent. I further affirm that God is good, loving, merciful, just, eternal, and holy.

I deny that any of God's attribute belong to him in less than perfect form. I deny that God needs creation or mankind to be complete.

(John 4:24, 6:46; 1 John3:20; Jer 23:24; Luke 18:19; 1 John 4:8; Exod 34:6; Deut 32:4; Ps 90:2; Lev 19:2)

N.B.: Jesus as a human being on earth had a body and was visible. But Christ as God was spirit and invisible.

D. The Trinity

I affirm that God always existed and will always exist as three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), that each person is fully God, and there is only one God. I affirm that the three persons of the trinity eternally have a perfect loving relationship and one will, while they have different functions in the world.

I deny that Jesus was not fully God when he lived on earth. I further deny that the Holy Spirit is only God's power acting in the world.

(Matt 28:19; 1 John 4:8; Col 2:9)

E. The work of the Holy Spirit

I affirm that the Holy Spirit is present and active in the world, especially in the lives of believers and in the church. I affirm that he gives spiritual gift to whom he wants. I further affirm that he leads believers in their lives and in understanding Scripture.

I deny that the spiritual gifts have ceased after the apostles. I further deny that the working of the Holy Spirit is independent from our obedience.

(John 14:16-17; Rom 8:14; 1 Cor 12:11)


III. THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION


A. Creation

I affirm that God created everything out of nothing. I affirm that the process of creation happened as it is written in Genesis 1-2. I further affirm that God created everything very good and to his glory.

I deny that God is part of the creation, or that the creation is part of God.

(Gen 1:1, 31; Rev 4:11)

B. Providence

I affirm that God is acting in the whole universe in that he continually upholds it, interacts with inanimate and animate creation, and actively leads history according to his will. I also affirm that we have real choices with eternal significance and that we are responsible for our decisions.

I reject that God can be blamed for evil. I further reject the idea of destiny, random and chance.

(Heb 1:3; Eph 1:11)

N.B.: We cannot understand how, while God ordained everything, we can have real choices that make a difference in life and eternally. But both teachings are in the Bible, so I cannot reject one or the other. I neither confirm the classic Calvinist nor the classic Arminian position nor Molinism. I strongly reject the view that God did not know every of our decisions before he created the universe.

C. Miracles

I affirm that God continues to do miracles-partly through humans-in that he acts in ways that we perceive as special and outside of expected "natural" causes. I affirm that miracles should be characteristic for the church. I also affirm that false miracles through demonic activities exist.

I deny that a false miracle ever would give glory to God or directly advance the gospel. I further deny that unbelievers necessarily must recognize miracles and cannot explain it somehow as natural events.

(Gal 3:5; 1 Co 12:10; Matt 12:28)

N.B.: At this point, I want give glory to God who miraculously healed me from a fatal disease (the doctors could not find any reason for my illness). I am a living proof that God does miracles today.

D. Prayer

I affirm that Christians can communicate at any time with God through prayer, without special preparation or special formal requirements, and that God wants us to pray. I further affirm that God sometimes changes what I does or will do because of prayer and that sometimes we receive gifts from him only by asking him.

I deny that, while God hears and answers all our prayers, he will answer our prayer always in the way we want. I also deny that God always answers prayers of unbelievers. I further deny that we must not pray to Jesus or the Holy Spirit.

(Heb 10:19, 22; Luke 11:2; Jas 4:2; Exod 32:14)


IV. ANGELOLOGY—THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS


A. The Nature of Angels

I affirm the existence of angels (Col 1:16) without number (Hebr 12:22), spiritual beings (Hebr 1:14) without a body (Luke 24:39)-though sometimes appearing in a bodily form (Hebr 13:2)-who are intelligent (2 Sam 14:2), moral (2 Pet 2:4), immortal (Luke 20:36), and powerful (Eph 1:21) created (Gen 1:1) beings.

I deny that angels-for they are created beings-should be contacted, prayed to, or worshiped (Col 2:18; Rev 19:10).

B. The Work of Angels

I affirm that the purpose of angels is to worship (Ps 148:2) and serve God (Ps 103:20; Rev 19:10), and to be his messengers (Hebr 2:2; Rev 1:1), as well as to observe (1 Cor 4:9), guide (Acts 8:26; 10:3), protect (Ps 91:11), and serve (Hebr 1:14) believers on behalf of God. I further affirm that the believers will one day judge the angels (1 Cor 6:3).

I deny that the Bible contains a clear teaching on personal guardian angels (Ps 91:11-12 and Matt 18:10 are not sufficient).


V. DEMONOLOGY—THE DOCTRINE OF DEMONS


A. Satan and Demons

I affirm that Satan, the highest demon (Matt 12:24), was created as an angel as part of the good creation (Gen 1:31; Ezek 28:15) but fell because of his own sin (Isa 14:13; 2 Pet 2:4), and that he brought sin into to world (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8); an unknown number of angels followed him and became demons (Jude 6). I further affirm that Satan and the demons are only evil (John 8:44), they are God's enemies and, during this age, (will) work to bring destruction on earth (John 10:10).

I deny that demons are equal or more powerful or intelligent than God (Rev 1:8). I further deny that they can do anything without God's permission (Jude 6), or that a Christian, though at times under demonic attack (Eph 6:12), could be possessed by a demon (Rom 6:14). I further deny that we should have any compassion or positive feelings towards demons, but that we should only hate them (Rom 12:9).

B. Their Defeat and Final End

I affirm that we can, through the power of Christ (1 Cor 15:57), resist demons (James 4:7) and have authority over them (2 Cor 10:3-4). I further affirm that Satan and the demons will be completely defeated at the end of this time and put to eternal punishment (Rev 20:10).


VI. ANTHROPOLOGY—THE DOCTRINE OF MAN


A. The Nature of Humanity

I affirm that man was created by God in his image (Gen 1:27) in the sense that (a) he reflects God's character and being and (b) he represents God-his kingship-on earth to rule (Gen 1:26) and bring glory to him by living according to his character (Isa 4:37). I further affirm that Adam and Eve were the first humans and that man and woman are created in the image of God to the same extent, thus giving both the same dignity while being different.

I deny that man was created by any form of evolution or that he is a higher form of an animal (Gen 1:20-25). I further deny that the image of God was completely destroyed by sin (Gen 9:6).

B. The Human Constitution

I affirm that every person is a unity of a visible (body) and an invisible (soul) part (Matt 10:28). I further affirm that after death the soul alone lives on (Phil 1:23) and will be united eternally with a glorified body at the resurrection (1 Cor 15:51-52; cf. John 5:29 for resurrection of unbelievers).

I deny that any aspect of the human constitution (i.e., body, mind, soul, spirit) is superior or inferior to another aspect (Gen 1:31).

C. The Origin of the Soul

I affirm that the human soul is created by God at the conception (Zech 12:1; Hebr 12:9). I further confirm that the idea of passing on of the soul from the parents to the child is not unbiblical.

I deny that God is guilty of creating sinful souls, but that the soul becomes sinful through the fallen character of the world. I deny that the soul exists before conception or that it is created spontaneously through evolution (Eccl 12:7).


VII. HARMATIOLOGY—THE DOCTRINE OF SIN


A. The Nature of Sin

I affirm that to sin is to live contrary to God's character and his commands, thus failing to live according to God's moral law in act, thought, intention or nature. I further affirm that sins are different in that, while every sin finally leads to death (Rom 6:23), the consequences of sins are different (Hebr 10:29).

I deny that humans- because they are not able to live a perfect life (1 John 1:8-10)-are not fully responsible for their sins (Rom 3:22b-23)or that sin could be overcome through human effort alone (Gal 2:16).

B. The Origin of Sin

I confirm that God created the entire universe without sin (Gen 1:31) but that sin entered the world through Satan (Gen 3:1).

I deny that God created Satan or the fallen angels as sinful beings or that God is responsible for sin (Jas 1:13; 1 Pet 2:22).

C. The Results of Sin

I affirm that death came in the world (Gen 2:17; Rom 5:12), that humankind became alienated from God (Rom 5:10) as a result of sin, and that, since the fall, humans are born with a sinful nature (Ps 51:5; Rom 5:12).

D. Human Depravity

I affirm that every person in born as a sinner (Eph 2:3), unable to turn to God by himself (John 6:44), to understand spiritual truth (1 Cor 1:18; 2:14), or to do any godly work or gain God's favor (Rom 3:23), and that our whole being is corrupted by sin (Rom 3:10-18).

I deny that any human is too sinful to be saved by grace and through Christ alone (Rom 3:24).


VIII. CHRISTOLOGY—THE DOCTRINE OF THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST


A. The Person of Christ

1. Divine

I affirm that Christ is the only-begotten Son of the Father (John 3:16), existent from eternity to eternity (John 8:58) as one person of the Trinity (Matt 18:19). I further affirm that he is fully God (John 1:1).

I reject the teaching that Christ was made (John 1:3) or that there was a time when he was not.

2. Human

I affirm that Christ came to earth, not only according to the will of the Father (John 3:16) but also to his own (John 10:18; 19:30). He was born to the virgin Mary (Matt 1:18), became fully human (Gal 4:4; 1 Tim 2:5), and he lived a sinless live (Hebr 4:15).

I affirm that Christ died on the cross (John 19:30), was resurrected on the third day (Luke 9:22; Rom 4:25), and ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). He will come back in glory (Isa 40:5; Acts 1:8) to judge (Matt 25:31-46) and to establish his kingdom on the new earth (Rev 21:1-3).

I reject that Christ's humanity will end (Acts 1:11; Rom 6:9), that he had a human, i.e. biological, father (Luke 2:49), or that his temptations were not real because he is God (Hebr 4:15; Jas 1:13). I further reject that the Bible has a clear teaching on Jesus' descending into hell while he was dead (Luke 23:43).

3. One Person, Two Natures

I affirm that Christ is one person with two distinct natures, divine and human, (Matt 18:20; 28:20) and two wills (Matt 26:39), but that Father and Son have one common divine will (Eph 1:11). I further affirm that he gave up the independent use of his divine attributes when he lived on earth (John 5:19).

For Christ's body is not on earth, but still existing, he has to be with us in his other nature.

B. The Work of Christ

1. Earthly Ministry

I affirm that Christ was anointed to be king (John 18:36), priest (hebr 4:14), and prophet (Acts 3:22) in one person. Because of God's love (John 3:16) and justice (Rom 3:25), died as penal substitution (Eph 5:2) to pay for our sins (John 1:29; Hebr 9:26), be a propitiation for them (1 John 4:10)-i.e., satisfaction of the wrath of God-, and redeem us from the slavery of sin (Hebr 2:15). He reconciled us with God (2 Cor 5:18-19) and earned our salvation (Hebr 9:15).

I affirm that Christ's work in all these aspects is sufficient and does not need any additional work from our side (Rom 3:28; Eph 2:8) if we believe in him (Rom 10:10).

I reject the view that Christ paid a ransom to Satan-but to God (Hebr 9:15)-or that Christ's death would not suffice for all people. (1 John 2:2). I also reject the view that all people will be saved in the end (Matt 13:42), or that healing in this world is part of the atonement (2 Tim 4:20).

2. Heavenly Ministry

I affirm that Christ keeps the whole universe existing (Hebr 1:3) and ministers as our high priest (Hebr 2:17) and mediator (1 Tim 2:5), and he continually intercedes for us (Hebr 7:25).


IX. PNEUMATOLOGY—THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT


A. The Person of the Holy Spirit

I affirm that the Holy Spirit is a person, he is fully God (Acts 5:3-4) from all eternity (Mal 3:6). I also affirm that he is one person of the Trinity (Matt 28:19; 1 Cor 12:4-6), being in perfect harmony with the Father and the Son, and he proceeds from the Father (John 15:26) and from the Son (John 16:7). I further affirm that, for he is God, we can and should pray to him and worship him (Rev 19:10).

I reject the teaching that the Holy Spirit is a power, but he has power (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38).

B. The Work of the Holy Spirit

I affirm that the Holy Spirit was active in the creation process (Gen 1:2), he gives life (Gen 2:7; Job 32:8) and upholds creation (Ps 104:29-30).

I also affirm that the Holy Spirit is crucial in the processes of calling to God, conviction of sin (John 16:8-9), regeneration (John 3:5; Tit 3:5), salvation and sanctification (1 Co 6:11; Tit 3:5), and properly understanding the Bible (John 16:13).

I further affirm that every believer has (John 14:17) and is sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:14) who is comforter (John 14:16) and guide (John 16:13; Rom 8:14), and he empowers every Christian for different kinds of ministry (1 Cor 12:11), helps us to pray (Rom 8:26), and that he gives spiritual gifts until today (1 Cor 12:7).

I reject the teaching of a baptism in the Spirit subsequent to regeneration, but confirm that sometimes the Holy Spirit is more active in a believer's life than normal (Acts 13:52).