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I. Scripture: The Revealing of God’s Glory
A. Revelation
In order for humans to know and appreciate the glory of God they must have a revelation of who God is. God gives all human beings a general self-disclosure of who He is through creation (Ps. 19; Rm 2:14-15). Because of this general revelation all human beings are without excuse for not seeking Him (Rm. 1:18-25). God also gives a special and specific revelation of His attributes, His characteristics, and the means He has designed for salvation through sacred scripture (2 Tim. 3:16; Eph. 1:17-18; 2 Tim. 3:15).

B. Inspiration
The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God (2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Pet. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:37) and written by humans. These 66 books is the authoritative Word of God that is both fully human and fully divine (1 Pet. 1:10-11).

C. Illumination
In order for humans to come to saving knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ it is necessary for the Holy Spirit to illume the truth of God’s Word (Jn. 16:13; 1 Jn. 2:27). Apart from this illuminating work of the Holy Spirit a person can not be born again and is incapable of living for the glory of God (Jn. 3:1-8; Jms. 1:21-22; Mt. 16:16; 1 Cor. 2:13-14).

D. Authority
Written scripture is our final authority for knowing the means of salvation and godliness because scripture is the very Word of God (Ps. 119; 2 Pt. 1:3). All scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Tm. 3:16) and therefore, it is the final standard to understanding God’s character, the means of salvation, and obedience of faith.

E. Inerrancy
Every word in scripture is completely true and without error (Mt. 5:18; Jn. 10:34-35; Ps. 12:6; Prv. 30:5). The ultimate standard of truth is found in the sacred scriptures (Jn. 17:17; Prv. 30:5; Ps. 12:6).

F. Sufficiency
All things necessary for rightly knowing God’s glory, salvation, faith, and obedience of faith has been clearly communicated through scripture.

II. The Trinity: God’s Glory Within Himself
A. God the Father: The Head of God’s Glory
God the Father is the fountain of all being (1 Cor. 8:6). All things exist from Him, all things are of Him, and all things are to Him (Rm. 11:36). He is Father over all creation (Nm. 16:22; Acts 17:28; Eph. 3:14), the Father of Jesus Christ (Mt. 3:17; 11:27; Mk. 9:7), and Father of the church (Ex. 9:22; Dt. 14:1; Rm. 9:3-4; Mt. 6:8-9; Rm. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; Gal. 3:26).

B. Jesus Christ: The Incarnation of God’s Glory
a. The humanity of Jesus Christ
In the fullness of time God sent forth His eternal son as Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:34-35), born of the virgin Mary (Mt. 1:23) in human form (Lk.2:14; Phil. 2:5-11). When the eternal son become flesh He was both fully human and fully God (Jn. 1:14; Heb. 2:14, 17). He had a body (Mt. 4:2; Lk. 2:7, 40, 52), a human mind (Heb. 5:8; Mk. 13:32), a human soul and human emotions (Jn. 12:27; 13:21; Mt. 26:38; Mt. 8:16; Jn. 11:35; Heb. 5:8-9; Heb. 4:15). All of these prove that Jesus was fully human.
b. The deity of Jesus Christ
Jesus was fully human and at the same time He was also fully God. During His lifetime he never committed sin (Heb. 4:15; Lk. 4:13; Jn. 8:46; 15:10; 18:38; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb 7:26; 1 Pet. 1:19; 2:22; 3:18; 1 Jn. 3:5). Jesus worked miracles, proving His divine right and power over all creation (Mk. 1:27; Mt. 4:23; 11:4-6; Mk. 4:39; Mt. 14:25; Mt. 14:19-20). Furthermore, Jesus is given the two names ‘God’ – Theos (Jn. 1:1, 18; 20:28; Rm. 9:5; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 1:8; 2 Pet. 1:1), and ‘Lord’ – Kurios (Mt. 3:3; 22:44; Lk. 1:43; 2:11; 1 Cor. 8:6; 12:3; Heb. 1:10-12; Rev. 19:16). Other additional text (Jn. 1:1-4, 9-18; 8:57-58; Rev. 22:13; 1:8; Mt. 16:13; Lk. 9:18; Mt. 26:64; Jn. 8:19; 14:9; Jn. 3:16, 36; 20:31; Heb. 1:2-3) affirm that in Jesus “all the fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col. 2:9).

C. The atonement
a. Necessity of the Atonement
Though the substitutionary atonement is necessary because all humans have defamed God’s glory by sin (Rm. 3:23), Jesus voluntarily suffered in fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan (Jn. 10:18; Acts 2:23). It is impossible for any other sacrifice than Christ’s blood to take away the punishment of sin (Heb 10:4; 9:23; 2:17). Therefore, Christ had to die in human’s place in order for God to save them (Mt. 26:39; Lk. 24:25-27; Heb. 2:17; 9:25-26; 10:4).

b. Nature of the Atonement
Jesus lived a perfectly obedient life to God in order to earn our righteousness (Phil. 3:9; 1 Cor. 1:30; Rm. 5:19; Mt. 3:15), In addition, Jesus also took on Himself the sufferings necessary to pay the penalty for our sins (Is. 53:3; Mt. 4:1-11; Heb. 5:8; 12:3-4; Jn. 11:35; Gal. 3:13; 1 Pt. 1:18-19, 2:24). He was abandoned by His disciples (Mk. 14:34; Mt. 26:56) and His Father (Heb. 1:13; Mt. 27:46). On the cross He absorbed His Father’s wrath for sin, which humans fully deserve (Is. 53:6; Rm. 3:25; Heb. 2:17; 1 Jn. 2:2; 4:10; 2 Cor. 5:21) and thereby, reconciling us to God (2 Cor. 5:18-19). Through Christ’s obedient life and subsititionary death we have been redeemed from the penalty and power of sin (Col. 1:13; Rm. 6:11, 14; Heb 2:15). All those who will come by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16; Eph. 5:25; Rm. 8:32-34; Jn. 10:11, 15; Acts 20:28; Jn. 6:37-39; 17:9,20; Rm. 5:8, 10; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:4; Eph. 1:7; Gal. 3:13; Phil. 1:29) will be made the righteousness of God through Christ’s atoning work

C. Holy Spirit: The Agent of God’s Glory
a. Person The Holy Spirit is a distinct divine Person, coequal with the Father and the Son (2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-6). The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, equal to the Father and to the Son in glory, and worthy with them of worship, love, and obedience. Jesus gave an amazing promise to His disciples, telling them that He and the Father would send them “another Helper” (Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7) who would empower them from on high.
b. Work The Holy Spirit speaks (Acts 1:16; 8:29; 10:19; 13:2), teaches (Jn. 14:26), witnesses (Jn. 15:26), searches (1 Cor. 2:10), wills (1 Cor. 12:11), and intercedes for believers (Rm. 8:26-27). The primary work of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus Christ by giving His disciples revelation concerning who Jesus is (Jn. 16:7-15) and what he means to them (Rm. 8:15-17; Gal. 4:6). The Holy Spirit gives the gifts of faith (Rm. 8:7-9), performs signs and wonders (Jude 14:6; Acts 1:8), empowers preaching (1 Sam. 10:6), and inspired the writing of scripture (2 Pet. 1:21). The Holy Spirit opens the heart of hearers of the Word in order that they might see Christ and believe (Rm. 15:18-19; Acts 16:14; Jn. 3:8). He is the life-giver (Jn. 3:6-7; 6:63; 2 Cor. 3:6; Tit. 3:5; Rm. 8:11) and assures us that we are children of God (Rm. 8:16; 1 Jn. 3:24; 4:13). He also unifies the body of Christ for the purpose of edifying one another and building up the church to a unity of faith (2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1-2; Eph. 2:18; Col. 3:14; Eph. 4:3; 1 Cor. 12). The Holy Spirit also convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (Jn. 16:8-11; Acts 7:51) and is grieved by the sin of Christians (Eph. 4:30).
c. Gifts Spiritual gifts are given to born again believers for the purpose of equipping the church to do the work of the ministry until Christ returns (1 Cor. 1:7; 1 Cor. 13:10). The purpose of the gifts is to empower God’s people (1 Cor. 12:11) in order to build one another up until the body of Christ attains the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (1 Cor. 12:7; 14:26; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Pt. 4:10). These gifts include miracles, kinds of healings, helps, administration, tongues (1 Cor. 12:28, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, prophesy, distinguishing between the spirits, interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:8-10), serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing, leadership, mercy (Rm. 12:6-8), marriage, celibacy (1 Cor. 7:7), speaking gifts, and gifts of service (1 Pt. 4:11). The Holy Spirit also appoints five offices of ministry: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher (Eph. 4:11). Certain types of these spiritual gifts are for the body of Christ today and scripture does not tell us that these gifts have ended. In fact, Christians are to earnestly pursue the gifts (1 Cor. 14:1) while realizing that all of these gifts are vanity if love is not the driving force (1 Cor. 13:13).
III. God’s Glory Revealed in His Works
A. Creation
God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were very well pleased (Gen. 1) to manifest their glory (Is. 43:7) by creating the world and all things in it. When God created the world He created it out of nothing-ex nihilo (Heb. 11:3; 1:2; Jn. 1:1-3). God did not create out of any deficiency or incompleteness in His joyful self-sufficiency (Ex. 3:13-14; Ps. 50:9-15; Acts 17:25). Creation displays God’s beauty and praiseworthiness and is for the joy of His redeemed children (Is. 35:10; Mt. 25:23). All of creation was complete after six twenty-four hour days and was very good (Heb. 11:3; Col. 1:16).
B. Providence
God’s glory can be seen in His power, wisdom, goodness, and guidance in governing all of His creation (Dan. 4:34-35; Ps. 135:6; Acts 17:25-28; Mt. 10:29-31). None of God’s plans can be thwarted because He is God and there is no other (Gen. 50:20; Job. 12:23; 14:5; 37:6-13; 38:22-30; Ps. 22:28; Prv. 16:9, 33; Jer. 1:5; Mt. 6:11, 26; Acts 4:27-28; 17:26; Eph. 1:11; Phil. 2:12-13; 4:19). According to God’s foreknowledge and decree, all things come to pass perfectly (Acts 2:23). All aspects of life, even evil (Gen. 37; 45:5; 50:20; Ex. 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; Rm. 9:17), are brought about by God’s omniscient, omnipotent hand (Gen. 50:20; Job. 12:23; 14:5; 37:6-13; 38:22-30; Ps. 22:28; 75:6-7; 104:27-29; 135:6; 139:16; Prv. 16:9, 33; Jer. 1:5; Mt. 6:11, 26; Acts. 4:27-28; 17:26; Eph. 1:11; Phil. 2:12-13; 4:19) for the purpose of His glory and the good of His children.
C. Humanity
a. The makeup of human nature
God directly created Adam from the dust of the ground and Eve from his side (Gen. 2:7; 1:27; 2:21-22; 1 Cor. 15:22; 15:45; Rm. 5:14) for the purpose of glorifying Him. Man and woman were created equally in the image of God (Gen. 1:27; 9:6; Jms. 3:9) without sin (Gen. 1:31). In God’s love and wisdom they were appointed differing and complementary roles in marriage in order to be a representation of Christ and the church (Eph. 5:22-33; Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 11:2-16; Col. 3:18-19).

b. The purpose or destiny of humanity
God created humans for the purpose of putting His infinite worth, beauty, wisdom, and praiseworthiness on display (Is. 43:7; Eph. 1:11-12). Humans are created to be in an intimate relationship with their Maker, Ruler, Provider, Protector, and Friend by trusting in His all-sufficient goodness, adoring His infinite beauty, enjoying His personal fellowship, and obeying His all wise counsel (Ps. 16:11; 27:4; 43:4; Rom. 11:34; 1 Cor. 10:31; Rev. 4:11). This is only made possible through redemption in Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:1-11).
D. Angels; Satan and Demons
a. Angels
Angels were created by God (Neh. 9:6; Ps. 148:2, 5; Col. 1:16) as spiritual beings (Heb. 1:14) without physical bodies. Angles have various names (Job 1:6; 2:1; Ps. 89:5, 7; Heb. 1:14; Dan. 4:13, 17, 23; Col. 1:16; Eph. 1:21; Gen. 3:24; Is. 6:2-7; Rev. 4:6-8) with different ranks and order among them (Jude 9; Rev. 12:7-8; 1 Thess. 4:16). They are limited to being in only place at one time (Lk. 1:26; Dan. 10:12-14) even though there is a great number of them (Deut. 33:2; Ps. 68:17; Heb. 12:22). Angels are assigned to the protection of God’s children (Mt. 18:10; Ps. 91:11-12) and have very great power (Ps. 103:20; Eph. 1:21; 2 Pet. 2:11; Heb. 2:7). Angels show us the greatness of God’s love and plan for us (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Heb. 2:16) and they directly glorify God (Ps. 103:20; Is. 6:2-3; Rev. 4:8; Lk. 2:14; Heb. 1:6). It is still possible for angels to appear to people today (Heb. 13:2) but we should never worship, pray to, or seek them (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 1 Tim. 2:5).
b. Satan and Demons
Demons are evil angels who have rebelled against God and who are continually working evil in the world. When God created the world He “saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good (Gen. 1:31). By the time of Genesis 3:1 Satan was in the world in the form of a serpent. Between Genesis 1:31 and Genesis 3:1 Satan and his angels had sinned and cast out of God’s presence (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6). Isaiah 14:12-15 describes the fall of Satan and his demons as a result of pride (see also Jude 6). Satan is the personal name of the demons (Job 1:6; 1 Chron. 21:1; Zech. 3:1; Mt. 4:10; Lk. 10:18). He is also called “the devil” (Mt. 4:1; 13:39; 25:41; Rev. 12:9), “the serpent” (Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3), “Be-elzebul” (Mt. 10:25), “the ruler of this world” (Jn. 12:31; 14:30), “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), and “the evil one” (Mt. 13:19; 1 Jn. 2:13). Satan was the originator of sin (Gen. 3:1-6; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Jn. 3:8; Jn. 8:44) and his intention is to destroy the work of God (Gen. 3:1-6; Mt. 4:1-11; 2 Cor. 4:4; Gal. 4:8). Satan and all of his demons are limited to the sovereign rule of God and are limited in their power (Job 1:12; 2:6; Jms. 4:7). The gospel comes in power to triumph over the works of the devil (Lk. 4:41; Acts 8:7; 1 Jn. 3:8).

IV. Sin: The Rejection of God’s Glory
A. The origin and nature of sin
Any failure to conform to the moral law of God, in act, in attitude, or in nature is defined as sin. Adam was created morally upright by God, but he was led astray from God’s Word and wisdom by Satan’s deceit (Ecc. 7:29; Gen. 3:1; 3:13; 2 Cor. 11:3). Adam chose to be independent from, to have distrust for, and to be disobedient from his all-good and gracious Creator by partaking in what was forbidden by God (Gen. 2:17; 3:6). By this rebellion, human’s first parents fell from their original innocence and perfect communion with God (Gen. 3:7-8; Rm. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21). All humans are justly guilty before God because of Adam’s representative sin (Rom. 5:12-21). We have inherited a sinful nature from our representative head, Adam (Ps. 51:1-5; 58:3; Eph. 2:3), and therefore no one treasures God’s worth, value, and praiseworthiness as He fully deserves (Rm. 3:23). We display this in our actions (Ex. 20:13, 15, 16), our attitude (Ex. 20:17; Mt. 5:22; Gal. 5:20), and our very nature (Rm. 3:10; 5:8; Eph. 2:3).
B. The Result of sin
All people are by nature corrupt (Eph. 2:2-3), enslaved to sin (Rm. 6:16, 20), and unable to delight in God and forsake their own proud preference for the fleeting pleasures of self-rule (1 Cor. 2:14; Rm. 8:7-8; Deut. 29:4; is. 64:6; Jn. 8:34; 15:5; Rm. 3:9-20; Heb 11:6) because of Adam’s fall. Not only so, but because of Adam’s sin, all people are under the curse of death, guilt, and condemnation (Rm. 2:15; 3:9, 19; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1).
C. The Punishment for sin
The just punishment for sin is God’s eternal wrath. God is completely just and holy , and therefore God’s righteousness demands that sin be punished eternally (Jer. 9:24; Rm. 3:25). If God were to pass over sin without punishing it, He would be unjust. God’s name, fame, beauty, and praiseworthiness is infinitely valuable to Him and therefore, any sin, as small as it may seem, is an infinite offense against Him and is worthy of infinite punishment. Apart from having a wrath bearer, Jesus Christ, everyone will face God as their just Judge (1 Pt. 1:17) and will be cast into the eternal punishment of Hell (Rev. 20:12; Rm. 2:5-7; Mt. 11:22). Hell is a literal place of eternal punishment and separation from the presence of God (2 Thess. 1:9; Mt. 25:41). The fire is never quenched in Hell (Mt. 25:46; Mk. 9:43), there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt. 25:30), and the worm never dies in Hell (Mk. 9:48).

V. Salvation: God’s Glory Shared and Enjoyed
Even though the wages of sin is eternal death in Hell, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rm. 6:23). Through the free gift of salvation given to redeemed persons, God displays and magnifies His beauty, His infinite worth, and His praiseworthiness (Eph. 1:3-10). God’s glory shines forth through His free and sovereign dispensation of His grace (Rm. 9:15-18). Because of God’s grace given to His redeemed children he gets all of the praise, and honor for saving us (Rm. 5:9-10; 13:11; Eph. 1:7; 2:5, 8; Tit. 3:5), for keeping us during this race of faith (Phil. 1:6; Heb. 10:23; 1 Cor. 1:7-9; Jn. 18:9), and for our future glorification (1 Cor. 15:2; Mt. 5:9-10; Lk. 21:27-28; Eph. 4:30; 1 Pt. 1:5).
A. Election
In order to display the full extent of His glory, God elected some people, before the world began, to be saved by His unconditional act of free grace (Rm. 9:11-18; 1 Cor. 1:26-31; Jn. 10:25-29; Jn. 17:6; 6:37-39; Rm. 8:28-30; Rm. 11:5-8; 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 1:4). Before the beginning of the world God chose who would be delivered from the bondage of sin (Rm. 6:17; 8:2), brought to repentance (2 Tim. 2:24-25; Acts 11:18), and saving faith (Jn. 6:44; 6:65; Phil. 1:29; Eph. 2:8-9; Mt. 11:27; Mt. 16:17; Acts 16:14). This act of God’s free grace and love in election is according to His eternal purpose and good pleasure. God elects apart from foreseeing faith, good works, or perseverance in any person (Rm. 9:11, 16; Eph. 1:4; Jn. 1:12-13). The ultimate purpose of election is to strip humans of all boasting in regards to their salvation and to give God all the praise and honor for His glorious grace (Eph. 1:1-12; 2 Thess. 2:13).
B. Union with Christ
There are four aspects of our union with Christ: 1) We are in Christ- This means that God has chosen us before the beginning of the world (Eph. 1:4, 11-12; 2 Tim. 1:9). It also means that during Christ’s life, God thought of us as being in Christ. For instance, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21; Is. 53:6; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rm. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:3; Col. 2:14; Heb. 9:28). And finally, during our lives we are in Christ by dying and rising with Christ (Col. 2:12; Rm. 7:6; Gal. 2:20, 5:24; 6:14), by being given new life (1 Jn. 5:11; 2 Tim. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:14; Eph. 1:3), by our actions being done in Christ (Rm. 9:1; 2 Cor. 2:17; 12:19; Phil. 2:19; 1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Thess. 3:12; Philem. 8), and by being one body in Christ (Rm. 12:5; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:13-22), 2) Christ is in us (Jn. 15:5; Gal. 2:20; Rm. 8:10; 2 Cor. 13:5; Rm. 3:20; Col. 1:27). 3) We are like Christ (Rm. 15:7; 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil 3:10; Col. 3:13; 1 Pet. 2;21) and, 4) We are with Christ (Mt. 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Thess. 3:16; 2 Tim. 4:22; Heb. 12:22-24).
C. Grace
The grace which God gives to people who are not saved is called common grace. This grace includes all of His blessings which He bestows on people even though they are fully deserving of immediate wrath and fury (Gen. 39:5; Ps. 145:9, 15-16; Mt. 5:44-45; Jn. 1:9; Acts 14:16-17; Rm. 13:1-4). There is also saving grace, which is given to God’s elect when he counts Christ’s atoning work to their status with God (Eph. 2:5, 8-10).
D. Regeneration
Regeneration is the effectual work of the Holy Spirit to impart new spiritual life to God’s elect who are dead in their trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:4-6), hostile to God (Rm. 5:10), and unable to submit to God or please Him (Rm. 8:7-8). Regeneration is completely a work of God apart from people having any active role in it (Jn. 1:13; Ezek. 36:26-27; Jms. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3; Jn. 3:3-8). Regeneration comes before the act of repentance and faith in Christ (Jn. 6:44; 6:65; Rm. 3:11; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-5; Col. 2;13; Acts 16:14). A person who has been regenerated will be given the power to overcome the world (1 Jn. 5:3-4), a love for God and His glory (1 Jn. 2:29), and power to live a life free from continual sin (1 Jn. 3:9; gal. 5:22-23; Mt. 7:15-20; Mt. 7:22-23).
E. Conversion
Conversion is a person’s response of repentance for sin and putting their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation upon hearing the good news. When a person is converted they turn away from sin and, at the same time, turn toward Christ by faith. Both repentance and faith are necessary for salvation (Acts 20:21; Heb. 6:1) and are wholly gifts from God (Eph. 2:8-9).
a. Faith
Saving faith is a personal trust in Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins and for eternal life. Faith is the sole instrument by which we, as sinners, are united to Christ’s perfect obedience and sacrifice for sins in order to be accepted by God (Rm. 3:28; 4:4-5; 5:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9; Jer. 23:5-6). The Spirit of Christ works in the hearts of God’s elect (Eph. 1:17-19) in order to enable them to believe in Christ for salvation (Heb. 10:39; Eph. 2:8). Saving faith is not merely an intellectual knowledge about Christ (Jms. 2:19), but an accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life (Jn. 1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal. 2:20; Acts 4:12; 15:11). Saving faith is ordinarily brought about through the Word of God and prayer (Rm. 10:14).
b. Repentance
Repentance is a necessary work of the Spirit for salvation (Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30), whereby a person has sorrow for sin, renounces it, makes a commitment to forsake it and to live a life of obedience to Christ’s commands (2 Cor. 7:9-10; Is. 55:7; Acts 20:21; 2 Cor. 5:17; Matt. 3:8; Heb 6:1; Mt. 11:28-29). Repentance is both a change of mind and a change of action (Lk. 18:18-30; Jn. 4:16; Ezek. 18:30-31; 36:31; Is. 30:22; Joel 2:12-13; Amos 5:15; 2 Kng. 23:25).
F. Justification
Justification is the legal act of God of declaring us righteous, not on the ground of any work that we have done, including baptism, or of any work that God has done in us, but wholly on the grounds of Christ’s perfect obedience and sacrificial death imputed to us by faith alone (Rm. 4:5-8; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Rm. 3:22-28; Tit. 3:5-7; Eph. 1:7; Jer. 23:6; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Rm. 5:17-19). At the first instant of justification acceptance with god happens fully and permanently (Rm. 5;1). Nevertheless, the faith which justifies a person will also produce, by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) acts of love (Gal. 5:6; 1 Tim. 1:5; Col. 1:4-5; 1 Jn. 3:14; 4:8, 16, 20). Justifying faith is not a dead faith (Jm. 2:17, 22, 26) but produces fruit as a necessary evidence (Mt. 12:33; 7:16; Lk. 6:43-44).
G. Sanctification
Sanctification is the progressive work of God with the regenerate person, whereby sin is continually weakened and killed in the life of the believer. This purifying work is produced by the Spirit and the Word of God (Rm. 6:6, 14; 5:24; 8:13; Phil. 2:12-13). Sanctification is an act of God’s grace (Col. 1:11; Eph. 3:16-19) and is necessary for final salvation (2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14). Faith is the channel through which divine power and transformation flow to the soul (1 Jn. 5:4). Sanctification is imperfect and incomplete in this life because there are remnants of corruption in the heart of every regenerate person. This remnant of corruption will produce a lifelong war against sin in the life of the regenerate person. This war is waged by faith in God’s promises (Heb 3:12-13; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7-8). The purpose of sanctification is to transform the regenerate person into the image of Christ and thus, reflect His beauty, His infinite worth, His praiseworthiness, and His glorious grace (Col. 2:9-10; Eph. 4:25; 2 Cor. 4:18).
H. Glorification
Glorification is the final step of salvation. God’s redeemed will receive a resurrected body at the time of Christ’s return. Death will be destroyed and God’s redeemed will have their soul and incorruptible resurrected body united (1 Cor. 15:25-26; 54-55; 1 Thess. 4:14; Jn. 5:28-29; 6:39-40, 44, 54). Our resurrected bodies will not be subject to decay, aging, sickness, disease, or weakness (1 Cor. 15:42-44, 49). In fact, these resurrected bodies will be like Christ’s glorious body (1 Jn. 3:2).
I. Perseverance
God’s beauty, infinite worth, and praiseworthiness is displayed in His faithfulness to keep us persevering to the end in this race of faith. Everyone who has been truly born again will be kept until the end (Jn. 8:31-32) and furthermore, perseverance is absolutely necessary in order to inherit eternal life (Jn. 6:39; 10:27-29; Heb. 10:23; Phil. 1:63; Mk. 13:13; Lk. 9:62; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; Col. 1:21-23; 2 Tim. 2:11-12; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:11-12; 10:36). Perseverance does not depend upon the strength or free will of the regenerate person, but upon God the Father’s love, His grace (2 Tim. 2:18-19; Jer. 31:3), Christ’s merit and intercession (Heb. 10:10, 14; 13:20-21; 9:12-15; Rm. 8:33-39; Jn. 17:11, 24; Lk. 22:32; Heb. 7:25), and the continual work of the Holy Spirit in us. It is possible for regenerate persons to fall into grievous sins (Mt. 26:70, 72, 74; Gal. 2:11-14), and, for a season, to continue in these sins (Ps. 51:1,14). The consequences of grieving the Holy Spirit will be a hardened heart (Is. 63:17; Mk. 6:52; 16:14), a forsaking of having a peace with God (Ps. 51:8-12; Rev. 2:4), a wounded conscience (Ps. 32:3; 51:8), and the discipline of the Lord (Ps. 89:31-32; 1 Cor. 11:32; Heb. 12:4-6). In light of this, the evidences of God’s persevering work in us is 1) A present trust in Christ alone for salvation (Col. 1:23; Heb. 6:12; Jn. 3:16), 2) Acts of love being produced in your life by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5: 22-23), 3) A subjective testimony of the Holy Spirit bearing witness that you are a child of God (Rom. 8:15-16; 1 Jn. 4:13; Gal. 4:5), and 4) A long-term pattern of growth in holiness is displayed in your life (2 pet. 1:5-10). Ultimately, God is faithful to uphold His name as being praiseworthy and therefore, he will persevere the regenerate person in their faith (Phil. 1:6).

VI. The Church: Spreading God’s Glory

A. Nature, Mission and Function of the Church
The church is comprised of all true believers throughout all time (Eph. 5:25; Rev. 12:1). The church is invisible in the sense that only God knows those who are truly His (2 Tim. 2:19; Heb. 12:23), and yet it is visible in the sense that it includes all who profess faith in Christ and demonstrate evidence of that faith (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1). The church is also local and universal. It could be a “house church” (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19), a church in a city (Acts 9:31), or the universal church throughout the world (Eph. 5:25; 1 Cor. 12:28). Jesus Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 5:23). The primary purpose of the church is to worship God and to display His beauty, infinite worth, and praiseworthiness (Col. 3:16; Eph. 1:12; 5:16-19). The means by which the church does this is by nurturing and building up the body of Christ (Col. 1:28; Eph. 4:12-13), and by spreading the gloriously good news about Jesus Christ to the nations (Matt. 28:19; Gen. 12:1-3; Acts 1:8; Ps. 96:1-6; Rev. 5:9-10).
B. Offices of the church
In order for the body of Christ to shine forth God’s beauty, infinite worth, and praiseworthiness, Christ has established certain roles and functions of leadership within the body of Christ.
a. Apostle
The word “apostle” can have two different meanings. From strictly a biblical sense an apostle was a messenger of God who had the authority to write scripture (Jn. 13:16), to found the church (Mt. 16:18), and to govern the church. The qualification was that they needed to be an eyewitness of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 9:1), and were to be sent out by Jesus (Mt. 10:1-7; Acts 1:24-26; 26:16-17). The second sense in which we use the word “apostle” is to simply mean that someone is a “messenger” of the good news, or a “church planter”, or a “pioneer missionary.”
b. Elder
Upon planting a church the apostles would appoint a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Tit. 1:5; 1 Tim. 4:14). Elders are called by the Holy Spirit to protect the flock, to lovingly lead the flock, to counsel the flock, to discipline the flock, and to faithfully teach the flock the Word of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). The primary calling of the elder is to be a man of prayer and to diligently study and teach the Word of God (Acts 6:1-7). Elders are to be competent men (1 Tim. 2:12) who meet the qualifications found in 1 Tim. 3:2-7 and Tit. 1:6-9.
c. Deacon
The primary role of a deacon is to serve the church with the gifts that God has given to them. It is unclear if we should assume that Phoebe was a deacon at the church in Cenchrea (Rm. 16:1) because the Greek word for deacon, diakonos, could also be translated as “servant.” Deacons do play a vital role in serving the church, although they are not required to teach or to rule over the flock as elder are. The qualifications for deacons can be found in 1 Tim. 3:8-15.
C. Ordinances of the church
a. Baptism Baptism was ordained by Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:19) for the purpose of being a symbolic representation of a believer’s life, death, and resurrection with Jesus Christ (Acts 22:16; Rm. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12). Baptism is for those who have been regenerated, repented of their sins, put their faith in Jesus Christ, and have committed to walking in newness of life (Rm. 6:3-4). The mode of baptism is to be immersion because this is what the Greek word means and immersion gives a better imagery of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 22:16; Rm. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12; Mk. 1:5; Jn. 3:23; Acts 8:36).
b. Lord’s Supper The Lord’s Supper is a rich and exciting ordinance of the church. The Lord’s Supper is a time of meditating on Christ’s death for sin (1 Cor. 11:26). It is a time of personally taking hold of the benefits which were purchased by Christ and His death (Mt. 26:26). We are spiritually nourished through the Lord’s Supper (Jn. 6:53-57). There is also a unity of believers that happens during the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 10:17). When partaking in the Lord’s Supper we are affirming the Love that Christ has for us. We affirm that all of the blessings of salvation are reserved for us. It is a time of taking hold of these blessings by faith and affirming our position in Christ. The Lord’s Supper is to be reserved for those who are believers in Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 11:29). Those partaking in the Lord’s Supper should self-examine themselves and correct any broken relationships we have (1 Cor. 11:28, Matt. 5:23-24).
VII. The Last Things: God’s Glory Revealed To All Humankind

Jesus Christ is coming back soon (Rev. 3:11). God’s beauty, infinite worth, and praiseworthiness will be revealed at the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Tit. 2:13). At the end of the age Jesus Christ will return to this earth personally (Acts 1:9-11), visibly (Mk. 14:61-62), physically (Phil. 3:20-21; Lk. 24:39-43), and suddenly (1 Thess. 5:2-3). He will come with great power and His glory will be revealed to all (Lk. 21:27). When He comes He will gather His elect (Mt. 24:31), raise the dead (1 Thess. 4:17-18), judge the nations, and establish His kingdom (1 Cor. 15:22-24; 2 Tim. 4:1; Lk. 22:28-30). For the redeemed their will be everlasting joy with Jesus (Ps. 16:11; Mt. 25:23, 46; 19:29; Jn. 3:16; Rm. 6:23; Jude 24-25) but for those who suppressed the truth in unrighteousness there will be everlasting wrath and fury (Rm. 1:18; Dan.12:2; Mt. 3:12; 18:8; Mk. 3:29; 9:43-48; Lk. 16:26; Jude 12-13; Rev. 14;11; 19:3; 20:10).