SALVATION
We teach that salvation is entirely by God's grace based on the redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on human merit or works (John 1:12; Eph. 1: 7; 2: 8-10; 1 Peter 1: 18-) 19).
Rebirth .
We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which a divine nature and divine life are given (John 3: 3-7; Titus 3: 5). It is immediate and done only by the power of the Holy Spirit with the help of God's Word (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, gifted by the Holy Spirit, reacts with faith to God's promise of salvation. True rebirth is manifested in worthy fruits repentance shown in righteous attitude and behavior. Good works are the proper proof and fruit of restoration (1 Cor. 6: 19-20; Eph. 2:10), and the believer experiences them to the extent that he submits himself to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life by faithfully obeying God's Word (Eph. 5: 17-). 21; Phil.2: 12b; Col. 3:16; 2 Peter 1: 4-10. This obedience causes the believer to conform more and more to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This conformation culminates in the believer's glory at the coming of Christ (Rom. 8:17; 2 Peter 1: 4; 1 John 3: 2-3).
Selection .
We teach that election is an act of God by which God, before the foundation of the world, chose in Christ those whom he graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Rom. 8: 28-30; Eph. 1: 4-11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 2. : 10; 1 Peter 1: 1-2).
We teach that sovereign choice does not contradict or negate man's responsibility to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezek. 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3: 18-19, 36; 5:40; Rom 9: 22-23; 2 Thess. 2: 10-12; Rev 22:17). However, since sovereign grace includes the method of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign choice will result in what God determines. All those whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith, and all those who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6: 37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4: 8).
We teach that the undeserved grace that God grants wholly depraved sinners is not related to any initiative on their part or to God's prediction of what they might do of their own free will, but comes only from God's sovereign grace and mercy (Eph. 1: 4). -7; Tit 3: 4-7; 1P 1: 2).
We teach that this choice cannot be viewed as based only on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign, but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially with His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Romans 9: 11-16). This sovereignty will always exalt God's will in a manner wholly consistent with His character, as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11: 25-28; 2 Timothy 1: 9).
Justification.
We teach that justification before God is an act of God (Rom. 8:33) by which he recognizes as righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13: 3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Rom. 2: 4; 2 Cor. 7:10; Isa. 55: 6-7) and profess him as sovereign Lord (Rom. 10: 9-10; 1 Cor. 12: 3; 2 Cor. 4: 5; Phil. 2:11) . This justification lies beyond any virtue or human work (Rom 3:20; 4: 6), includes imputing our sins to Christ (Col 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and imposing Christ's righteousness to us (1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21). Thus God can be "just and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26).
Sanctification.
We teach that every believer is set apart for God by justification and therefore is declared holy and identified as holy. This sanctification is status and immediate, and should not be confused with gradual sanctification. This sanctification concerns the condition of the believer, not his present course or condition (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1: 2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3: 1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1: 2.
We teach that through the action of the Holy Spirit there is also a gradual sanctification by which the believer's condition is brought closer to the believer's status with God through Christ's sacrifice. By obeying God's Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness according to God's will, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6: 1-22; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Thess. 4: 3-4; 5:23).
In this regard, we teach that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict, where the new creation in Christ struggles with the flesh, but that adequate safeguarding for victory is provided by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This struggle, nevertheless, remains with the believer throughout earthly life and is never completely over. Any claim to eliminate sin in this life is unbiblical. It is not possible to eliminate sin, but the Holy Spirit does secure victory over sin (Ga 5: 16-25; Eph 4: 22-24; Phil 3:12; Col 3: 9-10; 1 Peter 1: 14-16; 1 John 3 : 5-9).
Security and assurance of salvation.
We teach that all the redeemed, once saved, are held by God's power and thus are secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6: 37-40; 10: 27-30; Rom. 5: 9-10; 8: 1, 31-39; 1 Cor. 1: 4-8; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 7:25; 13: 5; 1 Pet. 1: 5; Jude 24.
We teach that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which, however, firmly forbids the exercise of Christian freedom as an opportunity for sinful life and flesh (Romans 6: 15-22; 13: 13-14; Gal 5: 13: 25-26; Tit 2: 11-14).
Separation.
We teach that separation from sin is clearly called in the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that apostasy and worldly life will increase in the last days.
We teach that because of our deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God shown to us, and because our wonderful God is so worthy of our total sacrifice, all the saved should live in such a way as to demonstrate our glorious love for God, so as not to bring us any insults to our Lord and The Savior. We also teach that separation from religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is commanded by God (Rom. 12: 1-2, 1 Cor. 5: 9-13; 2 Cor. 6: 14-7: 1; 1 John 2: 15-17. ; 2 Jn 9-11).
We teach that believers should be set apart in our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 1: 11-12; Heb. 12: 1-2) and we affirm,
that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 2-12) and the constant pursuit of holiness (Romans 12: 1-2; 2 Corinthians 7: 1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2: 11-14; 1 John 3: 1-10).