Biblically Sound Statement of Faith

For Non-Denominational Churches

By

Dr. Ezra Aniebue

 

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

 

 

Supporting Scriptures used in this note are from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

Copyright 2022 by Dr. Ezra Aniebue

 

 

ISBN: 979-878-942-792-7

 

 

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

 

 

Published by

Dr. Ezra Aniebue

Through

Kindledirectpublishing.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HERE IS A WARMUP!

Can you name the four major historical Christian Creeds that helped in the formation of the fundamental Christian doctrines? Before we study, let’s briefly review these creeds to set the stage for our discussion. . .

 

 

 

~ Dr. Ezra Aniebue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENTS

Romans 12:2, KJV: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

 

DON’T LET THE WORLD TELL YOU WHAT TO BELIEVE

 

The Bible tells us that the world has its systems and structures embedded in lies and deceptions. In other words, the world reasonings and behavior patterns are contrary to the views from the biblical truth. According to the Scriptures, humanity is blind to the truth of the Gospel, the truth of our sins, the truth of a holy GOD, and HIS amazing love for the world. Unfortunately, the secular society has world views based on human ideas and personally interpreted truths and misinformation. At times, these truths or claims have been embraced so deeply that they see them as a reflection of what is genuine. It drives what they think, how they behave, and what they feel, say, do, and believe as real. In Christianity, GOD wants Christians to abandon secular world views and methods and embrace the biblical truths expressed in the Bible. The Bible should tell us what is real and unreal and how to live and not to live in order to please GOD. The world has its way of thinking, seeing, and saying things—their world views, but a Christian worldview is written in the Bible. Early church fathers understood this concept and developed Christian creeds, which they used in teaching and helping the church formulate, practice, and retain the biblical view of the world.

1. K. Chesterton was right when he said, whether about a person or a nation, that “the most practical and important thing … is still one’s view of the universe”.

 

 

 

 

 

FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENTS

THE MAJOR HISTORICAL CHRISTIAN CREEDS

 

 

A creed is a concise statement of faith used to articulate foundational biblical truths for the purpose of stating major doctrinal points to distinguish truth from error. The etymology of creed comes from the Latin word credo, meaning, “I believe.” Creeds provide a concise basis for teaching, safeguarding orthodox biblical doctrines, and providing consistency in church leadership and church fellowship.

At the time of the first century Christianity, the Christian faith was spreading along with heresies, necessitating the need for the establishment of creeds. The establishment of creeds helped both the church and Christians in formulating a biblical worldview and in understanding the essentials of the Christian faith. Over the years, there have been many Christian creeds; however, four significant creeds (The Apostles Creed, Athanasius Creed, Nicene Creed, and the Chalcedonian Creed) helped in the formation and preservation of the central doctrinal positions of the church.

One of the early creeds is The Apostles Creed, not because its authors were the original apostles, but because it accurately reflects their teachings. In the early 300s before the New Testament canon had been finalized, controversy developed over the divinity of Jesus Christ. In 325, at the request of Emperor Constantine, Christian Bishops from across the Eastern Roman Empire, with a few from the West, met in the town of Nicea, near Constantinople, to discuss the matter. Their consensus was written in what was called “The Creed of Nicea”. That creed was then expanded in 381 at another major council held at Constantinople, resulting in The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, commonly known as “The Nicene Creed”. Finally, in 451, church leaders met in the city of Chalcedon to discuss, among other things, various theories about the divine and human natures of Jesus Christ. The creed from that council is called “The Chalcedonian Definition” or, more commonly, “The Chalcedonian Creed”.

The Creed of Athanasius is a reaffirmation and clarification of all the early Church councils and the Nicene Creed, which fought tirelessly to preserve the orthodox faith against heretics like Nestorius and Arius Eutyches, Apollinaris, Sabellius, Macedonius, and Paul of Samosata. Athanasius may not have written it, but its words encapsulate everything he stood for. The two primary targets of the Athanasian Creed are the heresies promoted by Nestorius and Arius.

Arius could easily be considered the godfather of all heretics, with most heresies tracing back to him. He is known for denying Christ’s divinity to maintain the oneness of God over and against the Threeness of God. Contrary to Scripture, Arius claimed that Christ was a creature of God and not God Himself. While He shared in God-like qualities, the Father and the Son did not share the same “substance” to use the language of the creed. To rebut the heresy of Airus, the first half of the Athanasian Creed is devoted to expressing the oneness of God according to His “substance” and the Threeness of God according to His “persons.”

 

APOSTLES CREED, TRADITIONAL VERSION

 

I believe in GOD, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of GOD the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

ECUMENICAL VERSION

 

I believe in GOD, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

*Traditional use of this creed includes these words: “He descended into hell.”

*Universal -These are the versions in the United Methodist Hymnal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE NICENE CREED

 

 

We believe in one GOD, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

 

 

THE CHALCEDONIAN CREED

 

We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood;⁶ one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, unconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.

 

 

 

 

 

THE ATHANASIAN CREED

 

The Athanasian Creed is usually divided into two sections: lines 1–28 address the doctrine of the Trinity, and lines 29–44 address the doctrine of Christology. Enumerating the three persons of the Trinity (Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), the first section of the creed ascribes the divine attributes to each individually. Thus, each person of the Trinity is described as uncreated (increatus), limitless (Immensus), eternal (æternus), and omnipotent (omnipotens). While Ascribing the divine attributes and divinity to each person of the Trinity, thus avoiding subordinationism, the first half of the Athanasian Creed also stresses the unity of the three persons in the one Godhead, thus avoiding a theology of tritheism. Furthermore, although one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct from one another since the Father is neither made nor begotten; the Son is not made but is begotten from the Father; the Holy Spirit is neither made nor begotten but proceeds from the Father – Western churches include “and the Son” (filioque), a concept that Eastern and Oriental Orthodox reject. Whosoever will be saved, before all things, it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith unless everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish ever-lastingly. And the catholic faith is this: “That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise, the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So, the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise, the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, there are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So, there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity, none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity”.

 

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance [Essence] of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood into God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so, God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth, on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.

 

NOTE: Protestant Churches believe in the tenets outlined in The Athanasian Creed; however, it was not popularized among them because Salvation is not based on church or denominational membership.

 

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

Most of the statement reiterates basic tenets of evangelicalism while adding articles on “healing by the atonement” and tongues as “initial evidence” of baptism in the Holy Spirit.[1] Article 12 concerns divine healing. The official church teaching is that Christ paid for all physical suffering with his atoning work and that as a consequence, when Christians get sick, they can be supernaturally healed by the Holy Spirit. Article 9 reflects a non-Wesleyan perspective on sanctification. Articles 13-16 deal largely with the subject of eschatology. The Assemblies of God has a premillennial dispensationalist perspective on the future, including belief in the rapture and a literal earthly millennium. The following is a summary of the 16 Fundamental Truths:

 

• The Bible is inspiredby God and is “the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct”.
• There is only one true God who exists as a Trinity.
• Jesus Christis the Son of God and, as the second person of the Trinity, is God.
• Man was created good and upright. However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from
• Salvation“is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ”.
• There are two ordinances. Believer’s baptismby immersion is a declaration to the world that the believer has died and been raised together with Christ, becoming a new creation. The Lord’s Supper is a symbol expressing the believer’s sharing in the divine nature of Christ, a memorial of Christ’s suffering and death, and a prophecy of Christ’s second coming.
• Baptism in the Holy Spiritis a separate and subsequent experience following conversion. Spirit baptism brings empowerment to live an overcoming Christian life and to be an effective witness.
• Speaking in tonguesis the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
• Sanctificationis “an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God”. It occurs when the believer identifies with, and has faith in, Christ in his death and resurrection. It is understood to be a process in that it requires continual yielding to the Holy Spirit.
• The Church‘s mission is to seek and save all who are lost in sin; the Church is

the Body of Christ and consists of all people who accept Christ, regardless of

Christian denomination.

• Divinely called and scripturally-ordained ministersserve the Church.
• Divine healingof the sick is provided for in the atonement.
• The “imminent and blessed hope” of the Church is its rapturepreceding the

bodily return of Christ to earth.

• The rapture of the Church will be followed by the visible return of Christ and his reign on earth for a thousand years.
• There will be a final judgmentand eternal damnation for the “wicked dead”.
• There will be future new heavensand a new earth “wherein dwelleth righteousness“.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_creeds

The early church developed and used Christian creeds in formulating Christian doctrines, but Christian worldview and developing of solid roots and fruits are achieved by believing and daily practicing (living) the Scriptures.

FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENT

 

 

You believe that Jesus Christ is who the Bible says He is, but the question is, do you live for JESUS? Does your lifestyle and leadership show that you are trusting Him as your Savior? Do you believe that Jesus is GOD and that HE came to the earth in human form without losing HIS Divinity (John 1:1, 14)? Do you believe that JESUS died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21), for which you deserve eternal separation from GOD (Romans 6:23)? Do you believe that the sacrifice of JESUS is the only adequate payment for   your sins (1 John 2:2; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)?

 

Do you believe these things? If so, great; but so, does the devil (James 2:19). Sound Biblical belief is more than just believing certain things to be true, it is also living it, preaching it and using the principles of JESUS CHRIST in every single area of your life and ministry as your leadership motto.

 

You have orthodoxy; good, but you need to have orthopraxy as well. It is the believing, and living the Bible that creates sound leadership. The content of the gospel and the conduct of its servants are intertwined. The integrity of the message is connected together with the lifestyle and leadership practices of the messenger. The leader’s life practically shows what living a new life in Christ looks like. It is not enough to believe; it is not enough to teach others because sound biblical leadership entails demonstration and emulation of life and conduct rather than mere transfer of certain beliefs and knowledge. This is why the most important biblical leadership statement of all times is, “Repent for the Kingdom of GOD is at hand.”

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT BELIEVE

 

Matthew 21:22 – And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

John 3:16 – For GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

John 6:35 – And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

 

Mark 5:36 – As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, be not afraid, only believe.

 

Psalms 23:4-6 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

Romans 10:10 – For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

Romans 15:13 – Now the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

Mark 11:24 – Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

 

James 1:5-6 – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him….

 

Mark 9:24 – And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears,Lord,

I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

 

Psalms 78:32-33 – For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works…..

 

Genesis 15:6 – And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

 

John 20:29 – Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

 

Matthew 6:1-34 – Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven….

 

John 14:1-31 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in GOD, believe also in me….

 

Acts 16:31 – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

 

Isaiah 43:10 – Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no GOD formed, neither shall there be after me.

 

Matthew 9:28 – And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

 

Romans 13:11 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

 

Luke 8:50 – But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

 

PART I:

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP BIBLE STUDY LESSONS ON BIBLICAL STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

LESSON 1        ARTICLEI: THESCRIPTURES

LESSON 2        ARTICLE II: GOD

LESSON 3        ARTICLE III: THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

LESSON 4        ARTICLE IV: GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

LESSON 5        ARTICLE V: HUMANKIND

LESSON 6        ARTICLE VI: THE SALVATION OF HUMANKIND BY GRACE

LESSON 7       ARTICLE VII: THE CHURCH

LESSON 8        ARTICLE VIII: CHURCH ORDINANCES

LESSON 9        ARTICLE IX: EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

LESSON 10     ARTICLEX: THE CHURCH RELATION TO THE STATE

LESSON 11     PERTINENT QUESTIONS AND THEIR BIBLICAL ANSWERS

LESSON 12     ARTICLE XI: END TIMES – taught in the lecture

LESSON 13     ARTICLE XII: ANGELOLOGY – taught in the lecture

 

PART II:

 

PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING ISSUES

Stewardship

Biblical Problem Resolution

 

PART III:

 

THEOLOGICAL ISSUES

EvolutionandCreation

Women in Ministry

PART IV:

MORAL AND CHARACTER ISSUES

Integrity—ItsImportanceinChristianLivingandMinistry

Bribery

Racism

Abortion

Homosexuality Polygamy

 

PART V:

 

CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL ISSUES

The Christian and the Social Order

The Church and Its Relation to the State

The Role of Christians, Churches, Pastors, and Clergy in Politics, Peace and War

Cancel Culture

Political Correctness Traditions

OPEN QUESTIONS AND SELECTED PERTINENT ARTICLES

 

PART VI:

STATEMENT OF FAITH WITHOUT THE LESSONS