Capitol Commons Reformed Church – Statement of Faith

Our Statement of Faith

This is the full version of our 157-point Statement of Faith. Each section reflects the core biblical convictions that guide what we believe, preach, and teach as a church. These statements have been prayerfully written to help you understand the truths we hold dear and to invite deeper trust in the God who has revealed Himself through His Word.

Each doctrinal statement has been carefully numbered for ease of reference. If you have questions, need clarification, or would like to discuss any point further, we warmly encourage you to refer to the specific statement number. It would be our joy to walk with you through the Scriptures and thoughtfully engage with your inquiry. We welcome you to reach out to us at any time.

May the Lord bless you as you read.

THE BIBLE

1 The Bible (the original scriptures) is the Triune God's divinely and organically inspired written words and is His complete, infallible, and inerrant revelation of Himself and His redemptive plan for man. 2 Timothy 2:15 | 2 Timothy 3:15–17 | Psalm 119:160 | Psalm 119:89 | John 17:17

2 If any error or misunderstanding is to be taken from the Bible, this is not an error of God but an error of man. 2 Peter 1:20

3 The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible through God’s appointed individuals in biblical history. 2 Peter 1:21

4 The Lord allowed these individuals to keep their personalities, linguistic styles, and tones in their writings. 2 Peter 1:21

5 With over 40 different authors from different times, different places, and different circumstances, all that was written was and is in complete harmony and truthfulness. 2 Peter 1:21

6 Such is the beauty of the Bible. Psalm 119:160

7 The Bible does not contradict itself at any point. John 17:17

8 The Bible is comprised of the 66 Books only of the Old and New Testament. Matthew 5:18

9 Any book outside of the 66, regardless of the truths found in them or the help they provide, is not the inspired written word of God. Matthew 24:35

10 The Bible is not just truthful in some parts, nor is it just truthful in concept; the Bible is true in all aspects down to the very words used. Matthew 5:18

11 Not all Bible translations are faithful to the original scriptures, so a faithful Bible aligned with the original scriptures must be what is used. 2 Timothy 3:16

12 All scripture is profitable for all things in life and is the final and ultimate standard of truth in all things. 2 Timothy 3:16 | Hebrews 4:12

13 This does not mean there are no other helpful books out there, but in matters of spiritual things and all moral and practical truths concerning the Christian, scripture is the final authority; moreover, scripture is not merely authoritative to those who believe, but is the inherent, absolute, and universal truth that governs all things and all people, regardless of belief—yet it is the Christian who is called to uphold it and live by it. 2 Timothy 3:16 | John 17:17 | Psalm 119:89 | Isaiah 40:8 | Romans 3:3–4 | Hebrews 4:12

14 All that the believer needs to know to give glory to the Lord and live lives that are continually maturing in the faith and unto Christlikeness is expressed and detailed in the scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16–17

15 The Bible is not a self-help book and is not to be treated as one where verses are cherry-picked to satisfy or justify a point. 2 Timothy 3:16

16 Scripture is to be interpreted through a literal, grammatical, and historical study of the text. 2 Timothy 2:15

17 What is critical to understand is what the original writers of scripture through the Holy Spirit intended to express. 2 Peter 1:21

18 The Bible is God-breathed in its totality, trustworthy, and reliable. 2 Timothy 3:16 | Hebrews 4:12

GOD

19 There is only one God. Deuteronomy 6:4

20 He is the creator of all things and has decreed all things for His purposes and delight. Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Ephesians 1:11

21 God is eternal, and no one was before God. Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 43:13

22 While God is the creator of all things, He is completely without sin, does not author sin, and does not in any way approve of sin. Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:13

23 God is sovereignly over all things, yet without sin. Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 8:28

24 God’s attributes are expressed throughout the scriptures, and God expresses all these attributes in perfect unity. Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 145:17

25 Our God is a Triune God—one indivisible divine essence in three personal subsistences: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—each co-eternal, co-equal, and distinct in person, yet of one nature. Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1–3; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6

26 Each deserves equal glory, praise, and worship from all creatures. Revelation 5:13-14; Philippians 2:10-11

God the Father

27 God the Father in His distinct person is the sovereign One who governs all things. Ephesians 1:3-5; Psalm 115:3

28 From eternity past, God the Father has determined of everyone born into the world, who will be those that will come to Him in faith through Christ Jesus. John 6:37; Romans 8:29-30

Jesus Christ – God the Son

29 God the Son, in His distinct person, is through whom all things are made and is the One who holds all things together and is the sinless Lamb of God. John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:29

30 God the Son, at the appointed time, entered the world through the virgin birth of Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:35; Galatians 4:4

31 Christ Jesus became truly man in humility without diminishing His deity in any way. Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9

32 While Christ is truly God and truly man, even to this day, at the time of His earthly ministry, there were moments where He would humble the capacities of His being truly God, while at times, He would express it. John 10:30; John 14:9; Luke 24:38–39; John 10:37–38

33 This was to prove to the world that Christ Jesus is, indeed, truly God and truly man. John 1:14; John 20:28; Matthew 28:6

34 God the Son had to come to the world as truly man for His death to represent humanity and so to die physically. Hebrews 2:17; 1 Peter 3:18

35 God the Son had to also remain as truly God so that His death would become a satisfactory atonement for the sins of man because He alone is the righteous and sinless one. Hebrews 9:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8

36 The death and eternal punishment that elect men deserve for their sins would be imputed unto Christ through His shed blood on the cross, while the righteousness of Christ would be imputed unto all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior. Romans 3:25–26; Romans 5:18–19; 1 Peter 2:24

37 Apart from faith in the redemptive and sacrificial work of Christ Jesus on the cross, leading to His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, absolutely no one will be saved from eternal condemnation because of sin. John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4

38 Christ Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the life; no one comes to God the Father to mean saved by grace for eternity, apart from and by Christ Jesus. John 14:6

God the Holy Spirit

39 God the Spirit in His distinct person is the One who regenerates a wicked man unto a belief unto Christ Jesus. John 3:5–6; Titus 3:5

40 He indwells the believer, seals the believer, instructs, and guides the believer to live out His transformed and new life in Christ until Christ calls the believer home. Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; John 14:26; Romans 8:9; Romans 8:14

41 God the Spirit equips the believer to live out that which is now true of Him the moment he was justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone. Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:4

The Triunity of God

42 The Triunity of God is one of the doctrines that may be difficult to grasp or share, but only so to the one who has not yet been regenerated. 1 Corinthians 2:14

43 The Trinity is not a thing to be argued but simply a scriptural fact to be declared about God. Deuteronomy 29:29; John 1:1; John 14:16–17

44 Hence, any attempt to explain the Trinity through man-made illustrations and/or analogies will fall short of capturing the full and true essence of this reality about our God. Isaiah 40:18; Romans 11:33

MAN

45 All men are created in the image of God. Genesis 1:26–27

46 Adam and Eve, in their original state, were free from sin. Genesis 2:7

47 Man is created as only male or female by biological sex at birth. Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4

48 Whatever feelings, mindset, or medical adjustments take place, this person will ultimately have an original and true biological sex at birth, either male or female. Psalm 139:13–14

49 While scripture would allude to the existence of individuals who neither conformed to male nor female biological sex roles, these are not to be taken as an acceptance in scripture of such. Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10

50 Men are created to bring glory to God and for the glory of God. Colossians 1:16, Revelation 4:11, 1 Corinthians 10:31

51 This means to love the Lord our God above all else and to love our neighbors. Matthew 22:37–39

52 This means loving all things according to God’s original design and purpose, but it also means being merciful, gracious, and gentle but truthful to those who have yet come to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:6

53 Tragically, because of Adam and Eve’s favoring of their glory rather than God’s glory, and with help from the serpent’s temptations, they both fell into sin and condemnation, and through this, all men are born into the world in sin. Genesis 3:1–19, Romans 5:12, Romans 5:18–19

54 This tragedy didn’t just bring sin into the picture and in the hearts and minds of men; it also caused a massive separation between the creator God and His created beings, a separation that cannot be bridged by man, for God is thrice holy, and He cannot have anything to do with sin and wickedness. Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8

55 The wrath of God is upon man, and unless and until man believes in Christ Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior, he is at enmity with God. John 3:36; Romans 5:10

56 There is no such thing as a neutral state for man. Ephesians 2:1–3

57 He is either a child of God or an enemy of God, and by and through sin, man, since the fall, will always be born as an enemy of God. Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23

58 Man is corrupt in his nature and unable and incapable of truly knowing and desiring God apart from divine intervention from the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 3:9–18

59 While man can practice good deeds and even behave in a manner that demonstrates moral goodness in life because the laws of God are written in their hearts, these things that the world would consider good behavior or good works will all amount to nothing to the Lord and in His sight; all are filthy rags before Him because God’s demand is not only sporadic goodness, His demand is eternal perfection, and that is a state no man can attain. Romans 2:14–15; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:20

MAN

45 All men are created in the image of God. Genesis 1:26–27

46 Adam and Eve, in their original state, were free from sin. Genesis 2:7

47 Man is created as only male or female by biological sex at birth. Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4

48 Whatever feelings, mindset, or medical adjustments take place, this person will ultimately have an original and true biological sex at birth, either male or female. Psalm 139:13–14

50 Men are created to bring glory to God and for the glory of God. Colossians 1:16, Revelation 4:11, 1 Corinthians 10:31

51 This means to love the Lord our God above all else and to love our neighbors. Matthew 22:37–39

55 The wrath of God is upon man, and unless and until man believes in Christ Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior, he is at enmity with God. John 3:36; Romans 5:10

56 There is no such thing as a neutral state for man. Ephesians 2:1–3

57 He is either a child of God or an enemy of God, and by and through sin, man, since the fall, will always be born as an enemy of God. Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23

58 Man is corrupt in his nature and unable and incapable of truly knowing and desiring God apart from divine intervention from the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 3:9–18

SALVATION

60 Despite the rebellion of the creature against His creator, God loved the world that He gave His only Son, and whoever believes in Him alone for their salvation will be saved from eternal destruction and separation from God and instead experience forgiveness and eternal life in and with Christ. John 3:16; Romans 5:8; John 1:12

61 Salvation can only be achieved by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5; Romans 3:28

62 There is no other way unto heaven and salvation apart from faith in Christ Jesus. Acts 4:12; John 14:6; John 5:24

63 The doctrine of Salvation can be best encapsulated, while not exhaustive, in the acronym T.U.L.I.P. Romans 9:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 8:29–30

Total Depravity

64 Man is unable and incapable of producing any sort of righteousness that would be acceptable, pleasing, or satisfying to the Lord. Romans 3:10–12; Romans 3:23

65 To make things even more difficult, man does not even desire to know God. Romans 3:11; Romans 8:7–8

66 Man is in active rebellion and rejection of God and Christ Jesus. Romans 8:7–8; John 3:18–20

67 Whatever stimulations or acts that men may pursue that may seem like a seeking for God or a seeking for salvation is, in fact, only a seeking of the benefits and privileges of what they see from people who possess the faith. John 6:26; John 2:23–25; John 5:40

68 Ultimately, whatever good deeds man may commit, these are still driven by selfish gain. Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:20

69 Man is completely depraved because of sin and is therefore deserving of eternal punishment and separation from God. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1–3; Romans 5:12

Unconditional Election

70 The Triune God, in His sovereign will and purposes, has already chosen, from before the world began, the exact people who will come to faith in Christ Jesus and be with Him for eternity in heaven. Ephesians 1:4–5; 2 Timothy 2:10; Romans 8:28–30

71 The reason for the choosing is completely of the Lord’s prerogative as creator God. Romans 9:15–16; Romans 11:5–6

72 Hence, the election of people who will come to faith in Christ is not conditioned upon how people live their lives but solely on God’s divine will. Romans 9:11–13; Romans 9:19–23

73 For the unregenerated person, this will be received as unfair and cruel but for the regenerated person, through the Holy Spirit’s illumination of the heart and the mind, this will be received as a mercy. 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 11:5–6; Ephesians 1:11

74 Because the issue no longer becomes why does God choose but rather, why did God choose me? Romans 9:20–23; Romans 3:4

75 While God unconditionally elects those who belong to the Son, because this is not a knowledge man is aware of, as far as man is concerned, he is fully responsible for his sins and is fully responsible for repenting of these sins unto the Lord and personally believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior. Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10; Luke 13:3

Limited Atonement

76 The death of Christ on the cross is sufficient to pay for the sins of the world. 1 John 2:2; John 1:29; John 3:16

77 However, the application of the payment and redemption of sin is only for the elect and those who will repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. John 10:14–15; John 17:9; Ephesians 5:25

78 Christ did not die for those who will not believe. His death does not save them nor was it intended to save them. John 10:26; Romans 9:15–18

79 Therefore, His death fully secures the salvation of His people because it was always definite and specific. John 6:37–39; Hebrews 9:28

80 Christ’s atonement is limited not in its power, but in its application. Acts 13:48; Matthew 1:21; Romans 8:33–34

Irresistible Grace

81 Anyone that God decrees to be set free from the bondage of sin, death, and depravity will be set free indeed. John 8:36

82 All whom God the Father has unconditionally elected to be part of those who will be atoned for by the sacrifice of Christ will truly come to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith, in God’s perfect and appointed time for him. John 6:37; Romans 8:30; John 10:29

83 In this appointed time, this individual will be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. John 3:5–6; Titus 3:5; John 1:13

84 This means, the blinds from his eyes that desire not God, reject God, and fail to see God in all of life, will be spiritually removed and this person will immediately see their sinfulness and their need for a savior. Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:6

85 At this appointed time, this person will be overwhelmed with the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Christ Jesus. Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:4–5; 1 John 4:10

86 God will then gift this person the faith to believe in the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:29; Ephesians 1:13–14

87 The moment the person confesses with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in his heart that God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he is at this point justified, which means, this person is now declared righteous by God through the righteousness of Christ achieved on this person’s behalf, because of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross and His victory over sin and death at His resurrection. Romans 10:9–10; Romans 4:25

88 The grace provided by God to the once-sinner is irresistible because God has elected him to be saved. Romans 8:29–30; John 6:44

89 In the point of view of man, it is also irresistible because man truly will desire not to resist such a grace and such a mercy gifted to him by the Triune God. Psalm 110:3; Romans 8:14

90 Should anyone seem to display an active resistance to the calling of God, he is either in disobedience already to the truths that have been gifted to him by the Holy Spirit, but in due time, he will conform. Philippians 1:6; Acts 20:32

91 However, it is also possible that the person simply may not have been regenerated. Hence, his active and willful “resisting”—for how can one resist what has not been gifted to him? John 8:43–44; 1 John 2:19; John 3:3–7

Perseverance of the Saints

92 All believers in Christ will conform more and more to the image of their Savior, Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–4

93 Believers will never be sinless while they remain in the world, but they will sin less and less. 1 John 1:8; Philippians 3:12

94 Believers will grow in loving what God loves and they will grow in despising what God despises. Romans 12:9; Galatians 5:22–25

95 In short, believers abide more and more in the Word. This is a guarantee for all believers. John 15:4–5; John 17:17; Acts 20:32

96 The Holy Spirit that indwells all believers will guide them and sanctify them all the days of their life. John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Ephesians 4:30

97 God the Father elects the people to be saved, God the Spirit regenerates the hearts and minds of the once unbelievers, Christ Jesus through His work on the cross justifies these people, and God the Spirit matures these believers more and more as they conform to the image of the Son until God calls them home. Romans 8:29–30; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23

98 There is no such thing as a believer that remains unchanged from his previous lifestyle. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22–24

99 A person before God’s intervention is dead in his sins and upon the intervention of God, is made alive in Christ. Ephesians 2:1–5; Colossians 2:13

100 There is no greater internal change than that and rightfully so, this internal and radical change will yield external fruits that will affirm the person’s new standing in Christ, saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. John 15:8; James 2:17–18; Galatians 5:6

101 Grace and charity must however be practiced, as not everyone’s progress in the faith will follow the same pattern nor the same degrees of change, but there will be an ongoing change in the person’s life. 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Romans 14:1

102 The believer will never lose his salvation in Christ because it was not him who attained it, it was God who gifted it and it is the Holy Spirit who guarantees it. John 10:27–29; Ephesians 1:13–14; Jude 24; Hebrews 7:25

THE CHURCH

The Nature and Identity of the Church

103 Christ alone is the head of the church; the church is the bride of Christ. Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18

104 The church is not a building nor a set of programs and activities only. Acts 2:41-42

105 A church is first and foremost a gathering of regenerated individuals who believe in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior and individuals who have committed themselves to be in covenant with one another in the faith as each hold one another accountable unto the Lord. Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

106 The church is a place of corporate worship and praise to the Lord that follows key elements in the program that worship and exalt the name of the Lord. Ephesians 5:19-21; Acts 2:42

107 There are plenty of events and organizations that may refer to themselves as a church but unless the people gathering are regenerate believers, unless the gathering is for the worship and adoration of Christ Jesus and in surrender to His word and the service of one another through the word, this cannot be biblically determined as a church. John 4:24; Romans 12:1-2

Israel and the Church

108 The role of the church today is not a replacement for the role of Israel in Biblical times. Romans 11:1-2

109 The Lord has distinct roles and purposes for the nation of Israel during the biblical times, today, and in the future, just as He has specific purposes for the church. Romans 11:25-29

Governing Structure of the Church

110 The church is ultimately governed by Christ and His word, but the Lord through His word has provided instruction on how churches are to be governed practically and that is through a plurality of Elders/Pastors and Deacons. Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1

111 Elders and Pastors are used interchangeably in Scripture and are those who are charged with shepherding the church in both feeding (teaching) and protection (oversight). Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:17

112 While the office of Deacon is biblically distinct from that of Elders or Pastors and is not charged with authoritative teaching or shepherding, it remains a vital role of service and care within the church. Those serving as Deacons who possess a heart to teach may continue to grow in faithfulness, character, and doctrine toward potential future qualification for eldership, as the Lord wills. Acts 6:3-4; 1 Timothy 3:8-13

113 There are specific stipulated requirements for those who aspire to be an Elder or a Deacon in the church and these requirements are to be taken with the utmost care and seriousness. 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9

114 These are men whom the church will submit to in their directing of the church as well as in their leading as faithful shepherds. Hebrews 13:17

Church Discipline and Autonomy

115 There are also specific instructions on the practice of church discipline between members, as expressed in the Matthew 18 principle. Matthew 18:15-22

116 The implementation and practice of church discipline are critical to the pruning, purifying, and sanctification of the local church. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

117 The local church is a sovereign body of believers on its own along with their Elders and is not to be submitted to a higher organization or another church. Acts 14:23-27

118 While there are beneficial church partnerships, churches are not to be under an organization that would have higher accountability than the Elders of the local church. 1 Peter 5:1-4

119 The Elders of the local church must steward the call of God upon their lives as shepherds of the flock with great care, concern, and commitment. Acts 20:28

Purpose and Mission of the Church

120 The church aims to glorify God and equip the body of believers for all to give glory to God in their individual lives and as one body. Ephesians 4:11-16

121 While discipleship and evangelization are very critical to the work of the church, growth in numbers is not a primary goal as this can open many temptations outside of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

122 Ultimately, it is the Lord who will bring those who are His to the church. Acts 2:47

123 The church must endeavor to remain faithful to the gospel proclamation, faithfulness in the teaching of the Word, and equipping of the saints, through the Word. 2 Timothy 4:1-2

124 There is of course much work the church can be of great help for in the community through many other activities and events, and as far as peaceable and beneficial, it should conduct and/or participate in activities that will help spread the gospel of Christ and be a help for those in need. Matthew 5:14-16

125 But the main priority is to declare and teach the gospel message of Christ Jesus because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation; aside from this, there is no greater calling and no greater blessing. Romans 1:16

Ordinances of the Church: Baptism and The Lord’s Supper

126 There are only two ordinances that remain active today that the church is to provide and that is baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

127 These ordinances, as ordinary means of grace, are not the gospel in and of themselves and are not salvific, but they communicate and affirm the gospel that saves and sanctifies the believer. Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:26

128 Baptism is not an act that provides salvation but is an act of affirmation of an individual’s faith in Christ and commitment to righteousness in his life, to the local church community he belongs. Romans 6:3-4; Acts 2:38

129 Since a baby or a young child cannot understand this or genuinely make such a commitment, baptism should only be conducted for those, who by God’s grace, can express a genuine understanding of the gospel and a right understanding of baptism. Acts 8:36-39

130 The Lord’s Supper reminds all believers of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and what it took to gift believers salvation. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

131 No miracle takes place during the Lord’s Supper in the sense that the elements somehow turn to the body of Christ and the actual blood of Christ. Hebrews 10:10-14

132 This kind of belief and teaching is false and is one that ultimately does not trust in the once and for all sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 7:27

133 The Lord’s Supper is to be done with a clean heart and mind, and if there is any sin that remains unrepented in the heart and mind of a believer, he must seriously refrain from taking part in the Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:27-32

Spiritual Gifts and Sign Miracles

134 Lastly, the church today no longer possesses the calling for the sign gifts that were present at the time of Jesus and the early church such as miracles, signs and wonders, speaking in tongues, and other sign miracles. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12

135 The Holy Spirit of course still heals and still causes miracles according to the Triune God’s will and purposes today, namely the regeneration of an individual from being dead to sin to being alive in Christ. John 3:5-7; Titus 3:5

136 But these particular sign gifts as stated are no longer provided to individuals to possess and to perform. Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12

137 There is no longer a need to affirm the teachings and revelations of God through signs and wonders because all that God needs to reveal is already completely expressed in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 22:18-19

138 While some practice or are open to such sign gifts today, some may be biblically misinformed while others are false teachers or false converts. 1 John 4:1; Matthew 7:21-23

139 All such are to be tested through the Word of God. Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21

THE LAST THINGS

What We Teach Regarding the Return of Christ and the Millennial Reign

140 Before the final judgment, the Lord Jesus Christ will descend from heaven and rapture all believers to Himself, sparing them from the seven-year tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 24:27-31

141 The seven-year tribulation will bring the world under the wrath of God in increasing intensity. Daniel 9:24-27; Revelation 6–16

142 After the tribulation, Christ will return not as Savior but as King and Judge to establish His kingdom on the earth. Revelation 19:11-16

143 Christ will reign bodily on the earth for a thousand years in a kingdom marked by peace, justice, and righteousness, while Satan is bound. Revelation 20:1-4

144 After a thousand years, Satan will be released for a short time to deceive the nations one final time. Revelation 20:7-8

145 Satan will gather an army against the saints, but he will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire forever. Revelation 20:9-10

146 The unbelieving dead will be raised to face the great white throne judgment, and all who are not in Christ will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Revelation 20:11-15

147 This series of events will lead to the final renewal of all things: the new heaven and new earth, and the full manifestation of God's eternal kingdom. Revelation 21:1-2

What We Believe and Teach to Be True Concerning the End of All Things

148 There will be an end to the world and its wicked ways; things will not simply continue this way just as death is sure to come for everyone, which is why the day to put one’s faith in Christ Jesus is always today. Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 3:10

149 All men will eventually be resurrected in their bodily form, and those who are in Christ will forever be with Christ in heaven, while those who have rejected Christ will forever experience punishment in hell. John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:31-46

150 Before this resurrection, believers who have passed away will already be with Christ, while those who rejected Christ will be in an intermediary state of conscious punishment. Luke 16:19-26; 2 Corinthians 5:8

151 After the death of a person, there is no more chance for them to believe in Christ. Hebrews 9:27

152 The reality is that until the very end and for eternity, unbelievers will forever reject and rebel against Christ. Revelation 20:10-15

153 The Lord Jesus Christ will return visibly and bodily to judge the living and the dead and to bring final and everlasting justice to the earth. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 22:12

154 There will be a new heaven and a new earth where all believers will be in glorious and eternal fellowship with the Triune God. Revelation 21:1-4; 2 Peter 3:13

155 In the final consummation, all who are in Christ will be restored to their Maker in perfect and eternal fellowship. Revelation 21:3-4; Romans 8:30

156 This is not merely a return to Eden but the fulfillment of God’s original eschatological purpose—what creation was always destined for before the fall. Ephesians 1:9-10; Romans 8:18-23

157 The final state of the believer in Christ surpasses the innocence of Adam, for it is a state of confirmed righteousness, tested faith, and glorified perfection accomplished by Christ, wherein we shall behold our Father face to face and remain in Him forever. 1 Corinthians 15:49; Revelation 22:3-5; 1 John 3:2

END NOTES

¹ 2 Peter 1:20–21; 2 Timothy 3:16. Since divine inspiration relates only to the original production of God’s Word, absolute inerrancy can be asserted only of the original writings of Scripture. (Practical Christian Theology: Examining the Great Doctrines of the Faith, p. 28)

² 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12. The authority of Scripture is key for the Christian Church in the world. Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to show the reality of their discipleship by humbly and faithfully submitting to a full grasp and adequate confession of its authority. Recognition of the total truth and trustworthiness of Holy Scripture is essential to a full grasp of it and warning against its denial. We are persuaded that to deny it is to set aside the witness of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit and to refuse that submission to the claims of God’s own word which marks true Christian faith.

³ Psalm 12:6; Psalm 19:7; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Titus 1:2; John 17:17; Hebrews 6:18; 1 Peter 1:25. Inerrancy (P. D. Feinberg) defined: “When all the facts become known, they will demonstrate that the Bible in its original manuscripts and correctly interpreted is entirely true and never false in all it affirms, whether that relates to doctrine or ethics or to the social, physical, or life sciences” (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, article “Inerrancy”). The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy affirms that the original autographs (autographa) of Scripture are wholly true and without error in all they affirm.

⁵ The Bible canon of 66 books is widely accepted in Christian tradition, though the process of determining this canon was gradual. According to some articles, these 66 books are considered divinely inspired, with God as the ultimate Author. The canon was formed as books were written and recognized as having divine authority, with criteria such as prophetic authorship, confirmation by acts of God, and acceptance by the people of God being used to identify inspired texts. The Old Testament canon includes 39 books, as was largely settled by the time of Jesus, who referred to these scriptures using various titles. The New Testament canon of 27 books developed later. Some discussions about certain books’ inclusion arose even in the 2nd century AD and at a gathering in Jamnia around 90 AD, but these mainly concerned internal difficulties rather than rejection of inspiration.

⁷ The literal grammatical-historical interpretation is a method of understanding Scripture that emphasizes the plain, ordinary meaning of the text within its historical and grammatical context. This approach stands in contrast to spiritual or allegorical interpretations, which may impose secondary meanings or church doctrines onto the text. It recognizes figures of speech and symbolism but aims to uncover the original meaning by examining the immediate context, including biblical, cultural, and political factors. This method finds support in both the Old and New Testaments and is associated with the Antiochene school of early church interpretation.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

What We Believe And What We Teach About The Bible (Statements 01–18)

What We Believe And What We Teach About God (Statements 19–44)

What We Believe And What We Teach About Man (Statements 45–59)

What We Believe And What We Teach About Salvation (Statements 60–102)

What We Believe And What We Teach About The Church (Statements 103–139)

What We Believe And What We Teach About The Last Things