What we-believe

WHAT WE
BELIEVE
CONTENTS Foundations Of
Is Doctrine Keeping
Christian Doctrine
Us Apart? . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

S
omeone has said that
Ten Doctrines And the most important thing
Their Importance
about us is what we
God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 believe about God. That is
Christ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 not an overstatement. Beliefs
Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . 10 are at the root of everything
we do. Those beliefs may be
Bible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
unexamined, illogical, and
Salvation . . . . . . . . . . . 15 blindly tied to our desires. But
Christian Living. . . . . . . 20 they are constantly fueling and
Church . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 shaping what we do. This is why
the highest priority must be
Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
given to what we believe and
Spirit World . . . . . . . . . 26 why. Nothing can shape human
Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 character more than minds and
Without Love We hearts determined to think right
Are Nothing. . . . . . . . . 32 about ourselves, our God, our
lives, and our relationships.
Martin R. De Haan II

Managing Editor: David Sper Cover Photo: Superstock
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas
Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.All rights reserved.
© 1989,1996,2002 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in USA

© RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

IS DOCTRINE distinguishing mark of His
KEEPING US people, we cannot afford to
let doctrine come between
APART? us. As the apostle Paul said,

T
he case against if we don’t have love we are
doctrine is growing. like a “clanging cymbal.”
An increasing number Without love we are nothing
of people are coming to the and what we do profits
conclusion that doctrine nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3).
is the enemy of the church.
Doctrine divides us. It
destroys unity and separates
family members. It makes it
Doctrine divides.
difficult for those who follow Love unites.
Christ to set aside differences
and stand together in
common purposes of We cannot afford to forget,
evangelism, discipleship, however, that doctrine also
and social concern. Doctrine unites. Acceptance of the
is what distinguishes and doctrine of Christ is what
breaks followers of Christ into allows true believers in Christ
thousands of denominations to find “family” all over the
and subgroups. world. Acceptance of the
For this reason, many doctrine of the grace of God
are pointing out that while enables men and women
doctrine divides, love of all ethnic backgrounds
unites. The implication and cultural differences to
is that because Christ called recognize one another as
us to love one another, and brothers and sisters who are
because Christ Himself said saved by grace through faith
that love would be the alone, in Christ alone.
2

For the same reasons, love be accursed (Gal. 1:6-8).
divides. Once we know the Paul knew that forgiveness
truth about who Christ is and of sins, eternal life, and
what He has done for us, it adoption into the family of
would be selfish for us to act God comes only by grace
as though “we are all one” through faith alone, in Christ
regardless of what we believe alone. Any doctrine of human
about the doctrine of the merit added to what Christ
grace of God. It would be did for us could spell the
shortsighted to sacrifice the difference between everlasting
truth for a false sense of unity, life and death. The gospel of
just so that we could stand Christ makes it clear that you
together in social or political cannot mix faith and works
consensus. when trusting God for
It was love working forgiveness and salvation,
together with truth that or when trusting Him for
caused the apostle Paul enablement to live as His
to write: child.
I marvel that you are
turning away so soon
from Him who called you Doctrine unites.
in the grace of Christ, to a
different gospel, which is Love divides.
not another; but there are
some who trouble you and
want to pervert the gospel Doctrine can be defined
of Christ. But even if we, as “principles believed and
or an angel from heaven, taught.” By definition, we
preach any other gospel to can’t have Christ without
you than what we have embracing a doctrine of
preached to you, let him Christ. We need doctrine to
3

answer questions like: be turned aside to fables
• Who is God? (2 Tim. 4:2-4).
• What is He like? Our generation is facing
• Does He answer to the danger Paul wrote
other names such as about. The spirit of the age
Muhammad and encourages us to accept
Buddha? Christ without bringing us
• Does He care what we under the lordship of the
believe about Him? doctrines of Christ. The
• Would He send anyone
to hell for having a
wrong opinion? In Christ, truth
• Once knowing Him,
how are we to live? is as essential
This is why the apostle as love, and love
Paul, who was known for his is as essential
love, also wrote:
Preach the word! Be as truth.
ready in season and out
of season. Convince,
rebuke, exhort, with all result is a growing lack of
longsuffering and teaching. discernment that makes us
For the time will come vulnerable to the “doctrines
when they will not of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1).
endure sound doctrine, For these reasons, we need
but according to their own foundations of doctrine based
desires, because they have not on tradition but on
itching ears, they will heap Scripture.
up for themselves teachers;
and they will turn their ears
away from the truth, and
4

TEN DOCTRINES the trust that we habitually
AND THEIR place in ourselves, our family,
or our finances. Because He
IMPORTANCE is eternal, no one will outlive
THE DOCTRINE Him. Because He is the Lord
OF GOD of lords, He is the only one
in the universe to whom we
must finally answer.
2. Q. How do we know
there is a God?
A. The wonders of nature
witness to His existence as
GOD Creator (Ps. 19:1-4). The
inner voice of our conscience
1. Q.Who is God? testifies to His existence as
A. God is Yahweh, the Lawgiver and Judge (Rom.
one (Dt. 6:4), ultimate (Ps. 1:18-32; 2:12-16). And the
97:9; Isa. 40:12-31), eternal love of Christ reveals His
Being (Ps. 90:2), who created existence as Savior and
(Gen. 1:1), rules (Ps. 115:3), Friend (Jn. 1:1-18; 15:15).
and sustains all that exists Because God has made
(Job 38; Acts 17:24-28). Himself self-evident, our
Countless religious problem is not so much to
substitutes divert worship prove His existence as to
to themselves. But there is stop ignoring it (Jn. 3:17-21).
only one Creator and Savior. 3. Q. How can we
Because He alone gives life, define or describe God?
He deserves our gratitude. A. God is the one and
Because every heartbeat and only (Isa. 44:6), unchangeable
circumstance is under His (Jas. 1:17), invisible (Col.
control, He alone deserves 1:15), infinite (1 Ki. 8:27), and
5

perfect (Mt. 5:48) Spirit Being 5. Q.What do we mean
(Jn. 4:24). He is holy (1 Pet. when we say
1:15-16), loving (1 Jn. 4:8-16), that God is infinite?
and truthful in all that He A. God is infinite in that
does (Jn. 3:33). He has lived He is unlimited (Lk. 1:37).
from all eternity as one God He is unrestricted by time,
in three distinct persons (Mt. space, or circumstance. He
28:19), and in the course of is eternally timeless (Ps. 90:2;
time He visited us as God in Rev. 22:13), all-powerful
the flesh (Jn. 1:1-14). (Mt. 19:26), all-knowing
He exists with or without (Job 37:16), and everywhere-
our understanding. He can present (Ps. 139:7-12;
be described truthfully and Mt. 28:20). Yet He always
adequately, but never remains distinct from His
exhaustively. He is infinitely creation (Isa. 40:18-26). He
more, and never less, than we is limited only in the sense
have yet known Him to be. that He cannot do anything
4. Q.Where do we inconsistent with His own
get the idea that goodness (Ti. 1:2; Jas. 1:13).
God is one God in three This means He is vastly
persons? different from the gods of
A. The Bible emphasizes Eastern mystics or Western
the unity of God (Dt. 6:4; materialists. Their gods are
Gal. 3:20; 1 Tim. 2:5; Jas. either so small and self-
2:19), but it also describes contradictory, or so secular
Him as three distinct and inclusive that they
persons—Father, Son, and cannot be distinguished
Holy Spirit—all of whom from cows, rats, scorpions,
are fully and equally God statues, or human thought.
(Mt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 6. Q.What is the
13:14; Heb. 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:2). comfort of believing
6

that this triune God planet to reveal God (Jn. 1:1-
is the Creator and 14), to show us how to live
Sustainer of everything? (1 Jn. 2:6), and to rescue us
A. This assurance enables from the guilt and power of
us to be patient in trouble sin (Rom. 6:1-14). He is Savior
(Rom. 5:3-4; Jas. 1:2-4), (Acts 4:12), Life (Jn. 14:6), and
thankful in prosperity (Phil. Lord (Rom. 10:9,13) to all who
4:10-13), and joyful even in put their trust in Him.
the face of death (Rom. 8:28- Because of who He is
39; 2 Cor. 4:7–5:9). and what He has done for
God is ultimately all that us, Jesus deserves our
we need. While our tendency genuine appreciation, our
is to seek satisfaction and deepest affection, our
significance in lesser persons complete obedience, and
or pursuits, God alone offers our unconditional loyalty.
us lasting hope and life. 2. Q. How does the
New Testament affirm
THE DOCTRINE that Jesus Christ was
OF CHRIST genuinely human?
A. The Lord Jesus was
born of a woman (Gal. 4:4).
He had a human body that
developed mentally and
physically in the same way
that other children do (Lk.
CHRIST 2:40,52). He became tired (Jn.
4:6-8), hungry (Mt. 4:2), and
1. Q.Who is Jesus thirsty (Jn. 19:28). He slept
Christ? (Mt. 8:24). He wept (Jn.
A. Jesus Christ is the God- 11:35). He was tested (Mt.
man who appeared on our 4:1-11; Heb. 2:18; 4:15). He
7

felt anger and grief (Mk. 3:5), 40,54; 11:38-44), and executes
compassion (Mt. 9:36), and judgment (Jn. 5:22,27). Jesus
agony (Lk. 22:44). was given names and titles of
Because He endured not deity: Immanuel, meaning
only what we endure but far “God with us” (Mt. 1:23); King
more, He understands and of kings and Lord of lords
feels what we are going (Rev. 19:16); and Son of God
through. Because He lived (Mt. 26:63-65). Jesus Himself
as a real man, He showed us claimed to be God (Jn. 10:30;
how to depend on the Holy cp. v.33).
Spirit for our every need. He In saying that Jesus is
modeled the way all of us can God, the Scriptures state
depend on God. more than we could ever
3. Q. How does the understand. What remains is
Bible show that Jesus for us to show by our actions
was not only man but that we believe in One whom
also God? we can worship and serve,
A. The Bible explicitly even though we can’t fully
states that Jesus is God understand Him.
(Jn. 1:1; Rom. 9:5; 1 Tim. 4. Q.Why did Jesus die
3:16; Ti. 2:13; Heb. 1:8). Jesus a criminal’s death on a
possesses attributes that only Roman cross?
God could have: eternality (Jn. A. Since hanging was a
8:58), omnipresence (Mt. token of supreme humiliation,
18:20), omniscience (Jn. the triune God decreed that
16:30), omnipotence (Rev. Jesus Christ should die in this
1:8), and immutability (Heb. manner to portray the fact
1:12). Jesus does what only that He bore God’s wrath
God can do: forgives sin (Mk. against the sin of the whole
2:1-12), gives life (Jn. 5:21), human race (1 Jn. 2:2).
raises the dead (Jn. 6:39- Through this humiliating
8

death, infinite in value A. Jesus Christ ascended
because of Christ’s deity, our to heaven 40 days after His
Lord provided an atoning resurrection where He has
sacrifice (Isa. 53:4-5; Heb. taken a place of honor (Acts
9:26), satisfied God’s justice 1:9; 2:33). He will remain
(Rom. 3:25), and bought our there until He returns to
forgiveness (Col. 1:14). “catch up” the church (1 Th.
How can we repay Him? 4:13-18) and then later return
We cannot! We are eternally to the earth as King to judge
indebted to Him. All we can the world (Mt. 25:31-46) and
do is show our love and rule for 1,000 years (Rev.
gratitude by offering ourselves 19:11–20:6).
and our service as a living In the meantime, He is
sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2). preparing a place for us (Jn.
5. Q. How important is 14:3), interceding for us as
Christ’s resurrection? our Advocate (Rom. 8:34;
A. Through our Lord’s 1 Jn. 2:1), sympathetically
resurrection, God confirmed responding to our needs
Jesus as His Son (Rom. 1:4), (Heb. 4:14-16), and
showed His satisfaction with functioning as the Head
Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf of the church (Eph. 5:23;
(Rom. 4:25), affirmed Christ’s Col. 1:18).
power to give life to those While one person can
who trust Him (Rom. 8:11), say to another, “What have
and assured us who believe you done for me lately?”
on Him that someday we too such a question would
will receive resurrection reflect mindless ignorance
bodies (1 Cor. 15:20-21). or ingratitude if expressed to
6. Q.Where is Jesus Christ. He constantly and
now and what is He effectively works in our
doing? behalf.
9

THE DOCTRINE OF Father and Son in creation
THE HOLY SPIRIT (Gen. 1:2), equipped people
to do God’s service (Ex. 31:1-
5; Num. 11:16-17), renewed
nature (Ps. 104:30), came
upon Israel’s kings (1 Sam.
16:13), inspired Israel’s
prophets and the men who
HOLY SPIRIT wrote the Scriptures (1 Pet.
1:10-12; 2 Pet. 1:21), and
1. Q.Who is the Holy worked in the hearts of
Spirit? people to lead them to
A. The Holy Spirit is the believe God and do His
third person of the Trinity, will (Acts 7:51).
truly God and therefore co- This shows how
equal with the Father and willing God is to provide
the Son (Mt. 28:19; Acts 5:3- supernatural strength to
4; 2 Cor. 13:14). Since He is those who want to serve Him.
spirit, He does not have to Those who want to do God’s
be seen or felt in order to be will don’t have to do it in
close to us. Since He is holy, their own power.
He must be met on “holy 3. Q.What is the Holy
ground.” This is why people Spirit’s relationship to
who have not separated the church, the body of
themselves from sin lack the Christ?
awareness of His presence. A. The Holy Spirit gave
2. Q.What were His birth to the church (Acts 2:1-
roles as a member of 47), baptizes believers into
the Godhead during the the church (1 Cor. 12:13),
Old Testament era? abides in the church (1 Cor.
A. He acted with the 3:16), unifies the church
10

(Eph. 2:22; 4:3-4), gives gifts 4. Q.What does the
to the church (1 Cor. 12:4- Holy Spirit do for those
11), provides leaders for the who have not made
church (Acts 20:28), directs peace with God?
the work of the church (Acts A. He draws attention
13:2), and uses the church to to Christ (Jn. 16:13-14),
hold back or hinder evil in the empowers God’s messengers
world (2 Th. 2:7). (1 Th. 1:5), brings conviction
to sinners (Jn. 16:8-11), and
produces the new birth (Jn.
3:5; Ti. 3:5).
Those who want For these reasons, no
to do God’s will person is too bad or too
don’t have to hardened to be converted to
Christ. No person is so evil
do it in their that he cannot be saved. The
own power. purpose of God has never
been to save only good
people or to bring deliverance
Because the Holy Spirit only to those who were
indwells the people of God naturally endowed with
both individually and qualities that would make
collectively, the church should them desirable prospects for
not be thought of as a merely the kingdom of heaven. God
human institution. It should sent His Spirit into the world
not be taken for granted. It to come to the rescue of all
should never be casually kinds of people—even the
dismissed or ignored. In many very worst and most hateful.
ways our actions toward the 5. Q.What does the
church are actions taken Holy Spirit do in the
toward God (Acts 5:1-11). lives of believers?
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A. He permanently 6. Q. In what ways can
indwells believers to mark we harm ourselves by
us out as God’s possession sinning against the Holy
(Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19). He Spirit?
seals us to guarantee our A. We are warned about
ultimate salvation (2 Cor. sinning against the Holy Spirit
1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30). by grieving Him through
He fills us when we yield to disobedience (Eph. 4:30),
Him, giving us power for lying to Him (Acts 5:3),
life and ministry (Acts 6:3; quenching Him with a
13:9-12; Eph. 5:18-21). He negative attitude (1 Th. 5:19),
produces Christian character resisting Him (Acts 7:51), and
in us (Gal. 5:22-23). He insulting Him (Heb. 10:29).
teaches us (1 Cor. 2:10). He
intercedes for us when we
cannot pray (Rom. 8:26-27).
He enables us to discern false We need the
teaching about Christ (1 Jn. Holy Spirit far
2:20-27). He assures us that more than we think
we are God’s children (Rom.
8:16). He equips us to serve we do.
one another (Rom. 12:3-8;
1 Cor. 12:1-31). He guides
us (Rom. 8:14). For this reason, we
We are inclined to should be far more concerned
assume that what we see about maintaining a good
in the mirror is what counts. relationship with the Spirit
But what really counts is than we are about staying on
what the Holy Spirit can good terms with our spouse,
do in a heart that is given children, parents, employer,
unreservedly to Him. or friends.
12

THE DOCTRINE to meet personally with every
OF THE BIBLE honest seeker. While the
natural world reveals God’s
power, majesty, and wisdom,
the Bible reveals His plan of
personal, eternal salvation. It
is the Author of this book and
what He offers His readers
BIBLE that make the Bible so
timeless and important.
1. Q.What sets the 2. Q. How do we know
Bible apart from all that the Bible we hold
other books? in our hands accurately
A. The Bible in its entirety represents the original
was written by men who were documents that go
inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16; back more than 3,500
2 Pet. 1:21). And because years?
it is inspired (lit. “breathed A. The amazing similarity
out”) by God, the original of thousands of well-preserved
documents are without error manuscript copies gives strong
of any kind (Jn. 17:17). It is evidence that they accurately
authoritative in all matters reflect the originals. We can
of faith and conduct (2 Tim. be confident that if God
3:16-17). inspired a book to reveal
This book is like no other Himself, He would oversee
book in the world. It is a the preservation of that book.
record of the life and work 3. Q.What evidence
of the most important Person can we give to support
in the universe. Behind the the claim that the Bible
pages, storylines, events, and is the inspired Word of
people of His book, He waits God?
13

A. Christ repeatedly The best reason to believe
expressed confidence in the in the Bible is that Jesus Christ,
reliability of the Jewish the perfect God-man, believed
Scriptures—the 39 books of in it (Mt. 12:39-42; 19:4-5; Lk.
the Old Testament (Mt. 5:17- 17:26-29). The most personal
18; Lk. 24:27,44). In the reason to believe is found by
fourth century, the church each individual in the wisdom,
fathers declared these 39 rightness, and strength that
books plus the 27 books comes from following the
of the New Testament Bible.
to be divinely inspired, 4. Q. How can we
authoritative, and complete. understand the Bible?
While the doctrine that A. By asking the help of
the Scriptures are the inspired its divine Author, by seeking
and inerrant Word of God is to determine what its human
a matter of faith, it is a authors meant, by interpreting
reasonable faith. The unity it literally and in context as
of the message of these books we would any other book,
written over a period of about and by submitting humbly
1,600 years is astounding. Its to its message.
accuracy of historical detail, 5. Q.What should we
its completeness of storyline, do when we encounter
its amazingly fulfilled a Bible passage we can’t
prophecies, its beneficial understand or verses
impact on society, and its that seem to contradict
transforming power in the one another?
lives of those who read it A. If after serious study
believingly are such powerful we can’t find the answer or
testimonies that it is actually solution, we should proceed
unreasonable not to believe to other passages with the
in the inspired Scriptures. assurance that the problem is
14

with us, and that someday, 2. Q.What is sin?
either on earth or in heaven, A. Sin is any thought,
our difficulty will be word, or deed that either
eliminated. violates or falls short of
complete conformity to God’s
THE DOCTRINE holy laws (Rom. 3:23; 1 Jn.
OF SALVATION 3:4). In short, Jesus and His
apostles taught that sin is
anything that doesn’t reflect
selfless love for God and
others.
3. Q.What has God
done to provide
SALVATION salvation?
A. He became a member
1. Q.What is salvation? of the human race in the
A. Salvation is person of Jesus Christ (Jn.
deliverance from the 1:1,14), lived sinlessly as
penalty, pollution, and our substitute to fulfill God’s
power of sin (Rom. 6:14,23; righteous demands (2 Cor.
Ti. 3:4-6). It is eternally more 5:21), suffered and died on
important than being saved the cross to bear the penalty
from fire, deep water, illness, for our sins (Mt. 20:28; Rom.
or loneliness. While most 4:23-25; 1 Cor. 15:3-4),
people struggle to be saved and rose from the grave to
from social embarrassment, break the power of death
poor health, poverty, or and defeat Satan (Acts 2:24;
personal discouragement, Heb. 2:14-15).
the issue of their eternal well- In other words, He
being is usually overlooked or accepted full responsibility
minimized. to pay the price for the
15

consequences of our sin. those who are sinners by
Although Christ actually took nature (Ps. 51:5), disobedient
our place, His suffering was by choice (Rom. 3:23; Col.
shared by the Father and the 1:21; Ti. 3:3), spiritually dead
Spirit. Certainly they deeply (Eph. 2:1,5), unable to please
felt the pain of seeing one so God (Rom. 8:8), and under
dearly loved experience such His wrath and condemnation
terrible humiliation and (Jn. 3:36; Rom. 1:18; 3:19).
agony. Christ died for people
who have nothing to offer
Him but brokenness and
The rescue need. He died for people who
have fallen far short of their
offered by God original purpose to know Him
is eternally more (Jn. 17:3), to glorify Him (1
important than Cor. 10:31), and to enjoy Him
forever (Rev. 7:15-17; 21:1-4).
being saved from 5. Q.Who will be
any other kind saved?
of debt, disease, A. From the divine
perspective, God saves
or death. those whom He has chosen
from before the foundation
of the world (Acts 13:48;
4. Q. For whom did Rom. 8:30; Eph. 1:4; 2 Th.
Christ die? 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:9). From the
A. Jesus Christ died for human viewpoint, salvation
all, even for those who will is legitimately offered to
not believe on Him (Jn. 3:16; everyone and is freely given
1 Tim. 2:4-6; Heb. 2:9; 2 Pet. to all who believe on Jesus
2:1; 1 Jn. 2:2). He died for Christ (Mt. 11:28; Jn. 1:12;
16

3:15-16,36; 6:40,47; 7. Q. Does divine
11:25-26; 20:31; Acts 16:31; election do away with
Rom. 10:9-10). human freedom and
Our part is not to responsibility?
understand the mind and A. No! God is sovereign
mystery of God but to and man is both free and
gratefully accept His responsible. We cannot fully
undeserved love. Of this we harmonize these truths, but
can be sure: All who sincerely we must accept both of them
want to be saved and who in humility and faith.
accept the invitation to believe This requires reasonable
in Christ will never be turned trust in God. A human parent
away (Jn. 6:37). In time and expects his small child to
eternity they will learn that trust his parental judgment
they came because of the when that child is not able to
choosing, urging, and drawing see the big picture. Shouldn’t
of the Father (Jn. 6:39,44,65). we grant the infinite God that
6. Q. On what does same consideration and
God base His choosing respect?
of some and not others 8. Q. How do we
for salvation? receive salvation?
A. God sovereignly A. By faith alone. Neither
chooses according to His zealous commitment to good
own good pleasure (Eph. 1:4- works (Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 4:1-
11). Although His choice 12) nor careful observance of
is in harmony with His religious ritual (Gal. 3:1-9)
foreknowledge (1 Pet. 1:2), it play a part in obtaining
is not based on it. If God did salvation.
not take the initiative, no one Salvation is not found in
would believe and choose our efforts for God but in
Him (Jn. 6:44). trusting God’s efforts for us.
17

As important as it is to go to A. It is personal trust in
church, a 50-year record of God. It is believing that He,
perfect attendance would not on the basis of Christ’s
help us qualify in any way for substitutionary death and
heaven. God does not require resurrection, forgives and
our money, our attendance, accepts all who trust in Jesus
our prayers, or our songs. All Christ and rely on Him alone
He requires is that we place for salvation (Rom. 3:21-26;
our trust in Christ. On that 4:1-25; 5:1-2; Eph. 2:8-10).
basis He gives salvation. It is therefore not what I do
Everything else follows. but what I believe that counts.
9. Q.What is the If what I believe is right, doing
repentance called for by right will follow. Good works
John the Baptist, Jesus, are the fruit and the evidence
Paul, and Peter? (Mt. (Eph. 2:10; 1 Jn. 3:7-10), not
3:1-2; 4:17;Acts 2:38; the ground or the cause.
20:21). 11. Q.What does
A. Repentance is that the Bible mean
change of attitude about when it speaks of
one’s self, one’s sin, and God, our justification?
which involves the whole (Rom. 5:1-2).
personality—mind, emotions, A. The Greek word Paul
and will. In varying degrees, used is a legal term meaning
it always accompanies true “to be declared righteous.” It
faith. Sorrow for sin often depicts the action of God as
accompanies it and helps Judge. When we believe on
give evidence that genuine Jesus, He declares us righteous
repentance has occurred (Rom. 3:24-26), free from
(2 Cor. 7:9-10). condemnation (Acts 13:38-39;
10. Q.What is saving Rom. 4:8; 8:1), and restored to
faith? His favor (Rom. 5:9-11).
18

No human court has ever increasing separation of
offered a decision of mercy, ourselves from sin and a
pardon, or acquittal that continual growth in holiness
deserves more celebration (2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Pet. 1:15-16;
than the justification God 2 Pet. 3:18).
offers to every person who God’s command to be holy
believes in Jesus. is as fitting to a Christian as
the insistence of a mother
who requires that her
children, the dog, and her
Good works husband not track mud, tar,
are the evidence paint, and grease into the
house.
of salvation, 13. Q.What is
not the basis. redemption?
A. Redemption is our
salvation viewed from the
perspective of the price Jesus
12. Q.What is paid to rescue us. He
sanctification? redeemed us from the law
A. Sanctification, which (Rom. 7:6) and from its
in the Greek language means penalty (Gal. 3:13), from
“set apart,” begins as an act our bondage to sin (Rom.
of God by which He sets 6:6,11,18,22; Ti. 2:14), and
apart for Himself those who from the domain of Satan
trust Christ (1 Cor. 6:11; (Col. 1:13-14). He did so
2 Th. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2). through His death on the
This positional sanctification cross, the act by which He
on God’s part calls for us met the demands of God’s
to respond in practical holy nature (Mt. 20:28; Eph.
sanctification—an ever 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
19

THE DOCTRINE OF truth, we are nothing without
CHRISTIAN LIVING Christ and His love.
2. Q.What are
the evidences of a
relationship with
Christ?
A. Those who know what
it means to love Christ and
CHRISTIAN to be loved by Him will be
LIVING marked by deep gratitude to
God (Col. 3:12-17), regular
1. Q.What is Christian conversation with Him
living? (1 Th. 5:17), patient trust in
A. It is love-controlled Him (1 Pet. 1:6-9), humble
conduct that is grounded in submission to Him (Jas. 4:6-
and flows from our personal 10), and careful attention to
relationship with Christ. As we love others as He has loved
grow in our understanding of us (1 Jn. 4:7,11).
how much He loves us, we All of this is beyond
will grow in our ability to love our ability to do in our own
God above all else and to love strength. But it is the normal
our neighbor as ourselves (Mt. result of letting Christ, by His
22:37-39; Jn. 13:34; Rom. Spirit, live His life through us
13:8-10; 1 Cor. 13). (Gal. 2:20; 5:16,22-25; Eph.
Nothing is as important 3:16-21; 5:18).
as Christlike love—not 3. Q. How can we
knowledge, not religious communicate with
observance, not ability, not God?
rule-keeping, not appearance, A. By regularly and
not personal sacrifice. While prayerfully expressing our
we may be ignorant without own hearts to God (Mt. 6:5-
20

15) and by carefully listening law, why must we keep
to Him speak to us through God’s commandments?
His written Word (Ps. 119; A. The commands of the
2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12). Bible are God’s guidelines to
4. Q.What are the show us how we can live out
conditions for effective in daily practice the love we
prayer? have for Him and our
A. God answers our neighbors (Mt. 22:37-40;
prayers when we pray in faith Rom. 13:8-10; 1 Jn. 5:3).
(Mt. 17:20), according to His Those who do not
will (1 Jn. 5:14), with a pure meditate on the Word of God
heart (Ps. 66:18), with a will soon become distracted
forgiving spirit (Mk. 11:25- and preoccupied with lesser
26), in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18), thoughts, routines, and
and with absolute sincerity details. They will become
(Ps. 145:18). more concerned with their
5. Q.Why is patient own desires than with the
trust so essential to physical, spiritual, and
the Christian life? eternal needs of others.
A. God is honored and 7. Q.Why is telling
will honor us when we others about Jesus an
patiently trust His wisdom, important element in
power, and goodness no Christian living?
matter how fiery our trials, A. Christ commanded
how deep our griefs, how it (Mt. 28:19-20), and the
excruciating our pain, or how eternal needs of others
unexplainable His ways are to demand it (Rom. 1:16-17;
us (Job 1:20-22; 13:15; 19:25- 10:8-17). It is impossible to
27; 23:10; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; Jas. love others as Christ does
1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-9; 4:12-19). without being concerned
6. Q. If love fulfills the about their deep, everlasting
21

need. To love others as Christ word ekklesia (which means
loves them might involve “a called-out group”) refers to
more than being concerned a local assembly of believers
about their eternal and (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 1:2; 16:19;
spiritual well-being. But it Gal. 1:2; 1 Th. 1:1).
cannot involve less. In either case, the church
should be as important to us
THE DOCTRINE as it is to Christ. It is far more
OF THE CHURCH than brick and mortar. Its
people together make up the
body of Christ. Its members
both individually and
collectively house the Spirit
of Christ.
2. Q.When did the
CHURCH church begin?
A. The church was born
1. Q.What is the on the Day of Pentecost,
church? 50 days after our Lord’s
A. The church is the resurrection, when the Holy
body of Christ. The term Spirit came on a small
church in the New Testament number of disciples,
sometimes refers to the entire baptizing them into one body
body of people—past, and filling them with His
present, and future—who power (Acts 2:1-13).
through faith in the Lord By this act, God
Jesus make up the organism temporarily set aside the
called the body of Christ, the nation of Israel as His
universal church (Eph. 1:22- primary means of revealing
23; 5:23-32; Heb. 12:23). At Himself to the world. In
other times the same Greek Israel’s place, the Lord chose
22

to work through an testifies to the believer’s
international body of people faith (Acts 2:38; 8:37-38),
who were united not by symbolizes the washing away
national affiliation but by of his sins (Acts 22:16), and
personal faith in the Lord expresses the believer’s
Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:27-29; identification with Christ
Eph. 2:13–3:10). in His death, burial, and
3. Q.What are the resurrection and his intention
officers of the local to live a Christ-exalting life
church? (Rom. 6:1-23).
A. Two: bishops (elders) This is far more than
and deacons. Their induction into a fraternity
qualifications are given in or club. No other ceremony
1 Timothy 3:1-13. Turmoil, deserves to be compared with
confusion, and spiritual the importance of this act of
dissension occur as a result public identification with
of not taking the spiritual Christ and His people.
qualifications of church 5. Q.What is the
leaders as seriously as the meaning of the Lord’s
apostle Paul did. Their role is Supper?
not merely administrative— A. The Lord’s Supper is a
serving on committees and church observance in which
exercising authority. They are believers share bread and the
to provide the church with cup as a memorial to Christ’s
examples of spiritual maturity crucified body and shed
and Christlikeness. blood (Mt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor.
4. Q.What is the 11:23-26).
meaning of church By vividly reminding us of
baptism? the price Jesus paid to save
A. Baptism in the name us, Communion calls us to
of the triune God (Mt. 28:19) self-examination and spiritual
23

renewal. While it has no THE DOCTRINE
saving power, it is not to be OF THE FAMILY
observed carelessly or
indifferently (1 Cor. 11:27-34).
6. Q.What is the local
church to do when a
member continues to
live in sin despite
repeated warnings? FAMILY
A. The church is to
confront such a person 1. Q.What is a family?
lovingly about his sin. If all A. A family is the basic
attempts at correction are building block of society.
resisted, the church is to It begins when a man and
disassociate itself from the woman become husband
member with the hope and and wife, and it normally
prayer that such action will grows as children are born
result in his repentance and to them (Ps. 127; 128).
return (Mt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. When God’s regulations
5:1-13). for the honor and preservation
If this were done more of the family are ignored,
consistently and lovingly, society unravels. Divorce,
individual members of the premarital and extramarital
church would not think it a sex, unwed mothers, abusive
light or casual thing to live in husbands, negligent wives,
sin while identifying with the and rebellious children
Lord Jesus Christ. combine to signal the fall
of a civilization.
2. Q.Why did God
institute marriage?
A. God ordained marriage
24

as a lifelong and exclusive It’s not easy to be the kind
union of a man and woman of husband God intended.
to enrich one another (Gen. Nowhere is a man’s character
2:18-24), to fulfill mutual tested more intensely.
longings for intimacy (1 Cor. Nowhere is there a greater
7:1-5; Heb. 13:4), and to need for the grace and inner
provide a godly home as strength of Christ.
the proper setting for the 4. Q.What are the
procreation and nurturing responsibilities of a wife
of children (Ps. 127; 128). to her husband?
When marriage loses its A. To submit to him as to
God-given honor, husbands, the Lord (Eph. 5:22-24), to
wives, and children all love him (Ti. 2:4-5), to be
experience the deep wounds considerate of his desire for
of neglect and rejection. A intimacy (1 Cor. 7:3-5), to be
relationship designed for help, sexually faithful (Ti. 2:5), and
comfort, and encouragement to respect him as the head of
becomes a primary source of the home (Eph. 5:33).
pain, dissatisfaction, and It’s not easy to be the
insecurity. kind of wife God intended.
3. Q.What are the Nowhere is a woman’s
responsibilities of a character tested more
husband to his wife? intensely. Nowhere is there
A. To love her sacrificially a greater need for the grace
as Christ loved the church and inner strength of Christ.
(Eph. 5:25), to commit 5. Q.What are the
himself to a lifetime responsibilities of
relationship (Gen. 2:24; Mt. parents to their
19:4-6), to be understanding children?
toward her (1 Pet. 3:7), and to A. By their example as
care for her (Eph. 5:28-30). well as by what they say,
25

parents are to instruct THE DOCTRINE OF
their children in Bible truth THE SPIRIT WORLD
(Dt. 6:4-9) and impart to
them a fear of evil and a
desire for godliness (Prov. 1:8-
10; 3:1-8; 4:1-9; 22:6). They
are to do this in a kind,
gentle way, and back
up their teaching by their SPIRIT WORLD
own conduct so that their
children will be inclined to 1. Q.What is the spirit
follow them instead of being world?
provoked to anger (Eph. 6:4). A. It is that invisible
6. Q.What is the realm inhabited by holy
responsibility of angels who actively serve
children to their God for our good (Heb. 1:14)
parents? and by Satan’s demonic
A. Paul commanded forces who oppose God and
children to obey and honor seek to harm us (Eph. 6:12).
their parents (Eph. 6:1-3). He Its existence is one of the
also taught that older children primary reasons that things in
have a financial responsibility our world are not always as
to assist their parents if they they seem. Our challenge is
become unable to provide for far greater than merely to deal
themselves (1 Tim. 5:4). with the visible details of life.
Our primary struggle for
well-being does not depend
just on our flesh-and-blood
relationships but on unseen
friends and enemies as well.
2. Q.What are angels?
26

A. Angels are created alluded to in Isaiah’s
(Ps. 148:1-5), powerful (Ps. description of the king of
103:20), personal (Lk. 1:26- Babylon (14:12-15) and
38; 15:10), deathless (Lk. Ezekiel’s reference to the king
20:36), spirit beings (Heb. of Tyre (28:11-19). He is also
1:14) designed to worship referred to in the Bible as the
(Heb. 1:6) and serve the Lord devil, Lucifer, Beelzebub,
(Ps. 103:20), and to minister Belial, serpent, dragon,
to believers (Heb. 1:14). ruler of this world, god of
While natural observation this age, prince of the power
does not reveal their of the air, angel of light,
importance to us, faith in accuser, tempter, deceiver,
the Word of God assures us murderer, liar, and evil one.
that God’s sovereign provision Because of his constant
in our lives is often mediated activity against God and the
by these invisible servants. people of God, he is a far
Even more astounding is the greater threat to us than any
assurance of the Scriptures other enemy, personal or
that they do not always remain national.
invisible. Because of this, the 4. Q.Who are the
letter to the Hebrews urges demons?
us, “Do not forget to entertain A. Demons are fallen
strangers, for by so doing some angels who apparently joined
have unwittingly entertained Satan in his rebellion. Some
angels” (Heb. 13:2). are active as members of
3. Q.Who is Satan? Satan’s army (Eph. 6:12) while
A. Satan is an especially others have been imprisoned
powerful angel who rebelled by God (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6).
against God. His act of These personal agents
rebellion is not described of Satan’s evil empire can
directly in the Bible but is stimulate and arouse the
27

worst capacities and desires like Peter (Mt. 16:23), we are
within us. They don’t make so unaware of the ways of
us evil, but they willingly God that even our good
dominate those who refuse to intentions can serve Satan’s
surrender their hearts to God. purposes. For that reason we
5. Q.What are the must continually depend on
activities of Satan? the Lord’s ability to lead us.
A. With the help of his
demon followers, he plants
false Christians among the We can be so
true (Mt. 13:24-30; 2 Cor. unaware of God’s
11:13-15). He seeks to devour ways that even
the Lord’s people (1 Pet. 5:8).
He falsely accuses God’s our good intentions
children (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-5; can serve Satan’s
Zech. 3:1-10; Rev. 12:10). He purposes.
rules over the unsaved world
(Jn. 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph.
2:2). He deceives people 6. Q.What did Christ
through his outright lies do to assure the
(Jn. 8:44) and his cleverly ultimate defeat of
designed thought-systems Satan and his forces?
(2 Cor. 4:4; 11:14-15; Col. A. By His death and
2:8,20-23; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 1 Jn. resurrection, the Lord Jesus
2:15-17; 5:19). And he can broke Satan’s power (Col.
possess nonbelievers (Mk. 2:14-15; Heb. 2:14-15).
5:1-13; 6:13; Acts 5:16; 16:16- So the devil and his forces
18; 19:11-12). operate today as defeated
We are constantly foes who know they are
interacting with the workings doomed to the lake of fire (Mt.
of this evil strategist. Often, 8:29; Jas. 2:19; Rev. 20:10).
28

It is absolutely essential THE DOCTRINE
to keep in mind that OF THE FUTURE
Satan’s final outcome is a
foregone conclusion. His
predetermined fate is a
terrible reality that should
help us to avoid either
carelessness or despair.
7. Q. How can we FUTURE
defeat Satan?
A. We who have placed 1. Q.What happens
our trust in Christ can when a person dies?
overcome Satan in our daily A. The person’s soul-spirit
lives by submitting to God leaves his body and goes
and resisting the devil (Jas. either to Hades, where he
4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9); by being consciously awaits
aware of his strategy and resurrection, judgment, and
avoiding the sins that give eternal punishment, or to
him a foothold in our lives heaven, where he consciously
(1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 2:10-11; awaits resurrection, judgment,
Eph. 4:26-27; 1 Tim. 3:6-7); and eternal reward (Lk.
by putting on the full armor 16:19-31; Jn. 5:28-29; 2 Cor.
of God (Eph. 6:11-18); and 5:8; Phil. 1:21-24; Heb. 9:27).
by totally rejecting all forms This universal and personal
of occult activity, including fact should constantly
magic, spiritism, and influence and shape our
witchcraft (Lev. 19:26,31; attitude toward the present.
20:6,27; Dt. 18:10-12; Isa. Each of us lives on the edge
8:19; Mic. 5:12; Gal. 5:19-21; of a future that is continuously
Rev. 21:8; 22:15). devouring the present and
entombing it in the past.
29

2. Q.When will (Mt. 24:44). Therefore, we
believers receive their should always be ready (Mt.
resurrection bodies? 24:45–25:30) and living in
A. Believers in the church such a way that we will not
age, both living and dead, be ashamed when Jesus
will receive their resurrection returns (1 Jn. 2:28–3:3).
bodies when Christ returns at
the rapture—that time when
He comes back to catch up Our present
living believers and conclude problems should
the church age (1 Cor. 15:52-
58; 1 Th. 4:13-18). Old be seen as
Testament believers will temporary
receive their resurrection inconveniences,
bodies immediately
following the great not permanent
tribulation (Dan. 12:1-3). injustices.
These new bodies will last
forever. Our present struggles
to cope with the problems of 4. Q.What will take
disease, handicap, and place on earth in the
physical appearance are absence of the church?
temporary inconveniences, A. The world will go
not permanent injustices. through a time of confusion
3. Q.When will Christ and distress marked by
return to catch up the rise of a world ruler
believers and conclude depicted in Scripture as
the church age? the “beast,” “man of sin,”
A. It may take place at and “Antichrist,” who will
any moment, at a time when blaspheme God’s name and
many will not expect Him persecute all who turn to
30

Jesus (2 Th. 2:1-12; 1 Jn. 4:1- A. After 1,000 years, God
3; Rev. 13:1-18). While he is will release Satan (Rev. 20:7)
violently opposing God, he and give mankind one more
and the rest of mankind will opportunity to choose
experience supernatural between obeying Him or the
judgments from heaven (Rev. devil. Multitudes will make
6–19). He will be defeated by the wrong choice and join in
Christ Himself at His return one last rebellion (Rev. 20:8-
(Rev. 19:11-21). 9). At this time, God will
5. Q.Why will God send supernaturally defeat His foes
supernatural judgments (Rev. 20:9-10), purge the
on the earth during this present earth-system with fire
time? (2 Pet. 3:10-13), and assign
A. God will use these Satan, fallen angels, and all
judgments to display His Christ-rejecting persons to
wrath against the wickedness eternal punishment in the
of unrepentant mankind (Isa. lake of fire (Rev. 20:10-15).
13:6-16; Rev. 16:4-21), to lead Then He will create a new
a great multitude to saving heaven and a new earth
faith in Christ (Rev. 7:9-17), where those whose names
to bring about the conversion are written in the Lamb’s
of the nation of Israel (Ezek. Book of Life will serve Him
36; 37), and to bring in a forever (Rev. 21:1–22:5).
golden age when Israel’s In this light, our Lord said,
promised Messiah will rule “What will it profit a man if
as King of the earth for 1,000 he gains the whole world, and
years (Isa. 2:1-4; 11:1-10; Jer. loses his own soul? Or what
33:14-16; Rom. 11:25-27; will a man give in exchange
Rev. 20:1-6). for his soul?” (Mk. 8:36-37).
6. Q. How will Christ’s
earthly kingdom end?
31

WITHOUT builds up (1 Cor. 8:1).
LOVE WE ARE He knew that all of the
knowledge in the world
NOTHING minus love equals nothing.

A
s we conclude, let’s He wrote, “Though I have
remember that right the gift of prophecy, and
doctrine cannot exist understand all mysteries
without love. We can’t think and all knowledge . . . but
rightly unless our thoughts have not love, I am nothing”
are motivated by the love of (1 Cor. 13:2).
God. Then the apostle went on
to describe the love that will
show whether or not we have
right thinking. He wrote:
Knowledge Love is patient, love is kind.
minus love It does not envy, it does not
equals nothing. boast, it is not proud. It is
not rude, it is not self-
seeking, it is not easily
angered, it keeps no record
It’s easy to forget this. of wrongs. Love does not
It’s hard to remember that delight in evil but rejoices
knowledge without love is with the truth. It always
like a head without a body. protects, always trusts,
Too often, those who know always hopes, always
their doctrine are marked perseveres. Love never fails
more by self-centeredness (1 Cor. 13:4-8 NIV).
and arrogance than by It’s love that motivates us
approachability and love. to correct misbelief and to
Paul knew that while pursue the truth of God.
knowledge puffs up, love
32

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