7

We believe that the human race’s creation in Godlikeness included ability to choose between right and wrong, and that thus human beings were made morally responsible; that through the fall of Adam they became depraved so that they cannot now turn and prepare themselves by their own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God. But we also believe that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all people, enabling all who will to turn from sin to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin, and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in His sight.

We believe that all persons, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification, may fall from grace and apostatize and, unless they repent of their sins, be hopelessly and eternally lost.

(Godlikeness and moral responsibility: Genesis 1:26–27; 2:16–17; Deuteronomy 28:1–2; 30:19; Joshua 24:15; Psalm 8:3–5; Isaiah 1:8–10; Jeremiah 31:29–30; Ezekiel 18:1–4; Micah 6:8; Romans 1:19–20; 2:1–16; 14:7–12; Galatians 6:7–8
Natural inability: Job 14:4; 15:14; Psalms 14:1–4; 51:5; John 3:6a; Romans 3:10–12; 5:12–14, 20a; 7:14–25
Free grace and works of faith: Ezekiel 18:25–26; John 1:12–13; 3:6b; Acts 5:31; Romans 5:6–8, 18; 6:15–16, 23; 10:6–8; 11:22; 1 Corinthians 2:9–14; 10:1–12; 2 Corinthians 5:18–19; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12–13; Colossians 1:21–23; 2 Timothy 4:10a; Titus 2:11–14; Hebrews 2:1–3; 3:12–15; 6:4–6; 10:26–31; James 2:18–22; 2 Peter 1:10–11; 2:20–22)

8

We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough change of the mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal guilt and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all who have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent the gracious help of penitence of heart and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto pardon and spiritual life.

(2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 32:5–6; 51:1–17; Isaiah 55:6–7; Jeremiah 3:12–14; Ezekiel 18:30–32; 33:14–16; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 3:1–14; 13:1–5; 18:9–14; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 17:30–31; 26:16–18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:8–11; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9)

9

We believe that justification is the gracious and judicial act of God by which He grants full pardon of all guilt and complete release from the penalty of sins committed, and acceptance as righteous, to all who believe on Jesus Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

9.1

We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that gracious work of God whereby the moral nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and given a distinctively spiritual life, capable of faith, love, and obedience.

9.2

We believe that adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified and regenerated believer is constituted a son of God.

9.3

We believe that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in the experience of seekers after God and are obtained upon the condition of faith, preceded by repentance; and that to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.

(Luke 18:14; John 1:12–13; 3:3–8; 5:24; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 3:21–26, 28; 4:5–9, 17–25; 5:1, 16–19; 6:4; 7:6; 8:1, 15–17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Galatians 2:16–21; 3:1–14, 26; 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:6–7; 2:1, 4–5; Philippians 3:3-9; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:4–7; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 1:9; 3:1–2, 9; 4:7; 5:1, 9–13, 18)

Index

For translating the index locators.