THE CONFESSION OF HARVEST BIBLE CHURCH OF ARIZONA
This confession is by no means original. It is a result of a mixture of parts of various other confessions and some original wording. At some points we have used sections of confessions word for word. While at other times we have put the thoughts of past confessions into the language of today. The confessions that we have relied upon are The Hampton Roads Confession of faith, The Confession of1689, The First London Confession, and The Westminster Confession of Faith.
1. Scripture
Inerrancy and Authority
Scripture (the Bible) is the Word of God, The Bible is the only infallible (being the Word of God it is incapable of error) and inerrant (even the words themselves are without error) written revelation of God that shall ever exist in this world. The Bible is without error even when it touches on history and science. It provides the absolute answers for all men, concerning how we are to be saved, what we are to believe, and how we are to live in order to please our Creator. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 10:34-35, Matthew 5:17-18
Inspiration
The Bible has both human and divine authorship. Though written over many centuries by men of differing perspectives, experiences, styles, temperaments, and languages, it is entirely free of contradictions. This unity is explained by the fact that the Holy Spirit of God is the true author of Holy Scripture. He inspired, or more precisely breathed out his message. He moved men to write what they wrote, incorporating their human personalities and literary styles into the text. 2 Peter 2:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16-1 7, Luke 1:1-5, john 14:26. John 16:13-15, 2 Peter 3:15-16
The Canon of Scripture
By Scripture, we mean the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, excluding the Apocryphal writings (which are not divinely inspired). While the Apocryphal writings may be of some interest, they have no more authority over us than any other human writing. The Canon of Scripture is now complete and therefore no new claims of canonical revelation will be accepted. Hebrews 1:1-2
The Clarity of Scripture
While all Scripture does not contain the same degree of clarity either by design or due to our limited understanding, we affirm that the Bible is sufficiently clear in revealing for all to understand what one needs to know in order to come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Original Languages
The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic. The New Testament was originally written in Greek.
The Autographs
All that has been said about the divine nature of the Bible applies strictly speaking to the original writings (the Autographs) and not to the translations. We believe that for all practical purposes we have the actual Word of God. Those parts of the Bible that we are not absolutely certain about do not affect anything essential in the Christian faith.
2. General Revelation
General or Natural Revelation is the knowledge of God that can be gained through his creation. This knowledge is limited and is not sufficient to bring someone to a saving faith. No one, as result of Natural Revelation, will find salvation or come to know the true God in a saving way. The knowledge of God revealed in creation serves to make all of mankind without excuse before the judge of all heaven and earth. Romans 1:18-20, Psalm 19:1-6
3. God
The Incomprehensibility of God
The God of Scripture, the only true God, is very different from man in his being. Man is like God, made in his image, in only some very limited ways. There is no way that man can fully grasp an infinite God with his limited capacity. There will always be incompleteness in our understanding of God. Some areas of incompleteness are the Incarnation, the Trinity, the relation between predestination and responsibility, and the concept of the eternality of God, that is, the truth that God has always existed. Deuteronomy 29:29, 1 Samuel 15:29, John 1:1, Romans 9:10-2
The Trinity
The Scriptures clearly teach that there is one God who is an infinite being and who exists in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person is wholly God, equal in power and glory and possesses precisely the same attributes and perfection. Though undivided in nature and being, they each have different roles, eternally functioning with perfect harmony.
The three roles are God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is creator of all things and moves everything according to His sovereign will for His glory. His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men but He is spiritual Father only to believers. He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own.
God the Son (Jesus Christ) is the second person in the Trinity and carries out the will of the Father. He possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father.
God the Father created according to His own will, all things through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operation. In the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second Person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God-Man. The purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God’s kingdom. In the incarnation, the second Person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes.
The Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born and accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive. On the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God. Our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest.
In the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son. The resurrection also gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross and Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future bodily resurrection and eternal life for all believers.
God the Spirit (The Holy Spirit), is the third person of the trinity and makes effective all that the Father ordains and Christ accomplishes. We recognize His sovereign activity in creation, the incarnation, the written Word (scriptures), and the work of salvation.
The work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost, when He came from the Father as promised by Christ to initiate and complete the building of the Body of Christ, which is His church. The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ. He is the supernatural and sovereign agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption.
Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith. God, the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the church and mercifully grants them to the church according to their need to perfect the saints of the day. Therefore speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers.
John 14:5-14, Acts 5:3-4, Ephesians 1:4-6, Ephesians 4:6, John1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5, Hebrews 12:5-9Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:18-20,1 Corinthians 1:3, John 1:1-14, John 20:28, John 10:29-30, 14:9, John 1:3, Colossians 1:15-17, Hebrews 1:2, Psalm 2:7-9, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:29, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 7:25-26, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Philippians 2:5-8, Colossians 2:9, John 10:15, Romans 3:24-25, 5:8, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23- 25, Luke 1:26-35, Romans 5:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18 Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:38-39, Acts 2:30-31, Romans 4:25; 8:34, 1 John 2:1, John 5:26-29; 14:19, Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23, John 14:16-17; 15:26, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 8:9, 2 Corinthians 3:6,Ephesians 1:13, John 16:13, Romans 8:9, Ephesians 5:18, 1 John 2:20& 27, John 16:13-14, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 13:8-10, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:7-12, Hebrews 2:1-4.
The three roles are God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. He is creator of all things and moves everything according to His sovereign will for His glory. His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men but He is spiritual Father only to believers. He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own.
God the Son (Jesus Christ) is the second person in the Trinity and carries out the will of the Father. He possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father.
God the Father created according to His own will, all things through His Son, Jesus Christ, by whom all things continue in existence and in operation. In the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ surrendered only the prerogatives of deity but nothing of the divine essence, either in degree or kind. In His incarnation, the eternally existing second Person of the Trinity accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God-Man. The purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God’s kingdom. In the incarnation, the second Person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes.
The Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born and accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive. On the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God. Our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest.
In the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son. The resurrection also gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross and Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future bodily resurrection and eternal life for all believers.
God the Spirit (The Holy Spirit), is the third person of the trinity and makes effective all that the Father ordains and Christ accomplishes. We recognize His sovereign activity in creation, the incarnation, the written Word (scriptures), and the work of salvation.
The work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost, when He came from the Father as promised by Christ to initiate and complete the building of the Body of Christ, which is His church. The broad scope of His divine activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ. He is the supernatural and sovereign agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption.
Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith. God, the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the church and mercifully grants them to the church according to their need to perfect the saints of the day. Therefore speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles in the beginning days of the church were for the purpose of pointing to and the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were never intended to be characteristic of the lives of believers.
John 14:5-14, Acts 5:3-4, Ephesians 1:4-6, Ephesians 4:6, John1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5, Hebrews 12:5-9Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:18-20,1 Corinthians 1:3, John 1:1-14, John 20:28, John 10:29-30, 14:9, John 1:3, Colossians 1:15-17, Hebrews 1:2, Psalm 2:7-9, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:29, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 7:25-26, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Philippians 2:5-8, Colossians 2:9, John 10:15, Romans 3:24-25, 5:8, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23- 25, Luke 1:26-35, Romans 5:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18 Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:38-39, Acts 2:30-31, Romans 4:25; 8:34, 1 John 2:1, John 5:26-29; 14:19, Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23, John 14:16-17; 15:26, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 8:9, 2 Corinthians 3:6,Ephesians 1:13, John 16:13, Romans 8:9, Ephesians 5:18, 1 John 2:20& 27, John 16:13-14, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 13:8-10, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:7-12, Hebrews 2:1-4.
The Attributes of God
God is a spirit who is infinite in being and perfection. He is unchangeable. He is eternal, without beginning or end. He fully exists everywhere, yet he is separate from his creation. He knows all things because he decrees all things. He is all-powerful, absolutely holy, and most wise. He is self-sufficient and is in no way dependent on his creation. He is a God of love, who is compassionate and forgiving. Yet, he is also the lawmaker who will perfectly judge all mankind according to his law. He will not pardon the guilty. God can do anything that is consistent with his nature and his eternal purpose. He cannot deny himself, nor can he lie. John 4:24, Isaiah 6:1-3, / Samuel 15:29, 1 John 1:5, Genesis 1:1, Psalm 139, Ephesians 1:11, Romans 16:25-2 7, 1 Timothy 1:17, Exodus 3:14, Acts 17:24-25, 1 John 4:7-21, Psalm 86:15, Nahum 1:2-3, 2 Timothy 2:13, Titus 1:2
4. God’s Decree
Eternal Decree
5God never has been, nor ever will be taken by surprise. Of his own free will, without obligation to any, in infinite wisdom and goodness, he has decreed, or determined, before the foundation of the world, everything that has already happened as well as everything that will come to pass. Ephesians 1:11, Romans 9:10-21, 1 John 1:5
Foreknowledge
God does know everything that is going to happen because he has determined everything that is going to happen. With regard to salvation, foreknowledge has the meaning of God making a loving choice in eternity past to save some. God has not determined the future by looking forward it time to see what man will do and then decreeing it to come to pass. Romans 8:28-30, Amos 3:2, Deuteronomy 7:7-8, Romans 11:1-2, Ephesians 1:4-5, Romans 9:10-13
Man is Responsible
Since God, in his being, is not like man, he is able to determine everything that will happen without forcing man, against his will, to carry out his decrees. Yet, God can never he blamed for the evil that is committed by man. Romans 9:19-21, / John 1:5, James 1:13-15, Acts 4:27-28
Redemption
God, in his grace, has decreed that a fixed number of men and angels will inherit eternal life. The rest he has determined to leave in their sin to suffer their just condemnation, thereby revealing his perfect justice. Ephesians 1:4-5,11, 1 Timothy 5:21, Matthew 25:4 1, Romans 6:23
Calling His Elect
God has, before the world began, predestined to eternal life all those who would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He chose them freely, according to the secret counsel of his own pleasure. to be in Christ and to share in his eternal glory. He did not choose them because he saw that they would believe, since saving faith is a gift of God. Neither did he choose them because he saw any goodness in them, because all men come into the world as God-haters and are incapable of performing any good work. The elect do not live perfect lives after their conversion, but they will struggle to obey their Lord and will give evidence of a changed life. Ephesians 1:4-5,11, John 6:44, Romans 3:10-18, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 9:10-13, 1 Corinthians 2:14. Galatians 5:16-18, Romans 8:1-14, Revelation 2:7
Means
As God has predestined the salvation of the elect, He has also determined the means of their salvation. They are redeemed from their fallen state in Adam through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross. They are called to Christ, in His time, by the Holy Spirit. They are justified, adopted into God’s family, and are guaranteed sanctification. They are also kept by his power throughout their lives by a God-given faith. God has also decreed their glorification, which must certainly come to pass. .John 6:44, John 3:16, Romans /0:1-15, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 8:1-17, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 3:21-26, Galatians 4:1-7, Ephesians 1:4-5, Philippians 1:6
5. Creation
The Creation of All Things
In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, from nothing, to speak into existence the universe and everything in it, whether visible or invisible. God created the angels, assigning their various ranks and functions. There was nothing before him, and without him nothing came into existence. God created the universe and everything in it in six days. On the sixth day, after he had made man, God viewed everything that he had made and said that it was very good. Genesis 1:1-2:25, Hebrews 1:2, John 1:1-3, Job 33:4, Colossians 1:15-20
The Uniqueness of Man
After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasoning and immortal souls. Man was created in the image of God, a rational and moral being. Man was assigned to populate and have dominion over the earth. Genesis 1:1-28, Romans 1:28-31, Romans 2:12-16, Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24,25
Man was created good
Adam and Eve were created righteous and inclined to do good. They were not outwardly forced to obey God, but they obeyed willingly. God provided for their every need and pleasure. They were given only one restriction: they were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As long as they obeyed they were happy in their relationship with God, they enjoyed one another, and they had dominion over the creatures, Genesis 1:26-2:25
6. God’s Providence
Meaning of Providence
God, who makes every creature for his own good pleasure, did not merely decree what should be, and then retire to heaven to watch what inevitably must come to pass in his universe. Rather, in his infinite wisdom and power, He controls all second causes (cause and effect events), upholding and governing all creatures and circumstances, making all things work together for the accomplishing of his own eternal plan. This invisible governing hand of God is called his providence. Colossians 1:16, Daniel 4:28-35, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11
Second Causes
God’s eternal decree, unchangeably decided before the world began, is the first cause of everything that happens in the universe. Nothing is left to chance, nor happens apart from his providence. Like-wise, providence is brought about by the use of second causes (cause and effect events). The answer to the question, “What caused you to become a believer?” is two-fold. The first cause is God’s sovereign choice. The second cause is whatever he used in your experience to bring you to himself .4cts 427-28, Genesis 50:19-21
Miracles
A miracle is an event where God does not use the normal means to cause something to happen. He intervenes in a direct manner to cause an event to happen. Examples of miracles are the virgin birth and the long day of Joshua. Luke 1:26-38, Joshua 10:1-15
The Problem of Evil
7. The Fall of Man
The Temptation
The Lord God, in the Garden of Eden, gave Adam and Eve the command not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or they would die. The woman was deceived by Satan and ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. She then gave some of the fruit to Adam and he willingly ate it. This first sin of Adam and Eve was part of God’s wise plan. Genesis 2:15-1 7, Genesis 3:1-7, Romans’ 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
The Consequences
As a result of eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve died spiritually and, and in Gods mercy, only began to die physically. Their lives were not immediately required. Adam was our representative. When he sinned we sinned, or at least we were blamed for his sin. As a result of Adam’s sin all mankind is born spiritually dead. Spiritual death consists of two parts, guilt (a BAD RECORD), and corruption (a BAD HEART). All mankind inherits the guilt of Adam’s sin. Therefore we all come into this world with a BAD RECORD. Even if it were possible to live a perfect life one would still have the guilt of Adam’s sin on his record to condemn him. We also inherit a BAD HEART from Adam. We come into this world a God-hater. No one would ever naturally desire to know or please the true God. All of mankind would willingly choose eternal damnation rather than embrace the God of all creation. From the point of conception everyone stands under the wrath of God. Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 3:1-2~, Romans 5:12-21, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-3
8. The Doctrines of Grace (TULIP)
Total Depravity
Because of the fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the gospel. The sinner is dead, blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is deceitful and desperately corrupt. His will is not free, it is in bondage to his evil nature; therefore, he will not--indeed he cannot--choose good over evil in the spiritual realm. Consequently, it takes much more than the Spirit’s assistance to bring a sinner to Christ--it takes regeneration by which the Spirit makes the sinner alive and gives him a new nature. Faith is not something man contributes to salvation but is itself a part of God’s gift of salvation--it is God’s gift to the sinner, not the sinner’s gift to God. Genesis 2:15-17, Romans 5:12. Psalm 5 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:h, Romans 3:10-18, Jeremiah 17:9, .John 6:44, Ephesians 2:1-10
Unconditional Election
God’s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will. His choice of particular sinners was not based on any Foreseen response or obedience on their part. such as Faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance to each individual whom He selected. These acts are the result, not the cause of God’s choice. Election therefore was not determined by or conditioned upon any virtuous quality or act foreseen in man. Those whom, in God’s sovereignty, elected He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus God’s choice of the sinner, not the sinner’s choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation. Romans 9:10-21, Ephesians 1:4-11, Ephesians 2:4-10, Romans 8:29-30, Acts 11:18, Acts 13:48
Limited Atonement
Christ’s redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them. His death was a substitutionary endurance of the penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners. In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ’s redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which united them to 1-lim. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, thereby guaranteeing their salvation. Matthew 1:21, Romans 5:12-21, Romans 3:21-26, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5-6, Philippians 1:6, John 10:11-30, John 176-12, Romans 8:28-30, John 6:44, Acts 20:28
Irresistible Grace
In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The external call (which is made to all without distinction) can he, and often is. rejected; whereas the internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected, it always results in conversion. By means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not limited in His work to applying salvation by man’s will, nor is He dependent upon man’s cooperation for success. The Spirit graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ. God’s grace, therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended. John 3:16, Matthew 22:14, Acts 17:29-31. Matthew 23:37-39, John 6:44, Romans 8:28-30, John 1:12-13, .John 3:1-8, Ephesians 2:8-10
Perseverance of the Saints
All who were chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end. John 3:16, John 6:35-40, John 6:44. Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:12-13, Jude 24-25, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 8:35-3 9
9. God’s Covenants
Although there were many covenants that God had entered into with man (ie. Noahic= the maintaining of seasons by God and the rainbow as its reminder to God and man, Davidic= His progeny will inherit the throne), God has used three in particular to revel His plan for saving His Elect from all tribes, nations and times.
Abrahamic Covenant
This is the agreement between God and Abraham and his descendants. It is a picture of God’s plan of salvation that was revealed through the physical descendants of Abraham. God promised to give Abraham many descendants, the land of Canaan, and to make him a blessing to others. Jesus Christ is the true seed of Abraham. All of those who were represented by Jesus Christ on the cross are the true children of Abraham. The fulfillment of the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant that were made to Abraham’s physical descendants functioned as a picture of the ultimate fulfillment that only true believers experience. The ultimate descendants of Abraham are all the elect in Christ and the ultimate land is heaven. The promise that Abraham would be a blessing to all the earth is fulfilled in the Great Commission when the gospel is taken to the entire world to bring in the elect from every tribe nation and tongue. Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 13:14-17, Genesis 15, Genesis 17, Genesis 22:15-18, Galatians 3, Galatians 4:21-3 1, Hebrews 3:7-4:11, Revelation S
Old Covenant
The Old Covenant is also called the Mosaic Covenant or the First Covenant. This was a legal agreement between God and the nation of Israel that was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. This covenant was not a gracious covenant. Although God is gracious and He had a gracious purpose in giving this covenant, the covenant itself was a legal covenant that demanded perfect obedience. The failure to obey would result in the curse of God. This covenant was used to prepare the way for the Messiah. Israel, as a whole, was not a believing people. The Old Covenant caused the Israelites to sin all the more. It was never the means of anyone’s salvation. The Old Covenant functions as a physical picture of many spiritual truths that can be used to teach believers today. The Ten Commandments are the essence of the Mosaic Law or Mosaic Covenant. The pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost brought to a close the Old Covenant era. 2 Corinthians 3, Hebrews 7-10, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Exodus 20:1-21, Deuteronomy 5, Deuteronomy 2 7-28, Hebrews 3:7-19, Romans 5:20, Romans 9:1-5, Galatians 3-4, Colossians 2:16-23, Acts 2
New Covenant
This is the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham and is founded on the saving work of Jesus Christ. He purchased a people who He redeems and changes He gives them a new heart and new desires. They will all be God-lovers. Because of Gods work, each of those who are a part of the New Covenant will necessarily experience a changed life. All true believers are part of the New Covenant no matter when they lived. The New Covenant era as a unique historical period began with the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost. Hebrews 7-8, Hebrews 10:1-18, Romans 5:15-19, Romans 6, Romans 4. Matthew 27:45-56, Acts 2
10. Christ the Mediator
The Eternal Mediator
It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose the Lord Jesus, his one and only Son, to be the mediator between God and man. He was to be the Prophet, Priest, and King, the head and Savior of his church, the heir of all things and judge of the world. To the Lord Jesus the Father gave, from all eternity, a people to redeem, call, justify, sanctify, and glorify. I Peter 1:1 7-21, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 5:1-10, Luke 1:26-33, Ephesians 1:15-23, Romans 8:28-30, John 5:16-30
Fully God and Fully man
Jesus Christ, the Son of God and second person of the Trinity, is God. He is of the same essence as the Father and equal to him. At just the right time, according to the predestined plan of God, the eternal Son became a man. He was made like us in every way, except He was born and remains forever sinless. He neither inherited Adams sin nor did He commit any sin personally. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. This union of the divine and human made Jesus forever both God and man in one person. He is fully God and fully man. His divine and human natures are neither altered, blended, nor confused. Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man, was, and is, fully God and fully man. John 1:1-14, Romans 1:1-4, John 3:16, Matthew 28:18-20, John 14:5-14. John 10:22-39, Galatians 4:1-7, Hebrews 4:14-16, Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-24, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Hebrews 2:5-18
His Humiliation and Exaltation
The Lord Jesus willingly accepted his appointment as mediator and perfectly fulfilled that office. He endured the most severe tortures of soul and body, was crucified, buried, and remained under the power of death for three days, without seeing corruption. He rose from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven, where he sat down at the Father’s right hand and intercedes for his people. From the Father’s right hand he shall physically return at the end of the world to judge all men and angels. John /0:14-18, Galatians 3:10-14, Isaiah 53, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8~ Acts’ 1:1-11, Acts 13:34-3 7, Romans 8:31-34, 2 Timothy 4:1-5
He Perfectly Satisfied the Justice of God
By his perfect obedience (active obedience) and sacrifice of himself to God (passive obedience), the Lord Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, satisfied fully the justice of God and purchased for his people their complete salvation. Romans 3:21-26, Hebrews 9:11-15, Hebrews 10:1-18
He is the Only Redeemer of Those Saved in the Old Testament as well
The price of redemption was not paid by Jesus Christ until after his coming in human flesh. But the benefits of his finished work were applied retroactively to God’s elect living before the cross, as well as to those of us who have followed. By means of promises, types, sacrifices, and ceremonies, the Messiah is progressively revealed to be the woman’s “offspring” who would crush the head of the serpent. He is “the lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.” He is the same Savior for all the elect “yesterday, today, and forever.” Galatians 4:1-7, Romans 3:21-26, Romans 4:1-8, John 3:16. Genesis 3, Hebrews 10:1-18, Colossians 2:13-23, Revelation 5, Revelation 13:1-10, Hebrews 13:1-8
Jesus Christ, as our Prophet, Priest, and King
The three offices of Jesus Christ, our Messiah, are necessary for us. Because of our ignorance we need him to be our Prophet. Because of our separation from God we need him to be our Priest so that we can be made to be acceptable to him. Because we have rebelled against him and have become God-haters there is absolutely no way for us to return to him, therefore we need him to be our King to convince, draw, deliver, and preserve us for his heavenly kingdom. 1 Timothy 2:1-7, John 1:15-I& Colossians 1:21-22, Romans 5:9-1/, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 6:44
11. The Will of Man
The Freedom of the Will
All men have been created with freedom of choice. They are free to do whatever they want to do. God never forces men to do anything against their will. Genesis 1:26-2 7, Genesis 2:15-16, John 3:16, Romans 9:10-21, Romans 3:9-20
The Bondage of the Will
As a result of the Fall man not only lost eternal life, but also his power to choose God or good. This is not to say that fallen man does not have the ability to choose~ he does. What we are saying is that as a result of the Fall man is now a God-hater and is in bondage to his nature. He will on his own never choose to trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. He will as an exercise of his freedom of choice freely choose eternal damnation rather than eternal life. Ephesians 2:1-10, John 6:44,1 Corinthians 2:14
The Will of the Believer in This Life
When God saves us, he works in us in such a way that we want to repent of our sins and receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. As a believer God makes us willing to choose that which pleases him, and gives us the power to do it. God works in such a way as to make us want what he wants without forcing us to do it. Nevertheless, in this life, the believer will never be able to live perfectly for his Lord. John 1:12-13, Romans 6:15-18, Ac/s 11:18, Acts 16.11-15, Ephesians 2:1-10, Galatians 5:16-18
The Will of the Believer After Death
It is not until the believer dies and enters into heaven that he will be made perfectly and unchangeably free to will only what is good. He will want to do good and good alone for all eternity. Galatians 5:16-18, Revelation 21,22
12. God’s Irresistible Call
The Outward Call
The Inward Call
God Alone Gets the Credit
Infants and Mentally Disabled
Those not Chosen
13. Justification
Justification through Faith
The Payment for Justification
When are the elect Justified?
Justification in the Old Testament
14. Adoption
15. Sanctification
The New Heart
Struggling with Sin
Growth is Guaranteed
Ultimate Victory is Guaranteed
16. Saving Faith
Saving Faith is a Gift
The Effects of Saving Faith
17. Repentance
Definition of Repentance
The Necessity of Repentance
Continuing Repentance
18. Good Works
Definition of Good Works
Good Works are Proof of Saving Faith
The Source of Good Works
Salvation is Not Earned
The Works of the Unsaved
19. Assurance of Salvation
Definition of Assurance
Struggles with Assurance
20. The Law of God
The Essence of All Law
The Moral Law
The First Law
The Oral Law
The Law of the Conscience
The Mosaic Law
The Law of Christ
21. Worship
The Object of our Worship
The Place of Worship
The Day of Worship
22. Civil Government
Ordained by God
Governing Authorities have Limited Authority
Participation in Civil Government
Giving Civil Authorities Their Due
23. Marriage and Divorce
Definition of Marriage
Purpose of Marriage
The Legitimacy of Singleness
Grounds for Divorce
Grounds for Remarriage
24. The Role of Women
Men and Women are Equal
Men and Woman have Different Roles
25. The Church
The Universal Church
The Local Church
Church Officers
Church Discipline
26. The Ordinances
Baptism
The Meaning of Baptism
The Mode of Baptism
The Practice of Baptism
the subjects of baptism
The Lord's supper
Institution
The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper
The Warning
27. The State of Men After Death and the Resurrection of the Dead
What Happens at Death
What Happens When Christ Comes
What Happens at the Resurrection of the Dead
28. The Last Judgment
Our Constitution and Confession of Faith
THE CONSTITUTION OF HARVEST BIBLE CHURCH OF ARIZONA
NAME
The name of this fellowship of believers is Harvest Bible Church of Arizona (HBC). HBC is a REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH holding to New Covenant Theology.
PURPOSE
The purpose of HBC is to build up the believer in the Faith so that he or she will be able to function as a believer/priest in the body of Christ, and as an ambassador for the King of Kings to the world.
GOVERNMENT
1. The Fellowship shall he guided in all matters by the Elders.
2. The Elders shall have the final say in all matters pertaining to the Fellowship.
3. Elders shall be chosen by the then existing Elders.
4. The term of an Elder is for life, unless he removes himself or is removed by his fellow Elders.
5. The Deacon is an Elders’ helper.
6. Deacons shall be appointed by the Elders as the Elders deem necessary.
7. Deacons shall serve for as long as the Elders deem necessary.
MEMBERSHIP
I. Harvest Bible Church has no formal membership.
2. One is viewed by the Elders as being an informal member when he has fulfilled the following requirements:
A. He attends Harvest Bible Church.
B. He seems to have a genuine profession of faith.
C. He gives evidence of desiring to be a part of the life of the Fellowship.
D. He calls Harvest Bible Church his church home.
3. One will not be asked to be involved in the ministry of the church if he has not fulfilled the informal membership requirements.
CHURCH DISCIPLINE
Harvest Bible Church recognizes its need to exercise Biblical discipline to bring fellow believers caught in sin to repentance and restoration, and to protect the purity of the Fellowship. This discipline will be administered according to the guidelines of the Word of God.
Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, Titus 3:9-11
AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution may by changed by the decision of the Elders.
NAME
The name of this fellowship of believers is Harvest Bible Church of Arizona (HBC). HBC is a REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH holding to New Covenant Theology.
PURPOSE
The purpose of HBC is to build up the believer in the Faith so that he or she will be able to function as a believer/priest in the body of Christ, and as an ambassador for the King of Kings to the world.
GOVERNMENT
1. The Fellowship shall he guided in all matters by the Elders.
2. The Elders shall have the final say in all matters pertaining to the Fellowship.
3. Elders shall be chosen by the then existing Elders.
4. The term of an Elder is for life, unless he removes himself or is removed by his fellow Elders.
5. The Deacon is an Elders’ helper.
6. Deacons shall be appointed by the Elders as the Elders deem necessary.
7. Deacons shall serve for as long as the Elders deem necessary.
MEMBERSHIP
I. Harvest Bible Church has no formal membership.
2. One is viewed by the Elders as being an informal member when he has fulfilled the following requirements:
A. He attends Harvest Bible Church.
B. He seems to have a genuine profession of faith.
C. He gives evidence of desiring to be a part of the life of the Fellowship.
D. He calls Harvest Bible Church his church home.
3. One will not be asked to be involved in the ministry of the church if he has not fulfilled the informal membership requirements.
CHURCH DISCIPLINE
Harvest Bible Church recognizes its need to exercise Biblical discipline to bring fellow believers caught in sin to repentance and restoration, and to protect the purity of the Fellowship. This discipline will be administered according to the guidelines of the Word of God.
Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, Titus 3:9-11
AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution may by changed by the decision of the Elders.