The Doctrine of God

 Doctrine of God

A.      Existence

We believe in one unique and infinite God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; 45:21-22; John 17:3), the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth (Psalm 104; Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:25, 35; Matthew 6:26-30), whose existence, clearly evident from what He has created and innately recognized by the conscience of man (Romans 1:19-20), has always been and will always be. (Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 33:27; II Peter 3:8; Psalm 90:2, 4).

B.       Spirituality

We believe that God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and as such is an immaterial (Luke 24:39), invisible (John 1:18; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:1; I Timothy 1:17; 6:16), living (Psalm 84:2; Matthew 16:16), and life-giving (Psalm 36:9; John 5:26) Person.

C.       Triunity

We believe that God comprises three distinct Persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – coequal in every Divine perfection and fulfilling distinct yet harmonious functions within the Godhead (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4; John 15:26; John 16:13-14).

D.      Transcendence

We believe in the infinite and unlimited transcendence of God: in perfection – holiness (Exodus 15:11; Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:15-16) and immutability (Psalm 102:27; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17): in knowledge – omniscience (Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 46:10; Hebrews 4:13): in power – omnipotence (Isaiah 40; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:27; Ephesians 3:20; Job 42:2): and in presence – omnipresence (Psalm 139).

E.      Immanence

We believe in the immanence of God, as evidenced by His gracious love for and merciful interaction with the creation, notably with man (Psalm 103), demonstrating His trustworthiness (Psalm 100:5; John 17:3; I John 5:20; Romans 3:4); righteousness (II Chronicles 12:6; Ezra 9:15; II Timothy 4:8; Revelation 6:4) and goodness – love (I John 4:7-8), benevolence (Psalm 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17), mercy (Ephesians 2:4; James 5:11; I Peter 1:3), and grace (Romans 5:21; II Corinthians 12:9; Titus 2:11).

F.       Creatorship

We believe that God directly created out of nothing the universe and all that is in it, including mankind, as literally set down in Genesis 1-2; that all theories of evolution, secular or religious, not only defy observable natural law but also deny the veracity of the Scriptures and undermine the rightful authority of God over His own creation (Genesis 1:31; Isaiah 45:11-12, 18; John 1:3; Romans 5:12; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).

G.      Providence/Sovereignty 

We believe that God providentially and sovereignly oversees the affairs of the universe, both spiritual and physical, sustaining and guiding it according to His predetermined purpose (Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3); that on occasion He has used literal miracles to bring about His will (notably in the days of Moses, of Elijah and Elisha, and of Christ and His apostles); that even those things that are inherently bad and evil cannot ultimately thwart His will, but become tools in His hand to bring about the Divine consummation of history (Psalm 76:10; Acts 4:25-28).