
Statement of Faith
This page exists to clarify the theological convictions that guide the materials on this site, so readers may understand the doctrinal assumptions under which Scripture is handled and taught by J. Rowan Hale.
I believe the following truths taught in Scripture:
God
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God eternally exists as three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Father
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God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, was actively involved in the work of Creation and continues as the Sustainer of all that exists.
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God the Father is the One who begot the Lord Jesus Christ and He is the Judge of all humanity.
Jesus Christ, the Son
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Although Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, existed eternally, He entered human history through a virgin birth and became truly man.
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Jesus Christ is both fully the Son of God and fully the Son of Man, possessing two natures united in one Person.
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According to God’s perfect and eternal plan established before the foundation of the world, Jesus Christ was sent to Earth to die as man’s substitute. His death on the cross satisfied God’s righteous wrath and is fully sufficient to provide atonement for all who believe.
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Jesus Christ bodily rose from the dead, which makes possible the future resurrection of all believers.
The Holy Spirit
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The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, enables belief and dwells within all who place their trust in Christ for salvation.
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The Holy Spirit carries out the ongoing work of sanctifying believers and bringing glory to God through their lives.
Mankind
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Humanity was created in the image of God but fell into sin through Adam, who acted as our representative.
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Every person is eternally separated from God because of sin.
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We are unable on our own to alter our state of condemnation.
Salvation
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Deliverance from condemnation is possible only through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
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The Holy Spirit seals those who place their faith in Christ, securing them for the Day of Redemption.
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While good works do not earn salvation, they will naturally be evident in the lives of all who truly believe, as a response to God’s gracious gift.
The Bible
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The sixty-six books of the Bible are verbally inspired by God and therefore inerrant in their original writings, serving as the final and supreme authority for life and faith.
The Church
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The Church is the body of Christ, an invisible assembly made up of all who have received His gift of salvation.
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The Church is called to publicly identify with Christ through baptism and participation in the Lord’s Supper.
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The Church is commissioned to bear witness to Christ’s work by proclaiming the gospel to all nations and to pursue the mind of God through the study of His Word.
Judgment
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Jesus Christ will one day return visibly and bodily to establish His kingdom on Earth.
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God will judge those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Unbelievers will be eternally separated from fellowship with Him. This is known as the second death, or hell.
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Believers will be forgiven for their sins and evaluated for their works done for Christ, and they will reign with Him and enjoy eternal fellowship with Him. This is called paradise, or heaven.
