I. Introduction to Christian Faith
i. Overview of the statement of faith
ii. What is biblical faith?
iii. The importance of faith in the Christian life
II. The Authority of the Bible
i. The inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture
ii. The role of the Bible in Christian faith and practice
iii. Principles of biblical interpretation
III. The Tri-unity of the Godhead
i. The nature of God as three-in-one
ii. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Scripture
iii. Implications of the Trinity for faith and practice
IV. Creation, Fall, and Redemption
i. The biblical account of creation, fall, and redemption
ii. The sinfulness of humanity and our need for a savior
iii. The work of Christ on the cross and our salvation
V. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
i. The deity and humanity of Christ
ii. The virgin birth and the life of Christ
iii. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ
VI. The Gospel of the Grace of God
i. The message of the gospel
ii. The importance of the death, burial, and resurrection
iii. The implications of the gospel for our lives
VII. The Salvation of Sinners
VIII. The Second Coming of Christ
i. Christ's bodily ascension and heavenly enthronement
ii. The second coming and the resurrection of the dead
iii. The implications of the second coming of Christ
X. Pursuing Personal Holiness
i. The importance of personal holiness
ii. The role of discipline and self-control
iii. Sexual immorality and the honor of marriage
i. The nature of salvation
ii. The role of faith in salvation
iii. The assurance of salvation
VII. The Salvation of Sinners
i. The nature of salvation
ii. The role of faith in salvation
iii. The assurance of salvation
IX. Baptism and the Holy Spirit
i. The importance of water baptism by immersion
ii. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and tongues
iii. The gifts of the Spirit and their role in the church
XI. Divine Healing and the Lord's Supper
i. The nature of divine healing
ii. The prayer of faith
iii. The importance of the Lord's Supper for believers
XII. Eternal Life and Eternal Punishment
i. The reality of eternal life for believers
ii. The reality of eternal punishment for unbelievers
iii. The implications of eternal life and eternal punishment for Christian faith and practice
VI. The Gospel of the Grace of God
5.The Gospel of the Grace of God, how Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day for our justification (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 4:25).
Living Waters Fellowship FCA Statement of Faith
The Gospel of the Grace of God is the good news that God has provided a way for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This message has had a profound impact on the world, both historically and in the present day. In this chapter, we will explore the message of the gospel and its impact on the world.
i. The Message of the Gospel and Its Impact
The gospel message is simple yet profound. It is the message of God's love for us, demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word itself means "good news", and it is! In fact, it is often referred to as the greatest story ever told. The gospel message includes the following key elements:
God's Love: The gospel begins with the truth that God loves us and desires a relationship with us. This love is not based on anything we have done or can do, but is a gift of God's grace.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Sin and Separation: The gospel also acknowledges that we are all sinners and separated from God because of our sin. Sin is anything we think, say, or do that is contrary to God's perfect will.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
Redemption: The gospel message reveals how God, in his love, provided a way for us to be reconciled to him through Jesus Christ. Christ's death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, and his resurrection secured our eternal life.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Faith and Repentance: The gospel message calls us to respond to God's love and grace by placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and turning away from our sin.
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
The Impact of the Gospel on the World
The gospel message has had a profound impact on the world. It has transformed individual lives, shaped cultures, and influenced history. Here are just a few ways that the gospel has impacted the world:
Personal Transformation: The gospel has the power to transform individual lives. Countless people throughout history have been radically changed by their encounter with Jesus Christ. The gospel brings hope, forgiveness, and new life to those who receive it.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Social Reform: The gospel also has a powerful impact on society. Throughout history, the gospel has been a driving force for liberty, social reform and equality. The message of God's love for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social status, has led to movements for civil rights, abolition of slavery, and other important social reforms.
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)
Global Missions: Finally, the gospel has a global impact. The message of God's love and grace is for all people, and the gospel has been shared throughout the world through the efforts of missionaries and other Christian workers. As a result, millions of people from every nation and language have come to faith in Jesus Christ.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
ii. The Power of the Gospel
Romans 1:!6
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
ii. The Power of the Gospel
The Bible teaches that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not merely a message of words, but a powerful demonstration of God's grace and love that has the ability to transform lives and bring salvation to all who believe. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
The power of the gospel lies in its ability to convict sinners of their need for a savior and to reveal the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul says, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
The gospel message is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God who came to earth as a man, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity, and rose again on the third day. This message has the power to transform the hearts and lives of people from all walks of life.
One of the most powerful demonstrations of the power of the gospel is seen in the early church. The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, preached the gospel with boldness and many were saved. The book of Acts records the miraculous transformation of countless individuals who received the gospel message and became followers of Jesus.
The power of the gospel is also evident in the lives of believers today. It brings freedom from sin, guilt, and shame and provides a hope that is eternal. It is the only message that has the power to save and transform lives, regardless of cultural, ethnic, or socioeconomic backgrounds.
The power of the gospel is rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It has the ability to convict, transform, and save those who believe. It has impacted countless lives throughout history and continues to do so today. As believers, we are called to share this life-changing message with others and trust in the power of God to bring salvation to all who believe.
iii. The Implications of the Gospel for Our Lives
As we saw in the previous section, the gospel is powerful and it alone has the power to saves us. This is not the end though, it is the power to transform us. In the gospel we find God's merciful and gracious plan for the salvation and transformation of sinners. The implications of the gospel for our lives are numerous and far-reaching. Here are some biblical references that highlight some of the key implications:
Salvation: The gospel offers us salvation from sin and death, and a restored relationship with God. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Transformation: The gospel has the power to transform our lives, making us new creations in Christ. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Forgiveness: The gospel offers us forgiveness for our sins, as well as the power to forgive others. "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14)
Love: The gospel teaches us to love God and to love others as ourselves. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39)
Service: The gospel calls us to serve others and to use our gifts and talents to build up the body of Christ. "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10)
Hope: The gospel gives us hope for the future, both in this life and in the next. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3)