What We Believe

1. Verbal Plenary Inspiration We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired of God and inerrant; that divine inspiration and inerrancy extends equally and fully to all parts of the Scripture; and that the Scriptures are to be regarded as the final and supreme authority.

Matthew 4:4 Matthew 4:4 — NASB95 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” Emphasis added ; 5:17–18 Matthew 5:17–18 — NASB95 ¹⁷ “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Emphasis added ; 22:32 Matthew 22:32 — NASB95 ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” Emphasis added ; Luke 11:5 Luke 11:5 — NASB95 Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; Emphasis added ; John 5:46 John 5:46 — NASB95 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. Emphasis added ; Acts 26:22 Acts 26:22 — NASB95 So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; Emphasis added ; Galatians 3:16 Galatians 3:16 — NASB95 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. Emphasis added ; Ephesians 2:20 Ephesians 2:20 — NASB95 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, Emphasis added ; 1 Timothy 5:18 1 Timothy 5:18 — NASB95 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Emphasis added ; 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Timothy 3:16 — NASB95 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; Emphasis added ; Hebrews 1:1–2 Hebrews 1:1–2 — NASB95 ¹ God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, ² in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. Emphasis added ; 2 Peter 1:21 2 Peter 1:21 — NASB95 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Emphasis added ; 3:15–16 2 Peter 3:15–16 — NASB95 ¹⁵ and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, ¹⁶ as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. Emphasis added ; Jude 3 Jude 3 — NASB95 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. Emphasis added ; Revelation 22:18–19 Revelation 22:18–19 — NASB95 ¹⁸ I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. Emphasis added

2. Trinity We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Godhead may be referred to as the Trinity.

Deuteronomy 6:4 Deuteronomy 6:4 — NASB95 “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! Emphasis added ; Proverbs 30:4 Proverbs 30:4 — NASB95 Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know! Emphasis added ; Isaiah 6:3 Isaiah 6:3 — NASB95 And one called out to another and said, “ Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” Emphasis added ; 48:16 Isaiah 48:16 — NASB95 “Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord GOD has sent Me, and His Spirit.” Emphasis added ; Matthew 28:18–19 Matthew 28:18–19 — NASB95 ¹⁸ And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Emphasis added ; Acts 5:3–4 Acts 5:3–4 — NASB95 ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Emphasis added ; 2 Corinthians 13:14 2 Corinthians 13:14 — NASB95 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Emphasis added ; Colossians 2:9 Colossians 2:9 — NASB95 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, Emphasis added ; Hebrews 1:8 Hebrews 1:8 — NASB95 But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. Emphasis added ; Revelation 1:4–6 Revelation 1:4–6 — NASB95 ⁴ John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— ⁶ and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Emphasis added

3. Divine Sovereignty We believe in the Father, who occupies the position of Head in the Godhead. He is absolutely sovereign, holy, righteous, loving, and glorious.

Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:1 — NASB95 In the beginning [God] created the heavens and the earth. Emphasis added ; 18:25 Genesis 18:25 — NASB95 Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” Emphasis added ; Psalm 99:1–5 Psalm 99:1–5 — NASB95 ¹ The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake! ² The LORD is great in Zion, And He is exalted above all the peoples. ³ Let them praise Your great and awesome name; Holy is He. ⁴ The strength of the King loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. ⁵ Exalt the LORD our God And worship at His footstool; Holy is He. Emphasis added ; Realm Updated HTML/CSS Paste Guide Page 1 John 3:16 John 3:16 — NASB95 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Emphasis added ; 17:5 John 17:5 — NASB95 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. Emphasis added ; Romans 9:20 Romans 9:20 — NASB95 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 11:3 1 Corinthians 11:3 — NASB95 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. Emphasis added ; 1 Peter 1:16 1 Peter 1:16 — NASB95 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” Emphasis added ; 1 John 1:5 1 John 1:5 — NASB95 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Emphasis added ; 4:8 1 John 4:8 — NASB95 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. Emphasis added

4. Deity of Christ We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin's womb and was born with a sinless human nature in addition to his divine nature. He is the seed of Abraham, as well as the ultimate Davidic King.

Genesis 12:3 Genesis 12:3 — NASB95 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Emphasis added ; 2 Samuel 7:16 2 Samuel 7:16 — NASB95 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” Emphasis added ; Psalm 2:6 Psalm 2:6 — NASB95 “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” Emphasis added ; 110:1–7 Psalm 110:1–7 — NASB95 ¹ The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ² The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” ³ Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. ⁴ The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” ⁵ The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. ⁶ He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. ⁷ He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore He will lift up His head. Emphasis added ; Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 7:14 — NASB95 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Emphasis added ; 9:6–7 Isaiah 9:6–7 — NASB95 ⁶ For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Emphasis added ; Jeremiah 23:5–6 Jeremiah 23:5–6 — NASB95 ⁵ “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. ⁶ “In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The LORD our righteousness.’ Emphasis added ; Matthew 1:1 Matthew 1:1 — NASB95 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: Emphasis added ; 1:23 Matthew 1:23 — NASB95 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” Emphasis added ; 3:17 Matthew 3:17 — NASB95 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Emphasis added ; Luke 1:34–35 Luke 1:34–35 — NASB95 ³⁴ Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” ³⁵ The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. Emphasis added ; 2:52 Luke 2:52 — NASB95 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Emphasis added ; John 1:1–2, 14 John 1:1–2, 14 — NASB95 ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. Emphasis added ; 8:56–58 John 8:56–58 — NASB95 ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” ⁵⁷ So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” ⁵⁸ Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Emphasis added ; 10:30 John 10:30 — NASB95 I and the Father are one.” Emphasis added ; 17:5 John 17:5 — NASB95 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. Emphasis added ; Acts 2:30–31 Acts 2:30–31 — NASB95 ³⁰ And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, ³¹ he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. Emphasis added ; Galatians 3:8, 16 Galatians 3:8, 16 — NASB95 ⁸ The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” ¹⁶ Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. Emphasis added ; 4:4 Galatians 4:4 — NASB95 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, Emphasis added ; Titus 2:13 Titus 2:13 — NASB95 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, Emphasis added ; Hebrews 2:14 Hebrews 2:14 — NASB95 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, Emphasis added

5. Holy Spirit We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He draws men to Christ and regenerates them; and at conversion, he baptizes, indwells, and seals believers unto the day of redemption.

John 6:44 John 6:44 — NASB95 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. Emphasis added ; 14:17 John 14:17 — NASB95 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. Emphasis added ; 16:8 John 16:8 — NASB95 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; Emphasis added ; Romans 8:9 Romans 8:9 — NASB95 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11, 14 1 Corinthians 2:10–11, 14 — NASB95 ¹⁰ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. ¹⁴ But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. Emphasis added ; 12:3 1 Corinthians 12:3 — NASB95 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. Emphasis added ; 12:13 1 Corinthians 12:13 — NASB95 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Emphasis added ; Ephesians 1:13–14, 22–23 Ephesians 1:13–14, 22–23 — NASB95 ¹³ In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. ²² And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Emphasis added ; 4:30 Ephesians 4:30 — NASB95 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Emphasis added ; Titus 3:5 Titus 3:5 — NASB95 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Emphasis added ; 1 Peter 1:2 1 Peter 1:2 — NASB95 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Emphasis added

6. Sinfulness of Man We believe that man was created in the image of God. Man willfully sinned and thus incurred physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God. Man transmitted a sin nature to all his descendants, and all have become sinners in thought, word, and deed. Apart from Jesus Christ, man is utterly unable to remedy this lost condition.

Genesis 1:26–27 Genesis 1:26–27 — NASB95 ²⁶ Then [God] said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ²⁷ God created man in His own image, in the image of [God] He created him; male and female He created them. Emphasis added ; 2:16–17 Genesis 2:16–17 — NASB95 ¹⁶ The LORD [God] commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; ¹⁷ but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” Emphasis added ; 3:1–19 Genesis 3:1–19 — NASB95 ¹ Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD [God] had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has [God] said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” ² The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; ³ but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, [God] has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” ⁴ The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! ⁵ For [God] knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like [God], knowing good and evil.” ⁶ When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. ⁸ They heard the sound of the LORD [God] walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD [God] among the trees of the garden. ⁹ Then the LORD [God] called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” ¹⁰ He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” ¹¹ And He said, “Who told you that you were naked ? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” ¹² The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” ¹³ Then the LORD [God] said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” ¹⁴ The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; ¹⁵ And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” ¹⁶ To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.” ¹⁷ Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. ¹⁸ “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; ¹⁹ By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” Emphasis added ; Ecclesiastes 7:20 Ecclesiastes 7:20 — NASB95 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Emphasis added ; Isaiah 64:6 Isaiah 64:6 — NASB95 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Emphasis added ; Matthew 19:4–5 Matthew 19:4–5 — NASB95 ⁴ And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, ⁵ and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? Emphasis added ; Romans 3:22–23 Romans 3:22–23 — NASB95 ²² even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Emphasis added ; 5:12 Romans 5:12 — NASB95 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— Emphasis added ; 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 — NASB95 ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, ⁴ in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Emphasis added ; Galatians 3:21–22 Galatians 3:21–22 — NASB95 ²¹ Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. ²² But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Emphasis added ; Ephesians 2:1–3, 12 Ephesians 2:1–3, 12 — NASB95 ¹ And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, ² in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. ³ Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. ¹² remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Emphasis added

7. Penal Substitutionary Atonement We believe the Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin, which God's justice and law require. The shed life-blood of Jesus Christ is the ransom price for redemption. Man's sin was laid upon Christ, and he died in the sinner's place, receiving the fullness of God's wrath for sin. He died as the just for the unjust, in order to bring us to God.

Leviticus 17:11 Leviticus 17:11 — NASB95 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.’ Emphasis added ; Isaiah 53:5–6 Isaiah 53:5–6 — NASB95 ⁵ But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. ⁶ All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. Emphasis added ; Matthew 20:28 Matthew 20:28 — NASB95 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Emphasis added ; 26:28 Matthew 26:28 — NASB95 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Emphasis added ; 27:46 Matthew 27:46 — NASB95 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” Emphasis added ; John 3:16 John 3:16 — NASB95 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Emphasis added ; Romans 3:24–25, 28 Romans 3:24–25, 28 — NASB95 ²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁸ For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Emphasis added ; 4:5 Romans 4:5 — NASB95 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 1:30 1 Corinthians 1:30 — NASB95 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, Emphasis added ; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 21 2 Corinthians 5:14, 21 — NASB95 ¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; ²¹ He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Emphasis added ; Ephesians 1:7 Ephesians 1:7 — NASB95 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace Emphasis added ; 1 Timothy 2:6 1 Timothy 2:6 — NASB95 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. Emphasis added ; 1 Peter 1:18–19 1 Peter 1:18–19 — NASB95 ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. Emphasis added ; 3:18 1 Peter 3:18 — NASB95 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; Emphasis added

8. Resurrection of Christ We believe in the literal resurrection of the crucified body of the Lord Jesus Christ and that such resurrection testifies to his perfect atonement and propitiation. We believe in his ascension into heaven and exaltation to the right hand of the throne of God, where he also serves as the believer's High Priest and advocate.

Luke 24:6 Luke 24:6 — NASB95 He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, Emphasis added ; 24:39 Luke 24:39 — NASB95 See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” Emphasis added ; John 20:17 John 20:17 — NASB95 Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” Emphasis added ; Acts 1:9–10 Acts 1:9–10 — NASB95 ⁹ And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. Emphasis added ; Romans 3:25 Romans 3:25 — NASB95 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; Emphasis added ; 4:25 Romans 4:25 — NASB95 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Emphasis added ; 8:34 Romans 8:34 — NASB95 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Emphasis added ; Hebrews 7:25 Hebrews 7:25 — NASB95 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Emphasis added ; 9:24 Hebrews 9:24 — NASB95 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; Emphasis added ; 10:11–12 Hebrews 10:11–12 — NASB95 ¹¹ Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; ¹² but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, Emphasis added ; 12:2 Hebrews 12:2 — NASB95 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Emphasis added ; 1 John 2:1–2 1 John 2:1–2 — NASB95 ¹ My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; ² and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. Emphasis added

9. Justification by Faith Alone We believe that justification, the forgiveness of sins and imputation of Jesus Christ's righteousness, is the gracious gift of God received through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone as Savior. Justification is based upon the finished work of Christ on the cross and his resurrection. Repentance is a vital part of faith and is in no way in itself a separate condition for salvation. No other acts such as public confession, baptism, prayer, or faithful service are to be added to faith as a condition for salvation.

Genesis 15:6 Genesis 15:6 — NASB95 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Emphasis added ; Isaiah 53:11 Isaiah 53:11 — NASB95 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Emphasis added ; Jeremiah 23:6 Jeremiah 23:6 — NASB95 “In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The LORD our righteousness.’ Emphasis added ; Habakkuk 2:4 Habakkuk 2:4 — NASB95 “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith. Emphasis added ; Matthew 4:17 Matthew 4:17 — NASB95 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Emphasis added ; Mark 1:15 Mark 1:15 — NASB95 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Emphasis added ; John 1:12 John 1:12 — NASB95 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, Emphasis added ; 3:3, 16 John 3:3, 16 — NASB95 ³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Emphasis added ; 4:10 John 4:10 — NASB95 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” Emphasis added ; 5:24 John 5:24 — NASB95 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Emphasis added ; 6:29 John 6:29 — NASB95 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” Emphasis added ; 11:25 John 11:25 — NASB95 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, Emphasis added ; Acts 10:43 Acts 10:43 — NASB95 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” Emphasis added ; 13:38–39 Acts 13:38–39 — NASB95 ³⁸ Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, ³⁹ and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Emphasis added ; 16:31 Acts 16:31 — NASB95 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Emphasis added ; 20:21 Acts 20:21 — NASB95 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Emphasis added ; Romans 1:16–17 Romans 1:16–17 — NASB95 Realm Updated HTML/CSS Paste Guide Page 4 ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” Emphasis added ; 3:22, 24–25, 28 Romans 3:22, 24–25, 28 — NASB95 ²² even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; ²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁸ For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Emphasis added ; 4:4–5 Romans 4:4–5 — NASB95 ⁴ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. ⁵ But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, Emphasis added ; 5:1, 15–17 Romans 5:1, 15–17 — NASB95 ¹ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. ¹⁶ The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. ¹⁷ For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Emphasis added ; 6:23 Romans 6:23 — NASB95 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Emphasis added ; 10:4 Romans 10:4 — NASB95 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 1:17, 30 1 Corinthians 1:17, 30 — NASB95 ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. ³⁰ But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, Emphasis added ; 15:1–4 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 — NASB95 ¹ Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, Emphasis added ; Galatians 3:22, 26–27 Galatians 3:22, 26–27 — NASB95 ²² But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. ²⁶ For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Emphasis added ; Ephesians 1:7 Ephesians 1:7 — NASB95 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace Emphasis added ; 2:8–9 Ephesians 2:8–9 — NASB95 ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Emphasis added ; Philippians 3:9 Philippians 3:9 — NASB95 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, Emphasis added ; Titus 3:5 Titus 3:5 — NASB95 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Emphasis added ; 1 Peter 1:18 1 Peter 1:18 — NASB95 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, Emphasis added ; 2:2 1 Peter 2:2 — NASB95 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, Emphasis added ; 2 Peter 1:1 2 Peter 1:1 — NASB95 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Emphasis added

10. Eternal Security of the Believer We believe that all who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are born again by the Holy Spirit and become children of God, are eternally secure in that relationship, and will go to heaven.

John 1:12 John 1:12 — NASB95 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, Emphasis added ; 3:3, 16 John 3:3, 16 — NASB95 ³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Emphasis added ; 5:24 John 5:24 — NASB95 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Emphasis added ; 6:37–40 John 6:37–40 — NASB95 ³⁷ All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ³⁹ This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. ⁴⁰ For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” Emphasis added ; 10:27–30 John 10:27–30 — NASB95 ²⁷ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; ²⁸ and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.” Emphasis added ; Romans 8:1, 29–30, 35–39 Romans 8:1, 29–30, 35–39 — NASB95 ¹ Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” ³⁷ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Emphasis added ; 11:29 Romans 11:29 — NASB95 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8, 30 1 Corinthians 1:4–8, 30 — NASB95 ⁴ I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, ⁶ even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, ⁷ so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁸ who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ³⁰ But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, Emphasis added ; Ephesians 4:30 Ephesians 4:30 — NASB95 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Emphasis added ; 2 Timothy 1:12 2 Timothy 1:12 — NASB95 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Emphasis added ; Hebrews 6:18 Hebrews 6:18 — NASB95 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. Emphasis added ; 7:25 Hebrews 7:25 — NASB95 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Emphasis added ; 10:14 Hebrews 10:14 — NASB95 For by one offering He has perfected for all time Realm Updated HTML/CSS Paste Guide Page 5 those who are sanctified. Emphasis added ; 1 John 5:11–13 1 John 5:11–13 — NASB95 ¹¹ And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. ¹² He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. ¹³ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. Emphasis added

11. Baptism We believe that all who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are made complete in him. At conversion, believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit into his body, the church, and are also indwelled and sealed with the Spirit unto the day of redemption.

John 5:24 John 5:24 — NASB95 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Emphasis added ; 17:23 John 17:23 — NASB95 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Emphasis added ; Acts 13:39 Acts 13:39 — NASB95 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Emphasis added ; Romans 5:1 Romans 5:1 — NASB95 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 3:21–23 1 Corinthians 3:21–23 — NASB95 ²¹ So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, ²³ and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God. Emphasis added ; Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 1:3 — NASB95 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Emphasis added ; 4:30 Ephesians 4:30 — NASB95 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Emphasis added ; Colossians 2:10 Colossians 2:10 — NASB95 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; Emphasis added ; 2 Peter 1:3–4 2 Peter 1:3–4 — NASB95 ³ seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. ⁴ For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Emphasis added ; 1 John 4:17 1 John 4:17 — NASB95 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. Emphasis added ; 5:11–12 1 John 5:11–12 — NASB95 ¹¹ And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. ¹² He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. Emphasis added

12. Discipleship We believe that all believers are called to discipleship, a holy walk of life, not after the flesh but after the Spirit. Believers have been freed from their enslavement to sin and by faith, through the Spirit, are able to experience this freedom.

Matthew 7:12 Matthew 7:12 — NASB95 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Emphasis added ; 10:37–38 Matthew 10:37–38 — NASB95 ³⁷ “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁸ And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Emphasis added ; 28:19–20 Matthew 28:19–20 — NASB95 ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Emphasis added ; Luke 14:26–27 Luke 14:26–27 — NASB95 ²⁶ “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Emphasis added ; John 13:14 John 13:14 — NASB95 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. Emphasis added ; Romans 6:1–20 Romans 6:1–20 — NASB95 ¹ What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ² May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶ knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; ⁷ for he who has died is freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹ knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. ¹⁰ For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, ¹³ and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. ¹⁵ What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! ¹⁶ Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, ¹⁸ and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹ I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. ²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Emphasis added ; 8:2, 4 Romans 8:2, 4 — NASB95 ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. ⁴ so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Emphasis added ; 12:1 Romans 12:1 — NASB95 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Emphasis added ; Galatians 3:1–14 Galatians 3:1–14 — NASB95 ¹ You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? ² This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? ³ Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? ⁴ Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? ⁵ So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? ⁶ Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. ⁷ Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. ⁸ The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” ⁹ So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. ¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” ¹¹ Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” ¹² However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us— for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— ¹⁴ in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Emphasis added ; 5:16–22 Galatians 5:16–22 — NASB95 ¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. ¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Emphasis added ; Ephesians 2:10 Ephesians 2:10 — NASB95 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Emphasis added ; 4:1 Ephesians 4:1 — NASB95 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, Emphasis added ; Philippians 4:4 Philippians 4:4 — NASB95 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Emphasis added ; Colossians 2:1–10 Colossians 2:1–10 — NASB95 ¹ For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. ⁵ For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. ⁶ Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. ⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; Emphasis added ; 1 Thessalonians 5:16 1 Thessalonians 5:16 — NASB95 Rejoice always; Emphasis added ; Titus 2:11–12 Titus 2:11–12 — NASB95 ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹² instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, Emphasis added ; 1 Peter 1:14–16 1 Peter 1:14–16 — NASB95 ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, ¹⁵ but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” Emphasis added ; 1 John 1:1–7 1 John 1:1–7 — NASB95 ¹ What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— ² and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— ³ what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. ⁵ This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; ⁷ but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Emphasis added ; 3:5–9 1 John 3:5–9 — NASB95 ⁵ You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. ⁶ No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. ⁷ Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; ⁸ the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. ⁹ No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Emphasis added

13. Spiritual Gifts We believe that Jesus Christ has given gifts to his church and that every believer has a spiritual gift. We believe that some spiritual gifts were temporary sign gifts associated with the apostolic age.

Acts 2:43 Acts 2:43 — NASB95 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. Emphasis added ; 5:12–13 Acts 5:12–13 — NASB95 ¹² At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. ¹³ But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. Emphasis added ; 14:3 Acts 14:3 — NASB95 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. Emphasis added ; 15:8 Acts 15:8 — NASB95 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; Emphasis added ; Romans 12:3–8 Romans 12:3–8 — NASB95 ³ For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. ⁴ For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷ if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 12:7 1 Corinthians 12:7 — NASB95 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Emphasis added ; 14:21 1 Corinthians 14:21 — NASB95 In the Law it is written, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord. Emphasis added ; 2 Corinthians 12:11–12 2 Corinthians 12:11–12 — NASB95 ¹¹ I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. ¹² The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. Emphasis added ; Ephesians 2:19–20 Ephesians 2:19–20 — NASB95 ¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, Emphasis added ; 4:7–11 Ephesians 4:7–11 — NASB95 ⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore it says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” ⁹ (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) ¹¹ And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, Emphasis added ; Hebrews 2:3–4 Hebrews 2:3–4 — NASB95 ³ how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, ⁴ God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Emphasis added ; 1 Peter 4:10–11 1 Peter 4:10–11 — NASB95 ¹⁰ As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Emphasis added ; Revelation 21:14 Revelation 21:14 — NASB95 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Emphasis added

14. Premillennialism We believe in the "blessed hope," the personal premillennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Zechariah 14:4–11 Zechariah 14:4–11 — NASB95 ⁴ In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. ⁵ You will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him! ⁶ In that day there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. ⁷ For it will be a unique day which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at evening time there will be light. ⁸ And in that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter. ⁹ And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one. ¹⁰ All the land will be changed into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; but Jerusalem will rise and remain on its site from Benjamin’s Gate as far as the place of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s wine presses. ¹¹ People will live in it, and there will no longer be a curse, for Jerusalem will dwell in security. Emphasis added ; John 14:1–4 John 14:1–4 — NASB95 ¹ “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way where I am going.” Emphasis added ; Acts 1:11 Acts 1:11 — NASB95 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Emphasis added ; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 1 Thessalonians 1:10 — NASB95 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. Emphasis added ; 4:13–18 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 — NASB95 ¹³ But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. ¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words. Emphasis added ; 5:9 1 Thessalonians 5:9 — NASB95 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Emphasis added ; Titus 2:13 Titus 2:13 — NASB95 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, Emphasis added ; Revelation 19:11–16 Revelation 19:11–16 — NASB95 ¹¹ And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. ¹² His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. ¹³ He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. ¹⁵ From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. ¹⁶ And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Emphasis added ; 20:1–6 Revelation 20:1–6 — NASB95 ¹ Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. ² And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; ³ and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. ⁴ Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Emphasis added

15. Resurrection of Man We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved and the lost: the everlasting blessedness of believers in heaven and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost in hell. We believe the saved shall receive immortal spiritual bodies.

Matthew 25:46 Matthew 25:46 — NASB95 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Emphasis added ; Luke 16:19–31 Luke 16:19–31 — NASB95 ¹⁹ “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. ²⁰ And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, ²¹ and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. ²² Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. ²⁴ And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ ²⁵ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ ²⁷ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— ²⁸ for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ ²⁹ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ ³⁰ But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ ³¹ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Emphasis added ; John 5:28–29 John 5:28–29 — NASB95 ²⁸ Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, ²⁹ and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. Emphasis added ; 11:25–26 John 11:25–26 — NASB95 ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 15:35–44 1 Corinthians 15:35–44 — NASB95 ³⁵ But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” ³⁶ You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; ³⁷ and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. ³⁸ But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. ³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. ⁴⁰ There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. ⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; ⁴³ it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Emphasis added ; 2 Corinthians 5:1–4 2 Corinthians 5:1–4 — NASB95 ¹ For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, ³ inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. ⁴ For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Emphasis added ; 5:8 2 Corinthians 5:8 — NASB95 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Emphasis added ; Philippians 1:23 Philippians 1:23 — NASB95 But I am hardpressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; Emphasis added ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17 — NASB95 ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. ¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Emphasis added ; 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 — NASB95 ⁸ dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, Emphasis added ; Revelation 20:5–6, 12–13 Revelation 20:5–6, 12–13 — NASB95 ⁵ The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. ¹² And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Emphasis added

16. Satan We believe in the existence of a literal devil, who is still working in the world to destroy the souls of men, and that he and his angels will eternally be punished in the lake of fire.

Genesis 3:1 Realm Updated HTML/CSS Paste Guide Page 8 Genesis 3:1 — NASB95 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD [God] had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has [God] said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” Emphasis added ; Job 1:7 Job 1:7 — NASB95 The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” Emphasis added ; Isaiah 14:12–17 Isaiah 14:12–17 — NASB95 ¹² “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! ¹³ “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. ¹⁴ ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ ¹⁵ “Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit. ¹⁶ “Those who see you will gaze at you, They will ponder over you, saying, ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms, ¹⁷ Who made the world like a wilderness And overthrew its cities, Who did not allow his prisoners to go home?’ Emphasis added ; Ezekiel 28:11–19 Ezekiel 28:11–19 — NASB95 ¹¹ Again the word of the LORD came to me saying, ¹² “Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. ¹³ “You were in Eden, the garden of [God]; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared. ¹⁴ “You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of [God]; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. ¹⁵ “You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you. ¹⁶ “By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of [God]. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire. ¹⁷ “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you. ¹⁸ “By the multitude of your iniquities, In the unrighteousness of your trade You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of all who see you. ¹⁹ “All who know you among the peoples Are appalled at you; You have become terrified And you will cease to be forever.”’” Emphasis added ; Colossians 2:15 Colossians 2:15 — NASB95 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Emphasis added ; 1 Peter 5:8 1 Peter 5:8 — NASB95 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Emphasis added ; 1 John 3:8 1 John 3:8 — NASB95 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. Emphasis added ; Revelation 12:7–9 Revelation 12:7–9 — NASB95 ⁷ And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, ⁸ and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. ⁹ And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Emphasis added ; 20:1–3, 10 Revelation 20:1–3, 10 — NASB95 ¹ Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. ² And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; ³ and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. ¹⁰ And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Emphasis added

17. Universal Church We believe the church is the body and bride of Christ and that it is made up of all born again believers in this present age. We believe the purpose of the church is to glorify God, to edify one another, and to evangelize and disciple the nations. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ gave the church two ordinances to be observed during this age: water baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Matthew 16:18 Matthew 16:18 — NASB95 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Emphasis added ; 28:18–20 Matthew 28:18–20 — NASB95 ¹⁸ And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Emphasis added ; Acts 2:42 Acts 2:42 — NASB95 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Emphasis added ; 9:4–5 Acts 9:4–5 — NASB95 ⁴ and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, Emphasis added ; 14:27 Acts 14:27 — NASB95 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. Emphasis added ; 20:17, 28–32 Acts 20:17, 28–32 — NASB95 ¹⁷ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. ²⁸ Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰ and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. ³² And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 11:20–34 1 Corinthians 11:20–34 — NASB95 ²⁰ Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, ²¹ for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. ²² What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you. ²³ For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; ²⁴ and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁵ In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. ²⁷ Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. ²⁸ But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. ³⁰ For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. ³¹ But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. ³² But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world. ³³ So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. ³⁴ If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come. Emphasis added ; 12:13 1 Corinthians 12:13 — NASB95 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Emphasis added ; Ephesians 1:22–23 Ephesians 1:22–23 — NASB95 ²² And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Emphasis added ; Revelation 19:7 Revelation 19:7 — NASB95 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” Emphasis added ; 21:2, 9 Revelation 21:2, 9 — NASB95 ² And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. ⁹ Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” Emphasis added

18. Local Church We believe membership in this local church is through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, a desire to be affiliated with this church, and faithfulness in attendance and support of this church. Members should support this statement of faith.

1 Corinthians 12:13 1 Corinthians 12:13 — NASB95 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Emphasis added ; 16:2 1 Corinthians 16:2 — NASB95 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. Emphasis added ; Hebrews 10:24–25 Hebrews 10:24–25 — NASB95 ²⁴ and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Emphasis added ; 13:7, 17 Hebrews 13:7, 17 — NASB95 ⁷ Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. ¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Emphasis added ; 1 Peter 4:10 1 Peter 4:10 — NASB95 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Emphasis added

19. Elders We believe in the position of elder (overseer) in the local church. Elders are appointed by the existing elders based upon Scriptural qualifications. Under the headship of Christ and authority of the Scriptures, the elders are responsible for applying the Scriptures in leading, shepherding, and governing the local church. We believe that it is acceptable and generally advantageous to employ a pastor-teacher, who would generally be an elder.

Matthew 18:15–20 Matthew 18:15–20 — NASB95 ¹⁵ “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. ¹⁶ But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. ¹⁷ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. ¹⁸ Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. ¹⁹ “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Emphasis added ; Acts 6:2, 4 Acts 6:2, 4 — NASB95 ² So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Emphasis added ; 14:23 Acts 14:23 — NASB95 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Emphasis added ; 20:17, 28 Acts 20:17, 28 — NASB95 ¹⁷ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. ²⁸ Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 9:14 1 Corinthians 9:14 — NASB95 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. Emphasis added ; 14:40 1 Corinthians 14:40 — NASB95 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. Emphasis added ; Ephesians 4:11 Ephesians 4:11 — NASB95 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, Emphasis added ; Philippians 1:1 Philippians 1:1 — NASB95 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Emphasis added ; 1 Timothy 2:1–14 1 Timothy 2:1–14 — NASB95 ¹ First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. ⁷ For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. ⁸ Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. ⁹ Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, ¹⁰ but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. ¹¹ A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. ¹² But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. ¹³ For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. ¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Emphasis added ; 3:1–7, 14–15 1 Timothy 3:1–7, 14–15 — NASB95 ¹ It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. ² An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. ⁴ He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity ⁵ (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), ⁶ and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. ⁷ And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. ¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; ¹⁵ but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. Emphasis added ; 4:13–14 1 Timothy 4:13–14 — NASB95 ¹³ Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Emphasis added ; Titus 1:5–9 Titus 1:5–9 — NASB95 ⁵ For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, ⁶ namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. ⁷ For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, ⁸ but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, ⁹ holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. Emphasis added ; Hebrews 13:7, 17 Hebrews 13:7, 17 — NASB95 ⁷ Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. ¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Emphasis added ; 1 Peter 5:2 1 Peter 5:2 — NASB95 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; Emphasis added

20. Deacons We believe in the position of deacon in the local church. Deacons are appointed by the elders based upon scriptural qualifications. Deacons are responsible for duties as assigned by the elders, which lie primarily in attending to material needs and tasks.

Acts 6:1–6 Acts 6:1–6 — NASB95 ¹ Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. ² So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. ⁶ And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. Emphasis added ; 1 Timothy 3:8–13 1 Timothy 3:8–13 — NASB95 ⁸ Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, ⁹ but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. ¹¹ Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Emphasis added

21. Water Baptism We believe believers are to be baptized in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Water baptism symbolizes Spirit baptism, an identification with Christ, his church, his death, his resurrection, and newness of life in Christ. We believe in baptism by immersion.

Matthew 3:6 Matthew 3:6 — NASB95 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. Emphasis added ; 28:20 Matthew 28:20 — NASB95 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Emphasis added ; Realm Updated HTML/CSS Paste Guide Page 10 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38 — NASB95 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Emphasis added ; 8:36–39 Acts 8:36–39 — NASB95 ³⁶ As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” ³⁷ [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] ³⁸ And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. Emphasis added ; Romans 6:1–4 Romans 6:1–4 — NASB95 ¹ What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ² May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 12:13 1 Corinthians 12:13 — NASB95 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Emphasis added ; Galatians 3:28 Galatians 3:28 — NASB95 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Emphasis added

22. Lord's Supper We believe the Lord's Supper should be regularly observed. The Lord's Supper symbolizes the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the blood which instituted the New Covenant. We believe the Lord's Supper should be open to all believers.

Jeremiah 31:31–32 Jeremiah 31:31–32 — NASB95 ³¹ “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, ³² not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. Emphasis added ; Matthew 26:28 Matthew 26:28 — NASB95 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Emphasis added ; Luke 22:17–20 Luke 22:17–20 — NASB95 ¹⁷ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; ¹⁸ for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” ¹⁹ And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁰ And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. Emphasis added ; Acts 2:42 Acts 2:42 — NASB95 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Emphasis added ; 20:7 Acts 20:7 — NASB95 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 11:20–34 1 Corinthians 11:20–34 — NASB95 ²⁰ Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, ²¹ for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. ²² What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you. ²³ For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; ²⁴ and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁵ In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. ²⁷ Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. ²⁸ But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. ³⁰ For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. ³¹ But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. ³² But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world. ³³ So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. ³⁴ If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come. Emphasis added ; Hebrews 8:6–13 Hebrews 8:6–13 — NASB95 ⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. ⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. ⁸ For finding fault with them, He says, “BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH; ⁹ NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD. ¹⁰ “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. ¹¹ “AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM. ¹² “ FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.” ¹³ When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. Emphasis added

23. Giving We believe the church should be supported by freewill offerings. Every Christian has a responsibility to give, and giving should be based upon personal deliberation, joy, means, and faith.

Matthew 6:1–4 Matthew 6:1–4 — NASB95 ¹ “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; other wise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. ² “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Emphasis added ; Mark 12:41–44 Mark 12:41–44 — NASB95 ⁴¹ And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. ⁴² A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. ⁴³ Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; ⁴⁴ for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” Emphasis added ; Acts 11:29 Acts 11:29 — NASB95 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. Emphasis added ; Romans 12:8 Romans 12:8 — NASB95 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Emphasis added ; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 — NASB95 ¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. ² On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. Emphasis added ; 2 Corinthians 9:7 2 Corinthians 9:7 — NASB95 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Emphasis added ; 3 John 7 3 John 7 — NASB95 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Emphasis added

24. Marriage We believe that marriage is an exclusive and binding union between one natural born man and one natural born woman, entered into by covenant promises. This union was established by God for it was "not good" for the man to be alone, for the mutual edification of the man and the woman, for the natural enjoyment of the couple, for the procreation of mankind, for the establishment of social stability, for the teaching of godly principles, and to be a picture of the love of Christ for the church.

Genesis 1:27–28 Genesis 1:27–28 — NASB95 ²⁷ God created man in His own image, in the image of [God] He created him; male and female He created them. ²⁸ [God] blessed them; and [God] said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Emphasis added ; 2:18, 24 Genesis 2:18, 24 — NASB95 ¹⁸ Then the LORD [God] said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” ²⁴ For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. Emphasis added ; Realm Updated HTML/CSS Paste Guide Page 11 3:20 Genesis 3:20 — NASB95 Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. Emphasis added ; 18:19 Genesis 18:19 — NASB95 For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” Emphasis added ; Malachi 2:14–15 Malachi 2:14–15 — NASB95 ¹⁴ Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. ¹⁵ But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a [godly] offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. Emphasis added ; Song of Solomon 5:1 Song of Solomon 5:1 — NASB95 “I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh along with my balsam. I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk. Eat, friends; Drink and imbibe deeply, O lovers.” Emphasis added ; Matthew 19:3–9 Matthew 19:3–9 — NASB95 ³ Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” ⁴ And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, ⁵ and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? ⁶ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” ⁷ They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?” ⁸ He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. ⁹ And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Emphasis added ; Ephesians 5:22–27 Ephesians 5:22–27 — NASB95 ²² Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, ²⁶ so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. Emphasis added