“Doctrinal Statement on Theology Proper”

Pastor John – 2023 

My Doctrinal Statement on Theology Proper

I. The Trinity

I believe there is only one God, who is one triune God, in three distinct Persons – the Father, the Son (Christ), and the Holy Spirit, who are coequal and coeternal (Isa. 44:6; 45:5; Gen. 1:26-27; Matt. 3:17; Luke 9:35; 2 Cor. 13:14). Each Person comprising the Godhead, is unique in role and purpose, yet simultaneously identical as deity (John 16:13; Titus 3:4-6; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Pet. 1:1; Heb. 1:1-3). God is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, creator, ruler, and judge of all (Exod. 34:6-7; Isa. 44:6-8; Eph. 1:3-6; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 1:4-8). He is uncreated and always existed (Gen. 1:1; John 1:1-3; Deut. 33:27; Ps. 90:2). The Son became human in the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:1; 1 John 1:14; Heb. 1:3), having two natures – both divine and human (John 10:30; 14:7; Col. 2:9) born without sin (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5). The Holy Spirit, as advocate and helper, promised by Christ, guides, indwells, convicts, restores and seals believers (John 14:16; 15:26; Rom. 8:9, 26; Eph.1:13; 1 Cor. 2:10-11).

II. The attributes of God (incommunicable and communicable)

I believe that God has incommunicable and communicable attributes. The former belong to God alone, the latter can be shared with us to some extent, since we are finite.

A. Incommunicable attributes of God

I believe that these attributes are holiness (mercy, goodness, justice, love) (Lev. 11:44-45; Ps. 71:22; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:16) – immutability (Ps. 90:2; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8) – infinity (Gen. 21:33; Deut. 33:27; Isa. 40:28) – omnipresence (Ps. 139:7-12; Jer. 23:24) – omnipotence (Ps. 33:9; Isa. 46:10) – omniscience (Rom. 16:27; Heb. 4:13; 1 John 3:20) – contingently self-existent (Ps. 90:2; Heb. 13:8; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 1:8) – self-sufficiency (Ps. 102:24-27) – sovereignty (Isa. 46:10; 1 Tim. 6:15) – Spirit (Luke 24:39; John 4:24) – uniqueness (Isa. 43:10; 44:6-7) – transcendence (Ps. 139:7-10).

B. Communicable attributes of God

I believe that these attributes are goodness (Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19) – hate (Ps. 5:5; 11:5) – love (1 John 4:8) – knowledge (1 John 3:20) – justice (Deut. 32:4; Job 40:2; Ps.19:8; Isa. 45:19; Rom. 3:25-26) – rationality (Isa. 55:8-9; 1 Cor. 2:16) – mercy (Ps. 5:7; 6:4; 13:5; 17:7; 23:6; Rom. 9:23; Eph. 2:4; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:3) – speech (Gen. 1:3; Ps. 19:1-3) – wisdom (Job 9:4; 12:13; Ps. 19:7; 104:24; 111:10; Prov. 3:5-6; Rom. 8:28; 16:27; 1 Cor. 1:24) – truth (Num. 23:19; Isa. 45:5; Ps. 110:5; John 3:16; 14:6; Rom. 3:3-4; Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18).

III. God’s immanence and transcendence

I believe that God is both immanent and transcendent.

A. God’s immanence

I believe that God is immanent, He is active and present in His creation – nature, humanity and history (Gen. 1:26; Job 27:3; 33:4; Ps. 104:29-30; Isa. 63:11; Jer. 23:24; Matt. 5:45; 6:25-30; 10:29-30; Acts 17:27-28). 

B. God’s transcendence

I believe the God is transcendent, He is beyond His creation and neither limited by it, or to it (Isa. 6:1-5; 55:8-9; 57:15; Ps. 113:5-6; 123:1; John 8:23).

IV. Creation and providence

I believe that God in His sovereignty created everything out of nothing (Gen. 1:1 to 2:25). I believe that God in His divine providence cares for creation, is involved and preserving it, guiding it to accomplish His purpose (Job 10:8-12).

A. Creation

I believe that God created all things (the physical and spiritual universe with everything in it), time, all living things, such as humans and animals out of nothing (Ps. 33:6; John 1:3; Acts 17:24; Heb. 11:3; Rev. 4:11).

B. Providence

I believe that God is actively involved in His creation at all times, yet, He is distinct from all creation (Gen. 50:15-21). God’s divine providence is manifested in His sovereignty over everything (Ps. 4:8; 66:7; 103:19; Matt. 5:45; Luke 1:52; Gal. 1:15). All events are ruled and governed by God – there are no such things such as luck or fate.

V. God’s plan (the will of God)

I believe that God has a divine plan, purpose and timing for everything (1 Cor. 12:18; 15:38; Col. 1:19). God’s plan is manifested in His mysterious will (Isa. 55:8-9) and His revealed will (Deut. 29:29). I believe that God’s plan and His revealed will are evident in Scripture (1 Thess. 5:16-18; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 12:1-2; James 4:8). I believe His Word is at the heart of His revealed will, and only there can we find and experience His plan for our lives, which is to develop and grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Saviour (John 3:16-21; 14:6; 15:5).