Southway Community Church Doctrine
and Bible References

The Bible

The Bible is inspired by God verbally (Galatians 3:16), and in its entirety (2 Timothy 3:16).

It is complete, authoritative, inerrant in the original manuscripts, and sufficient for faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16; Titus 1:2; Psalm 12:6).


The Triune God


"God is a Spirit: infinite, eternal, unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth" (Westminster Catechism).

There is one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each of Whom differs in function, but not in essence (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14).


Man


Man was created in God's image, but that image was subsequently marred by the fall of Adam (Genesis 1:26-27; James 3:9; Genesis 5:1-3).

Man is now a sinner both by birth and by choice (Romans 5:12; 3:23).

Because of sin, man is under condemnation and in need of a Savior (Ephesians 2:12; John 3:36).

Salvation does not remove the sinful nature inherited from Adam; this happens at death or the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:50-57).


Jesus Christ


Through the miracle of His virgin birth, Jesus is both true God and true man, two natures in one person (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:34-35).


Salvation


Salvation is based solely on the work of Jesus Christ in His substitutionary death (Romans 5:8), resurrection and present intercession (Hebrews 7:25).

This salvation is applied to those who trust Jesus to be their personal Rescuer from the penalty for sin.

While obedience, the recognition of Jesus as Lord of one's life, baptism, bearing spiritual fruit, and holy living are commanded in Scripture for those who are believers, they are not conditions for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Though our salvation is complete and finished in Christ (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3), we are also progressively being saved from the power of sin in our experience now (Philippians 1:6). We will be finally delivered from even the presence of sin within us at death or the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:50-57).

Our salvation is eternal, and cannot be revoked or lost (John 5:24).


The Holy Spirit


The Holy Spirit convicts the world (John 16:7) and suppresses evil (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

The Holy Spirit regenerates (John 3:3; Titus 3:4), seals (Ephesians 1:13), baptizes (1 Corinthians 12:13), indwells (1 Corinthians 6:19), and anoints (1 John 2:27) all believers.

All believers are baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ at the time of salvation (1 Corinthians 12:13).

The evidence of being filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) is joyfulness, thankfulness, and submissiveness (Ephesians 5:19-21). This is not intended to be a one time event, but rather a continual experience.

God the Holy Spirit sovereignly gives spiritual gifts to all believers at the time of their salvation (1 Corinthians 12:13).

The record of the book of Acts shows that the sign and revelatory gifts (e.g., speaking in tongues) gradually faded out as their purposes were fulfilled.

God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accord with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14, 15).


The Church


The universal church is composed of all who have trusted Jesus as Savior since the day of Pentecost. Christ alone is the Head over this church. Its unity is spiritual, not organizational (Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2).

The universal church is manifested in individual local churches which are governed by elders and deacons (Acts 14:27; 20:17; 20:28-32; 1 Titus 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

The purpose of the local church is to make disciples of all nations, through evangelism, worship, instruction, and fellowship (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:40).

The Lord gave two ordinances to the church: baptism and the Lord's supper (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41).


The Future


The church is currently waiting for the blessed hope: the personal, imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for all who have believed in Him. Those who have died believing in Christ will be resurrected, then believers who are still alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

After the tribulation period, Jesus will return to earth with His saints, to establish His millennial kingdom (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

After the thousand years, the unsaved are resurrected and judged. They will be cast into the lake of fire to be eternally tormented with the Devil and his angels (Revelation 20:1).

Subsequent to this, God will create a new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1; 2 Peter 3:1).

The saved will live with Him in glory forever (Revelation 21:3).


Angels


Angels are created beings of a higher order than man (Hebrews 2:6-7).

They serve God and help Christians (Psalm 103:20; Hebrews 1:13-14).

Though originally created holy, some angels rebelled against God. These are referred to as demons, or "the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).