Morning Light
Statement of Faith

The following is what anyone and everyone who calls themself a Christian, should believe. :)

We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible and authoritative Word of God. (II Tim 3:16-17)

We believe that the Bible is the only infallible guide to heaven. This is because the Bible unveils (in the law) information regarding from where we know our sins and misery. (Rom. 3: 20) This reveals our complete moral failure before God and our need for a Savior. The Bible tells us what God's law requires of us. Christ teaches us this in a summary in Matthew 22: You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Deut. 6:5) This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. (Lev. 19:18) The Bible instructs us that we cannot keep all this perfectly. We are inclined by nature to hate God and our neighbor. ( Rom. 3:10, 23; I John 1:8, 10; Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 7:23; 8:7; Eph. 2:3; Tit. 3:3) Thus, when measured by God’s Law, mankind is doomed! However, the same Word of God that condemns man also describes the Person and work of God, in Whom salvation can be found.

We believe there is one God (Deut. 6:4; Is. 44:6; 45:5; I Cor. 8:4, 6), eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost (the trinity). (Gen. 1:2, 3; Is. 61:1; 63:8-10; Matt. 3:16, 17; 28:18, 19; Luke 4:18; John 14:26; 15:26; II Cor. 13:14; Gal. 4:6; Tit. 3:5, 6)

We believe in the literal creation of the world out of nothing by God in six days as depicted in the Book of Genesis. (Gen. 1 and 2; Ex. 20:11; Job 38 and 39; Ps. 33:6; Is. 44:24; Acts 4:24; 14:15)

We believe that man was created good and in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27, 31) in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:24) so that he truly would know his Creator (Col 3:10) and live with Him in eternal blessedness to praise and glorify Him. (Ps 8)

We believe in the literal Fall of man as depicted in the Book of Genesis and the consequential sentence of eternal death that resulted from that original sin born of man’s rebellion against God. (Gen 3) This was the cause of the total depravity of man (Rom 5:12, 18-19); and now man is inclined to do evil (Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Job 14:4; Is. 53:6) unless regenerated by the Holy Spirit. (Jn 3:3-5) Thus man is born in sin. (Ps 51:5)

We believe that God is terribly displeased with man’s original sin as well as our actual sins. Therefore He will punish them by a just judgment both now and eternally, (Ex. 34:7; Ps. 5:4-6; 7:10; Nah. 1:2; Rom. 1:18; 5:12; Eph. 5:6; Heb. 9:27) as He has declared:( Deut. 27:26) Cursed be every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them (Galatians 3:10).

We believe that God is indeed merciful( Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 103:8, 9), but He is also just. (Ex. 20:5; 34:7; Deut. 7:9-11; Ps. 5:4-6; Heb. 10:30, 31) His justice requires that sin committed against the most high majesty of God also be punished with the most severe, that is, with everlasting, punishment of body and soul.( Matt. 25:45,46)

We believe that God demands that His justice be satisfied.( Ex. 20:5; 23:7; Rom. 2:1-11) Therefore full payment must be made either by ourselves or by another. (Is. 53:11; Rom. 8:3, 4)

We believe that man is completely unable to save himself through his own good works and he daily increases his debt to God. (Ps. 130:3; Matt. 6:12; Rom. 2:4, 5)

We believe that a mere creature cannot pay the price for us. In the first place, God will not punish another creature for the sin which man has committed. (Ezek. 18:4, 20; Heb. 2:14-18) Furthermore, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin and deliver others from it.(Ps. 130:3; Nah. 1:6)

We believe that the mediator and deliverer must be one who is a true (I Cor. 15:21; Heb. 2:17. [2] Is. 53:9; II Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26) and righteous (Is. 53:9; II Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:2)] man, and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is at the same time true God. (Is. 7:14; 9:6; Jer. 23:6; John 1:1; Rom. 8:3, 4)

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; 10:30-36; Rom. 1:3; 9:5; Col. 1:15-17; I John 5:20), in His virgin birth, (Matt. 1:18-23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:14) through the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), in His sinless life, (Heb. 4:15; 7:26, 27) in His miracles, (see the gospels) in His vicarious and atoning death, (Jn 3:16) in His bodily resurrection (Matt 28:1-10), in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9; Rom 8:34), and in His personal, future return to this earth in power and glory to rule over the nations (Rev 19:11-16).

We believe that during all the time He lived on earth, but especially at the end, Christ bore in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race. (Is. 53; I Tim. 2:6; I Pet. 2:24; 3:18) Thus, by His suffering, as the only atoning sacrifice (Rom. 3:25; I Cor. 5:7; Eph. 5:2; Heb. 10:14; I John 2:2; 4:10), He has redeemed our body and soul from everlasting damnation, (Rom. 8:1-4; Gal. 3:13; Col. 1:13; Heb. 9:12; I Pet 1:18, 19) and obtained for us the grace of God, righteousness, and eternal life. (John 3:16; Rom. 3:24-26; II Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:15)

We believe that Jesus is the Mediator between man and God who at the same time is true God and a true and righteous man (Matt. 1:21-23; Luke 2:11; I Tim. 2:5; 3:16) whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption (I Corinthians 1:30).

We believe that ,though innocent, Christ was condemned by an earthly judge, (Luke 23:13-24; John 19:4, 12-16 ) and so He freed us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us. ( Is. 53:4, 5; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13). Because of the justice and truth of God (Gen. 2:17) satisfaction for our sins could be made in no other way than by the death of the Son of God. (Rom. 8:3; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:9, 14, 15)

We believe that our good works cannot be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of it. This is because the righteousness which can stand before God's judgment must be absolutely perfect and in complete agreement with the law of God (Deut. 27:26; Gal. 3:10), whereas even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin. (Is. 64:6) Thus, salvation comes by grace and grace alone, not by works lest any man should boast. (Eph 2:9)

We believe that God, from the foundations of the world, elected those who would inherit eternal life through the death of His Son. (Mt 25:34; Jn 15:16; Gal 4:30; Eph 1:4; I Pet 1:2) Thus, Christ died to save these individuals from the sentence of death decreed at the Fall.

We believe the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ. (Rom 3:25) True faith is a sure knowledge whereby I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in His Word. (John 17:3, 17; Heb. 11:1-3; James 2:19) At the same time it is a firm confidence (Rom. 4:18-21; 5:1; 10:10; Heb. 4:) that not only to others, but also to me,(Gal. 2:20) God has granted forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation,( Rom. 1:17; Heb. 10:10) out of mere grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits. (Rom.3:20-26; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-10) This faith the Holy Spirit works in my heart by the gospel. (Acts 16:14; Rom. 1:16; 10:17; I Cor. 1:21)

We believe that one can call himself a Christian because he is a member of Christ by faith (I Cor. 12:12-27) and thus share in His anointing, (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17; I John 2:27) so that he may as prophet confess His Name (Matt. 10:32; Rom 10:9, 10; Heb. 13:15), as priest present himself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him, (Rom. 12:1; I Pet. 2:5, 9) and as king fight with a free and good conscience against sin and the devil in this life, Gal. 5:16, 17; Eph. 6:11; I Tim. 1:18, 19) and hereafter reign with Him eternally over all creatures. (Matt. 25:34; II Tim. 2:12)

We believe that faith comes from the Holy Spirit, (John 3:5; I Cor. 2:10-14; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29) who works it in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel, (Rom. 10:17; I Pet. 1:23-25)] and strengthens it by the use of the sacraments. (Matt. 28:19, 20; I Cor. 10:16) The sacraments ordained by Jesus are holy, visible signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by their use He might the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel. (Gen. 17:11; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 4:11) And this is the promise: that God graciously grants us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life because of the one sacrifice of Christ accomplished on the cross. (Matt. 26:27, 28; Acts 2:38; Heb. 10:10)

We believe that Christ initiated two sacraments: holy baptism and the holy supper. (Matt. 28:19, 20; I Cor. 11:23-26)

We believe in water baptism by immersion. Christ instituted this outward washing (Matt. 28:19) and with it gave the promise that, as surely as water washes away the dirt from the body, so certainly His blood and Spirit wash away the impurity of my soul, that is, all our sins. (Matt. 3:11; Mark 16:16; John 1:33; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3, 4; I Pet. 3:21) To be washed with Christ's blood means to receive forgiveness of sins from God, through grace, because of Christ's blood, poured out for us in His sacrifice on the cross. (Ez. 36:25; Zech. 13:1; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 12:24; I Pet. 1:2; Rev. 1:5; 7:14) To be washed with His Spirit means to be renewed by the Holy Spirit and sanctified to be members of Christ, so that more and more we become dead to sin and lead a holy and blameless life. (John 3:5-8; Rom. 6:4; I Cor. 6:11; Col. 2:11, 12)

We believe that baptism (the outward washing with water) does not cleanse from sin. Only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins. (Matt. 3:11; I Pet. 3:21; I John 1:7) Therefore, baptism does not save. It is an outward symbol of an inward work.

We believe that the Lord's Supper signifies and seals to us that we share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all His gifts. Christ has commanded all believers to eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup in remembrance of Him. With this command He gave these promises: (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19, 20; I Cor. 11:23-25) First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely was His body offered for me and His blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the minister and taste with my mouth the bread and the cup of the Lord as sure signs of Christ's body and blood, so surely does He Himself nourish and refresh my soul to everlasting life with His crucified body and shed blood.

We believe that prayer is necessary for Christians. This is because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us. (Ps. 50:14, 15; 116:12-19; I Thess. 5:16-18) Moreover, God will give His grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing ask Him for these gifts and thank Him for them. (Matt. 7:7, 8; Luke 11:9-13)

We believe regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation. The Holy Spirit is, together with the Father and the Son, true and eternal God. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3, 4; I Cor. 3:16) Second, He is also given to me, (I Cor. 6:19; II Cor. 1:21, 22; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:13) to make me by true faith share in Christ and all His benefits, (Gal. 3:14; I Pet. 1:2.) to comfort me, (John 15:26; Acts 9:31) and to remain with me forever. ( John 14:16, 17; I Pet. 4:14) Thus the Christian is sealed by the Holy Spirit upon conversion. (II Cor 1:21-22) By the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit indwelling in the Christian, he is enabled to live a holy life. (Rom 15:16)

We believe that through Christ's death our old nature is crucified, put to death, and buried with Him, (Rom. 6:5-11; Col. 2:11, 12) so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer reign in us, (Rom. 6:12-14) but that we may offer ourselves to Him as a sacrifice of thankfulness. (Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:1, 2)

We believe that it is impossible that those grafted into Christ by true faith should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness.(Matt. 7:18; Luke 6:43-45; John 15:5)

We believe that though we have been delivered from our misery by grace alone through Christ, without any merit of our own, we must yet do good works. This is because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit to be His image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for His benefits, (Rom. 6:13; 12:1, 2; I Pet. 2:5-10) and He may be praised by us. (Matt. 5:16; I Cor. 6:19, 20) Further, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits, (Matt. 7:17, 18; Gal. 5:22-24; II Pet. 1:10, 11) and that by our godly walk of life we may win our neighbors for Christ. (Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; I Pet. 2:12; 3:1, 2)

We believe that man cannot be saved unless he turns to God from his ungrateful and impenitent walk of life. Scripture says that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, greedy person, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like shall inherit the kingdom of God. (I Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5, 6; I John 3:14) True repentance or conversion of man is the dying of the old nature and the coming to life of the new. (Rom. 6:1-11; I Cor. 5:7; II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10) Dying of the old nature is to grieve with heartfelt sorrow that we have offended God by our sin, and more and more to hate it and flee from it. (Ps. 51:3, 4, 17; Joel 2:12, 13; Rom. 8:12, 13; II Cor. 7:10) Coming to life of the new nature is a heartfelt joy in God through Christ, (Ps. 51:8, 12; Is. 57:15; Rom. 5:1; 14:17) and a love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works. (Rom. 6:10, 11; Gal. 2:20)

We believe that good works are only those which are done out of true faith (Joh. 15:5; Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:6), in accordance with the law of God (Lev. 18:4; I Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:10), and to His glory, (I Cor. 10:31) and not those based on our own opinion or on precepts of men. (Deut. 12:32; Is. 29:13; Ezek. 20:18, 19; Matt. 15:7-9)

We believe that those converted to God cannot keep these commandments perfectly. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience. (Eccles. 7:20; Rom. 7:14, 15; I Cor. 13:9; I John 1:8) Nevertheless, with earnest purpose they do begin to live not only according to some but to all the commandments of God. ( Ps. 1:1, 2; Rom. 7:22-25; Phil. 3:12-16)

We believe that God, because of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember our sins(Ps. 103:3, 4, 10, 12; Mic. 7:18, 19; II Cor. 5:18-21; I John 1:7; 2:2), nor our sinful nature, against which we have to struggle all our lives, (Rom. 7:21-25) but He will graciously grant us the righteousness of Christ, that we may never come into condemnation. (John 3:17, 18; 5:24; Rom. 8:1, 2)

We believe that we are righteous before God only by true faith in Jesus Christ. (Rom. 3:21-28; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8, 9; Phil. 3:8-11) Although our conscience accuses us that we have grievously sinned against all God's commandments, have never kept any of them (Rom. 3:9, 10), and am still inclined to all evil (Rom. 7:23) yet God, without any merit of our own (Deut. 9:6; Ezek. 36:22; Tit. 3:4, 5), out of mere grace (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8), imputes to us the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ. (Rom. 4:3-5; II Cor. 5:17-19; I John 2:1, 2) He grants these to us as if we had never had nor committed any sin, and as if we myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for us, (Rom. 4:24, 25; II Cor. 5:21) if only we accept this gift with a believing heart. (John 3:18; Acts 16:30, 31; Rom. 3:22)

We believe that we are righteousness only by faith: Not that we are acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of our faith, for only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is our righteousness before God. (I Cor. 1:30, 31; 2:2) We can receive this righteousness and make it mine our own by faith only. (Rom. 10:10; I John 5:10-12)