Doctrine of Adoption
This article explains the biblical doctrine that adoption is the act of God by which He receives redeemed sinners into His family as His beloved children. Adoption is not merely forgiveness nor regeneration, but a new legal standing and relational status: from orphan to son, from outsider to heir. Every believer is given the Spirit of adoption, by whom they cry, “Abba, Father.”
Doctrine of Angels
This article explains the biblical doctrine that angels are created, spiritual beings who serve God and minister to His people. They are mighty in power, holy in nature, and obedient to God's commands. Some angels fell through sin and became demons, who now oppose God and His purposes. Angels are not to be worshipped, but their existence and ministry are clearly revealed in Scripture.
Doctrine of Baptism
This article explains the biblical doctrine that baptism is the initial ordinance of the Christian church, commanded by Jesus Christ. It is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, symbolizing death to sin, burial with Christ, and resurrection to new life. Baptism does not save, but it is an act of obedience and a public declaration of faith
Doctrine of Creation
This article explains the biblical doctrine that God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing (ex nihilo) by His word alone. Creation was a direct, immediate, and supernatural act of the triune God in six literal, twenty-four hour days. All things were created good, for God's own glory, and are sustained by His power. This doctrine is foundational for understanding God, man, sin, and redemption.
Doctrine of Eternal Security (Perseverance of the Saints)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that those whom God has truly saved, justified, and regenerated can never totally nor finally fall away from a state of grace. They are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, and they will persevere in holiness until the end, because their salvation rests on God’s unchanging love and Christ’s finished work.
Doctrine of Hell
Hell is the eternal separation from God's presence, reserved for those who reject Christ, described throughout Scripture as a place of darkness, torment, and justice.
Doctrine of Man (Anthropology)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that man is a direct creation of God, made in the image and likeness of God. Man consists of a material body and an immaterial soul/spirit. He was created good and upright, but through Adam's fall, the entire human race fell into sin, corruption, and death. Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Doctrine of Prayer
This article explains the biblical doctrine that prayer is the sincere offering of the believer's requests, praises, and confessions to God. Prayer is not a ritual nor a means to manipulate God, but a commanded privilege of God's children. Through prayer, believers commune with the Father, seek His will, confess their sins, intercede for others, and receive mercy and grace in time of need.
Doctrine of Regeneration (The New Birth)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that regeneration is the secret, supernatural work of God by which He imparts spiritual life to a dead sinner. It is not a reformation of the old nature but a creation of a new nature. Without this new birth, no person can see or enter the kingdom of God.
Doctrine of Repentance
This article explains the biblical doctrine that repentance is a genuine sorrow for sin, a turning from it, and a turning to God, resulting in eternal life. Repentance is not merely feeling sorry but is a change of mind and heart that produces a changed life, and it is required by God alongside faith for salvation.
Doctrine of Sanctification
This article explains the biblical doctrine that sanctification is the work of God’s grace by which believers are set apart for God and progressively conformed to the image of Christ. It is a distinct but inseparable blessing from justification, beginning at regeneration and continuing throughout the Christian life until glorification.
Doctrine of Satan (The Devil)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that Satan is a real, personal, created being who fell from his original state of holiness through pride. He is the adversary of God and His people, the tempter, the deceiver of the whole world, and the accuser of the brethren. He has been defeated by Christ at the cross and will be cast into the lake of fire forever.
Doctrine of Scripture (Bibliology)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that the Holy Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, are the very Word of God. They are inspired (God-breathed), inerrant (without error), infallible (unable to fail), authoritative (binding on the conscience), sufficient (complete for faith and practice), and clear (understandable). The Bible is the final and only rule for all matters of faith and conduct.
Doctrine of the Atonement (Substitutionary Sacrifice)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that Jesus Christ, by His death on the cross, took the place of sinners, bearing the full wrath of God that they deserved. Through this substitutionary sacrifice, God’s justice was satisfied, His wrath was propitiated, and salvation was secured for all who believe.
Doctrine of the Church (Ecclesiology)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that the church is the assembly of the called-out people of God, comprised of all true believers in Jesus Christ. The church is described as the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the household of faith, established for worship, edification, discipline, and the proclamation of the gospel.
Doctrine of the Lord's Supper (Communion)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ on the night He was betrayed. It is the continued remembrance of His death through the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup. The bread represents His body broken for believers, and the cup represents His blood of the new covenant. It is a means of communion with Christ and with the church, to be observed until He returns.
Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead
This article explains the biblical doctrine that all the dead will be raised bodily from the grave. The righteous will be raised to everlasting life, and the wicked will be raised to everlasting judgment. The resurrection is fundamental to the Christian faith, guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is the hope of every believer.
Doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ
This article explains the biblical doctrine that the Lord Jesus Christ will personally, bodily, visibly, and gloriously return to the earth. His coming will be sudden, triumphant, and universal. He will raise the dead, judge the living and the dead, complete the salvation of His people, and establish His eternal kingdom.
Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that a sinner is declared righteous before God solely through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works of the law. This righteousness is not earned but imputed (credited) to the believer through Christ’s perfect obedience and atoning death alone.
Sola Scriptura
This article explains the biblical doctrine that the written Word of God—the Scriptures—is the sole, supreme, and final authority for faith, practice, and doctrine. It demonstrates from the Bible itself that Scripture is inspired, sufficient, and self-authenticating, needing no external tradition or human authority to confirm its truth.
The Grace of God
This article explains the biblical doctrine that the grace of God is His unmerited favor toward sinners. Grace gives what is not deserved: salvation, forgiveness, eternal life, and every spiritual blessing. Grace is not earned, merited, or deserved. It is a free gift of God through Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul declares, "By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Grace is the foundation of the gospel, the source of salvation, and the power for holy living.
The Holiness of God
This article explains the biblical doctrine that God is holy, meaning He is absolutely separate from sin, pure in character, and exalted above all creation. Holiness is the central attribute of God, the one most frequently emphasized in Scripture. The seraphim cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." God's holiness means He cannot sin, cannot tolerate sin, and must judge sin. Yet His holiness also provides the basis for His redemption, as He makes sinners holy through Jesus Christ. The holiness of God is both terrifying to the wicked and precious to the redeemed.
The Immutability of God (God's Unchanging Nature)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that God does not change in His essence, character, purposes, or promises. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He cannot improve or deteriorate. He does not learn, grow, or develop. He is not subject to mutation, decay, or variation. His immutability means that His character is eternally consistent, His purposes are eternally fixed, and His promises are eternally sure. This truth gives believers confidence in God's faithfulness and stability in a changing world.
The Justice of God
This article explains the biblical doctrine that God is just, meaning He always acts in accordance with what is right and fair. He rewards righteousness and punishes sin. His justice is not an abstract principle but flows from His holy character. He is the Judge of all the earth, and He will do right. He cannot be bribed, swayed, or corrupted. His justice is impartial, perfect, and certain. It is demonstrated in His law, in His temporal judgments, and supremely in the cross of Christ. The justice of God gives comfort to the oppressed and terror to the wicked.
The Love of God
This article explains the biblical doctrine that God is love. Love is not merely an attribute of God; it is His very essence. He loves eternally, perfectly, and unconditionally. His love is holy, sacrificial, and covenantal. It is demonstrated supremely in the giving of His Son for sinners. The love of God is the source of all true love in the world and the foundation of the believer's security and hope. Yet God's love must be understood alongside His holiness, justice, and wrath. He loves sinners, but He hates sin.
The Mercy of God
This article explains the biblical doctrine that God is merciful, meaning He withholds the punishment that sinners deserve and shows compassion to the miserable. Mercy is not the same as grace. Grace gives what is not deserved; mercy withholds what is deserved. God's mercy flows from His love and compassion. He is slow to anger and abundant in mercy. He delights in showing mercy and does not willingly afflict the children of men. The mercy of God is the foundation of the gospel and the hope of every sinner.
The Omnipotence of God (God's All-Powerful Nature)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that God possesses unlimited power to do whatever He wills. Nothing is too hard for Him. He created the universe by His word, upholds all things by His power, and accomplishes His purposes without resistance. His power is not potential but actual, not limited but infinite. The question is never whether God can do something but whether He wills to do it. The omnipotence of God gives believers confidence in prayer, hope in trial, and assurance that His promises cannot fail.
The Omnipresence of God (God's All-Present Nature)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that God is present everywhere at all times. There is no place in creation where God is not fully present. He fills the heavens and the earth. He is not distant or remote but intimately near to every creature. His omnipresence does not mean that God is spread out like a fog or divided into parts; rather, He is entirely present in every location simultaneously. This truth assures believers of God's nearness, warns the wicked that they cannot hide, and calls all people to live in the presence of the all-seeing God.
The Omniscience of God (God's All-Knowing Nature)
This article explains the biblical doctrine that God possesses perfect, complete, and eternal knowledge of all things. He knows the past, present, and future. He knows all actual events and all possible events. He knows the thoughts of every heart, the words on every tongue, and the end from the beginning. His knowledge is not learned or acquired; it is inherent and infinite. Nothing is hidden from His sight. This truth calls believers to humility, honesty, and trust, and warns the wicked that their secret sins will be brought to light.
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
This article explains the biblical doctrine of the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity, fully God and distinct from the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a divine person with intellect, emotions, and will. His work includes creation, revelation, regeneration, indwelling, sealing, sanctification, empowerment for service, and the giving of spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, convicts the world of sin, and applies the salvation accomplished by the Son to the people of God. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the unforgivable sin.